The Sun.
London, England, 1851-02-12 00:00:00

A STRANGE BIRTH.

A somewhat delicate, though abundantly ludicrous,
case, was brought under the notice of the magistrate at
the Auderston Police court, a tew days ago. A strapping
young woman, who called herself Murray, and stated
that she belonged to Ayr, was charged with having at-
tempted to steal from the premises of Mr. Witherspoon,
spirit-dealer, Main-street, Auderston. The defendant,
accompanied by a female named Crooks, and who,
by the way, chances to he known as a pilferer wherever
she can find the opportunity, went into the premises of
the atoresaid Witherspoon, and being shown into an
apartment, called for some liquor. They were nut
long seated when Murray took suddenly unwell, and
maintained all the symptoms of having been seiz.-d
in labour. Her case appeared so be urgent, and
the poor woman could not be removed. In an egony
of appreheesicie, as the dread of an unlooked-for addition
to his household, the landlord ran out of the house for
medical assistance; but, as the fates would have it,
though he called on no fewer than five doctors, they
were all out of the way. In this extremity he summoned
to his aid the services of an ancient female belonging
to the almost extinct class of " howdies," and, as fest
as circumstances would permit, hurried hi r to the
shop, where the poor suflerer had by this time been
acc,enmodated with one of the private apartments o
the family, and everything done for her comfort. 'The
bustle and confusion consequent upon the above having
reached the ears of one of the constables, he, went
into the shop, where, seeing the woman Crooks
bustling about from place to place with extraor-
dinary alacrity, he took occasion to warn the
landlord of her character. A few minutes after
this Crooks suddenly disappeared, and, following close
upon her absence, the sick woman gave intimation
that she was likely soon to recover from her indisposi-
tion. • The quickness of her recovery excited some un-
pleasant surmises that the whole affair bad been a "do,"
and with this impression the young woman was re-
quested to submit to an examination, which, however,
she resolutely resisted. Female aid was, however, ob-
tained, and to the infinite astonishment and amuse-
ment of all, the expected " piccaninny " proved
to be nothing more alarming than a bun-
dle of children's clothes, the bulk of which
had at first deceived the experienced eyes of those
by whom she was surrounded. Her recovery was so
['tepid that she was able to walk to the Anderston Police-
office in charge of a constable. The object of this
curious and novel dudge was, no doubt, to afford
an opportunity to her companion Crooks to appro-
priate anything she could lay her hands on during
the bustle. In this, however, no progress appeared
to have been made, us .nothing whatever was
missed. The young woman was detained in the office
till Monday, to ascertain from Ayr what sort of a cha-
racter she bore in that quarter, as nothing was known
against her in Glasgow. The report being favourable.
the magistrate, Bathe Watson, iu consideration of the
time she had been incarcerated, dismissed her with an
admonition, and a caution never again to attempt any
such tricks on the public.— North British Mail.

FRENCH RAIL WA Y TRAFFIC
The following are the last returns of the gross re•
cGipts of the principal French Railways :
NORTHERN.—From Jan. 29 to Feb. 4: Passengers
156,881 i.; goods, 227,858 f.; total, 384,739 f.
ROUEN.—From Jau. 26 to Feb. 1 : Passengers
50,807:.; goods, 76,386 E; total, 127,193 f.
IlevßE.—From Jan. 26 to Feb. 1 :
16,417 E; goods, 34,830 f. ; total 51,047 f.
ORLEANS.—From Jan. 27 to Feb. 2 : Passengers,
56,201 F. ; goods, 116,867 E; total, 173,068 f:
BORDEAUX.—From Jan. 27 to Feb. 2 : Passengers.
26,329%.; ;goods, 44,312 f.; total, 70,641 f.
VIERZON —From Jan. 27 to Feb. 2: Passengers,
25,363 E; goods, 45,910 E; total, 71,2781.
BOULOGNE.—From Jan. 27 to Feb. 2: Passengers.
11,243 E; goods, 13,2591.; total, 24,502 f,
DIEPPE.—From Jan. 26 to Feb. 1 : Passengers,
2,808 E; goods, 6,644 E; total, 9,452 f.
NANTES.--From Jan. 25 to Jan. 31 : Passengers,
13,338 E; goods, 13,848 E; total, 27,186 E
tiTuesnuao.—From Jan. 29 to Feb. 4 : Passengers,
53,113 t.; goods, 64,284 f.; total, 122,397 f.

Passengers,

„
BALE.—From Jan. 20 to Jan. 26 : Passengers?
16,521'. ; goods, 17,287 f.; t0ta1,33,808r.

MONTEREAU.—From Jan. 22 to Jan. 28: Passengers,
7,595 f.; goods, 14,736 f.; VAR.), 22,331 f.

CHARTRES.—From Jan. 20 to Jan. 26: Passengers,
22.468 t.; goods, 12,615 f.; total, 35,0831.
LYONS. —From Jan. 19 to Jan. 25 : Passengers,
90,022 f.; goods, 32,170'.; total, 122,1921.,

The Reformers of Colchester have had a meeting and
have resolved to give a public dinner to Mr. Hardcastlo,
their Liberal Member, and to Mr. Wingrove Cooke, who
fought Lord John Manners at the last election.
ARRIVAL OF HER MAJESTY AND THE COURT.
Her Majesty and Prince Albert, accompanied by their illus-
trious children, and attended by Viscountess Jocelyn, Lady
in Waiting; Lord Dufferin, Lord in Waiting; the Hon.
Misses Paget and Dawson, Maids of Honour; the Hon. Col.
Charles Grey. equerry to the Prince; Lord Charles Fitzroy,
Equerry in Waiting; the Hon. Colonel Alex. Gordon,
Equerry to the Prince; and the usual suite, arrived at Buck-
ii:ghatu Palace this afternoon, at two o'clock, from Windsor
Castle. The illustrious party travelled by special train on
the Great Western Railway to the Paddington Station,
whence they were escorted to the Palace by an officer's party
of the 16th Lancers. Tile Queen was received at the Palace
by the Master of the Horse, the Lord Chamberlain, and the
Lord Steward.

POOR RELlEF.—According to a return to Parlia-
we it, obtained at the instance of Mr. Baines, the President
of the Poor-law Board (yesterday issued), the amount of the
decrease in the expenditure for in-maintenance and out-door
relief in the halt-year ending Michaelmas last, compared
with that of 1849, was 197,1161. The amount expended to
Michaelmas, 1849, was 1,846,8581., and last Michaelmas
1,649,7121. On the Ist of January, 1850, there were 931,328
paupers in the receipt of relief, and on the Ist of January
last 862,328, showing a decrease of 68,579. Of adults and
able-bodied paupers in the same period the decrease was
26,634. There were more than 54,000 widows on the Ist of
January, 1850, receiving out-door relief, ani last January
they were reduced to about 59,090.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, Feb 11.

Lord C. MANNERS preinn:ed two petitions from
Le:c.s.ershire, one against the Papal aguression, and
the other prayiqg for the repeal of the !milt tax.
AGRICULTURAL DISTRESS.

Mr. DISRAELI (in continuation from our Third Edi-
tion of last night) said—The Honourable Gentleman, the
Member for Westbury, proved, last year that all the im-
importations had ruined the importers— (A laugh) and no
gentleman has done more to prove that France could not
send us a quarter, and that the greedy millions of the
United States were ready to devour all the grain that
could be produced in the Mississippi valley.— (Hear, hear.)
But, Sir, notwithstanding all these assertions and predic-
tions, the difficulties of that important Glass, the owners and
occupiers of the soil, do still continue.—(Hear, hear.) The
mention of the United States recale also to my mind that
there are other parties to statements like these—and men,

..00, whose opinions have influenced legislation. There is in
this House a country Member—a gentleman representing an
agricultural constituency, but who is intimately acquainted
with all the interests of commerce—one of the merchants in
the world, the Member for South Lancashire (Mr. W.
Brown). I well remember that Hon. Gentleman telling us
that the English producer had no reason to apprehend danger
from foreign importations, inasmuch as he would have a
natural protection in the article of freight. The Member
for South Lancashire says that freights, with reference to
any danger to be apprehended by importations from the
United States, are equivalent to a protection of I Is. per
quarter. But, Sir, how does that turn out? Is the fact so?
On the contrary, an eleventh part of those eleven shillings
would more aceurately describe the result.—(Cheers.) And
then, as regards the Continent of Europe, and places more
contiguous to our own country, we have arrived at this re-
sult, that freight is no protection whatever—(Hear, hear)—
and that the expense of the transport from the Continent to
England is not greater than from port to port in this country.
(Hear, hear.) Now, Sir, Ido not say this with a view
to build upon it an argument in favour of retracing our steps.
That is not the argument I am going to introduce. The
legislation which you have adopted may be beneficial; but
still—politic as may have been your course, and beneficial
as may have been its consequences—you cannot deny
that all your estimates have been wrong, and all
your calculations erroneous. (Cheers and laughter )
After five years' experience, I cannot resist the conclusion
that, in those great controversies which led to this legisla-
tion, great injustice was done to the character and conduct of
the British farmer.— (Hear, hear.) In all those discussions,
and in the preliminary agitation out of doors, representa-
tions were made to this excited community which, unfor-
tunately, but unjustly, conveyed the impression that the
farmer was an unskilful and slothful man.—( Hear, hear.)
It could not be denied, that under the abrogated system,
whose virtues I am not now eulogising, and whose policy I
am not now vindicating, there were some great facts which
none could gainsay, though few would listen to. It could not
be denied that the British farmer however stigmatised, had
succeeded in raising from the soil a greater amount of pro-
duce than any other cultivator in any part of the world—
(Hear, hear)—and it could not be denied that the acre which
at the time of the American war yielded twenty bushels of
wheat,•yielded, at the time the corn laws were repealed,
thirty-two bushels.—(flear, hear.) It could nut be denied
that, within the space of a quarter of a century—from 1821
to 1846 —the population of this country had increased at the
rate of 3 per cent., and the produce of wheat at the rate of
64 per cent. (Cheers.) It could not.be denied that these
men, who we were daily and nightly told were so deficient
in energy and enterprise, had themselves, in 1845—at a time
when not one of them dreamed that their protection would
be withdrawn—imported from the remote coasts of the Pa-
cific a curious, novel, and valuable manure, to the amount
of 4,000,000 cwt.—(Hear, hear.) Let us, after five years,
do justice to the characters of these men. They were told
that their compensation was to be increased .production from
the soil. I remember when the eminent Minister who pro-
duced that change remarked -no doubt under the convic-
tion of some great inevitable necessity, but, doubtless,
also with some pangs for the clas4 that had been accustomed
to look up to him as their defender,—l remember when lie
said, that it was in the increased production of the soil that
the British farmer would find his compensation; and that
he had such confidence in the progress of science, and in
their energy, as to feel that they would be able to battle
with and to keep down all the difficulties with which they
might have to contend. Yes, Sir, I remember Sir Robert
Peel saying, that no man could have failed to see that the
power of production of the soil was but half developed.
But it is notorious that the theory of mineral manures that
was to be the source of compensation for the
dh
frome utterly
cultivators
.
of our own soils—it is notorious that that theory of
mineral manures has broken down—(Hear, hear)—that it
is not succeeded by any other, and that it is recognised to
haverodu
cbeen e
of foundedthe results o n greattLtaat
were f fallacy, ,
plication. I remember that, when this great controversy

commenced in this House, we then treated it as a farmer's
question; and it was thrown into our teeth by our adver-
saries that it was not a farmer's, but a landlord's question. I
find that it is still believed that rent is looked upon as a sort
of ancient exaction—a kind of feudal tallagimn, the reward
of conquest ; and that, when we talk of the difficulties and
distress of owners and occupiers, it the owners of the soil
were prepared to sacrifice what is, called rent, those
difficulties would vanish and disappear.--(Hear, and laughter.)
I should think that a majority of gentlemen on either side
of this House will agree with me that in an old country where
there is a great breadth of land, and where cultivation is
carried on to so great an extent, rent is an economical
result as certain and inevitable as harvest is a natural result
following seed-time.—(Hear.) The only way by which you
can terminate rent is, to throw every soil out of cultivation
but the very best—( Hear)—and the only way by which you
can prevent the very best from paying rent is, by loading it
with such imposts as that, after production, nothing is left
for the average return of the capital employed.—(Hear.)
Now, if that is a thing which science sanctions, I want to
know what becomes of that barbarous outcry against rent
from persons who are great authorities on such questions as
these—(Hear)—and if it is not a vulgar error we are circu-
lating among that community whom we ought to lead and to
enlighten, when we hold out to masses of the people that
any endeavour to seek redress for the difficulties of the
owners and occupiers of the soil is only an attempt to
maintain the rents of the landlords?—(Loud cheers.) I
think that the whole tendency of our laws is to
pluck out a cla:s from the agricultural hierarchy,
and to bring our agricultural' communhy again to two
classes—the proprietor and the peasant.—(Hear, hear.)
Sir, I have thought this House would excuse me if I ven-
tured to make these somewhat preliminary observations be-
fore calling attention to the subject I wish so sincerely to
adhere to in the subsequent discussion' my object being tie
bring this House to this point—on 'both sides to forget the
past, and not to allow the feeling of controversies that have
now endured for more than five sessions to affect the clear-
ness of their mental vision, but in a temperate and impartial
spirit to endeavour to recognize the causes of the distress
that afflicts a suffering portion of the community, and if'pos-
slide, to find a remedy for it.-(Hear..) And, Sir, that there
may be no mistake as to what my object in this motion, I
beg to state what that object really is.—(Hear.) In the
first place, it is not, as we have been recently told, a debate'
on the condition of the people. I find the condition of the
people described in those paragraphs of the Speech
from the Throne that have, at my request, been read at the
table. I accept that. condition of the people. It is one of
general prosperity concurrent with the suffering of a parti-
cular class. Do not tet me, then, be met to-night with re-
ports of Poor-law Commissioners or of Registrar-Generals.—
(Hear, hear.) I trust that no Gentleman will rise to-night,
and say that this motion is a direct or indirect attack on
the new commercial system.—(Hear, hear.) It is in con-
sequence of your commercial system—(Hear, hear) - that I
have made this motion, to adapt, if I can, the posi-
tion of the owners and occupiers of the soil to that
commercial system. Nor let any Gentleman support me
to-night, under the idea that this is an attempt to bring
back protection in disguise.—(Hear, hear.) Nothing of
the kind. I adhere to what I said last year on that subject,
severely, strictly, religiously.— (Cheers.) I said that I
could not, in this Parliament, make any attempt to bring
back the abrogated system of protection ; and I gave
my reasons tor that opinion at the time. I deeply-
deplored the circumstances under which that change took
place, and that a Minister and a Government that were
pledged to uphold that abrogated system should have abro-
gated it. I think that on that subject there was a clear
cause of quarrel between the then. Parliament and the con-
stituencies. But I cannot furget that, immediately after that
change had taken place, there followed a general election-
(Hear, hear)—and that an opportunity was afforied to the
constituencies, even if betrayed, to recal the abrogated system
they had deplored.—(Hear.) I for one cannot consent that
the laws that ought to •regulate a great nation should be
made the shuttlecock of party strife.—(Hear, hear.) Nay,
if I thought that by any chalice majority I could bring back
protection I would shrink from attempting it.—(Cheers
from the Ministerial side.) That, Sir, must be done
out of the House—(Cheers)— and by no chance
majority, but by, if not a unanimous, at least a prepon-
derating expression of public opinion.— (Hear, hear.)
Why is it that the cultivator of the soil, when we all re-
cognise as a man of energy and enteepriee, • cannot compete
with the foreign producer? Sir, I believe that the reason
why the cultivator of the soil in the United Kingdom is at
this moment embarked in a helpless contest with the culti-
vators of foreign soils, is to be found in the weight of taxa-
tion to which the cultivator of the soil in England is ex-
posed.—(Hear, hear.) The taxation of this country, gene-
rally speaking, though time has mitigated it, and circum-
stances stronger than time—is universally acknowledged to
be over that in most other countries. Unfortunately, the agri-
cultural classes bear their fair proportion, and more.-e-(Hear,
hear.) What I wish to do this night is, to ask you impar-
tially to survey your financial system—if impar-
tiality is possible in finance. Let us suppose that
some distinguished, foreigner -one of those, for instance,
about shortly to visit this country—one interested
in economic pursuits--let us suppose such a man. struck
with the wealth, and energy, and industry of England,
desir9us of forming some general idea of the way in which
the taxation of England is raised. Of the great mass of our
taxation, I _will take three items, together forming an
amount of nearly fifty millions sterling., Those fifty millions
are produced; first, by external imposts; secondly, by what
is termed inland revenue; and, thirdly, by local contributions.
By customs, excise, and local burdens, you raise nearly fifty
millions. Now, what, at the first glance is the character of
this great sum? This distinguished and inquiring foreigner
will learn that nearly one-half. of your external revenue is
raised by your not
,permitting the cultivators of your soil to
produce .a particular article.—(Hear, hear.) If he go to
your inland revenue, he will observe that more than two-
thirds of it is raised by means of a colonial impost on this
class of the community.—(Cheers.) And if he take the
third portion of your taxation—the local contribution—he
will find that seven millions, or more, of the twelve of which
it consists, are paid by the agriculturists—(Hear) and the
whole of it levied from a very limited class of the commu-
nity. These are the principal features which the foreign in-
vestigator would observe in looking into our financial ar-
rangements. Let us examine this system now in detail. I
take, first, your customs; and I find that a fourth of them
almost is produced by a law which prevents the British
cultivator from producing a crop of tobacco.— (Hear, hear.)
And then I may be told, in extenuation of this extraordi-
nary law, that the land of England is not favourable for
that production.—( Hear, hear.) That is an obvious suggeee
Lion for a finance Minister; but the ingenious and distin-
guished foreign r will remember
.that nearly every country
in Europe does produce tobacco, and some of them very
good tobacco—nay, that in Holland such good tobacco is
grown that it is exported to Havannah for the purpose of
being made into those eigais which are smoked iu Eng-
land.— (Hear, hear.) But I might tell him that there are
some soils, in the sister island especially, that have great
capabilities for the cultivation of tobacco.—(Hear, hear.)
I think, in days like the present, when a Minister rises from
his seat on the first evening when Parliament meets, and
solemnly warns the farmers of England over the table,
that the time is come when they can no longer depend
on the wheat crop, it was eminently inconsistent and
unjust to support laws which at the same time prevent
him from producing another crop.—(Cheers.) And here I
must ask the Noble, Lord some explanation of a remarkable
expression of opinion on his part, the other night, but of
which I was not quick enough to take notice at the time.
The Noble Lord said that he deplored the rapid transition
which had occurred with reference to the .condition
of the owners and occupiers of the soil.—(llear, hear.)
The Noble Lord expressed his regret at, the rapid transition
from the old to the new system. Ido not understand what
is meant precisely by a "state of transition." We have,
not now only just arrived at it —the state of transition is ac-
conaplished.—(Cheers.) But, I sin sayprieed that the Noble
Lord should be the Minister to deplore the rapid mode in
which the transition has been accomplished, because I re-
member this, when the late Government, by a sagacious and
,prudent law, tried to prolong that state of transition,
the Noble Lord found great fault with Sir Robert
Peel'on account of his attempt to prolong that state of
transition, the brevity of which, the Noble Lord now says,
is the chief source of agricultural depression.—(Cheers.) The
Noble Lord even wished to form an administration which
should not give the farmers even the transient benefit of
the law of Sir Robert Peel:
Lord J. RUSSELL—I supported Sir Robert Peel. '
Mr. DISRAELI—I happen to recollect that there was ,a
division— ( Hear)—and if the Noble Lord voted against his
own proposition, I have rothing more to say.—(Laughter
and long continued cheering.) I will not dwell longer on
the subject of tobacco, or even touch upon the effect Pro-
duced by foreign sugar upon the produee of this country ;
but I will come to another branch of the revenue, amount-
ing to 15,000,0031., more than two, thirds of which is raised
by a colossalimpost upon one crop of the British agricul-
turist. Who can deny that the tax -upon the barley crop
forms more than two-thirds of our excise ?-1-(Cheei-s.)
Was' it not monstrous for the farmer to be told that he
must no longer depend upon the wheat crop, while the laws,
of the country loaded with this enormous tax the next crop
to which he would have recourse?—(Cheers.) Remember

. -
what this crop is. That the farmer is to be prevented feom
, depending upon his wheat crop may be grounded in some de-
gree in wisdom, It may be said that there s' better wheat
in ' the world than British wheat, good 'as it is; but no one
, will pretend that any barley is better than British barley.—
(Cheers.) So we may no longer produce wheat, while we main.
tain laws to restrictthe growth of barley.. We are counselled.
not to produce a crop in which we have scarcely any
rivals, and at the same time we are prevented from produc-
ing a crop in which we have no rivals whatever. This is
the effect, with free trade, of a financial System framal with
reference only to a protective policy. But I may be told,
that if we dare to rid ourselves of this impost, we must lose'
the monopoly of the malt market. Really, Sir, in this 'Age,
after what we have gone through, what we are enduring,
and what we must be prepared for, it is too much' to kOld •
out as a consolation this miserable rag 'of monopoly—the.
monopoly of the salt market:—(Loud cheers.) Why; if
foreign bailey, will•not bear a voyage, malt will bear it worse.
--(Cheers.) If we are not afraid of the foreign importation
.of barley, we may-have still less fear of foreign malt; and
the best proof of this is, that we never get good beer ex-
cept in Eugland.—(A laugh.) - How is it. that we have a
great export trade in beer, if foreign malt is of so superior
a quality ?—(Cheers.) We obtain on our malt, it
is true, a drawback.' but an imperfect one; but
we send out our beer, and it is 'the. best, beer in the foreign
market.— (Cheers.) It does appear to me, Sir, that the
case of the land, as far as the barley crop is concerned; is
one of the most complete cases, if we look to abstract justice
—and to abstract justice we are forced by'your
( Cheers) - ever submitted to the consideration of Parliament.
I have shown, that of our external revenue nearly one-half
is produced by prohibiting in agreat degree; and restricting
in another degree, the cultivation , of the soil, while at, the
same time the British farmer is exposed to the competition
of the ivhole woticle--(Hear.) I have shown also that two-
thirds of the inland revenue is produced by an enormous taz
on one single crop of the British , cultivator of the soil.—..
(Cheers.) I now come to the third division of the amount
of revenue of which I spoke, namely,' that produced by our
local burdens. I last year asked the House whether it was
not a favourable opportunity to treat the whole question. of
these burdens, the injustice of which was acknowledged ; but
the inconvenience resulting from relieving the land front
them :was equally obvious. —(Cheers.) , I asked the Hope
whether, wnen .we had a surplus revenue, and when the
agricultural Merest was the Only suffering interest, it was
.not a favourable opportunity to perform an act' of public
justice to the land, and • show tile land that we really
did sympathise with its distr,sses.—(T,oud cheers.) That
motion, 1 may say without vanity; was -temperately con-
ceived, because it received the approbation of a large party in
'this House - (Cheers)—although it was not carried. I then
showed the enormous' injustice Of making the land,
.pay.,
7,000,000/. out of 12,1.00,0001. CI 'taxation, raised solely, for
public purposes, and which ought to have. been, paid out (Jr,
the public exchequer; but to-nieht I wish the 'House to ieet
our case of injustice in an infinitely stronger light.—(Cheers4:
I have now shown, that out of nearly 50,000,000/. of in-
come, .nearly one-half of the external revenue is raised by
prohibiting or restricting the produce of land ; that two-
thirds of the inland revenue is derived ,Irom an -enormous
impost -on one production of the land and -that seven-
twelfths of our local revenue is raised by direct contribu-
tion from the land.—(Cheers.) It is not necessary for me

-----------
ie tee
now
I ttrousetnttehreadt
iaslclususpioonn
ot
fhelalsat subjectessrgseionis
;et freesflocalubt7dens,
asise:t
memory of the House. At any rate. since r
debate, the truth of this question has greatly aslykcce_ti;
(Hear.) Originally, I had to discuss the -abstract el:1;o
of the justice of =king ee erybody pay to the poor-ra.te„eort
it was then a matter ot dispute whether or not the es"alathe
of the poor was a general obligation. Since last
question has greatly advanced. I have- before M?
_r_uda
dence.taken by a Committee of. the House of -Lau.: o
pointed to consider the question of local aisessmen,to
the case of the Government, as represented tank° los
Member for Heretordshire (Mr: Cornwall Lewis), "thought
brought to this question alit those powers of theP Le teat
Which have distinguished him in all his eursuits, lineuve
talent for investigation for which he is Pre-e tee 1100'
(Cheers.) And what• is the. acknowledgment of ee wheys
Member for Herefordshire? He has given tic" t%'.eyorsl
question.- (Loud cheers.) [The Hon. Member rs:Le. tot it
extracts from*the evidence. of Mr. Lewis,` to the etl.
""
was neither just nor equitable to make taxes whichs„Acuity
national character locally chargeable, the prattle loorwers
of collection being the only fortnidable obstacle
tthel'oper.
equitable practice.] The Hon. Member, viewing e talent
taut subject ot local taxation with • that abilityrainet at dal
for which he' is always distinguished, has ar apt'
very truth which tsar ecarcelv tolerated two Ye7erarto
(Loud cheers.) • I have now to recur in a certain
eo,,b bar
local burden', but it will be to Some which I have ".u„
with
tofore dwelt uponaaburdens on the lend not inixeaeeaccoe
local revenue. I could go at great length into the el
tithe, bat time will only permit me' to sketch you_.,'„ie4tiA
its bearings.' I have alreedy referred to the currls"%et
made to the first Minister of the Crown on the l'eulilud tbe
I-4e by Lord George Bentinck. I need not rel"tertb/4
a NI
House. t hat the, fall' in agricultural produce g.ite pose f
was then assutned by that eminent statesman a 3
the ri"°
result in the thange of the' law, as aeicribed bY
_to toss
a quarter of wheat 'being. 455. Now it •is little lie pace
378.--( Hear.) W hat as the consequence of a feuel.eesrg
upon the tithe commutation burden ? The tithe roe,. isee
appointed for the year 1851 is 96/. lls. sd. len 'lilt,. ila,
But the farmer only receives, at present prices, 73'
the I"';
the difference at this Moment being 231. Bs. 6d. ell
ell telt!
and in order to'realise that difference he "hay t° sto Pre"Pr
quarters of wheat.-- (Loud cheers.) According _ wle,
prices, then, under the law of tithe commutation ttet:cters
has to pay on every 10a/. a forfeit of twelve 11.0 at Isl,
wheat. That is the effect of tithe commutation. ~ce Olt
not going to dwell on that' point; for the elf:lire/o'o
commutation, though a grievous, is but a tranicreepectso
wish rattier to point out the action of tithe,'
sari,
j t e
of commutation, on the cultivation of t
on the owners as well as the occupiers' 0001
been held by the greatest political economists, tna"sceeet"
e teeek
read
amounts to a rate of not less than 5 per c--n
I will read a few extracts from a work on taxuetiaa'leadP.,
illeCulloch, bearing on this subject. He is a IrGentleili."-t)
he was a free-trader before many Honourable 1.06 ele
in this House were . free-traders. has vni
great ability on the subject; and he is psirticalailii, ioss,
the talent with which he sums up evidence. d once
pupil of Ricardo, a• great and original thinker, all .etieg
ornament of this House. Mr. M'Culloch was
the
all'e
1845; previous, be it remembered, to the repeal °the oic°:o
laws, • and speaking of the effect 'of 'tithes aeon ed ealY 'ar)
and occupiers of laud, and in so doing, he testoteesc,
principles of that great man, Mr. Ricardo --Wogs, LAO
[The Hotta Member quoted at length several Pts tree ass.,
purport of which' was, that, under a system, ° 0111'10
the incidetits of' tithe were completely changed :cetera he
longer-raise prices or rents,- and it 'would, th". be: ;Pi,/
wholly upon the owners and occupiers of 10,1;00,0 tie
could -not bring about a great national tiff the psi.' to
removing a burden which ought to be borne b.vis would
and lacing it upon any particular class. Tb „Wi t°l.
flagrant injustice, and, therefore, foreign corn,,, titbe.„.o,
subjected to a duty which would countervail,ree i 0 of
(Cheers.) That was the opinion of Mr. M'en"(Nealt"at
but, in-leso, he published a new edition of toe that w",il
Nations," by Dr. Smith, and in the appendi2t t°.aat after-o'
he again republishes his" Treatise on Tithes." hi, pre;ce
the advantage of five years' experience, with all
cereal
ceptions and prejudices in favour of' einancipait":,,l3o; :of
with particular feelings on the subject of the eerr,yoneellchro.
with similar views to those entertained by the be re ties
the Exchequer, who always exp
ay
ects prices to its, a I lin007;
flounces his former opinion. lie rs, in 185 ticillati t
think there will be realised those unfavourable an)....elltee
anticipations, that is, of
,present pricee-(CliCer edjastealso
they should, the commutation may be reducedteeeare.) ado
a countervailing duty laid on' foreign corn."--(eLfce pet °err
is not my proposition.-(lionical cheers.) I 'l'.et theiraa
any proposition at Present.. What I wish to eleeaetbsn..'is
sent moment is fo show to you-to prove °Li distress
only way to account for the present agricultarad cbeer/..4
that . the agriculturist is overweighted-(L°4 es siralj3l9
that his energies are exhausted and his reseal.' other
ae,
by an enormous mass of taxation, to whielltle often
of producers is liable.-(Loud cheers.) But tit eatnethli'aeell
and may be said to-night, "that there is 'ue that 008
what you say cannot be denied-it may be t reotric€oo
the customs ditties are obtained by prohibiting or 0'
agricultural produce-it may be true. that two' tips'
inland revenue are raised by an enormous irnPaveo.tifee.eo:,
agricultural product -we cannot deny that s th
of the local taxation are directly contributed ilTeoptioi 0
cultural purse-but then the land enjoys many euieoe 100
-(Hear, hear.) I am going to meet that stateeee anS tbe
the advocate ot the agricultural interest, but as uceaealeciat
only for truth, one whose sole object is t° tenilblie 6g.)
bitter controversy which is injuring the la ceeet,teel
of this country.-(Loud and long continued ode; will
lam going to see with what justice this reply thee 'to:
if there be great exemptions enjoyed by. the lan ear on Dot
place before public opinion my impartial decisich dO
point. I will not attempt to state anything vitt.l„ets Ode OS
sincerely believe. My whole ease depends er! "if the/ test
gutnents; and it is open to gentlemen opanaedeu'otraleater
to prove any statements erroneous, or to den', I Thaeation
my conclusions are fallacious. - (Loud cheer'irteide" rr
tion of agricultural exemptions bring me to the cif tOrrot
of another branch of our system of revenue, nain,-grei,t tre
venue derived from stamps.-(Cheers.) A vet' and State
exists with respect to the operation of the iegsc,.. the'of
bate duties, and if Hon. Gentlemen will investiga,'" oat' to
of the case, I think, arrive at conchlaini-forePlet
to the opinions which they may now hold witilroyoutete
this description of taxation. lam prepared to 8,1°,,er
at this moment, of' the 1,200,000/., which is.PaTfird,...(oo
for probate duty, -50000/. is paid by the, 'l3-ill /Oa
hear)-for though Mr. Pitt did not carry h'ste alieeee)
real property liable to this tax, he aged
sold under wills subject to; the tax.-( duty receto
I will show you that five-twelfths of the legs'Yfflembareer/st!
is paid directly by the land-(Flear) bu'f rental te-
also, that leasehold property, and all ecelea.samein bereeed kin
tTthauxteestaoistearle6gbacurydedniastyu.ponWihaeund.....irtuieg re the 't`-611°
ensteri At ate
_duty; oil
trade of the fanners payS legacy and lir()b3cances,jtfrool
notewhn we add to these. the stamps upon °nye'. etaPtc' sc;
he found that the agricultural classes are el' forineerer
their share of taxation. I well remember, llfTrjuaelit rood'
casion, that the Hon. Member for OrkneY j
made a great point against the owners and occulter, as ere
when he -reminded -the House that the win )131i 104
horses of the farmer were untaxed.- e' e also e atie
(Hear heir' e'ul) rf
not the windows of the man who keeps a sut'aeh els' earl,:
from taxation?-(Hear, hear.) And
sbno°ut ar. ::s,"
b
of the manufacturer untaxed • and why " Id net (I
be free, which is the machinery of the fa„rtudere
notjCapd
'hear.) These arc little points, but they
(Hear, hear.) When lion. Gentlemen rise in tot, tbto
is
talk of exemptions front taxation, they aglit.atstilP disl,llte
arrangement' lately made with respect to the Letstd
itsver much in favour of the manufacturers• ta a contit
member, in discussing this question, that there lanelleolol
able burden of the public revenue, to tine for for t~ or
2,000,0..0/. per anntim,e which has been raise d
century and a-halt from the land, and the 13;113e bYearitfettp
that isthe land tax-(Hear, hear)-a tax, applfe"
was not intended by the original projectors toterongliei`rve
the land.-(Hear, hear.) I have now gone f
prof ;be
one exception, almost every important festure :tie o ;lit
dal system, and I have ••reviewed the ts2tarig °Peale°,
-country. generally, with reference to its bee at 'OlP-ea/-
owners and occupiers of the land-upon t6Ol raped
class of her Majesty's suects who `are --cont'er-eli
culties, depression, and distress, and wa° tb
suffer them in a country where, as we Are eelP”
the Sovereign and by the Ministry, as c glee teeneo
Masi er
community are in a prosperous condition. (of Ofeee,
I am not surprised, when I see all this burdentheinset t‘o
that the owners and occupiers of land find resPecirstr'o,
difficulties, in the present state of the law Rat-ereate,-ess;,)
irnportatiota of .foreign corn, 'Mid 'are sufferlnb Wit
On the contrary, I atn obliged te tonsider
.10Y;0..-a‘cOe"
is that the present' system has been' carve,. ftiono tore
I am obliged to consider what is that wundetrhe creeteldt)
by which the financial system, which was all P
protection, and whiclaprotection alone upheld, 'estteln ;age,
able to work in a countr when that entire %pee area'
tection has been sweptaway.-(Loud 'es °l.' the °fie°
We may, to some extent, account for it blital'ltollt.a.°ll
which 'have been made uon accuthulated esPteey elv
hear.) It is very possible that some classes etieniorVillso
where they are living upon the capital of one Pallet ill' cealte
-(Hear, hear.) This is a result which Id° tl,t eat!,
be wondered at.-(Hear.) But the great finaao-oeteietione
which has occupied my attention cannot be se ee gerer/'
this sad hypothesis; because I see before Methg Y
machinery by which we have been carried three 0101:i it/'
restricted industry, undiminished taxation, antuairall'loo4:4
ports. - (hear, hear.) We know that a greiloaraleSte,
testrunaent was brought into the House by sti -I,e o°,o Its
r,' ter, whose pride it was to introduce this nadvott ko"
virtues lam not here to challenge, but the °a. ''„es thr;
to owners and occupiers of land I wish to it 08
t'''ad es ea
what this wonderful financial instrument weei ieatt
apt
property ands income-taxa '" Remember (s". 1), t""eiou'y
Peel to the gentlemen of the Mancheiter school)'
der that you should have your cotton free, thee. beseat4ornet°
to the imposition of the property tax."-(11e3-ilOt ;rir, o Pre
nerous and.confiding inan.e-( Hear.) And hi_atel te
feu' 'dew'
instrument'this remarkable system has been e,plis°, (P,el
-ration, conducted in ita course, and has- ace°'i law 'ha be
sults.- And what is the result of' this financia
_ltte is 0
hear.) Was it the manufacturers and rnerciw 'subset'!
,
together and said to. the Minister, '` Ola -$
"6,000,00 N. a year, and We will-keep ale 'a :006'6e te,
system:" Had they done this it would net the."ee 0P)
been a La &bargain fur the owners of land; if We I; DiOr;#
might have said, subscribe what you will, but (elea'.'oolnco
restricted imports we ought -to be- extniPt,.--te alldulettenel
But when I look to the:returns of the prop e'tese eecis'a,
tax= this mighty and mystical sun, under 1!.., r
.407,
the, systein has gone on-I find that a rawer
the oe wee
fres' les P
from the owners and occupiers of land; occur ) ;
whose rents have been reduced, and from the t „oat tbs.
make no profits.-(Loud cheers from the counbry it 7 eos'
you ask me what are of
remedie, and sir
, „ill tecetillttl,;
the. owners and occupiers of land require? S esh
as the representative ' Of an Undivided lengelaevet
the industry of whose inhabitants e VrPfle'
`the ''cultivetion of the soil, and as. tta"ose gell;ecl°01;
humble and -inefficient one L knows of a_et. ,
who share. m opted ns in- this flouse-:,"'yiettl
justice.'-(Loud cheers ) este ask you that obebojeo
prohibit or restrict our industry.-(Iteclo direct, e othe
We'ask you that you will not levy tIPO.II
arty -to 'ld
for public purposes, to •which few,
thro°llPeiountef
.elasses are subject. We . ask., You- not ti,.5,3 in the
of y 0 to
according to 3 our own account,- the onl.L'e'ibtaaiells pet 0,
in a state of transitionary distress, hone ce art,
financial .and coMmercial hat
aiaa 'be west.
a hat we ask. We Think that your eyet‘eo .
ask us
duative of difticnity and distress, andet .' and i,ucjarel
istitueme, re ' ou
cur aein.-,d3aa-speakirig for my cot eels a ,erai
constituencies 'Whose property and idiel_e.the On 4
rand 1-I yuti at once to renal' ,a e.
pressure, and 'let' us be fairly Weighted :ire se,
ain to:
(Loud cheers from the" country - party.),
_e"eit )00. ept
from. entering into the competitiou vial nsa,eveit
: but I w
thought fit to open to our energies,
dear
the
iisaternregigt3leef- manacled:---tu
rtictilar celrfeetv
Parliament' esides being Alernb?rs for paretic e am Pole co
enter ,lilleviAtetot't
prepared,.impartially'and temperately,
ci 8, and I have no heaitation in sayingotncd.to.ruitio
e(uLtesuadre cheers metatbieturl;
remove ropy
ili
I tai
sliroleteeustti :thghEi
Ifldtsitismti
trsseesbtsm
jeor:rg-tissereicpivi heivee:ispy fed
610,
sion fairly with the House, th6aste‘cil 2%0%1 enter
wn ,evo

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that slass who are the owners and occupiers of larisi.—(Hear.)
I'-rater with us into a fair discussion. suggest those /Tree-
njes and comprornisis of burdens, ant those mutual concilia-
Liens ishich Vie interests of all classes demand, and which,
,nnless they are consonant with the interests of all classes,
v,e do.not wish to authorise. lam prepired to enter into
tnat discussion now, if indeed I have not already too long cc-
FuPied the attention of the House. I ant prepared to enter
Into it on the clear understanding that in anything I say—
May B,y
that which I think most advantageous for the
,e("nion good—the only object of which will be, to secure as
a:lnch Justice for all parties as is possible in an ancient so-
'et:3's—(l.lear, hear.) lam prepared to.express, without
.sith:iaetvi:nis:ayspiritl
of severe justice, the agricultural interest
es
a right to prefer.—(Hear, hear.) I know that in a
e`ln'Y like this, however we adjust taxation, however
Snxious
is we may be to consult the interests of all classes, it
fit to come to any arrangement by which the
greater amount of burden will not fall upon the land. Several
lag'aestions have been made in this House for the relief of the
s which I will briefly allude to. I will, in the first in •
!eau .
Le, take the two remedies. somewhat vague their
in na-
Aularez:o7l),,ieb have been suggested by the Gentlemen of the
le,
1. osier school. They have always laid it down as a
more(l'g principle that what was wanted for the land was
i labour and more capital.—(Hear.) "Employ
.more
eaklatisr and more capital," said they, `fu and. you sill be
N7...successfully to compete with the eign prodNuce_r."
or`";`) let sue remind the House that during the last four
1,,, I've years, when the owners and occupiers of land have
Mere
thus advised to employ more labour and more capital,
,ere existed on the statute• book two cedes of law, the
labour operation of which was to res.rict the employment of
beert° ‘" ri(l to check the distribution of capital. - ( Hear,
ti g,ts'J Employ more labour," you say; but before yon
•' line that advice, why did you not deal with the settle.
• ' coiner" "?—<llear, hear ) The Minister who repealed the •
e..ia•laws felt the necessity of of meeting the question. We
N" 'er"tend that there is a measure upon the subject now in
atation, but if the measure were necessary it should
lave
' (Ih, ueek 11 introduced before the corn-laws were repealed.
topical year') We have also been told to employ more
:i; out in the year 1844 vou passed a law to restrict
• uot fllPloyinent of capital by the channels which cos-,
, h nleate with the cultivation of the soil. (Hear
tor')t' The Bill of 1844 effectually prevented the farmer
nnegetting itecommodation from his banker in order that
co ght extend his capital. In the year 1848 we called the
I:aideration of the House to this law. We showed you
11:11t the
~,, principles upon which this law were founded were
resn-Z,°,118. We showed you that the opinions entertained
we',—"ng " the issue," " redundancy," and " depreciation,"
, v4i utterly erroneous, and not consistent with a real con-
nethibje l'aPer currency,—(' Hear, hear.) But we could do
wfaisilti.,v,'“hgje•h You went about the country giving advice to the
evil el'', and you told them that the great remedy for
.the
ei
tutiont"e
one
hre it was
tril;r in oppressed them was the employment of capital,
kery you passed a law which curtailed the d.is-
of capital in those very counties and distncts
most wanted. —(Hear, hear.) In my opinion
ought to have prepared for the great change, and the
t].ls'quent reform, the repeal of the corn-laws, by placing
3,4 agricultural classes in a just relation with respect to
airehrifiaSncild• banking, and industrial. laws It is very de-
Yfr°ll4.i tre ere
at you should bring capital to the land; but
for that you have laws of partnership, which
L 43 b: that obje-ct. The quetition of limited partnerships
ths _
.en already under the consideration of the House, abnd,
Ler..isYstern as adopted in the colonies has been opposed a
it‘A Overstone and approved of by Lord Ashburton.. It is I. i• e clear that if you put the cultivators of the soil upon
garde ms of competition, a case of limited partnership as re-
title, 8 them would be beneficial.—(Hear, hear.) But did you
aeli,,,lnP to do it ? (Hear, hear.) Year after year you are
and
oe:ll3g.cpinions upon the prospects and fate of the. owners
to
this eupiers 'Aland, but have you once given consideration
tans subject? I need not dwell but for a moment upon the
rend,,h,,ns Which were brought forward for the relief of the
"in local burdens. You have had a project brought
liint_ the House of Lords for a national rate.—( Hear,
very)'''. There is no doubt that the subject is one of the
ee:., gravest importance, and has had public approbation
t',Tiled to it; but have the Ministry ever considered it,
lof ii.hiatd:iat the subject of a Cabinet. Council ?—( Hear, hoar )
lir hot going to give an opinion specifically in favour. of it,
matter of such importance, that I think it worthy
jest'. a gravest consideration. There are no doubt great ob-
4;tkus to a national rate, but there is no objection so great
s the enormous injustice of the land paying more than its
rec;por.tion of the poor-rate.—( Hear, hear.) Many of the
solttetilons to a national rate might be mot with effect, but. I
oh; ?e Permitted to make one observation—that there is no
eii'seentlon to a national rate so great as making a limited
the Pay fur the others. It is unnecessary for me to speak of
I thi-aeosure which I brought before the House last year, for
it. 'nk the opinion of the House was decidedly is favour of
hot lisar.) It was not only recommended by sound policy,
It
wasit was
not inconsistent with the most selfish legislation.
Via 'Said upon that occasion, if the relief which I proposed
of(granted—and that relief would have taken 2,000,0001.
euhr.esi property, and 1,500.0001. off our distressed fellow-
fund in Ireland—by drawing on the consolidated
,elicim!very little relief would be given, because the con-
e b '‘e'l fund was contributed by those who were
fhr e relieved. I was aware of this; b'ut it is the best course
sio„a Inelliber of the Opposition, when suggesting the remis-
b„:•of taxation, to be guided by general principles of jus-
-0• It is the best way for all classes to be included ; and
15`;_e_t) these who may be called upon to pay too much can re-
suyseot that the burden is too great for them to bear. Other
ggesti
might °us have also been made, by which a peculiar class.
the
C freed from a peculiar burden without increasing
the ourden of the community proposed to supply
: and it was
Ilisad", iesocy in the revenue by a fixed duty on corn.—
' ries,,-.", I have no objection to a discussion upon the
lishi"o of a fixed duty on corn, because my viewsa area
ke_e to be misrepresented. I say, as far . a I
Wept representing an agricultural community, t.hatmwe
otellist nothing more than justice. 'We cannot admit for a
tero'nt that a axed duty is in favour of the agricul-
rrieq interest. It is a financial and political arrange-
ritin' and we are bound as ministers and statesmen to
ge.kler whether, as a whole, it will make the best bar-
the for the community. The Noble Lord at the head of
fat ,„,,.'Vernment got up the other night, and with a sorrow-
thi;^Pression of countenance—as if he admitted that some.
•' his-2, °Light to be done for the landed interest—shrugged
a s,;`',?nirters and said, " What can I do? I don't know that
' th,-,"kny would do any good for the farmer."—(Hear.) But
(Ii '"rrners do not want a 55., or Bs., or 103. fixed duty.—
; eiso'ar• ) You may ask them to join in any settlement or
, - to Position, which, like all compositions, will only be paid
s , ths
colveetirs:-c-i u.:l tPU:a l
ple who receive it, to the extent of one-half, and
es wlll discus the mater with you, but in the name of the
interest I positively protest against its beir+g
land "red a specific remedy for the owners and occupiers r
s.. 1)r 0,7 sAn arrangement for a fixed duty has already been
el get before the House by a Right Honourable Friend
14.; in tflneine• Upon that occasion lie stated that it was
s; %on, . nature of things that the producer of foreign
la: this
„‘ttee would endeavour to adjust his prices to those of
tit ' take ,ores
in order that the British speculator might not
, . „ II
%tan 4"
the profit. Just at that particular period circum-
-1::. stip:ea occurred which served to illustrate the theory, for it
44. f ' there $ that in the months of June and February, 1848,
•Is. , the B„swas no duty on foreign corn, and that in March and
\; quar,""sequent months there was a duty of 7s. or Bs. pere
t,, aver' but the imports and prices remained the same. lh
I,;`, sreiall'ge price in January and February was 50s. 2d., and
tt-,, 518 54,,areh to December, with the duty added, it was
aii.: ' anti as j' hear.) When the duty was as high as 95.,
`4,' • Pheil-r„.„:°'w as ls., the price remained the cis at
are
\., ' to ex—ustut upon which any Hon. Gentleman is at liberty
`'r 11, ,Press opinion ; and if I give mine, it is that
.3
I -44,erate fixed duty does not raise the price.
ere ford me times, "Whydo
whether relief ? no other class of traders make
similar t°l
8°
'
aPplieations." But I would ask, in • reply,
trfered aniY otker description of property or industry is in-
.f It werelT„ll,; by the House of Commons.—(Hear, hear.).
• ' . -douse, tb,t,--;,s4msly to be proposed by any. statesman in this
,-:,•••4_ • ildelesp4o:seetbpteptlehne-dipepteadsole system of legislation, which has for
to agriculture, should henceforward be
~, Inattufact-ures, words would be powerless to
. 41°'41)erseo-e-ge' the frenzy, the indignation, by which th
, , . otated._„(n.. the -Manchester school would forthwith be ant-
' Nlffes,,,k`sear hear.) If it were to be proposed that, in
, beellszae, Me' article , . it,,,,
_oeitiv withithe first principles of justice and of fair deal-
vi tile
prioodrwsnard of general use in manufactures should
be subjected to the same laws which regulated
'tkl' * al pets? tins and sale of tobacco and of malt, what shoals
n t ,:, retuotl,ons Would flow into this House —with that eloquent
cilL, ititeciiseirane_
. 3 would the country resound—what vehement
Os, '
evertVree7, woUld be delivered—what motions would be
lt s'' to "orWard at public meetings, and what leagues would
sis,, • I 14,,.Ywhete established !—(Hear, hear, and laughter.)
•o, 140,4 ofteo heard from those who are animated by no very
(''.;/tN kark Yefeelitigs towards the agricultural interests the re-
th,:la itsief,' Lilt it is singular that in a Rouse composed in so large
0/.,,; shoUldr". of landed proprietors, the current of legislation
4.' ,very ~leso Much against land. The observation is, no doubt,
4'):' 848 11011,1e'‘)46, but it is likewise exceedingly. superficial. It
l'''': 'lnere eitPPened that, owing to various circumstances, and
'•.. '. AfopabcrtieUlarly to the territorial constitution of this as-
' ""%_'Jten f,,,,-ge' long
very considerable proportion of its Members has
L° th has "lug time owners or occupiers of land ; but owing
' t tOtili'c PPY government by party, to which so much of the
, ~,,S rittr!'Piri
t t and of the public freedom of this country is to
'''• 1,-S YS used,s. those owners and occupiers of land have al-
'',sa. ',ElWever—il divided into two hostile camps. There. was,
,4414.‘,,ti1way-...8
tnithi.erable
',' '!—kaouse -,,,,,,0, distinct commercial party at all times in this
'* ' °' a en' -'ich was recruited and invigorated by the accession
proportion of lauded proprietors, who
ts,,,t,aarnel. ,estified their anxiety to support the intere.sts. of
11‘4-4,f En;irf,_ The merchants, manufacturers, and capitalists
t. 71, tat friends
looked up to that class of politicians as their
7,e1p0-jesa'-'s- They always believed that such men as Sir R.
' enni— and kir Pitt had a decided bias in favour of trade,
~ s ~ lueree •
~''• /as PrOs,ll„Sald navigation, and that the fact was really 80
'l, good o -'. by the number of enactments—not always very
41 ',..flhik,tenes---on these subjects, which have been placed upon
•,14)4,t"' '146 t4i,t,uLte-book by the Ministers in. question. I forewarn
:S isApro,,;„7,ters, and I forewarn this House, that the time is
7.14 uel,l. •-"Lug when the agricultural interest will no longer :41,,,"
.aidiL! to endure the strain which is put upon its energy
tr,' tis capital by your present system of legislation. And
\i•',,, Ivhe „2.l°t that it is the owners and occupiers of land alone
•5,,, The,,7111. suffer if you continue in y fatuated policy. ~ -• to eiiti,!lo.doubt Will be sacrificed, and they' will be the first • their 4f) but other interests also, be assured of it, will share
• • . yeoat.-- (Hear, hear.) Consider the question, I entreat
You, Vote tile spirit of equity. I do not ask you to record
j' rtty, in favour of any specific measure. It is not my
keit as an independent private Member, to propose any
1' , • ki,,lneastire.—( Hear, hear, and ironical cheers from the
htc,, 040'48,erial benches.) The interruptions of the Hon. Members
as, -. g 44'71 remind toe of a remarkable sentiment in the writings
al: in actin astrioua author, who has said that " Grace is beauty
sl :11`• Tra.ii n."
---(Hear.) Sir, justice is truth in action.—(Hear.)
as. k's truth , alaould ever animate an opposition and to reduee
as, Bk,; %4 action is the office of a Minister ; that office I
1);'` • •S.l.orii"rOut the Noble Lord at the head of her Majesty's Go-
t)t; cirtesti ant•—(Cheers.) , I have always maintained that this
:„ kinis°, 4 ought to be adjusted by the Noble Lord, by the
' Pecon,_`'t el the day, who is also a Minister who, from his
'1 erseZ,P,wition, can never be supposed to look with ad-
, t sas 'P's'ogs on the land of England.—(Hear, hear.) Again
wittl I_l- go not think it was incumbent on me, or on those
apNlVlccl I have the honour to act, to bring forward any
114 /folaleasure on this subject, but I have a right to ask
lion. as,'s to come to a specific cinclusion on the ques-
t tisielalear, hear.) I have a right to ask you to de-
'sr tO e 01143: YOUr vote that it is the duty of the Government
i 1 ease 'der the measures I have thus briefly sketched
s dexis sod to adopt them if they find it in to
. ceshlothers less liable to objection. Ido not ask you to
•ss . a
,- eas ae
es, st 4,tytie,... "Y Vote about distinctive duties or countervailing
, '• lion__ about relative burdens of taxation— about alters-
..no _, In the laws of settlement, or of partnership. These,
„, -..- doubt ar
11 ' F.atit i , a questions of the highest importance. What I
, ~ • , o !'-:lsiasilesaer Ttri
poafasairtbffiltecit
„fit en", for is, that heeoilitsfeaerav the country are already
subjects
, them; and h slate iTl'. doenlibaeirlattehesspei
- • desiPossible
I call uthis • sis to
.. .4f the _. are that the Mini upon House to-night to o,
I.Tro'4in, lit upon
~:, , 1_12118,__,/im
Bear.) ster shall act with respect to these ques-
vr,an Year after year, the Chief Minister
ap-r`ed la tone, a manseseaking upon these subjects, has
Peas ar and
te „„„,s_'' to me to.,*
.a temper, which always
asebuLsed the injustice I
map y that in' his inward heart he
444 iti
.L, t to which the owners and occupiers
this nutty are Stibjected. I ask the House now