The Sun.
London, England, 1850-10-17 00:00:00

ev:lfitrtinft Pstttl;6

LONDON, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1850.

A spirit of inquiry has arisen among agriculturists
which, if we are not grievously mistaken, must lead
to most important results. Many intelligent persons,
who have embarked their capital in the cultivation of
the soil, are at length becoming convinced that it is
utterly useless to hope for a restoration of protective
imposts ; that the corn monopoly is indeed defunct,
and that there is no possibility of the resuscitation of
the unsightly monster. If any reasonable doubt could
have existed on the subject the recent speech of Lord
STANLEY, at Bury, must have dispelled the pleasing
illusion. The Noble Lord encouraged the tenant-
farmers to " go on boldly and improve the land," not
by any promise of a new bread-tax, but because there
is yet " room for the profitable investment of capital
in wheat cultivation." That was no rash or
hasty speech, delivered without premedita-
tion or forethought. It was put forward
advisedly, after ample and mature. deliberation ; and
iti object was to *show that he, the acknowledged
leader of the Protectionists, would no longer maintain
the hopeless struggle—to show to the agriculturists
that other means must be adopted for the amelioration
of their condition.

The same opinion has for some time been gaining
ground among the more intelligent. and clear-headed
agriculturists, while some of their number are still
shouting lustily for a corn-law, . and draining
bumpers pottle deep to the memory of the good old
times, when the rest of the community paid tribute
to the farmer. Others, far wiser, are examining the
question in all its bearings, in order to ascertain
whether a fitting substitute may not be found for
" protection"—one which, being based on justice,
would enlist the popular sympathies in its behalf, and
thus become easy of attainment, and which, if once
established, would not speedily or easily be subverted.
To these persons, and there are many such, who ap-
proach the topic without, prejudice or bias, the close and
intimate connexion between " corn" and "currency"
will soon become apparent. They will discover the
error of looking only to what they have to sell—
" corn," and tot-illy disregarding what they have to
buy—L" money."

If they hart no fixed payments to make, if rents and

' taxes, and the interest on borrowed capital, varied
with the prices of their produce, it might be a matter
of but little consequence what was the actual value of
money, whether the circulating medium was " ap-
preciated" or " depreciated," whether they received a
quarter of an ounce or an entire ounce of gold, one
pound or four pounds per quarter for their corn•
Twenty shillings would in the former case possess
the same command over the necessaries and comforts
of life, the same purchasing power, that eighty
shillings would in the latter, and the result would
be precisely similar. But, unfortunately, such is not
the case. The farmer has to meet heavy outgoings ;
be has to pay rent to his landlord, general and local
taxation, and possibly to liquidate debts.
For all these purposes he requires certain sums of
money, and if he has to give in exchange two hundred
quarters of corn for the quantity of coin, or bank-
notes, which he could formerly have obtained for one
hundred quarters, it is manifest that he is deprived of
one hundred quarters, which he would otherwise
have had for the use of himself, his family, and de-
pendents.
Now his rent was, most probably, fixed on the
scale proportioned to 80s. per quarter. During the
war, and until after the passing of the fatal Act of
1819—from 1794 to 1820—the average price of corn
was 87s. 10d. per quarter. During this period no
less than 600,000,0001. sterling of debt was incurred
by the nation, for which the labour of the people
was mortgaged. Many leases were also made on the
estimate that similar prices would be maintained, and
the landowners acquired habits of expenditure
and encumbered their properties on the 'same
supposition. Even after the triumph of the bul-
lionists, and the appreciation of the value of
money, attempts were made to keep.up the prices
of agricultural produce. The first Corn Law of
1815 was intended to secure the farmer 80s. per quarter
for wheat, but it signally failed, for during the seven
years after its enactment the average price did not
exceed 694. lid. In 1822 another Act was passed.
The prohibition price was reduced to 705., but there
was to be a duty of 12s. if the price was under 80s.,
and ss. between 80s. and 855.; but the average never
reached the 705., it amounted but to 593. 3id. In
1828 another meddling took place, by,-...vvhich wheat
was to be sustained permanently at 64C, but again
the hopes of the farmers were disappointesl—the ave-
rage for fourteen years only amounted to 58s. 10id.
Then it was discovered that 565. was the- proper
price, and the Act of 1842 received the legislative
sanction; but even that failed, and justly and
properly failed, because the attempt was made
to sustain the farmers from the- ..natural
consequences of the enormous increase in the value of
money at the expense of the rest of the community,
who were doubly sufferers, until it was finally swept
from the national statute-book, amid the acclamations
of the indignant people ; and now the farmers have
433. or 445., and eves this will be diminished if the
" moneyocracy " be permitted to carry on their game
with impunity much longer.
It will be observed, that during the former period
there was no " protection" save that afforded by a
circulating medium adequate to the wants and exi-
gencies of the country. Every man able and willing
to labour was sure of obtaining employment, of get-
ting a " fair day's wages fur a fair day's work.'
The farmers were able to pay their way—to enjoy
every comfort suitable to their station—to meet land-
lord, tax-gatherer, or creditor without terror, and to
lay by some provision for a rainy day. But with the
advent of " protection " times changed. From the
period of the corn-law they obtained but fitful
glimpses of prosperity. And why? Because, at the same
time, they permitted a tampering with the currency.
which produced a continued " appreciation" in the
value of money, which has ultimately proved fatal to
themselves as to the industrious classes generally—
manufacturing as well as agricultural. The six
hundred millions of debt, which at the time it was
contracted could have been satisfied for one hundred
and thirty millions of quarters of corn, or even much
less, if we take the average price from 1809 to 1815,
would now require three hundred millions of quarters
to liquidate, and all public and fixed charges are in a
precisely similar condition; for even where rents have
been abated, they have not been reduced in
,anything
like a fair proportion.
As a strong illustration of the growth and progress
of the spirit to which we have alluded in the early
part of this article, we would invite the public atten-
tion to the proceedings of the " Market Bosworth

Farmers' Association," reported in a recent number

of a respected provincial contemporary, the Leicester-
shire Mercury. The members commenced their au-
tumn session by considering " how the currency affects
the interests of the agriculturists of Great Britain,',
an exceedingly pertinent and preper inquiry, which
will, we trust, be entered upon by every farmer's so-
ciety throughout the kingdom during the ensuing
winter. The members of the association were so for-
tunate as to obtain the assistance of a gentleman who
has closely studied, and is thoroughly acquainted with,;
the subject, the Rev. JOHN TWELLS, with whose
name our friends and subscribers must be well ac-
quainted. Mr. TWELLS possesses the happy faculty
of making himself clearly understood, of rendering
the subject he has undertaken to ‘elucidate compre-
hensible by' all persons of ordinary capacity. There
were no specious fallacies, calculated to bewilder the
brain or deceive the mind, contained in his brilliant
address. He showed clearly and distinctly the happy
results that invariably accompanied a judicious system
of currency, with a sufficient supply of the represen-
tatives of value, and explained that similar effects
would again follow similar causes if they were in
operation. He entered into a history of prices, show-
ing the cause of each variation, and tracing it to the
state of monetary affairs, as the natural result of the
unjust and inequitable Acts of 1819 and 1844. The
Reverend Gentleman then gave in his ad-
hesion to the " national taxation money," to
which we have repeatedly directed the public
attention, which he described as " a system similar
to that which we had during the war, but better, im-
proved by all the suggestions which experience and
philosophy can present ;" with which "the prosperity
and happiness of the country might be increased to
an extent scarcely yet contemplated."
In pointing out the mode in which this currency
would increase the national wealth, the Rev. Gentle-
man was peculiarly felicitous ; insomuch so that,
although we have already exceeded our ordinary
limits, we cannot refrain from making one quotation.
" It would," said he, " replace a very expensive me-
dium of exchange—cup, by a very cheap one—PAPER.
The fifty or sixty millions of gold which are now sup-
posed to be in circulation, and which are merely used as
counters, would be then replaced by notes. Here at
once would be a saving of more than two millions a year,
by converting this large amount of dead stock into active
productive stook. Suppose a farmer had been taught
that it was necessary to use a golden ploughshare, worth
1,000/., and a man came to him and said, ' I will make
for you a ploughshare of iron for 100 pence which will
do the work just as well;' it is plain that the farmer
would have the difference between 1,(;001. and 100 pence
to employ as active capital. Ho would improve his land,
drain, manure, and what not, when he had substituted a
cheap ploughshare for a dear one."

He also pointed out that it would benefit the nation
by " rendering our circulating medium independent
of foreign exchanges," and " that we should obtain
r a circulating medium capable of expansion, a money,
in which prices would be able to rise as taxes are im-
posed, so that taxes might be added to the cost of pro-
duction, and a remunerative price be obtained. And
further, as our population increased, and our commo-
dities increased also, in other words, as our buyers
and sellers increased, and the things to be bought and
sold increased, money, the medium of exchange
between man and man, might increase in due pro-
portion."
It is almost unnecessary to add that Mr. TIV'ELLS
carried conviction to the minds of his auditory—
that resolutions were unanimously adopted in favour
of his views, the object of which, as he truthfully and
' eloquently declared, was " to extend commercial en-
terprise—to restore to agriculture its just remunera-
tion—to insure to the rich man the safe enjoyment of
his abundance, and to the poor man the just reward of his
labour"—"to promote the greatest possible happiness to
tl-e greatest passible number, with the least possible
injury to the least possible number ;" or that the pro-
ceedings were terminated by a rapturous and en-
thusiastic vote of thanks to the Reverend Gentleman,
whose efficient and energetic exertions in the cause of
monetary reform have merited the gratitude of the
community in general.

Startled by the melancholy and fatal catastrophe at
Frimley, which deprived au amiable family of their

guardian and protector, the Surrey magistrates have
shaken off the apathy in which they long indulged,
and are beginning to take active measures for the
protection of life and property within the portions of
the county beyond the radius of the Metropolitan Po-
lice. At the General Quarter Session, held at Kings-
ton, on Wednesday, a committee was unanimously
appointed to consider and report upon a plan for the
adoption of a rural police in the hitherto neglected
districts, where the habitual violators of the law car-
ried on their nefarious operations without fear of dis-
turbance or detection. That this step has not been
taken without an urgent and pressing necessity may
be gathered from the fact stated by the mover of the
resolution, that since March last " there had
been no less than eighteen cases of burglary, accom-
panied with violence, in the Godalming district." It
is painful to reflect that the offenders
in any of these cases would, by an easy transition,
have become murderers; that they were prepared for
any degree of brutality to have ensured the coveted
booty ; and yet, during that entire time, while the
more remote localities were handed over to the tender
mercies of gangs of lawless ruffians, nothing prac-
tical was done, no suggestion was offered calculated
to bring this untoward state of affairs to a conclusion.
It was as if a well-stocked preserve were thrown open
to a body of poachers, the caretakers and game-
keepers being prudently sent out of the way.
What materially enhanced the danger was, that
there was no such negligence in the adjoining coun-
ties of Hants or Sussex. An efficient body of police
were maintained in these more distant shires; while
the wealthy inhabitants were left without protection.
The plunderers were thus induced to carry on their
depredations in this favoured district, where they were
at the same time assured of a handsome booty and
reasonable time to make their escape before any im-
pertinent inquiries would be instituted as to their
innocent amusements. If they trespassed in this
quarter, patrolled by the Metropolitan Police, it was
certain that there would be a speedy and energetic
pursuit, that the scent would be actively followed ur,
and every point in the trail closely observed, so that
if they even escaped conviction they would still be
marked men, kept under close surveillance, and subject
to arrest on every occasion when any reasonable sus-
picion could be entertained. The same might be as-
serted of Sussex and Hampshire, but it was very dif-
ferent in the lower portion of Surrey ; that was the
land ,of promise, to which the gallant souls who
scorned to be bound by legal trammels flocked when-
ever the neighbourhoods which they had previously
pairalsed became too warm to hold them. The
number and magnitude of the offences are, therefore,
by no means so surprising as that the inhabitants
should have so long remained contented, without
making some effort to obtain the much-required pro-
tection. A simple fact in connexion with the Frimley
murder will explain the entire state of affairs—
" from the want of proper authorities on the spot, no
less than sixteen hours elapsed before any policeman
was engaged in endeavouring to detect the guilty

parties." Under such circumstances the refusal to
appoint a rural police on the ground of expense
must be acknowledged to be of a piece with that
policy which is generally denominated "penny wise
and pound foolish."

It must not be supposed that the appointment of such
a force would alone be sufficient to protect the inhabi-
tants. Offences will occur in the best-watched districts
Reckless and desperate men will seize on every op-
portunity that may offer for crime; even in the busiest
and most carefully guarded localities outrages of the
most formidable character will be attempted, and fre-
quently with success. All that can be done is to en-
sure prompt attention to every case, and. a strict and
vigilant search after the offenders, so, as fAr as prac-
ticable, to abridge their chances of escape. No pains,

no expense, should be spared to detect the criminals,
and make certain punishment attend on guilt. But
this is the duty of the authorities, and not of the par-
ties injured—of the public generally, and not of indi-
viduals. It is too much the habit to consider that the
whole duty devolves on the person previously ag-
grieved. He is expected, whatever may be his cir-
cumstances, to offer a reward for the apprehension
and conviction of the offenders, and to take
upon himself the onus of their prosecution
If any deficiency should occur, he is censured ; and
what should be regarded as a great act of public
justice, degenerates into the gratification of private
vengeance.

It may be said that in cases of magnitude there wi

be public prosecutions. Undoubtedly so, where in-
dictments for murder or capital felonies are preferred ;
but petty cases of robbery and offences against pri-
vate property are comparatively disregarded, and the
offenders are but too frequently suffered to evade the
penalties due to their crimes, through the apathy,
incompetence, or careless good nature of those whom
they have injured. Many, alas! too many, persons
have ' become practised bands, going through the
several gradations of crime, until society has been{
horrified by some sanguinary murder, which!
can only be expiated by an ignominous
death upon the scaffold, through the impunity

that followed their earlier offences from the want of
an efficient public prosecutor. For this society is
often nearly as much to blame as the wretched cri-
minal who may be strangled in due form of law, upon
the scaffold.

Who can say that Mr. HOLLEST would not now
have been in full vigour of mind and body, in the en-
joyment of health and strength, if the Surrey magis-
trates, dreading an additional farthing rate, had not
reported against the appointment of a rural police?
May not the fearful event that has harrowed up the
feelings of the community, deprived Mr. HOLLEST of
life, and converted ordinary robbers into blood-
stained murderers, be owing to this fit of economy on
the part of the worshipful justices? Did they place
the temptation in the way of the burglars, and must
they not in some degree be responsible for the result ?

THE STAR STEAM-PACKET COMPANY.—The an•
nual general meeting of the proprietors of this company
was held yesterday at Gravesend. The meeting was nu-
merously attended. James Harmer, Esq., the chairman,
said that he had great gratification in being able to congra•
tulate the proprietors upon the prosperous condition of their
affairs during the season just passed, notwithstanding the
great difficulties they had to contend against. The audi-
tor's report was then read, from which it appeared that the
gross receipts for the year amounted to 19,7291. 17s. 2d.,
and that the gross expenditure was 17,806/. Os. 5d.. leaving
a balance to the credit of the company of 1,9231. 17.3. 9d. for
appropriation by the proprietors. Mr. W. F. Dobson, secre-
tary to the company, read the directors' report, which, after
referring to the difficulties before alluded to, recommended
payment of a dividend of 51. per cent. out of the balance
to the credit of the company, and that a further payment of
1,000!. out of the same be made in liquidation of the balance
of 3,0001. still due by the company for their new boat the
Jupiter. After those payments had been made a balance
would still remain to be carried over to the next year's
account in favour of the company. The reports were
adopted unanimously. The existing board of directors, the
auditors, and the secretary were re-elected, and votes of
thanks were passed to those officers respectively. The meet-
ing then separated, in evident good humour with the pros-
perous condition of the company's affairs.
Loss OF THE SHIP CORSAIR.—We are sorry to
state that the fine ship Corsair, of 700 tons burthen, Nance
master, of this port, belonging to Messrs. Price and Co.,
timber merchants, has been totally lost. The intelligence
which has reached home is meagre • but it would appear that
the Corsair was laden with iron rails, and bound for Quebec.
In leaving England the weather was thick, and no sights
could be taken until the vessel was found to be close to the
Azores islands, and of course considerably out of her course.
On investigation, it was ascertained that the compasses of
the ship had been deflected 213/4 points by the attraction
of the iron forming the cargo. 'The vessel was boarded by
a pilot at the entrance of the-river St. Lawrence, and at that
time the compasses were wrong, but on nearing the land
they got right again. In the narrows of the river, how-
ever, the attraction returned, and a course was shaped
which it was thought would clear the land, but during thick
weather breakers were discovered a-head, The helm was
immediately put down 'bout ship, but before the vessel's
sails filled she struck violently,, and stuck fast. The vessel
was,bilged by the shock, and it was believed would even- 1
tually go to pieces. The sails and great part of the stores
bad been saved, and it was thought the cargo would be also
caved. It is stated that two other vessels laden with iron
are also on shore within thirty miles of the wreck of the
Corsair, and the master of the latter reports that he passed a
brig laden with iron in the same predicament that led to the
loss of his ship. The ship we hear was uninsured, but the
cargo was insured.—Gloucester Journal.

ANOTHER DARING BURGLARY AT A CLERGYMAN'S.
—Yesterday evening information was received at Scotland-
yard, that the
.parsonage-house of the Rev. W. Mudge, at
Pertinhall, near, Sharnbr(x)k, Bedfordshire, had on Tues-
day night been burglariously broken into by a gang of
armed ruffians, disguised with their shirts over their cloth •
Jog, and their faces blackened. The fellows made use of
horrid threats, and having secured the family in one of the
upper rooms, proceeded to ransack the premises. The fel-
lows also regaled themselves with bread, meat, fruit pie, and
several bottles of port wine, carrying off 2001. worth of sil er
plate, some money (amount unknown), and a church mis-
sionary box, which has since been found in the churchyard
broken open and rifled of its contents. The thieves effected
their entrance through the larder window.

THE DUKE or NrwcAsTr.E.---The health of his
Grace continues in much the same state. Great anxiety is
manifested by all the members of the Noble Duke's family,
who still remain with Wm.—Derby Mercury.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

We have received the Paris journals of yeiterday.
M. TRIEL, the ex-coachman of Lours PHILIPPE,
ambitious of the fame of M. CHEMJ, has published
what appears to be a police-concocted narrative,
showing "as how " the members of the Provisional
Government rode about in the royal carriages, and
after using them for twelve months, returned them
much in the state in which a carriage might be well
supposed to be after twelve months' wear and tear.
Seeing that after the fall of the monarchy these
royal state carriages, which were no more the private
property of the Sovereign than is the state coach of
the city of London the private property of the Lord
Mayor, became national property, we certainly cannot
see any impropriety in this being devoted to the use
of the members of the Provisional Government.
However, the narrative serves to amuse the gams-
mouches, and its publication at the present moment by
the monarchical intriguers is evidently a piece of
" red herring trailing," but which will scarcely be
successful.

It is said that the Orleanists have split into two
factions ; the first the " rump" of the " conspirators of
15 years," has for its organ the Journal des Dibats,
the second the Thiers and Odilon party, as the party
of the Regency, has for its organ tbe:Ordre.
The carpenters who struck for higher wage's at
Liverdun have been sentenced by the Police-court of
Assize of Toul for coalition to periods of imprison•
ment varying from two to six months.
The price of the 41b. loaf in Paris has been re-
duced to 56 centimes, in consequence of the decline
in the price of flour.

PARIS BOURSE, OCT. 16.—Latest Prices.—Five per
Cents., 92f. 10c. ; Three per Cents , .551. ; Bank
Actions, 2,3001.

BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE

LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, Ocr. 16.
Boulogne and Amiens, 81/—Dutch Rhenish, 34—Namur
and Liege, 81i,—Northern of France, 14%—Paris and Stras-
bourg, 7,A—Rouen and Havro, 10—Tours and Nantes, 3%.

•
i`Tc'
,_ -4\ _.'l:l4lk- •
'l44' -4-4' t *Ottiii.
ty.."" ,414, Xtib
'lR' ,todt.,.r • "t°*-•?•.:-,:.," *