The Sun.
London, England, 1850-02-01 00:00:00

THE ADDRESS.

Mr. CHARLES VILLIERS (who wore the uniform
of a Lord-Lieutenant) then roie to address the House,
and was received with partial cheering. He spoke as
follows:—" I rise, Sir, to move that an humble address be
presented to her Majesty in reply to her gracious
Speech, which has just been read to this House from
the Chair. Sir, in doing so, I can assure the House that
I am fulty impressed with my total inadequacy to fully
discharge this duty, and I am sure that there is not a
person who ever preceded me in the position is which I
now stand that more required the forbearance
of the House. Indeed, Sir, but for the circum-
stance that on all sides there appears a disposition
to refer the condition of the country at the present time
to those recent changes in our commercial policy which
underwent such frequent discussion in this House,
and in which I bore my humble part—(Hear,
hear)—l. should have deemed myself the least ap-
propriate person in the House to have been selected
for such a purpose. However, Sir, I am bound
to say that I do agree entirely in the views which her
Majesty's Government take of the present condition of
this country, and I have the most implicit reliance that
my Noble Friend at the head of the Government
will not compromise in any way—that he will not sur-
render but will maintain entire those measures which he
conceives connected with the happiness and well-being
of the people.—(Hear, hear.) I have no hesita-
tion in asking this House in other respects
to respond to the Speech which has just been read. Sir, I
will advert at once to those topics in her Majesty's Speech
which I presume will at once unite the feeling of this
House. It has been communicated to this House that
her Majesty has experienced deep affliction from the
death of her illustrious friend, the Queen Dowager;
and I think I shall only correctly represent the feel.
ings of this country, if I were to say, with respect
to her late Majesty, that her blameless life—her
unostentatious character—her numerous charities, as
well as the exemplary manner in which she performed
all the duties of her exalted position, gained her the
greatest respect from the people at large.—(Cheere.)
The House, I am sure, will not forget to concur in the
most cordial expression cf condolement and sym-
pathy for the bereavement which her Majesty has
experienced. A circumstance ie communicate;] in
her Majesty's Speech which we have always re-
ceived with the utmost satisfaction, namely,
that she maintains peace and friendly relations
with her allies and with all foreign countries. It is
further announced in her Majesty's Speech that her Ma-
jesty has in connexion with France, by means of friendly
mediation, prevented hostilities occurring between they
Emperor of Russia and the Emperor of Austria on the
one hand, and the Sultan on the other. The causes of
this apprehended rupture are indicated in the Speech as
arising from certain subjects of the Emperor of Russia
and the Emperor of Austria having sought refuge and
protection in Turkey cf the Sultan, and a claim
having been made by the Emperor of Russia and
the Emperor of Austria severally that these pri-
soners should be surrendered, in order to be pu-
nished for the cffonces with which they were charged.
Doubt having arisen on the [ art of the Sultan as to the
correctness of the construction put upon the trocies
with those Governments, and upon which this claim
was made, the Sultan reerred to the Govern-
ments of England and France to aid him in tl:e solu-
tion cf his doubts; and I believe it is now a matter of
notoriety that the Governments of France and England,
adopting the construction that was placed on those
treaties by the Sultan—that construction being un-
favourable to the surrender of those persons, and ulti-
mately admitted to be the only correct and final one; sad
the arrangement with respect t the F ersons who sought
refuge in the Sultan's dominions, was, in accordance with
the proposition which emanated from the Sultan—
(Lhar)---and the result of her Majesty's mediation, in
conjunction with France, has been to prevent hostili-
ties occurring between the Imperial Government and
the Sultan, involving, perhaps, the peace of Europe;
and friendly relations have been resumed, Or are about
to be resumed, between those Governments and the

Porte--(Hear, hear.) lam perfectly well aware, Sir,
that there never was a time whets any interference
eu the part of this country with the affairs a
foreign nations would he regarded with more
objection than at present.—(Hear, hear.) But,
Sir, I think with respect to that interveetion you will
agree with me that a distinction must be taken in regard
to its character, and that there is a great difihrence
between that interference which has for its purpose
to dictate to the people the form of government under
which they shall live, or to ferce a Government ti sur-
press its people, an act which it woald otherwise be un-
able to do, and that kind of intervention which seeks to
carry out a friendly arbitration—the cause of goodwill
and peace, the cause of humanity, and the prevention of
hostilities, the issue cf which might be dangerous to
ourselves.—(lleac.) I conceive from the nature cf
the case the intervention was not only justifiable
but most politic, and it is one of the fortunate
consequences of the position which we hold in the opinion
of the world that when we do lend our intervention in
the CAU3O of peace we do so always with effect. I
refer to the position which we now hold in
the world, because there never was a time
when the country was regarded with more trust than at
present. The people cf other countries were satisfied
now that the greatest amount of liberty might be en-
joyed consistently with peace, with ordes, and wealth.
Our example showed also whit might be gained
by kindly concessions to the people by tho Government.
Her Majesty's Speech has announced that she has for
some time been engaged in communications with diffe
rent Powers to make arrangements consequent upon
those changes which we have effectsd in our laws re-
lating to navigation, and that she is at the pre-
sent time negotiating with other states with a view
to prevailing upon them to extend to us the reciprocal
advantages to those which we have extended to them.
It gives me great pleasure also to remark, that
her Majesty's Speech announces ti at the United
States and Se e len have already reciprocated to
this couT tsy those m easures which have been
passed by this country. It is rather early
perhaps, to express any opinion with regard to the ge-
neral results which followed from the changes in our
commercial system which have been adopted. There is
every prospect that the evil consequences which have been
productive of these measures will be removed; and
it is very gratifying to observe that these evil predic-
tions lave not had the slightest f .undation. There has
seldom been mixed up in any question so much sentiment
and feeiing as there has in the change which has been e'-
fected in our navigation-laws. Rarely have so many psi!,
chievous and fatal results been predicted as were pre-
dicted to be brought into effect by this change; but there
is every prospect that these predictions also will prose
entirely unfounded. There is co prospect that they
should be realised. It appears that the interest which
most expected to be effected by this change has
already found out the battles cf it by the increased
activity which has been a 1-lirested in their depart-
ments, Never were cur dockyards so full of activity
as at the preset mmmeet. Whether on the Thames,
on the Clyde, on the Tyne, on the Weir,
all is busy and active ; while the very persons
who were loudest in exclaiming against the
change, now prove by th e'.r actions that
they did not believe their predictions to be true.
And it now appears, what vim not before known, that
not only can we build ships much better and cheaper
than any other country, but that foreigners can build
their ships cheaper here than in any other country;
and it does appear to me that whatever advaltage i we
may be supposed to have been prevented from receiving
from other countries has resulted oils the system adopted
in this, and that the consequence is that the change
we have alepted has done t sat which will • make us
equal to the competition of the ships of any country in
the world. —(le a 7, hear.) Ido not intend to weary-
the House with any details in these matters,
but I cannot help reading a letter that has been received
from Liverpool on this subject, and perhßps the
character of the writer may be considered as a
sufficient authority on the subject. The Hon.
and Learned Member then proceeded to rial
the liter, which, among other things' stated that
as :regarded shipping, there was a much better feeling
since it was ascertained that the navigation-laws were
irretrievably doomed.—(Hear.) First-class ships were
being built, and that there was now building on the
s.teeks, 2,800 vessels, against 2,229 in 1815.—(hear.)
There had been eorre new British ships taken up to load
foethe United States, and a few foreign ones to load
fn. England. Such were the first fruits of reciprocity.—
(Hear, hear.) The statement in the Circular of Currie
and Co., shipbrokers of Liverpool, was moat import-
ant. They stated that, in the first instance, the pro-
spect of this sweeping measure hal at ono time put a
stop to the ship-building trade, but as soon as it was
found that the navigation laws were doomed the case be-
came altered, and buyers and builders were now up and
doing. Now, with respect to the Weir,he hadgota return
from the port of Sunderland, and found the amount of
tonnage building at that pert in the month of Decem-
ber, 1847, was 22,140 tons, and on the 31st of
December, 1849; when the navigation-laws had been
„doomed for six months, the amount was 29,210. These
'were the ships that were building now. As to the number
and amount of t eanage of vessels built, in 1848, while
there seemed some doubt about the navigation laws
being abolished, 142 ships were built with a tonnage of
37;878, but in December, 1849, there had been
L 55 built with a tonnage of 44,333.—(Hear, hear.) He
might go• into much further detail upon the subject of
the. navigation laws to convince the House of
the advantage of the change -that has been
. made, but he `knew that there cue-e many
other 1101). Members 'well informed upon the mat r,
who were likely to diselese further evidence on the sub-
ject, and which he would rot trouble the House further
upon; except that he wculd venture to say that everything
that was foretold by the opponents of the change in the
law ha I been completely falsified, while everything that
was promised by its advocates was hkelY to be verified.
—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) Her M ijosty's Speech
hadeommunicated to the House the satisfaetion which
she, had derived from her recent visit to
Ireland. That her Majesty's reception in that
country —should have been marked by every indi-
cation of attachment and loyalty he believed hal oc-
casioned no surprise to those who were best acquainted
with the feelings of that country.—(Haar.) The people
of Ireland had often complained of the condact of this
country towards her, and sometimes with reason; but
still she was "seldom wanting In respect to the Crown,
and as they knew nothing more of her Majesty than
that, from the time of her accession down to the
period of her visit, she had always manirated an interest
in the welfare cf her people, and a desire that every reason-
able complaint should be removed, and an anxiety that
equal justice should be administered in all parts cf her
kingdom, it was not surprising that, when her Majesty
did visit Ireland, she was received with enthusiasm.
(Hear, hear.) He witnessed in the capital of
that country, when her. Majesty was there, a
scene which he bad never beheld before. He
never saw a vast concourse of people congre •
gated together who demeaned themselves with so
much order, respectfulness, and tranquillity. People
from all quarters of the country, of all kinds and all
opinions, seemed to have assembled there upon
that occasior, and, without compromising their self-
respect, they seemed to have come there for Vee one
common purpose of marking their respect fir the
person and character cf her Majesty.—(Cheers.)
From iof irmation ho had receiver, he did net believe
that anything had occurred among the people at large in
that country, since Lee Majesty's vhit, to shake
those feelings of affectionate attachment and
to) a'ty that were then evinced in her pre-
sence ; and her Majesty could net confer
a greater reason for pride on that people than by inti-
mating her intmtion to revisit that country.--(Hear,
hear.) The Speech from the Throne had referred to
there being great distress in that country, and that there
was great suffering among all classes. He believed
that that was still the case. It was impossible for
those who well knew tho extent of that mis-
fortune with which the country was visited to think
that so soon all traces of it should be effaced; but it
was gratifying to think that in many respects the
people of that country, and the poor of that country,
were improving in their condition, and that, owing to the
abundance of the necessaries of ife, they are suffering
less now than they were doing; and that was not only
indicated by there being a less resort to public relief of
the country, but that the people were showing signs of
more contentment, and there was evidence also of there
being less crime and outrage committed in that country.
It was a satisfactory feature too now to be observed in that
country, considering the apprehensions that were ex-
pressed in regard to the system of public relief, that it
had not realised all the fears of those who were opposed
to it. It was imagined, if they once distributed relief to
the Irish poor out of the workhouse, that the people would
be generally demoralised, and that there would be a de-
pendence on public charity which nothing could resist. It
was satisfactory to observe that the instant that the neces-
saries of life were more accessible to the people they
showed no disposition exclusively to rely on the public re.
lief, and that the relief given out of the workhouse had di-
minished in the most extraordinary and satisfactory
manner in consequence of the increased demand for their
labour and the increase in the necessaries for life. InJan.,
1849, the in-door relief amounted to 206,654/., and in
January, 1850, it amounted to 204,4071. With respect
to the out-door relief, on the Ist of January, 1849,
it amounted to 479,5761, and on the Ist of January,
1850, it was 104,6501.—(Hear, hear, and loud cheers.)
What, indeed, was the state they were iu? He would
distinguish between the statements made up for the two
years of 1847 and 1849, and he would judge of the re-
spective conditions of the people from the returns of
those years. In referring to those returns he found,
then, that while the assessment to the poor-rates was in
the former year 10,0411., in the latter year it was only
6,1941; that while the average of the poor-rate
and the tote! amount of the poor-rates in 1842 was
8,5421, in 1849 they wore only 9,o42l.—(Derision from
the Opposition benches and counter cheers.) He would
now turn their attention to the results which had been
wrought upon the great interests of the country, by the
operation of free-trado principles, and endeavour
to show what had been the effect of those principles
upon the commerce and general trading stock,
as he might call it, of the country.—(Hear,
hear.) In looking to this then ho was equally
gratified, for whether in the manufacturing or in the
commercial departments he fund that the same pros-
perity had prevailed. Then what was the state of
England? Why, the whole commercial world seemed
to have made her not only the entrepot, but
the centre of their operations ; and yet, not-
withstanding all that, the Protectionists seem to think
that there was no reasor, or rather no necessity,
fo- adapting things in the pre•ent day to tiler natural
courses. That such was the case was evident from the

course which had been pained; bat he trusted that a
wiser as well as a better principle would prevail,
and, therefore, it was that Le t)ok the path
which he now observed. --(Hear, hear.) The
one course contended for was a regulated and re-

strictcd trade of the country—maintaining particular
industries and interests which were enabled to
help themselves called the protective system.
The other system was to leave to td e teefee
tered and brilliant ititelligence of a civilized people
the discovery of the means to obtain the highest reward
for their skill and industry.—(ilear, hear.) Plaeed by
general consent at the head of the commerce of the
world for years past, they seemed to have acted up sn t!:e
protective system. This system they had reccat y aban-
doned, and instituted another and a better one. limy ar-
guments in favour of the protective system hail been ad-
vanced, but thefree-trade question seemed to have beets the
one by which the question of protection had been tried;
and there had been most confident predictions and
warnings that the new system would be prodactive of vast
evil, and no doubt many persons had had their confidence
shaken in consequence of the infleeatial position of those
who took an adverse view. At the end of the firstt.Yeree
of its trial they were informed in the Speech wheal:ad
been the result of the change. The time,
it was true, had been short; but if those predic-
tions ha l been of any value they ought by this time
to have some indication of the evils that had been predicted.
Ho would not weary the House by a recital-of all the
predictions used on ono side or the other; but there was
one prediction introduced into all the discussions to
which he could not omit alluding,—that free trade
could not be adopted without impairing the trade
at home impairing the condition of the
working &asses—lea liog to the exportation of the cur-
rency, and causing the revenue to decline.—(Hear.) Of
course a host of evils would follow in the train.
Of fowl, which was the basis of the business of that
country, inasmuch as everything turned upan the pro-
duction of food—human and animal—there was an ado
quate supply. The first thing they had to look to was that
tee people were well supplied wish fort. Wherever there
was au uncertainty of supply in food, all the other
branches of trade could not tail to be deranged. Trade
simply consisted in the distribution of the necessaries of
life, and when industry was great the consumption of food
was gin at in prop wtion, fit the taxes were greater upon
expenditure than income.—(Hear, bear.) Such
were the arguments put f wward by the advo-
cates of free trade, and he wanted the country,
he wanted the world to know what had been the
result.—(Hear.) The evil c f the change was predicted
to be in proportion to the quantity of foreign produce
that was imported. Now, he was in a position
to stet° that within the la t sixteen months
they had imported more food than they had
imported durin sixteen years be fire.—(Lou I laughter.)
They had had an opp wtuniti, f w a short time of testing
souse el the predictions which evero entertain: d ate
to the operations cf ftee trade. It was said they
had imported wheat at the rate of ono million a
month. Now, what was the eensequence ? His
impression and honest con siction at the present moment
was tl at not a single thing which had been said as to
the injurious effects of free trade had turned out true, or
offered the slightest prospect of becoming true, whilst all
the predictions cf the free-traders had been fulfilled,—
(Laughter.) Trade had increased, the condition of the
working classes was very much improved, and he did not
telieve that a sovereign had left the country, or that
there was less gold in the Bank than the 'lon. Member
Tor Warwickshire (Mr. Spooner) could desire. He was
in the p sssession cf letters, circulars, and d:cuments cf
every kind, coming from every part of the country, in
which people not only admitted that they were well off (a
thing which people in this country were not very ready
o admit)—(Laughter)—but said tl,at this happy
state of things was owing entirely to tee cheap_
ness and abundance cf the necessaries of life.
rho Hon. Member then proceeded to read a letter
which he had that morning received froth Bradford, in
which ho was told that the trade of that town had rarely
been in a beet r condition. The demand bath for the
home and foreign market was very bri,k. There fa l
never been so few persons recessing relict from the
parish as there were at the present time, and inde; d
owing is the advance of wages, and the log price „f
f)00, the working class•; never were in a better condi-
tion than at the present time. He had also received a
letter from Leicester—a district in which there had been
a great tic cf staitation—with regard to the proposed
measure of free trade. The gn at staple trade of
Leicester was the stocking trade—and this wee one of the
best indexes of the condition of the working classes:
three-fifths cf the population were engaged in
this trade; and four-fifths of the product cf Leiceet ‘r
as ore consumed in the home market. Tice demand in
this district had been fully equal to the capability of
supply; all classes of workmen hal been fully employed.
There had been two advances of wages in the present
year, and there was every probability of another
increase taking place 'vary soon in the spring.
That letter was from a gentleman, an extensive manu-
facturer of Leicester, who had filled the offiae of
mayor. Ile had another letter from the same county,
in which it was stated, with respect to the
poor-'awe, that there was only one able-bodied frame-
work knitter in the union, and that he was only there
by mistake, and would shortly be removed. The letter
also stated that he bad never known Leicester in a
more prosperous state. That letter was from the chair-
man of the Leicester board of guardians.—(Hear,
hear.) Ho mentioned these things in order to
show that too home trade did not suffer. It
was supposed that foreigners would get all, arid that the
home manufacturer would be deprived, of everything;
the roeu't, he thought, had proved the fallacy of
such suppositions. Such was the state of
things in Leicester and its neighbourhood,
but these were only specimens of what might be found
in every part of the country. Ho had no hesitation in
saying that, upon a careful review if the state cf the
country, what ho bad stated e ould be found to be
the fact, and that the statements in the letters ho had
referred to would be filly borne out. As an
evidence of the increased prosperity of the country
I-a might state, that in 184$ the bankruptcies
in this country amounted to no less than 1,763,
while, in 1849, they amounted to 1146, being
a difference of no less than 617.—(Hear, hear.)
So much with respect to trade. Now, with respect to
the condition of the working classes, there were many
ways in which it could be tested, and there were many
indications of a most sati-factory kind. He was
sure it would be a service of great satisfaction
to the House, that whether they looked at the
agricultural or the manufacturing labourer, they found
them getting better wages, or enjoying more of the
comforts cf life for the wages they received
than they did formerly. It was universally admitted
that the manufacturing and agricultural labourer was
better off now than he had been for some years
past. Ono test cf the condition of the work-
ing classes was the amount of public relief
distributed amongst the poor, and no doubt his Right
Hon Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the
Chief Commissioner of the Poor-law Beard would
presently inform t' em whether the relief of
Isle months had been more or less than in
the corresponding months of last year. His own
impression was, that there had been an ex-
trordinary diminution in the persons receiving
relief from the Ist of January up to the
end of last year, compared with the preceding year;
while there was an equal reduction in the expense cf
supporting the poor. Not having access to official infor-
mation, ho did net like to speak positively, or with con-
fidence on the subject, but he believed that between
50,000 and 60,000 1, ss persons had been
relieved at the end of the year than there were at
the beginning. Conceive what a saving this would ef-
fect in a pecuniary point of view, and what a gratifying
indication it was that so many persons wore no
longer in tE e humiliating state of requiring public relief
in a freei ow countryheHear.) He did not ex-
ctbullion in the country, but, if
a lycntamoun liket ofthis.—(
he was not mistaken, they were told, when discussing the
question of free trade, that it would have the effect of
draining the country of its bullion—that if we imported
corn largely, it would have a tendency to carry off our
gold, as the foreigner would not take our manufacturer,
but what had been the result? Why, never in the history
of the Bank of Elegised had there been so much gold
in the Bank as there was at present.—(Hear, hear.)
Then with respect to the revenue, according
to general report, the revenue now was far from de-
clining, there was an actual increase of two millions.
—(The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUEII,—" A surplus
to the same thing,
yaosu murpleuasn'"o)ver Oexhpewnedlilt'uirte.caralefe did not think it
was what they were accustomed to in that House to
have a surplus, over expenditure.—(Hear, hear.)
Then, with regard to crime, which was
another index of the state of the country.
In 1847 the number of offences in England was 10,052,
and in 1849 it amounted to 9,502. With respect to
Ireland, the number of the offences reported by the consta-
bulary in 1848 was 3,615, and in 1849 it was 2,501. He had
always contended that the poverty and crime of the people
were influenced by the price of their food. He had got a
calculation of what the country saved when food was
cheap, compared with when it was dear. The people in
this country bad to be fad, and there was a cer-
tain expenditure required, in order to acquire that
food. The average price of wheat in December, 1847,
was 695. 5d.; and in December, 1849, it was 395. 4d.
The average price of barley in 1847 was 435., and in 1849
it was 255. He took the very lowest estimate of the
consumption of the food of the people in this country.
The difference in the price of grain between 1847
and 1819 was 61,000,0001., and in other articles
of provisions, including butter, cheese, &c., the
difference in price in those two years was 30,000,0001.
So that the result was, that between 1847
and 1849, the difference in the expenditure of
the people in food was 91,000,000/. They
called it 91,000,0001, and yet notwithstanding
the great disparity which was exhibited by mere figures,
the adoption of free trade was called an experiment. An
experiment lan experiment 1 What did they mean by
an experiment ? When they called free trade an expe-
riment, he would ask those by whom the cry was raised,
what had been the result of this experiment ? The first
was that to which he had just alluded, and in common
justice he felt bound to inquire ; and in rendering jus-
tice to all parties he thought the inquiry ought to be an-
swered, and he felt bound to inquire what substitute the
Protectionists would find for free trade. He knew of no
ono which was equivalent to the benefit now enjoyed by
the country, and until some better provision was made he
did not wish to alter the system which had been adopted.
Quito sure was he that no other system would be adopted
in that House.—(l-lean hear.) The next subjeet
noticed in her Majesty's Sperch was a declaration
of her regret far the distress which was stated to pre-
vail in the agricultural districts of the country.—(Hear,
hear.) For himself, no ono could be more seri-
ously grieved fur such di ties es. Much had
been said about these distresses as arising from the
expenses levied upon the land, hut ho thought that
those expernos were easily meet t linable, and might be
much reduced, yet the source of his regret
was the de per,
Van because be felt that in that
House they might not be rightly understood.
The question would probably be raised, whether the
occupiers of laud were suffering or not, but he thought

there would be great difficulty in extending any
legislative relief to there. The landed interest
had greet power in this country, and ho
was net aware that they had thrown away
any opp Irtunities of et itine thelr view', or of
getting any relief thorn the Legislatura.—(Laughter.)
It was di'li to find any. measure of relief Which
could he rendered to the occupier 3 of land that hal
net aline ly been anticipated.— (Leughter.) He had
never been able to discover that any liel,U-,ty
etrached to what was called the agricultural interest,
though he found they had been fertunete en tegh to ot-
lain a great many exemptions.—(Cries of h Hear,
hear.") Indeed, to the agiculturist exemp-
tion was peculiar ; his horses were Exempt
from daty, he had no taxes to ply fir his dogs
nor hist implements, and he was released from
the payment of toile. He observed that those who
represented the agricultural interest showed great
solicitude about the occupiers and not the owners
Of -land, but the fact was that tvhen any local ber hen
way removed the value of land increased, and consc-
queetly• the landlord demantle I a rent;
so that which was sought to relieve the occupier
did, in truth, relieve the landowner. He made allieden
to the subject of local burdens, because s 3 much stress
had been laid upon it, and because he thought it was
impassible to extend any relief by legis-
lative means. Lord Eldon, who was pre-
possessed in favour of land, said on the The.
tion of the corn-laws, that the removal cf local
burdens would be no sort of use to oempiere,
because every burden removed would tend to
increase the value of the land to the owner.
Now, loelcieg at what was claimed by the occupier.: of
land, he could see, attes much examination, their claims
simply amounted to this, that they expected Parliament
to guarantee the price of their produce, and then
they thought they would be safe. And he
thought neat, considering the experience which
the f,rmees had had, or ought to have lath,
that was one of the greatest delusions he had ever
heard of in the history of human delusions. All the
evidence which had been given before this House had
censisted merely of details given by farmers them-
' elves of the manner in which they had been
deceived with regard to this question. When he
himself had addressed the House, some ten years ago,
on the subject, the greater part of his speech hal con-
sist° I chiefly of extracts, which he read from the evidence
which had been laid before the House. It shoved that
distress of the farmers arose mainly from their having
trusted blindly to the Act of Parliatesent. In 1822 they
had come to the House, complaining that they ta I had
ait
apricesiln
oiefBOesn.lpye4rr
arntedrthge,,u:erhanA t. )
pay theteedtothem sam._3 rent
then rthatt
then as when they get 80s. In 1836 ti ey hal
complained thet they could only get 355. ler *Tauter. It
was remarkable, that the thue of their greatest dis-
tress was also the period of their highest protection—at
those two periods when they had sought relief from
the House they had had the greatest protection.
The entire question which was agitated . was
whet'ter farmers could live when wheat was
st s'. ; that was the problem which he thought
had been propounded. The farmers sail that in former
times they always had hope because they had protection.
Lint in the evidence which had been given to the Hause
at that period there was nothing but dismay and des pair,
expressive of their having been deceived. In 1836 the
farmers said they never expected wheat at ss. cr 65. per
bush(' ; but a farmer had confessed that it was possible
for farmers to live when wheat was at this price ;
and they would have hem a happy and contented peo-
ple now had they then been satisfied with that ss. duty.
He ledieved the Legislature could offer no relief to the
occupiers of land which would have the efi;et e f ;-;revelf-
ing distress. A duty on wheat at 40.,. a bushel could not be
entertained by this Houss ; and they were not pre-
fared to raise the price of the feud of the
people, because it was impracticable to do se. The
landowners held under such a variety of circumstances
that no stated rules could be applied to them. Pe )plc
did net always take land as people took a
shop or a mill. Some were sportsmen,
some were politiciaes,led some were agriculturists,whilst
some tied it up, wishing it to go in a particular line of
ilesc circumstances v ry- unfavourable to
agriculture, and unless the Legislature regulated the
price cf land and the way it should be produced,
they could get no good by interfering with the mast ,r.
You could not guarantee a tenant against distress any
more than you Gould guarantee any man against the evils
of a wart of intelligence iu his bu,iness.—(Hear, hear.)
The Hon. Gentleman then read a letter from a farmer
in Gloucestershire, stating that he had just taken a f oar
of 400 acres, which was formerly valued at 204. an acre.
He hal taken it on a lease for 18 years, and, being an
experienced farmer, with adequate capital, he expected t
make it profitable. The rent he had engaged to pay
was 40a. an acre. If proper terms were arranged, men
were ready to give 40a. instead of 203.—(A laugh.)
The tenant was still at liberty to make ditches,
to drain the land, to cut down trees, and
in every respeCt to deal with tho land as if it was
his own.—(Laughter.) Yet they complained that they
could not let their land; that it was going out of cultiva-
tion. They must make equitable arrangements with
tenants, and obtain the services of good farmers.
Added to which the party would be satisfied with 40s. a
quarter for his wheat. He thought that the people et'
the country had a right to get food where they could at
the cheapest rate, and if the owners cf the land chose to
deal with their land in a fanciful way, they were enti-
tled to do so as long as they did not bring forward ques-
tions of property in that House. At the present mo-
meet land fetched as high a value in the market as it
ever did in this country. There was no occupation va-
cant that could not immediately get a farmer
fir a tenant. The agricultural districts, he
believe-1, were in a better condition than they
ever were before, and if the worst male to the
worst, and the lande I proprietors and occupiers were
obliged to procerd in their business as ether people die,
it would be a consolation fir them to know that other
countries possessed no advaatage over them in the pro-
duction of agricultural produce. The only difference
between other countries and this was the price of land;
it was higher in this country, but the agricultarists
could cultivate it. In other respects the agrioultarista
of this country were in a bettor situation than other
countries. If property was properly managed in this
country and Ireland, he believed that the land would not
only support the present population but a much larger one.
It was rather a reproach upon themselves that they were
compelled to send some 4,000 miles across the Atlantic
far their food. The land was equally as good in Ire-
lancL as it was in Americe, and yet the lend could not
support its own poor. Why actually they imported More
butter from Holland, a highly taxed country, than they
did from Ireland, and that they did so was a reproach
to the nation. It had pleased Providence to send upon
Ireland a terrible visitation to point out the state 'and
condition of its people, and be yet believed that a long
period cf prosperity was in store for Ireland. Latterly
their legislation t iwards that country had been based
upon a more humane and wise policy than formerly.
—(Hear, hear.) ' They had facilitated the transfer
of laud, and he would undertake to Eay that in
lets than a twelvemonth from this time they would
see a good deal of its unoccupied waste land in a state of
active cultivation. Their commercial policy had already
conferred vast benefits upon Ireland, and he firmly be-
lieved it would yet prow) her salvation.—(Elea', hear.)
Ho believed that their manufacturing prosperity would
endure, and he believed that nothing could be of nehre
advantage to the people cf Ireland than that prosperity.
He believed the prosperity of England and Ireland were
blended together. Ho believed wo were in a sounder
stats with regard to the future than we ever were before ;
and he believed that that arose from the greater in-
telligence of the people, and the wise concessions to Vie
liberty of the people. which had been made within the
last few years.—(Hear, hear.) The Hon. Gentleman
concluded by saying, that there was no bettor way of
promoting the prosperity of the country than b.), re-
pairing what iwas decayed, enlarging what was inade-
quate, and reforming what was wrong from time to time.
Sir JAMES DUKE—After the very able, full, and
successful speech of my Hon. Friend, I am sure that this
House will feel that I rise under no ordinary difficulty
to second the Address which he has moved to her Gra-
cious Majesty. Sir, though I have had the honour of a
seat in this House now for some years, this is the first
oeaasion that I have ventured to offer myself. to the
notice of the House, and I am sure, under these =cum.
stances, I shall meet with the kind indulgence of the
House in the discharge of the duty which I have under-
taken addresst h great
trhee-
House, but with great satisfaction, as a Member for the
ltua
ekteanncwei with
from
greatm y reluctance—(Cheers)—with em—y(ienhaebeoristy)
the firm per-
suasion that they will continue to do everything on. their
part to maintain the high character
,and peaceful dcietnycoeftLoohned;omn,:a
jienstgyi,vsinmginmisytecros,rdiunaldesrupport and confl-
ul in-
fluence of the nation abroad, and the contentment and
prosperity of the people at home, while, at the same
time, they will enforce reform and retrenchmentt in
every department of the:State, consistent with the safety,
and the honour, and the dignity of this great em-
pire.—(Cheers.) No one more deeply sympathises than
I do with our most gracious Sovereign,
in her deep af.
fliction at the decease of her Majesty Queen Adelaide

satisfaction to
3,
fully endeared herself to this coun rybyher piety, her
great(fl ea r, h
charities, and her exemplary virt
ties, and that her name
will be long held in grateful remembrance by every man,
I fulliccncur in the sentiment t.tiatlierfat M aje?lad.
t e ty
the advice of her Parliament. The first meeting of the
present Parliament arrived little more than two years
woman ,3•
satnadtecshtihldatinshteh
risccktainrsgdwort.—h
ago, and I remember that on that occasion, instea 1 of
tha Hon. Mover congratalating the House on the state of
the country, he was necessarily compollei to begin his
speech by lamenting the great distress which prevailed
in the trading end manufacturing districts of the king°
dom, many mills in that part of the conntry which he
represented being stopped, and the operatives thrown
out of work. I think I may feel justified in saying that
at no period in the history of the country has the House
met under more gratifying circumstances than at the
present moment. When we repeat that two years ago
the great commercial interests of this country had
passed through an ordeal which shook some of the moat
potent commercial houses in the s.-orld, and thrca`encd
ethers with a similar f ,te, I think we may congratulate
ourselves that in so short a time the prosperity
of this country has baen so firmly established. I
am happy t ) say, as the representative of the city of
Landon, that I believe at no period has the trade and
commerce of the City boon in a bettor condition, and not
in London alone, or in the great commercial emporiums
of the country, but in the most remote towns end nsamo-
fucLuring districts we have eviden::e of an increased anll
to the people, whose impreved means and coalition is
greatly extended trade giving full means cf employment
evidenced by the growing state of the revenue. At the
same time I deeply lament with her Majesty, that causes
of complaint exist in the agricultural districts. I had
the honour to represent a borough closely ()meow

1, 1850

width an important agricultural county, and from my
knowledge if the lac ided proprietors, and also of the
farmers of the district, I confess I should be ono
of the last persons to witness the distress of
that body with feelings of indifference. I believe the
farmers to be a peaceable, loyal, and industrious class;
and, as such, well deserving the favour of the House.
But though I say that, I fear I cannot go further, and
agree cith the means which have been suggested as a
remedy for the distress which prevails. I fear that, if
they were led to believe that this House could, by any
legesletive measure, re-impose the duties which have
been taken away, they would find themselves deceived;
for I believe that the peop'e of this country could not
be prevailed upon again to have their food taxed, nor do
I think that any Government would propose it, or any
Parliament sanction it.--(Cheers) I confess, however,
that, wises speaking c f feet-trade, I am reluctant to say
much on the subject; becatve I have observed with some
pain that parties who are willing to believe that free-
trade has benefited the country, are supposed to be inimi-
cal to the agricultural interest. I fear it is supposed that
the repeal of the corn-laws was effected rather to
lower the landed interest—to depress the farmer, than to
benefit the manufacturer. So far from that being the
case, I am persuaded that nothing but the most over-
whelining sense of public duty, and the stern nears-
sitiee of the country, could have carried that mea-
sure. My Honourable Friend has said so much upon
this point, that it is unnecessary for me to detain
the House further with reference to it; but, without
referring to returns which were eraen to every other
Member of the House, I may rc fir to one which I re-
ceived in my position as a magistrate of the city of London,
which shows not only that cheep food affords abundant
employment to the people, but that it tends to diminish
pauperism and to lessen crime.—(Cheers.) I hold in my
hand an official return which I received ye, t aday from
the governor of Newgate, and though my Honourable
Friend had already quoted similar returns, embracing
all England, I think that this return is the more striking
when we consider that the idle, the dissolute, and the
unemployed aro generally to be found in the metrop,
cf the empire.—(Hear, hear.) Tho total number cf
prisoners committed t Newgate from the Ist of
January to the 31st if December, 1849, were 2,964,
being a decrease from the previous year of no less
than 593, or one-fourth of the whole number. This
shows the diminution in a most striking Termer, as this
gaol includes the whole district within the jurisdiction of
the Central Criteiiral Courts. I may also read a htar
which aas not sent to me preparatory to any speech
in this House, for I was desirous to confine my obser-
vations to what I myself knew, and not to trouble the
House with infirmation which was equally open to
other Members of the House; but I received a letter
yesterday from my Hon. Friend the Mayor tf Man-
chester, which I think of importance sufliciet.t to di-
serve the attention of the House:—" I have a strong
impression that the operatives of this district were
never, at any former period, more fully employed, more
coulfartable in a social point of view, or better disposed
than no N. The rate of wage; in I telieve satisfact try;
and the cheapness of the necessaries of in food and
clothing, has wonderfully improved their conchtlon.
The hat trade is rather an exception to this rule, tlioueh
but f est people are employed therein, and the depression
is easily accounted-fur. I have never during the fear-
teen months of my mayoralty had one hour's uneasiness
about the peace c f the district. The speculation in
cotton, and its high price, now interfere with the pro-
spects cf our master manufarterers and spinners, and I
think few are making money ; nevertheless the
trade cf 1849 must, on the, whole, be con-
sidered very satisfactory. Our on n experience
in the home trade leads me also to think that the
demand from the agricultural districts has act
indicated that distress of which ate have recently
heard so much." Now, it the general trade and husi-
noes of the country continues in this prosperous condi-
tion, it is to be hoped it will speedily find its way to
agriculture; and, for my part, I see no reason to a: tici-
pate that the present low prices for agricultural produce
will be continued. I remember when the measure for
repealing the core-haws was passed through the House,
great apprehensions were entertained of an immense
&apply cf corn 'frem the continent of Au-aeries; but it so
happened, that abouts etlset time, I met at Liverpool the
lAtiiAmericaa Miyster; Mr. Bancroft, and he gave me
lefi'cronfident -opinnurftliat it was impossible America
casuld send any eiwantity of corn to this country, unless
prices raked I;ativotn 45i. and 5.0 i. per qua-ter. I do,
therefoeewhopiathrecthe ckmand for food will continno
to iocreasp, and that; in this fact alone the farmers will
krid aa improeiitiCaa in VI- prices. At the tame time,
I am most haPPYettir conwur with my Hon. Friend as to
the results of treeattailin reference to the importation
iaf,Orn; becauee.itaiwneVpposed that not one extra bale
gneels'Wosekitiesaliitteut of this country in return for
the corn imiierred ; that nothing but bullion would be
taken by forkigners. On the other hand, free-trade
has pros-el that at no period has commerce made so
rapid, so valid a progress as since the passing of the
free-trade measure, while the stock of bullion was
never so large, nor capital so abundant and so
easy in the commerce of the world.—(Loud cheers.)
But I will, not dwell longer upon this point, except to
repeat my hope that the prosperity of the manufacturing
and commercial classes would soon be sba-ed by the
agricultural interest. There is one part of her Al,jesty's
Speech to whio it is my duty to advert—the expression
of her Majesty's gratitude to Divine Providence that the
recent visitation of the cholera has so soon abated; and
I ara surd the House will feel that one of our first and
most sacred duties is, to endeavour to protect the health
of the people, who have shown, by their exemplary
conduct, that they are, animated by feelings of cbsdience
to therlatv and' loyalty to the Crosvn.—(Loud cheers.) I
must also say, that I am highly gratified to find her
Maje Sty contemplates an increase in the number cf the
Irish electors; but, I oonfese, I should have been better
pleased if we had had some lath:ration that a similar
measure was to be extended to this ceuntry.—(Loud
cries of " Hear, hear.") -And I do hope that the Go-
'eminent will even yet consider whether or not the many
towns still left in, this cbuntry, which have neither the
privilege of. a borough franchise, nor of abasing in the
county representation, may not now have conferred upon
them the privileges of returning Me:nbers to Parliament.
I cannot sit down without referring to the naviga-
tion-lawe, because, I was one of those who voted
against the Government when the question was before
the House. I considered at the time that ie was a ha-
eardoue experiment. but I am now happy to find, from
the Speech we have heard from her ,most gracious Ma-
'.es ty that several of the foreign pea ers have already
j
conceded to us the wdvantages we have conferred upon
them, and that it is hoped others will take steps to fol-
low their example; and I am happy to confirm the state-
ment which my Honourable Friend has made respecting
the activity aad progress that is now apparent in all the
dock and building yards of the country, especially in
the port of Sunderland, wit's which I was long con-
nected. At no time has there been so many ships in
progress, and at no period have so few been built on
speculation, but almost the whole of them to ordete
being at the same time a class of ships that are far su-
perior to any that have been maa,
built heretofore. I •
add, that the energy, enterprise, and the character cf.
British shipowners, as well as the class of their ships,
will enable them to maintain their superiority in the
carrying trade of the world. With respect t r our foreign
Hon. b
relations, I heartily share in the feelings expressed
Friend, and I trust that the Noble Lord whoy
my
so ably conducts our foreign affairs, will still be
able to maintain the best understanding with
the Government of France, and to leave to us the bless-
ings of peace for sore years to come.--(Cheers.) I
shall not trouble the House further in secondine the Ad-
dress; at the KIM time, 'cannot sit down without cm:-
curring in the hope expressed-by her Majesty, that by
combining liberty with order, by preserving what is
valuable, and amending what is defective, you will sus-
tain the fabric of our institutlons, as the abode and the
shelter of a free and happy people.—(The lion. Baronet
resumed his seat amidst loud cheers.)
Sir JOHN TROLLOPE would propose the addition
of a few words to the Address by way of amendment, to
express' the wish of certain classes of her Majesty's sub-
jects at present suffering great distress, that their case
might receive attention. There was much in the Speech
in which ho ccrdi illy joined. No doubt there would he
general sympathy expressed with her Majesty at the
loss of her illustrious relative Queen Adelaide.—(flear.)
Our peaceful relations with foreign Governments was a
source of gratulation, as was also the desire ex-
pressed by some of them to meet us by conces-
sions in respect to the navigation-laws. As that
measure was now law, it wag their duty to wish
it success. The next paragraph had reference to
the awful pestilence which had ravaged the coun-
try. Ho viewed the efforts made to improve the con-
dition and health of the poorer classes with plea-
sure. He considered those.; objects to be the para-
mount duty of a Government. Her Majesty's reception
in Ireland was also a matter of infinite gratification.
But to the next passage he made some exceptions:
"Her Majesty has great satisfaction in congratulating
you on the improved condition of commerce and manu-
factures." Af.er these words he would propose to intrc-
duce the amendment he bad read. All the agriculturists
asked for was a little of that reflective prosperity upon
themselves. With the exception of wool, the price of
the produce of agriculture was not augmente, but, on
the contrary, greatly diminished. Within the last few
months wool had risen in price from 25 to 30 per cent.
Regret was expressed that any class was suffering. He
hardly thought that complaints proceeding from every
part of the kingdom should be so lightly dealt with.
Large public meetings had been held allover the country
to expose the difficulties with which the agriculturists
had to contend. The meeting at Lincoln was attended
by 15,009 persons. After fair, but firm discussion, they
were unanimous as to the distress they laboured under.
Similar demonstrations had been made- for the same
purpose all over the kingdom He thought the once
powerful, but still numerous and important, body that
put forward theseh complants bad not -tea treated
with proper respect.—(Loud cheers from the
Protectiortisten) Not a word of' comfort was there
for them. They did not expect sympathy; they
wished to make known to the world the precise condi-
fon in which the agricultural interest was placed; To
enter into a detail of facte would be tedious. It was,
perhaps, sufteient to say, that after they had invested
enormous capital in the improvement of land, they were
entirely thrown open to the competition in corn of the
whole world. Ho asked them Again, whether that was
fair treatment ? Should not their complaints receive
consideration ? The agricultural were not justly
chargeable with apathy P Luck at the Crown lands in
the New Forest. There were 66,000 waste acres.
Could the Woods and Forests make both ends meet ?
Why, then, reproach them ? For Oh ty years he h"
been laying out money on land. The great la`tcluWE'-'1.3
would not be the principal sufferers. It was the smaller
proprietors of land that would be ruined. To them it
was matter of life and death. They could .nett now-sell
thdrland. No one in the present uncertain and gloomy
state of things- would become he purchaser. There
were no buyers, This distress ?of those chimes would

it

eventually reach all classes, and if another commer.eiesi
panic came, the crash would be tremendous. Ho at_Keir
that their case should be considered, sed that tend.
remonstrance should be listened t^. The amend'
e.
meat he proposed was couched in respectful langetti..
After the words commerce and manufactutee to
would add the word'', but vt e beg humbly to represeeot
her Majesty that in many parts of the United Kiegaw.Te
bat especially in Ireland, various classes connected Y:
the cultivation cf land are labouring under severe dies
titer, in consequence of recent legislative eradm
the injurious operation of which was aggravated ht....,
cessive local taxation. They wished a revision of tel;
Lion, especially of schedule P. The Wants' tas eate
vied upon a suppositious income,
wretch° I out altogether. It was an arbitrary
to tax a man according to the amount of his rent. 1;
man had a hard landlord he had also a heavier Gcs4c.,
ment tax. Her Majesty's Speech rcierred to th! 1100.
and ought !n re
ficial result of increased cheapress of food. ilise were
Friend (Mr. Villiers) had referred to returns vshiee_ re„
not yet before the House, and therefore could not white,
ac-
ferred to. But in the unions with which he e warm,
(painted the number of inmates had increase°. ling of
offences had also increased. From the noble feeett:go
the people, who would to the very last refele
let the union, he thought that the returns wbiellidilleti
been ordered by the Poor-law Commissioner* trot in
cf ebt.rees.ari,
no indication of the real amount
tie country, or any test of the condition of tau Not
cultnrists. (Hear, hear.) Leicester fgh wick-
tieghan, it was true, were not so badly off. ee,e,rojel
ing trade flourished, but was not tat a proteot_Aou I's 12i.
—((eheers from the Protectionists.) They ,hri, malt'
duty, and what did they intend to do with loodeg.
tax? It was placed now on a totally differeet
be &I
New, when barley was of little more value than t
they placed upon it, surely it was entitled to con gi7e;
Lion? They now levied an impost of 90 per con. to ru
I was no question but this very tax was a restrictioui.,
growth. If they were to have perfect free trecusvpitil
them have it in everything.—(Hear„ bear.) It% wee
applied to land was greater now than it ever De_ ene•
and the most scientific modes of cultivation were
;re of
ph)) ed.—(Hear.) Ho considered that the Pr 4, pee"
the times would iefluence the great majority of eeo arty
plc to become rigid economists, and, for his °w.tele of
he was determined to act on the mat decide I Device 10
economy.—;(liar, hear.) He was not such a 5000
circumstances of io important a chat aeter---eirettnel be
that affected ail grades and classes—that be uvted of
ellei ton so. momentous an occasion. Ire beaelsshota
some experience, and from that experience baleft
.ay. that since 1822 the price of l'etaifeevelell
and neat were' much lower than before. veto
with regard to the latter article, be admitted that le, but
I t a higher reit:e in the la-ge 'manufacturing tc)wano4,l.
.11 the province.; meat was seldom sold for molt. cosi-
per lb. There were many other matters to reneefoa
tiered, aid ene:particular subject was the great 'To 1. pr
of rent iu the s ear 1822, a period when some, Who the,
rishes were cut of cultiveton, and a period int lele
then Chancellor of tee Exchequer was inoet el," for &be
soon did his f clings and opinion suffer a chimer would
worse. He hoped that the present Cheneell°9 to or"
tike such precaution against a simi'ar 'all, so somata:
nestly calculate on the true interests of tbo ion, bap
lie heard much spoken of in favour of ernigrseetr 0011
ho should ay ti a'. he had his fears, not only for el
aho were subjected to a tropical sun and the
ejel to e_e,;ll3l_
cur antipodes, but for those who were not °ere ttel'..
grate. He deeply regretted to see the atee-boorio hie
cuburist forced to leave his native home, and deP An
fatherland of his intelligence; labour,
when he looked t, the condition of Ireland, lte °eon end
House, did they not see that excessive taxateeng the
herds' rps of the most trying character were drl'iorerge
and activiled the
`ardy sons cf that unfortunate country t° then
chord; and what was more to be regretted lberdisgaet
a:en aving their native country with feelings ° 000
and repugnance against the Governmetit of this °oolitic!
Colonel CHATTERTON would coafine hi,e; roof:
solely to the condition f the country. ne guide:
every feeling of fiction or party, and was ,Fll elasse'
by sentiments which included the welfare el vetoer
Ireland had spoken out with one voice for the to 911
Lion of protection, not to one interest only, h_eithelr
alike—the agricultural, the manufacturing, e" booed
bouring classier. The sufferings of Ireland were 00.0
what the tongue of man could tell. /ler (1.1.1... land
sat at ceeeal to her destitution, but the aristocrseeterenre
owners, and agriculturists of Ireland looked
et eed
with confidence for relief to the present PerliamePe'd
hoped it would repeal er sestments that, if P6lollll°l
would revolutionize the country. The floe. en t.
Gentleman conducted by seconding the amend
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQ" as
heard with considerable pleasure that the AeseAAre er
brought under 'the notice of the House by the el, DPI
gin;
hai wet with so much approval,
and that the only ponycif objection had reference to the question or et,oele •
turd distress. He was glad to find the ii°ll etBa the
Gentleman the Member for Lincolnshire aperee'l;el of
endeavours of Government to prevent the !Piled to
disc ate during the past year. He was -of
hear the disclaimer of the Hon. Genders:o%le.: op
intemperate language held in some plat...es re 'amen
he vt a, glad—though fie could not concur in tee; of o°'
ment—to find that it was so framed as to 1111°"m ober.
mistake as to its meaning.—(Elear.) The 1100: ;set Ow
stated that he wanted a reconsideration of the legeel the
enactments el last session. The Hon. Member asks tbe
House t) re-consider those legislative enactments
ntrl
operation of which the present prosperity of the Colliebt
was owing—(Oh, oh)—and he was glad on the first
was r
of the session to find that this question ranee
this great question would be brought to ani issue, elyP
er
House have to decide whether it would retrace,l.leet 10
o
and, acting on the advice of the Hon. Member. rho 01
reconsider its recent legislation,
almostpersuenvievreer
universal
confident of the opinions of or whether—on''mesee
tt he
ewilh which et
hweoul d that course of wg,:xistiesci
not
in the country was to
however, heard thittrtai be ref prosperity n°^' tnhoawt.
ing prosperity f and manufactures.
00105hieedrit,
quisition the framer had noCconfined himself t woe
agriculture but
ttradesrbee ay
se
royfa
net cted with totruf.uabldiley':
u actures. Now, he thought there 400
eon
take
o assert distress was existin for, on the ee-notri
generally ef-elking f ; f the e° rifel
to the other, trade was in activity, and the e°°
le
univ
(I% aIY employed. The evidence h teed!
and
show showedmanufactures were in a state of progreese°7, eisa
e no symptom of those reverses whi°ll,,,Se.eejsriel
iabi ledi dplat eh:heoinahrvdefi manufacturesma: pol
aeuwbocedulttettthddehon. itrenodtehest(tsvephhti lOieeadLacteedtiti Ili
rsgttetol36:llribisei Itee:::10:11!
encountered some time ago. He had seen old not
trade circulars to their correspondents, and he of
find. one which contradicted another. "a 1
circulars he found the course of trade so r. su
pitted during Hon. Member
a.ceuerslisset,
to find any get u and ti ttiot 110
lion of theear, that he should he p 0
writer was to be successfully assaelectl'sleticede
would quote this circular to confirm what he ,--„t two;
last year as to the course of trade during thelea,t 0 twee;,,
months, and because his statement bad to * certain le7c
tte4t9been disputed. The circular stated 1b" opt
was begun by commercial. in the here. bete
'
men
would prove the commencement of better tiDiAe::sertl
the same time it was perceived that the rt'eea
elements were only below the surface. -le° the sanf
„,, con.l ~„ht
. disturbances of February imposed a check 0° 1-,T lire!;
Improvement that had commenced to disPbleetia;e
In this manner March was met, when the re"
the Elbe caused a total suspension 0' o.ot 1;0
with the Continent. He was anxious t° I*lo
fact out to the House as he had assertete ejecta
thing last 3 ear, and it ,1
ad teen doubted. sogral
went on to say that the hone trace had not beB and eee
as expecte I, but that latterly an increased &raw foe%
sprung up, and provieee the mass of the feel thee:
e,aploement, trade would still farther ireproTe ele
of flip 3 ear. The circular, he conce:vcl bore elareeeeti-
thnony to the sta oof the country. The "61 revs
fell off d uring the two first portions of the Yea",e'eee'sti.
cree e 1 during t e two last. In Ireland the ref;r
fell off during the three first quarters of ti,el„oe'
had inere .ee during the Lst quarter of the Yeee hie
he conceived was a pretty fair sign thateilevenseteee
proved, even in Ireland, and he hoped inaproeoVolep,
go on, and show the Hon. and Gallant Meeeter 00:00
Chatieston) that his fears e e not likely t. eatere
—Weir.) He would now call attention to tOOO
made by the Hon. Member for Warwickshire
the eela,be
Hun. Member for Buckinghamshire, who was
last session made an attempt to prove that Vre', ethe theta of
solutely ruined. The Hon. Gentleman referred loisect' to
of imports, and contended from thence that the id te'tiety
trade was so much against us, and that trade et- o°,;ec•
carried on much longer, as it then was, at a 1195,e'ele4the
occasion he ventured to state to the House that g
Lion of demand far our manufactures was °°l; 'for
troubled state of the Continent. The cireteLnsberitise
just read said the same thing; but the Hore4l- tbe "dee
Warwickshire then asserted he was migasee-ei he r
turbed st ate of the Continent having increaser ed
mend for our manufactures. What hadeleseePntenelPeeera -
In the course of last year the state cf the ts°'eate ad- ow
been much more quiet. What had been theee';notte ifee
export trade? What was the amount oleee-eilt ?aerie
British manufactured goods sent to the COO7O- be P';
bt
indeed, the prosperity of the country were "-wee eereeeP
sured by the extent of exports, there never elee-1 g
The od
in which there was so much prosperity. fop , p#4ll
values had increased far beyond each Ora% we: etse
month of the previous Sear. When they eae:ef veket" ele,9
declared %elm of exports of 1848 as conePs'ese
last year, it would be seen there was angg lbjeo
declared value el' little short cf 10,000, e4e,
Glared value of exports for the years le is leeee
and 1849, stood thus:—in 1847,
48,946,0001., and in 1849 it was 58,84E40.0 oil le
Continent had become tranquil, the exl3°T`4olo
creased, and free trade bad swelled the ee eo CO •
10,000,000/. When Honourable Gentlenere epee
fideatly predes fined the utter ruin of teed
,in for
from the policy which had been ears_l,2,oooe,aos
51,000,0001'0e
country, be would beg them to make sometlePriona
inaccuracies:. The cotton mark( t ha,gbe one Pool
196,750,0001b5. up to 335,650,000110.Of ,
portion of increase was to be found in the oases
,00 ; coo
to least 110-
berdashery, 927,000 yards had increase
yarn. 'Earthenware, from. 53,000 pieces tile_ est 183,
3a-de; in cutlery there was an inernensoe_
OW fso#
wroughtthey
had 't
beenth ett,)ltfrom
teat
,tohoeo cgwloty.etotlra6a,...Ouglii 10.01 ;bit,
stroyed. But what v: as the fact? There.rillePo, n3ol:frds
article bad inert ased by 50 per cent. e!,O oeo
tared, from 89,000,000 yards to 1062;6,000 )PolY,
linen yarn, fsom 11,000,e00 yards WIler'0001Ge; ail
ti‘o
nrot.T,:lt iron, from 73,000 tons 50 '',..;;,0001"600 a
manufactured, from 204,000:be. to
role 206,000 to 404,000; 021'011
.s;'.oo. R.. 0 00
105,0 N); stockings, per pair, 54,000 to 104e.h thoo,
qtr,tiu only the priecii al articles in itneere be. eletl'
been an increase far beyond what coueeeeed, the
Feted or anticipated. lAA year, tilu"

It

_______....
arerala r for I.leciiiegbateshire e
asid that 01°11(.1 a' e lir d
kat eet ace reat amount e f goods from this country,
)et the pri shad fallen so much thee. we had alert;
hoed
kell a vast Et/lOWA oF Bet sh indu t-y by t'
which hid nr 'leen from t! e f e -trade, r„4l'siPle• II s held in his hand ' i',urn's Circular,'
I,'",°,alne that tht• ri e‘gooe i xported Ms
ll'geer than the -ateli.r.e.' tie. s"which racy:d in is is and
- ;
1819. The price of everybel- article of c xpoet was n gh.( r
tail in , 1848, conscnitently there were increased price
anal qua; tity. His lien Friend who had moved the
„71e.resa hand Lis Hen. Friend' eho had seconded the,
17°4011 gere into the question i f free trace and
.th.c.
repeal of the navige.tien-lawe. Then again it was antic -
ed by those who were let 'rested in this branch. of
Pruduet •
Jae
avi eation-
life Industry, fleet the repeal of the n bt
1 A 2 WOold utterly dent-oy our ship' ilia and cur
-sn:4.4"at, that no for, i•rn ceuntries w mil I in, et us in e
Pint of reciere •it ' bileput it to Her. Gs n'id'il'ell
I'4 h,r tae. • 'L
Y. • -
not been f .Isitleil. With
th
_...e predictions 1 a I
'e Lynn.
,i';' A cptiun of one poi t alone, that of King_
... ..
w ere there had been a diminution of this trade, la
.ail
other ah. b •ld'
ship
lathe 'Pe in ing ports he helicved that the .
Th .ing trade was equal to what it hail been previously.
'a a- tint of shipping in the ports which v ere th
band
,• nee:time f that branch of te ade—namely,
4°''ldrted, Liverpool,o lin ports on the Clyde
dal in L,_
... and the ,
it h_, acetlatd—the work dotrig len.
- f r greeter t . .
A a'
• bwhich was
wo 4JI been for meny years; and a fact
a er "Y of attesoion era .hat they were now building
- int ee '' • 1 df r the lung
Yea class iI - ship, calculate ,) , , t
it :age. Honourable Gertle men would iccoliect tim
-.wt er p ,to it
.I.' e( teteo the lung v iyage was where we re to
Ilse'efacts
miieh34red• There were two other rem•trha ) .
gctaa m 1, 'awl
wore indisput tb!e —first, that parties who •
from
Lis ' ' the Baltic to ascertain whether
filet,
_3 . COUt 1..) to
England,
ca.!. e uld build ships cheaper there than in
ii;is- back with the eonvictiiin that they could buildl,t, Cl,l cheaper here than there; and next, that on t :.
An I,t.9le'Y vrere building ships f r Inteign countries.
. '-'l44ll`Jri hal been made that foreign countries
In IQ ,
pep i'e al( greatly their laws which militated against.
' Nom - r admitted aid's a dis-
t ass „ Lee. IN, ext, as to the
a 4500gst the agriculturi: is of the country. Pestle b The
those
tree 0 etvreen the advocates of free trade and
demand • one of degree. Ile
slionid . c Protection was only .
' - auleed d • House if he del not admit that
111 taste' ‘•
2 mile the
est the
rawer - th( e)Untry, to some extent, , anion,
did
NA -4%f,,land, A considerable. degree of distressi3 his
1.104 •
.._
.Ine atatemont which had been
.made ,
by his
tha ,:,rrtend the
did
for Warwickshire 17:1,
5.,-
trei,V ?vernment did not admit the existence of his diet
distress
Wes th_Nctr, fil Course to be taken as to that
denied
the
ele only diffnce between there. Now,. ho_
rfps
*bash PetheneY or wisdom of retracing '
•• tte I,
teretain'ex-
tett i. Y •ael taken. He believed that to a c
' -I
tra thefthe 1 seas difficu y
tai„,. charge e aw,lt had
of the
f , but he relied upon the energy and skill
'arlialelra to overcome that difficulty. The fa 1 of price.He
14tae.!":1 SErteelleted by them in former yelaaris._
he
e4t.`lted the distre,s of the smaller holders of . d
'ulturel
leboa' el that in some glares a number of egriei . e
ese, r,eri should be placed in that distress, buthes._llh
ituri!'ttcl to think that their pesition generally ol beenw;th
biseavei by the reduction of prices, He admitted with
la • l'n• Frieea, that in. Lincolnshire there bad been
"oreas •
• the majorit
Of' th,, oln the poer-eates; but, takir g. _ n
0,
dish.; e,grieulturel counties, there was a diminu,t! t
°tress
&laud ' Ile was not surprised that some.
~(is
porti Prevail, I. e e
. e had never thought or said th .t some..e
It c'zis 0' th • i inot affected by da •
C. 1,14 e c ennaunity atm , be
ktiote''',„,l‘!"ieb had been made in the I.w. lie had ,
never
1. or
soar,s '-" ally great improvement btiag made in tra,.
ot
e•t: c, or in any b-arch whatever, e-here thy did E
'Ca't 1 • find i'• . . 1.. , pressure'
in some
Rekrte2, /is cause diffieu a) or
but
It by
to or were it did not cause partial suffering;q
Oteght' Izeans f illowed that there f ire such improvement,.,-
tu.e
whet to take Vale. The Gevernment and toe Legtih.leey
Res
,his to
to relieve the distress of as manyhs
thought
nitlil, 4e to succour, but at the seine tern, e
iferts
of il.:tielse fir In 're was to be done through the,.e .
lie
I,llQue,ttvi:lheals that any legislation could
.011. c..
arming
'4Bll'ep""lt the alarm which li..ti been raised
11 Plte,,'"'ertulturists eas not warriuted by what had takle
prise". .1'
II Gentleman'l 1 'erred to the offel..
a, e on. a re'
had forepie-
bard t,_•• erener years in this country, nod 1 e
e le diet Sears
of his own neighbourhood in a manner
lie" t4etling allythin else which bad been stated. The
nabet; eutleman had rge'erred to the year 1822, a periodiaw.
iialeeY were under the operation of the corn-law,
lii 181,"ts iateaded to kee wheat at 80s. a (1"" •t.
41110 .'
"ra WEI./ 96'. 11dP, and for five or ten years it lior ees'te qleerti r. In 1522,.
it had fallen more than
of
'he 3,„11 a ,and Under a cor- lew tie aver age pricee
Iteas th-pt Was 445. 7,1, The lion. Gt ntleman said thereto qie -4 tt ho • the that they would return
, price_ pe in country
d to insure
it
„",*lnch the Legislature had propore .
.1,
el agrlc• It • - had taken pia.- •
Gemle2 a unte, but no such return
o peeitien
th a corn-lew Tree passed with some p _
_on_
ll e acqieuit • - 1 great oppositi
4v01v,,A, urist s—a..,t., indeed,
645. per
tt•art„„ *•‘, object of v Ilia rode to insure
under
thti. ,". to the :. i '•'• • What happened r
it: eta? ~11 agra_ulturitte
33
CGs. 4d.; in 183 a
fieitifs 394.1. 1831 the price Vi:
of 6- 9J. per annum
fo Oct' It fell at the rate a Rat eor cell. • •In 1839 the
price
fa
.4%. i, , .
in
year:.
a law Pro"
6"ail•t'a, la 1845, 50s. 10d.; still under
price
____ ts'. 91' 1 secure them 64,. In 1847 the ",':
.oe. 4 Price
had had here.o
pte )front
yes, . not
.groater thadn tenet y,
the farm'!"
I,lllshrtd t„TeviPe,r by leclurtry an
If It dish necessarily
ri.t
LI: that 'o7e
present ue woreot.
'-prices was from theilieph. at!
Nittetitceerri law sol.dv; Le believed it was not.
Y t e hsd bad large harvest at home. It et AS not
ul,„ 0 lit,„ • a
of tf rent years,
156-",ae b,,,,"1' What AntS the produce et ' . . _ hi',', ,--,w one of tie greatest corefactors in Leitvto.re
4,hats- had great pains to ascertain tl'ef(suletar hadb
k„.'4 aonfttu stated that tie produce of this y
that
lei e -,leent.. mere than that t f last car,y and . a
11Rlie Acate t) ' the price of corn. But
been
n
ec., eori,_
c, redden`
where there had f
tiit tepaet2 ,ientry (France„the ,
y hail the benefit
The
1),4a0e,t,:,..,111 corn-la.w,
had fallen more. 0
Cs, Iti this and
yet ;he prices
._„.. 0,,„„ in Franc
fh• 74. ,i,'4 country in 1847 was " • " and yet the
4'
itt The laaa . 700,000 quarters, a• _
n this
tp,,. the ,t;_._
of sent ushed
been more iliae i
con-
kphl_l)% rt,',7 a heat f
corn er.tered fur home
licetien foruetparitity c
„thequantity imported.
itiaa,Teaatit Be year exceede 1 . 'lu
n imported last year,
lap•gaieg. roan 51 all kinds of grain
73 040. meal im:
kf,,,,tttl of "e and barley, was 5,6 ' , ! , ntereu
for '-'t allotki d -0:1 000. the qtaetite e
. ,„
„,,_,e,.s, 3„ ...._, , -
of . .
.1 4 000,000. The
eitigae‘',!,astinaption was upwares .
• don by Hon.
h e4tlea, c'-tPrcvswhich would 1 e relied . ,
c°ll -50 o -I prices ( f the Baltic
„.4 w,„ Ppos10„ 1t +led that p •
t pay to send
pie t`e ao
n.. 0 this high
net think that
Caere C..? country; and ho did
.- •
~.,Leed thou reason to fear that ruinwhich his lion.
What the
;Pee bete,""l inevitable a' 40s. a quarter. .
'lei)) oUld h '
to an-
so„rwe 14 eteeftar it would be sash in him , e
eta ' -lit ive i• remark thin that all tees
latt rtes whit i_ as not a attic rem
had hardly
kly°lseti the•9.4countries
were inaportin,g
reduction of duty in
I,e (Nat tr slaipments upon the the repeal of
ii,14,,: qUantitiee, from which, before
Ned tle
tarn' .• •
ts His Lion.
Ilid 11M
• eof 44% Now, e
trt tlet bo.ted of the average pine rine-
% 111 ley4 the agriculturists would be ruiner?. e
44 %gilt 80e
tittw
until it went down
Itoq, teens 803' would be necessary.eane to 56'., till the
eothle 4, th,., hen the
price'
a fall in the price of
ila;i Iron, 5.6.1. three years shove
the
price
was 545. BJ.
. ,tite „ Ald 64' to 505. In
.184.6 '
18451 Wo:e
sivtri,kii, .e out of cultivation slue .
1 to the lion.
114:11,4
fclurists ruined? He would api.ea
stated what
th bete • . South Lincolnshire, who had
would
e 4t eitplig"l4 On intellthem
county. II-
that •
A1iq,,~,. Al had e '
4,aecu, aro ueen largely laid pi_
into-
wheat land.
tkileti ehea'ptatore had beer) convertedff
abandoning the
I„.4llitetilee,4• te thli°ll. Friend talked
"Ile] when the price had
"qe d -501 80 e Inc°
----
3'
''nee ISIS rentals had
tenet load, gird
.i, to 50s. and that since
F England was the
" Lila, only in one county 1
of
nob I°ll',et than i- • ealthough the price
(lei i wa iiwapd
ft Ras in 1810, .
f the energy, shill,
trekttleillstry ~f t from 80s. to 50 .
enabled'—i him to pay
laiea t re"
at
the British. farmer
did when the
the
price (1 50,. than he
411
wa3
B°3
what .-prevent the same industry
of
.I,,pitm t... !.._,, at was to ,
him
at
the
prices
pia ea or 50' m"-et the demands upon
411 ' 4' tb5Y having overcome a fall of :
to, lee,.
a,m'eot the leers
Predate that he exeected the farmer
-'sot te (I ffi • l --e 'glad to ace this
44:1 feed ta "a LY. He should be tee)
corn. Ii
fltrti,'M it w", 13 PoPuladon by Notre-;townneso,if
the
nie she would di", be most desirable to
to eitt,est ° It. IL said the people 1 had a right to
tll to to eth Passible food, and they had
.the best right
° tt
t't
e°ll t for that which their comfort 1144 Iktlcloillit n ries
yea %NY deti,ttici Y t f the country and their perrea
sta-
re
.?aPio, med. be
increase of productive skill,,
energy,
?pied to
d,4.1d, Thu he brought into play,
and
who had net
tia..a.try, tz.i ?ale who had nut capital, or
l‘ 0
con-
et
oegat suffer di,tres-, arid be unable
llalt`teg cl4e4,tlPation of the land; but the w el-are 1.
l f the
held *heti hsea, /‘ st 5 not to be sacrifices on this account.heen
1 at tho e looked at the language which had _
kt
Yea S tneeti •
had stet ed
tide at that . tinge in the country, he
be
be ei reii It Was possible an attempt would
th‘traisea
as _ttae demand for protection—it might.,
the litsene,,'
rho question of rert. Who was 1.,
01 Pitilie4?" ath, 0 laudlor la ef England? Who were,
eriattilies tigti,,4-Not the Free-traders, but the leaders theeaaer, wee LeLlltlltal party at one meeting after
5111).1, al rault*Presented that question as one of a re-
that thst let ti, lie found by a northern paper on the
-tie eateLteat :glarms ire Scet'eeld, that it was not true
ere to be
t, letruis in Scotland bed been reduced
beh e let e•-ltt offers were made i. f farmhouses which.
-"at teav,ed it uftliiglier rent than was formerly given.
at tilt, w larlag "o true es e, general position, that at
high aa,,ole teat 'sotlend which were out ot le iso, let
stddreineorite
J 44
f(11111.r1 • Ile saw a paper from a
ilia , tto k. , the t_,.. . 3. .
~ ituteet,4l3 tee4,,t 'ugh Sheriff ofbeing an
Norfolk, _
the
I•ll.l.erth IN to ~,-1.3 Which stated that in spite of
-eat atite-ctai e ~ ;:"lell his property was subject, he
ecupe (1 his g-11" himself able to make a very good
iptoattoa 588 Ira,.
A ile raid that he held in his own
he I il'i Yet, these'rkes, tt which 100 acres yielded him no
(44
lite 144de upl`! he estimated a loss at Michitelusas,
:lot4elleralltt)ek, ~,,,,.114 rent, and hail invested ten per cent.
It, I. Not"teh w more than was to be c xpected
~,``°4 431 v W111.v) it oncegentleman had done this, he did
VIA ih-redueti attother Should not. But if it was a ques-
lass7 eonape Q• 11. °E rent, that consideration was not to be
1,4 ea; an Petition nape.
it with. the demands of the labouring
141 Pe4Pq the 'laaintei d that the labouring classes
Peatt . r.pil
~.,..,e
e, toned . front
pAa lii&ht'b Signal benefit . thepresent
-"4 -`o•lre sop. Gentleman then alluded to the
the e, la ss (4 L')ril Chichester thegrand jury at
et. alltte le aceo.. . to, . . „
•,,.,,te.kt, of things 'tilt given by the Earl of Chichester of
a'''to u‘r"oB etaa,o la lissex, no;, only as to the number
Ass4ltin-IPieer6'q,ed, but tl5 to the exertions of those
etsents etsital "11", *al mostcreditable them, in pre-
t,4f °Yslent for - to
~. _ ,
18,tottillt,1_, their labourers. Now, the ex
-
d 18 atd , "Ing the Poor in the years ending Lady-
Pe% day , '849, Was as fll •
'
dee cas4tl? 4848, th •.) OWS:—In the year ending
-te I, ° %Mount epee 6,180,000 Z 'rho ex-
PO°, e 5 of a4Y-dav 184 n
, t4t , 338,000/ •••,, --, was 5,792,000/, being a
ettiaet,,N‘i.ae balf.l. • the expense of maintaining the
of alma I,7so,eoaoried,,ing Aliclutelmas, 1818, io y).B
4,1,87,0001,849., it was)!
c1..0r
_the half-year oudirg 41.t-
-'ll4 ' :Cho ''''3°u°l.inc, a diminution
1%4 'll p number of ' -' -.
14 ~ 41
c,.‘4.nfoani,
an,
42 pecsons relieved in 533
it,„ waa 82?, u 2,655; txto
,i,l in Wales, on the Ist July,
• 1 clio t,OOO, beies 1/4' 01l the Ist July, 1349, the num-
-11! Zheil
on of 65,505, or 7 3-10
WON rodIOYEKI
IP. $6O tlUit.= in Lllg-