The Sun.
London, England, 1826-02-06 00:00:00

THE' RIBAND TRADE.

( From the Coventry Herald,
.Feb. 3.)
The Board of Trade have at length replied to
a memorial transmitted to them by the gentlemen deputed by
the riband manufacturers of Coventry. The reply was verbally
given to Mr. Ellice, one of our members, to be forwarded by
him to the deputation. It will be seen by the letter of Mr.
Ellice, that the President of the Board has resolved to persevere
in the line of policy to which he had pledged Parliament and
himself ; but at the same time, be distinctly states, that he will
most willingly adopt whatever measures can be devised to pro.
tect the trade.
We cannot suppose that Ministers would wantonly sacrifice
the interest of 600,000 persons,, who tire dependent for support
upon the silk.manufacture .of England ; and we are therefore
constrained to think that they possess some information which
induces them to believe that a perseverance with the proposed
measures will not operate to its injury.
MR. ELLICE'S LETTER..
"London Jan. 31.
" Dear Sir,--I had a long conversation last night with Mr.
Huskisson, and I am grieved and disappointed in conveying his
final answer to the application from Coveutty—that Government
has, decided to persevere in the principle of the bill for the ad-
mission of foreign wrought silks of all descriptions in July. 1
pressed your peculiar case, the particular difficulty of the times,
anti every other circumstance that occurred to me, for the post..
ponernentof the measure even for the stated period; but although
that he admitted, in some respects, you had made a stronger
case than any other branch of the trade, he said you had failed
in convincing him there was sufficient ground to justify any
exception in your favours and I am satisfied all further appli-
cation to the Board of Trade would only be a waste of their
time and our own. The Legislature may think differently
when they see the effects which 1 dread to think may be the
consequences of 'their determination. Mr. liuskitison added,
that the principle of renewal of absolute prohibition being ad.
matted, he was willing and moat desirous to consider and dis-
cuss with you any further means of precaution or protection to.
the trade you could suggest, and that he was ready to limit
the number of ports of importation, or to concur in any rea-
sonable regnlatton to ensure a full valuation of the
goods im.
ported, and the addition of the full duty of 30 per cent., which
he had no doubt could be fairly levied, although he did not
'participate in our apprehension as to the quantity of goods the
foreign manufacturer would find it his Interest to subject to
this impost. He had' framed a letter more in detail, in answer
to your memorial, which it had been his intention to transmit
to you ; but at a consultation with other members of the trade
here, it contained suggestions in which they were not disposed
to concur, and he was anxious not to raise unnecessary points
for discussion. He wished I would convey his venial answer,
which j have endeavoured to do, as nearly
I could under-
stand him, in the terms of this letter, which, pray
as
have, the
goodnesS to communicate to the trade. Your'S sincerely,
(Signed) " EDWARD ELLICE.
" To Messrs. Adams, Cope, and Merry, Coventry."