The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-22 00:00:00

T.FIE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY
_EVENING, JANUARY
_225 180.

....0— ------..,.......+40.---.'""1"." , vAlt; O.) v.errt_ ,bir 7 the Right IT—on ----theChanTellOr of the Exchequer slid
tracts from various letters to show 62. . .
Ow. the ells?, i November, but he would give him the benefit of the 31
,
had left nothing undone to provide foots I
Jost
i
days,
and he would ask, how 11.121-,:y lives hail bee,.
people by the establi.!lttuent of soup-kitchens ;2.'4 t!!.,,,°
n the interval ? They did not complain
opening of stores. Wight), -five toes et wheat had beia
: 1
didet what the Government meant to do, but tine
distributed in Skibthe eeii in a very short time
complain that they did not that which they ought to
He believed that same statement might be . ber
They ought to copy the example of an illustrious
.
.eidual whom they were very fond of copying, he
made in reference to other pieces ; and when the do:*
statement of the Goverelaent was laid before inch.
the King of the French. He had bought corn to
the House they would find that the Noble Lord ' meant
throughout the country, but the Ministry of
was quite inaccurate in the statements, and that food distribute'
was given to the poor to a considerable extent its the this bountiy had bought it only to place it in
very district to which allusion had been made.—(Hear, their depots.- He would just mention the life
hear.) He hoped the landlords of Ireland would led by an Ir.i.sh gentleman at this period In the
now exert themselves in their own localities without morning the .'house was surrounded by a number of
depending upon the exertions of Government persons, perhaps fourteen or fifteen, who presented
at the present most momentous crisis, for it i their tin pane at the dour, and they received the
was impossible for Government to meet efficiently broken meats that could be spared them. Another
all the distress which unfortunately prevailed in batch came at dinner time, and soup was served
that country. They were ready to give liberal out to them. Such were the miseries which
support and assistance towards meeting the present prevailed in the country, and he hoped that
disastrous circumstances of the country; but he must means would soon be taken to remedy them.
repeat again that the whole onus should not be thrown The state of the country demanded their utmost exer-
upon them. That it would be possible to preserve dons in order to remove every obstacle to the introdue•
the whole population of Ireland from starvation, he tion of food. The 4s. duty was one obstacle, and he
was sorry to say that he was not very sanguine. hoped that with regard to that, and all other im-
But by due exertion on the part of the landlords pediments, there would be a perfect unanimity and
they might in a great measure avert future distress, as co-operation between them, in order, as quickly us
well as that which existed at present in Ireland. possible, to relieve the wants of a suffering country.
Mr. HU ME must say that a great deal of time Mr. P. SCROPE would readily give lifs support to
hid been wasted by not having produced these the proposal, but looking at the strong precautionary
papers at first—he must say that there was measures that had generally been adopted in many parts
great neglect in their not having produced them before. of Ireland, it was somewhat surprising that so much
Ile must also say that he had seldom been more disiap- destitution and so many deaths had occurred in that
pointed by what had taken place, but he hoped that ceuntry.—(Hear, hear.) Skibbereen exhibited a frightful
they were to have the trade thrown open. The country picture of disease and suffering, while in many less ex -
expected this from the Noble Lord, and that he would tensive places they heard of people dying by fives and
not permit the past state of things to continue, and no tens of thousands, and yet all this had occurred
longer adhere to that absurd system of opening the trade in the face of the large precautionary measures which
when the ports of Europe were closed against therm were said to have been taken by the Government.—
lie would remind the Noble Lord that, if he refused to (Hear.) With such precautionary measures before them,
maintain tho-e navigation laws, he would immediately he confessed tie thought the prediction of the Hon.
deprive the col nies, unless he at the same time gave Gentleman who had just resumed his seat still more
them free trade, or the only protection which they enjoyed. strange.—(Hear.) lie entertained strong feelings upon
An American now erjoyed th•• advantage of one dollar the subject. With a country like this, presided over
per load, so that it was better for a West Indian colonist by a Government possessing such enormous power
to buy for four dollars in New York than three at Mon- —with such immense resources at its disposal—
treal. So that, unless they took off the duty on ships, considering the minuteness of the territory over which
they could never carry out the principle of free trade, they presided, and the facilities they had of communi
and it would be a high injustice to the colonists, eating from one place to another, he could not under-
unless they allowed them to trade freely with all the stand how, after these precautionary measures
world, unless they gave them free trade. If the Noble had been fully brought into operation, it could
Lord was wise he would take off the duty from timber be at all reasonable to en ect,or how any person could
and all the other articles, on the commerce in which look forward to a large numb er of individuals dying
restrictions were laid. If the Noble Lord would grant of famine in any part of Ireland.—(Hear, hear.)
him a Committee he would engage to prove that He regretted that
the agencies established by the
this was a notional benefit. If the Noble Lord Government in Ireland had failed in many instances, on
would refer to the evidence taken before the account of the imperfect organization which the Govern-
Committee in 1840, and would look at Mr. John Young's went had adopted for the purpose of dispensing relief
evidence, he would find that that gentleman there to the people. The Noble Lord (Lord J. Russell) had
showed what a disadvantage it was to impose a duty on stated that the Government had been unable to obtain
timber. Ile proved that at Rio Janeiro there were 150 sufficient information to enable them to dispense relief
ships, and that out of those 100 were British vessels in the proper districts, and in proper quantities, but he
overloaded with the expense at which theyhad been built, apprehended if they had *acted more in unison
and yet struggling to obtain a share of the trade, with the local authorities, t
have been that a more equitable and
had taken
andp la eemu echh.
in order that they might remunerate their owners, desirable dispensation could
He, therefore, came to the conclusion, that if the of the suffering and death thathd t
duty on timber had not existed the whole of viated. Ile called upon the
theirernment tofirresdteeroduthve
the carrying business of that port would have fallen pledge they had made—that
into the hands of British subjects. It; again, in the was to see that the people dienot di, from staariov
Chancellor I
a
evidence taken in 1840, the Noble Lord refers to Mr. tion. By fulfilling ti•eir pledge, the ti
Mitchell's testimony, he would find that that gentleman of the Right Honourable Gentleman the
stated himself to be a shipowner, an importer of the Exchequer that they might apprehend more
of timber, and a builder of ships ; but so great deaths from starvation would not be realised.
were the impediments thrown in his way that Mr. PHILIPS—He would make peace with the
he had to pay 40 to 50 per cent. fur the timber imported Hon. Gentlemen at the other side of the House, if they
into this country, and for that which he could would send 100,000/. worth of corn to the country. -
get elsewhere. He had consequently built a num- Mr. BRIGHT wished to know whether these laws
her of ships in Sweden. The ships were British were made to have reference to vessels laden with corn,
ships although they bore Swedish names, and because he understood that as far as the United States
traded to British ports, were owned by British were concerned the insurances would be affected.
subjects, and commanded by British captains. The fact The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—Corn
was, that Mr. Mitchell paid only eight pounds a ton might be imported in vessels for home use free of duty.
abroad for his timber, whereas in England he had to Mr. BRIGHT—The Right Hon. Gentleman did nut
pay twelve pounds. He trusted, therefore, that the Noble seem to understand him (Mr. Bright). It was not a
Lord would take this subject into consideration, for if he question of duty. It was whether or not certain
did, and relieved the trade of the duty which was now vessels would be admitted into the ports. For
imposed upon it, he (Mr. Hume) felt assured that Eng- instance, would a vessel from Holland or the United
land vosuld become the manufactory of ships for all the States be admitted into the Mersey, and be allowed to
world, as it was for other articles, and thus the principles discharge her cargo there.
of free trade would be carried out in the comprehensive The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—She
manner which they deserved, and which would prove a would be allowed to discharge.
lasting benefit to the country. If they had this, Mr. ROEBUCK.—WouId vessels laden with cotton
they should have no longer to hear the corn- and corn be admitted into the ports?
plaints of famine, of which, during the present The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER.—
week, so much had been said in that House. A ship would be admitted to discharge her cargo only
They had only to look at the state of the colonies to see with respect to corn.
the injurious operation of the navigation laws. He had Mr. BRIGHT was quite satisfied that unless the sw-
im hesitation in saying, that had these laws been repealed pension were to be carried out to its full extent, the
five months ago, they would have had very large measure would be of comparatively little service. It is
supplies of food. These were the grounds on the opinion of those who are connected with the
which he considered the Government had not proved shipping interest, that so far as the United
themselves equal to the emergency. In order to effect a States at least are concerned, that the charge would
proper settlement of all these difficulties, they ought to be next to useless. When he saw them sending
have gone to the root of the evil at once. large sums every week from the imperial Treasury
Lord JOHN RUSSELL—Sir, the Hon. Gentleman and that the Archbishop was directed to offer up I rayers
expresses himself dissatisfied with the policy of for the aversion of famine, it did seem unwise to stop
the Government. In the explanation of that policy short in the matter, and not carry out the measure to the
which I have made I stated my desire that, utmost extent.
in the present circumstances of the country and the The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
dearth of provisions, the measures which her Ma that the measure was founded upen the Bill of 1817,
jesty's Government were desirous of undertaking to when a set of circumstances existed similar to
relieve the evil should be such as would command, if those which were now experienced ; and he repeated
possible, the general support of the House.—(Hear, that corn might be imported in any vessel, from any coun-
hear.) But the Hon. Gentleman objects to the course try free of duty, and that corn also warehoused in this
we have taken, because we are not prepared country might be taken out of bond without paying
to introduce three separate measures of legisletion, the duty.
The first is, the total and unconditional repeal of the Mr. BRIGHT did not know why they should adhere
corn-laws. He finds fault with us because we are not to the old law at all, for when making so great a change
prepared to rescind the arrangement of last year—a it was not worth while, when making this alteration, to
course which, if undertaken by the Government, would, be restrained by such usages.
no doubt, excite the opposition of the Noble Lord oppo- Mr. M. PHILLIPS did not recollect the circum-
site (Lord G. Bentinck), and we should have to fight the stances of 1817, but he felt quite satisfied that unless
battle of last year over again. The lion. Gentleman, the suspension of the navigation laws was made to
in the second place, complains that we do not propose affect all the articles imported, it would be next to use-
the entire abrocation of the navigation laws—a course less, and that ships would be beating airout for
which if taken by us would most likely induce the oppo- freight just as much as they had been of late
sition of the Hon. Member for the University of Ox- He was persuaded that, notwithstaneing the strong ex-
ford (Sir R. H. Inglis). —(lieer, hear.) And then he pressions of feeling made in Ireland against this
states that these would be of no use unless they were country, they would do all they could for the relief
accompanied by a repeal of the timber duties.—(Hear.) of the country. He knew the difficulties the Govern •
Our ships, he tells us, are at present, compared with went had to contend with, because they were not
foreign vessels, placed at a disadvantage of 50 per cent., foreseen. Even so late as the (trst of October last, the
and that the timber duties should be repealed in order prices which ruled gave n® indication that a
to enable them to compete freely with other nations in scarcity was likely to occur. At that time
commercial transactions. It may be right policy in the Midland counties wheat was 18s. the
to repeal these duties, but to do so the bag of three bushels. Ho thought that if the
Honourable Gentleman must be prepared for Government had interfered earlier great mischief would
a considerable reduction of revenue, and have ensued, and the freights and prices would
the substitution of another tax in order to meet the have risen much higher than they had done.
deficiency. In undertaking measures of relief to meet It was not for him to make any suggestions to the Noble
the present emergency, therefore, lam not prepared to Lord in anticipation of the measures which he intended
propose three great measures, every one of which to bring forward for Ireland. One thing, however,
would, no doubt, meet with violent opposition Irons he would observe that in whatever mode or shape
Honourable Members in this House.—(Loud cheers.) it was proposed to afford relief it would be desirable
Colonel CONNOLLY was sorry to find the Chancellor that the largest amount of seed should be sowed
of the Exchequer labouring under the impression to that may be required by the wants of the people.
.vhich he had given utterance with respect to Ireland. Lord JOHN RUSSELL wished to observe, in reference to
the remarks. of the Hon. Member foy Durham, that the Go-
A great portion of the county he represented was in a
most awful state of destitution. Language could not vernmsentnioposing the suspension of the laws, had the
difficulties he suggested under their consideration.
describe it. He himself sent 3,0001. to Liverpool, to !They7rnnhad acted on the precedent of 1817. It would be diffi-
purchase food for Donegal, and though he did not wish to
(ult to adopt the course suggested without an evasion of the
say anything derogatory to the Chancellor of the Ex- Navigation laws; or to make a measure that would enable
chequer, lac was bound to say that the information he them to ascertain whether the conditions referred to were ful-
received was strangely at variance with the facts. Her filled or not. These difficulties induced him to adhere to the
could not describe the destitution which prevailed from precedent of 1817; but if any method of obviating the diffi-
the bay of Donegal to Derry, and it was absurd cult), were pointed out he would give it his best consideration.
to talk of reliving it by the ordinary operations of Mr. ROEBUCK considered that the navigation laws
There ware neither mills nor factories nor great should be entirely done away; their great object was to have
trade,
traders ear small traders, throughout the whole, extent vessels for the transport of corn, lower the rate of freightage,
objectridthatoral
would be obtained, and they had no right to
n
of the country, and the other night he adduced that as
limit it to c
Mr. I', BARD' nGe'said that if he understood the meaningnv s
should
of
3 proof of the ignorance of the Commissary-General.
l'he intensity of the destitution was such that the seller the Member for Bath it was that the navigation I
could obtain anNow, thaty prices he pleased for pro be entirely suspended. if principle were admitted,
the American tta cargoes would come into competition wagvisions, and, under such circumstances, to talk of
,he eeelipery operations of trade was absurd. Knowing the English. The Noble Lord had shown the difficulties of
these facts, 'end seeing with his own eyes the horrible transporting mixed cargoes,. there was perfect truth in what
wretchedness which
.prevailed, he could not con- he stated ; but he believed that these measures would be very
rider Ititeself as acting jeetly by his constituents inoperative, and he would not consent to them save to show
if he did not state them to the House. the sympathy which he felt for Ireland ; and he could assure
Ile It sped the Homes would do him the honour of be- the Right Hon. Gentleman, if he proposed a general repeal
of the navigation laws he would have to submit to a strong re-
lieving Wm, fur he only stated that to which he was a
monstrance from the commercial bodies in the country, and to
.vitness. MP principle of providence was carried so
some opposition in that House.
far, that numbers of the people would starve before
they were permitted to enjoy the provisions which tle,e. Mr. BRIGHT was not quite sure that the Hon. Member
for Huntingdon (Mr. Baring) was quite so good an authority
H
Government had stored up.— (Hear, hear.)
representative
greatiis
ir ion aupon of thet largest
political questions, although he was the
d uethe
aercantile question
could not help praising the fort sight of the
Government, but he did consider that this principle
night b.- carried too far. lie acid these thit,gs with of the Cor
n)i aws had been proved bheyofuseteheepeinrrieepntehiel
very great pain, for he w-uld not by any means desire to be fallacious. -
to embarrass the Governtuent. But these things were Lord GEORGE BENTINCK thought it would require
require
facts these were truths ; and it would be cul- sHoonine.
Friendassurance i h
eonmtehmebpearrtfoorfHthunetHinognd.onAtintlhbeirgwntora•nacreguepohis
liable in him to go forth from that House
the people that the effect of the
without stating them, particularly after hearing
s s uoroeli
Lit
themight subject of which he was speaking. The Hon. Membern
the statement to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He
repeal J the corn-lawsa
hoi.ehaavnee rehceollheacdted, that at every meeting of the Ant i• Corn_
the Government credit for the best intentions, but
their °niece; had ben always in tle• habit of retire- bread to the people—(Cheers
blre to givethe a large loaf and cheap
gei;litife that the destitution was not really I and also to increase the exportseonif th Opposition benches)—
so toeteesive as it seise represented to be. Why, had heard that in the county of Lancasteercosuoontrinyjils Whene theyk
it had itaifee=ed to an etseeing degree since long
five
time, and that the exports of the countrywhared work-
ed
people had now a; ay three times If
it first began. The ( Che —(Cheers)—it ) millions
it inthe
face of their free-trade and corn-laws
the price which they had itethre, He would
Foster
leave
Hon. Member certainlyrequiredforpttrharnt
ofMr. oster,
.as to charge his Hon. Friend with
to refer the House to the atetereettt ignorance in the predictions
Quaker, who rasid,d in Norwich, foe Itie vuth of In
cheering.) With reference whichtoth he had made.—( Renewed
allegation. He bad instituted the most generous eyetens prepared to support her Majesty'senavition laws, he was
Government, provided the
of relief that had been devised. suspension was restricted to corn alone ; but he could not sup-
The CHANCELLOR of
the ExcIiE(XER was at port the proposition for their suspension as regarded all other
a lose to know to what portion of his speech the Hon, articles. The navigation-laws involved a great political and
and Gallant Member had referred. jig
had stated in national question.be He had always predicted that free-trade in
his *pie eh that the Government had estanlislied a m wou _un• corn Id
only
_thaeperecursor of a demand for free-trade in
everything else, (I:_h r, and counter cheers.) He took
s
bey of depots, and that their exertions had been greater
occasion to tell the shipping interest, when they joined in the
than was generally supposed to have been tuken. agitation for the repeal of the corn-lavrs that .such would be
Colonel CONNOLLY said it was quite true that the and that the shipping•
the consequence,
not, interest would be the
depots had been established, but no distribution of foodHe would
next to come._
_however,. avenge the cause of
had token place up to this very date. There was a the agricultural interestby lending his hand to the repeal of
depotb. in Wire, upon his own estate at Killabegs, the navigation laws. lie had not forgotten that there was a
let not a morsel er eern had found its way into the time when the Dutch had the whole carrying trade of the
eie9,1e,44; ‘'.!• the people. world, and in consequence of their great marine, they were
/be I-14k:.4!.,L01t of the EXCHEQUER could enabled to lead their " Van Tromp" with a broom at the
only repeat ieli,?4 ke 44 G-41 b 'l' —tt ' 4
le, c ore . lit I tt depot at mast head, to sweep the Thames of British commerce. He
Sligo had been open in:-._e t" hitttes' opd Of the. glourgin should resist to the uttermost any attempt to repeal the nevi-
Colonel CONNOLLY '•' • tie ' 4 'j'l a- and to allow the cotton of Manchester (for that
I 11' P'(4 .. 4 twoi; open, it lotion a o
f the Hon. Member for Durharn) to be brought
was true, but only for the sheobject o
purpose 0; sending coFil to was ...
vi. the cheapest rate.—(Hear, hear.)
other depots. Corn was sent from any s to at
the dopo' et II,On4a lh,-, ""th'enavigation laws, he agreed in the
to Donegal; but he repeated what he before ' Sligo esoopled 144,i0 l'- been better to have Sas.
d said, OW
not a morsel of it had been • , an;nion thet it woold lttve „
I he could not agree
consumed by the poor of r".. • ' tame once' StII
Sligo 01' its neighbourhcod. Peptise' thgln some 9 u, e dr coadliet trf ‘ll,=r Majesty's
Mr. GRATTAN—If the Chancellor of the in 4 4"tr4nug f',l4;74.Cnrt. el'euie iee 1-tert3 1q,14 'll4 ;IP °Yu"
Exche-
quer wore right in his assertion, then h Niinliterl: lip -t- nN-, 7•- "i 'l4t pi, 440 believe. thit
Connolly) would have a right of action c (Colonel who, upon the 3ti tif AnPls ",4, nFescnt itpperlding qii the
against the there was any calamity stieli as r e. ~...._ eii„i„er4 coF not
Honourable Member, for it was only lastweekwouldnot, therefore, thontewli "e" ' • ..,asfen
lie was induced to subscribe a that country, He
sum of money having foreseen this great famine, s. "rape ;wept 4? tbe
for the relief of the distress, in consequence of his of the 4s. duty, though be would pot d
stp4
tho,
issinz informed that no corn had been issued from 't to he fliltiil4tlY P 4 er . ' ' 4
the measure, he begged t
stip Wetait efikillP t e
depot et Xligo. The Chancellor of the Exchequer he did not believe that the , rteene eaetiper!
seemed to have taken considerable pains in quoting consumer to get his cora ewe, '4 '''` '''
nmeat because
from a large number of documents, which seemed to him Neither would he censure the v"te‘e met , th„ngli
ought te have fallen to the province of the Right Lion. they had delayed the suspension of
w..,e.t.shel
pr
and
the Setl4l4ry of State for the Home Department, theeregretted that they had been ltd awee.teollt7o7: 11;1414 'rot
cry from without to ',WAN& their /4 fuel neesiiect.
et least hotiho Should have been given to the
OF Le , look at the matter 46 an stgricelterel pr ptroteo . 1 . the
kiloyes cp4t such a eoati4 was about to be adopted. bat has coed act help thialsiog that tiee glsaleelloe of Pt
They Fer,4o4 t. et 3,700,000 quartera of wheat had Exchequer was snot so tull-haoded as to do witklorlt OP 4,14 .
been brpu t
,:l 1,9 Aufl,Pd up to the Uit DefeMbpr , present raised from trait/. Let the IA §t viLat ?awed only
' --...... i
1

f yesterday in the city of Lends;:,. He held then in his hand a
circular issued by one of the most eminent brokers in the
country. It was published by Mr. Osborne and Son, and
stated that the effect of the joint nights' proceedings was to
depress barley and malt, in which there were scarcely any
transactions, while bonded corn had risen in price to the
1 extent of the reduc ion in duty. It stated further, that in
grain generally considerable business was done, while grain in
proof that every
bond had risen from mss. to 3s. a quarter. This was a
hadh
a too
therefore s treng
farthing of the reduction would go
Into the pockets of the corn factors. The complaint
he had against her Majesty's Government was, that
theynd
,i i d twelve
lose
:Immo
on
ot months, , the
while
effect
no good o would par
npes e feelingd forthe thes
ti g
pceonrsni 0
n merchants,e f
the
a
duty in their favour.—( Hear, hear.) Assuming that four
w wledu be
that
the revenue
n
millions of quarters of wheat would be imported during the
next
d would be done to the n.
suer, he would receive his f at no reduced prices.—(Hear,
e
w
m food
hear.) It was his opinion, that had the old law been retained
the Government would have been far different to what it is
now, as it would then have, since the Ist of April last, received
in duty 1,300,000/. instead of 600,000/., which might have
been applied to meet the wants of the people of Ireland, and
we would now have had in bond three millions of quarters
which could have been purchased for The duty
that purpose.
before - was never less than 10s., Lnd the sum raised would
have been to keep down priced, and the Government could
have so arranged that not one man in Ireland need have died
of starvation. ( Hear, hear.) The present Govern-
ment, however, were not to blame for the change
in the law, but they were to blame for not
interfering to preventthe exportations of •
grain
from Ireland, and in adhering so closely to their free
trade doctrines.—(Hear, hear.) By a paler which he held
in his hand, it appeared that (luring the last eleven months,
while the imports of grain into Ireland had been 450,000
quarters, the exports were 1,700,000, being a balance of ex-
ports of nearly 1,300,000._( Hear, hear.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the do-
cument refe-red to took no account of the English grain im-
ported into Ireland, but only that from foreign countries.
Lord G. BENTINCK was sure the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer would find that what had been stated was substantially
correct, and that the balance of grain exported froom Ireland
into this kingdom was 1,300,01,0 quarters. It the Government
had prohibited the exportation of this food, it would have sup-
ported two and a half million of persons till the next harvest.—
(Hear, hear.) The Governmeut had likewise committed a
great mistake in stating that all the countries in the world had
been ransacked for grain. They seemed to forget that the
message of the President of the United States, delivered
on the Bth of December last, in which Mr. Polk stated
in his message, that in home market it was totally impossible to
dispose of the immense supplies, even at reduced prices. The
provisions could not be consumed in the country. They were
able not only to feed the people of their own land, but to sup-
ply the deficiencies of the whole world. They had also been
furnished with an official state of the crops in the year 1845.
issued by the Board of Trade, at Washington, the documents
of which were generally as correct as those produced in this•
country, and it represented the total produce of the United
States in that year to be 776,600,000 bushels of corn and grain.
of all sorts, being equal to 97,000,000 of quarters. An amount
as stated by the Government paper at Washington, that ex-
ceeded by many tens of millions of bushels, the consumption of
the United States. The yield of the present year had been
much greater than 1845, so that there was little danger
of prices rising ranch higher than they were now,
and it would only be necessary for the Govern-
ment to furnish with larger depsts for food, so as to
keep down the prices. A friend, who had just been in Ire-
land, informed him, that even at the present time, the stacks
of the farmers were than they usually were at this period of the
year, and that they were holding back for higher prices He
did think that the great mistake of the Government consisted
in following out the doctrines of political economy, and not
taking measures to keep d .vrn prices in Ireland.--(Hear.)
They had doubtless many of them heard of the proceedings of
the Eastern monarch, Ali Shah, one of the greatest, wisest,
as well as one of the most mischievous monarchs that had ever
ruled. His proceedings were more commendable than the
policy of the present Government. It was said that a great
pestilence devastated Persia, followed by a famine, in which
men, women, and children, died in numbers. Complaints
were made to the Shah that the rich merchants refused to sell
their grain, though the people were perishing. The Shah said,
"These men have done well in keeping a supply of corn.
Nadi.- Schah then made a proclamation that 10,000 golden
tomauns should be the reward of that good man who should
produce the largest supply of food. Many, claims were sent in,
but an Armenian gained the prize, for he had greater store
than any one else. He thought the people cried out, and men
and women and children asked for food—dying in the streets,
he refused to sell—saying, "prices will yet rise." The Schah
ordered his treasurer to go to the treasury and bring 10,000
tomauns, that the Armenian might be paid. He said, when
they were brought, "Sit down, my friend, and count over thy
gold." The corn merchant, having counted over his gold
tornauns, said, " They are all right." It is told that then
Nadir Sehah frowned on him, and, turning to his chief execu-
tioner, said, " Lay hands on him, and take him forth—tie
the 10,060 tomauns to his feet, and hang him to the highest
gate of the city of Rocharem —that all Persia may see that
Nadir Schah does justice to such as take advantage of ajudg-
ment of God." That was the course, but in a milder form
which had he been one of her Majesty's Ministers, he would
adopt towards the forestallers and regraters, and other political
economists in Ireland, who held out to get large prices from
the starving children of Ireland.—(Loud cheers.) He would
have recourse to that m'lder expedient by the enters
prise of sending large supplies to compete with
the existing prices of corn by
of Ireland should have the opportunity of purchasing corn at
something nearer a proper price, than of purchasing it, as it
was known they were, at 9s. per bushel for corn which cost the
importer not 4s. Had her Majesty's Government pursued
this course, as sure he felt that they should not now have had
to lament the distress, and starvation, and death in many
parts of Ireland, the people of which were starving as much
from want of provisions as from want of money to buy them
with. He was not going to offer any opposition to her Ma-
jesty's Government, but he could not support the measure
without protesting that he for one was not of opinion that there,
would be any result from it, save that of putting into the
pockets 4 the corn merchants, and more especially into the
pockets of foreigners, to whom he grudged it still more than he
did to the merchants themselves, the atnotint of the difference
of duty : and although he su .ported it, he was not to be held
responsible fur its consequences, and if he had it in his power,
he for one would have maintained the high duty, and offered
that duty so levied to the maintenance and subsistance of the
people of Ireland.—( Cheers.) . •
Mr. 1311OWNE said, in rising for the first time in the
Commons,
House of he felt naturally diffident, and he had not-
intended to speak at all, but that he had heard such arguments
from the Noble Lord who had just sat down, that he could not
help noticing them.
;;The Noble Lord had related an Eastern
tale; he would tell a story to match it. At the time of the
Emperor Julian, the city of Antioch was in the same position
as Ireland was at present, and in order to relieve it and its in-
,_
he E in-
habitants, its its ports were thrown open to all l
vessels• f
fr
1 om thr
peror Julian, among others, contributed arge Yh t those
public purse, and the consequence was
t a
compelled to
vessels which brought in corn
wered
therefore neither
sell their goods at the reduced prices, an
under any cir-
they nor the farmers would bring in their cotta
nearly starved:cumstances,
cumstances, and the city of Antioch was very
What, another case in Bombay? They had a stock of rice to
last them for sixteen months at a time that the people were in
fordays
and
a state of starvation. The Council deliberated
days, and at length took the step of keeping all the corn at
Atter an anxious
home, and opening their ports to all vessels.
best to permit
calculation, it was determined that it would be
the corn to go out, as it was wanted, in the confidence that all
ships going to India would look in to see if Bon?
ba
O was sup-
plied, and finding a demand, would sell their
gods there.
vessels en-
When it was known across the country, numerous
tered the port, and having inquired the prices, and finding
done
them
ded to
fair, disposed of their cargoes of corn. He had not menu n
have addressed the House on that occasion, but bg
so, he thanked them for the attention they had I
Paid 'Tin the
Sir C. NAPIER, who was very imperfectly heart,ssiun
of
gallery, said that in his opinion, to make use of an
exPrebane of
the Noble Lord's, the navigation laws were the. very..e
noriga.
the shipping interests, and he felt satisfied, that if more h more enter-.
tion laws were totally and entirely abolished, mue
resent =-
prise would take place than was going on a the
Pntry would
ment. They would see that the seamen of this conumen
would
get more protection, better paid, and the Gover t
were in the
build much better ships than those which they
habit of building at the present moment, if it were once known
did not exist.'
throughout the world that the navigation
lawsware that from.:
He wondered whether the Noble Lord wasi aware .
d off' the coast
50,000 to 60,000 British seamen were ewe o_rat.nn
1 of these,
of America in consequence of the indirect Pe
°,- were altogether
laws. In his opinion, if the Navigation-
lawable to cope with
abolished, they would not find any power
so erica ? It
them. What had they done with respect
AmerAmica were far
was found that the ships sent to trade with this
country and
inferior to the American ships brought to
rehants were set
what was done? All the energies of them e
di .
d steam-boats
to work, and they constructed those splen
E land and
England
which now carried on the entire trade betwefor ,
d with all his
America. He was surprised that the Nobl Instead of opposing
boldness, did not think proper to suggestn,g
hy an order in
free trade in corn, did not suggest suspending
Council the navigation laws.
•r, some doubt with
Mr. ItOr.BUCK said that he bad been i
Lord that after-
regard to the meaning of the Noble ,
seemedto
noon, who, in speaking of the Member for Bath
f the subject on which
throw some doubt upon his knowledgew
°the attention of the
he had spoken. He would ju.sthadt
rtahe Noble Lord first said,
he construction of .
that the measure
House to t
said that he believed
The Noble Lord had
d yet he supported it. That war his
would be mischievous, an.
believed it to be mischievous,
He said he the people of
first proposition.
the price of corn to
not lower .
the hands of the fore-
because it would
wonld go Int..
Ireland, but the money
whom he went on to say he would
raters, to
Towered, what Nadir.
stallers and I eg
if he were en
do in a milder form,
hanged the Armenian with ten thou
Shah did. Nadir Shah. feet, on a high gibbet. He sup_
at his
' bl Lord's • fl"
in iction, the
sand golden tomauns
of the No e
in the administration l wee and the ten thousand
posed,
mewhat o ,
ibbet could be so
t the feet of the men, but some-
tomauns could not be
Noble
I Lord ventured in his stre-
where else. The N
measure of last
meat to say that year was
e
tim
mischievous, because it increased the price of corn,
and yet, said the Noble
Lord, he did not oppose it as a Bill.
He was convinced that t
he Noble Lord did not know what he
Ile had a copy of the return
which had been made of theit
said after he once sat down.duty
levied on corn during several
was headed a return of the aye-
months of the last yearo•
corn between the 25th of June of
rage of the duty levied n
f Januar( and he would just read it
last year, and the 14th o .
„ ale Lord opposite, and some of his
for the edification of the er
that under
by that return, the Act passed
friends. He found June was 4s.
duty durirg , a quarter, and
last sender), the
have been 'B'• In it
under the old law it would . July would
l der th 1
wei e un e o d law it would
have been 55., 65., and 75., o
A ust it was is
In
have been 183 to 19s.
g would leave " Bst, and 10s,
while under the old law it
while been 203. In
under the old law
and 93., it would
September, 10s.. 10s.,
In October it w .
have been 20s. , 205., and 205. as Its., (5.,5s , 4s
old law it would have been oos . "
and 45., while under the
,s.
and . ... , and
16s. In November it was 43., 4.1c._43., while under the
old law it would have been 155., 13 , l'.l and 12s. In De-
cember it was 45., 45., and 4s , while under the old law it
would have been 125., and ies,, and 12s. Now h
f the he wondered
what would have been the position 0 country if the Noble
Lord who had presumed to come down and assume the office of
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if, after. such a statement as
he had made, any Member of the House of Commons bad
given snot: an answer to his observations as that which he
lied just read from the returns which he held in his hand? He
trusted they were not vomit g Wit to the period when any man
who fol;p7, otl an honest trails was liable to be sent to E'l'i is, , "
Any inerPh4nt ifti to ondnfe leap in ter dit/erii,-
. Nl)friisrit the
,ottiets that he. He would like to know, if this principle were
ig be iplqiitej, LOW i 1 would WO)" the Prosperity a a eat
multi' Y likP this? Vet It was wily clin4ing the nail Whrari, a
liolila ' herd had igaerteili iloWe%Of lig.htiy it reloht
ixpri tg ititlqep gtlll4 FRillltfill to i 0,.... ”
qadiplc: 4 Pill 7 reglill44 hiM qf tw' pim"„i.si)tir
ore neei ill 4 On@ pf thFril IV,_S sq liln& in pAiiipg ti,',",-L4'',;:
that his 44gFttarl tell asieol',, W 4°l OPP he ?.Wcike w, r,7,°0
his opponent with ;g much puelgegce, tiAt ho ;.ii4cie t4uvpiiov.{:
in dpsperoiop and lot the guise. ir the
, Nellie Lur ri at the
head of thp Treasgry would tglie his armee, il Would imitate
the nanduPt• of 01P 011141140 nnt her thrie bultwr; ~.coi,vi.
ittg 41 tiff) cistern we? 1° tele .4
fßottltflin! OM ttleY WO t„ $4l iiy s4pgrpilliire Rffer'ReFrs a 44 gtti4CtlY iitcc tligir WP3It
alist4j, ferP ttlFlls4 il'lg iiiiiio: The 0i1.1141 Pll ilaifili tilii
,

herself assayed the ascent, and vras told by the good genii at
the foot of the monntain, that if she meant to achieve the
summit, she must go .traight forward, and neither turn ,e the
right hand nor the left. If the Noble Lord followed this ex-

ample, and listened to suggestions neither from that side nor
the other, he would not have to return to the old system of
hanging or impri.ionment•—(Chelrs. )
Mr. DISRAFLI at the commencement of his address, spoke
in so low a tone, that many of his words were inaudible in the
gallery, but proceeded to say, that in the difficult circumstances
in which he had been placed he was sure they would not quarrel
with him for thinking that the combination of events has un-
expectedly put them into their present position. No one could
deny that that was a position attained by no factious endeavours
of their own, and that it was surrounded by so many obstacles,
that no man of common honour, or of generous spirit, would
endeavour to impede their progress by any needless opposition.
The only thought which his Noble Friend, the Noble Lord, the
present leader of the opposition, with those who acted with
him, entertained was, that the measure now proposed should
have been taken at an earlier period. The question, there-
fore, before the House was, not whether these measures were in
themselves desirable, but whether the Government could have

shown more discretion, prudence, and enterprise, and whether
these measures should not have been sooner proposed to the
House. He ~vould recall to the recollection of Hon. Members

the conduct of the great Convervative opposition who had sat
on those (the Opposition) benches during the long period
when they had been absent from power. During the ten
years not a phrase had been expressed, not a sentence had
been uttered which had not been duly weighed long before it
was delivered. He would not say anything of the hypocrisy,
as he might style it, or of the factious conduct which had ob-
tained the support of some of the present supporters of the
Government, and he could not sufficiently admire that entire
absence of party feeling which characterised the speech of the
Noble Lord who had proposed the measure now under the con-
sideration of the House. That speech had about it that which
became the conduct of a statesman—( Hear, hear)—and
had it not been for the injudicious observations em-
bodied in the remarks of the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
he firmly believed that no discussion whatever would have

arisen, and that no cavil whatever would have been made upon
the accession of the present Government to power, but that
their proceedings would have been most acceptable to the
whole public of the United Kingdom. But whatever the ob-
jections might be to the policy of th 3 IST,ble Lord, no charge
could be brought against the prudence of the designs and the

disinterestedness of the views of those by whom he was as
listed; nor would any objection be offered upon the part of
his Hon. Friend, or those acting with him in the present exi-
gency. The Honourable Member for Bath had inter-
posed in this debate a tirade on the violent gesticulation and

modulationpinionthe o:Thevoice o
with
desire which
thwhichhis Hon.
Nobleon.Fr Friend
iend had
stated his opinions,
'lad expressed was, that these measures had not been proposed
at an earlier period, so that they might not have interfered
with the commercial transactions of the country. The Hon.
Member for Lancashire had intimated a doubt as to the pru-
dence of the course which was now pursued, and had expressed
a belief that a total abrogation of the navigation laws would
have been better than a temporary suspension of their in-
fluence. lie would merely put it to the House, whether, if
this temporary suspension had occurred, the scarcity at
Antioch and pressure at Bombay, would not have been obviated.
The Hon. and Learned Member for Bath, who seemed so
critical on the modulation of the voice or the acting of others,
and who himself exhibited on every occasion training and me-
thod both in mind and voice ; the Hon. and Learned Member
for Bath, so classical in his concepting, so happy in his ex-
pressions, so temperate in all that he conceived, so gentle-
manlike in all that he uttered, whose criticising of a secretary
of state affirmed that he wanted aptitude of expression, who
censured a leader of the Opposition because his voice did not
meet or agree with his own musical gammut ; the
Honourab.e and Learned Member for Bath, who had always
evincad an anxious impatience, part icularly in the present session,
to lose uo opportunity of expressing his opinion as if he felt
that there was some impending dissolution near at hand which
rendered it necessarp that not another moment should be lost
in astonishing the empire with the brilliancy of his sarcasm,
the power of his criticisms, or the force of his argumentative
ingenuity, who had this session indirectly informed them that
he was the critic, par ercellehce, of the House, and who never
lest an occasion for giving them some specimens of his criti-
cal ability, had that night replied to the epilogue of his Noble
Friend by a quotation from the " Arabian Nights." The
,point of his Noble Friend might not have pleased the Hon. and
Learned Member for Bath ; but then the test he applied to the
point of his Noble Friend possessed no point at all. It was not
that/the epilogue of his Noble Friend did not contain any. A
great authority had told them that a bad author made a good
critic. That might be a good and excellent rule as applied to
literature. but whether it applied with the same force to poli-
tics he was at present at a loss to decide. At all events, it was
allowed that a bad prophet made a good political critic,
while a little philosopher might ultimately turn into
a monarchical politician. Perhaps the one saying was
a corruption of the other. When the Hon. and Learned
Member for Bath again indulged them with an exhibition of
his critical powers, it would be well for him to recollect that

...
others might be critics as well as those who were the objects
of his sarcasm, and when the modulation of the voice, the
exquisite temper of the character, the sweetness of the silvery
ones, or the softness of manner, were admitted to be legiti-
mate subjects of parliamentary discussion, the Hon. and
Learned Gentleman opened up a field of animadversion upon
himself which he for one had no wish to pursue, and which he
'rusted, for the decorum of their debates, the Hon. and

Learned Gentleman would not in future prosecute.—(Hear,
hear.)

cornople
p e
tthainewf
Mr: B. ESCOT had listened with great pleasure to the
corn
orn,
second speech of the Noble Lord, because in that speech be
did not pretend to say that the measures he now proposed
were the best that could possibly be proposed, nor did he ven-
ture to say that those measures ought not to have been brought
earlier before the Legislature, but he did say, truly, that the
measures he proposed were the only measures which, under ex-
isting circumstances, he could possibly carry out.—(Hear.)
He regretted exceedingly that the measures had not been
earlier proposed, but still he was bound to admit, that no
' others could be brought forward now. He had heard the
' Noble Lord the Member for Lynn and others protest against
these measures some short time back, because they were public
delusions, but, strange to say. the Noble Lord now supported
them on the self-same ground, namely, that they were public
delusions. He did not understand this mode of
reasoning, nor did he understand what was meant by the speech
of the Hon. Member for Huntingdon. That Hon. Member
had said that he did not approve of the measures because they
would benefit the consumer. The Hon. Member, however,
admitted that the people were in distress, arid urged upon the
vfolocuatsientgo
mdoeasosumreetshifnog, ttoheallbeevniaetfietito.f What was
ownassurntheirss.buti:ande-
Noble Lord (Lord John Russell) had been blamed. for not in-
troducing those measures earlier, but as the famine had pro-
gressed towards the close of last session, he thought the House
and not the Government were to blame for the delay.
He had heard an Honourable Gentleman (late Chancellor of
the Exchequer and Member for Cambridge), make the asser-
tion he had done. Was he right in thinking that that Hon.
Gentleman had said that the ports ought to have been opened
in August last? Why, that Hon. Gentleman was one of die
transact,as
t
more
was u
no j
esnesuoohrspprttepdal
esate(,
part
eiortoidffoua. hands
asec
enutoAl
hdsrl
thisenses
great obstacles to opening the ports. In ievember,
l
1845, his Noble Friend the First Lord of the
Treasury was ready to open the ports, and ho had
written a letter, for which he could never be
too much commended, to that effect.--( Hear, hear.) Ile
thought that that Noble Lord (J. Russell) had underrated
his powers when he supposed that he would not be able to
out the principles which he then propounded, and he
carry
thought, that Hear, had attempted to do so, he would have
sueceeded.—( hear.) But they were all aware, that
when it was desired to adopt the policy of the Noble Lord,
and that when the Hon. Member for Tamworth wanted to
carry the same into effect, and the Noble Lord (J. Russell) was
ready to give him his assistance by his influence and support,
the Hon. Gentleman, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and
his party, were ready to oppose them on every point.—( Hear,
eendtiwywith his Hon. Friend the Member
hear, from the Ministerial benches.) But now, when the
tsooihsnigos
ei.ubtl
hl shouldo forgetsufferings.tmo iTnsgehonefsend
Noble
whattoaah bnel
owe:
Hon. Gentleman found that there was a pressure on the Go.
e
ttkti for
ohrnearearornnwmilit
little
the other
edechdytohnea,
dtcelttahsaiosnweytumiedri.dol
trdiutsthalmwschdaotaaatnhestt
allowyettatteemhhgireme.srti yaherel introduced into the discussion,
had now told them that he was fully prepared to do all that
in the
sadmeperiavminoguntthoef
question, he. must say that he thought there had been
country. Did not the Honourable Member for Lynn
greatest blunder the world to suppose that the people of this
country had sufficient corn. He believed that many of the
:3ounltrreylaonid exaweit
estern parts of Ergland were dependent upon potatoes for
support. Now, three-thirds of that species of food had been
atenacthlh
endeavours
the part
epaavr
otuor
endeavours.ah
agdr .e
been
Under
efnno
dr
eet
rs: atplhlreeorsceuh
procure
himself, elf
circumstances,
destroyed. And notwithstanding this, the Noble Lord would
l
amount, and send it out of the country to Ireland. All
policy recommended by the Noble Lord would render nugatory
more
b u ye
sup:oft the motion. daaws
their
large
truhhgli edes

-Lord GEORGE BENTINCK hoped that there was no
4pirit of vituperation in any part of the speech he had addressed
to the llouse, for such was far from his intention: —(Hear. )
He stated that if he had had his way, he would have prevented
the late Government from carrying their measure on the corn-
law, and the consequence would have been that when wheat
was 455. a quarter, the grain would have remai'ted in bond
And an opportunity would thus be afforded Government of
using a large quantity. And he also stated, that if this grain
had been purchased and sent to Ireland, it would have pre-
vented all the calamities that had occurred there. He denied,
as had been stated by an Honourable Gentleman, that
he had accused her 11Iajesty's Government of murder.
All he had said was that her Majesty's Government
had come into office through the instrumentality of his
(Lord Gorge l3entinck's) party, and that he believed that.
the present state of circumstances was induced by the late
measure, and that the present Government would not be able
to get rid of their meal and other provisions. He believed
that he had now exonerated himself from the charge that had
been made upon him ...4 Hear, hear.)
Mr. ESCOTT offered a few words in explanation.
Lord J. RUSSELL quite agreed in the statement of his
Hon. Friend (Mr. Escott). He agreed also in the opinion of
the Noble Lord ; but he confessed that he was rather surprised
at the position he had assumed, having so many commercial
men attached to his party. He was rather surprised at his
Noble Friend's doctrines, because ho thought he was making
progress in commercial knowledge.—( Hear, and laughter).
and that particularly after the panegyric he had passed on
certain Hon. Members of this House.—(Continued laughter.)
It was quite unnecessary for him (Lord John Russell) to take
any further notice of the speech of the Noble Lord, because
vreaclucaivbelde
his Hun. Friend, the Member for Lancashire, had given
ll
it an ample reply, and here he would g
souchsaa' that he was glad that they had obtainedas
they
would v
na
tharocen
; the chairman should
titre to move that, after the discuss.onn,d
that the Bill should
report the resolutions to the House, a
and that the Bill
that the standing orders should be suspended,
should be carried through all its stages to-morrow.
egslisiotnhat tgoentltehmeiarn.—w-(ifsldeoarm. ) He
After a few words from Mr. FINCH,
The resolution was then agreeddtoth.a
chair,
be read a first time and printed. lie wouldmove to-morrow
and leave was
Mr. GIIEENE brought up the resolution,
given to bring is the Bill.
Committee on the
The House then went into ___ _
NAVIGATION LAWS.
similar resolution for
RUSSELL proposed a
I,ord JOHN Laws.
the suspension of the Navigation_
The SYRAKER having resume
Mr. trustv,
to carr what he could, and
of the Opposition, in determining
modified suspension of the
was satisfied therefore with
Navigation Laws.
E begged most emphatically to deny the
inil‘Lr. iii°llalN which had been cast upon the con-
spyladtrds they were invariably reducing their
applauded the Noble Lord, seeing the temper
itttct of the An- 9r
a' alajarity cues, bepperting the
n"tApilli""" and,
He repeated that Ministers should
II"' le 14 theifcomprehensive measures than those which
avo adopted more
,6
of Ireland by all the Members of that
were nodal Peta to the Irish people, Tau Go-vellum;
' of 10.114(iimi the two rot classes at tho PiWritft..
.• • kkAt totkvik tii44?
tg WWI qIVA
- • ti-ti
We" im""1 tibiP•nwlietAt. they Ila,Ve.ooP4e

- - _
beggars," and would not trust himself to characterise the con-
duct of those who stated that they were. The greatest blame
was attributable to the conduct of the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer, who stated that meal should be sold at the rate of Id, per
pound. The etpresgion had thrown the people of Ireland off
their guard, and meal was now more than double that price.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER denied having
made use of any expression of th., kind.
Mr. B. OSBORNE reiterated his assertion. He carried
the speech about with him, as an eternal memento of the-reck-
less nature of the expressions made use of by the Members of
the Government.

•
The resolution was then agreed to.
The SPEAKER having resumed the chair, the resolution was
reported, and a Bill ordered to be brought in founded thereon.
On the motion of Mr. FRENCH, a return was ordered of
" the extraordinary presentment sessions held in each barony,
half-barony, county of a city, or county of a town in Ireland,
under the provisions of the Act of 9 and 10 Victoria, cap. 107,
specifying the date on which each such presentment sea-ions
were held, the amount presented thereat, and the amount ap-
proved and sanctioned in each ease respectively ; also the date
on which public works, in pursuance of such Act, were com-
menced in each district. Also, a return of the expense in-
curred under the said Act in respect of the officers, surveyors,
and assistants employed by the Commissioners of Public Works
in Ireland in each such barony, half barony, county of a city,
or county of a town respectively. Also a list of the different '
works undertaken in each such barony, half-barony, county of
city, or county of a town, left unfinished by reason of the
amount presented for such works having been expended."
Mr. OSBORNE moved for a return of the valuation of each
electoral division in Ireland, with population in 1841, as also
a return of all correspondence between the Board of Works in
Dublin, and the Treasury with Mr. Smith, of Deanston, rela-
tive to his taking charge of a system of " Thorough Drainage"
in Ireland; and, also a return of all correspondence between
Colonel Knox Gore, lieutenant of county Sligo, and her
Majesty's Mini4ters, relative to the famine in Ireland, dated
August 6th and 7th, 1646, which were agreed to.
COST OF IRISH RELIEF.

Mr. HUNIE wished to a,k the Chancellor of the Exchequer
whether he was prepared to lay on the table an account of the
amount of money expended in the relief of distress in Ireland,
and what establishments for the management of the relief had
been formed?

The 4 HANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he
was anxious to get the account made out up to the last mo-
ment, and he could not then tell when he should be able to lay
it on the table.
Mr. B. ESCOTT wished to ask the Right Honnuriole
(the Chancellor of the Exchequer) if he understood him cor-
rectly, when he stated in his speech this evening that all the
Indian corn received up to the Dreaent time in this country
was the crop of 1845, and that they had as yet received no
ortion of the crop of 1846. If so, it was a most consolatory
fact.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—Yes ; he
believed they had yet received no portion of the crop of 1846.
In ordinary years it was not exported, front America, before
the month of December, and he had every reason to believe
that they had yet received no portion of the crop of 1846.
The Corn Importation Bill, and the Navigation Act Sus-
pension Bill, were severally brought in, read a first time, and
ordered to be read a second time this ay, it being understood
that both Bills would also this day be passed through their
other stages.
LIGHTING AND PAVING OF TOWNS.
_ _

Mr. AGLIONBY wished to know if it was the intention
of her Majesty's Government to introduce any Bills this session
for amending and consolidating the Acts relating to the sana-
tory condition of towns, ♦ie., the Acts relating to police,
paving, lighting, and watching? if Po, a knowledge of the cir-
cumstance would probably supersede the necessity of any pri-
vate individual bringing in a Bill on the subject.
Sir GEORGE GREY was happy to inform the Him.
Member that measures of the kind referred to were in a for-
ward state of preparation, and he thought that in about tin
days they would be ready to be laid upon the table of the
House.

The House then adjourned at a Quarter•past Ten.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS.
(From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.)
THU RSDAY, JAN. 21.
The following petitions for Railways were presented, and
the Bills ordered to be brought in :
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire (Supply of Surplus
Water to Manchester, Salford, and Stockport).
London, Brighton, and South Coast (Kent Railway to Maid-
stone, Canterbury, and Tunbridge).
Llynvi Valley Extension.
Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's (No. I—Extension to Yar-
mouth).
North Staffordshire (Churnet Valley Line and Trent Valley
Railway Junction).
North Staffordshire (Alterations and Branches).
Yeovil, Bridport, and Exeter, with Branches.
Great Western (Extension of the Berks and Hants Railway
from Hungertbrd to Westbury, with a Branch to Devizes).
Great Western (Branches to Egham, Staines, Brantford, and
Twickenham).
Great Western (Branch to join the West London Railway,
Widening and Enlargement of West London Railway, and
Branches to Hammersmith, and to join the London and
South-Western near Lambeth).
Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, and Glasgow, Paisley, KR -
marnock, and Ayr (No. 4).
Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, and Glasgow and
Belfast Union (No. 1).
Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr (No. 2).
Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr (No. 4).
Blackburn, Darwen, and Bolton Railway Acts Amendment
( Diversions of Line in the parishes of Blackburn and
Bolton-in-the-Moors).
Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Junction, and Chester
and Birkenhead Railway Purchase or Amalgamation.
Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Junction (Deviation
of Main Line and Chester Branch, &c.).
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire (Station at Sheffield
and Branch to the Sheffield Canal).
South-Eastern (North Kent and Bricklayers' Arms Junction).
South-Eastern (North Kent Line).
South-Eastern (Strood to Maidstone).
South-Eastern (Croydon and Bromley Branches).
South-Eastern (Maidstone to Chart).
Dutidalk and Enniskillen.
Direct London and Portsmouth.
CONTROVERTED ELECTIONS.
-

Mr. Speaker has appointed the following Hon. Gentlemen
to be members of the General Committee of Elections for the
present session :—The Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, the Right
lion. Fox Mettle, Thomas Grimston Bucknall Estcourt,
and
Esq , Will
Wam Miles, F.sq.illiers Stuart, Esq., Joseph Brotherton, Esq.,

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
BRISTOL, JANTIAIT 21.
STocz ExcisAmis.—Tile sales are—Great Western, 40% p.—Ditto,
Fifths, 29%—Midland, 123—Ditto, New, 6% —Ditto (Bristol and
Gloucester), 19U p.—North British, Extension, % p.--Shrewsbury
and Birmingham (A), 134 p.—Dltto (B), 44 p.—Shropshire Union, %
dis.—South Devon, 35.
LIVERPOOL, JANUARY 21,
STOCK Excluxoz.—The sales are —Birkenhead, Lancashire, and
Cheshire, I is. 3d. p. ex int.— Birmingham and Dudley, 4% p.—Bir-
mingham and Oxford, 9% p.—Caledonian (Clydesdale Junction),
15s. p.—East Lancashire (late B. and P.), 3 p.—Ditto, New, 234 P.
—Ditto, New Scrip, 134 p.—East Lincolnshire, 134 p. ex int.—
Glasgow and Dumfries, 134 p. —Great Northern (Nos. 1 to 108,000),
34 p. ex int.—Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport, I % p.—London and
North Western, 19034 —Ditto, Quarters, New, 11% p.—London and
York, 1% p.—Manchester and Leeds, Halves, 11% p.—Ditto, Ex-
tension, 136 p.—Mauchester and Southampton, % dis.—Manchester,
Sheffield, and Lincoln (late Great Grimsby and Sheffield), 4e. die.—
Midland, Stock, 122—Ditto, New, 3% p.--North Staffordshire, 2%
p.--North Western, % p.—Preston and Wyre, Half Shares (B), Is.
Ad. p.—Shrewsbury and Birmingham (A), IT. Is. 3d. p.—Ditto (II),
3s. 9d. p.--Shropshire Union Railway and Canal, %
Eastern and Dover, No. 4, Thirds, 34 p.—South Yorkshire, Don-
caster, and Goole, 34 dis.—West Hiding Union, I/. 13s. 9d. p.—York
and Newcastle, Preference, 4% p.—Dubliu and Drogheda, 13 dis.—
Jamaica South Midland, 34 p.
MANCHESTER, JANUARY 21.
STOCK Excntwoz.—The sales are—Ambergate, Nottingham, Bos-
ton, &c., % dis.—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire, 34 p.—
East Lancashire, New (scrip), I % p.—Fleetwood, Preston, and West
Riding, 1-16 c. dis.—Huddersfield and Manchester Railway and Canal,
Thirds, I % p.—Leeds and Thirsk, 234 dis.—Lzeds, Dewsbury, and
Manchester, Branches, Halves, 5 p.—Liverpool, Manchester, and
Newcastle Junction; % c. dis.—Manchester and Leeds Extension, 14
p.— Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, 15-16 dis.-31anehester
and Southampton, % dis.—North Staffordshire, 3 p.—North-Western,
% p.—Oldham Alliance, 7-16 p.—Preston and Wyre, Halves (A),
2% p.—Shrewsbury and Birmingham (A), 1 p.—South Stafford-
shire (Trent Valley Midland), I c. p.—West Riding Union, 1% p.—
Whitehaven and Furness, 334 dis.
LEEDS, JAM...TAUT 21.
STocK Excasams.—The sales are—Ambergate, Nottingham, and
Boston, ss. n. dis.—East Lancashire, New, 2% p.—Ditto, New Scrip,
1% p.—East and West Yorkshire, 15s. dis.—Leeds, and Dewsbury,
Extensions Scrip (green), 15s. p.—Leeds and Thirsk. New, 10s. dia.
—Ditto, Preference, 14 p.—Leeds, Wakefield, and Midland, I Is. dis.
—Melton and Dritlield Junction, 17s. p.—Manchester and Leeds,
Half Shares (late Hud. and Sheff.), 5 p.—Ditto, Extensions, 245. p.—
Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, 13s. e. p.—Midland.
Preference, 434 p.—North British, Half Shares, 3% p.—Ditto, Thirds,
495. p.—Ditto, Quarter Shares (late Carlisle Branch), 40s. p.—Ditto,
Extension (scrip), Ms. p.—North Staffordshire, 3 p.—North-Western,
9s. p.—Sheffield, Rotherham, and Goole, 6s. p.—West Biding Union,
4 —Wharfdale Junction, I is. 61.—York and North Midland, Pre-
ference, 1036 c. p.