The Sun.
London, England, 1820-05-27 00:00:00

FOREIGN TRADE AND COMMERCE.

The Order of the Day upon which their Lord-
ships were summoned being moved,
The Marquis of LANSDOW rose try bring for-
ward his motion on this subject. He did not, he
observed, conceive it to be necessary to consume
much of their Lordships' time in justifying.him
self under the circumstances for coming forward
on a subject of such extreme, such extensive im-
portance, though he felt satisfied that many Noble
Lords couldemore powerfully suppit it than him
self. - The subject to which he then felt it his
duty to call their Lordships' attention, was one
of the most, or rather the most, important rela-
tion of the country. XVith respect to it, the ho-
rizon was clouded some years since ; but latterly,
he was sorry to say, it wore the darkest and Most
ominous aspect. So much so, that Parliament
could not stand excused to itself and the country,
if they did Hot anxiously inquire with respect to
its lamentably deteriorated state. . He would take
the liberty to observe, however, that by the in-
quiry which he was about to propose/ he did not
mean to check any other which it may be deemed
necessary to institute with reference to any other
branch of time public concerns. What he was
now about to propose in the-way of int-lefty did
• not extend beyond the `relations of the foreign
trade and commerce of the country; but in so
doing he begged it to be understood he slid not
cuter upon it with a view to promote the inte-
rests of any particular body of men. The
subject was of that peculiar nature, was so inter-
woven, he might call it, with natural laws peculiar
to itself—laws, which in practice and effect
operated more powerfully titan any -upon the sta•
lute-bunk ; so much so, that from the moment_ it
were attempted to raise op any particular interest
at the expense of the others, the attempt would
he futile and inellicecious. The long procrasti-.
nation of decisive investigation bad indtterd en
accumulation of distress._ The (listless certainly
• was not exclusively tell by time commercial classes
—the Aiiicultural and the Landed Interests were
also deeply affected by time course of circionstances
and events, and these were tventually connected
closely with each other, so that time distresses
either of -the Landed- or Coaimercial Interests
might have an effect on the manufacturing classes,
and those reciprocally on the other branches ; so
that it were a species of folly and madness to se-
parate any of these, so as to prop up or exalt any,
one particular class. The case of the Corn Laws
appeared to him to furnish a striking Obliteration.
It seemed.the opiaidn of many, this country should
be rendered independent of supply from foreign
countries, as until then: we could not he secure
of an adequate supply; but what, he asked, would
be the effect of an abundant harvest when the
prices were raised above those in foreign
countries ? a degree of indescribable calamity
and distress would be induced in the year
following ; but this he allowed was an extreme
case ; yet the. possible contingency he was sure
would not be lost upon their Lordships. It was
also, said by some that the whole prosperity of the
country rested on the agricultural interest. With-
oet going into any speculative -discussion croon
ibis point, he could not .avoid saying, that giving
all doe importance to the agricultural province, it
was the commerce and manufactures of the coun-
try wade it- great and wealthy ; and upon the
same grounds alone it could contieut se ~t his
axiom he thought was nude:, able ; they afforded
time greatest employment to the greaces! propor-
tion of the population.; but the want. of employ-
ment, otethe actual distresses of a minor propor-
[lot! of that populatiou--say two or three, out
of twelve millions of persons, coma not be felt,
without eventually that distress being felt by the
remaining trine or ten Millions. 'Therefore, all
these classes, whether commercial or manufactur-
ing, were deserving time tostetieg protec,ion of the
Legislature. He was averse. from theoretical or
speculative distinctions, and lie receitted to the
jets of an argioneur once held between two very
great men, Dr. Adam Smith and Mm. Burke, in
which the latter detnoustrated that more secure
chance was to he place() Up 01) practice and noon
fads. The result of an expensive and protracted
warfare also contributed greatly to the present dis-
ttessed ,state of the cottony, by leaving en un-
productive population who had no means of sup-
porting. themselves. To this may be added the
increase of debt and diminntion of revenue; all
which in a country like this was in the .end felt
inut.h numee severely than they could be by
.cone-
tries much poorer, but not liable to such disad-
aantages. All these considerations shewed 'the
necessity of setious inquiry. The petition from
Liirmiugham.teelingly poortreyed the• sit oat ion of
that part of the country, and so far
.toi cibly poieted
out the necessity of inquity. In CiPlitelliphfirig
the probable remedies, it was held to be advisable
to get rid of the prohibitory duties altogether,
but to substitute ptoteeling duties, calculated

however to-arlatii of the possibili'y of compel
The•principle of the Navigation Laws, or
heir provisions, %Vas also regarded as a serious
consideration. On this point some i,rnong the
corrtrafcial classes, once so appfehensive and anx-
ious upon the poini, -Wet e HOW. desirous of re-
laxation, and that a greater ft eedom of navigation
may be allowed in these respects. Tfis part of
.ttre subject ws ditnsible into distinct. 7,•duts.—
Each of Which it was held would be ITI,Ne or less
advantageous, and afford a bion to ,tie Ship-
owners. .And among these, the freedom of the
Transit Trade iron) this country was hell of .pe-*
coliar importance. The system be ;contemplated
would go to render this country a gentral depot
to the vcssels of all nations, anti this cool!! be
rendered tally effectual by means of protec•ing
duties. In an arrangement of the Transit Trade,
.that of the blab Linens would form an importatic
consideration. The altered state of the countrs
with reference to a change from war to peace
would, in a view of this part of the subject, forint
au important consideration, and the arrangement
be made so as that the linen trade of Ireland way
nor be injured by the effect of a relaxation. lie
now came to a point which he thought most be the
subject of a good deal of discussion ; lie meant die
state of the imports from the• North of Europe.--
The high ditties imposed on timber and other arti-
cles from that quarter were first laid on as part of
a permanent system of ,colonial policy; but since
that period they were acknowledged to be a tem-
porary system, and subject to review, in March