The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-31 00:00:00

RESTRICTIONS ON *ADE.

(From the Renfrewshire Reformer.)
The restrictive commercial policy so pertinaciously
maintained for the benefit of the landowners is pro-
ducing the worst results that were anticipated from
it. The Brazilian Government, who have for years
reasoned, advised, courted, and at last threatened,
that they might obtain a removal of the restric-
tions imposed on the importation of their sugar into
this country, have at last acted. The Brazilians
have long since shown their desire to establish a
liberal commercial intercourse with this country,
and, by the resolution they have adopted, they prove
themselves thorough masters of the subject, able tacti-
cians, and apt imitators of- the cunning conditional
provisions for the protection of a class, which Sir
Robert Peel has so liberally introduced into all the
commercial regulations adopted by his Government.
In his remodelling of the tariff in 1842, Sir Robert
introduced the system of making comprehensive ex-
ceptions in favour of various interests, such as had
not previously existed, and in his modification, or
rather derangement of the sugar duties this year, he
introduced a special reservation, placing in the hands
of the Executive Government the power to admit or
exclude, by lowering or advancing the duties ; the
produce of certain countries, according to their internal
policy : whereby Brazil, though not specially named,
had its sugar, which we so much require, just as
effectually excluded, as though a special prohi-
bition had been enacted against our importing the
produce of that country. It is long since the mem-
bers of the Brazilian Government characterised, as it
deserved, the conduct of the British aristocracy in
monopolising the supply of food for the country, and
the supineness of the British people in submitting to
it. Being fully aware of the position of parties, and
the real motives which covered the pretence for
the mock humanity displayed on the slave question,
the Government of Brazil has not been slow to re-
taliate on the commerce of this country for the
invidious distinction made against their own, and
that in terms equally powerful, yet equally gene-
rally expressed with the terms in which Sir
Robert Peel couched his recent prohibition against
the admission of Brazilian produce into our mar-
kets. By the packet, just arrived we have a copy of
the new tariff agreed to for that country, which con-
tains, amongst other provisions, the following strin-
gent clauses, which speak for themselves :

" The Government is authorised to impose upon the
merchandise of any country, in which the produce of
Brazil is liable to a higher duty than similar produce of
other countries en additional duty, so as to neutralise
the ill effects of the difference of duty upon Brazil pro-
duce, such additional duty to cease when the increased
duty upon Brazil produce shall be abolished.
" A similar differential duty will be charged upon the
merchandise of any country in which the produce of
Brazil is chargeable with a higher duty if imported in
foreign vessels than in national bottoms."
By this imitative provision of the enactments o
the Peel Cabinet, it will be observed that the Govern-
ment of Brazil reserve the unqualified power of totally
prohibiting the importation of British manufactures.
It is not only an additional duty which is im-
posed on the produce of those countries which
impose a higher duty on the produce of Brazil
than that of any other country. The Brazilian
provision contemplates more than this. It provides
for the imposition of such additional duty as
will neutralise the effect of such Peelite
provisions, by leaving the Government free to
add cent by cent to the duty, till the
produce of such countries are thoroughly prohi-
bited—the bad effects of their legislation neutralised.
The three countries to which the greatest amount of
British manufactures is exported, are the United
States, the East Indies, and Brazil. To the two first
the exports now average about six millions annually,
and to Brazil, prior to the late rupture with the
Government of that country, the exports were
upwards of five millions, and these of the de-
scription which afford the best remuneration to
our manufacturers. The whole exports of Great Bri-
tain only average about fifty millions annually,
and have been more frequently under than over that
amount. By the injudicious, invidious provision
made by our Government last session, and by
the retaliation it has caused on the part of
Brazil, here, then, is a tenth of our whole manu-
factured exports at once to be prohibited and left on
the hands of the makers ; and that goods, the
cost of which consists almost entirely of labour. With
the suppression of so much of the employment which
our countrymen stand in need of, they are to be
compelled at the same time to pay threepence per
pound additional on all the sugar they consume for
the benefit of our colonial monopolists. The British
master and workman are thus first taxed for

the benefit of the monopolists, and they are next
starved out of the means of both paying the
tax, and of existence for the very same purpose.
Along with the copy of the new Brazil tariff, Viscount
D'Abrantes has come passenger in the same packet,
carrying with him full powers, it is understood, of
yet holding out the olive branch, and of negotiating
an equitable commercial treaty with this country,
before the damage and ruin consequent on the
breaking off all commercial intercourse is finally
completed. It is understood that the same
transatlantic statesman comes provided with full
power to negotiate with the German Confederation
also, and as it is reported that the first offer for
an equitable amicable relation is to be made to the
Government of this country. Should it be rejected,
as we fear it will, without a decided popular demon-
stration to influence the Ministry, there cannot be a
doubt but the whole advantages of the future supply-
ing of that rich country with manufactures, will be
poured into the laps of France and Germany, and thus,
with the door once closed, it will be found too late' or;
our part, to retrace the false steps that have been made.
It is an old adage that " Misfortunes seldom come
single ;" and in this case it has been verified by the
announcement this week of a prohibitory act on the
part of Belgium far more unexpected, and equally
severe, in proportion to the quantity of business
done with that country, to what the Brazil tariff
is. By the arrangements just announced, Belgium
is essentially admitted as forming part of the
German Confederation, and the Zollverein, or
mutual toll now so rigorously imposed against Bri-
tish manufactures, by Prussia and the States asso-
ciated with it, is to be withdrawn from the produce
of Belgium, on condition that the latter country in-
creases its duty against the produce of England. This
blow will fall most heavily on Manchester, the duty
on the importation of cottons and silks from this coun-
try being advanced by the new tariff from two to three
times its present amount; while the same classes
of goods from France and Germany are to he ad-
mitted at the former rates. This negotiation has
been conducted with great secrecy and effect on the
part of Prussia and Belgium, • and there is not two
opinions in existence about the sole cause of it arising
from the pertinacious manner in which we have now,
for thirty years past, excluded the great article of
German produce (corn) from the markets of our
country.

COLBURN'S NEW MONTIILY MAGAZINE rOR
NO-
VENIER.—This Number well sustains the reputation of
the New Monthly. The first article, " Scenes of So-
ciety," by a new contributor, is a most striking • story of
the marriage of a heartless man of fashion, whose wife
meets her end by secret poison. The liveliness and
abandon with which this tale is told contrast curiously_
with the nature of the subject and the unexpected de-
nouement. The author of " Peter Priggins" gives us a
spirited sketch, called " The First Meet of the Season."-
The portion of TallevrandPapers"contained in thil
Number comprises the True History of the Dianrand
Necklace, and forms one of the most interesting of thin'
remarkable series of papers. Mrs. Trollope's " Ro:
bertses" have progressed on their Travels as far as
Germany, and are characterised by as much amusing
vulgarity and assurance as ever. The " Conversations
with the late Author of Vathek, Part 5," chronicle a vast
number of Mr. Beckford's opinions on literature anti
art, men and things, expressed in the most pointed and
tranehante manner. " The Outcast" is one of the wild
and wonderful talcs of " The Medical Student," lacking
nothing of his usual energy and force of colouring. Mr.
Laman Blanchard's paper, " Talk of the Devil— !" is a
happy specimen of this favourite writer's humorous
powers. Miss Eliza. Cook contributes a charming lyric,
entitled " My Old Straw Hat ;" and that capital satire
" Social Piracy," is brought to a conclusion with the
total smash of the Grand Universal Providence As,;,
surance Company, and the consequent flight of the famou4
family of the llawkes.
STATE OF TRADE.—There is no change in our
market this week. Yarn continues extreme!), scarce,
owing to the greater part of the spinners being under
contract, and prices are consequently buoyant. In geode
there is no great amount of business doing, but price ik
are quite firm.—Manchester Guardian.
GOOD NEWS.—A fortnight has
.passed over our
heads, and we have not heard of any incendiary fire id
the neighbourhood. It is hoped that many more fort-
nights may glide away without meeting with paragraph&
in every paper announcing
." Incendiary Fire ;" for the
operations of " Captain Ssving" have lately been so very.
extensive in this neighbourhood, that he could long since
have been dispensed with altogether.—Bury Farmers'
Journal.
DEATH OF MRS. HENRY SIDDONS.—It is with
sinrheogerrhneiatndgtihbal aead
etsynt
stayingew haversh.
stt
ooifodol
dr,a
ont
nnh s placeo ue
hnba
benefit
eet
London
te
noddfeoahnt of t
Cheltenham,eh
or
nileTahl this
uhiwrs:hda ere-
spectedanr
eict
foonr
ma
er
dr v iNnT
hg ihn
slh.eonsduornv
ea
dd
oan
ysurgicalyosp. e rvsra t leo nu n err-
stand rr
stand that her remains will be brought to Edinburgh for
interment in the family burying-ground in Greyfriars'
eh u rch y ard.—Edinburgh Paper.
IVen,IA RISCHAL COLLEGE, ABERDEEN.—The Senatus
Academicus of Marischal College and University, Aber
de -.
at a meeting held on the 2Gth current, unanimously,
conferred the degree of L.L.D. on William Pyper,
who has been recently appointed Professor of Humanity
in the University of St. Andrews. Dr. Pyper is an,
alumnus of Marischal College, and by his acknowledges{
' superiority as a classical scholar, and his eminent
' services in the cause of education, has well earned the.
- distinguished honour conferred upon him by his elmq
mater.