The Sun.
London, England, 1832-07-06 00:00:00

BANK CHARTER.

From the commencement of the investigation
deputed to the Committee on the Bank Charter,
we have been aware that the earnest desire of the
Government was to bring it to a close in the
present session. They did not, on going into
it, sufficiently consider the magnitude and dif-
ficulty of the subject, nor imagine that it would
he possible to develope such a scene of miserable
quackery and grave mysterious subterfuge a,
that by which the paper currency of this great
mercantile community has been managed. With
the exception of a few Members of the Com-
mittee, who have obtained information by in-
quiry and the practice of business, the subject is
new, and almost wholly unexplored by the whole
of those who have undertaken to investiga.e it,
and report upon it. The public interests may
not suffer from this, provided patience, perse-
verance, and candour, distinguish their conduct
in the discharge of their arduous duty. But
every candid man upon the Committee feels
now the extraordinary difficulty of the question,
and admits that he was little prepared for the
disclosures respecting the operation of the new
system of manal2ement introduced into the af-
fairs of the Bank by confident and superficial
men, who are grossly misinformed on all that
relates to the wants of the people, and the prac-
tical operations of the industrious.
What the public had to fear, therefore, from
the decision of this question, was the want of
time and opportunity to lay it clearly before the
view of the Committee. Lord Althorp may,
with unaffected modesty, speak of his " moderate
abilities," but if he proceed with a firm resolu-
tion to render justice to the country upon this
important and engrossing question of banking
and currency, the public will hold him in higher
honour, and feel for him deeper gratitude than
they have entertained for any Finance Minister,
of the most splendid eloquence, that ever drew
forth and appropriated the resources of the king-
dom. But his Lordship seeing, as he con-
fessedly does, the subject branch out under in-
vestigation into 'matter of such deep and vital
interest and importance, should himself be
placed upon his guard against being managed,
or rather being biassed and controlled, by cir-
cutnstances connected with, and surrounding,
his own peculiar position. his Lordship's
principal adviser and official fellow-labourer en-
tered office with all the prejudices, and feel-
ings, and interests of the Bank of England, im-
planted by habit into his character. Lord
Althorp's official duties lead hint into almost
daily intercourse with Batik Directors. Seeing
these persons surrounding the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, it is natural to apprehend that they
would be found endeavouring to lead his Lord-
ship's opinions and views into those channels in
which his predilections in favour of the Bank of
England would be strengthened and confirmed.
We observe that nine-tenths of the evidence is
collected from London bankers and Bank Di-
rectors. Messrs. Palmer, Ward, Harman, Nor-
man, Glynn, Sir Coutts Trotter, Mr. Samuel
Loyd, and Mr. Samuel Gurney, may be very
skilful money-dealers, but it is a formidable
phalanx brought up to support the Bank. We
are all creatures of circumstance, and the habits
of life of these gentlemen would incapacitate
them from giving evidence with a proper and
suitable sympathy for the wants and necessities
of the enterprising and hard-working producers
of national wealth. As commercial men, their
notions, interests, and opinions respecting money
and its uses, are altogether formed by their
habits and intereouse in their vocations in Lon-
don. If any one amongst them has clearer and
juster views than the rest, he has them—as one
Statesman has clearer views upon commercial
subjects than another—in consequence of his
superior faculties, or from their being more
wisely directed to the acquisition of knowledge;
and not because the habits of his life have led
him to a knowledge of the wants of the indus-
trious in those parts of the country where the
production of national wealth is in progressive
activity. If the Committee come to a decision
upon such evidence as persons of this character
would bring, or if they be in any material degree
swayed by it, the public will be discontented,
and the decision will be retersed in another
Parliament.

3.5. 84 to 4a. 4cl.
00 0 0

LEWES MARKET—JuIy 3.
Beet 3s. Oct. to 45. Od Veal
Mutton I 3 6 4 6 Pork
Lamb 4s Sd. to ss. Bd.
Supply moderately good ; trade with prime Beasts rather brisk,
with those of inferior quality and Calves, rather dull.

RUM FOR I) M
s. d. to s. d. a. d. s. d.
fleet.... 2 8 3 8 Veal
Mutton 3 4 4 4 Pork 4 0 4 6
Lamb 4s. 6d. to ss. 6d.
Suckling Calves from 14s. to 26s ; Quarter old Ptigsl2s.to 18s.each.
A moderate supply, and a dull trade.

It KET. -July 3.

COUNTRY CoRN MAtihEIS DURING IHE WEEK.