The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-27 00:00:00

HOUSE 01.' COMMONS.

The SPIIMLER took the Chair precisely at Four o'clock.
Mr. CURTEIS presented a petition for leave to in-
troduce a Bill for the Rochester, Canterbury, and Dover
Railway.

Petitions, numerously signed, were presented from the
inhabitants of Tring, Coventry, Walsall, Salford, and
Kettering, for the total and immediate repeal of the
corn-laws-
mr. HUME presented a petition from the towns-
people of Arbroath and Dundee for the immediate re-
pee of the corn-laws.
At half-past four o'clock his Royal Highness Prince
Albert, accompanied by the Earl of Jersey, entered the

House, and took his seat on the cross benches imme-
diately behind the Sergeant-at• Arms.
HONG KONG. _ _ _

Dr. BOWRING gave notice that on Thursday he
should move for a return of the expenditure of the co-
lony of Hong-Kong.
ISLE OF MAN.

Dr. BOWRING postponed his motion for corres- '
pondence, or extracts of correspondence, on the subject of
the House of Keys, in the Isle of Man, till Thursday
next.
COLONIAL ACCOUNTS.
Dr. BOWRING then moved that the resolutions of
the last session on Colonial accounts should be read by
the Clerk at the table and confirmed.
The resolutions were then read at length by the Clerk,
and agreed to.
Mr. M. PHILLIPS presented a petition signed by
52,579 inhabitants of Manchester, praying for the total,
immediate, and unconditional repeal of the corn and
provision laws.
On the motion being put that the Speaker do leave
the chair,
Mr. MILES rose, and said he wished to ask the Right
Honourable Baronet at the lima of the Government
a question before they resolved themselves into a
Committee of the whole House, and he was sure
from the well-known courtesy of the Right Hon. Baronet,
that he would answer his question if it was in his power
to do so. He understood that the lion. Baronet was
now about to make his financial statement, and he
wished to know whether it was his intention to take any
vote that evening upon the question? And if it
was, he should be glad to know if the Right
Hon. Baronet was prepared to press for the decision
of the House upon his financial proposition before
the country had had time to express its opi-
nion upon it. He hoped that previous to their
coming to any decision upon the question, time would
be allowed for duly and properly considering it in all
its branches; but, at all events, whether the Right Hon.
Baronet answered the question in the affirmative or the
negative, he would afford ample time to the counties
to state what their opinions might be upon it.—(Hear.)
Sir R. PEEL—The statement which I shall make to-
night will be more a commercial than a financial statement,
and, therefore, I do not intend to take any money
vote in the Committee of the whole house.—(Hear.) It
is not my intention to ask the House to express an opinion
to-night upon any part of the statement, because it is
my earnest wish that the proposal I shall make should
be maturely and deliberately considered by the House
before they come to any decision upon it.—(Cheers.)
For this there are sufficient reasons. I believe that the
task which is imposed upon me is such that the House
will be content to take a candid and indulgent consi-
deration of the position which I hold, and whatever
may be the opinion entertained, I have no doubt in my
own mind as to the result at which we shall arrive ; but
I trust in the mean time that the matter will be dis-
cussed in a candid and impartial spirit.
Tile SPEAKER—The subject for consideration is the
alteration to be made in the corn-laws, and the altera-
tions which have lately taken place.—[The Speaker then
referred to the Queen's reply to the Address, part of
which he read, and the whole of which has appeared in
the columns of The Sun.)—The question now is that I
leave the Chair.
The House then resolved itself into a general Com-
mittee, and Mr. Greene took the chair.
THE PREMIER'S STATEMENT.

Sir ROBERT PEEL, whatever may be the opinion
entertained of the course intended to be pursued
by her Majesty's Government, or of the proposal which,
on their behalf, I have to submit, no one will entertain
a doubt that their objects are of the highest order,
and that the purpose of the Minister is
one perfectly coincident with their views of
the advantage to be derived from a full con-
sideration of the interests of these several portions of
the community, and I think that none will disagree with
me in the certainty that the public interests can be better
served by candid dealing than by mere party endeavour.
It may suffice to say that in this discussion I calculate
on the impartial consideration of the House. I am
aware that in so important a discussion as that which
may possibly take place her Majesty's Government,
whatever may be the result, are determined to fulfil the
duties of their several offices, and, whatever may be the
character of the Ministry, OH this they are agreed—that
the relief of the duties on commerce, whatever that may
be, and the relaxation of the duties on commerce which
I had the honour last session to propose, should be con-
tinued this year, and enlarged for the relief of the people.
I am about to proceed on the assumption that protective
duties ought to be abolished, and are in principle open
to objection, and that the policy of maintaining them
ma} be defended, but that there must be special
considerations, either of public policy or of justice,
to vindicate their maintenance. I am about to
act upon this assumption. During the period of
the last three years there has been in this country
an increased production of revenue, notwithstanding
that there has been a remission of many heavy taxes—
that there has been an increased demand for labour—
that there has been an increase of commerce, and that
there has been increased comfort, happiness, and con-
tentment in this country.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.)
I do not say that these blessings have ne-
cessarily been caused by any particular policy you
have adopted, but this I say, the enjoyment of them has
been confirmed by your measures—that these blessings
have been sanctioned by the House of Commons—the
policy of repealing prohibitory and reducing
protective duties. I am not now, then, by praising
that policy, about to call upon the House to
recede from any course that has been pursued
a course which has been sanctioned by the
House of Commons, and which, as productive of
public good, ought with regard to consistency to be
persevered in.—(Hear, hear.) Sir, I am at the same
time, in advising the continued application of these
principles, not about to discard the other recommenda-
tions contained in her Majesty's Speech, namely, that
the adoption of good principles should not be
the means of endangering the public credit, or
of causing any permanent loss in the revenue
of the counted}'. Neither, Sir, have I lost sight of the
other recommendation—namely, that in proposing sound
principles, we should act with sober forbear-
ance, and not prejudice any great institution
1 hope this will not be rendered necessary, either on
account of any measures I may have to propose, or
you may have to adopt; above all, I hope that the
confidently expressed opinion of her Majesty, that
this great subject will receive the deliberate and
dispassionate consideration of the House of
Commons, may be realised. I have already said,
in answer to a question put by an Hon. Gentleman,
that I do not contemplate asking the House of Commons
to pronounce to-night any opinion upon the entire, or a
component part of the measures to be submitted for
your consideration; but that, on the contrary, it is
the wish of the Government the questions shall be dealt
with by you in a calm and dispassionate manner.—
(Hear, hear.) It may be possible, that as I am about
to propose so many reductions, some Hon. Gentleman
may denounce me as rash and improvident, and de-
clare that my measures ought on that account to be
rejected by this House. If such should be the prevailing
impression among those who are favourable to protec-
tion, nothing can be more easy than that on the day
when they are called upon to consider those great and
momentous questions, I should be permitted to ask the
llouse to put upon record a counter principle.— (Cheers.)
My motion will be some such resolution as this ; m t
that any protection on any particular branch of trade is
advisable, but that there should be a comprehensive
system of protection for all articles of domestic in-
dustry, believing, as I do, that it will be for
the goGd of the country that our native in-
dustry should be protected.—(Hear, hear.) I thine
that that principle ought to be sanctioned.—(Hear,
hear.) It may be, on the other hand, that the House
and this country, considering the great difficulties of
this question— considering the variety of opinions
—considering the nature of the] ,contest, which
has long existed, and which I hope will
long continue unless there be a satisfactory and
early adjustment of this question.—(Hear, hear.)
It may be that even those who may dissent from par-
ticular parts of the great scheme which I am about to
propose to the consideration of this House may
be disposed to accept this proposal as an entire
settlement of the question, and that the voice of
the country may pronounce upon it as such. This were
an unjust thing. An inequitable or unwise adjustment
it may be considered would be preferable to
the perpetual conflict in which we are in-
volved ; and if that be the position which the
general opinion of the reasonable and intelligent of all
classes shall take,• in that case I shall have confidence
of ultimate success. On the other hand, as I said before,
if I touch so many interests by the application of that
great principle, that protective duties are not in them-
,elves abstractedly, and ought to be relinquished; in
that case ano:her fate will await my proposal, and the
is osegodoisdp.sdir,ofthathteprbi‘elctitpelre
twoiwilhiieth ble
have
sthoeoneprubiltie
referred, namely, the relaxation of the protective
duties, I am not about to apply to any one particular
class of trade.—(Cheers.) I am not about to select that
great interest connected with the agriculture of this
country and call upon them to relinquish protection, and
at the same time forbear to call upon other interests to
privileges.ifr which shall I makeail contend
cnooinsodlted
o
relinquish
proposal.their
The
principe
just and a wise one—
I shall ask all classes to give up
privileges—(Cheers)—and to make the
sacrifice,
tiefiitybeeasac
sacrifice, which that application shall
that
cause.—(Hear, hear.) Sir, the House
h Is aware
called
during the last three years, w
the Customs' Duties Act" was amended ; at that time
the Customs duties wore submitted to the review and
consideration of this House. In 1842 it was my duty, as

the head of the Government, to propose a great change in
the then Custom duties. The general principle of the plan
under which I then acted was to remit the duties upon arti-
cles and raw material constituting the element of manufac-
turing industry. The plan then submitted to the House
was to subject the general manufacturing articles of labour
in other countries to duties not exceeding 201. per cent.
The House adopted the principle upon which he had
acted in 1842. In that year he selected a number
of the raw articles for the remission of the
duty. In 1844 we reduced altogether the duty
upon wool. In the year 1845 we reduced alto-
gether the duty upon cotton. There is hardly a raw
material remaining for import into this country upon
which the duty has not been either entirely abolished,
or considerably diminished. The manufacturers of the
country therefore now have an advantage which they did
not possess hitherto. They have free access to the raw
material which constitutes the fabric of their articles o!'
manufacture, and I consider that I am therefore entit:ed
to call upon the manufacturers to relinquish that amount
of protection which they now have.—(Hear, hear.) The
manufacturer has now an advantage which he Las not
had before. There might have been great doubt as to
whether you might have continued to derive the same
amount of revenue from the importation of cotton wool
which existed in 1844. But the House disregarded the
amount of 600,0001. or 700,0001. of revenue derived from
such a source. They wished to establish the stability
of the manufacture of articles from sheep and cotton
wool, and to place it upon a sure and certain foundation.
They were willing, therefore, and consented, to forego
this amount, so easily levied, and which caused so little
complaint from the great body of the people.
In order to remove this duty, not only
upon sheep, but also upon cotton wool, this House
submitted itself to the imposition of the income-tax,
in consideration of the removal of the duties upon
these raw materials. I propose, Sir, in reviewing
those articles upon which there at present exist duties,
I propose to take first those articles of raw material
which still remain subject to a duty ; and in dealing
with these articles, I beg to call upon the manufacturers
to relinquish that amount of duty which they now pos-
sess. Sir, I hardly know any articles of the nature
of raw materials subject to duty except tallow and
and timber.—(Laughter.) Tallow is an article of very
great importance to the community, and the people at large,
it beingused in the manufacture of soap, candles, and also
for the purpose of dressing leather. I propose to make a
reduction in this article from the amount of duty now levied.
With respect to the duty on tallow from the United
States, the duty on which was 3s. 2d., I will, purely
for the purpose of encouraging that produce, which was
' now chiefly procured from Russia, propose a re-
; taxation in that duty, with the hope that it would ulti-
' mately procure a reciprocal reduction on their part with
respect to the produce of this country. I will, therefore,
for that purpose, propose to reduce the duty on tallow,
which now is 3s. 2d. to Is. Bd. I am taking the articles
of raw material first, and shall now come
to timber, the produce of our own colonies.
timber is the only article which I cannot definitely give
an explanation of, as the reduction which I am dis-
posed to make must depend on the manner in which I
am m, t by other States on that article. The course
her Majesty's Government intends to pursue will
be a gradual reduction to a certain sum
of the existing duties on timber.—(Hear, hear.)
The reduction will be apportioned, if possible, so as to
cause no derangement of the duties on timber from the
Baltic. But at a very early period it was the intention
of her Majesty's Government to make known their ar-
rangements with respect to timber, on which it was
difficult to get that information which was necessary.
And now, after having made all these reductions, I
hardly know a single raw material which has a protec-
tive duty imposed upon it. After having taken
this course after having afforded the manufac-
turer every facility—after having given him a free
command of the raw material—l will call on the
manufacturers of the three great articles which eater
into the consumption of the great body of the people, I
will ask them to give that proof, which I am sure they
will—(Hear, hear, hear)—of the sincerity of their
convictions as to the impolicy of protection, by
consenting to relinquish the protection on corn.—(Hear,
hear, and loud cheering from the Opposition benches.)
The three branches of manufacture of which I speak
are those which give clothes to the'great body of the
people. I mean those of linen, woolen, and cotton. I
will ask them to set the example to others by relinquish-
ing at once, cheerfully, the protection on corn.—(Hear,
hear.) My Honourable Friend the Member for
Dorsetahire (Lord Ashley), and I call him my
Honourable Friend, for it shall not be my fault
if these unfortunate political differences interfere with
private friendship and regard—l will call him at once my
Hon. Friend—expressed a hope, being jealous of an ex-
pression which occurred in her Majesty's Speech, that the
small interests of the country should not be visited injuri-
ously. I will tell him that those interests will meet with the
especial care of the Government. I do not purpose in
this review of the tariff to subject myself to the impu- '
tation of concealing my intention. I declare it
now that I mean to effect great interests and
protect, as much as possible, these small
interests alluded to. My Honourable Friend will,
therefore be gratified in his expectation.—(Hear. hear.)
I shall propose, with regard to cotton manufactured
goods, including the great mass of heavy goods, such
as calicos, prints, &c., to make an alteration. Manu-
factured goods were now subject to a duty of 10 per
cent. These I propose to make duty free ; and thou
articles which are charged 20 per cent., I propose
to reduce to 10 per cent.—(Cries of " Hear, hear,"
and cheers.) The articles which constitute in a great
measure the clothing materials of the great bulk of the
people I propose to make duty free.—(Loud cheers and
interruption.) Allow me to state the whole of my
scheme before you draw inferences as to any part
' of it. I do not wish you to suspend your judg-
ment for a year. I merely desire that you
refrain from forming conclusions till I continue
the details of what I propose.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.)
I am the more anxious to call upon the manufacturers
to relinquish these duties, because, according to high
authority it was not the agriculturists but the manu-
facturers who first called upon the Legislature for the
imposition of protective duties.—(Cheers.) I doubt not
therefore, but they will now come forward and set the first
example in giving them up.—(Cheers.) Adam Smith,
A great authority, says—" that farmers and gentlemen
connnected with agriculture were, of all persons in the
community, the least subject to the wretched spirit of
monopoly."—(Great laughter and cheers.) He also
said, that it was not the agriculturists, but the
manufacturers, who had first appealed for the
protection of the restrictive system.—(Loud cheers.)
They are always ready to call out against the restrictions
an all other articles but that which pressed heaviest upon
their countrymen. They may be said to be the
original inventors of all monopoly."— (Laughter).
Hon. Gentlemen may have cause for laughter,
by the reading of this extract, but it is perfectly true
I prepose that the duties on the coarser articles of
manufacture shall be materially reduced, and which
will have a material effect on the manufacturing inte-
rest of this country, but not to the great injury of
the manufacturing interests. I propose that the made
up woollen goods shall also be reduced in duty to the
same amount, namely, a reduction of from 20 per cent.
to 10 per cent.—(Hear, hear.) I stated the other
night that flax was a very important and a
stable article of our manufacturce, and also that
although there was no duty on this article, that its great
import was:not injurious to our growers of that article,
and I believe that has not been contradicted. The
duty on linen goods varies according to their quality; but
the reduction of duties on those articles cannot be so
injurious to our manufacturing interests as may at first
be imagined, for I am of opinion that the improve-
ments made by our own workmen will always keep
up the market in their favour. I now coma
to another very important article of our imports.
I mean the silk trade.—(Hear.) Now don't let us
suppose that the existing duty on silks operate as a
Protection to the domestic manufacture of that article.—
(Hear.) You have a duty which you call 30 per cent.,
but which with respect to many articles is a great deal
higher; and as a false reliance is placed on this, as t:)
its being a protection to domestic manufacture, I think
it proper to state that there are many houses in Paris,
and on the continent, which will guarantee to deliver
goods in London at half the duty at present levied.—
(Hear, hear.) It is therefore a mistake to imagine that
the duty affords the protection which is stated. In the
first place it appears that it is an encouragement to
smuggling, as the article may be frequently purchased
from those engaged in this traffic for a small sum, com-
pared with that which it will realize in the legitimate
course of business. I conceive therefore that by a
new arrangement with respect to the silk duties
—in fact that a reduction of these duties which
are not interfering with any domestic manufacture, will,
at the same time, diminish the profit of the smuggler,
and encourage a lawful and wholesome trade.—(Hear,
hear.) Now, the general impression is, that there is a
duty of thirty per cent. on silk manufacture. I hold in
my hand an account of the duties upon the silk manu-
facture as at present levied ; and, although, in respect
taworhtiicselhes
omteheitd may ;not exceed thirty per cent., and in
others less than ten per cent., yet there are many
ucomprisedty.
is umnudeehr
higherthis
than
this. withl respectn
the
caseo
of crape the duty is not less than 40 or 50
per cent. • on
dutyis
notno least l e
stsh
tahnafnr oit n4531.0pLe
rto
cent3li. perin
a ma
cent. fancy ; silk
0n the
silk
bonnets
the case of turbans it is at least as much. Doesy ' ,
therefore, believe foreign turbans, bonnets, and
hats, pay a duty of 1451. per cent. It is ro
such thing. The articles is in common use
here, but its value is reduced by the common '
smuggler. Now I propose a new arrangement with
respect to silk, but I must not now enter too muc3 into

details, as the whole of my statement will be subject to
correction after it has appeared to-morrow morning. I I
now wish to introduce a new principal, based on a gene-
ral scale which shall enumerate each species of silk,
and the amount per pound at which it will be ad-
mitted with an option to the Custom-house sfficer
to levy a duty on every quantity of silk of the
value of 1001. a duty not exceeding fifteen per cent.
The general principle, therefore, shall be that a reduc-
tion of 15 per cent. on this article, which, heretofore,
had been, at the lowest, 30 per cent. on such articles,
but in reality it was greater on some articles and less on
others. There is another article of manufacture which
I think may be fairly permitted to enter into com-
petition with the same article in this country,
for I do think it would have the effect of
stimulating that trade to greater industry and exertion ;
I speak of the article of paper—(Hear)—that is paper-
hangings. At present there is a duty upon all foreign
paper-hengings imported into this country of one shilling
per square-yard ; and this applies to all descriptions
of paper-hangings. Now, I believe it is possible for
some descriptions of this article to be manufactured
and sold at the rate of one farthiag the square
yard. Of course the very fine descriptions, such as those
with gold borderings, may still be liable to the duty of
one shilling; but I do think that a shilling per square
yard duty upon paper
.which can be made for one
farthing per square yard is exorbitant, and therefore
I propose to reduce that duty on certain de-
scriptions from one shilling to twopence the
square yard upon paper hangings coming from
abroad.—(Hear, hear.) I now approach these de-
seriptions of manufactures which are connected with
metals.—(Hear, hears, and cheers.) It is impossible
that I can go through its detail without entering into
minute details, and therefore I do hope that the House
will hear me with patience.—(Hear, heir.) We have
already reduced the duty upon foreign ores ; and I do
think that if there be any articles of manufacture in this
country which more than another, can bear competition
it is that description connected with metals. The manu-
facture of metals (I do not mean to particularize them),
are now chargeable with a duty of 15 per cent. I pro-
pose with regard to them, and I include all descriptions,
which I do not now mention; but I say, as a general
rule, that this duty shall not exceed 10 per cent.—
That is the maximum duty which I how propose on those
articles, without enumerating them. I have made an
exception with regard to paper hangings, for the reason
I have already stated ; but the duty of ten per cent.
on metals shall be without any exception.
With regard to the duty of 10 per cent. on all such
manufactures as umber-lead and also hardware and
other articles, such duty can be considerably reduced, as
also on all manufactures of hair. At present there is a
duty of 20 per cent. on the import of foreign carriages,
which I propose to reduce. That will be giving an im-
mense advantage to the consumers of this country, as no
article is so very dear as a carriage and equipment.
—(Hear, hear.) Look at the carriages made
in Brussels and also in Edinburgh. The price
there is considerably below the London price.
and I see no meson why foreign carriages should be
subjected to a duty of 20 per cent.; and I propose
therefore to encourage a wholesome competition in this
country by permitting foreign carriages to come in at a
duty of 10 per cent. There is also another manufacture
in respect of which I propose a considerable reduction—
I propose to reduce the duty on canvas. As I have
reduced the duty on spermaceti, I this night propose a
reduction of the duty on candles to about one-
half ; and I also propose a reduction of the duty
on foreign soap to one-half. In the case of hard
soap, now subjected to a duty of 305., it shall
be reduced to 205., and in the case of soft soap,
now subjected to a duty of 205., it shall be reduced to
14s. There are a great many articles besides on which
the duty is so slight that I propose to remit them alto-
gether.—(Hear, hear.) In 1542 the tariff which I pro-
posed contained the names of nearly 1,100 articles.
Those names still remain on the tariff, because it is con-
venient to the Custom-house officers to run their eyes
down the alphabetical list to see what articles are tree
from duty, but in the case of more than 500 of them,
the duty will be either reduced or omitted. These
articles I have no objection to state to the House,
should it require it.—(Cries of " No, no.") Well, then,
I will proceed to the other proposal I have to make.
There are still some manufactured articles on which I
deem it advisable to reduce the duty to 10 per cent.
Respecting the article of gloves already a great reduction
has taken place. I now come to an important article
of consumption, namely, that of boots and shoes,
on the raw material of which I propose to reduce the
duty.—(Hear, hear.) On a former occasion an altera-
tion was made in the duty, on the material which en-
tered into the composition of these articles, but the
duty on raw hides was still re,aint d. I now propose
that raw hides shall enter duty free.—(Hear, hear.)
When the tariff was formerly altered, I retained
the duty on all articles that were imported for the
purposes of tanning, but now I propose to
to remit the duty altogether. There is one article to
which I will refer which does not take the character of
raw material, but which is of the greatest importance to
the working classes—l mean the article of dressed
hides. As this article extends largely into boots
and shoes, and is of great importance to the
people, I propose to take the duty altogether
off dressed bids. Having explained what I mean
to do with this article. I will now proceed to state
what amount of duty I mean to propose on articles
made up of these dressed hides, to which I have re-
ferred. I intend to diminish the duty on foreign boots
and shoes, a step which I am persuaded will be a great
benefit. Having taken the duty off the raw
material I propose reducing th 3 duty on I small
boot and shoe-fronts, from three shillings and sixpenc
to ls. 91 per dozen; on large boot fronts from ss. 6d. to
2s. 9d. per dozen; on boots from 11.8 s. to 14s. perdozen;
on shoes from 14s. to 7s. per dozen; other articles of
this kind to be reduced in the same proportion. There
is another reduction I mean to propose, which was
omitted in 1842, but which I regret was not then car-
ried into effect. I mean the duty on the article of
straw platt. On this article I propose that the
duty shall be reduced from 7s. 6d to ss. ; and
on straw hats, from Bs. 6d. to ss. per dozen.
I omitted to gate that there is another article con-
nected with the silk manufacture that I propose to
reduce the duty on, I mean the article of dyed
thrown silk. I hope I am convincing the House
that I am disposed to act fairly and impartially in re-
spect of the application of those duties.—(Cheers.)
I believe I have exhausted every article which can be
called an article of manufacture as the word
manufacture is generally used. I have shown you that
I intend to reduce metals, clothing, and those
things generally in use as articles of con-
sumption, and the House will I hope per-
ceive that I have pretty strictly adhered to the
general principles I had laid down in the begin-
ning. I shall call your attention now to
another article of great importance, which, although
it may be included among manufactures, yet, in com-
mon parlance, does not come within the denomination of
in mufaeture. It is an article on which reduction seems at
the present time, be be peculiarly required. I propose
to reduce the duty on brandy, and other foreign spirits.
(Great cheering.) The present duty upon brandy is not
less than 225. 10d. per gallon, and this high duty has, I
believe, prevented any increase in the importation of the
article.—( Hear, hear.)

COMMONS' SUIIMARY.

The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock.

Several petitions were presented.

About half-past four o'clock his Royal Highness
Prince ALBERT, accompanied by the Earl of JERSEY,
entered the House, and took his seat under the gallery,
mmediately behind the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Shortly afterwards his Royal Highness the Duke of
CAMBRIDGE entered the House, and took his place by the
side of Prince ALBERT.

Immediately after the Duke of CAMBRIDGE had
entered the House,
Mr. M. PIIILLIPS, amidst loud cheering, presented the
great Manchester petition, praying for the total and im-
mediate repeal of the corn-laws.

On the motion that the order of the day for the
House resolving itself into Committee on the:paragraph of
Her Majesty's Speech relating to commercial policy be
read,

Mr. MILES trusted that ample time would be given to
the House to stele its opinion on the subject.

Sir ROBERT PEEL said his statement Would be rather
a commercial statement than a financial one. He would
not call on the House to come to any decision. He
would not wish any opinion on the plan until after the
lapse of some days.
The House then resolved itself into Committee, and

Sir H. PEEL rose to explain to the House the mea-
sures which the Government proposed for their adop-
tion, in order to carry out the recommendation which
had just been read in regard to commercial policy.
Whatever might be the opinion ultimately formed
with regard to the merits of the proposal of
the Government, he was sure that the vast import-
ance of the interests concerned would secure to him a
patientduteiasclp
naipnidyuilnggent hearing. He was about to review
the
to many articles, the produce of other
countries. He proceeded on the as,umption that
the repeal of protective and prohibitive duties
was good, that abstractedly those duties were bad in
principle, and that it was necessary to show special
cause for their maintenance. He agreed that during
the last three years there had been increased pro-
duction and increased consumption, concurrent with
the repeal of prohibitive and the reduction of protective
duties. The course he should pursue had been sanctioned
by the House, and it was perfectly consistent to follow
oat that course. He maintained, however, that in
the adoption
of good principles they should not
be regardless of meriting public credit, nor
should they forget the recommendation that no loss
should be inflicted on any class of her Maje,ty's sub-
jects. He wished the House to deal deliberately and
dispassionately with his proposal. Perchance he was
about to meddle with so many interests, that all might
unite to oppose him, and when the question came
forward for discussion, it might be met by a notice that
protection to domestic industry was a good object, and
ought to be persevered in. It might be that those who
dissented from his scheme in part might bo dis-
posed to support it as a whole, in order
to bring the present conflict to an equitable termination.
The principle of the relaxation of protective duties he
was not about to apply to any particular interest.

He was not about to call upon the agriculturists
to relinquish protection and continue it to others;
confident that his principle was a wise one, he called
upon all protectionists to relinquish their protection.
The principle of the new tariff bad been to lower all
duties to about 20 per cent. ad valorem, that was in 1842.
In subsequent. years the principle had been still further
carried out. The duty on the raw material of manufac-
tures had been relinquished, and therefore he was en-
titled to call upon the manufacturer to relinquish his
protection. He proposed to continue to act on the prin-
ciples which that House had sanctioned, and to remove
the duties from those articles of raw material still
subject to it. These were only tallow and timber. Tallow
was largely used in important manufactures, and he pro-
posed to reduce the duty levied upon tallow. The
present duty was 3% 2d. per cwt., and he pro-
posed, in order to encourage Russia in her libe-
ral policy, that England should, without stipulation,
reduce the duty from 3s. 2d. to Is. Bd. With regard to
timber ; Colonial timber was admitted at a nominal
duty, and as they were about to affect domestic interests,
they had a right to effect a reduction in the timber duties;
and he was anxious the consumer should reap the advan-
tage of the reduction, and therefore he proposed to make
it gradually. On an early day, after there had been an
opportunity of stating the details of the subject, the in-
tention of the Government should be made public
with regard to the reduction of the timber
duties. These were reductions, not repeals, and
with those exceptions he hardly knew any raw
materials which were subject to duty. lie, there-
fore, called on' the manufacturers to give that proof
of the sincerity of their convictions of the impolicy
of protective duties by relinquishing the protections.
He asked the manufacturers of woollen, linen, and
cotton, to set the example of relinquishing their pro-
tection. His Hon. Friend, the Member for Dorsetshire,
and he trusted that no political differences would inter-
rupt their private friendship, had expressed a hope that
small interests would not be interfered with. He in-
tended to interfere with great interests, and to meddle
as little as possible with small ones. Manufactured
cottons formerly were subject to a duty of 10 per
cent. He proposed it should be itnported duty free,
without restriction. The duty on manufactured cottons,
which was now 20 per cent., he proposed to reduce to 10
per cent. He was the more anxious that the manufac-
turers should assent to this, because they had set the
example by asking for protection. Adam Smith stated that
it was not the agriculturists but the manufacturers that had
commenced the system of monopoly. " Country gentle-
men and farmers," said Adam Smith, were least actuated
by the wretched spirit of monopoly."—(A laugh.) Pro
tection was first pressed on the Legislature by the trading
interests, and, therefore, they should first relinquish it.
With regard to linens and woollens, he proposed that
they also should relinquish protection, and he doubted
not but that the skill of the country a ould beat foreigners.
Woollen goods were subject to a duty of 20 per cent. Ile
proposed to reduce it to 10 per cent on linens as well as
on cottons and woollens ; that the coarser sorts should
come in duty free, and that iu regard to the
finer sorts the reduction of duty should be
reduced to one-half of its present amount.
With respect to silk, he thought that they should apply
not the same system but make a great reduction. They
had a duty which in respect to many articles was pro-
hibitory, and it was considered a protection to domestic
industry. It was no such thing, !-or there were houses in
Paris which would guarantee the delivery of the goods
in London at one-half-the duty. They would, by a re-
duction of that duty, encourage a lawful traffic instead
of an unlawful one. There were many articles of silk
on which the duty was more than 30 per cent, as, for
instance, on crape and other articles of manufacture.
He proposed a new arrangement of those duties, and
that the general rule should be to levy a duty ad valo-
rem, in no case exceeding 15 per cent. Then with re-
gard to paper, the duty was le. per square yard, without
distinction of quality. He proposed to reduce that duty
to 2d. par square yard. He now approached those ma-
nufactures connected with metals. All manufactures of
metals were charged with a duty of 15 per cent. He
proposed that no duty should exceed 10 per cent.: that
was to be the maximum. Then with regard to brocade
and earthenware, he proposed a similar ,reduction.
Then with regard to foreign carriages, he proposed
to reduce the duty from 20 per cent. to 10 per
cent. He proposed to reduce the duty upon candles
to one-half of the present amount, and also a similar
reduction in foreign soap. Hard soap now subject to a
duty of 305., he promised to reduce it to 20%, soft soap
to 10s., and Naples soap from 565. to 15s. There were
many articles in which he proposed to remit the duty
altogether. There were 500 articles standing in the
tariff in respect of which there was no duty. He pro-
posed to apply this principle to many other arti-
cles. In respect to all articles connected with the
manufacture of leather great remittances of duty had
taken place. He proposed to remove altogether the
duty on dressed hides, and then there would not be a
single raw material subject to duty, "'yid then
he proposed to reduce the duty on foreign
boots and shoes ; from boots Is. 3d. to Is. 9d. per dozen;
Boots from 1/. Bs. per dozen to 14%, and for shoes from
14s. to 7s. He proposed to reduce the duty upon straw
plait from ss. to 3s. 6d. per lb. He was disposed to act
freely and impartially. He had exhausted every article
of manufacture.

He proposed to reduce the duty upon brandy and foreign
spirits from 225. per gallon, and the consumption was
not now greater in this country than it was in the 17th
century. There was no article in which smuggling
more prevailed. He proposed to reduce the present
duty of 225. to 15s. per gallon. With regard to sugar,
he intended to propose the reduction of the duty on
foreign free labour sugar to 3s. 6d., reducing by that
amount the differential duty. He now came to those
articles connected with agriculture. There were many
articles subject to heavy duties which did not operate as
protection. There was, for instance, the article of to-
bacco ; and, in treating of these articles, he hoped that
that House would bear in mind the necessity of support-
ing the public revenue, and not press for a simulta-
neous removal of duties which would be thought hich,
He would take first those articles not connected with
food, and he thought that, by reducing the duty on
grass seeds, he was conferring a benefit on agriculture
The duty on clover seed, for instance, was a heavy bur-
den or agriculture. He proposed to reduce the duty on
all seeds to ss. per cwt., as a maximum duiy. In order
to promote the fattening of cattle, which was so neces-
sary to the production of manure for the fertilising of
the soil, he proposed that Indian corn should be hence-
forth admitted duty free, or rather with a merely no-
minal duty. He considered that, in doing this, he
was not doing any injury to the agricultursdd:eiatinthdlbgh,iemuiletgiceepntirrraatgtitinheslne:te.
ei,ttiatohuota:ais,resiultleiyibncislaeereacrsiensttdioyi buckennlgace
rast
tf.khio
articles
Hes
yhasa, wheat aadutre s
proposeds
ert .
footing to
da pti eee c
asf
heaktaeamoe
re-
questedhmt%ahva eeedi at plhbfireooroefuelgtrotoahs
geororeddfsai
n
in the United States—such as rice cake—to be admitted
duty free, and he therefore proposed to admit it. He
came now to consider those articles of agricul-
tural produce used for the food of man, and he
felt the difficulty of dealing with them.
His object was to come to some adjustment of this ques-
tion between the demands of those who upheld mire-
laxed protection and those who contended for the
repeal of all duties. He feared neither party would
approve of his plan, but he proposed it for the
public advantage, as the foundation of a settlement. He
did not propose an immediate repeal of all duty, although
he proposed an immediate reduction in respect to all,
and immediate and total repeal in respect to many.
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.

LEEDS, JAN. 26.

STOCK EXCIIANGE.—The sales are—London and Croydon, 22% c.
—Manchester and Leeds, Sixteenth Shares, 11% p.—Sheffielta and
Manchester, Quarter Shares, No. 3, 6—East Lancashire, No. 2 (late
Accrington), 4% p.—Great Grimsby and Sheffield, 10—Ditto, Exten-
sions, 15s. p.—lluddersfleld and Sheffield, 22—Leeds and Bradford,
50 c.—Leeds and Dewsbury, New Shares, 3% p.—North British,
New Carlisle Branch, 3/. le.—Wakefield, Pontefract, and Gbole,
New, 7% p.—London and York, 43i —Liverpool,Ormslclrk, and Pres-
ton, 4 % —West Riding Union, 6%—Ambergate, Nottingham, and
—North
Boston, Bs. p.—Bradford, Wakefield, and Midland, 10s. tits —Clinic-
roe Junction, 2%—Grand Union, 10s. p.—Lancashire and North
Yorkshire, 17s. p.—Leeds and York, 7s. 6d.dis.—Leeds, Wakefield,
and Midland, 10s. p.—Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland,
11. 17s. p.—Midland and Thirsk Junction, 18s. dis.—Northumberland
and Lancashire Junction, 15s. dis.—North Western, 2N—Shropshire
Union, 3s. p.—South Midland, 2% p.
HULL, JAN. 20.
STOCK EXCIIANGE.—The sales are—North British, Carlisle,
3—Ambergate, Nottingham, Boston, &c., 3 —Axholme, 2% Derby
and Gainsborough, 21s.—Grand Union, 35s.—Great North and South
Wales and Worcester, ss. Gd. —Hull and Barnsley Junction, 383. Gd.
—Lancashire and North Yorkshire, 2/. 192.—Landon and York,
1 x 7
17s.—South o.
-n--,S sand
dh
3311:L11:1cl dk, —North44l.l7s. ShlreeNsvtsebritt4 3 4%
17s.—Shrewsbury and Bir-
ms—ti,),,itrigaohnradc.shhe:s3rtese,r.,sp
SHEFFIELD, JAN. 26.

alindakSehneefilkie,ladnd:lid
,
Exten-
sion, 2 • —Sheffield and Lincolnshire, 4—Ditto, Extension, 31. Is
land,
•
iiii:trh-teersSalleasreasr,e2-iG—rLimeedbYs,
YORK, JAN. 26.
ales re—
EXCHANGE.—The 6 a Newcastle and DII ar ngton Ex-
STOCK
Midland ensiou,, iiiii —York and North Extension, 39—Ditto, New
(East and West Riding), 10 —Newcastle and Berwick, 2014
North British, New, Carlisle Branch, 3—London and York, 4%
Grand Union, 11. 185.—Lancashire and North Yorkshire, 21 195.---
Leicester and Bedford, 2—Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Mid-
land, 4%—Welsh Midland, 2%.
STOTEClBEss_cipiAllietno7
—South Yorkshire Coal Railway, 314.

The Duke and Duchess of Somerset are entertaining
a select circle at Wimbledon Park. Lord Glenelg ,Lord Sey-
mour, Sir Edward Colebrooke, Lady Shaw Stewart. and Miss
Stewart, Mr. P. M. Stewart, M.P., and the Hon. W. Grant,
are among the guests of the Noble Duke and Duchess.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-ROUSE.

Just as the Lord Mayor was leaving the bench, John Kin-
chin, master of Waterman steam-boat No. 5, and Edward
Afockey, one of the crew, were placed at the bar charged
with a riot.

It appeared from the evidence of the policeman making
the charge, that from instructions he received that morning
at the City Solicitor's office, he had just taken the defend-
ants into custody on account of the dispute which arose on
Wednesday last respecting the pier at Paul's-wharf.
The case having been partly heard, a solicitor appeared on
behalf of the defendants, when the Lord Mayor, before he
had time to make a remark, asked who he was?
The gentleman stated that he attended from the office of
Messrs. Newbon and Evans, the solicitors to the Waterman's
Steam Packet Company.
The LORD MAWR then said, "Go beyond that railing,
sir;" and on being remonstrated with as to the place where
the gentleman was then standing being the usual one fur
solicitors when attending there, his Lordship said if you do
not go out from the railing you shall be turned out.
The solicitor then went outside the bar, and the statement
of the police having been taken, the Lord Mayor ordered the
defendants to find bail in 100/. each, and two sureties of 507.
each, to answer the charge at the sessions.
The solicitor, during the hearing of the case, stated that
he took the order to go beyond the barrier as a personal
insult.

The LORD MAYOR said, in reply, "I meant you to take
it as such," and the solicitor then left the Court.

GUILDHALL

Phoebe Richards, a young woman of respectable appear-
ance, and Edward Barlow, a clerk at Messrs. Wreford and
Co.'s, 2, Aldermanbury, were re-examined, charged with
stealing a writing-case and other articles from the Commer-
cial Hotel (the Barley-mow), Salisbury-square.
Mr. Clarkson, with Mr. Philp, the solicitor, attended for
the prosecutor, and Mr. Ballantine with Mr. Hudson, soli-
citor, for the accused. The room was crowded with the
friends of the parties.
Mr. Clarkson said there had been a short examination on
a former day, but it would now be necessary to go into the
matter minutely. He called—
Mr. Pare, the landlord of the hotel, who deposed that the
female prisoner, Richards, came to lodge at his house on the
15th of December, representing that she had come from
South Petherton, near Bristol. Her luggage was brought in
a cab. Having a sitting-room for gentlemen staying at his
house, but no such accommodation for ladies, she was in-
vited to sit in the bar parlour, and while she was lodging in
the house property to the extent of 301. was lost. She left
on the evening of the 20th of January, without any inti-
mation that she had taken a lodging elsewhere. She
went away pretending she was going to the Great Western
Railway to meet her sister, who would arrive at half-past
nine; but, in fact, she went directly to Hoxton, where
she had taken a lodging a week before. There was a raffle
at prosecutor's house for some silver watches, which were
kept in the bar parlour. The raffle was to have taken place
about New Year's-day, but on looking for them they
could not be found. They had been last seen in the bar
parlour on the 23d of December. The chamber-maid miss-
ing something on the 19th, the servants had notice to quit.
Barlow was a frequent visitor to Miss Richards, and was her
acknowledged suitor. As she did not return on Tuesday
night with her sister from Bristol, although she had ordered
an extra bed, and that the fire should be kept up, he went
to Barlow on Wednesday morning. Barlow said he had not
done anything with the young lady, and he asked if she
owed anything ? Witness said she owed 11. 4s. Barlow
said he would call and pay it in the evening. Witness re-
quested him to bring Miss Richards with him, as she
had, no doubt, by mistake, taken away same ar-
ticles which belonged to Mrs. Pare, or to Mrs.
Clarkson, a lady on a visit to her. Barlow pro-
mised he would do so ; but, in consequence of some infor-
mation, both the prisoners were taken into custody in
Aldermanbury about 6 o'clock in the afternoon. On Wed-
nesday morning a note was received by post, bearing a
Cripplegate post mark, setting forth that she did not return
last night because her sister arrived so late, and that they
slept together in Aldermanbury. He went with the officers
to search the lodging at Eliza-terrace Horton, and saw cer-
tain articles found there. None of the missing property was
found on Barlow, or amongst his effects at his employers.
Mr. Alderman CHALLIS asked how the female prisoner
accounted for removing her luggage, if she gave no intima-
tion that she was going to leave ? Mr. Pare said he was not
aware that she had removed her luggage, but he returned
from the country in the course of that day.
Mr. Willoughby, a lodger at the hotel, stated that he
missed his writing-case from the commercial-room on the
first floor. It was safe about five o'clock in the afternoon on
the 20th, and he missed it next morning. The outside was
of russia leather, but there was a black leather portfolio in-
side. He identified the clasp of the portfolio by a scratch.
The case contained bills and papers of importance to him.
The policeman produced the clasp which he found at the
lodging at Eloxton. There were ashes of paper under the
grate, and he also found in the ashes some small nails, screws,
and a hinge, which he supposed to be the remains of the
writing case.
Mrs. Bircham, of 1, Eliza-terrace, Hoxton, said the female
prisoner slept there on the night of the 20th, and she heard
her busy with the fire till a late hour. Witness had two
furnished parlours to let. Barlow first looked at them, and
said be would send " his good lady." She took them to be
man and wife, and the lady came afterwards and approved
of the place. She did not take possession till the morning of
the 20th, when she brought her luggage in a cab, but went
away immediately. She returned with Barlow about eight
in the evening, but he went away about half-past ten the
same night. On the following day witness entered the room
while Miss Richards was absent, and saw under the sofa-pil-
low a strip of Russia leather with a torn edge. She also
saw a gold chain with long furnished links, and short inter-
vening links.
The officer said both these had been removed when he
searched the place at night, but he found another chain.
Such a chain as was described had been stolen from Mr.
Pare, but the chain produced waa identified from the work-
box of the bar-maid. She saw it .safe in her bed-room two
days before Miss Richards left. . The bar-maid also iden-
tified two pocket handkerchiefs found at the lodging at
Hoxton. One belonged to herself, and the other to her
mistress.

Mrs. Clarkson, of the Walworth-road, who was staying at
the hotel on a visit to Mrs. Pare, identified a brooch which
she had broken, and which was found at the prisoner's
lodging.
Elizabeth Fisher, the chambermaid, identified Barlow as
having been in the commercial-room on the afternoon of
the day on which Mr. Willoughby's writing-case was stolen
from it.

Mr. Clarkson then proposed an adjournment of the hear-
ing till Saturday, and he was willing that the young man,
Barlow, should continue to remain at large on his, recog-
nizances.

-----111:Iiallantine said he was willing to assent to this, for
the fuller the inquiry was he was• sure the clearer would the
innocence of Barlow appear. He had been paying his ad
dresses to the young woman, intending to marry her. He
had hitherto appeared as counsel for both the prisoners ; but
from this time he should represent only Barlow, who be-
lieved the young woman to be innocent till proofs of her
guilt not to be resisted were produced, but now he could
no longer endeavour to protect her.
The female prisoner, who seems indifferent to the result,
was then remanded till Saturday, and Barlaw was bailed to
appear at the same time.
WORSHIP-STREET.

A middle-aged man of respectable appearance, named
George Samuel Abrahams, described as an auctioneer and
house-agent, was placed at thebar' before Mr. Broughton, for
I final examination, on numerous charges of embezzlement and
felony, and obtaining money under false pretences.
Two charges of fraud, after an elaborate investigation, the
Magistrate considered it unlikely would be followed by a
conviction, and they were therefore abandoned, but the pri-
soner was committed upon one charge of felony ; and
A lady named Lane now stated, that wishing in the latter
part of December last to dispose of some property at her
villa, at Ealing, the prisoner, who was recommended to her
by a friend as an auctioneer, waited upon her to draw up the
particulars of sale. Amongst other articles in the list were
an agate snuff-box, gold-mounted, and with a beautifully
executed representation of the Coliseum at Rome upon the
lid ; and a silver cruet-stand, both of which having sustained
trifling fractures likely to depreciate their value, the prisoner
took them away with him on the excuse of getting them
repaired. She had repeatedly applied for their restoration,
but unsuccessfully, and now found, upon their production by
the officer, that they had been pledged by the prisoner, and
of course without her sanction. She hail also seen a set of
mounted cruet:, found by the officer at the' house of the " pn-
soner, which were likewise her property, and must have been
abstracted by the accused from her house on the occasion of
his visit, and without her authorisation, as they were entire
and needed no repairs.
The snuff-box and cruet-stand were produced in 'court,
the latter by Mr. Russell, a pawnbroker in Shoreditch,
at whose shop it had been pledged by the prisoner, at the
latter end of December, for 41.
The prisoner offered no defence to this charge, and Hol-
land, the warrant officer, next predu'...ed a cigar-case, which
he had discovered upon searching the prisoner's house, and
which was identified as his property by a Mr. Rubens, a
vanilla merchant, who had left it in an apartment to which
the prisoner had access, serving as the temporary bar of a
publican named Collins, residing in Wellclose-square,
Whitechapel, whose house so suddenly fell down that his
family had scarcely time to escape with their lives, and fir
whose benefit a subscription was set on foot and collected
by the risoner, to the amount of more than 801., and applied
by him to his own purposes, with the exception of :about 61.
only, which had been obtained from him by stratagem.
In this case the prisoner, who betrayed the coolest self-
possession throughout the proceedings, expressed his inten-
tion to reserve his defence for another occasion, and he was
then fully committed for trial upon all the charges.

COLCHESTER CORN EXCHANGE.-011 Saturday last,
notwithstanding the general depression of the trade, there
was less opposition manifested by the farmers to the policy
of Sir Robert Peel, than we had been led to imagine by the
" Essex Protective Society" would be the case. Indeed
many expressed themselves favourable to repeal, and none
seemed inclined to favour a gradual abolition. The general
feeling seemed to be, if the corn-laws are to be repealed, let
it be done at once. It is evident that the farmers in Essex,
uninfluenced by their landlords are not as a body in favour
of the "Protection "
system.—lpswich Express.
STATE OF TRADE.—BIRMINGHAIII, JAN. 26.—The
inhabitants of this town and district continue to enjoy good
trade. The orders from America by the last mail are exten-
sive, and :a good many exports are also in preparation for
China and Bombay. The large plate glass works of Smeth-
wick, which had been lying idle for years, have for some time
been in full work, and prices are such as shall ensure to the
company a good dividend. The gun trade is singularly
brisk, and with the prospect of an increase of the naval and
military estimates, is likely to continue so for a considerable
time to come.

-
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
PORTSMOUTH, MONDAT.—A court-martial, comprising
Captain Moubray, of the Victory, president ; Captain Corry,
of the Superb; Captain Chads, of the Excellent; Captain
Martin, of the Grampus; Captain Sir R. Grant, of the St.
Vincent; Captain Lushington, of the Retribution; Captain
Seymour, of the Carysfort ; and Mr. G. L.Greetham, Deputy
Judge-Advocate of the Fleet, assembled this morning on
board the St. Vincent, flag-ship, to try, at the instance of
,
Captain Collier, two seamen of the Rodney, named, respec-
tively William Walkingshaw and John Berry, for desertion.
It appeared the prisoners obtained leave of absence on the
23d of December, while the Rodney was at Spithead, which
leave was extended, on account ofChristmas-day, to the 26th,
but the prisoners never returned, and entered on board the
Scourge, steam-bomb-vessel—Walkingshaw in the name of
Fearless, and Berry in the name of Roxberry—tben in the
basin in this dockyard ; but the Rodney, requiring alteration
and repair, came into dock, when the deserters, from their
close proximity, were speedily recognised and arrested. This
was proved by several witnesses,
On being called upon for their defence, Walkingshaw said
be had liberty from the Rodney to the time stated, but hav-
ing been in company during that time with other persons
than bikcompanion, and having lost his clothes, he feared
the consequences, which he mentioned to his companion
Berry, and they agreed to desert and enter on board the
Scourge, hearing that she was fitting out and going inane-

diately to the Pacific station. He further said he 'did "t
intend to quit the service, which was evidenced by his enter-
ing on board the Scourge. He threw himself upon the mercy
of the Court.
Berry said Walkingshaw had expressed his (BerrY's)
rcy
timents exactly, and he also threw himself upon the me
of the Court.
Guilty, Th e CaoautinT, sentenced after dueeact e deliberation,reeereceive
fiffotuyn
lashesd the
Guilty, anti sentenced each to receive fifty lashes Po nri sb°os
the Rodney, and to be each imprisoned for two months u"
kept to hard labour in the county gaol of Winchester.
A seaman named Main, a deserter from the Gram
then put uon his trial, and, after very conclusive ePviideiti;e_,
convicted, and sentenced to be imprisoned for tithe
and during that time to be kept to hard labour in
Was
chester gaol. The corporal punishment in this case
re-
mitted on account of five years' good character in the se
vice which the man had previously borne.
The Comet steam-vessel, Lieutenant-Commander NV Oa!
Pretyman, arrived last evening from the eastward with_ost
pernumeraries for the Grampus and Janus. She left W
with on last Saturday week, but the weather was fo fogf
on reaching Gravesend that she was obliged to anchor.
started at one P.M. on Sunday, and anchored at Shoe
rdriejo
the same night; left the next day at eleven, anclio t
gale
blowing Roads the same afternoon in consequence of a giant;
blowing from south-west; at eight o'clock next ulurn„,oo
started again but was compelled to anchor in the 11/4;_
from the extreme foulness of the weather, where sbwr's,
mained three days, during which time she encountered veto
ther which would have compelled less experienced offic.“l, t
abandon her and take to the boats. On Friday luornin'vaer
five o'clock she started again, and at nine madefast to POl
harbour, where she took in coals and water, the wind
blowing a hurricane at the time. Here an extraorth7ein
instance occurred of the truth of the adage that "dru,,n,"
men and children have charmed lives." A man 13•00- eg
Robert Braxton, ship's corporal of the Grampus, was °Ana
to the Comet from the shore, when, in walking roil
the pier to the vessel, he lost his equilibrium 11' fie
over into the dock into a boat, a distance of 35 fell st.
was taken up insensible, but the prompt and skhon"yeet,
ten tion of Dr. Bahingto 1., assistant-surgeon of the, ;nay,
soon restored him to consciousness, and he was stulttatily
well next morning to answer his " muster," the ,• •
injuries he appeared to have received being a few bru?eg,'
The Comet left Dover at 8 o'clock on Saturday ollea
the wind having somewhat lulled; she went along hen
exceedingly well until 4 o'clock yesterday morning, jet
she was abreast of the Ower's light, at which time a woo
hurricane was blowing, and an awful sea running. She',
obliged to haul off the land, and stand to the soutbnlo,
when a tremendous sea struck her on the starboard s'sra
carrying away her stern-boat, and staving in the Ortip,
paddle-box, sweeping fore and aft. At noon she bere,,,,,)
and ventured to make the land, the master (Mr. 13,14
being convinced land was in sight, or very near, altbet,
the weather was so very thick nothing could- be distiuc '
made out at any distance from the ship. At 1 rat.)e... Budster
she made the land, which proved to be Dungene"' ;Olt
about 5 o'clock entered this harbour, after having bee° e"gbe
days in making the passage from Woolwich to this port'be
will now have to be docked and repaired before sbe
sent to sea. Tice Comet is a fine old craft, the first MI6"
war steamer ever built.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF LORDS, Monday, Jan. 26*
,N-LAWS.
The Duke of WELLINGTON (in continua
our Third Edition of last night) said—My Hon. '.,„est
followed the advice of the members of the Goaerm'asa
and he tendered his resignation to her MajeatY, %est!
advised hew to form a new Cabinet. Her Mss but
asked a Noble Lord to form a new Administration,oo
that Noble Lord did not succeed, and the consetill, the
was that her Majesty asked his Hon. Friend 1"
head of the Cabinet to remain in office., her
colleague wrote to me informing me eves'
Majesty's wishes, and then it became floes,
sary for us to act nnder the eircucesTst
and my Hon. Colleague having been of opinion .00,
alteration of the corn-laws was necessary, severs! "`,..
hers of the Cabinet agreed with him in that opini%iii I
do not say that all were of the same opinion, hut .sell
do know, that a great number of them were, and 11°,,101
among them. I came to the resolution that let oal
would happen I should support him most cordiani,duct
am of the same resolution still. I applauded the celetee
of my Right Hon. Friend on that occasion, and I toe
mined that I for one should stand by him. 1310 is
my Lord, I felt it was my duty to my country to 03,,,a
And I did think that the formation of a Gover°6o6•
in which her Majesty would have confidence was M.,dici•
nately greater importance than opinions of any rgeor,
dual of the corn-laws, or of any other laws--
hear.) My Lords, my Right Hon. Friend wrote to,
~i 4
de siring that I would attend their Cabinet, which%del
be held that evening, which I did. I there aPP'.3,.btea
the conduct of my Right Hon. Friend. I was deli.atos
with it—because it was exactly the course I shouldhere•
pursued myself under similar circumstances, and I de
fore determined to stand by him. My Lords, t!'. 0100
o ss
same time that I did this, I knew well the p
which my Right Hon. Friend stood in re is
jo
to the present corn-laws. I knew well thar'oo
consequence of his having resigned his as;
into her Majesty's hands, because he ee" st 4
prevail on the other Members of the Cabinet to 01,9,
him in a material alteration of the corn-laws, that 'hos
who were employed to form a Government eett°l,,,aeg
obtained a knowledge of the particular circtons7. I
under which my Right Hon. Friend had resignise
therefore beg to ask, my Lords, how my Right
Friend could enter the House of Commons 5170 rj!...s.
defend the corn-law, which he brought in hineuese)
he had done only in the preceding July.—(Heart
How could he go into Parliament and defend the corn' bis
against those gentlemen who were informed °nrset,
opinion that it ought to be altered, and who, of e°*-
would have reproached him for the fresh alteratic 0
opinion he had come down to support. I lee
well that I should have acted as I did, and I then •04
told him that I should stand by him in the resuolt sof
of his government. I also knew well that, in
I must be a party to the proposition of a material 01'0
tion of the corn-law. I could not be otherwise.
it, and I knew it. —(Hear, hear.) So far, thee! re'
Lords, I have accounted for my own conduct. The Poye
position of my Right Hon. Friend, although it will inYfg,c-
the material alteration of the corn-law, will be satispef
tory to the country, and satisfactory to the friends o to
Right Hon. Friend, and will give such advantagbest to
the landed interest as the landed interest have a ri:g" all,
expect in the general arrangements ef the countryjea
Lords, my Right Honourable Friend is a great lance
proprietor. His pursuits are those of agriculture.
_0
is connected by friendship and by associations be
most of your Lordships. I cannot suppose th,ttof
would betray the interests of a body such as t"-osr
the landed interests. No, my Lords, I entreaba'r,
Lordships to wait until you see what the peopositt°oo
that he will lay before you. He will bring his meacw*
before Parliament in the course of the next few veil
and then you will see whether or not he has betr°',at
his duty either to your Lordships or the country
all events, my Lords, whatever that measure may ,:
so highly rewarded as I have been by the people oftiO
land—could not refuse to give my Sovereign ° 6o•
assistance in my power towards the formation Of %I'd
vernment. I could not refuse this when I wal cleat
upon, in order to enable her Majesty to meet PartA3*-00
and carry on the business of the country. on ta•
ground I have now presented myself before your 1,1,
ships. I have no doubt that the measure to wbiejotf!
have referred will give satisfaction to the ugricaltar
and will meet with general approbation.
After a pause of two or three minutes, 0,10
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE rose and ellA
wished to withdraw the motion of which be ha'"„
session given notice, with respect to the Loam'
York Railway Bill.
. The Duke of BUCKINGHAM wished to know 103
it was that the Noble Lord and his coil, agues, win 00;
undertaken the task of forming a Government, "olor
been successful in the attempt. He confessed they ,torf
ment just made by his Noble Friend was not satis ea'
to his mind. The present Government was alto's-noi
tirely a free trade one, and he therefore wished to Itid
why the Government, when it declined the ta,k'ee 0
feund Noble Lords ready to come forward to n'¢ lung
Government—why, as they had altered their 011-40ot
with respect to the question of free trade, they (I' eel)
join the new Government (if such it could be e. 30,519
that had always advocated free trade conscientt telt
and consistently?—(Hear, hear.) He begged t°, shl9l
the Noble Lord (Lansdowne) why they had been 111,3
to form an Administration.—( Hear, hear.) ge-w°4
the measures to be brought forward on the foo-oas,
evening in the House of Commons, by the Right ,i1;0;
Baronet at the head of the Government, would o°'
factory.—(Hear, hear.) For his own part he 1' the
te
the most distant idea they could be satisfactory: t° tbsG
country or to the agricultural interests. Believl'lgatie
the measures about to be proposed would be destArti-ar
to
to tl,e agricultural interests, it would be his-
protect them as far as he was able, and to defeat,. aai
measures that might be brought forward by this stair,,
other Government to introduce a free trade Leg's
The Duke of WELLINGTON wished to lin°
/IV
the Noble Duke meant by a free-trade Governlne
(Laughter.) He certainly was staggered at it. et°s
Toe Duke of BUCKINGHAM observed heonet!
staggered to find the Noble Duke now in the cl
proposing measures which he formerly so strong. hi;
pressed his disapproval of. The Noble Dek°,l,,°,er°:
friend upon a former occasion turned out the ""„ce
ment, which attempted to support measures toe)._
those now about to be brought forward.—(lTeat.' -.fort°.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE had been upolitl'rops,
day perfectly prepared to state, at some length Pe.,-a, th,°,
the circumstances under which he in comrnen:„'seili,'
Noble Lord, the Member for London, (Lord John -1" ;evil
and others, had been called upon to form a GoveArne
upon which the Noble Duke (Buckingham) bit" 1160 r
" principles of free-trade." All the circumstances!. d tc:
ever, had been so fully stated to their Lordships,f°;loea
the public, that be really did, not feel Malin ssittea'
upon to relate all the ocaaarrences that had ri;egra
He did not feel himself exiled upon to enter at Ohio; t"
into an explanation et' the reasons which induee;d beect"
become a convert io free trade, because they r, stated
fully stated in Another place. After it had bee"- i•tti)'‘
110° by so un. porAant a personage as the Right 13, .OaC ,C
Baronet dt the head of the Government, that wiple
not Consent to any measure involving the Pr` rialsivi,'
a Axed duty, or any relaxation ef the precent c° torte_
he felt he bad no other alternative than to resort
trade principles ; guarding, at the same time,lllo thf
legitimate claims of the landed interests, as `or flee
other interests of the country. Had the pr°P, yend°"'
his Noble Friend, the Member for the city oi d
been adopted at the time when he proposed annleybe sic;
a stability would have been given to ea d
eete • , oe
tations which followed would have been preyed data pre
hadanevertheless, never maintained the fil-c sloto na"
principle, but he contended that while reml:
absoletery,
made in other articles of commerce, it w.ll, econi!.toe
necessary; considering the circumstances 01 t•rticle ot
and, in particular, the failure of a material ae bring
food of the people, it became impracticabl,.oe, it Yfivie
fixed duty before Parliament, and, thereiV, 00.1_14
necessary to resort to a free-trade measure. -:_"acertooo4,
an evanascentduty wouldonly be perputatirtrhis pl.
,ufie
and its attendant evils. The measure he
._"elicared "0,
Friends would have brought in would hav°,;eviatiottf
distess of the country, consistently with an a"