The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-13 00:00:00

Isoind to vote for this measure, and to give it every support in
bus power.—(Cries of " Divide, divide.")
Mr. F. SCOTT had waited in expectation of hearing
tome better reasons than had been adduced in favour of this
measure by the Hon. Gentleman who sat on the opposite side
of the House. The reasons and arguments adduced in th•
resent debates had been used over and over again by the Hon.
Members long before the Right Hon. Baronet had taken the
measure up, and if that was the fact, why did he not conform
to this policy before.—( Hear, hear.) Why did he for
thirty-six months delay adopting the present course? It
had been said that the landlords' acres did not accumulate with
the population of this country. This was too true, but it could
pot be denied that our foreign possessions would more than
meet the wants of the country, It could not be denied that
Canada had corn to send in when that should be required. He
had ever studied the wants of the working-classes, and on that
side of the House were not their interests always advocated ?
When those with whom he had acted advocated the interests
of the poorer classes, who opposed their endeavours? Who
was it that threw impediments In the way but those who now
were so loud in the advocacy of them?—(" Hear, hear," from
the protection benches.) This measure was, beyond alldoubt,
one which would be also detrimental to Ireland, and that fact
had already been. proved by the arguments that had been ad-
duced. The Hon. Member then referred to the exports of this
country to China, in the articles of silk, woollen, and cotton.
He would then say that all that England wanted was even
justice, and if the Government were going to do justice to the
manufacturers, why would they not also deal even-handed jus-
tice to the agriculturists ?—( Hear, hear.) It could not be
denied that the agriculturists were as willing to bear their share
of the burdens of the country as any other portion of the public.
(Hear, hear.) He would ask why would not the Government
propose reductions upon other necessaries of life as well as
corn sent in here, on which the duty was now 250 per cent. ?
Mr. Pitt got up the colonial system, and had he lived to the
present time he (Mr. Scott) would engage to say he would
have regarded the system in the same manner as the elder Mr.
Pitt. The elder Mr. Pitt, in speaking of the colonies, said
that we bound the colonies by our laws, regulations, and re-
strictions in trade, navigation and manufacture, and that the
protection which we extended to them, whether the protection
of a military force, or protection in these every day transac-
tions between them and other countries, called commerce,
should not be withdrawn. They had encouraged where
they ought to have prohibited, and prohibited where they
ought to have encouraged. We had so extensive a colonial
trade that it amounted to one-fourth of all our produce ex-
ported, and, therefore, it was madness, by a measure like this,
to sever the connexion between them and the mother country.
Look at the feeling which had been expressed in Canada.
They said that we imposed rules on them, quartered troops on
them, and confined them with our regulations and
laws ; and when they asked to send all they could
send to us, their wheat and their timber, we replied
that the Baltic was nearer to us, and that we
had rather take it from them. Because they were submissive
and patient, and the others were irritated, we would rather
deal with them. The West Indies, in the same manner, op-
posed the remarks of the Right Hon. Baronet, when he said
that he could not consent to tax the necessaries of life when
they came from a foreign country, but he would do so when it
came from the colonies. He felt he had already occupied the
House too much, and he should now no longer trespass on their
attention, but would conclude by thanking the House for the
indulgence it had afforded him.
Lord BROOKE said he rose on this occasion to make a few
observations relative to the meaEures then before the House.
He could assure the House that, after having spoken on a
former occasion, he would not trespass on them again so soon,
especially after the kind indulgence afforded him on the former
occasion, if the measure were not of sufficient importance to
induce him to do so. He assured the House ha was un-
willing to allow this opportunity to pass, without en-
deavouring to justify the course which he on a former
occasion took, in giving his vote against the measure of the
Right Hon. Baronet. He was not about to enter on this
subject, for which he very well knew he was not qualified, bust
he must contend that on the first introduction of this measure,
and the principles it involved, and the results likely to accrue
from it, he would, like other Members of the House, give his
decided opposition to it. They were told, three months ago,
to wait and see how the distress of the people would be in-
creased. The corn-laws had been preserved for many years
by the wisdom and judgment of several successive statesmen.
The proposed measure was not one that would warrrant the
people in placing any confidence in its promoters. The Noble
Lord then entered into an elaborate comparison of the prices of
corn from the year 1770 to the present period, showing *that
there had been very little variation in prices. He should be
glad tosee agriculture and commercego hand-in-hand together,
without either being depreciated to aggrandise the other, or one
having an undue advantage over the other.
Captain vysg would not have addressed the House on the
present occasion had he not felt it to be his duty to his consti-
tuents. No man ought to give a silent vote on so important a
question as the present. The only reason they had for passing
this measure was the alleged distress in Ireland, but that dis-
tress had been contradicted by unanswerable proofs—proofs
which had never been answered by the Ministers of the Crown.
It was very easy to raise the cry of cheap bread, but was it so
easy to allay it? They were called on now to pass a measure
which was without precedent, and to please whom ? To
please the agitators of the country—to please the Hon. Member
for Stockport, and his brother agitators, who had carried their
measures thus far. He would oppose this measure to his
utmost..

Mr. SEYMER said that a mistake had been made by the
Right Hon. Baronet, when he stated that the Dorsetshire la-
bowers were only paid seven shilling a week, and that rent,
&c., was to be deducted from that sum. He could assure
the Right Hon. Baronet, that the wages of the labourers in
that county were at least seven shillings, and, in addition to
this sum they hail free cottages, besides other advantages. He
would wish to ask a question from the Right Hon. Baronet.
Would be have supported this measure if it had been proposed
by the Noble Lord the Member for London ? He could not
seehow they could answer the question. The only difference
hitherto between the Noble Lord and the Right Hon. Baronet
was in political opinion. But when the Right Hon. Baronet
came round to support the same political principles as the
Noble Lord, he could not see upen what grounds they could
support the one in prefersncy to the other. There was a great
uncertainty in agricultural operations which did net belong to
manufactures, and he could not see how any increase in pro-
duction would make up for a reduction in price. This
uncertainty in the operations of agriculture appeared to him a
justification of the sliding-scale, which was now proposed to be
abandoned. Under the present circumstances of the country
he considered the sliding-scale more applicable than any other.
The pre•ient course of policy in the House was paying court to
the doctrines of political economy, which he vas persuaded
were losing its hold upon the feelings of the country, as shown
in the preceedings taken in irening and factory operations, and
which he trusted would even be shown by Hon. Members to-
morrow. They had heard a great deal of what wages would
be under free trade, and the Right Hon. Baronet had told them
that wages were not regulated by the price of food. To that he
would say. that the continual cry of the tree-traders had been
to increase 'the demand for produce, and :hat demand could
only be created by reducing the price of the articles, which
wou!d involve a reduction in the rate of wages.—( Hear, hear. )
When they said they were not independent of foreigners, he
thought they forgot their colonies. The col mies, properly
conducted, would prevent anything like a dependance upon
foreigners. He could not understand the rise of the colonies
under a sys'em of free-trade. He would turn for a moment
to the subject of the failure of the potato crop. He had never
understood that failue e. He believed that the Right Hon. I
Baronet would have been perfectly ju,tified in opening the
ports in November last. If that were the case, what could be
said of his colleagues who out-voted him on that occasion. They
must then have been violent protectionists—much wore violent
than he would have been under similar circumstances. Now
they were violent free-traders. He would not impute motives,
but he would say, that he did not understand their conduct.
The Right Hon. Baronet had first introduced his measure
upon consideration of policy, but finding it so violently op.
posed, it became a question of justice. When it was taken to
another place, where he had no doubt it would be still more
violently opposed, no doubt it would be considered by the
reverend of ators at Covent Garden Theatre, a religioos ques-
tion. He said, then, that the manufacturing interest were
far from unanimous upon the question, or rather those who
were engaged in the operative department of manufacture.
They were decidedly in favour of a Ten Hours Bill, but con-
sidered that the protectionists had sacrificed that measure and
rescinded their votes in its favour, because they wished to keep
in a protectionist Minister. They argued, therefore, that if
the corn-laws were to stand in the way of the passing of a ten
hours' Rill the sooner they were abolished the better. It was
this feeling which had induced the manufacturing operative to
become a supporter of this Bill, and not from a conviction that
free trade would immediately benefit him or his country.—
(Cheers.) He was asked, or rather the protectionist party
was asked, why or wherefore was the price of land kept up so
high ? He would tell them why. It was because of the
advantages which were attached to the possession of land.—
( Hear, hear.) A millionnaire could pass down Cheapside with-
ost anybody knowing or noticing him. He might be ran
over by an omnibus and killed, and although the accident
might occur within one hundred yards of his own
house no one would recognise him unless he
had his card-case in his pocket.—( Hear, hear.) On the other
hand, the millionnaire might go down into the countryand par-
chase a large estate. He then assumed the advantageous posi-
tion of a magistrate, became a deputy Lord-Lieutenant, and
highly preserved his game.—( Cheers.) It was these things
that kept up the price of land, and while these advantages
were attached to the possession of land, its piece would continue
high.—(Hear, hear.) Before he concluded, he wished to ad-
dress an observation to the Hon. Member for Stockport. That
Hon. Gentleman had said that the farmers ere with him, bat
would it be necessary to toss him in a blanketw to convince him
a his error ? If it were, he was person
many strong-armed yeoman who were perfecytlyaertdaymtallwitl-h
and laughter.) He would conclude
ling to do so.—( Hear, hear,
by observing, that the protectionists had every just reason
for vigorously opposing the progress of this measure. The
Hon. Gentleman resumed his seat amidst loud and continued
cheering from the protectionists.
Mr. COLQUHOUN moved that the debate be adjourned,
which wag agreed to, on the under standing that the division
OA the third readingshould take place on Thursday evening.
RAILWAY COMPANIES DISSOLUTION BILL.
This Bill was then read a second time on the motion of Sir
GEORGE CLERK.
The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the
House adjourned at Twelve o'clock.

LAT EST fit 4 A..7IERICA.
The following was posted at Lloyd's yesterday :
"I'LymouTH, Max 11.—Off the porr, her Majesty's ship
Canopus, from Halifax, sailed 28th ult., had only time to
slip the following into the boat as she passed.—
"' WASHINGTON, API= 18.
"' And whereas it has now become desirable that the re-
spective claims of the United States and Great Britain should
be definitively settled, and that said territory may no longer
than need be remain subject to the evil consequences of
the divided allegiance of its American and British popula-
tion, and of the confusion and conflict of national juris-
dictions dangerous to the cherished pr--ace and good
understanding of the two countries; with a view, therefore,
that steps be taken for the abrogation of the said convention
of the 6th of August, 1817, in the mode prescribed in its
second article, and that the attention of the Governments of
both countries may be the more earnestly directed to th:, im-
portance of a speedy adjustment of all their differences and
disputes in respect to said territory,
" Resolved, by the Senate and house of Representatives of
the United States of America, in Congress assembled,
"That the President of the United States is authorised
and requested to give the British Government the notice res.
quired by its said second article for the abrogation of the
said convention of the 9th of Au' t-j ustlB.._y .
T.

..,,s.
'HE STRIKE IN THE BCILDING TRADES AT MAN-
epzirrax.—The men are coming in by degrees, and as many as from
700 to 800 have signed the declaration required by the masters, and
commenced working again during the past week or ten days. A
Urge number more commenced working yesterday morning, Who
0110 signed the declaration. The impression is, that the turnouts
wal keep going in, and that ere long the shops will be as full of men
as may be required under otisting circtanstances. The masters have
been compelled to torm themselves into an association, which it is
`",. Intended should ea:end all over the country, for the purpose of
counteracting the dangerous effects of the combination of these
genera! trades unions ; tor, unless they be counteracted, the masters
think that they will be placed in the humiliating position of having
A to accede to any, and indeed every, demand which the turn-outs may
.'
think proper to make upon them. On the 21 of the present month
there were 600 joiner, en the strike, upwards of 100 plasterers and
painters, about 40 plumbers, and about 0 or 100 bric.slayers ; andC, is calculated that Uwe are at the r.ittioht moment upwarad Qf 300
*_ weeklusla wko art nftout rf employ.
-
I\l. a s;

ARTISTS' BENEVOLENT FUND.

The anniversary dinner of the Artists' Benevolent Fund
was celebrated on Saturday at the Freemasons' Tavern.
Viscount Morpeth took the chair at about half-past six, sup
ported by Sir W. Ross, R.A., Messrs. R. R. Reinagle, R.A.,
T. Uwins, R.A., D. Roberts, R.A., A. Cooper, R.A., B. B.
Cabbell, lc. The number of visitors was not so great as on
many former occasions, barely amounting to a hundred. The
fineness of the weather, and the attractions of the hortical-
turalfite at Chiswick, were probably the cause of the absence
of many of the patrons of art.
After the removal of the cloth the usual loyal toasts were
given, and received in the usual way, with the exception of
one, into which the Noble Chairman threw a little spice of
fun, which was highly relished by his hearers. In proposing
the health of " Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and the
rest of the Royal Family," his Lordship dryly added, " a
toast. gentlemen," which I am happy to say is becoming
every year more comprehensive." A burst of laughter
seemed to say " Amen—the more the merrier."
In proposing the toast of the evening, namely, Success
to the Artists' Benevolent Fund," the Noble Chairman made
some eloquent observations upon the important and bene-
ficial influence of a taste for art as an element in the moral
culture of the world. He paid a just tribute to the suc-
cessful labours of the Art-Union in disseminating copies of
works of art amongst classes who had heretofore been ex-
cluded from the enjoyment of such things. During his stay
in America one of the most gratifying incidents which oc-
curred to him was discovering some engravings after British
paintings upon the walls of some humble cabins in a remote
district, and he hoped the time wouldcoornme—
ed.wh(eun
eareve,rhyecot-
tage in England would be similarly ad
Owing much to art, it was but an act of justice and grati-
tude, when misfortune fell upon its professors, or the hand
of death snatched them from their families, that those who
worked and profited in the same field should step forward
with timely succour. To this artists, and the admirer of art,
were equally bounden; and it was in this spirit that the in•
stitution whose anniversary they were now celebrating was
founded. He regretted to state, however, that while art had
been making rapid advances in this country, and the taste
for art had developed itself in extended spheres, the funds of
this institution had not been adequately kept up, but were,
on the contrary, in that position, that unless additional sup-
plies were given in with a bounteous hand, the claimants
who received annuities from the institution would be obliged
to submit to a curtailment of a quarter of their present al-
lowances. These allowances were 201. a year to widows,
and 51. a year to the orphans of artists; and when it was
known that in many cases these pittances were the only cer-
tain resources upon which the respective parties had to de-
pend, he put it to the liberal-minded and humane whether
some exertions should not be made to avert the necessity
for taking anything away from incomes already so inade-
quate to the demands of life? The Noble Chairman's address
was listended to with deep attention, and loudly applauded
at the close.
The subscriptions were then announced, which amounted
to 3691. Amongst the subscribers were her Majesty, 100
guineas ; the Queen Dowager, 10 guineas ; Sir John Swin-
burne, the president (who, we regret to hear, was prevented
by indisposition from being present, his 34th donation), 15/. ;
Viscount Morpeth, 201. ; the Duke of Sutherland, 10 guineas ;
B. B. Cabbell, Esq, 10 guineas; Peter Legh, Esq., 10
guineas. The other toasts interesting to art were—
" The Royal Academy ;" to which Mr. COOPER, R.A., re-
sponded. (A gentleman at one of the side tables rose in the
midst of the glee which followed the toast, and in rather an
excited manner, addressed the chairman upon the fact that,
out of thirty-four Royal Academicians, only five were present
on this occasion. He was, however, soon prevailed upon to sit
down, and the business of the evening proceeded.)

" The British Ihstitution."
Mr. B. B. CABBELL returned thanks.

•" The Art-Union of London."

Mr. GODWIN, the secretary, returned thanks, and took oc-
casion earnestly to draw the attention of his hearers to the
position of this institution, and to the loss and discourage-
ment which would ensue to artists whose works it had been
the means of encouraging, if the Legislature should refuse to
legalise its proceedings. Of its utility in the actual encou-
ragement of art as a school he could mention one instance.
Some time back a gentleman, two of whose works were
selected and purchased by prizeholders in the Art-Union,
came to him (Mr. Godwin), and, after mentioning his name,
told him that he had since sent in a cartoon to the exhibi-
tion at Westminster Hall, which, but for the money which
he received from the Art-Union, he would not have been able
to have done. This work did not receive a prize, but it was
seen by some gentlemen interested in founding the School of
Design at Glasgow : they gave this gentleman the appoint-
ment, and he was now pursuing his useful vocation in that
city.—(Hear, hear.)
The whole of the arrangements of the stewards afforded
complete satisfaction. The dinner and wines were excellent ;
and Messrs. Broadhurst, Hatton, and the Misses Pyne sang
very pleasingly between the toasts. Mr. Higgins officiated
as toast-master.

FARMERS, IS THIS YOUR