The Sun.
London, England, 1850-02-08 00:00:00

That that opinion was in conformity with the general
constitution of those colonies, and the general principle s
of the English law, was, he thought, shown by the opi-
nion of Sir Philip York, which was quoted by Lord
Mansfield in the well-known case regarding the procla-
mation of the King in respect of the island of Jamaica.
The Assembly having refused to grant the necessa-y
supplies, the matter was referred for his opinion, and he
said that the only way in which taxes could be laid on
the inhabitants was through the Assembly. From 1627,
after the accession of Charles I. till the peace of Paris
in 1763, the general policy in regard to the colonies had
remained the same, but for various reasons, which he
would not particularise, it did not seem to be thought ad-
visable to follow the example of our ancestors between
1763 and the time of the peace in 1814 ; and the con-
stitution of the colonies had not been formed on
the plan of the British Constitution. With regard to
our commercial policy with the colonies, it had
been materially altered within the last few years.
In 1786 Mr. Pitt had determined to adopt a free-trade
policy with regard to the intercourse between the West
Indian and the North American dependencies of this
country, as well as between the former of these colonies
and the United States of North America; and
he had passed resolutions to that effect, but af,er-
wards a more restricted policy was adopted, and
it was only during last year that the House had given its
full sanction to th abolition of that exclusiveness which
they hal utterly put an end to by the repeal of the navi-
gation laws, and had thereby put an end, as he conceived
for ever, to the whole system of commercial monopoly.
—(Hear, hear.) They had given the colonies the power
to receive from, and to transfer to, other parts of
the world all the articles which they produced, or the
goods which they required, together with the authority
to impose whatever duties they deemed necessary upon
the products of this country. Much had been said of
the evils and the benefits of this system. He would
only make his teat by the increase of population. In
1816 the population of the Canadas was 462.452; in
1835 it was 1,099,000; and in 1847 it was 1,185,689.
Now there was another way in which the extent of this
inerease might in some degree be measured, by compar-
ing this increase of population with the increase in the
population of the United States. Now he found
that in 1825 the population of Lower Canada
was 423,630, and in 1831 it was 511,923, being an in-
crease in the six years of 17 per cent. In 1844 it was
690,782, being in the thirteen years an increase of 35
per cent. In 1848 it was 770,0n0, being an in•
crease of 12 per cent. Taking Upper and Lower
Canada together, the increase from 1825 to 1831
was 29 per cent. In 1843, which he thought was a me-
dium between 1842 and 1844, being ten years, the in-
crease was 55 per cent. In 1848, being four years, the
increase was 28 per cent. The proportions being so
great, he would take the proportions for the United
States at ten years. In 1800 the increase was
25 per cent. In 1110, 36; in 1820, 33; in 1830, 33;
in 1840, 32; thus the increase in Upper and Lower
Canada was considerably greater than that of the United
States. With regard to the imports, the increase of the
last few years had been no less remarkable. In 1835
they were 3,730,000 ; in 1846 4,053,000. The exports
in 1835 were 1,929,000 ;in 1846 3,201,000. The
shipping inwards increased from 1,077,000 to 1,461,000,
whilst the shipping outwards increased from 1,025,000
to 1,494,000. That was a most remarkable
increase, both in population and commerce ;
and if the House went to another test of
the wealth of those countries, namely, the articles as-
sessed to local taxation in Upper Canada, they had no
less remarkable results. The property assessed to the local
taxation in that province was in 1825 2,000,0001. odd in
1835 3,085,0001., in 1845 7,778,0001., and in 1847
8,567,000/. With regard to another portion of our
colonies in which there had been an increase of the
people of British descent, the facts were hardly less
remarkable. He alluded more especially to the Austra-
lian colonies, and in the first place to New South Wales.
In New South Wales in 1828 the population was
not above 15,000; of whom at that time nearly
one-ha'f were convicts, and the exports were of the
value of 180,000/. In 1848 the population had increased
to 300,000, and the exports were in value upwards of
2,000,000/. That would seem still more remarkable when
he stated that at the time of which he spoke the popul
tion of the American colonies were not above 1,000,000'
The increase with regard to some other colonies more
recently founded in New Holland was equally remark-
able. New South Wales, for example, had made a most
extraordinary progress in the last ten years, both in po-
pulation and in exports. He thought those facts showed
with respect to a large class of our colonies under the
dominion Df this country, a most extraordinary increase,
both in pupulation and in trade. They observed the
value of those relations, on which there was so
much discussion, and on which he thought some
people spoke with but superficial knowledge
He would now take an instance of colonies which had
undergone very severe trials which might have subjected
them to almost ruin, of course he meant the West India
Islands. The great change from slavery to freedom
would, it was likely, for a short time be followed
by a cessation of almost all iadustry, or more es-
pecially to all labour of an irksome description.
The change which had afterwards taken place, first of
admitting foreign free-grown sugar into this country,
and next, of admitting foreign slave-labour sugar into
this country, had naturally produced some
change in those colonies, but it must be re-
membered that if those admission had not
taken place, the West Indies would have been exposed
to competition from the Mauritius. In looking at the
returns he found that, taking the average a the three
years before so many changes had taken place in the
West Indies, they had furnished 2,947,324 cwt. of sugar
to this country; in 1831-2-3, before the emancipation,
3,335,820 cwt ; in 1843-4-5, let f ,re those admissions had
taken place, 2,645.212 cwt.; and in 1847.8-9,: 2,801,6.57
cwt. This proved that our colonies were in a satisfactory
condition as far as regarded our commercial relations with
them. He now came to a question which hal been much
agitated, and which had advocates of very consider-
able ability, who said that it was no longer worth
our while to maintain our colonial possessions.
With regard to this proposal he would say that it was our
bounden duty to maintain colonies which had been
placed under our care.—(Hear.) We could not get rid
of the responsibility e hich we bad taken upon ourselves
for the benefit of these colonies, and he trusted we
would be the means of improving and civilizing those
parts of the world to which they belonged.—(Htar.)
There were many reasons why they should be considered
as part and parcel of the strength of this empire. In
the next place the natives had become in a certain
degree civilized, or at least they had been brought to
order, and to subjection to authority. In one of our
recent colonies there was a most remarkable race
—he meant the people of New Zealand who
not many years ago were given up to practises the most
abhorrent, but who, on communication with the British
people, appeared to be far more capable of civilization
than almost any savage race with which he was ac-
quainted.—(Hear, hear.) There was also another
race—the natives of Natal—who showed great
docility, and gave evidence of their fitness to
learn the arts of civilized life.—(Hear.) There was also
another race which, if abandoned, would relapse into
their former savage habits and begin a war of races un•
der the few Europeans who were left to command them.
But there were other considerations which could not be
lost sight of in coming to a sound conclusion in this
discussion. No one doubts the benefit of the ports of
these colonies to our commerce in the time of peace—
(Cheers)—and that they are most necessary in the time
of war.—(Cheers.) Let them consider what would be
the effect of a neglect of a great number of these colonies.
Was it to be said that because the United States had
groan into a great community, and because that com-
munity had prospered without the addition of colonies?
But the condition of the United States and the circum-
stances of the British Government were very different.
The colonies were in most instances unable to defend
themselves. They had small means and had very
often a savage race around them to contend
with. If, therefore, this country refused to
assist or di fend them they would naturally look to other
powers for that assistance and that protection to which
they were legitimately entitled from us.—(Hear, hear,
and cheers.) In their weakness they would apply to
the strong, and who could blame them?—(Hear, hear.)
But there was another point to which he wished to refer,
and that was the system of making laws. The colonies
bad the power of enacting certain statutes which re-
quired the assent of the home Government; but there
were other laws for their self-government which they were
enabled to complete without any imperial authority.
He did not believe it was possible t drawn any line.
They had a strong instance of this in the debates they
had last session with respect to the measure passed
by the House of Assembly and by the Govern-
ment of Canada. It was contended in this House
that that was a measure which ought not receive the
assent of the Crown. Government, on the other hand,
maintained that it was a matter entirely for the
local government to decide ; and although he did
not wish to review the dispute, and it was an
instance which showed how difficult it would
to draw any precise line on the subject. The only con-
clusion which any man who had the administration of the
colonies could come to was, that the local Government
and Legislature, and not the Crown, were the be stjudges
of their local concerns. Formerly there were causes in
existence which operated detrimental to the interest of
the !Neat Indian colonies, he alluded to the acts and
measures of precaution that were taken after the eman-
selavhees,
wt oar
aevent
e outrages
Colonial-office an d disturb-
ances. 1 of 3 theutwhn
Metcalf wrote to him, stating that there was
no longer any necessity for these precautions,
and they were eventually dispensed with. Those
measures of precaution, those symptoms of .jealousy soon afterwards ceased, and, therefore,
although
there was an interference of a considerable kind,
longer existed between the colonists and the Gov no
F
ment at home. But in considering further this subject,
r
he thought it was absolutely necessary that the Govern-
ment and the House should understand, and if pos-
sible, declare what were the principles upon which
they were hereafter to proceed.—(Cheers.) It was their
duty he believed, and it was their policy to maintain that
great and admirable colonial empire. Let the House see
that those principles were sound which they adopted,
in the administration cf those colonies; let them see that
they ass to the credit of this country and likely to con-
tribute to the happiness of the colonies.—(Cries of
" Hear, hear.") With regard to this commercial
policy he had already said that the whole system of
monopoly was swept away. The House had already
said that in future there should be no duties of
monopoly in favour of one nation as against
another, and that there should be no duties cf such
a nature that they should be prohibitory against the
produce and manufactures of other countries. He
thought that was called fir in return for the protection
and defence which this country gave them. But next, as
to the mode of government. It appeared to him that as a
general rule they could not do better than reer to those
maxims a policy which governed our ancestors on this

subject.—(Hear.) It appeared to them that whereever
Englishmen went they should enjoy English
freedom—(Hear, hear)—and have English institutions.
(Cheers.) They aet2d justly and wisely. They actel,
he believed, for the immediate harmony of the
mother country and her colonies. On this sub-
ject let them see how they stood. He had
in his hand a declaration of a number of gentlemen—he
thought some twelve or fourteen—Members ef that
House, and some three or four Peers of the other
House of Parliament, in regard to colonial policy.
The question of those gentlemen forming themselves into
a Committee and putting themselves in communication
with the colonies, is one which I consider of
very dubious character.—(Great cheering.) In
their character as Members of both Houses, it was
perfectly competent for them fairly to declare
what their views and opinions were, and to call upon
us to show our reasons for dissenting from
them. If they had done that he (the Noble Lord) should
not have complained. They say it is right to grant to
the colonies power to administer their own affairs, and
that the colonies which were at the present either
f,rnied in their population, or were forming it, should
have the perfect management of their own matters. They
stated that there were the North American colonies,
the South African, the Australian colonies, Van Die-
man's Land, and New Z eland. He would take these
in order, and state what bt en the policy of the Govern-
ment regarding them. With regard to the North Ameri-
can colonies, he would take Canada. In 1828 there were
very grave dissensions between the Ministers of the
Crown and Canada. The Ministers of the Crown
thought that they were justified in applying
the money of the Canadas without asking their consent.
Mr. HuskisEoa proposed an inquiry into the matter.
Parliament spent much time in the discussion of it ;
Committees sat and Commissions were ap-
pointed. Soon after that an insurrection broke
out In the Canadas, and blood was shed there.
The Government afterwards proposed the ut,ion
of the two provinces to give ample power
to the Legislature. The popular party of Canada
wished that the Ministers should be of that party to
which the majority belonged. When Lord Glenelg
was the Governor of the Canadas. Mr. Baldwin, who
he believed was now in office in Canada, came over
to England, and as Lord Glenely could not see
that person, he wished that he (Lord John Russell
should see him. They met with the idea that each
would have widely different ideas, but after mutual con-
versation they found that they perfectly agreed.

(LEFT SPEARING.)

THE LONDON GAZETTE.

(THIS EVENING.)

At the Court at Windsor, the sth day of February,
1850: present, the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in
Council. Her Majesty in Council was this day pleased,
upon the representation of the Right Honourable the
Lords of the Committee of Council on Education, to
appoint Edward Woodford, Esq. LL.D., to be one of
her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools, in Scotland, in the
room cf John Gordon, Esq.. resigned.
FOREIGN-OFFICE, FEB. 7, 1850.

The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. Victor
Weber as Consul, at Margate, for his Majesty the King
of the Belgians.
WHITEHALL, EEL 6.

The Queen has been pleased to grant the place of one
of the Lords of Session in Scotland to Thomas Maitland,
Esq., her Majesty's Solicitor-General for Scotland, i❑
the room of Francis Jeffrey, Esq., deceased.
WHITEHALL, FEB. 7.

The Quren has been pleased to grant the office of
her Majesty's Solicitor-General for Scotland to James
Moncreiff, Eq., Advocat, in the room of Thomas
Maitland, Esq., appointed °Le of the Lords of Session in
Scotland.

CROWN-OFFICE, Fin. 7.
MEMBER RETURNED TO SERVE IN TIIIS PRESENT
PARLIAMENT.

Borough of New Windsor—John Hatehell, Esq., of
Merrion-square, in the city of Dublin, her Majesty's
Solicitor-General for Ireland, in the room of John Hay,
Esq. (commonly called Lord John Hay), who has ac-
cepted the office of Steward of her Majesty's Manor cf
Nurthstead.

WAR-OFFICE, FEB. 8.

4th Regiment of Foot—Ensign Thomas Knott to be
Adjutant, vice Bond, appointed Paymaster, Feb. 8.
6th Foot—Captain Samuel William Henry Hawker,
from the 68th Foot, to he Captain, vice Somerville, who
exchanges, Feb. 8.
12th Foot—Lieutenant-Colonel Randal Rumley, from
the 6th Foot, to be Lieutenant-Colonel, vice Patton,
appointed Inspecting Field Officer of a Recruiting Dis-
trict, Feb. 8.
15th Foot—Ensign John Walmsley, to be Lieutenant,.
by purchase, vice Tod, who retires, Feb. 8.
29th Foot—Brevet-Colonel, the Honourable Thomas
Ashburnham, C. 8., from halt-pay, 62d Foot, to be
Lieutenant-Colonel, vice Brevet-Colonel Armine Simcoe
Henry. Mountain, C. 8., who exchanges, Feb. 8.
34th Foot—Lieutenant Charles William Goldfinch
Burrill, to be Captain by purchase, vice Lang, who re-
tires ; Ensign Robert Campbell, to be Lieutenant, by
purchase, vice Burrill, Feb. 8.
37th Foot—Lieutenant Robert Prescott Harrison to be
Captain by purchase, vice Geils, who retires, Feb. 8.
53d Foot—Ensign Bendyshe Walton to be Lieutenant,
by purchase, vice Stokes, who retires; Ensign Donald
Harvey Munro, from the Ist Foot, to be Ensign, vice
Walton. Feb. 8.
63d Foot—Ensign Cecil Charles Pole to be Lieutenant,
without purchase, vice Bannatyne, de.,eaFed; Ensign
Frederick Edward Gauntlett, from the 67th Foot, to he
Ensign, vice Pole, Feb. 8.
68th Foct —Major-General Douglas Mercer, C. 8., to

be Colonel, vice Lieutenant General Charles Nicol,
I
C. 8., deceased, Jan. 31 ; Captain Thomas Ilenry So-
merville, from the 6th Foot, to be Captain, vice Hawker,
who exchanges, Feb. 8.
70th Foot—Ensign Charles ISlinchin, from Ist Foot,
to be Ensign, vice Rae, promoted, Feb 8.
73d Foot—Captain James Mclntyre, from half-pay Un-
attached, to be Captain, vice Maurice Charles O'Connell,
who exchanges; Lieut. Wm. Lases Peto to be Captain,
by purchase, vice Mclntyre, who retires; Ensign Thomas
Bowyer Bower to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Peto;
Albert Henry Godfrey, Gent. to be Ensign, by purchase,
vice Bower, Feb. 8.
80th Foot—Major-General Henry Daubeney to I e
Colonel, vice Major-General Sir Edmund Keynton
K.C.8., deceased, Jan 31.
2d West India Regiment—Quartermaster Cheri( a
Frederick Johnson to be Ensign, vice McHugh, ap-
pointed Quartermaster; Ensign Michael McHugh to be
Quartermaster, vice Johnson, appointed Ensign, Feb. 8.
MEMORANDUM.—The commission of Lieutenant Ro-
bert Villiers Briscoe, in the 25th Foot, has been altered
from the 6th of August, 1847, to the 26th of April,
1848,

ERRATUM in the " Gazette " of Ist instant.
COMMISSARIAT.—For Deputy-Assistant Commis-
sary-General Lionel Routh:to be Assistant Commissar) -
General, commission dated 29th Doc., 1349," read,
" Deputy-Assistant Commissary-General Leonco Routh
to be Assistant Commissary-General, &c."
Ccmmission by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire.
The Honourable Charles Pelham Villiers to be De-
puty-Lieutenant, Feb. 1.
Commissions by the Lord-Lieutenant of the West Riding

of Yorkshire.

Henry Elwards, Esq., to be Deputy-Lieutenant; John
Waterhouse, Eq. to be Deputy-Lieutenant,,Feb. e.
WHITEHALL, FEB. 4.

The Lord Chancellor has appointed Thomas Shu

tlewor th, of Manchester, in the county palatine of Lan-
caster, Gent., to be a Master Extraordinary in the
High Court of Chancery.
WHITEHALL, FEB. 5.

The Lord Chancellor has appointed Henry Penberthy,
of Devonport, in the county of Devon, Gent., to be a
Master Extraordinary in the High Court of Chancery.
BANKRUPTS.

Edward Wolsey, corn merchant, Wereham, Norfolk,
to surrender Feb. 19 and Mar. 22, at eleven, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Official assignee, Stansfield ;
Mason, Wereham; Cree and Sor, Gray's-inn, London.
Henry Charles Cawston, grocer, Temple-street, Kings-
land, Feb. 21, at one, and March 19, at twelve, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Edwards, official assignee, Sam
brook-court, Basinghall-street ; Morris, Stone, and
Townson, Moorgate-street-chambers, Moorgate-street,
City.

Thomas Cooper, the elder, locksmith, Wolverhamp-
ton, Feb. 22, and March 15, at the Birmingham Dis-
trict Court. Valpy, official assignee, Birmingham;
Bon en, Stafford; Smith and James, Birmingham.
Arthur Ford, miller, Stokefleming, Devonshire, Feb.
19 and March 12, at eleven, at the Exeter District
Court. Hernamann, official assignee, Exeter; Hockin,
Dartmouth; Stogdon, Exeter.

—PRICE OF SUGAR.
The average price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, com-
puted from the returns made in the week ending February
5, 1850, is 275. 3:;,,,,d. per cwt.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE.
'From tho London New Price Current, Feb. 8.)
Su6mt.—To-day the market presented a dull aspect for
West India Sugar, and both grocers and refiners operated
with much caution, whilst rather lower rates were acceded
to, making the decline for the week fully 6d per cwt, and
the purchases to only 1,087 hhds, Szc. ; of this quantity 162
hhds, itc., were sold to-day, including 101 pkgs chrystalised
at public sale, which realised 41s to 47s 6d, and brown 34s
to 395 per cwt.
REFINED.—The value of brown lumps is 48s 6d to 495,
standard lumps 49s 6d to 50s ; tittlers, low to fine 49s to 52s
6d, double 53s to 545, Hamburgh loaves 50s to 53s 6d, and
double 54s to 555. Only moderate purchases have been
made in wet lumps, and can be obtained at 453 to
46s 6d, and fine 47s to 47s 6d. Pieces from 87s
to 41s, and 42s to 44s for better sort. Bastards
brown at 29s to 325, and yellow 33s to 805 for low to fine.
There has not been business concluded in Treacle, whilst a
desire is evinced so sell boiled from West India Molasses at
14s 6d to 15s 6d, Patent 16s to 17s, and Golden Syrup at 18s
to 19s; there is a plentiful supply of low and mid-
dling sorts. Bonded Crushed :Sugar met with little at-
tention from shippers, whilst more desire is evinced gto
sell at from 20s 6d to 30s 6d. For delivery few
buyers are to be met with. Wet Lumps are only in limited
demand at 28s to 28s Gd. Only small orders
have been
exeeuted in Treacle for exportation, whilst sellers are
willing to accept 13s 6d to 14s 6d. There are
sellers of Bastards at 18s to 219, and of Pieces at 22s
to 26s for low to fine, but not many orders have been com-
pleted. In foreign Crushed Sugar the purchases made have
been limited at from 26s Gd to 29s for low to fine. In Loaves
there has not been much passing, but the value of 21,,-'2 to
71bs Hambro is 36s to 465, 10 to :151bs 33s Gd to 34s Gd and
Tittlers. 22 to 301bs, 31s to 31s 6d per cwt. ,
Maummus.—This afternoon the quantity submitted to
public sale was larger than for some time past, and amounted
to 12,576 bags. The trade was riot much disposed to operate,
and not above half sold, at a decline on last Friday's rates
of 6d per cwt—low to good yellow went at from 36s 6d to
395, fine 39s Gd to 403 6d, good and fine brown 34s to 363,
inferior 30s to 33s 6d, ord to fine grey 35s to 395, grainy 393
to 933 6d, and one lot white ditty at 484 6d per cwt.