The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-23 00:00:00

RAILWAY BILLS.

Sir R. PEEL—I wish to give notice, Sir, that I shall,
on Monday next, move for the appointment of a Com-
mittee of the whole House, with a view to ascertain the
course which the House shall pursue with respect to
the Bills which will be submitted during this session
for the making of railways.
COMMERCIAL POLICY OF THE COUNTRY.
Sir R. PEEL—I also, Sir, beg to give notice that, on
Tuesday next, I shall move for the appointment of a
Committee to consider what should be the future com-
mercial policy of the country.
LEGACY DUTY.
Mr. HUME gave notice of a motion for a return, on
an early day, of the amount of legacy duty which had
been paid on personal property during the last year.
INTERMENT IN CITIES.
Mr. COLQUHOUN gave notice that he should shortly
move for a Committee of Inquiry, similar to that which
he had endeavoured to obtain during the last session, for
showing the impolicy of making interments within the
precincts of certain towns and cities.—(Laughter, and
cries of " Order, order.")
OATH OF SUPREMACY.

Sir VALENTINE BLAKE, who spoke from the
gallery, gave notice that oa the sth of May he should
move that the oath of supremacy—that absurd oath—
should be abolished, so far as it affected her. Majesty,
her heirs and successors, as well as her subjects.
The SPEAKER said that the Hon. Gentleman should
be Aware' that no notice of motion could be given for a
later da;' than the sth of April.— (Laughter.)
Sir VALENTINE BLAKE—Then I will, give notice
for the sth of FebNary.—(More laughter.)
The SPEAKER—That is anotner motion, and it is
impossible to give two motions on the same subject.
DISTRICT LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
Sir C. NAPIER gave notice the be, should,.
i onThurs-
day, the 99th, move for a Committee to Inquire to the
subject of district lunatic asylums.
SHORT TIME BILL.
Lord ASHLEY gave notice that he should upon sont,
future day, bring in a Bill to reduce the time of labour
in factories ; also, that upon some future day he should
bring under the consideration of the House the state of
the juvenile population of some parts of London ana
Southwark.

THE SHIP ECLAIR.
Dr. BOWRING gave notice that to-morrow he should
move for copies of the correspondence upon the subject of
the epidemic in the ship Eclair; also for copies of the cor-
respondence relative to the House of Keys, in the Isle of
Man ; also to confirm the resolutions of the Committee
upon colonial matters.
ABSENTEEISM.

Sir VALENTINE BLAKE gave notice that he would
bring in a Bill on the subject of Irish drainage by ab-
sentee landlords ; also to appropriate the revenues
of the Protestant Church to increasing the pay
of curates and small incumbents ; also for a Bill
to enlarge the elective franchise of Ireland, and also
to make the legislative union of Ireland something more
than a mere parchment union—a legal and proper one.
THE ADDRESS
The SPEAKER then read her Majesty's Speech
(for which see our report of the House of Lords).
Lord FRANCIS EGERTON rose and said—l rise,
Sir, upon this occasion, for the purpose of pro-
posing an Address to her Majesty in return to the
Speech we have just heard. It is my misfortune
that I cannot offer the ground for your indulgence which
Hon. Members that filled a similar situation have fre-
quently had it in their power to give. Precisely
twenty years have elapsed since, under the
auspices of Mr. Canning, I acted in a
similar situation to that which I now occupy
in the House; but I can truly say that since the lapse of
those twenty years I never rose to address an assembly
with less confidence in my own discretion, or reliance on
any power of mine, to deserve the indulgence or com •
mand the sympathies of this House. I hope, therefore,
that on other grounds—on the grounds of the import-
ance of the juncture which calls us together, and the
difficulty which even the most experienced in this House
feel in rising to address it under such circumstances—
I hope that the House will extend to me
that consideration and indulgence which,. in 1826, per-
haps, I had the better claim to ask for.—(Applause.) I
think it will be most for the convenience of the House
that a brief review be made of the topics mentioned in
her Majesty's Speech—topics which I hope will meet
with the unanimous concurrence of the House.—(Hear.)
The observations of her Majesty respecting our re-
lations with France are matter of congratulation to my-
self, and must be equally so to:gentlemen on either side
of the House, believing, as I do, that the peace and

theproPFtes°s:ej
hanatippinhe4spinoefss ernment in -
EoufrolE)7roapned_mnaotoreelyt,hatnhe
of civilisation, and generally of good
parts of the world, depends more u
of amicable relations between the two couno
,d
zuggefe
other measure which human sagacity i
fcoruthe goer°
Rejoicing, as I do, at this guarantee
I cannot he'?
peace and happiness of the world, t
_other
pong°thvetricoosntthinaasopesi
looking
i.
herwith proportionate
Majesty's
address, distress elates to our
werke e r the
'
connexion with another part of the
but look with the deepest regret to that viandbeing
Speech which refers to the probability of Eng,• ~ rights,
awnlidicatnxriety, oTacanno;
n• er tce •00 ,
called upon to maintain her honour and lee: ee she
as well as to afford that protection
owes to some of her loyal subjects in one pasrut o-1. /
world, by a resort to other than friendly mea
orre'eits,
most especially should regret if any differenceso
teuroi,
culties, should render it necessary for unityt wejob
nate our friendly relations with a comet
here
speaks the same language as ourselves, and . But I
so many institutions in common with our oven noes,
am sure !hat neither the present, nor any other e.
mthBanttpia-will
fbtehejtl:otrifildedto winhicir Ikrinegfertao•
ing than that of a cordial desire to maintain, To 01
means consistent with honour and justice, b r
the
be ablaut
both nations, but, nevertheless, we shall still
se jeer,
continue, upon cordial terms or friendship, °lfd tor
6" fee
course and amity with that greatof Moe ar
portant confederacy, the United States
et utterly ill of
i tohuar i
1r col att;i.
!or:
is {eel'
erxi 0
Apart from all those considerations, gee o neetiou.,,,
pendent of them, I will say that there ie T 45 iter;
her Mejesty's Speech which I consider of ret0•,•00 oif
ante than that part which refers to our IV4' pbSt
fences, On this subject I will say no more thtso2. )10.
it were left out it would reflect little en dit on Yerereptl,
had advised her Majesty. This question had. ek_el'el,oo
gaged the public attention, and I trust that thiset;eooo,
will be received by the House with the self OP
which it deserves. I cannot dissemble from °Yore tile
I am addressing the House on a topic ofrneeeeetle
ordinary interest—a topic which, as it may be Ill_:00,,,1
of more than ordinary advantages, is, in cower fee:
top." Te,
more than ordinary inteeest—(Cheers)—e
add, that is worthy of furisher consideratioulf ; the
indication I cannot conceal freak: °Pee out
interest and bearing of that indice'ti°" je
,!';.
in the train of political events, fres►
...sOO9l,
minds of all parties in this country ._, etArs
as I say, in the rear of these events, that indicatereo",,,,
consider the whole of those laws, laws whiel! cattoifif
the whole importation of commodities into thlsedeole
I am sure that this subject will meet with the fto
which it deserves. I concur in the propriety °,44$
dication, and I could not indeed otherwise consis:4o A :
dertake the office which I have attempted to filb, ife;
cheers.) That concurrence I willingly give; 1311? j; if FA'
have been unable to stand in my present situatlesjee
opinions had been otherwise, and if my opini Sell/ s;
such such that I could not undertake this task. bin
hesitate before incurring the increased reskee eeire
by pronouncing my opinion, and saying that Sire ilos:i
was unfit for the serious deliberation which t° e If
is called upon to give them.—(Cheers) I hivier eOOlllO
many speecLes in this House, but have nes% g,A
one which was more applicable to all that this 1.09
had to consider, ,I hold this principle also weitet, ,0(
to my own course ot conduct, and consider teesetto A
mover of this Addreee, I am not at all re!vi: low
fettered with regard to the. iPtllre course whi!ereiii9:l
pursue in relation to these subjects. Upon tha''?„ to
I am not called upon to go into details ''''sbios
own particular opinions, but I may tslce to rol
portunity of stating that, with regard
_.,,,ea
subjects which have so particularly' eurb-90101
attention of the country, and have be erogeor
larly brought under the notice of the .r"'"ettel
opinions have undergone a considerable chogo/A,
position cheers.) lam aware that my opini°llsgo?
that influence and authority which the opinions
who justly enjoy a high reputation in this House' rp everes
and that, therefore, it might be considered OP sr rof
me,to inflict on the House a long explanatioobot,(l
reasons of that change ; still I feel that nothingosite
own insignificance could shelter me from the tot!'
answering that inquiry, which public opinion wee
to institute into the causes of the alteration of 0110 A
public men ; I say that, on this occasion, I sbelllioefr,4
from thatinvestigation. Thia,l willsay,no defer), A op 10
shall rest on the example of others, cr be found ote
changes or modifications of opinion of those fof of
looked up to as authorities. My changes °,l
have been owing entirely to myself, and wlt;
Ad
to any modification which my opinions may bil eleej
gone, I rest the defence of them solely on rufidefej
tin of the course of events, and on my owe ectsospep'
of what was required, and the state and %.1)' 0 0
the country.—(" Hear, hear," from t",6OOl°J,
tion.) I have feared' and hesitated "' oriao
interfere with that system of restriction °n ilea'
tion which I have'found interwoven with the ferole
the relations of the country. I have hesitatedse7
time before I could consent to interfere with e•'-ogo;'
be almost considered as one of the institutio 0
country; but I have now arrived at thei,theOpt
that the time has at length arrived oa ii;
should take the opportunity to seriously e these
berately reconsider the whole course of ,W
regulating that importation, with a view thettl
departing from that principle which has hi to
observed—the principle of endeavouring blajeiri et
or prohibition to continue the restriction of t e...,1e
tion of articles from foreign countries with :a el 9
increasing our home manufactures.—(L'Thet ri
When I use the term " home manufacture, "'the)
be misunderstood. I consider the products of , /
as intended for the food of man, and I think tilelob
be considered as much a manufacture as it
otoro
(Hear, hear.) I consider the earth as a mach%
look upon the largest landowners in the e°801?
nothing else than manufacturers.—(Hear, hearin to
these views, and considering their applies'
e,
Government, and to all the public de, 004
of the country, I trust, and hope, and be,
of
without knowing what may be the natui:eseeP
measures about to be proposed by the Gove''oo AO
say I entertain a hope that, when those wee ei
come before the House, I shall be able to slre 9
position I have taken, and to show that theildea/
patible with the broad principles I have ...et
(Hear, hear.) I have no doubt that theseooo9l
will be embraced and comprehended in e stlitotolv l
, gore,
manner, and the various subjects that have OA
the terms of my proposition be grasped tore
—(Hear, hear.) A fixed duty on corn was elser;„
A,
which came from the Noble Lord opposite. I P." ef,,
at the conclusion that restrictions onlforeige co
re V
shall no longer be upheld by the Legislitthey,
country.—(Loud Opposition cheers.) Whe'tioSiif
Lord opposite brought forward his proPoee's oiV,
fixed duty, and gave expression to tui i
which 4 then maintained, namely, that 1 el ;10
tions were imposed on foreign commoditle.geo e!„es
to secure a certain standard of remunerative( i 2
ef
cultivator of the soil, that would be the result eee
'measure. I entertained those opinions then, et% veh
ported them ; but I have since seen reasons •b
those opinions.—(Hear, hear.) I am not 0° OSA
detain the House with any details. n. --,1001/4
intention to enter upon a statement of statiseil or
I shall not shrink from such an investigati°,/ 0,1,
show the numerical relations of this subjeert the ,p;
not at present a part of my plan, or within 00;01i
of the particular argument which I inttnd sob
00-144;
it has been my lot to reside in the * hb°41.,0 IP Jr .
dense population, whose position andneig ciro°l to
could not do otherwise than observe ; Build re
course of that observation I invariably oiel 0'
the dearness or the cheapness of peel's 001
an intimate connexion with the employee° IA
happiness of the people.—(Loud cheers from 1 et
sit:on.; It was through no merit of my owlet bila:0•01(4
an accident with which merit had nothing
of ~e 0
glifoi
was made the minister for the dispensation ; 7
able wealth among the population of that A
There was, consequently, a great opportuo.oo jr
me of largely directing the energies of 9104
me, and as the dispenser of the wealth whiff., of, a
confided to me, and without any sner,'" Or 0,0
I became intimately acquainted with their4re
condition, and I observed that when the re" he
difference with the United States was sprereAr
commercial relations of the country were rev/
disturbed, and the employment of the peoP:ses fi,
cient, that the provisions always been-sarPoll4
and the people were more than 1046 e ,ga' ,
distressed. When trade again revived irt;
_AP fri
ing year the people were relieved, t',-, br/0
provisions declined, and when the reaet/°-,0 ler
taken place it terminated invariably ill "iobrt, )
ot tne enjoyment and fele happiness of all tin" the
of the district, and in what might be eallerea,frio
manent relief. When changes again ocetleirsie T, top
that the difficulty was renewed, and the Ps curse,;,
distress. After that there were labourers °re
be
had, but the difficulty then was to find laboUrif be
the work. I see, then, that this evil can
.0 the if,
fled by Parliament; and if I were to describe for 4 6
in the words and on the authority of °11; 03/A7
competent to form an opinion than I ei;Vebe ted
from his residence in Manchester and its nelise' te;ti
is Far more competent to give an opinion tioslt it d
I find from his report that at the end ass, 01:01,14
trade was beginning to revive, the busiuteee ,
creased, also produced a beneficial effect 013,10 ,Ilei:i
the people, and that as it progressed beth.teser,e4,
and the manufacturers, and especially the sPl'y feel, i 0 i
proved in their position, and a general Ple.aricer )0,
But the main cause of this distress, whe"- eee off
other people may form upon the subjecete,'eureo
origin in a deficient harvest and the T. the oe ii
potato crop ; and taken in connexion svit' oi,d
h4.ea ~ IT
stance that this catastrophe has es essi fe di
felt abroad, it has been almost an iraireeiAilterlli
obtain any supplies from thence. I rug
_ft'st
who is connected with the manufacto- eest4/
if their thoughts did not involuntaraeo 000
pi
those seasons of high prices and distrehie ry
hope, will not again return in t
the 0 0
if men's hearts did not fail them for fear °f
sof ,•00 ie
of anything like high prices recurring ug boo tees
may be told, and fairly told, that the l'ectetieiee
which I speak, and which has, re° dete ;,0100
sure, contended against the evil or nese, re;
that those restrictive laws which I Pr°„reirveety
sider had no effect in continuing th°B- has 0067
Others, again, will contend that abundaneafer °Po $10?
consequence of those laws. Now, wbst e rigli of ,01
opinion I may have undergone, I have ail, 130',
tion the sagacity, or still less the ealiftiorreelerie;
who continue to entertain this suppos-
ot, ,„ ,op 10',
observation is, that if you, as a Governraf tee fr:aocioll
to control the supply of subsistence for s these pli
(Hear, hear)—if you attempt to Weer $011,010601'
table with whatever profusion you wee he retti%o,
find it impossible to satisfy the masses °e jos 011;„ b1)00
rather you will send them away with aPP,l;eficiellr slit te°
The present abundance you may call el, afte,4o9
man can pronounce it to he excessive, :9 0 SPLitsir
only a matter of comparison, and it i.ni docIPP'
equally dangerous and hazardous to gag '