The Sun.
London, England, 1844-04-02 00:00:00

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LONDON, TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1844.

Lord ABERDEEN, last night, in presenting certain
papers relative to China, said he wa3 happy to state
that the connexion between Great Britain and China
was now placed on the most satisfactory footing; and
at the same time paid a high compliment to Sir
HENRY POTTINGER, for his er.ergy and talents in
bringing affairs to such a happy conclusion. The
Noble Lord regretted that ill-health compelled him to
leave his important situation and return to England.

Lord BEAUMONT called the attention of the House
to the unsatisfactory commercial relations , between
England and the Porte, and painted out the dis-
advantages under which the English merchant la-
boured under the late treaty. Russia had gained
great advantages by it.
Lord ABERDEEN said instructions had been sent
from St. Petersburgh to the Russian Consul, to ne-
gotiate a treaty with the Turkish Government, on
the basis of the British treaty.
The Ecclesiastical Courts Bill was read a third time,
when the House adjourned.

In the Commons, after the presentation of peti-
tions, Mr. BARING WALL gave notice that after
Easter he would move for the appointment of a
Select Committee relative to the building of the
Houses of Parliament.

Mr. COBDEN gave notice of a motion for a Select
Committee, to inquire into the effect of protective
duties on national industry.
In answer to a question from Mr. TRELAWNY,
relative to the affairs of Canada, Lord STANLEY
said no Administration had, according to the latest
accounts, been formed by Sir CHARLES METCALFE ;
and it would be better to defer laying on the table
any papers relative to the late transactions, until
some definite result was known.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in answer
to a question from Mr. DIVETT, said he would bring
on the budget on Monday, the lath inst.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL expressed a hope that the
Government would, before the recess, announce what
Bills they intended to bring in immediately after
Easter.

In answer to a question from Mr. GISBORNE, Sir
ROBERT PEEL said he would bring the Bank Charter
under the consideration of the House immediately
after the recess ; but he must till then decline enter-
ing into particulars.

LOrd ELIOT moved for leave to bring in a Bill for
amending the registration of voters for Members of
Parliament in Ireland. The Noble Lord, in a long
speech, detailed the alterations proposed, which are
very numerous and complicated, and of which it
would be difficult to give an intelligible outline. One
of the clauses of the Bill proposes to render the Irish
law conformable to the English and Scotch law, and
to require that there shall be a clear yearly
value over and above all rents and charges.
He admitted, at the same time, that the proposed
change would have the effect of disfranchising two-
thirds of the 10/. leaseholders and freeholders. That
class amounted to about 40,000. As a compensa-
tion for this, it was proposed that all occupiers who
were rated to the relief of the poor for a certain
amount should have the benefit of the franchise, and

that 25,000 would, from this change, be added to the
constituency. It was proposed also that all persons
possessing a freehold inheritance of Si. clear yearly
♦alue, should have votes. He believed the effect of
these measures would be a considerable increase in
the number of respectable voters in the counties.
After entering into several other details, the Noble
Lord announced that he would lay the Bill on the
table this day, 8° that Members might have ample
time to consider its provisions before it came on for
discussion.

Mr. MORE OTERRALL, though admitting that
the Noble Lord had conceded every principle against
which his party had contended, had yet fallen far
short of what was required. If his statement was
correct, the 25,000 votes which he proposed to give
by the 301. clause would prove to be nothing at all.
The Bill, too, would place the tenants more than
ever under the power of the landlords, and a fran-
chise of that kind would be the greatest curse that
could be inflicted on Ireland.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL thought the introduction of
the 30/. tenant clause was very objectionable, for it
would only give more power to the landlords. He

was glad that a 51. clause had been proposed, and
only regretted that there was not a 40s. freehold
franchise. Certain changes proposed by the Noble
Lord he considered would beheneficial.
A great number of other Members spoke on the
question, but generally refrained from giving a de-
cided opinion till they had read the Bill.
Leave was given to bring in the Bill.
Lord JOHN RussELL put some questions to Sir
ROBERT PEEL relative to a Bill before the other
House for the appointment of a judge to preside over
the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
The Right Hon. Baronet said the Bill would be
brought before the House in the due course of busi-
ness, when the Noble Lord would have an opportunity
of discussing it. He might at the same time state
that it had been brought into the Lords independent
of the Government.
The House then went into Committee of Supply,
when a number of miscellaneous estimates were
agreed to.
Tha other Orders of the Day were then disposed
of, and the House adjourned at One o'Clock.

It was truly observed by JEREMY BENTHAM, that
" in England all other particular interests are over-
borne and crushed by one great particular interest,
called the agricultural interest." To this one great
interest all others are made subservient, all others
pay homage ; and the precept, " render unto CiESAR
the things that are C/ESAR'S," is no guide as to the
undue and unjust regards exacted for it. To raise
the price of bread by means of the corn-laws—to in-
crease the annual amount of rent in consequence of
the additional price that bread corn brings—are
deemed fair and proper means of paying tribute to
the agricultural interest. To control and restrain
the hours of labour, so as to make the rate of wages
rise in proportion to the insufficiency of the demand,
and thus to effect an increase of wages in proportion
with the increased price of bread, is also deemed
worthy of English legislation to attempt. Direct
extortion from the pockets of every other class is
practised and sanctioned, solely for the purpose, and
with the intent, of obtaining for the agricultural in-
terest, prices for produce, and rent for land, beyond
a ly that justice or equity would give.
What absurd principles actuate our legislators
when they give way to this one-sided system, called
protection, this real robbery ; and what ridiculous
notions of the way to bring about their own good,
are entertained by the friends of the agriculturists,
when they seek to benefit them by such means. The
only true mode of encouraging the growth of corn at
home is to increase the demand ; which can only
be done by an increased population, with abundant
ability to buy, and with the power to pay, well
and freely, for what they consume. Monopoly
produces scarcity Of provision, dearness of price,
uncertainty of supply; it cramps the trade of the
country, decreases the demand for labour, lowers the
rate of wages, prevents the poor man from purchasing
his fair proportion of food, and imposes barriers to
marriage and to the increase of the population of the
country. What a mistaken plan of bringing good to
their friends do they adopt.
And our Legislators shall debate, night after night,
whether ten or twelve hours' labour shall be the
maximum of human endurance as to toil—whilst the
power of enduring starvation, and the period for
which it can be borne, shall never be even alluded to.
They make and maintain corn-laws, which compel
additional hours of labour to procure food, and yet
they seek to restrain the working for that very time
which by their own enactments they have rendered
labour necessary. Starvation by Act of Parliament,
or excessive toil, is the doctrine of the corn-laws ;
restricted labour, and restricted food, that of the
Factories Regulation Act.
Was ever such monstrous absurdity heard of?
Could it be believed that in the nineteenth century, the
principles which guide the English Parliament shall
be, when stripped of their covering, mere pretexts for
raising rent, by causing artificial scarcity, and giving
a protection to the landlords, at the expense of every
other class of society ? Could it be believed that a
nation of shopkeepers, as the man called us who
knew well where the strength of England lay ; who
knew that it lay in her trade, in her commerce, and
not in her agricultural productions—for her agricul-
ture must flourish through her trade, not her trade
through her agriculture—would sit so quietly down
under such laws as the corn-laws ? And yet, but fur
the efforts of the Anti-Corn-law League, the country
would have sat down quiescent, and those laws might
have been suffered to remain on the book, which at
some future period of English history will be pointed
out, as instances of partial legislation, worthy only of
the very darkest ages.

The Madrid Journals of the 24th ult. are almost
entirely-occupied with an account of the rejoicings
which took place on the entry of the QUEEN
DOWAGER on the previous day. The procession
was met at the Atocha gate by the munici-
pality and the civil and military authorities, about
half-past one. Three Aides-dc-Camp of NAR-
VAEZ attended, one carrying a crown, and the others
splendid bouquets for the two QUEENS and the IN-
FANTA. At a quarter-past three a salvo of artillery
announced the approach of their MAJESTIES. After
having witnessed the dancing of girls, received the
felicitations of the municipality at the Atocha gate,
and heard a courtly harangue from the political chief,
their MAJESTIES entered the Church of Atocha
where they passed some time in prayer. On leaving
the church another salute of artillery was fired, and
NARVAEZ and the Minister of War took their places
at the sides of the royal carriage. The procession then
moved on, accompanied by great crowds of persons
bearing palm branches. The reception in the city
was rather enthusiastic, and in the evening a general
illumination took place. Next day the QUEEN
DOWAGER, with her daughters, was present at a
re Deum performed in the church of San Isidro, and
were to go to the theatre in the evening. In another
part of the paper will be found a telegraphic dispatch
received on Saturday, which brings intelligence to
the 27th.

The Gazette publishes a Royal decree for the re-
organisation of the infantry of the army, and another
for the payment of a month's salary to the employes
of the Government.

The 23d was observed as a holiday, and the Bourse
was closed.

On Saturday, the French Government received the
following intelligence from Spain:

TELEGRAPHIC DISPATCH.
"MADRID, MARcU 27.

" Carthagena surrendered at discretion on the 25th.
" Yesterday there was a very numerous and brilliant
drawing-room at Court. The two Queens and the Infanta
enjoy good health.
6, The most perfect tranquillity prevails in all parts of
Spain."
So that we may expect by the next dispatch an ac-
count of more butcheries in that devoted country.
The Paris papers are chiefly occupied with the dis-
turbances in Italy, the plan of M. GARNIER PAGES
for the conversion of the Five per Cent. French Stock,
and the English Factory Bill. According to accounts
in some of these journals the French Government has
resolved to occupy Ancona and the Lega-
tions, as the Sovereign Pontiff, with all
his civil and ecclesiastical power, is totally
unable to preserve peace in his dominions. The
Journal des Debate
dif-
ferent and asservtise
and
Nsth'ss:hteh question in a e
disturbances have
been greatly exaggerated,
insurrec-
tion suppressed. " These eventsa,tit'eimt attempts at
eannot
They ar
be viewed without great pain.
perfectly
insensate, for they were manifestly with:
success. Those who seek to revolutionise Itapley doo
not unquestionably rely on their own strength. But
it would be cruel and impolitic to encourage in them,
even by silence, weak illusions and baseless hopes.
Europe is calm, and whatever may tend to disturb
this general repose will not find sympathy in a single
Government. We, therefore, repeat our conviction
that these disturbances can have no serious effect.
They are rather the expiring than the reviving strug-
gles of faction—an impotent demonstration. They
have, in our eyes, been greatly exaggerated as to
their gravity, and this exaggeration has not been
greatest either at Rome or Naples. The ease with
I which the attempts have been repressed proves two
things—first, that revolutions have no longer any chance
in Italy ; and, secondly, that the Italian Governments
—the Neapolitan Government above all—are suffici-
ently strong to triumph over them without foreign aid."
The latter portion of this statement is not entitled to
any credit. It is well known that the Papal Govern-
ment is totally helpless, and that without foreign as-
sistance a revolution cannot be avoided, and the

Government of Naples is newly in the same con-
dition. Even the French Government seems to view
the state of Italy in that light, and are taking active
measures on the subject. On Thursday the Neapoli-
tan Ambassador passed nearly two hours with M.
GUIZOT at the Foreign-office, and from thence pro-
ceeded to the Tuileries. At half-past eleven M.
GUIZOT was sent for to the Palace, where Marshal
SOULT and the Minister of Marine were already.
assembled. At one o'clock two couriers were dis-
patched from the Foreign-office. During the whole
day the communication between the Ministers' hotels,
the Embassies, and the Palace, were incessant, to such
a degree, that it was found necessary to double the
orderlies at the hotels of the Minister of the Interior
and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In adverting to the votes of the House of Commons,
the Journal des Debats makes the following remarks :
" Rarely have we seen this great. country take fire in a
manner so sudden and so extraordinary. In general this
great popular resource, which the English call agitation, is
neither spontaneous, sudden, nor unexpected. It is seen to
approach, the first sparks are observed, the flame then in-
creases, it progresses with a slow step, enlarging its circle,
until it fires the entire surface of the soil ; but it always dis-
plays itself in the mid-day sun, and seems to warn of its ap-
proach the men who watch over the destinies of the empire.
On this occasion no lightning preceded the storm, no previous
sign gave notice to the great political calculators. Public
feeling has burst forth, and this explosion has filled all
classes of the nation with anxiety, as well as the ranks of all
parties. Taken thus unawares, the Legislature went further,
perhaps, than it intended. Being alarmed at the solemn
warning given by the men whom it is accustomed to follow, it
hesitates, returns on its steps, and endeavours to feel its way
through the darkness. The strongest minds feel difficulty in
recovering their self-possession, and look with uneasiness at
the depth of the problem which has been introduced."
The article extends to four columns, and, on the
whole, displays much ability and impartiality. It is
evidently the opinion of the writer that this commo-
tion has given a serious shock to the PEEL Ministry.
After adverting to the opposition made to the Mi-
nisterial plan by the whole of the Tory press, he adds,—
"This change of support, which was observable in the
press, was likewise to be found in the Chamber, but no doubt
the Liberal and disinterested sentiments which were ex-
pressed on this occasion in the British Parliament were not
without an alloy. There were to be found, in the majority
which voted for Lord Ashley, former Ministers, who were not
sorry to see their.successors in difficulty—discontented Conser-
vatives, who gave themselves to the satisfaction of a petty
vengeance—and representatives of the agricultural interests,
who waged war for war. It may be seen, from the speeches
made during the debate, to what a point the passions of the
speakers were excited. The Minister may recover his majo-
, city, but the recollection of these irritating discussions will
not be so speedily effaced."
The motion of M. GARNIER PAGES, for the con-
version of the Five per Cent. Stock, was examined in
the different Committees on Friday, and seven out of
nine decided that it should be discussed at their next
sitting. Ministers did not oppose the reading of the
motion, but at the same time expressed their deter-
mination to resist the attempt to carry such a measure
at the present time. On Saturday M. CUNIN GRI•
DA.INE, the Minister of Commerce, presented to the
Chamber a project of law opening a credit of
54,000,000 of francs for the Tours and Bourdeaux
railway, and another Bill opening a credit of
54,000,000 for the railway to be constructed between
Paris and the Mediterranean (Lyons railway).
The Funds declined a trifle on Saturday, the Five
per Cents. closing at 121 f. 90c., and the Threes at 83f.
THE BOURSE—SATURDAY, MARCEL 30.

First Highest Lowest

Last

Price. Price. Price. Price.
French Five per Cents ••
FourperCents— •••• 105 50 .. 105 50 .. 105 50 .. 105 50
Three per Cents.• •• • 83 83 15 .. 82 95 .. 83 15
Bank of France•... ...... 3910 ..3190 —3lBO ..3180
Laffitte Bank, I,ooof. Sharesll3s ..1137 50 ..1135 ..1137 50
5,000 n Sharessl3o ..5130 .•5130 ..5130
Belgian Bank..• • ..
••1085 ..1085 ..1085 —lOB5
Belgian Fives, •••••• • •
1840.
Spanish POSSIVQ .••.•• • • • • • • 6il • • 61- •• •. Gi
Threes
Neapolitan ...... ....•• 101 50 .. 101 50 .• 101 30 .. 101 50
Roman ••• •
RAILWAY SHARES.

St Germain • B5O .• 850 • • 850 . 850
Versailles, ............410 410 .. 410 • • 410 .. 410
L. 8.•• •• .• •• 257 50 .. 262 50 .. 252 50 .. 260
Rouen ••••• • • • • • 920 .. 920 .. 920 .. 920
Rouen to Havre• •.•• • • ..... 697 50 697 50 • • 695 .. 695
Orleans . 900 .. 900 • . 900 .. 900
Strasburg to Bale ..
Avignon to Marseilles-- 767 50 • • 767 50 .. 767 50 . • 767 50
RAILWAY SHARES, FOR THE ACCOUNT.
St. Germain •••• • • • • • . • 852 50 • • 852 50 .. 852 50 .. 852 50
Versailles, R. 11.•.
L. 8..• • • • • 265 .. 265 .. 252 50 .. 260
Rouen ................920 .. 920 . 917 50 .. 917 50
Rouen to Havre
Orleans .. • .....
Strasburg to Bale 290 .. 295 290 .. 295
Avignon to Marseilles-- 770 .• 770 • . 767 50 .. 767 50

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