The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-05 00:00:00

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE NORTHERN DIVISION OF

LANCASHIRE.

Gentlemen,—The important measures recently pro-
posed in Parliament by her Majesty's Government, in-
volving the repeal or material diminution of all protec-
tive duties on the importation of the productions of
foreign countries, render it incumbent upon me to ad-
dress you publicly at the present time.
Under ordinary circumstances, or even under eir3um-
stances of more than ordinary importance, I should hesi-
tate to take this step, but should act under the convic-
tion that, in electing me as one of your representatives,
you had entrusted me with full powers to exercise my
own jndgment, according to the emergency of each case
which might come under consideration, and that you
considered me responsible to you for the exercise of that
judgment only on that occasion when you might be con-
stitutionally called upon to select your representatives.
If I depart, then, from my usual practice upon the pre-
sent occasion, I need scarcely assure you, that I do so
under an overpowering conviction that the peculiar cir-
cumstances of the present time absolutely - require it
of me.

The change which it is proposed to effect is of such
magnitude, it involves such grave and weighty conside-
rations, it is moreover so great an alteration of the
system which existed at the period when you last did me
the honour to elect me as one of your representatives, that
I consider it a duty which I owe to you, as well as to
myself, to make to you an open and explicit avowal of
my views and opiniot,s, in order that if you disapprove of
them, I may enable you, in a constitutional manner, to
exercise your own judgment in the matter.
It is with this object, and under these impressions, that
after waiting a few days, in order to afford time to you
and to myself to give that attention and consideration to
the matter which it r, quires, I now lay before you the
result of that consideration on my part.
The present position in this country of the great ques- -
Lion of protective duties, renders it, in my opinion, pecu-
liarly incumbent on a representative, that, in considering
its intrisic merits with a view to an adjustment, be should
at the same time weigh well the general bearing and
future effect which his vote may have upon all the great
interests committed to his charge.

It.would be dishonourable inine to state (because such
is not my opinion), that I believe that that adjustment
of this question is practicable which, abstractedly con-
sidered, would be most satisfactory. I do, however, con-
scientiously believe, that an adjustment of it is so essen-
tial to all the best interests of the community, that, as
your representative, I enter upon the consideration of
the government measure with a determination, if possi-
ble (even at the sacrifice of former opinion, and in the
spirit of that measure), to attain this, in my opinion,
desirable object.
I frankly own that the reason which mainly induces
me to take this course is tha prospect-which I think I
see befure me, if an adjustment should not now be made
—a prospect which, contemplated in the most favourable
light, exhibitsyears of contest and uncertainty, of jarring
interests, of continued apprehension'of evil on all sides,
and the consequencl of this, a continued want of confi-
dence, which mast be equally prejudicial to all interests
--rendering, on the part of the, agriculturist, all bene-
ficial arrangements between landlord and tenant most
difficult, if not impossible.
It also appears to me, looking to the great political
movements of the last few months, connected with the
formation of a Government, that there is no reason
whatever to expect, at any future ,ime, a more satisfac-
tory settlement than can noW be effected ; indeed, I
must own, that the consideration which I have given to
those movements, has led me to a directly contrary con-
clusion.

I also consider that, as regards agriculture, the pre-
sent state of the corn market is more than usually
favourable to an adjustment.
These being my opinions,' hasten to lay them before
you, and I bec, at the same time to assure those of my
friends who have' hitherto, in a more especial manner,
given me their kind and active support, that I shall
give a wide interpretation-to any intimation which I
may receive, that it is their wish, under these circum-
stances, to confide the trust now reposed in me to other
hands.

Allow me, in conclusion;: to submit to you (the only
claim which I have to make upon you), that you will
place the same fair construction on my motives which
you have hitherto done, during the now long period in
which I have had the honbur of being one of your re-
presentatives.—l have the honour to be, gentlemen,' you:
obedient servant,

-J. WILSON PATTEN.

London, Jan. 31, 1846.

MR. TOWNSHEND MAINWARING.
The Member for the Denbighshire boroughs has ad-
dressed the following letter to his constituents:—
"Gentlemen,—The great importance of the Bill which
her Majesty's Ministers intend to bring into Parliament
respecting the relaxation of diities upon articles of food
and clothing, induces me to address you, in order that
I may ascertain your ientiments upon this great sub-
ject. I feel myself bound to adopt this course, as I
distinctly sought- your support upon the principle of
protecting native industry. I cannot, however, with
honour, withhold the avowal that Sir Robert Peel's an-
nouncement of the Government measure has had the
effect upon my mind of changing the opinion I have
hitherto held. Under these circumstances, I respectfully
ask you to allow me to approach the consideration of the
vast subject unfettered by the restraint which my own
address to you at the last general election imposes on
me, otherwise I must take immediate steps to vacate my
seat in Parliament. I can most honestly assure you
that no party feelings have influenced me in forming the
views I now entertain. Few, perhaps, have more re-
proached the Government than I have, for, as I eon-
ce; ved, unnessarily stirring up this question at a moment
when their own previous measures were working so well;
few either have more deprecated their conduct in giving
way, as it appeared, to agitation. Better motives lam
now inclined to believe have actuated them. With
them, I believe the measure they have proposed may
diffuse comfort and morality amongst the labouring
classes, may invigorate trade, may permanently extend
commerce, and that agriculture itself may derive a
healthy stimulus from the encouragement which their
measure proposes to give.
" Relying upon the kindness I have ever received
from all political parties since my connexion with the
Denbighshire boroughs, I cannot doubt that you will
put the best construction upon the course which I feel it
my duty to adopt—assuring you, that as I have much
valued that connexion, I shall much regret whatever
occasion may sever it.
" I remain your obedient servant,
" TOWNSHENI) M &INWARING.
" London, January 28, 1846."

RESULTS OF A DISSOLUTION.
(From the Liverpool Times.)
If it was not for the interruption to business pro.
duced by a general election, the free traders would be
quite as willing to have an appeal made to the people as
the Duke of Richmond or Mr. George Banks can pos-
sibly be. So far from fearing the result, they feel con-
fident that it would end in the utter rout of the mono-
polists. At the last election the latter put forth their
strength in the counties, and' won so many of them
that they have nothing now to gain in that quarter.
whilst in the cities and boroughs they would have no
chance even of holding their present position. Suppos-
ing the free traders of the Liberal and Conservative
party to act together, there are several large and popu-
lous districts, such, for instance, as Lancashire, the
West Riding of Yorkshire, and Middlesex, from which
scarcely a single monopolist member would be returned
to Parliament, whilst it is impossible to point out a
single district in which that party could gain any con-
siderable accession of strength.
With regard to Lancashire, we feel pretty confident
that the result of an appeal to the people would be a
declaration in favour of free trade in every constituency
in the county. At the present time, professed free
traders are returned by Manchester (2), Oldham (2),
Stockport (2), Preston (2), Bolton (2), Ashton (1),
Rochdale (1), and Wigan (1). Of the Lancashire Con-
servative members, Lord Francis Egerton, and Mr.
Cardwell, Member for Clitheroe, are known to be
favourable to free trade, and Lord Sandon and Mr.
Greene, of Lancaster (the Chairman of Committees),
are understood to be so. Amongst those who are still
doubtful are one county member for South Lancashire,
wo for North Lancashire, one for Liverpool, one for
Warrington, one for Lancaster, one for Wigan, and
two for Blackburn. Several of these gentlemen will
most probably vote with Sir Robert Peel, and of
those who do not it is very doubtful whether a single
one of them will be re-elected. South Lancashire is
well known to be sure for two free traders; North Lan-
cashire is less so, but the probability is that Mr. Wilson
Patten will vote with Sir Robert Peel, in which case the
free traders and the moderate Conservatives will easily
secure his re-election. How his juvenile colleague, Mr.
Talbot Clifton, will act, no one pretends to know, but
his wisest course will be to go with the Government, for
his hold on the division is very slight, and would notr
outlive a serious contest. We consider the return of
two free traders certain at Liverpool. At Warring-
ton, the old Conservative party,_ once so strong, is
much divided, a large sectionbeing furious against
Mr. Ireland Blackburr,e, for his Maynooth vote. From
this cause he will be beaten, if he should stand on the
monopolist interest, though he would have fair chance
as a free trader, and be sure of his election, if no one
else was brought out on that interest. Mr, Marton's
position at Lancaster is much the same as Mr. Ireland
Blackburn® at Warrington. He has very little chance
of being elected on the interest which last returned him,
but might come in handsomely as a convert. Both the
Conservative members at Blackburn are connected with
trade, and will most likely vote with Sir Robert Peel, in
which case their seats are secure. So that there only
remains that strange, incomprehensible place, Wigan, of
which we feel any doubt. At present the free traders
return one member, and the Earl of Balcarres the
other. It is barely possible that the monopolists may
continue to return one member, if the Lindsays, who,
however, have a great respect for the powers that he
should think it prudent to go into dead opposition to
what their countryman, Sir Pertinax, would have called
" the great mon."
The above resume does not hold out a very brilliant
prospect to the monopolists. Still it is quite true, and
and if they are wise they will take stock in other
counties besides Lancashire before they go into a fight
with Ministers and the free traders.

A THEFT FROM HER MAJESTY.—At Greenwich
Police-court yesterday a workman employed in Deptford
Dockyard was charged with stealing an old iron staple, the
property of her Majesty, the values hich was estimated
at live-sixteent of a farthing. theman had been dis-
missed from hishs employment in consequence, the magistrate
considered that sufficient punishment for the offence without
inflicting any penalty.

COLONIAL MONO • LY.
TO THE EDITOR OF T StIN. 77
SIR—On behalf of the agricult; 4q1.711-„. _those\
nutnerous parties who are to los• ritigLls
have derived from protective d i IeSZ: 10,3roasore,alr'eenf
Robert Peel will endeavour shortly!'telVtip'clthte,„
it is important to inquire of whatiiiiinoNerA*Vt4e9o7l
parties have been guilty—what 6,*etecrieay:bleve ctiteia*
mitted that they are to be so tritich ,is
Robert Peel's project would inflict
poses that they should sell the pe tiee:l`aiMilt
labour and industry, at whatever price it IiTIT
command, in markets open to competition with
the world, and at the same time be compelled
to purchase some of their necessary supplies at the mo-
nopoly price. This is indeed hard upon them ; it may
be favourinc, the colonial interests to continue their
monopoly, but it is actual cruelty to the consumers of
this country, especially those who will be obliged to sell
at an unprotected price, to oblige them to buy their
sugar, coffee, and a long et cetera of articles, at a price
vamped up by monopoly,—that is, raised fictitiously
beyond their actual value. This would be a queer kind
of justice, and would show that Sir Robert Peel's
conversion to free trade principles must have
been of a peculiar character. Certainly he has taken
a one-sided view of the great question. If he
should be induced to expose the many branches
conwcted with the landed interest, to the abominable
hardshipssof selling the results of their labour at au
unprotected price, and at the same moment decree them
•to buy all the colonial produce they may need at a
monopoly price, of what earthly utility will taking
3e. 6d. per cwt., little more than a farthing per pound,
off the duty now imposed on 'Certificated free labour
foreign sugar be to the farmer? He will never enjoy the
advantages of the reduction; the benefit will never reach
him ; the three shillings and sixpence will be swallowed
up by the importers and the wholesale dealers long be-
fore the sugar reaches the small shop at which the farmer
deals. No man ever addressed stranger arguments to con-
firm this view of the question than Sir It. Peel himself did
when last year he reduced the duty on British sugars
from 245. per cwt. and 5 per cm". to 14s. per cwt., and
5. per cent. He then clearly showed that unless the
reduction of duty was equivalen' to a penny per pound,
the consumers of sugar would derive no benefit whatever
from the diminution. No remarks could be more to the
purpose than those he then used. Why should he be
oblivious of them juQt now ? He knows full well the re-
duction of the said 3s. 6d. per cwt. can never be of use
to the farmer ; in fact, on the announcement of his
scheme the sugar market improved nearly a shilling
/ye. cwt. Will it be commonly honest and fair to
the landed interest, and to all others who have had
the shield of protection removed from their
labours, to compel them to enter the field of
competition, to commence a struggle with the
world as it were, under the crippling facts that have
been described? As well might it be expected that a man
with his hands tied behind him is in a proper state to
fight another who has his hands entirely free.
It is a lamentable circumstance, and very unfortunate
for the multitude of straitforvvard and well-thinking men
amongst the agriculturists, that their leaders should not
be more conversant with the ordinary rules of life, the
business of the day ; and instead of uniting their abili-
ties to stem the tide of public opinion flowing surely and
steadily in on them, they do not at once give up the
futile attempt, and change their position; and declare, as
protection is to be cast to the winds, let all classes stand on
the same ground, as protection is to be removed from us,
let it be also removed from all others. We are to lime
no favour, give us a clear stage Concomitant, however,
with such an arrangement, it would be equitable only
to the colonists to sweep away the absurd regulations
imposed upon them by the mother country. The colo-
nists undoubtedly should be free to sell in the dearest
markets, and buy in the cheapest. Let them obtain food,
lumber, and freight where they like—also labour, pro-
vided they do not, in the ,last particular, infringe
the laws of humanity—then might all differential
duties on colonial produce be cleared away, with-
out injustice. A revision of the sugar duties
ought likewise to be made, and a more
equitable mode be adopted; for it is evident, from the
letter of your correspondent B. S. R., who appears to be
intimate with the regulations of the sugar market, that
some of our sugar-producing clonies possess consider-
able advantages over others, through the laws governing
the duties on sugars imported into this country. His
plan for obviating these difficulties is undeniably good,
and merits the attention of the Legislature. To place a
like duty on an article worth 20s. per cwt. and on one
worth 40s. per cwt., because the two happen to be
Muscovado sugar, an undefinable term, is clearly
unjust—and reminds one of the hodge-podge
patchwork measure Sir Robert Peel is about
to introduce—a measure clearing away all duty here,
by halves there, and by thirds elsewhere. Why,
in the name of common sense, instead of this confused,
does he not produce a comprehensive and comprehensible
plan? If protection is to be thrown to the winds, as he
says, why not act on his opinion at once?
It would appear by Sir Robert Peel's proposition, that
the colonists are to experience a different kind of treat-
ment to that meted out to us. If he and they think
protection will serve their turn, let them enjoy it
amongst themselves ; but, in the name of fair play, let
us, who are to be deprived of all protection, have the
colonial monopoly utterly removed. They may take our
produce or leave it; confer the same•privilege, as regards
theirs, on us.—Your obedient humble servant,
AN AGRICULTURIST.

AUSTRALIAN EXPLORING EX-
PEDITION.

To those of our readers who are not already aware
of the safety of Captain Stunt it will afford much
gratification to learn that the gallant leader (in the ex-
ploratory expedition to the northward, which left Ade-
laide more than a year ago) was, at the date of his
dispatches (18th cf July), at a temporary depot, formed
at the distance of about 500 miles from Adelaide, in
longitude 141 deg. 30 min. east, and 29 deg. 40 min.
12 sec., being about 90 miles east by south from
" Mount Hopeless," and near the turning point of Mr.
Eyre's expedition in 1840. With the exception of the
late much lamented Mr. Poole, second in command,
whose sudden decease is officially announced in the
Government Gazette notices, the gallant party has
suffered no fatal casaulty during the long and
arduous journey into the mysterious interior from which
" the veil" is yet to be lifted. Mr. Piesse, the store-
keeper of the party, accompanied by four men and a
single bullock team, has been the bearer, as far as
Moorunde, of the captain's dispatches, which are so
voluminous as to have determined the Government to
defer the publication of their intended digest until the
next issue of the Government Gazette; we can, there-
fore, only lay before our readers such particulars as we
have been able to glean from sources which, though
unofficial, may, we believe, be relied on. Mr. Piesse,
who was commissioned to procure for the party fresh
supplies of provisions, with the view of further explora-
tions in another direction, is said to have left the
depot with his small escort on the 18th of July last,
three days previous to which date the remains of
Mr. Poole had been interred. When within four days'
journey of the Government station (Moorunde) on the
Murray, Mr. Piesse found means to anticipate his
necessarily slow progress through some friendly
natives, by whom his brief note, stating the general
safety of the party, found its way to the station, and
thence into Adelaide, many days earlier than the news
could otherwise have reached us. The extreme northern
point to which the party had attained was about 28 de-
grees of latitude (only one degree further than Captain
Frome reached), and to reach this they had to en-
counter a country of such extreme desolation, aridity,
• and high temperature that the thermometer frequently
stood for hours at 140 in the sun, 130 in the s had
and 90 underground. In short, during neaarrtly
wfoeurer
months of the period of their absence the p
of a party were
to remain in the vicinity
extremehole, frtoomh
have made
it
eiwouldther have
forward
wboerdn
opre perilous 1 or
retrograde
oign r
at
dh
ee
movement. They had all suffered from scurvy, but were
recovered, and in excellent health and spirits. When
the party arrived in the surmised vicinity of Lake
Torrens, they found little to represent the large body of
water heretofore so circumstantially described. With
an expedition which could
perno diem,
t
easyless thanto imagine
one
thousand gallons of wateris
the difficulties of a progress through such a country as.
we have endeavourede
ot ou
rdaegsec, r i be eodn
d 6; u
et, but iat
nide nott
hatiosieasssmy
d
to appreciatee
which have not only been equal to the task of extrica-
tion, but are even now protracting Captain Stuart's re-
turn, in the hope of reaping for his adopted country
some valuable fruits from his self-imposed, but hitherto
unsuccessful, toils. It may be some months before we
witness the return of the hardy expeditionists • in the
meantime we hope that enterprise so daring, and explo-
ratoratory ardour so enthusiastic, will not be without
their reward. It is most satisfactory to know that the
natives met with have in every instance been inoffensive
and friendly.—Adckiide Observer.

MEDICAL PROPERTIES OF TAR.—At a recent meeting
of the Westminster Medical Society, Mr. Weatherfield read a
paper en the external and internal use of tar in senile and
other chronic eruptive diseases, and from the success which
has attended Mr. Weatherfields practice it would appear that
in many obstinate chronic cutaneous diseases, tar may be
considered as a specific. He administers it externally in the
form of tar ointment, and internally in the form of capsules.
ASHTON. COAL-PIT ACCIDENT. —On Monday, a
report was very prevalent in this town, that a most serious
accident had taken place at the Broad Oak colliery, attended
with the loss of many lives. We are happy, however, to
say, that the accident, though serious, was much exaggerated.
It appears that, for some days past, the coal behind the
boiler and engine-house wall, at the bottom of one of the
pits belonging to Lees, Jones, Booth, and Co. has been on
fire ; the miners have been engaged, ever since this was
known to be the case, in endeavouring to put it out, but the
task has been found extremely difficult, in consequence of t 4,!,
great heat arising from the burning mass, which is about 5P
yards in extent. The men have for some days been tine t?lase to.g!,t.
near, so as to throw water upon it, and a driftwaVarecture
to be' cut in order that they might continue 0 il
into the roof,
water by means of a fire-engine which has been
the pit for the purpose. The steam gotbavin,nging " shifts "
on Monday morning, just as the men were
k "aneu dirt above fell with
nearly one hundred tons of the roe taken down
a tremendous crash; fortunatelyad have been no less than
menced work, otherwise 0
ginittreedjoin him,
nereerlivehed to death. The persons
twenty poor fellows 1
eite_ Y oi _the men had not com-
.r.er
ffaoshpnpFe7letcher, the engineer, who was
and broke his 11 bo
i near the boilers, when a por-
seexraionusthliin•
co ar- ne, put
lion of the roof struck
Shoulder, nearly cut off his left thumb, and
out his right
injured him head
1 on the and other
parts of his body. A
John Garside, was buried •
miner, named in the mass, near the
boilers; a piece of rock struck him on the head,
,making a
most dreadful gash. This poor fellow was forced
against
the nearly red-hot bricks in the fire-hole, and. when extri-
cated his back was found to be almost
boy, named Henry Marland, e • ea burned to a cinder. A
leg. No others were hurt. ,T received a slight injury on the
miner named Marl d f he men give great praise to a
an , father of the boy who was hurt, for
the exertions he used in extricating those who were partially
buried in the ruins. to
exp__ .
The &e The
suferers are doing as well as can
vciect, The Ire lii net Qate.-Xanchester Guardian.