The Sun.
London, England, 1848-03-07 00:00:00

ton

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 7, 1848.

No doubt by nightfall order will be restored.
QUARTER TO SEVEN O'CLOCK.
Since four o'clock the crowd from Charing-cross has
been pouring towards the Houses of Parliament, and at
the time we write there were 4,000 or 5,040 persons in
their immediate vicinity, with whom the police, who
mustered in strong numbers, have had several conflicts.

BOW-STREET.--(THIS DAY.)
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)
THE RIOTS IN TRAFALGAR.SQUARE.—The disposal of
these and other similar cases occupied the Court so
long, that it was found necessary to interrupt the order
and postpone the hearing of part of them till the ordi-
nary night charges were proceeded with. After the
.
latter were disposed of, the Court resumed the exam-
nation of the prisoners in charge arising out of the riot.
The Magistrate (Mr. Jardine) was occupied with them
for the remainder of the sitting.
A large number of prisoners taken in the course of
the day remain the station-house. It being found im-
possible to dispose of their cases to-day, they will remain
in confinement until to-morrow, when they will be
brought before the sitting magistrate. These cases also
arise for the most part from the riots.

POST-OFFICE NOTICE.

REDUCTION OP POSTAGE ON LETTERS TO AND :FROM

TAl.Low.—Russian on the spot is offered upon further
reduced terms, still the operations have bean to a small
extent, the town and country trade only purchasing
sufficient for their immediate wants, as the consumption
is falling off. The rates accepted are 49s 6d to
505 per cwt for fine P Y Candle, and at which
there are ready sellers. Home made is cheaper
and the demand limited at 48s 6d to 49s nett
cash, whilst the stock is accumulating. Other kinds
continue to be brought freely to market and buyers
operating with caution, a further depression in the value
is apparent. At auction 50 casks of Belgian were taken
in at 49s to 50s; 477 casks of Australian only in part
found buyers, good and finest 48s to 49s 6d, low and
middling 44s 6d to 47s 9d.

IMPERIAL PA RLIAM ENT.
(THIS EVENING.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.
ROYAL ASSENT.
The Royal Assent was given today by Commission
to the Consolidated Fund (8,000,0004) Bill, and the
New Zealand Bill.
The Lord Commissioners were—the Lord Chancellor,
the Earl of Shaftesbury, and Lord Campbell.
The house adjourned during pleasure.
Their Lordships resumed at Five o'clock.
The Earl of S GERMANS presented several
petitions from members of the Odd Fellows' Society,
residing in various places, praying that they might be
placed in the same position as other benefit societies.
Their Lordships then adjourned.

it right to reduce the wages of labour, a portion of the
negro population refused to agree to the terms, and some
disturbance and incendiary fires had taken place, but
Government were taking active measures to restore
peace.
INCOME-TAX.

Mr, WILLIAN SMITH O'BRIEN moved for a re-
turn of the amount of income derived from Ireland by
persons resident in Great Britain upon which income-
tax has been paid during each of the last three years,
specifying the different classes of income, and the amount
of tax derived from each class, with a summary of the
whole amount.

After some observations from Mr. PARKER, the
motion was withdrawn.
INSOLVENTS IN INDIA.

Mr. C. LEWIS obtained leave to bring in a Bill to
consolidate and amend the laws relating to insolvent
debtors in India.

' ARMS,

On the motion of Mr. HUME, the following return
was agreed to :—A return of the number and descrip-
tion of arms and accoutrements issued to the several
Yeomanry Corps in Ireland, in the year 1832-3, stating
the numbers returned by each of those corps to the
Ordnance, the time when returned, and the numbers now
in the hands of the Yeomanry.
Mr. HAMILTON moved for returns of the amount
of income-tax assessed by the Commissioners upon any
annuities, dividends, or shares of annuities payable by
the governor and company of the Bank of Ireland, to or
for the use of persons not resident in Ireland, under
the 91st clause of the Act 5 and 6 Vic., c. 35,
during each year since the passing of the said Act.
and, of the amount of duty or income-tax charged by
the Commissioners in respect of possessions in Ireland
under the 100th section of the Act 5 and 6 Vic. c. 35,
during each year since the passing of the said Act.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had no
objection to the production of the returns moved for.
The motion was agreed to after a short discussion.
TRAFALGAR-SQUARE MEETING.

Mr. M. MILNES said that seeing the Right Hon.
Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home Depart-
ment in his place, he wished to know whether he was
possessed of any information with respect to a collision
which had taken place between the people and the
police at Trafalgar-square.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.")
The meeting was called, he believed, by a certain irdi-
vidual--(Laughter)—and went off peaceably enough.
After, however, a great number of speakers had
addressed the meeting, with perfect decorum on the
part of the people, the meeting being about to
disperse, a collision took place between the
people and the police which resulted in some vary grave
consequences. Under these considerations, :he thought
it right that the House should know what directions were
given by the right Hon. Baronet the Secretary of State
for the Home Department withrespeet to:that meeting—
(Cries of "Oh, oh.") He believed that the present dis-
cussion ,was the best security for the public peace of
the country; and he also believed that the police force
of the metropolis were anxious to do their duty in the
best and most peaceable manner.—(Hear, hear.)
Sir G. GREY in reply said, the Hon. Member said
quite enough as to the fact of a public meeting having
been called by a certain individual, that individual was
Mr. Cochrane. Advertisements had appeared in
the public papers, stating that it was intended to
hold such a meeting, a number of hand bills
were also distributed, signed by Mr. Cochrane,
stating that the meeting would take place
in Trafalgar square, to consider the propriety of peti-
tioning Parliament for the immediate abolition of the
income-tax. The Commissioners of Police intimated
to Mr. Cochrane that there was an Act of Par-
liament to which his attention had probably not
been directed, the 57th of George the Third, which
prohibited the holding of public meetings for
tae purpose of petitioning Parliament for any alteration
in existing laws, during the sitting of Parliament,
within s mile of Westminster Hall, except in the parish
of St. Paul's, Covent-garden. Mr. Cochrane, I believe,
expressed his surprise at the intimation of the meeting
being illegal, and alleged that it was only convened
for the legitimate purpose of petitioning Parliament.
To that the Commissioners of Police replied, that the
meeting was not an illegal one, but they had thought
it necessary to call bis attention to the exist-
ence of the Act in question which, probably,
he had over-looked, or was entirely ignorant of,
which the meeting in that particular place was prohi-
bited. Mr. Cochrane upon this, abstained from attend.
ing the meeting ; and so far from such meeting having
taken place as stated by the Hon. Member, placards were
posted up by the direction of Mr. Cochrane
stating that the meeting would not take place, and re-
quested that the persons assembled would disperse.
With respect to the collision referred to by the Hon.
Member with the police, I am not aware of any greater
consequences than a slight disturbance of the peace,
caused by breaking some lamps, and several panes of
glass, which the police, I believe, most effectually and
temperately suppressed.—(Hear, hear.)
PASSENGERS BILL.

The report upon this Bill was brought up and
agreed to.

NOTICE OF MOTION.

Mr. C. ANSTEY gave notice of his intention to move
the insertion of a clause in the Roman Catholic Relief
Bill, providing for the registration of Jesuits in this
country.
The remaining orders of the day were then disposed
of, and tho Rouse adjourned.

THE LONDON GAZETTE.

(THIS EVENING)

WHITEHALL, MAncs 6.
The Queen bat; been plragod to dirPet letters patent
to be passed under the Great seal of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, appointing Richard
Torin Kindersley, Esq., to be one of the Masters in Or-
dinary of the High Court of Chancery, in the room of
Sir Giffin Wilson, Knight.
FOREIGN•OFFICE, MARCH 4.

The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. C. F.
Juritz, as Consul at Cape Town for his Majesty the
King of Denmark.
The Queen has also been pleased to approve of Mr.
John :Edward Naylor, as Consul at Liverpool for the
Republic of Peru.
CROWN-OFFICE, MARCH 4.
MEMBER RETURNED TO SERVE IN THIS PRESENT PAR-
- LIADIENT.

.
City of Waterford—SirHenry Winston Barron, Bart.,
in the room of Daniel O'Connell, Esq., who has ac-
cepted the office of Steward of her Msjesty's Chiltern
Hundreds.

Commission by tho Lord Lieutenant of the County 0,

Durham.

Anthony Wilkinson, Esq.,to be Deputy Lieutenant,
March 2.

Commission by the Lord Lieutenant of the County of

Kent.

East Kent Regiment of Yeomanry Caysdry—Liout.
William Creed Fairman to have the rank of Captain,
without additional pay, March 3.
Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of Salop.

South Salopian Yeomanry Cavalry—The Right Hon.
Edward James Herbert Earl of Powis to be Lieutenant
Colanel Commandant, vice the late Earl of Fowls, de-
ceased, Feb. 29.
WHITEHALL MARCH 3. _

The Lord Chancellor has appointed Giles Grevile, of
the city of Bristol, Gent. to be a Master Extraordinary
in the High Court of Chancery.
BANKRUPTS,

Joseph Smith and John Cooper, woollen drapers,
Mill street, Hanover-square, to surrender March 18,
at twelve, and April 18, at one, at the Court of Bank-
ruptcy. Whitmore, official assignee, Basinghall- street;
Gale, Basinghall-street.
• Thomas James Thurston Ashley, licensed victualler,
Clerkenwell-close, March 17, at halt-past two, and April
14, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Edwards,
official assignee, Frederick's-place, Old Jewry; Thomp-
son, Bucklersbury.
David Hughes, grocer, Tredegar Ironworks, Mon-
mouthshire, March 21, and April 18, at twelve, at the
Bristol District Court. Miller, official assignee, Bristol;
Rowland and Co., Threadneedle-street, London; Bird,
Cardiff.

Horatio Vertue, corn and seed factor, Great St.
Helen's' City, March 13, at ene, and April 17, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Graham, official assignee, Cole-
man-street, London; Taylor, Mark-lane.
William Henry Morris, dealer, Meeting House-lane,
Peckham, March 14, at one, and April 17, at half-past
twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Turquand, official
assignee, Gnildhall-chambers •' Shaw, Fish street-hill.
Henry Morris, victualler, Liverpool, March. 20 and
April 12, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court.
Cazenove, official assignee, Liverpool; Hall and Co.,
Gray's Inn, London; Neal, Castle-street, Liverpool.
John France Fletcher and Henry Fletcher, cotton
manufacturers, Over Darwen, Lancashire, March 17 and
April 7, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court.
Hobson, official assignee, Manchester ; Gregory,
Faulkner, Gregory, and Skirrow, Bedford-row ; Hemp-
son and Son, Manchester.
William Rickerby, newspaper proprietor, Falmouth,
March 16, at twelve, and April 19, at eleven, at the
Exeter District Court. Hernaman, official assignee,
Exeter; Harrison, Walbrook, London; Stogdon, Exeter.
Thomas Tyson, builder, %Vhitehaven, Cumcorland,
March 20, at eleven, and April 20, at twelve, at the
Newcastle-upon-Tyne District Court. Wakley, official
Lassignee, Newcastle-upon-Tyne ; Brockbank, White-
naveY • Helder, Clement's Inn, London.
William Lee and Joseph Leo, iron founders, Sunder-
land, March 17, at half-past ten, and April 20, at one,
at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne District Court. Baker,
official assignee, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Brunton, Sun-
derland; Wilde, Rees, Humphry and Wilde, College-
hill, London; Hall, Butcher-bank, Newcastle-upon-
Tyne,

Thomas Nesbitt and Robert Cairns Nesbitt, brewers,
Sunderland, March 16, at half-past eleven, and April 12,
at one, at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne District Court.
Wakley, official assignee, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Thomas Winstead Green, straw bonnet manufacturer,
High Holborn, March 21 and April 14, at one, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Ab-
church-lane, Lombard street ; Reed, Langford, and
Marsden, Friday-street, Cheapside.
Sampson Bagnell, jun., grocer, Leek, Staffordshire,
March 21, at twelve, and April 18, at eleven, at the Bir-
minghum District Court. Christie, official assignee,
Birmingham ;
Hacker and Blower, Leek; Motteram,
Knight, and Emmet, Birmingham.
James Woodward and William Woodward, builder,
Walnut Tree-walk, Lambeth, March 17, at half-past
eleven, and April 18, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Walsinghara.place, Ken
Whitmore, official assignington-road.
nee, Basinghall-street ; Barton,
William Price, innkeeper, Preston, March 17 and
April 7, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court.
li"son, official usb:gilet,MaLiel,ester; ClitbLet, ToLliadu
and
Chester, Staple Inn, London ; Hap:lock and Swill
raiton,

Giles Frampton, butcher, Beaminster, Dorsetshire.
March 16, at twelve, and April 19, at eleven, at the
Exeter District Court. Officicial assignee, llernaman,
Exeter; Nicholetts and Prout, Bridport ; Stogden, Ex-
eter; Brace, Surrey-street, Strand, London.
John Carter, merchant, Liverpool, March 17 and
April 18, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court.
Bird, official assignee, Liverpool ; Gregory and Co.,
Bedford-row, London; Horner, Liverpool.
John Hartley Lindley, livery stablekeeper, Doncaster,
March 21 and April 10, at eleven, at the Leeds District
Court. Hope, official assignee, Leeds; Walter and Co.,
Symond's Inn, London; Sheardon, Doncaster; Dunning
and Stawman, Leeds. _ .

George Smith, grocer, Great Preston, Yorkshire,
March 23, and April 27, at eleven, at the Leeds District
Court. Young, official assignee, Leeds; Singleton, or
Barrett, Leeds.

George Sturt, banker, St. Albans, March 16 and April
14, at t Leven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Green, offi-
cial assignee, Aldermanbury ; Dyne, Lincoln's Inn-fields;
Day, Hemel Hempstead.
Humphrey Lay field, boiler maker, Burnfield, Lan-
cashire, March 20 and April 12, at twelve, at the Man-
chester District Court. Fraser, official assignee, Man-
chester; Goegory, Faulkner, Gregory and Skirrow,
Bedford-square; Cooper, Manchester.
James Oliver Mason, John Mason, and Alfred Mason,
merchants, New Broad-street, City.
Thomas Harwood, saddler and harness maker, Oxford-
street.

Benjamin Lancaster, retail brewer, Oldbury, Wor-
cester.

LATEST PRICES OF SIIAILEs,
LN BANKS, ASSURANCE, AND OTHER COM

PANIES' STOCK.
From the OfjFoist List,

KIELISIIED EVERY TIIENDAT AND FRIDAY EVENING.

LONDON. TUESDAY, MARCH 7.
J OINT-STOCZ, BANKS.

Dividend ) Aarount
Name of Company. per of Paid. Price
Annum. Share.
-,-_ -
£ s. d. £ s. d.
A.ostralasia ....••••.• 40 0 0 40 0 0 19
3ritsh/sorth American 51. per cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 -
Ceylon .............• 61. per oent. 25 0 0 25 0 0 -
.lommercial of London 61. per cent. 100 0 0 20 0 0 -
-lolonial.. .. ..... .... 51. per cent. 100 0 0 25 0 0 -
Gloucestershire ••• • • • 151 per cent. - - -
lonian ........ •.• ..• 61. per cent. 25 0 0 25 0 0 -
Londn and Westmlnstr 61. per cent. 100 0 0 20 0 0 -
- - 13 0 0 -
London Joint-Stock ••• 61. per cent. 90 0 0 10 0 0 15
Provincial of Ireland.. Si. per cent. 100 0 0 25 0 0 2114
Ditto, New... ••• • • • 81. per cent. 10 0 0 10 0 0 -
National of Ireland .. 51. per cent. 50 0 0 22 11 0 -
Nat. Provncial of Eng. 61. per cent. 100 0 0 35 0 0 -
DRAG, New......... 51. per cent. 20 0 0 10 0 f, -
South Australia ••• • • . - - 22 10 0 -
Union of Australia.... 61. per cent. 25 0 0 25 0 0 -
- - 2 10 0 -
Uni,in of L0nd0n..... 6/. per cent. 50 0 0 10 0 0 -
Union of Madrid - 40 0 0 40 0 0 -
INSURANCE COMP-ANTES.
1 Dividend Amount
- Name of Company. per of Paid. Price
Annum. Share.
£ s. d. £ s. d.
Albion .. • ... •••• • • • • 3/. 10s. 500 0 0 50 0 0 75
Alliance Brit. and For. 6 per cent. 100 0 0 11 0 0 17k,
Dirt) Marine.• ••• •• 6/. per cent, 100 0 0 5 0 0 -
Atlas . ••
British Commercial .. 7s. per share 50 0 0 5 0 0 514
Clericl,Med.&Gen.Life 51. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 20
31. 100 0 0 10 0 0 -
133. 50 0 0 5 0 0 11
' Eagle •
Eng. & Scot. Law •• .. 5/. per cent. 50 0 0 2 12 6 -
•
European Life ••- •• 5% per cent. 20 0 0 I All paid. -
Family Endowmr t Soc. 41. & bs. 4 0 0 4 0 0 -
F: eemasons' .- • • • • 51. per cent. 20 0 0 3 0 0
,ilote - 119
‘iuftriliau ...... -- • . 51. per cent. 100 0 0 36 10 0 46
'mperial Firo ...... - 12 per cent. 500 0 0 50 0 0 220
imperial Life .... •• • • 12s. 100 0 0 10 0 0 1454
Indemnity Marine •• • • 11. sh. & bs. 100 0 0 5 13 1 -
Law Fire - .......... - 100 0 0 2 10 0 -
LAW 1 ife •••••• - • • - 11. Se. 100 0 0 10 0 0 45
Legal and General Life - 50 0 0 2 0 0 -
..,....rAlcn Fire .... -• • 10s. 25 0 0 12 10 0 lnii
London Ship ........ 10s. 25 0 0 12 10 0 13k,
Marine .• • .... - .... - 100 0 0 15 0 0 -
Sled. Invlid& Gen. Life 4%1. per ct. 50 0 0 2 0 0 2%
Yetional Leau Fund•. 51. per cent. 20 0 0 2 10 0 -
sational Life. •. • -
Palladium Life Si. per cent. 30 0 0 2 0 0 -
Pelican • . • • • • • • • • .. • • - - - 33
i'll,P:liX • - - -
''f otector Life.... ... 5/. per cent. 20 0 0 1 0 0 -
rovidcrit Life •••• • . • • 11. 55. 100 0 0 10 0 0 -
Flock Life.. ...... .... 4s. 5 0 0 010 0 414
ltoyal Exchante 5/. per cent. Stock. - ISO
'tin Fire.. - - -
Ditto Life . 11. 6s. - - -
Universal Life.... •. - 10%1. pr att. 100 0 0 810 0 -
V iaoria Life . - - 4 0 0 -
DOCILS.
Dividend Amount
Name of Company. per of Paid. Price.
Annum. Share.
--- -
£ s. d. £ s. d.
CAn rnercial . - 70
East and West India 6l. pr cent. Stock. - -
East Countr - 21
1 =den - 9954
Ditto Bonds- ...... -Ll. per sent. - - -
41. Katharine ........ 5 per cent. Stock. - -
Ditto Bonds.. ...... 1% /. pr cent. - - -
Southampton •• ...... 2/. per cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 22

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
DOUSE OF CORM MONS, Mcnch 6.

The SPEAKER took the Chair at ten minutes before
Four o'clock.
Mr. 11. DRUMMOND took the oaths and his seat for
Perthshire.

the income-tax in 1832, to show that it had not
been brought forward, as some had alleged, selely
to meet a deficit, but also to enable the
Government of the day to remove other taxes which
pressed upon the industry and commerce of the country.
If that was not the case with regard to its imposition in
1842, how was the case in 1845 ?—(hear, hear.) In
that year there was no lop,ger a deficit, but a surplus ;
and yet the Right Hon. Baronet (Sir R. Peel) came
down and propo,ed to the House the renewal of the
income-tax for a further term of three years. Neither
had the House been deluded—but, on the contrary, fully
warned—as to the mode in which the tAx ought to be

levied, and that there would be no distinction. between
the schedules for those three years, at all events. Mr.
Roebuck, on the occasion of the renewal of the tax,
moved to omit professional incomes from the same ope-
ration of the tax as those from property, and fifty-five
gentlemen only supported his views ; whilst, on a sub-
sequent occasion, when the House divided on the main
question of the proposal of the tax, the majority against
the motion was no more than thirty.—(Hear, hear.)
He thought, then, that he was justified in his pre-
sent proposition. He would not argue now the
charge that this was to be a permanent sub-
stitution for other taxation ; but what he did say
that Parliament was pledged to was this—to give an
opportunity for other sources of taxation to be con-
sidered, with a ♦iew to the equalisation of the income
and expenditure of the country, and for that purpose
Parliament was Wedged to the inaintenance of this tax
for a limited time. He thought lie had taken the
shortest possible term in which to accomplish that object,
and he did claim some character for consistency for that
House, and he called upon them to continue this tax for
the time which it was proposed.—(flear, hear.) The
Right Hon. Gentleman then expressed his regret that
some Hon. Gentlemen should have altogether falsified
the plieciples on which this experiment had originally
been made—(Hear, hear)—and, referring to the state of
commercial matters, observed that he could not say that
he saw an early prospect of their revival, for, in addi-
tion to existing causes, the state of affairs abroad might
have some eftect on the interests of commerce for a
time ; but that, he might be permitted to remark,
afforded a still stronger reason for the continuance of
this tax for three years longer rather than for one. The
Honourable Member for Montrose had remarked
that it was very desirable that all their taxes should
be proposed for one year, but he (Sir C. Wood)
very well remembered, in reference to their annual
debates upon the sugar duties, that the trade that was
interested therein had always said that nothing in tho
world was so prejudicial to their interests as bringing
their case before Parliament every year.—(Hear, hear.)
He must say he always thought that they were right in
that opinion; and he was convinced that a proposal to
make all duties annual duties would be the greatest blew
that could be given to the trade and commerce of this
country.—(llear, hear.) With respect to a general re-
vision of taxation, too, he must say, that to propose
that such revision should be undertaken at once appeared
to be impracticable. He could only say that ho was as
anxious as any man could be to reduce expenditure when
such reduction could be safely effected; and the only
case in respect of which they (the Government) were
anxious to resist any redaction—at least any undue re-

duction—was that of those establishments ;,hick tl-.0
thought necessary for the protection and the honour of
the country. The Right Honourable Gentleman con-
cluded by expressing a hope that the reasons he had
ventured to state to the Honse would induce them to

assent to the preposel of the Government.
Mr. SPOONER would vote for the motion of the
Hon. Member for Montrose because of his anxiety to
uphold the honour and credit of the country, and
because he was opposed to the reduction of those esta-
blishments which were necessary for its protection. He
conceived that there was nothing so dangerous to both
as a tax which was not only unjust in its principle, and
unpopular in its provisions, but it was rendered still
more unpopular by the way in which those provisions
were carried out by the Commissioners in various parts
of the country. Ile would also vote for the motion,
because after the division of Friday night it was clear
that the Government intended to press the tax upon the
House without any modification, and he thought the
sooner the industrious classes were released from its ine-
quality and injustice the better. He was of opinion, too,
that Ireland ought not to be excepted from it. He was
aware that other taxes were at the time proposed as
equivalents, but they had not proved to be equivalents.
He thought it unjust that the owner of property in Ire-
land, if resident abroad, should not be subject to that tax.
The Right Hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer had observed that this tax, was imposed partly to make
up a deficiency, and partly to try a great experiment
which was greatly to benefit trade and commerce, but
which was not yet fully carried out, and, that, there-
fore, the tax ought to be continued. But had that expe
riment been successful ? He maintained that it had not.
The industry of the country was completely broken
down, and the small capital of the small tradesman
destroyed. Those who were in point of fact the strength
of the nation—the middling classes—were paralysed.
That has been the experience of the past, and he warned
the House before it took such a step as that, proposed by
her Majesty's Government. The House was not aware
of the extent of the injury it would be inflicting. The
people of all classes were opposed to the measure, and
nothing could be so dangerous as to permit the neces-
sary expenditure of the nation to depend upon a plan
which was rejected and disapproved of in all directions,
and which was thoroughly revolting to the majority of
the people of the country. A spirit of justice should be
not only displayed but adopted, and if the Government
wished to make the tax in any degree well received, it
should not be for more than one year. If they had wisely
made such a proposition as that, they would have done
much more to support the credit of the country than by
the measure they now submitted. They had twice
granted an income-tax for three years, and upon both
occasions, hopes had been expressed, promises had been
made, that before the termination of either of these
periods, the revenue of the country would be so greatly
improved, that the further continuance of the impost
would be unnecessary. The measures recently proposed
showed how those promises had been kept—how those
hopes bad been realised. One of the causes assigned
for the continuing the tax was the bad harvest of last
year. The next would in all human probability be
better ; the Government could lose nothing by trying
for one year, but if the tax was imposed for three years,
it would be considered a permanent one, and would con-
sequently be much more objectionable. He was as
anxious as the Hon. Member for Montrose himself to
curtail the expenditure of the country, but he was also
desirous to sustain its credit, and he looked upon the
present measure as more calculated than any other to
shake that credit, and render the people discontented.
He believed the experiments of 1842 and 1845 were
wrong in principle. The real just principle upon
which taxation should be conducted, was to confine it to
the importation of all foreign articles by foreigners.
Their free-trade policy had had the effect, even already,
of turning the balance of trade against t hem, and the failure
of the hervests aggravated the calamity. He, however,
went further back than the experiments of 18.12 and 1345,
with respect to which, as well as our monetary and free.
trade ayste:ns, he had the misfortune to differ very
widely with those for whose judgment and wisdom, upon
other subjects, he always entertained the deepest respect.
He considered our present free-trade and mone-
tary systems the fundamental sources of a'snost all the
evils by which this country was afflicted. How was
that during the war, when our commerce was crippled
by all the regulations which Bonapurte could impose,
we could raise 120,000,0001. with far less difficulty than
we could now borrow so many thousands. We had no
free-trade system at that time, and when an income-
tax of 10 per cent. was proposed the answer now made
was not then given—" that the poverty of the people
was so great they could not afford it." The Honour-
able Gentleman commented upon the various statutes
passed from 1810 to 1844, regulating our monetary sys-
tem, and expressed his disapproval of the celebrated
Bank Act of the latter year. He was not for a paper
currency without a due limit, but he affirmed that the
point of convertibility which had been adopted by the Act
of 1844 was an unjust one, and could never be main-
tained. That error (it was understood) was in a great
measure the cause of all the fluctuations between pros-
perity and adversity which were recently witnessed in
this country, and those fluctuations would continue
until this subject was thoroughly grappled with, and all
the injustice removed. Considering the condition in
which the country was, he was unwilling to object to
the income-tax for one year; but if the Government
pressed it unmodified, and for three years, he should
think it his duty to offer the measure his most strenuous
opposition.—( Hear.)
Captain TOWNSEND said, as that was the first time
he addressed the House he was not about to make a cur-
rency speech; but he would express a fen. sterling
words—(A laugh)—upon the subject under cometleratioa.
He regretted extremely that the Government had pro-
posed such a measure, for he always thought an income-
tax the most odious and inquisitorial of the taxes intro-
duced into this country. It was unequal and in every
respect objectionable; but when proposed by the Right
Hon. Baronet opposite it was received as a good and a
fair tax. In 1842 there were no meetings or demonstra
tions against it. Then it was represented that it would
last only for three years. On its expiration iu 1845 it
was renewed, and then there were neither meetings nor
any public expression of disgust or opposition. No gen-
tleman in or out of that House was more opposed to the
income-tax than he; but, as their constituencies had not
spoken out upon the subject, he thought they were
served quite right in being saddled with it.—(Laughter.)
And he for one should give the measure his sup-
port. He thought the country should suffer for its
stupidity, and he hoped they would.—(Laughter.)
Objections had been mjde to the improvement of our
national defences, and also to what had been termed
" the warlike speech" of the Noble Lord (J. Russell) ;
but he quite disagreed with the Hon. Gentlemen who
had taken those objections, for a more pacific speech, or
one expressive of more kind and friendly feelings to-
wards the French people, could not have been delivered.
As to our national defences, our standing army was not
more than was required. As long as we have colonies
we must hold them in a great measure by military occu-
pation. It could not be expected that we were to have
no disturbances at home requiring the aid of the military.
Free trade would disappoint many who expected it
would operate as a panacea for all evils. When there
were so many demagogues, as in Ireland, screwing the
last penny out of the poorest of the most miserable
and destitute people, it was not to be suiposed that
we do not need a strong military force always
prepared fur any emergency.—(Hear, hear.) He
did not suppose for a moment that the French would
attempt anything so rash as an invasion df this country,
but, at the same time, it was possible, and we should be
ready to receive them. Thu expenses of our naval and
military establishments were objected to; but what, he
would ask, was to be done in case of war? He supposed
the Mei. Member fur noxbester (Mr: 13: ,h,) v,ettld
recommend that the guns fit for present use should be
removed, and sham ones, or quakers, placed in their