The Sun.
London, England, 1819-04-06 00:00:00

DARLINGTON AND STOCKTON RAILWAY BILL.

great number of Petitions were presented in favour of
this Bill and against it, by Messrs. Davis, Powlett, Taylor,
Sumner, Sze.
On the motion of Mr. LANIBTON, that the Bill be read a
second
POWLETT said, he should move as an Amendment,
that it be read a second time that day six months.

Mr. M. A. TAYLOR supported the Bill, as he was con-
Itinced it would be the means of giving a better and cheaper
supply of fuel.
WHARTON was decidedly against the Bill, add con-
tended, that next Session a Bill would be brought in which
iVould give a clwaper supply of fuel than this Bill would.
Mr. LAMBTON supported the Bill.
After some observations from Mr. Holme Sumner, Lord
Laseslles, and Mr. Russell (Member fur Saltash), the House
divided.
For the second reading . 93
Against it

Majority against it l3
Lord CLIVE presented a Petition from Wenlock, against
any alteration in the Duty on Coals, and another against the
Insolvent Debtors' Act.
A Petition was presented from Uxbridge, for a recision of
the Criminal Law. . .

Mr. HOLM E SUMNER gave notice, that on an early day,
be should move fir leave to bring in a Bill to repeal the Act
abolishing the Assize of Bread in London, and the Country
in its vicinity.

Mr. HOLME SUMNER presented a Petition from the
parish of Maryldiom!, very numerously signed, fur equalis-
ing the Duty on Coals

CORN BILL.

Mr. HOLM E SUMNER said, be had another Petition -to
present, the name of which he was sure 'Would be unpopular
in that House. It was from the County of Suirey, and was
signed by a numeieus body of tenantry in that county,
who were suffering great distress in consequence of the
advantages obtained by the foreign grower in the British
market, and praying the House to adopt some measures for
their relief. He certainly could- not express his concurrence
with many of the sentiments which he had heard in the House
on this subjeet. Many Members thought the provision in
behalf of the Agriculturists made a few years ago so com-
pletely adequate, that no further provision was now re-
luisite. With these Gentlemen he differed completely.—
So far from the existing laws affording an adequate
proti.ction to the fanner against the foreign grower, he
would say, that were every Geutleman in that House to
give up to his tenants every shilling of rent, still the
farmer would not lie able to compete with the foreign
grower. Many Gentlemen, again, were of opinion, that the

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agriculturists were in a state-of very considerable sufferings
but that this was not the proper time to take their case into
consideration. They allowed that some measure for their re-
lief would be very desirable, but that it would not he prudent
to agitate the question at the present moment. He so far
differed with these Gentlemen, that he thought if ever there
was a time for discussing the subject fully, fairly, and amply,
this was the lime. He, for one, therefore thought this was
the best time for entering on this subject. The I-louse could
not legislate propel ly for anpclass under the influence of any
apprehension of excitement of the public mind. They ought
to go into such a subject fully, fairly and dispassionately. He
knew that some additional protection was absolutely neces-
sary to the agriculturists of the county to which he belonged,
and he believed that the distress was equally great in other
parts of the country. Whilst they were endeavouring to fall
in with the popular cry of cheap bread, they were running
au imminent risk of having no bread at all.' He regretted,
huworcr, that the prospect iu iawsur of the agriculturists

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-cuss et pritstiil far frbrn I'! coll4i not %let
think so, wren he heard it from the bigirest authority„ that
the man woo proposed any remedy for the tanners at
present must be indiscreet, ray, even mad. Such was the
language-held with 'respect to whitt be would contend were
the vital interests of the country ; for were the agriculture of
the country to be destroyed, the country must fall.
Mr. DICKINSON agreed with the Honourable Member
for Surrey,.that by humouring the popular cry fai• cheap
bread, they were likely scion to hare uo bread at all; He
wished to observe, that the late returns which had been pre-
sented to the House, claimed the serious attention of Gen-
tlemen. This question was one whidi must be looked to. It
was in vain to talk Of Saving Banks or Friendly Societies, or
giving small portions of land to paiishes bethe poor, .while
the agriculturists remained in their present distressed state.
He wished to call on his Majesty's Ministers to eemember,
that the principal source of reyenne wet land—in remember,
that Government could not go on.if the revenue• was not sop-
ported, and the revenue n.ust fall off if agriculture was not
supported.
Lord ARCM). HAMILTON, while he admitted the dis-
tress of-the Petitioners, differed with them altogether as to
the cause of their tlictress, and the remedy for it. The proper
rethedv was not a renewal of the Corn Bill. It was scarcely
possible to sepal ate the policy of the Corn Bill from the ques-
tion of the correucv of the. country.

The ion was then brought up, read, and ordered to lie
on the tit He.

Lord WM. FITZGERALD pretented a petition from the
Roman Cat twin: intiabitants of a town in Ireland, the name
of t,t)ich 'cook not be litard, praying the House to take the
case.of the Catholics into consideration.
ORDERS OF THE DAY.

Lord CASTLEREAGH soggicsted, that as the usual hoot'
connoeocen.elit of public business had long- , passed,
tI C private husiness should give way.
SI'E,AIi.,E4 said, the [louse was in this situation
Ttit ht,i'iless which the House had been occupied with was
not.prieistr business ; it consisted t 4 petitions on carious sub..
jests. He brad yet two long pages• 9( names which in the
regular course ha had to call upon", butif there was any 4311
sine's of paltictilar importanCer it night be for the conre-.:
thence of the Lir use to have it cal d on.
Lord CASTLEREAUH said, there was a Report at the Bar
from the Secret Committee.--:-(Hear !)