The Sun.
London, England, 1844-06-27 00:00:00

landowners. If you raise the price of corn how will
that enable those p. op'e to pay their taxes ?. They are
people with a fixed income. If you tax them for the
purpose of raying your taxes, then you make them pay
not only their own taxes but yours No. Why, I really
believe that the proprietors of land have a confused no-
tion that the national debt only means private mort-
gages. I have one or two facts to show what are the
consequences to the labourers of the country of high
p ices of cern. I have in my hand a list of the prices of
corn since the corn-law was established in 1315.
It is a very remarkable fact, that the price
of corn is a kind of barometer of the state
( f taxation. The revenue of the country alwaysdeelines
just as the price of c am rises, and rises as the price of
corn falls. It is so mueh so, that, as I said before, it is
a perfect barometer of the state of the revenue. Now I
will take the four years from 1817 to 1820, when the
average price of corn was 84e. 4d. the quarter, and when
the farmers and landowners were rejoicing at high prices.
What was the effect to the revenue ? Why there was an
addition to the annual taxes of the country of 2,400,000/.
imposed. I then take the six years up to 1825, when
there was unparalleled agricultural distress. During
those years you had taxes repealed to the amount of
8,100,000/. Now I come to the next period of exceeding
low prices of corn, viz., in the years 1833, 1634, 1835,
aed 1835, when the average price for the four years was
465. 9d. During those years there were taxes repealed
to the extent of four or five millions per annum. I now
come to the last dear years. During the years
1838 to 1842 the average Trice of wheat was
645. 7d. the quarter, b..ing 20s. higher than
the previous four years. During these five years,
you had first of all five per cent. additions' taxes, and
ten per cent. additional assessed taxes; and then came
the income-tax, amounting altogether to as much as
8,000,0001. sterling per annum. That was at a tune
when rent was rising, when the landowners were laying
in extra rents and when the farmers were in a state of
prosperity. Now, I want to ask the Right Hon.
Baronet, who, I presume, will favour the House with his
opinion on this question—l want to ask him where is
the difficulty of carrying out the principles of free trade
in everything? I wish to state, honestly and empha-
tically, that I am an advocate of free trade in every
thing. If you go into Committee on the corn-law, and
the rules of the House .vial permit me, I will move that
every asticle that is protected be inserted in this resolu-
tion. Now, the Noble Lord the Member for the City of
London expressed some surprise that we did net bring
forward a free trade mrnion. Why, the Right Hon.
Baronet at the head,of the Government told us that we
ought to deal with cora in a very different manner to
any other article. Unfortunately to our sorrow, we
know that that is true, and we know that by abolishing
the corn-laws we shall abolish other monopolies. Now,
lam for free trade in everything. And lest the Right
Hon. Baronet should think this a revolutionary proposal,
I want to show that you can adopt free trad and that
there is n > national obstacle to its being carried out
immelatele. I want to show you that, barring
your, own class interests and the interest of
the landowners, and the farm labourers, there is no
national impediment to your carrying free-trade to-mor-
row.—(" Hear, hear," ironical's? fro--n Lord Jana Man
ners.) lam glad to see the Noble Lerd, because the
Noble Lord professes as assumed benevolence. I am
glad to see the Noble Lord laugh. because it is a laugh
of incredulity. It shows that he votes for the corn-laws
because he believes there are national grounds for hi
doing so. The Noble Lord cannot be sincere in his pro-
fessions of humanity in upholding the corn-law
for class interests. I want to show you that you can
carry out free trade anywhere.—('Hear, hear.)
What is carrying out free trade ? Not by
removing all custom-houses. I have heard that an Hon.
Gentleman, in writing to le;s constituents, has sad that
we wanted to abolish all custom houses, and I have seen
a letter in the Times newspaper declaring that such is
my doctrine. Free trade does not mean the abolition of
customs' duties. It means twine off the duties which
are levied fur protection. How much was the amount
of that ? The whole amount of duty paid last
year for protective duties was 2,800,000/. ; that
includes the duty on corn, on timber, oti silk,
and other items, in which there was a protective
duty. Now lam an advocate for removing the whole of
those protective duties. The whole duty paid on foreige
manufactures dues not amount to 300,000/. How much
do you suppose was paid of duty for cotton and foreign
manufactures last year ? For cotton there was paid
3,7001. ; for lace, 7,60 C/. ; china and earthen-
ware, 3,600/.; linen, 12,000/. ; wool, 16,7001. ; silk
manufactures, 240,6001.; the whole amounting to 284,000/.
Now abolish all these duties, let there be no protection
on manufactures ; we do not want them, for I began my
address by saying we have no protection. The test of
this is, that manufactures in this country are much
cheaper than they are anywhere else. The protection
on silk manufactures is generally on peculiar kinds, of
which the fabrics are rich and the patterns peculiar, I
say abolish the protective duties on silk and other manu-
factures, and if there is any one here who suppos s that
I am for a free trade in corn, and not in anything else.
I repudiate his co-operation. I say you have no more
right to put a protective duty on silk than on corn.
Where we put out our proposal for subscription to the
Anti-Corn-law League among:the manufacturers of the
country, we distinctly stated that we did not ask a single
shilling from anybody who was not waling to abolish all
prOtective duties in connection With his own
trade. This is the case. The amount you have
to deal with would cause an apparent loss
to the revenue of two millions and a half ; but you must
recillect that by equalising ;he sugar duties you are
voting away two millions per annum in protection to
sugar. That is not enough fir Pon. Gentlemen opposite,
and they want a little more ; but if eou equalise the
duties on sugar, on coffee, and on other colonial products,
you will make up every arthing of the revenue you are
going to lose by abolishing protective duties. You may
abolish every protective duty, and yet if you equalise the
colonial duties, the statesman will find himself without
the loss of one shilling of revenue. The Right Hon.
Baronet, when he wished to benefit by an opinion as to
an exception from his general rule, quoted with great
approbation the opinion of Mr. Deacon Hume with re-
gard to slave grown sugar Now, I have reason to know
that Mr. Hume's opinion on that point was the only part
of his evidence before the Committee which he regretted
having given. I was in correspondence with him at the
time of his death as to the publishing of that evidence
with notes, and the qualification he had made with re-
spect to slave grown sugar, was the only part he re-
Wgretted ; and if he had lived he would have expunged it.
What was the opinion of Mr. Deacon Hume with respect
to protective duties ? He was asked by the Committee
whether he thought the revenue would present any ob-
stacle to the simultaneous abolition of all protective
duties: His answer was ",Certainly not ; my hesitation
applies only to the interests affectesi by the change, not
the revenue, Ai hkh I have ne doubt would be instantly
increased by removing the protective duties." There
appears to have been on the Committee some gentlemen
ho entertained an idea thr.t it was not possible to pay
the State taxes unless they continued the protective sys-
tem and it was in answer to the questions of these
gentlemen that Mr. Deacon Hume made this statement.
He says that a highly taxed people cannot afford protec-
whese expences are great, cannot
the very circumstance of the people
thedfolliiirdhut i ' :
good of the State is a reason why
tbbteeohiinei. being
Aae xr °n
taxed for
'
cannot be taxed between themselves. A people
obliged to pay high public taxes are less able to pay pri-
vate ones. Now, upon Mr. Deacon Hume's opinion, and
the facts I have stated, I take my stand against all
protection. If protection' cannot be given equally, it
must be unjust to some portion of the community ; and,
if it is unjust to any portion, if they have the spirit
of Englishmen they ought never to submit quietly to
such a system. If you can apply generally, it can be of
no advantage to any one. Then, I say, abandon this
system. It is unsound, and cannot be defended on any
principle of sound policy. Therefore it is I aslc you to
give your de: talon against this principle. You may say
" IVe are strong in power—we have the const:tuencies
with us."--(lronical cheers.) Yes, but hew long will
you stand firmly on that pinnacle of power, if the
foundations of your pedestal are placed in jeopardy ?
You must show that you arc on a just footing before
you can hope to maintain your power. Now, I have
never heard the question argued how protection benefits
the farn:er, the farm labourer, or any other class of the
community. You tell me that you do this to benefit
the fermer.and theefarm-labourer, but my Hon. Friend
the Member for Wolverhampton has asked you to show
how it does that. Do you do so? No, you immediately
r'se up and talk as you always do, in the future tense,
and you tell us what effect the opposite system has in
injuring e farmer and the farm-labourer, but you do
not t, li us how the present system benefits them. But
I do ask the Right Hon, Baronet not to fly off into de-
tails—not I mean the mere expediency of this matter.
The Hon. Member fur Wolverhampton has brought the
question fairly before the House. This is a question, I
admit, which is not sanctioned by the leading men on
this side of the House. But it is the sole question of
controversy out of doors. The question out of doors is
the principle of protection cr no protection; and when
a gentleman on this side of the House, possessing so
large a share of the public confidence as my Hon. Friend
the Member for Wolverhampton, brings forward a pro-
position against protection, hay the Eight Hon. Baronet
will not be treating him or the people of this country
fairly, unless he fairly met the argument he brought
forward on this occasion. The Right HOll. the
President of the Board of Trude said that he
would not argue the principle of protection, because it
was recognised by the Legislature of this country. But
we come here to contest that principle, awl to call upon
you to justify it. Is it not then sophistry:, to say the
least of it, to tell us that because the principle has been
admitted we will not argue it, unless we-make an excep-
tion to the mode in which the tax is laid on corn. But
I say ag in, we reject the principle, and call upon the
lion. Baronet to show how that principle benefits the
country at large. The Treasury Benches on the other
side have shown a disposition to c-rade this question.
The Noble Lord, the Mew.ber for South Lancashire,
(Lord Stanley), whose great talents for debating no-
body denied, was sent to this House to defend the corn-
'awe. Now, I have never heard him open his mouth on
the subject of protection, and I challenge him to justify
this principle. I challenge him to justify it to the ma-
nufacturers of Preston and Blackburn, not to the
minority who had petitioned in favour of it, but to
the majority who opposed it. I ask him to show upon
public grounds, the justice of this law. I do not ask
him to engage in a personal skirmish in this House. I
do not ask him to engage upon that which he is so well
able to do—to engage in a slashing debate upui personal
topics. I ask him:to show upon public grounds, the jus-
tice of the system of protection. If the Right Hon.
Baronet-rises in his place in this House, to defend the
system, it will go forth to the country, and the pecple
would see whether the argument of the Hon. Member
for Wolverhampton was founded in reason and on facts,
or whether the weight of argument by which they were
going to vote is on our side. do appeal to the House
not to go the vote until some argument has been given
to show the justice of your principle of protection.

Sir R. PEEL said, I can assure the House that it is advantage of the merchant. So the Noble Lord is pre • of rent. He remembered a speech delivered more than. talc
not my intention to trouble it at any length to-night on pared to guard the merchant against loss from excess in years ago by Lord Eldon, in which he stated that it_ wascVthis subject. I consider that the House has to-night the quaetity of importation. lam afraid that sib'e for any tax on agriculture to be remitted wilvrhart_:' Tee
been eNaged for the benefit of that company which concurrently with a good harvest in • this c our,- ing the difference into the pockets of the land owner' ie
Righti .Illen. Baron
generally performs at Covent-garden Theetre—(Loud try there might be - good harvests in other
ofg ranted
the
Baronet spoke of theßu caipfitakei
meants St
cheers and laughter) —and I have very great reluctence : countries, and a great glut of corn coming into this taste
them
soil. He
landowner thus thus invested. l,
in interposing myself, so as to prevent them from having 1 country would be the result ; whereas, if the tenant has denied that -this was a claim against the repeal of the law. I,
the full benefit of the occasion. lam exceedingly sorry , a guarantee against a sudden glut, I cannot help think- to the farmer, the complaint was that he did not invest Wog_
that at an earlier part of the performances the front ' ing that these must be more certainty in the application of capital in the land, and it was notorious that he weas_p_rigi;
benches were not occupied. For a very considerable I, of capital. I have heard it asserted to-night I gave an vented from doing so by the operation of this law. Thrllo
part of the debate, those places were without a single I assurance that there should he art average price of 565. Hon. Baronet spoke of farmers half a century old, who bad ue,d
he ow.
occupant—(Renewed the ring)—until the Gallant 'Ad- (Heal., hear.) Sir, I ask how can any gentlemen say . brought up to leek to this system of protection. But
1.5, tbs.
miral came in and took his seat alone upon them.— so ?--(Hear, hear.) I tell him that there were men in the towns, manufacturere
__,k
(Cheers.) I hope the
.assistance the Hon. Gentleman Mr. CORDEN—h was so understood, - 1 were quite as much entitled to protection. One more
WY
He said that ,1
and his friends gave to me at my benefit the other night Sir R. I'EEL—I do not know what was understood. It on the speech of the Right Ho-. Baronet.
hat they 00',
—(Great cheering and laughter)—has not been the was said the other night that I gave some assurances on-the found no fault with the present corn-lea—that tcf feee trade•.
cause of depriving them of a fuller audience.—(Cheers.) i !ode et of the! Bank Charter ; but I could only reply,.thatl iteliiwioe-seciseliit.
faaestora• te violationtbe m
toofhe
tahre
theeri n
Re i 1
rght Hea. illigr°lll
I only refer to it its a fact, that for the far greater per-
rase had neverwhat said
saidit an z a
s suchthinth4t
I gd.i —I
not(1 I etabri,a lii, etabra. ? a Andless
trTe thisre e : It
g state again what lie had stated before, that the prioc*P-ae: ;11
don of this evening tamest the only occupants of the than 56'. would be re'muneratin; and that the price ought not- bring before the- House are true ones, and that be who 35'
benches on the other side of the House, upon this Ito go lower than s's. --' - I willing to contest them. He believed that no man '' cee;d
great and important discussion of the corn-law?, I Mr. COBDE si said that the Right Hon. Baronet was un- I Aired to the character of a great statesman in this country , jet
0° )
have been that particular class of gentlemen who have desstooe to soraeantee the average at 565. I long continue ti all svr that great principles were truf,ear.) tie
rehearsed their parts en another stage.—(Cheers and Sir IL PEEL—I have only stated what I said,—(Cheere) ' oppose their being carried into oeeration.—( near, el.cieee, flO
laughter. An lion. Member—" Your own Lenches !") I said that I took 560 as the average of the last five ears. I I had =poken, too, of the predictions of his Hon. t Igo in'
Well !at least we were here.—(Cheers.) An Hon. I read these words from the pritred report of the deb ties. It is , Member fur Stockport. He believed that no maned, Liu!
Gentleman commenced his speech by attacking my Hon. not my report. It is the report of a dieintereste d witness, j dulged in predictions than his Honourable_ "11, enle_o_
Friend the Member for Northampton for having con- ( The R.& Hon. harenet then read an extract of his speech I they did predict in Itl4', 1811, and 194t:Zr,
could eeer
earned a considerable portion of the time of the House by from Hansard's Dehites, in which he was reported to have , the price of provisions were reduced, the coon y_Q_;nte de,
said that "it was beyond the power of the Legislature to I raised frees i-s state of depression. There was a ie! test
it
, referring to the speeches of the Hon. Gentlemen who
uarantee the price of wheat, and that it would be ~ncou-ag. I this law that nothing but sophistry could get wee;Aw
were membere of the Anti-Corn-law League, and he
frig a delusion to hold out hopes that such a species of protec. was a law for Milting food scarce for the purpose ofn oleo 0
thought that reference was entirely misplaced— tion would he given to agricul uret") Now, I ask could any dear. It was a law that raised rent, and had o._ beis;
(Hear, hear)—he said he ought to have addressed reasonable man, from this put that construct. on upon my raring wages, while it prevented the landlords froais 0:
himself simply and solely to the mein question words that I wsuld uphold the price to 565? I referred to subject to the same competition. So strong ts. ace, saa
before us.—(Cheers.) But I wish he had given that ad- former Acts, and I stated hose they had failed, and that it was viction of the mischief of this law, its insid,ous Via? be agate'
vice to his llon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampe impossible for the Legislature to guarantee prices which were the danger that awaited the country from it, if it she:ova, oh(
ton—(Loud cheer..) —because it is the gentleman who determined by other cotisiderati ins.—( Hear, hear.) That is visited by a succession of bad harvests, that be t
.0
commences the discussion who gives the tone to the what I said; and I hope that in future the Hon. Gentleman it %soled ovoehrow the Government, as it had
vre.l this tah.','
whole debate— (Cheers)—it is the leading performer will rather refer to what I said, than to fOsh.igh an authority oveernamle7cinti thaattipmreeceefededh him. He dtidenrota
timetn of
the
from whom all tae others take their cue.—(Cheers.) 1 ast Mr. Genre Gwepohrghee Robins.—(l Laudgiht,tcr. )
ir
hwaevehLet 11:3aReestin He wished tnhat these greatalic) wereexcl excitement,
there to reeresenisao
I heard the Hon. Member for Wolverhampton speak I
realised.an - whole community should treat this question as a aati°n „
believe for three hours on 1 a half, and if I mistake not, tions which have' been made by the gentlemen who se, taunt and not one merely of the interests of a peculiar ci°,l*leh,oh'ss
one- hour and a half was occupied in the production of us—and which have not been realised.—(Hear, hear.) They Colonel SIBTHORY rose, amidst loud cries of la ;est l."
newspapers which contained the speeches which Lad ptedieted in 18:2 that the averages would bit lowered by the He was surprisedthat the Hon.
been delivered at every agricultural meeting, and which addi ion of the new towns. down should talk about class legislation, when he rote, a
he with great solemnity recerred to. And if that is the Mr. GIBSON said that the average had been lowered-. introduction of slave labour produce. noel' °I
occur,' -- ire°
course which the author of the debate takes, if that he Sir R. PEEL—On referring to the returns, it would be Mr. VILLIERS replied. He would not . ,4 d g
to e--- te
the example set, really the Hon. Gentleman is the last seen that the averages are rather higher, in consequence of the the time of the House, for Hon. Gentlemen opponsl 0 .be star _
person who ought to complain that other gentlemen addition of those new town;.—(The Hon. Baronet then read him nsothhitngttio reply to. No anse-er had beet!
agricultural
La,
101;
came provided with similar docements in order to remind an extract from an - agricultural paper, which was intended to
dmeebnattewbapnoiwe me,amdcelawdiendi regard
because "
theth eßa.trlii t' ill on . &tritesiel
him and his Hon. Friends of the speeche3 they have deli- show that theb gambling—:hat
ccoidajanwet didd end
dtn give encouragementnlfit
uations tr())f had spoken, and he had heard that there 'was great o'o%i et
ver:d. I was glad to hear the. secon 1 topic to which the Hon. them weatherm h a-uptntuectuations OF se i 17)"Hon."Gentlemen even amongst his own supporters as to the character, --e, tou
Gentleman referred Ho delivered a homily against eppefte _l
preeicted, when the present spy)stm was proposed, that speech.—(" No, n ..") The Right Hon. Gentlemaaci°;ratio:
calling names. It is a bad practice, and I have re- it would be a progress from bid to worse, and that the re- that if he made a broad and distinct de Lig' j
marked that those a-ho are most lavish of attacks on viral of trade was incompstible with the new corn-law. The that he would resist the attacks of the Anti-Cornslawenieeteoi
others are the first to shrink from the application of a Hoe. Member fur Stockport said that if the law were carried it would tend to unite the divisions of the party who triesso
similar instrument when used against themselves.—• into effect, Stockport would be a howling wilderness, and all the Right Hon. Gentleman. lie would then hear °fro
tira
(Hear, hear.) If there is any party in this House who the middle classes throughout the country would be reduced a ten hours' Bill or of the poor-laws —(No, no)
.05, Genoe
deals largely in the practice of calling names, awl affix- to the condition of paupers.—( Hear, hear, and a laugh.) mannerin which the conclusion of the Right.
21, lie 0;4
co(
in; odious imputations on the motives of those who dis- Now, Sir, that prophecy has net been realised—( Hear, pearl nian'sspeeclswasreceitvoedthheeraconc.— (lcudheedertsha; whet i, the Fib
sent from themselves, that party is the one to which the —but. I. hey et that the improvementti has not beerts.dsn
tgrdeatthaast
83 perfectlythe Rieht satisfactorylln. Gentlsman made a speech of a - fil of
Hon. Gentleman belongs.—(Cheers.) Ido not defend withinl. have w,lsheed. Th .. en eman pr ic e .
h I 'edh l ' d utter &oleo 11°
rex montns 'ne manufacturing interest would be in a c erecter, c iaracteris y evity, an an te ^ea
the practice, but the example provokes retaliation. the privations of the poor— (Oh, oh )—at least theewseatoi
state of dissolution.
And those who first resort to the practice are very Mr. CO3DEN—And it was so. allusion to the condition of the poor. But Ho% iseg Le
frequently the first to say the calling of names ought to Sir R. PEEL—What is the state of dissolution ?—( Hear.) should recollect what had taken place betwee
obit 70
3-,
be distinct
thenfrm legitimate argumeat, and they beg that Has there been no improvement? In cotton the declared value 1814, and they should take care lest 0
sur sg 'el
in future practice may be nvoided. 'I he Honeurable of the exports in 1844, as compared with 1842, showed an in- happened during this time should not c_li ti.ellei,3o
Gentleman asked how the Anti-Corn-law.League were crease of 16,300,000 lbs. The export of yarn had been in- The Right Hon. Gen leman, the Nrce-President
to be combatted. I think they have greatly diminished creasing. It had, however, since diminished, and the export of Trade, had offered a sort of reproof to himesoh__!.,cret%o
. their power by the use of the instruments they have bad ofh goottlisl in a more advanced state of manufacture had increased eicechuapideddesonme e,,taimsetrimading eexetrtactsifireommatiantaiirle'lla tholaa,il'e el
recourse to.—(llear, hear.) They have provoked in- respect.
Ityoaseasrstohetnoorsalr,e,wthhieleeLpoiltsaiti3o7t
wofasth6ast9,cooomol-. h
modify inret.. who opposed flee trade )WelrnePbolund to show that thheYhed reso,
d:gnation on the part of the tenants of the country, at
So with respect to glass, siii, &c., the exportation had in- adequate supely for the wants of the people;
there 00,,et
the free use they have m tile of unjust imputations, and creaeed during the continuance ef the corn-laws. So that it extracts to show that under the present sestemwtlich belitei,
they have provoke], by the attributing of base, and selfish, would be seen that the exports, as compared bet:veep 1842 and hope of an adequate supply. Now what was itee erePle,:tba
and int -rested motives to honourable men, a combination 1843, had considerably iscreased- But then it had been said brought before the House. Ile had shown that t's`c'eeo ler
against themselves. It was but a short time since a take care of your imports. Now, what was the fact with - re- suffering great privations, because they had notm ilia, thel
aboast was made that the tenants and labourers were in sped to then ? Why, in 1842 the imports were 6e,204,0001., first necessaries of lie. He had reminded the if the 6:tbr
Favour of repeal of the corn-laws; but I apprehend, and while in 1843 they were,70,093,000f. I am, continued the putition was increasing at an enormous rate, tl!ahs be OPesse
I infer it from the altered tone I perceived in the Right Hon. Baronet, only stating these things for the was correct, it had increased by two millions.,Q ow'
usestiou. 1) ia'-enit
debate, that they have discovered that they have purpose of showing that the confident predictions that geneo discuss the question-( Cries oft'
but thei I;
out-stripped the, limits within which it would be have been made as to the particular operation might attemptcen _a tot gt, ta of h
and statements, but
The ise 11-
of the Bill have failed and been felsified.—(Hear, hear.) The procure • tei pdetestation
prudent to have confined themselves, and the use of the
Noble Lord, the Member for Sunderland, is for total repeal. only get contemptfor their maudlin professions ~. rings 6es
in.arument they have employed has recoiled on theta- He p als to feelings and measure's whic'h I think come ex- night had been occupied in talking about the antler
°n• or
sel, es.— (Cheers.) The Hon. Gentleman, then went to tremaeplyelate. The Noble Lord said, that if there was a repeal people, but when their own interests were at stase'for setae ~eOl
the particu'ar motion, and said we would not escape from of the corn-laws there would he an increased demand for in- dement scouted discussion. He had asked therohe old: 01
the discussion of it. It would appear from the speech dustry, and the result would be an immediate restoration of tification of the policy of stopping trade in f°°d'nuerl. ,lieilei
of the Hon. Gentleman that the question they'were now Prosperity. Now, there have been many years in which there them to show why that policy
was eont_ho hsdhe yet'
discussing was,the total abrogation of all protecting duties. bits been an unre.dricted importatien of foreign corn. There been visited that moriaint by a working man; nuriog wei,ofie,
If that was the question, why was . not notice given ac- was no duty on corn at the time of the war, but there was to him the sufferings which he had endurede :_^,..ee of „to'
cordingly ? Nothing would have b en easier to frame no cessation from those privations which are inseparable of bad harvests ; and he.expressed but little nutroest "
..
than a mo'.ion, having for its object the repeal of all pro- from
_society in _ a great agrieulltyrfal and tom-
rweitheettiheenspornesreenatdt. ;le:: tg
em
that ofde
bprotection.could
pot
'so.
our re,bscio
tective duties, but it referred to one particular deeart-
wmaesrciaal
rceouenatlry.ef islttbe eemray
lafiwram
tbbeereie
wouldthat infetth
be fl
Strangers were then ordered to withdraw. Cincerra° tie
moot of industry, which it was thought expedient should that demand for industry which is anticipated. The mission to the gallery we understood that lthhAilaeselail
cease and determine. The Hon. Gentleman shakes his Noble Lord said that the labourer should -have a fair withdrawn his amendment, and that the House "
head, but lam not wrong in saying that this motion has day's wages for a fair day's work, and that the repeal of the original motion, when the numbers were, la4e
reverence to only one particular branch of industy. Now corn-laws would ensure it to him. For my own part I believe For the motion ................................... ' lig. Oa
I defend protection to agriculture—(Checrs)—on tie that no legislation could effect that, and what would not be the Against it - to
• ret
principle and to the extent that I defended it before. I disappointment if, after the repeal of the corn-laws had taken Alajority against the motion .ete••A s
am about to address no new opinions on the subject to place, it turned out that that perfet prosperitythen diets
which the Noble The other orders of the day were .
the House. I have a strong feeling that, speaking Lord prophesied did not occur, and that the labourer did not House adjourned at a Quarter to Two o'Clocx.
generally—l am now speaking •of the amount obtain a fair day's wages for a fair day's work ? Would they not
of protection—that the agriculture of the country is thenod
i revert
which
he
eo theh,d Noble
entitled to protection from considerations of justice as ngaoda and thisw country promised.isttalyinapplicabala;ogbyecauseeit could-
well as of policy. I consider there are special peculiar, easily be shown why there was an increased demand for
burdens on land which entitle it to this protection— labour in Canada and other colonies which there was not in
burdens imposed on the land for the relief of the poor. others, Now, I lok to the state of the United States, and I
On considerations of policy, I think agricu'atire is en- feud that, even there, where there are no restrictions upon
titled to protection, because I think that great public food, there exists great distress. In New York and Phila-
evils would be the result if this motion were carried to- delphia, there is certainty on the part of the labouring corn-
night—that is essay, Ido not believe there are ten re- munity. On these grounds, Ido nut believe that the removal
fleeting, thinking men out of the Anti-Corn-law League of restrictions will realise the expectations of the Noble Lord.
who are of opinion that if the announcement were made I thank the House for the inaltegenoe with which they have
to-morrow, that the House of Commons resolved that listened to me while I ven used to ass-ign the reasons why I
from next Monday week all protection were suddenly tmotaanllitadsisimasztreo,f..-er otfhetopurtoxorseitmioonz hoirchaltlhperoliltiobeit.i.Gne not." ely
and immediately to be withdrawn from agricultural not adopting any new opinions and principles for the present
produce, such . a precipitate withdrawal of protection occasion, only in opposition to the Noble Lord, who, with me,
would be for the advantage of the general interests of admits the principle of protection. I prefer the princ'ple of
the country. —(Hear, hear.) Suddenly to withdraw all the Bill of 1842 to the principle of the Bill of the Noble Lord—
protection from the coffee and ginger producers of (Cheers)—and I have only to repeat the declaration which, on
the colonies, anal to withdraw all protection from agri- the part of her Majesty's Government, I made at the corn-
culture and manufacturea, would have the effect of mencement of the present session, that we do not intend, and we
paralysing the commercial industry of the, country, and have not intended, to diminish the protection which the existing
would produce general distress, and the labourers of the corn-law gives to the agricultural interest.—(Loud cheers from
the Ministerial side of the House.)
country would be involved in the general ruin. The Lord HO WICK rose to explain. The Right Hon. Gen-
question, then, we have to consider to-night is, whether tleman had so entirely mistaken- what he (Lord Howick) bad
we shall affirm this resolution, which, though confined - said last night, and it related to a matter of so much import-
to the question of corn alone, involves the sudden ante, that he trusted the House would allow him to state what
and immediate removal of all protection from it was that he really had said. The Right Hon. Gentleman
our colonial and domestic products. We should had imputed to him that he had said that a repeal of the corn-
deal dispassionately and gradually with the removal of laws would produce such an immediate effect as to insure, under
those protective duties, looking to the money expended all circumstances, to every labouring man a fair day's wages for
in the cultivation of the soil, and seeing that Ireland is a fair day's work. Now he had said no such thing. lie hod
wholly dependent on agriculture.—(Cheers.) I know said that, in his. opinion,
.society wasd siotbcobnstituteclby Provi-
that, according to your rigid principles of political eco- dente, catbhoautriwf
oitolwdearlewnaoyts, interfered esre w
und and artificialwyholesom e
srteastter i co-f
notny, I cannot abstractedly contest your principles.— society, secure its due reward. He had said that it had been
(Hear, hear.) Speaking mathematically, they may be admitted, on both sides of the House, that there had been a
true. It may be true that the population from which progressive diminution in wages and in profits. He had said
production is sought to be withdrawn, ought to be em- that there existed in this country artificial restrictions, and that
ploved in other avocations. But is that practicable ? if those artificial restrictions were removed in the majority of
—(Hear, hear.) If we are not mere philsophers or min eases, and under ordinary circums'ances, they would secure to
of science, having to deal with abstract and imaginary the poor, industrious man, a fair return for his labour, and that
quantities, but men having to deal with the comforts and a syetem of legalised relief was a proper resource under extra-
subsistence of millions of human beings, bon can we ordinary circumstances,d but. one which ought not to be had re-
disregard those considerations which are presented to the coeshisre
itio under)
jorwfusi
versioniciyeecrirteatirryeaadneiest.—tb(eCheers.)
which the
contemplation of the legislate'. and the statesman ? Noble Lord had given of the woyrds whichP he had spoken last
You may regret having voted on the strict principles of night, and he would abide by that construction on all future
rigid philosophy and political economy ; but when you occasions ; but the Yoble Lot d would perhaps i e=mit him to
have endaxsged the peace and prosperity of the country, read the passage of his speech by which he had been misled.
you will have but a serry return. Therefore, I say, far The Noble Lord had said we might give a new value to labour
considerations of ju tice, looking at the long endurance by diminishing competition, and he had then proceeded to say
of th's protection—looking at the amount of capital in- that all that the poor man asked for was a fair day's wages for
vested--looking at the nature of the population—looking a fair day's work, and they had a right to ask this, and the
at the fearful Magnitude of the interests, nut from a re- Legislature had the power to give them this, by simply reliev-
gard merely for the interests of landlords and tenants, ing them from those artificial restrictions which prevented them
from furnishing their labour to their best customers:—
but the interests of ail classes of the community—l mint
(Cheers.) He read the passage for the purpose of showing
give my decided and unqualified opposition to the pro- that the Noble Lord had made use of expressions which, with.
posit! for the immediate repeal of the corn-laws.— out those qualifications which the Noble Lord had intended,
(Cheers.) lam speaking now of the first proposal. If would bear the construction which he had placed upon them.
lam asked whether lam prepared to bring under Lord 110 WICK said that the passage which the Right
the consideration of the House any modified Hon. Gentleman hid quoted was perfectly consistent with the
proposition, I reply at once that I am not prepared. explanation which he had given. He did not usually look over
The Hon. Gentleman says that my Right Hon. Friend the reports of his speeches, but it so happened that he looked
and myself are using language differ( nt from that which this morning at the report of his speech in the papers—( Loud
we used at a former period. We are not holding diffe- laughter)--and owing to the late hour at which he had spoken
his observations had been so much abridsied that many
rent language. We said then, and we say now, that we do
im-
not contemplate any. alteration in the corn-law.—(Hear,) Portent qualifications had been entirely omitted in the newt-
hear.) The Noble Lord, the Member for the City of papeirr.rep .
A EIeorLICE had originally entertained no intention of ad-
London, whose absence on this occasion I regret— dressing the House, and should not have done so hail it not
(Laughter)—has declared his intention of not voting been for the allusion which had been made to
against the proposal of the Honourable Gentle him by the Right Honourable Gentleman.—(Hear, hear.)
man. Now the Honourable Gentleman has very fairly There was no choice left him between supporting the present
called upon us to declare to night whether we are motion and voting for the continuance of the existing corn-laws,
for or against a total repeal of the corn-laws. Nothing and he should, therefore, support the motion. With regard to
can be fairer than the course pursued by him. you what the Right lion. Gentleman had said on the subject of the
cannot impute to him that he wants to catch silk duty, he would observe that it was not all for
protection,
and that if they were to raise a revenue by duties on imports,
stray votes by an eqeivocal motion. The. Noble it was better to raise it on an article of luxury like she,
Lord says distinctly that he is not prepared than on food, and the whole of the duty on silk
for immediate repeal, being -of opinion that agri- was only one-half the duty imposed upon food.
culture is entitled to protection. On what ground does lie had always, in discussing the question of the corn-laws,
he vvithluald from his party the light of his countenance, and those other propositions which would most affect the work-•
and the advantage of his efforts, against the proposition ing classes, said, begin with reducing the duty on the raw ma-
of the Hen. Member fur Wolverhampton ? The Noble terial, reduce the tax on food, enab:e the poor man to enter
Lord said that he found himself in a position in which into competition with his rivals in foreign countrie a. He
the Government had been, namely, in a very unenviable thought, considering the whole question, it would be absurd to
one. At any rate, we base not solved the difficulty by say the, present corn-laws would be permanent; could thetye,
for instance, be maintained in this plis; would t.I
running away. he Noble Lord says, that because we
here he content to compete with paying one-third
maintain the existing corn-law, he cannot vote with us, amrotirseafnosr their bread than in any other town in Europe?—( Hear,
though he concurs with us in denouncing the proposi. hear.) ibis country formerly possessed exclusive advantages
Lion of the Hon. Gentleman. The Noble Lord has not regarding steam and machinery, which no other countries en-
always been so squeatnish.—(Hear, hear.) The other ;eyed; but those advantages they possessed no longer, and it
night the Noble Lord vindicated himself from voting with I became therefore imperative on the Legislature to enable our
those to whom lie was opposed, by saying that he , mechanists to compete with those of other countries.
should never have carried the Reform Bill and various Mr. P. BORTHWICK rose amid loud cries of "Divide,"
other Bills, if he had not combined with those with whom, and one or two exclamations of " Turn him out !" He at-
though generally opposed to them, he occasionally con- tempted to explain, amid greatcorusoloorsomeaspersions
curred in approbation or disapprobation of a particular whichH
ehadri A beenle b
]Member,
cost
eu peo him in the o
W vner, failed in obtainie of
ng a hearing.
Mr. debate.
measure. Well, the Noble Lord does concur with us in Mr. BRIGHT then rose and was received with loud cries
disapprobation of this particular measure, yet he cannot of " Divide, divide," and mingled chters and uproar. He
make up his mind to give that vote which his judgment said that he could assure the House that he did not intend to
tells him is the proper one.—(Hear.) 'The Hon. Mem- take up many minutes of their time. He felt that he would
bee for Gateshead, on the other band, who is the arivo- not be performing his duty to those who had sent him to that
care of a fixed duty, intends to vote with the Hon. Gen- House if he did not state the grounds upon which he would
tleman (Mr. Villiers), who has done all he can to repu- give his vote that night. He was exceedingly glad that the Right
diate his company, and who tells him that his resolu- Hon. Baronet had spoken upon this question that night, for
tion is as much directed against a fixed duty as riga"nst when he spoke upon it he generally brought the question
a sliding scale. I think the Hon. Member has just as Intoothae narrowerßight compass than it was before. Three years
little defence fir giving his vote, as the Noble Lord i aggrou d Hon. Gentleman opposed them upon the same
n that he did then, that the special burdens upon the
has for stopping away. (Loud cheering.) Now .
Ilandowners and farmers were a claim and a just claim to pro-
the more I hear this question discussed, the more tectitin.
On this occasion the Right lion. Gentleman had
'
convinced am I that it is infinitely better to maintain
I narrowed his ground, and had only addressed himself to the
the present protection than to attempt to conciliate sup- I pour-rates.—(Cries of " No, no.") He wou'd not like to mss-
' pert in favour of any slight molitication.—(Cheers.)
e represent any Member of that House, but certainly the only
rho real, practical question, is between the mainte- special burden to which ihe Hon. Gentleman had alluded was
'lance of the existing law and the total and unqualified that of the poor-rates. Now the Noble Lord, the Member for
I
repeal ; and I cannot copceive of any public advantage , Lancashire, came from a county where the landowners and
arising from the substitution of the Noble Lord's duty I farmers were not so large a porti.in of the population as eons;
for the existing system. Ido believe that, for the bene- pared
with otherclasses as they were in other counties. The
fit of the consuming classes, the present system worksl Noble Lord was perhapsk aware, and if so, he would perhaps
his coil league, that there were
better than a fixed duty of Bs. a quarter could possibly communicate
suh:hin t,heer-nroa.taelsei
ag
to°his csunty, ande if the poor-rate were
do. I have never heard a better argument in favour of a groundgfsorastaixing the community, to enable the landowners
a graduated duty in preference to a fixed one, than we to; pay their poor-rates, they were also a ground for taxing
heard from the Noble Lord last night. The Noble Lord the community for the manufacturers to pay their poor-rates.
goes quite as far as I do in objections to the He would ask, where was the difference between the two cases?
removal of all protection. Ile asked last night what He would be glad if the Right Hon. Baronet, when he spoke
could we reasonably expect from a sudden revolution, lon this question, would be a little more explicit. No one
awlits.
from a state of considerable protection to one of free-- more capab'e of going into details, even the most insignifidcnaer.
trade? The landlord and tenant Would, said the Noble If the poor-rates were lessened
roe
nr, fasrms what
e og
i that, when
Lord, be in doubt as to the manner in which their capital , teir:ece 7,3Nu°rldraticts k
mwere lowee nt st, _vasere at the highest.
could be profitably employed. Tam afraid that a low fixed anti, lwhen the poor-rates were high, rent was low ?
duty would not remove• the anxiety. The Noble Lord Let them cross the Tweed, and ask the farmer there why he
further stated, that the effect would be a diminution in the I petd more rent than his neighbour on the other side. They
employment of labour, and that there would be a much i would be told that he had but little tithe and little poor-rate to
greater importation than would bo consistent with the pay, and that the difference went to the

TO THE EDITOR OF THE Si--
'ch
SIR,—I gto be allowed to correct a 1-nist'i il'l
ference to a case of " Suspec:ed Child I,llurticr,.
appeared in your journal of yesterd.i,v evelli9g"
made to say that "the child had been born
though the case is one of a most serious chart'eborols.
in the entire absence (for the present) of COrro 50,
or confirmatory post mortem proofs of the ruotbereat.),,ri
pected guilt, I should consider it an act of goatV'e,
justice to the poor creature to volunteer ,tc. cll. to
and dananatory an opinion.—l have .he 11°r° ,2
main, Sir, your most obedient servant, ,tirALO.
GEORGE A.

11, St. James's-place, Thursday.
,00,0
OPENING LETTERS

POST-OFFIE. ,dy, ;a
TO THE EDITOR OFT THE '3'Acticetd,
SlR,—The expose of the letter openirg il:n coal fc•
London has caused great alarm througltouD x vhere :ter§
I have no doubt ; at all events in that Part 'aijig le' P
side, I assure ycu, Sir, these is a fear of ,seto,,e, _ 0
flaying to pass through the General Post , l'ir oard
wonder that there should be.—the recent tWelighteldi-
enough to alarm any one. We boast of an I.lpt„ bi3,loen
house being his castle, and, with all this b°3,',01f., ,O 0
vale and confidential commuuicat;ons are 11extcirrloo
passing to their destinations ! 11Ia)4Y li.to , ',rid)
notion that the Government have a destr° Ally,teti4l;
people. I hope not, but such impression i 5 r;welllttel
A question ought to be put to the Duke ("her tr ,iile
Sir Robert Peel, or Sir J. Graham, wil°l,-- Thc 1
opening system extends into the provinces. v 0
spread alarm is daily increasing.ll,o,-
June 25, 1844. ONE OF TO ' 01
-----2r2.--or iiicl ce
~ 0
[ADVERTISEMENNT.]—The A trapilator-r; for 0 tot
Hair Dye, the only dye that really ansWerfis the el tae
gloruorvts.s,, aansditdnoeeis,enrofatdieesr
oirreacrgeudioreinsg but inoralutl 505
thativo aauaboil
or purple tint common to all other dyes' end °coil i;
can, with the greatest confidence, reel:1,00;0 brik
dye as infallable, if done at their establi',:ested t• '3'
ett‘lvhhtieeaisiincrehoferrlivoegifnlelfdanesitrillouaerrbmels.eeenrtvhsareneemqtyseutrwioraiilcntihogprtiiiiityteatmluterfi:rts!„,trbdsoelitisholireacteositds,
5 the
eparo
01 the: 1 0"
entirely to the above purpose, and o°6loo best
blishment having USE d it, tbe effect produftint 11 1/, of df,,;
seen. They think it necessary to add, lah bett;evitn
strictly to per, instructions given with
li, well
.4 9.,
numerous pons have succeeded eq11c06.7. 119 ;itoere'a
coming to them.—Address Ross and otiiers,VeSiterld
Bishepsgate-street,the celebratedPerreparailies ti
Hair-cutters, red Hair-dyers.--N•l3' dietsoce fob ere
at their own residences, whatever the . reo ors
so %1;
TII E WEAT II ER.--AfIC f some thir :t sveel')r' a 31)te"
weeks' drought (excepting a fewshose%l3conlOetn to ,Pirc(-r-
-yesterday visited by a heavy rain, witle .e ieu'hiefr'
9 o'clock, a. 51., and still continued whetl.24Calabri"7
with every appearance of its continuance-
tiger of this day. _....ei i'll
,----< free. litol.
1•111%. - •
~,, cat-0'1,400f '
-
SIX POUNDS of TEA, and upwarca, e:-'OO roe ~•
part of the Kingdom, at the Wholesale's 1"1 4,• scl.. a"
taut:., or Post-office order. 40.4t1 tis., 77 SA•,p
Black, 2s. Bd., 35., 3s. 4d., 3s. 8(I., 4s, bs. 4 .10-1, ' pl.' 0
Green, :is. 4d., 3s. Bd., 45., 4s. 4d.,
5"""' lers, 2.e.eco
Coffee, 9d„ Is. Is. 2d., Is. 4,1., Is., 6,l•',rea Pelei, to r
G. T. MANSELL and CO., Wholesale'
.1 b, el
LEItSBURY, CIIEAPSIDE. Agencies WL ~„../-
parties- •
__,,,......._/ /I ~,,,
--------- he get
BIRTHS. pf V.`
On the 24th inst., at Datchet, the wife.. r_iaptoe, -
Henry Labouchere, M P.. of a dauglq.',-,,,er '-'•
frA9`.°
On the 22d inst., at Warwick-road, "
~ .3/1.1"' f
Ll),o
W. Turner, of a son. ifeckne., •
On the 22d inst., at Spring-Plgce' hire, fib'
Lovell, of a son. Yorks rCy 341
eS,
On the 23d inst., at Burton Agnj heir. Is.A.li ,-
Henry Boynton, Ess, of a soo '`..naguare, 3 r .--,*
On the 25th inst., in Woburn if ,
don, of a daughter..,, ').44e,
,isle r,ul Dit (
Paris,On Fthreed2e2rdickins
jta.,ntrt3iintl:leClibilej.)l.°fotfllrel3d..e,reicekhipa: Qlll'
I e, EE(11:1; Jaitlegot 0
sono
re. t° '3,,,,15. •,(05'
Esq., of York-place, Porternidaenstsigista
daughter of the late Thomas Denirnstaple„n 3,1 p,r. jol
On the 21st inst., at l'ilton,toPleatb, Capt_'e /ate sir ,
gent, Esq., of Clonlost,
WresdJughter of tu •110°
. Si , to
Guards, to Anne younges- the Be'. -11°14,
Robison, of EdinbUrgh. o,nersetshire, nevonp._, f,„
Sitipton lielir,s,,tri pig"
WAeltlinßgtroonck:Bey.A.C, horcll,
Re,for ( „n gugh ,e..i
pfjom
Fier:lice, second daughter 3
of Brod tley lall,".nuset. .ii Ric
DIE-D' Indies, "431 -cr'
as. E t
In March last, at Moulmein,
nclor , .s.ill?
sutv'
On the 18th inst., at meat , ~,, only '
L. Coxe, of her Itlsj
cent Randall, Esq. bead, Na';' - Lodge..,c,'''
! iet Lop 05
daughter of the late J iarr cti
On the 23d inst., at Dover, _atehir
Esq. Seruer3
daughter of H. Taylor, _ ,_.,, r odge,
Sr
ale.
i,,
C. Will be
On the 20th inst.,
oaltinlitaeied,eFn,sl
of w„ofie) sue
r,i,
On the 23,1 inst., at uP""!,-_'.
Knvf;en, i•bq' G. re /vlr• of t
Knyfton, relict of T. ,
__;ngt„ii o ,
On the 24th inst., at IS-ci;r n E-
rd, Ireland-
.„„te6e
esti's 814natioi.
nilt-esgitrineeetn, t.f. .‘.' ford, J05`313 ,
.00'
t Ludien, ile, p
On the 15th inst., a F.sci' ‘il'
o!ill
surgeon, of that. place at
Abern g. j
.€it'-'°
Colonel Bernard, of-Castie D • .
On the 18th just , at tford-Place' -intare' ie4
Upp Be( f .ton-r.-i if it,
In London, Lady Cathsrerinnen
James Esdaile, Esq , et. ter-terrace, -,- f iler ' 41,
On the 19th inst., at Ches
Tattersall,
k:sq , 0
frsl'‘ .
wife (,f G B.
Jane, the •
Ceylon Rifle Regiment.
On the 20th inst., at Earl's-,.,1 , iza. char!e' .:00 e' ~
„.• ft, Tyrone • Ge°.rglitg°9l44.l-111'ect
eldest sure
On the 21st inst., Jo'an peter, ~, Pr'
..13itcrinctiittadr,drte,li:t
id,
4:
the fifth datt7liter of the llon. and . -isring' 4
Groart.tt,tiEleslisotfiAnsctt,on
On the 22(1 inst., at Trenodderi
.. ol'
'ornivall• lift.tr ~
magistrate for the county of U ee1,,...w
.10,,,
ilie.
'On the 23d inst.,' at Berwick-on- l_ace tca:da ,
iiso ,
baton, Vicar of Wandsworth, Sttrrcy'.
art>linc,
On the 23d inst, at Aberdeen-pl , 01'
.ifil_ /' ,
On the 23d inst., Hannah, the wit 4,
./ Ocff
of Tulse-hill, Brixton. —.---- follk I) f
Foley Hodgkinson, Esq., aged 36.
.0
_±. 3fr. r / e
~....,---- -_-. -.t. , 1 0., I
'''-' --- ' --
---
'-'
' '-'.--..."7-.' 31 li:1)' • 0, );011
Loadon : Printed and Published bY '47 L OILC co
No. 112, Strand, PrilllC,7, At 'l'm Qua ~ to
Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy:, """
Middlesex. Thnraday, June 27, 1844, '
the,wßifeicloifatrdLePltoel.;gefiriv
de4

-4