The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-13 00:00:00

NAVAL STAFF OFFICERS.

Captain LATARD wished to be informed by the
Right Hon. Genth man the Secretary at War as to
what had-been done by Government with respect to the
pensions of the naval staff of officers that were engaged
in the late Chinese war, and also what progress had
been made with the proposed medals?
Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT said, that the Govern-
ment was engaged in making arrangements for the pen-
sions, and 17,000 medals had been cast.

MR. M•GREGOR.
Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN deprecated the circula-
tion of the blue book, entitled " commercial regulations,"
inasmuch as it was full of the most egregious blunders?
As to the malt a►:d excise, the compiler of the volume
had taken the amount of the duty at 8,993,7521., whilst
any person possessing the least arithmetical capacity
could show that the du:ies amounted to 10 326,742/.
Therefore it was desirable, not alone for their own cha-
racters' sake, but also as regarded. America, that such
disgraceful inaccuracies should not be permitted to go
forth as authentic.—(Hear, hear.)
Sir G. CLERK, in reply, said that he could not re-
frain from expressing a wish that notice had been
given him on the subject—a subject so grave and
serious.—(flcar, hear.) The House shoUld be aware
that it was utterly impossible for him to be able to
a:count at a moment's notice for the accuracy of a
volume in which were set down upwards of 1,400 items.
--(Hear, hear.) Bat if the Hon. Gentleman would
have the courtesy to inform him of the particular inaccu-
racies, he would inquire into the cause, and ascer-
tain whether they arose from an error of the press
or intentionally.—(dear, hear.) As the only object in
publishing the volume was accurate information, he could
assure the Hon. Gentleman that if he would point out
the in tecuracies to the Board of Trade they would feel
most grate'nl to him, and most assuredly have them
corrected.

Lord SEYMOUR said it was difficult, from the sys-
tem pursued at the Board of Trade, to ascertain cor-
reedy any information upon the trade and commerce of
the country, for the officers who prepared the documents
of that department often gave such a tone to certain
facts as to make them serve the purpse of peculiar
views. He wished, therefore, to have laid on the table of
the House the original minutes from which the statis-
tical information of the Board of Trade was compiled.

It would be well, he thought, if the Noble Lord at the
head of that department, who discharged his duties with
great zeal and ability, would direct his compilers to
confine themselves to facts rather than indulge in de-
clamatory language ag-aillst the tyranny of other Govern-
nv-nti.-7( Hear, h,

Mr. T. GIBSON had had occasion to test the ac-
curacy of Mr. M'Gregor's compilations, and certainly
he had pnerally found that they corresponded with the
fats.—(Bear, hear.) It did, however, sometimes happen
that unintentional inaccuracies found their way into
public documents —for instance, did not the House remem-
bor amo,t remarkable case of inaccuracy of this nature,

namely, a document stating that a quantity of corn had
been i-nported which was grown in tho province of Can-
• I?—(Hear, hear, and laughter.): He thought the Hon.
Member for Northamptonshire had used an expression
which was too strong to be justified by the circumstances.
He meant the word disgrace.—(Hear, hear.) In his
opinion the volume in question was a most instructive
one, and mightEb3 read with advantage by the Hon.
Member and his friends.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.)
Mr. T. I)UNCOMBE regretted that the Hon. Mem
ber for Northamptonshire had not given notice of his
question, fin. now it would go forth to the public, not
only that the calculations were inaccurate, but that
the motive of the compiler were impugned. For it
was insinuated that these papers were prepared inac-
curately, for with the view of carrying out particular
views.•— (Cries of " No, no," and " Yes, yes.")
Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN denied the view taken
of his expressions; if any such expression fell from bim
he most heartily retracted it but when they paid
public servants to perform work, they should see that
the work was properly done.—(Cries of " Order.")
The Honourable Member inquired if he was in order?
—(Hear, hear.) He was quite willing, if he was not so,
to meet Cie case by motion, but nothing was farther
from his intention than to impute such motives as had
been assigned to him.—(Hear, hear )
Mr. lIORSMAN thought, that whether the infor-
mation was correct or not, attacks upon public servants
hould be made very guardedly, as they were not present
to defend themselves.

THE CORM-LAWS.—ADJOURNED DEBATE.
The order of the day being read for resuming the act
knurled debate,
Mr. LIDDELL presented a petition from the ship

owners of the city of London, Praying that Parliament
would
.rfject that part of the Ministerial measure which
laid a restrictive duty on foreign timber.
Mr. MUNTZ presented a petition from Birmingham,
praying for a total and immediate repeal of the corn-
laws, and that they should be delivered at once and for
ever from that obnoxious impost.
Sir JOHN TROLLOPE presented several petitions
in favour of the press nt corn-laws, and praying that no
confidence sbould be placed in the present Ministry.
Petitions were presented in favour of the present corn-
laws by Mr. John Hall, Mr. Blackburne, Mr. Kemble,
Mr. Greene, and Sir John Yarde Buller, from Middle-
sex, Buckingham, and Devonshire. Mr. Greene's peti-
tions prayed that the present measure might not be
passed until the sense of the couutry had been taken in
a.general election. _ . _

-Petitions in favour of the abolition of the corn-laws
were present* d by Mr. Townsend, one of which .was sigrcd
by upwards of 12,000 persons ; by Mr. Duncan, signed
by 3,000 inhabitants of Dundee, who were connected
nth the linen trade, and who felt that their interests
were seriously affected by the present state of the corn-
laws ; and by Mr. T. S. Duncombe.
An HoN. MEMBER presented a petition in favour of
the Government measure, very respectably and nu
merously signed.
Mr. IIINI)LEY presented a similar petition, signed
by 2,200 of the inhabitants of Pontefract.
Mr. BRIGHT presented a similar petition from the
mayor and corporation of the city of Durham.
An HoN. MENDER presented a petition, signrd by
2,200 of the inhabitants of Derbyshire in favour of
protection.
Mr. ESCOTT presented a petition numerously signed,
from a town in Somersetshire, complaining that a pe-
tition had been presented by the Agricultural Protectior.
Society which did not ropre;enc the opinions of
the inhabitants, and praying for a total end immediate
abolition of the duties on foreign corn.
Mr. GIBSON presented a petition from Cambridge
in favour of a total and immediate repeal of the
corn-laws ; also a petition from the operatives
of Manchester engaged in the Irish trade, complaining of
the falling off of orders in their trade in consequence of
the failure of the potato crop, and praying her Majesty's
Government to adept such measures as may supply the
people of In land with food.
THORNELY presented a petition from Bridge-
north, approving of the policy of her Majesty's Go-
vernment, but praying that the abolition of the duties
on foreign corn should be total and immediate.
Mr. COLQUHOUN then rose and stated that he
wished to make some explanation to the House upon
some observations which had fallen from the Right
Honourable Baronet at the head of her Majesty's Go-
vernment. It might be in the recollection of the
House that the Honourable Baronet had stated
that he (Mr. Colquhoun) hid once held opinions
similar to those entertained by the Honourable
Member for Wolverhampton, namely, a total
repeal of the corn-laws, and that he had since changed
them for the principles of high protection. He could
assure the Right Hon. Baronet he was mistaken, both as to
the opinions he then held and those he now entertained,
With regard to his former opinions, the Hon. Member
would think him very inconsistent. He felt the subject
to be one of very great importance, and one of consider-
able difficulty and anxiety. He must not be thought to
arrive at his present -convictions per saltum, as he had
given the question his most serious consideration
for many years. He was excluded from Parliament
in 1841, at which time the question of 'the corn-laws
assumed an aspect of the most paramount import-
ance, and during that period he had given the ques-
tion the deepest and the most anxious consideration,
and he felt it his duty to adhere to the conclusion he
had come to. The Hon. Baronet had remarked that
in 1841 he had found his (Mr. Colquhoun's) name with
that of the Member for Wolverhampton, Did the Hon.
Baronet remember that the Member for Wolverhampton
moved for a Committee in order to sweep into a division
all those persons who were not of his opinion. In the
debate on the sobject, in 1838, he recognised the name of
the Hon. Member for Sheffield. A similar motion to the
ao
bn
lee de in 18
el m
b er
for
wasrB
Wolverhampton, made
any thd- eII u
the
nnoamre-
of the Honourable Member for London was found in
that division. They also knew that there was not a
man more strict in his political principles than that Hon.
Member. The Hon. Member for Canterbury voted with
the Member for Wolverhampton, as did elso the Mem-
ber for Portsmouth. Why should he (Mr. Colquhoun) be
remarked as having agreed with the Member for Wol-
verhampton? He had found an old paper which con-
tained some of his opinions, as given to his constituency
at Kilmarnock, but in such a ease, knowing that the
constituency was of a liberal feeling, it was his
policy to exhibit as liberal opinions as possible, so
long as they did not clash with his own opinions.
When he (Mr. Colquhoun) was on the hustings, one of
his constituents put the question to him, " Are you
prepared to vote for a total and immediate re-
peal of the corn-laws ? " He answered that
he was favourable to a low fixed duty. This
Wad still his opinion. He was not prepared to
disturb the Interests of the agricultural community. He
thought protection was the best interest of that class,
and he was favourable to any measure which would up-
hold that protection without injury to the industrious
Classes, He believed that they could not continue pro-
tection 111 this country unless they had the sup-
port
country.o He fu
f th eme rcoannt ettanrt m
i manufacturing
of these
classesinterests theeorfe iin
favour of a low fixed duty on corn some time ago ; he
now found they bad changed their opinions very ma-
terially on that question. As the fixed duty was not
so favourable to the mercantile interest as the manufac-
turing interest, it was not surprising that they
should have changed their opinions. fro was of
opinion
that the views of Mr. Huskission were
sound, and such as ought to be carried out. The
views of Mr. Huskisson were, that the Government
was bound to relax commercial restrictiats as far as

,possible, consistently with the safety of domtstic com-
merce, in every possible mode in which they o,uld re-
move commercial restrictions and extend the ,trade
of the country.—(Hear, hear.) That course ./V II
most desirable, and should be adopted ; and he-
maintained that such a course had deserved and ever re- I
ceived his most cordial support. But when the Noble I
Lord the Member for London referred, in his
speech, to the authority of Mr. Huskisson, and
expressed a marvel that the Right Honourable
Baronet at the head of the Ministry had not cited it as
a authority, he (fr. Colquhoun) should diffir with the

Noble Lord, and maintain that the logical deduction, if
attempted, would have failed the Bight lion. Baronet
on the occasion.—(l.lear.) There had grown up practices
of laying on heavy and protective and prohibitory
duties ; and Mr. liuskisson, perceiving what branches
of manufacture there were which•could safely dispense
with them, and which were more incumbered than as
_ _

sisted by such, withdrew from them the protection they
enjoyed. He (Mr. , Colquhoun) did not mean to
maintain that had Mr. Huskisson lived until the
present moment he would have acted on the same
system. The Noble Lord the Member for London took
exception to an argument put forward by the lion.
Member for Northampton, and asked why should pro-
tection be removed from manufacturing produce and
allowed to remain on the soil. The Noble Lord quoted
Adam Smith, to the effect that it was not alone the right
of a state, but was also wise and politic that a state
should impose duties on foreign commodities adequate
to the taxes which they laid on their o an productions.
How did that apply in the present case ? They had an
enormous taxation resting on this country peculiarly,
because it arose from the national debt. They were in
the habit of putting a duty on foreign produce, as an ade-
quate equivalent ; then why leave manufactures out of the
catt.gory ? why, but because it had a natural and ade-
quate protection. No man could look at the soil of
Staffordshire or Lancashire without seeing an
amount of mineral in it that gave them an
advantage over all the rest of the world.
Agriculture in this country was exposed to seasons
more capricious, more variable, and more severe than
that of. any other country in. Europe, while the manu-
factures of the country had corresponding advantages.
But the Right Honourable Baronet rested his case upon
the experience of the last three years, and to appease
the apprehensions of the agriculturist, he pointed out
that the reduction which had taken place in the imputa-
tion of foreign cattle had produced high prices, rather
than depressed the market. The Right Hon. Barmier,
however, did not see that this argument was against him-
self, for in another part of his argument he said the
change was necessary to cheapen the necessaries of life
iu this country. The Right Honourable Baronet was,
however, wrong in supposing the tariff had produced the
high prices, for, when the tariff was passed, an impres-
Aon got abroad that they were going to flood the country
with oxen from all parts of the world, and the conse-
quence was the market was glutted with English pro-
duce. ; and in the year afterwards there was a
limited supply.—(hear, hear.) There was another cause
which had produced these high prices, and one to which
he .could refer with satisfiction, and without dispa-
ragin.•. the Right Honourable Baronet's tariff'. This
cause had the effect of stimulating employment and ena-
bled the labouring classes of this country to com-
mand more butcher's meat.—(Hear, hear.) No
person could urge that the great development of
railways in this country depended on any commercial
legislation—it depended on the enormous amount cf
-capital, and on that system of leaving it open 'to
pursue its own course. (Loud cheering.) Tie
Member for Inverness, himself a free trader,
has again and again called upon us to interf ra
and put a stop to the progress of railway enterprise.
However the Parliament abstained from such a course,
and the consequence has been beneficial to the country.
The Honourable Member for Sunderland (Mr.
Hudson), who has been the architect of his
own fortunes, has contributed greatly to Call-
fer the benefits of the distribution of capital upon
the country, and he deserved more praise than any
other Member of the House. The Right Honourable
Gentleman seemed to state that there was no connexion
between wages and the price of provisions, and his
Right Hon. Friend made allusion to the speech of the
Right Honourable Baronet, in which he touched
on the very question how the labourer would be affected
by the corn-law. With all the talents of the Right Hon.
Gentleman, and his knowledge of the tactics of debate,
that allusion to the Right Hon. Barnet's speech, in his
opinion, was most unhappy and indiscreet, because in
his speech the Right lion. Baronet urged very strongly'
that a repeal of the corn-law would limit the employ-
ment of the labourer, and would shake the interests of
the labourer, both agricultural and manufacturing.
His Right Honourable Friend disposed very summarily
of all the arguments that had been urged against him.
He said, ".I have changed my opinion, there is an end of
it."—(Loud and continued cheers.) But he would
tell him that there was not an end of it. There
was not an end of it because a person was a man
of genius, whether as an orator or us a poet. Ho must
please to remember that his words are winged shafts, that
stick in many minds—that when urged with all the address
of his Right Hon. Friend, these thoughts and opinions
adhered to men, and had a great share in forming
their opinions and sentiments ; and, therefore, when
the Right Honourable Barnet, having urged these
arguments for many years, turns his back upon
them, they could not conceal their surprise.—(Cheers.)
He mu t allow him to remind him that his opinions had
influenced many in the country, they stood now very
strongly before the country, were admitted to b's very
able arguments, and making upon many minds
a very powerful impression. He could not help
thinking, as his Honourable Friend was speak-
ing, that these winged shafts hal often transfixed
his opponents on the other side of the House. But if he
had done with his opinions, they had not. He wished they
had the Hon. Baronet amongst them then to urge the ar-
guments, and the same opinions which he had now repudi-
ated. If, however, they did not achieve victory, they
should have a gallant contest; and in their
defeat they would have the consolation of not having
changed their opinions. Then his Right lion. Friend
must allow him to remind him that his view of
the question of wages was one which nobody could deny.
He said, with respect to the speech of the Hon. Member
for Sheffield, that the rate of wages and the price of
provisions varied after a certain time. That he (Mr.
Colquhoun) believed was true. He believed any gen-
tleman who had looked into political science would say
that wages did not alwai s fall with the price
of provisions. Perhaps by a repeal of the corn-laws the
poor of this country would be benefited; but whilst he
admitted that fact, he could nut help stating
that the labour market must be glutted, and copse-
' quently the price of labour would be reduced. • This
was the case in Ireland at the present moment—the
labourers of that country being deficient of em-
ployment, and the population gradually increasing.
But, then, if the argument of Ole Secretary of State—
' if the arguments of the Right Honourable Gentleman
be clear and sound—if it be true that by the
measures proposed some lands would be displaced—if
agriculture would be subjected to straits, then un-
doubtedly with the fall in the price'of provigions the price
of wages would fall also.—(Hear, hear.) The
effect on the agricultural population would be most
pernicious. -- (Hear, hear.) If the Honourable
Member fur Wolverhampton were in his
.place, he
would leg to remind him that he made an admission
to the same effect. He perfectly recollected the Hon.
Member telling them that the affect of the corn-laws
was to keep into cultivation one portion of land
which otherwise would be uncultivated. Now that
was exactly the position of the Right
Honourable Gentleman. Great as would be the
fall in prices, the fall in wages would be still lower,
and the condition of the country would be greatly
deteriorated. He would take the views of those
who contended, that in proportion to the freedom elven
to trade and agriculture, trade would be increased
and the wages of the labouring classes would be
improved. lie denied that such a conclusion would
follow. What was the case with regard to the
wages of labour? With all the improvements which
trade had of late received, had wages increased ?
That was the question he would put to Right Hon. Gen-
tlemen. He would put it to the Right Hon. Member
for Birmingham whether such a result bad followed.
The Hon. Member said, that whereas formerly he sold
an article for 365., he now sold it for 6s.—(Hear)—and
whereas the labourer used to receive for his share in the
manufacture of that article upwards of 75., he now re.-
ceived only Is. 6d. Now, when his Right Hon. Friend
spoke of improving the condition of the labourer, he
(Mr. Colquhoun) could not help referring him to a
document supplied by Mr. Horner and Mr. Has-
lock in the year 1841. He' was not going • to
enter into any long statistical details, but he
would, with the sanction of the House, state just one,
in order to show what had been the pressure upon
the labourer—a necessary pressure, it was true,
arising from competition, which forced him, not
from any desire of his own, but from positive
necessity, to reduce the rate of wages. The House would
remember that the statement he would refer to was,
taken from the manufacturers themselves. Ile found, then
that from the years 1828 to 1841 fine yarns bad fallen in
price at least 31 per cent., and how was that met ?
By reducing the spinner's rate of wages 29 per cent.
end the other classes of workers 13 per cent.—(Hear,
hear, and' cheers.) What was the benefit the manu-
facturers expected to derive from a repeal of the
corn laws? He (Mr. Colquhoun) would tell. them
in the words of two gentle Men, members of the League.
What was the view which Mr. Wilson, one of the
greatest ironmasters in Scotland, took of this sub-
ject ? He said, that when iron had fallen ll
25 per cent., wages had been reduced 15, and they
could not be lowered further, in consequence of the
duty on the importation of foreign coin. But Mr.
Wilson expected that when the duty on foreign corn
would be done away with, he would be able to lower
the from trade by lowering the rate of wages.—
(Hear, hear, and cheers.) What was the opinion
of Mr. Gregg, who fermerly represented Manchester?
He said that a better education, more sober habits, toge-
ther with cheaper food, would enable the labourer to
live in greater comfort. There could he no doubt of
this fact for one moment, and he (Mr. Colquhoun) at-
tached no blame to the manufacturers because they did
lower the rate of wages.—(Hear, hear.) They were
pressed by foreign competition—they were obliged to beat
that competition by. very means in their power—they
were obliged to abridge their expenses to add to the
power of their machinery, but they were also obliged to
lower the wages of their labourers. .If t'te effect
of that measure would be to reduce the price
of food, provided there were no countervail-
ing evils, he a-knowledged that it wouldrbe a bene-
fit ; but, if they met the working classes of
that country, and told them that after the repeal
of the corn laws they would receive the same
wages as before, then he (Mr. Colquhoun) affirmed
that they would meet them with a delusion.—(Cheering.)
The Hon. Member for Northampton's eloquent and able
speech had been commented upon as being of an incen-
diary character. He did not think that his Hon.
Friend had intended to give it such a character. At all
events, he (Mr. Colquhoun) hoped that nothing which
he should say would cause such a charge to be made
respecting him. So far from treating the manufacturers
as persons in the habit of grinding the poor, he believed
that they were the great sources of the wealth
and, prosperity of England. If be looked to nothing
butown interest, he shouli uphold the manufacturing
interest. He resided near a lame manufacturing town,
and his
proverty was of course enhanced in value by its
proximity W Plch a tOWn• xf this measure were

calculated to have the effect of harmonising
the different classes of this country, then of
course it would be beneficial, and he should • '
heartily rejoice in it, He regretted, however, to hear
the Noble Lord the Member for London hold out a hope
to the labouring classes that this measure would im-
prove their condition. It might stimulate trade, and have
a tendency further to develop manufactures; but he was
afraid that one effect of that would be to keep down wages.
The Hon. Member for Northamptonshire (Mr. Stafford
O'Brien) had said truly, in his address the other even-
n;, that since the national wealth had so much in'
erased, a considerable depreciation bad taken place in
the condition of the working classes ; that, though the,
might have great influence among th upper and middle
i a'iks of society, they would find the oondition of the
labouring classes gradually getting worse. Wbat theY
wanted was the taking of eirect step , in order to effect
t itnpte vement. It was not by a commercial code,
but by direct and specific measures, that the condition
of the labouring classes was to be advanced. But suc?_
was the attachment of Hum Members on the opposite stay
of the House to their political economy, that when the
Noble Lord the Member for Do-a tshire (Lord Ashlti
proposed his measure for ,the limitation of the hours 0,
employment for the labouring classes, they reviled at
his b :nevolent endeavours.—(Hear, hear,) If they vier:
asked for their support to any measure for the rale%
instruction of the people, or to advance their morelg°Sie
,
and social comforts, what--was the answer ? re
Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the'Government
to propose any scheme of that kind, be would be met de
a distinct refusal.—(Hear, hear.) The commercial feat
might do some good to the manufacturers, but weehlabe
advance the condition of the labouring classes•
country, were it passed, would still be liable to tha.
revulsions, and that distress to which the Right void
Baronet referrell in his speech of 1842. There '''no I
be the same per' o Beal visitations, and ttoughealo.-...5
might abound, without credit it would be unasel"efbas-
(Hear, hear.) They might expect that in years distress
ficient harvests the labourers would suffer, and 11,°;;s-ttese
able to purchase of the manufacturers, general...we
would prevail. Even if the corn-laws were a de'
doned they would still be as much affected by a cod
ficient harvest as before. They would find, with a gags
harvest a prosperous trade, and when the harvseaytork-
deficient, distress and decline in Lancashire an" -f the
shire.—(Hear.) He would call the attention otcl
House to a circular issued by Messrs. Ferguson that
Taylor, corn merchants of America, who state(l6s sleet
their experience went to show that in years of "%rect,
harvest great distress pervaded in the home lee; 00
Those gentlemen said that in September last there
tioa
an apparent langour or disaster in the first harlot%)
that instant the home market began to decline.-'% octe
Buyers were scarce, and goods were left upon theeid be
hands. Hon. Members proposed that coin Arose,
brought from abroad to remedy that evil. "Thlt,!;fie
Hon. Gentlemen would look to the war: air
the system, he thought they would fin" -111,e
ference in the results in different places',
Hon. Member for Stockport (Mr. Cobdens,s
calculated in his speeches (and he admitted that hlooglt
culations were correct) the amount of produce 71,0'
from the English soil to be 200,000,000. Mr' see
loch made a similar calculation. Now, when there tleg'
such a year as that of 1838, in which there wes.-teere
ciency in the harvest of four per cent., and whey siebt
came such a year as 1839, when the deficiency witdhe.
per cent., was it not perfectly clear that theY wc)ith ost
taking away from the exchangeable wlcos,o O"
the country, an amount varying from 8' Otte',
to 6,000,000 ?—(Hear, hear.) That must be. Id tees
by all parties. Would the green corn from Ore t,
that deficiency ? He conceived that it would 0;04
might accomplish other objects, but it would Getter the
not meet the deficiency which would take plate ef,,s-tarel
repeal of the corn-laws. If the aggregate Mane agersie
of this country expected a defence from 0°,00,01
gate agriculture of England equivalent to 200' vet °
a year, there would be a failure to the ee,tyeg
8,000,0001. worth in the next year, and in the Blear thet,
to the extent of 16,000,0001. It was perfectly ic'ec-teseei
their foreign demond,.greatasit might be, weetitust. ye
that deficiency whieh would occur in the home n"" bow
the,'
them write teeir foreign demand as high as theYe,, the,'
assuming that after the repeal of the corn-la satire
shou'd gain such a development of trade as th,e_fstiehe
pated (and which he sincerely wished forgthreeatuterr tbfosf,nei?
manufactures of this country would be
aggregate demand of both the home and the sesoo
markets; and if there were a failure in any one la belt
there would be in their home market, they e';',o 50°7
the same languor in trade, they would have f'"l. thel
dulness in prices, and the same difficulties lee pre9:l
labouring population to undergo, and the seln(oee
sure in the homes of -the poor of this country s'easl
And, after all, he would assume that they, oeste4
gain a development of foreign trade, theYrodefed
still have the same languor and deficiencY, Pt)Pio
by a lar gull ar d deficient harvest—(Hearehe:o4l4
that deficiency would entail upon those elie4'erw,i
reanu'acture-, and the labouring population oisfee:less
great prii ations. And he therefore frankly CO
that he could not join with those who se-iot
.aro
as the result of the proposed conetnerco, v
laxation, a larger development of manufacturse,t th,e,
while he, on. the one hand, did not think t" o et
would escape the difficulties arising fr 13,3
ficient harvest, he, on the other hand, aid
tc'o
that they might be bringing upon the country l'tteetl,'
ous difficulties of another kind, to which their lib
did not seem to have been directed,, but which
fessed deserved their best and most deliber"s-fth,l'h
sideratior. What, he would ask, was to becoive
colonial farmers ? What was the amotintwee,o
at the present time went to the colonial l'ot, 1,4
It was a quantity of constantly growing neV,.O
had at one time increased to 15,000,000/. x";foeie
likely either that sugar or other colonial preer) I.t
be long allowed to survive this.--(Hear, he6ittls
lion. Members on the opposite side looked forwomeis
confidence to this side of the House for the ace beg„‘;l
ment of that measure. But if that was going tort,pll,ll3>
he would ask how long after it should be tlee°„feetsat
did they expect to keep their other colonial to"steris
(Hear.) He had not forgotten that the lion- to I°o
fur Taunton had said that they were lihelb
their colonial markets. Well, then, be 011.'4e, ,be
contend that this measure would have that eeioce woe
then there was another and much heavier b tee °O4
inflicted by it. If the effect of e,b t;',Jef
was to depreciate agricultural produces '„e tirt„'olti
would be a limited demand for Obeli, I" de
in the home markets, and the reee' toss I'l4oo
be the same as they were in 1838, when therewes at
ficient harvest from natural causes, and there t 10°40
deficient supply.—(Hear, hear.) He could re' ea's,
• h et
this measure with that confidence with whteeice
regarded it. There was another point w' err,
ceived made it still more untenable and uncerr",.-10'000
he would like to ask the Hon. Member .I°;,"tiente'riej
hampton, would he go down to his caw.' Pc JO,
take s law n es ' f
1546. e.
code thi f
free trader lawshis forband , the year -otsr,ove;
would do no such thing, because it was /OP so"
free-trade code, so long as there still remelt:le chin!'iser
tive duty upon silk, and upon lace, and uPen r at re'
upon metals. Why then was this done? 8113042;V.
est was there in favour of the farmer in el'eyto
tection to silk, and to china, and to lace, en -„D
None in the world. Well, then, the erg:cell-tr.(); /‘,..A
that those articles were not sufficiently
selves to exist without
not,
,h,eo #0,;0,4
surely, if they were not, how much less aun' rotee'e
cultural produce to endure without e1100,,h
An Hon. Member on the other side of thcbite el'esebtro
he could conduct a farm in Buckingham' °f the is
much profit with free trade fur the polled Wefer''
try as he could with the highest protection:the eetioid
heartily wished the Hon. Member would trYoeportoso
ment. He would promise him he should have ttj 00,0 co
°
of doing so Some of his Hon. Friends, he ":"-se biteri;
connected with Buckinghamshire, would gti`oghobe4
of their best farms on lease—(Hear aedfjoe.
which might be for a term as long as the 't the )1;:
pleased, as long even as in Scotland, an(l,,a
rate of rent, and with only one condition -e'"tei of ad"-,
bar should show them the ledger at the en tbe4
and with this lease he would undertake to ea)ef'ed
of the Hon. Gentleman to his friends at tilt', PI 6).0
year would be—Close your purses, for ty, tns,
ham-fields have emptied mine.—(Laughteriiif I,,,teecv,
not be questioned for a moment, thgsbe °pi")
wished for a return for his capital during in be •J 4
of free trade he must invest i‘ttiear, asst',,
factures, and not in agriculture.--k or ti
Before he sat down he was anxious to an'cseiso 874
respecting those laws. He had no hesit9''roJlY,
Bill 0E
that although he opposed the measure go° most „,,y$ ed
to some parts of the measure Cie 0, r toinfe
and cordial assent. His opposition tfe entel.t. 1)Of
this measure was on the ground that Posrotlesetso.
distrust of the policy of the Right Hee-nf thet"Get
confessed he did feel distrust, not alonet gore tiotio
other measures introduced by the Bighn to seloiet°o
man. He (Mr. Colquhoun) did not uleacur, to 131,00
would be in the power of any Goverruute r0e.0014
the agricultural inters sts, and at the same
_":„.(oPige, vlo
any longer the present rate of productine,"; late teufeetSio
cheers.) He (Mr. C.) confessed he shoi in Pio
a great question of that kind earnest a liTel• spot bang
used by the Right Hon. Gentleman. ,sity nceLee fit'er
absence, but he (Mr. Colquhoun) wouT bed Afroore
his absence that he would nut say if h ourable ojetsvr,
sent. He would say that the 11"ted tbe t (9
for Stockport (Mr. Cobden) advoca by
of
in an able, a learned, and a talented ma" vices
st bltp
Colquhoun) did not take the wire age"' Of
ill
the Sew °Pt
Hm :1111,57i:1,d
sgarye,a,
if as
theya actedth e anunt htohrtel tire
r 5
iocip
•Sr 0 pr,,
Reform Bill, they should meoebviees I le°
in spirit. It was quite svtiotal sieeir.o
body that they could not, the not);
institutions unless they maintatne_iettestions_past,les
which brought about that great, 10 este-0%%0.r
Unless they can be consistent in are,a_old test u for 'for
can appeal to great interests, they ;otendieigeodiatbi
measure with success. They, in ,t cot of fr•
tdeists
which
sitfon., ter re'
re'
oonliZLlßlo6l.ociture roe
,$)5
of
country.—(Cheers from the OPrte of the ,turel poi"
Colquhoun) would give, fur the el ageicui
support sale
s the se "
the country, his earnest beer( aae t 0-
tection.—(Cheers.) Why, "- rto °vet
test
able Member for Wolverhampton se..3„' i 3
dud file
year 1815, that the Right nonou
cali°l3' r)
dexterously playing that_areee foLear hteigopo
they should take great n ii;otitils_ op.
question would be
It surrc
.(1 fer these
he rseue.ert- boo-Priv
thawtahseofneitthbeimgsreolufnedninof his feeling his mosvrt erniote_raP to
position to the measure that t_row he tn oeuroie
brought before the flouseh.
feeling a a 0013°, $O4
t— 00, se
bear his testimony to tn he
uestio ,
_cto
of
t
ciple by which, on this
hid been ours.
Member for. Stockport see sett tii 1.4. t. 4
kr°
fee
dwihscicuhohinenh._ad(cmhannet
as Jove
been * *gag, Able) 434 614
feeling that that Hon. .:tb"l:ouittaj. :91afaat"‘;435W;11$

rte,:..
~.r, ~,i
_ ~~.. ~r

,___

felt com
snd ho
deterrai
with
thouw
ItlAa=sv,
°1 the (
gas at
414 n
14ken

_ _.--

,nising
en of
should
o hear
a hope
1:d
lieve
he was
wages:
itatiora
r even'