The Sun.
London, England, 1826-02-28 00:00:00

7XIXJZ

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, FE8.2,7.

SMALL NOTES BILL.
Viscount MELVILLE presented a petition from the No-
bility, Gentry, and Magistrates of the City and County of Edin-
burgh, praying that no alteration may be made in the Banking
system.
The Earl of ROSEBERRY could not allow the petition to
be laid on the table, without stating that it spoke the general
sentiment of the Country. Meetings on the subject had not
only been held in Edinburgh, but in other parts. Meetings
were also about to be holden, and unanimous, though not cla-
morous representations, would he made throughout the country,
unless the measuieradopterifby his Majesty's Government for
suspending the circulation of small notes in Scotland was.not
stopped. Men of all parties, who never agreed upon any public
question in their lives, had come forward to state that there
newel was a measure submitted to Parliament, so likely to lead
to injury as the Promissory Note Bill. •
Viscount • MELVILLE presented another petition from
Edinburgh, having the saute object. •
Lord HARD WICKE presented a similar petition from
Dtintlee.
The Earl of LAUDERDALE presented three from Hada ing-
ton.--The above were read and laid on the table.
CORN LAWS.
Lord KING said he had a petition to present from the
Ladies' Boot and Shoemakers of Westminster against the Land-
lord Act, the Bread Tax, commonly called the Corn Laws.,
Whenever a bad system had been found on the Statute Book,
a quarter of a century had elapsed before it could be got rid of.
It took that time to get rid of the city job, the Bank restriction.
—With respect to the Corn Laws, it was doubtful when the
system would be abolished. It was doubtful what part Govern.
inent might take in the question. They might differ among
themselves, and if ever they came to a decision, he bad much
doubt whether the House of Commons would carry it into a
law. The. conduct of the Government had been the subject of
comparison. They had been compared to devils. tie did
adopt that comparison. The Noble Lord would compare them
with reference to the Corn Laws, to the ass of the Metaphy-
sician, who was supposed to stand between two bundles of
thistles, unable to decide upon which he should browse first.
—He might also compere them to the modern humble ass be-
tween two merciless drivers—one, representing the landed inte-
rest, basted hini togo one way—the manut'acturing interest en.
deavoured to drive him the other. There was no hope of his
taking the riht course until basted by the manufacturing in.
wrest away from the present Corn Laws.—(A laugh.)
The petition was then read.
The Earl of 1331 ERICK did not rise to oppose the petition
front the distinguished body of Ladies' Shoemakers. The Noble
Earl was desirous of expressing a hope that Government would
be watchful upon that important question, the Corn Laws, and
not be led away by strong expressions.
The Earl of LA.UHL RDA LE could not see any necessity
for disturbing the Corn Laws.
Lord KING presented another petition from the Free-
holders and others of the County of 11-ink—also one front Dar-
lington. Both were against the existing Corn Laws.—Laid on
the table.