The Sun.
London, England, 1842-02-16 00:00:00

REPEAL OP THE CORN-LAWS.

Mr. WOOD presented petitions from two parishes in
Westmoreland praying for a total and immediate repeal
of the Corn-laws.
Sir GEORGE STRICKLAND presented a petition
from Saddlebourne, in Yorkshire, with the same prayer.
Lord DUNCAN presented a petition from Bath,
signed by the City Sheriff, Aldermen, and twenty-four
Town Councillors, complaining of the inefficiency of the
plan proposed by Ministers for the alteration of the Corn-
laws, and humbly praying for the avoidance of class le-
gislation.—(Hear, hear.)
Captain DUN DAS presented a petition from Green-
wich, praying for the abolition of the Corn-laws. -
Mr. RAIKES CURRIE presented petitions from
Northampton with the same prayer.
Mr. FERGUSON :presented similar petitions from
Banffshire.
Mr. VERNON SMITH presented petitions from
several places in Northampton, praying for a total abo-
lition of the Corn-laws, and an alteration in the Suffrage.
Dr. BOWRING presented 61 petitions from different
places in Scotland and England, all very numerously
signed—one from Burnley, with 1,782 signatures, one
from Wortley; with 1,800 signatures, and various others
with many signatures—all praying for the entire and
immediate repeal of the Corn-laws.
PRESBYTERIAN MIXED MARRIAGES.

Mr. EMERSON TENNENT presented petitions,
praying for alterations in the law relating to Presbyte-
rian marriages in Ireland.
Sir R. BATESON presented petitions from two places
in Derry, regarding Presbyterian marriages, praying
that the House would be pleased to pass a law, to legalise
all those marriages which had already taken place. and
make such marriages valid in future. This question
caused great excitement in the north of Ireland.
METROPOLITAN BRIDGE TOLLS.

Mr. MASTERMAN presented a petition from the in
habitants of the metropolis, praying that, the tolls on
the different metropolitan bridges should be taken off.
Mr. B. WOOD presented a petition to the same effect,
from the inhabitants of the Waterloo-road.
Mr. G. W. WOOD brought up the Report on Public
Petitions, which was ordered to lie on the table.

CORN-LAWS.
Lord SANDON presented a petition from the Ame-
rican Chamber of Commerce, in favour of the plan pro-
posed by Sir Robert Peel with respect to the Corn-laws.
Mr. W. EVANS presented a petition in favour of the
total repeal of the Corn-laws.
Mr. VILLIERS presented several petitions from
Nantwich and other places in Cheshire, praying for a
total repeal of the Corn and Provision-laws ; also peti-
tions to the same effect from the shoemakers of Cheshire.

Mr. AGLIONBY presented a petition from an agri-
cultural district in Cumberland, unanimously signed by
the occupiers of estates, and farmers, praying a repeal of
the Corn-laws ; also a petition from the weavers of Car-
lisle, to the same effect. The petitioners stated that great
distress existed in the town, which they attributed in
a great measure to the system adopted by the manufac-
turers in endeavouring to undersell each other—a
system which ought to be checked. The petitioners
suggested that a Bill should be introduced into
the House for the purpose of regulating the price
of wheat, as a means of alleviating the sufferings
of the people. The petitioners further stated that for
,orne time past they had not received more than 3s. 3d.
per -iveek each individual, and they were now further
reduced, and many of them were now only in the receipt
of Is. 3d. per week.
Mr. ALDIIAM presented a petition praying for a
repeal of the Corn-laws.

-Mr. COBDEN presented a great number of petitions
from Lancashire, Yorkshire, and a variety of other
places, praying for a total repeal of the Corn-laws.
Captain PECHELL presented a petition from an indi-
vidual of the name of John Ball Browne, surgeon of
Brighton, complaining of the provisions of the Act for Re-
covery of Small Debts, and praying that execution should
be had against the bOdy, and not against" the goods.—
(A langh.) Also, a petition from the Endfield Congo's,
gado)), against the plan proposed by Sir Robert Peel,
respecting the Corn-laws. Also a petition, signed by the
members of the congregation and other friends of Union-
street Chapel, Brighton, praying that that House would
immediately take into. heir consideration the Corn and
Provision-laws.
DISPUTED RETURN.
The SPEAKER informed the House that the parties
to the petition complaining, of an undue return for the
county of Carlow had no intention of proceeding with
the said petition, on both sides.—(Hear, hear.)
CORN-LAWS.
Sir. C. NAPIER presented twenty-four petitions,
praying for a repeal of the Corn-laws.
Mr. BUNBURY presented petitions to the same effect.
Mr. J. PARKER presented petitions from Rotherham,
Blackburn, and several other places in the West Riding
of Yorkshire, praying for a total repeal of the Corn-laws.
THE NEST INDIA BISHOPS.
Sir C. NAPIER wished to ask the Noble Lord, the
Secretary for the Colonies, where he intended to put
the three new Bishops in the Leeward Islands ?
Lord STANLEY said it was the intention of the
Government to divide the dioceses in such a manner
that the residence of one Bishop would be in 13arbadoes,
and of the two others the residences would beDemerara
and Antigua
PRESBYTERIAN MARRIAGES.
Mr. LITTON presented a petition from the congre-
gation of the Presbyterian Church at Cromlin, praying
the House to pass a measure to legalise all marriages
heretofore solemnised by- a Presbyterian clergyman be-
tween Protestants and Dissenters, and also such as were
to be solemnised in future.
SUGAR DUTIES.
Mr. C. BERKELEY begged to know from the Noble
Lord the Secretary for the Colonies, whether it was the
intention of her Majesty's Government to propose an
alteration in the Sugar Duties.
Lord STANLEY said that it was impossible for him,
under present circumstances, to give any answer to the
question of the Hon. Member.. The subject
was one of great . importance, and, in conse-
quence of that very great importance, and in con-
sequence also of the more extensive measure which was
.in contemplation by his Right Hon. Friend, it would be
unwise if he were to give any answer on the subject of

the alteration of the Sugar Duties, or the intention of
her Majesty'S Government with regard to them.
PRESBYTERIAN MARRIAGES.
Colonel RAWDON hoped he should be excused for
asking a question on a subject in which a large portion
of the community took a great interest, which was
connected with the great cause of civil and religious
liberty.—(Cries of " Order, order.")
The SPEAKER said the Hon. Member might ask
any questions he liked, but be must not introduce them
by any observations.
Colonel RAWDON would ask, first, if the Govern-
ment had prepared any Bill to legalise the Presbyterian
mixed marriage§ in Ireland ; and, secondly, if it were
the intention of the Government to introduce a clause
into such Bill, bestowing on the Presbyterian ministers
of Ireland the right which they had so long exercised, of
uniting in marriage the members of their order.
Lord ELIOT could only reply, as his Right Hon. Friend
at the head of the Government had replied to a similar
question, on a former occasion, namely, that it was the
intention of the Government to introduce a Bill
without delay, legalising the marriages referred
to, but that they must take time to consider the
prospective measures to be adopted with regard to such
marriages for the future. He would add that directions
had been given for the drawing of the Bill which would be
introduced as speedily as possible.
SPANISH AFFAIRS.
Colonel FOX wished to ask if it was true that the noto-
rious Cabrera had had permission from the King of the
French to leave Calvadosin the south of France, to come
to Paris ? He had been informed that Cabrera was either
now in Paris, or was expected there daily. This report
had caused considerable alarm in the minds of many Spa-
niards in this country. He had also understood that a
committee of disaffected Spaniards was about to be formed
in this country, for the purpose of aiding in the organi-
zation of a revolutionary movement in Spain, which it
was intended should break out in April.
Sir R. PEEL had received no official announcement
of the arrival of Cabrera in Paris ; but the same report
which had reached the Hon. Gentleman had also reached
the GOvernment; therefore he could not positively state
that Cabrera was not in Paris. With regard to any attempt
to organize a revolution in Spain by a committee in this
country, he had no hesitation--
ROYAL COMMISSION.

The Right Hon. Baronet was interrupted by the ap-
pearance of the Black Rod, who summoned the House
to attend at the Bar of the House of Peers, to hear her
Majesty's assent given by Commission to a certain Bill.
The SPEAKER. then left the House to go up to the
House of Peers, attended by several Hon. Members.
The SPEAKER shortly after returned, and informed
the House that the Royal Assent had been given by com-
mission to a certain Bill (for which see Lord's Report.)
Sir ROBERT PEEL said that he had been inter-
rupted by the necessary departure of the Chairman
from the House, in answering the questions put by
the Gallant Officer opposite. The Gallant Officer
had asked him whether or not her Majesty's Go-
vernment were aware of the arrival, or of the ex-
pected arrival; of Cabrera in Paris. To that question
he (Sir Robert Peel) had answered that they
had received no information of the arrival, or
with respect to the probable arrival of Cabrera in
that capitaL But the same report which had reached
the Gallant Officer had reached the Government, that
Cabrera had arrived, or was expected to arrive,
in Paris. But what his object was, if he had `ar-
rived, it was impossible for them to say. As the !lo-
nourable and Gallant Colonel had referred to conspi-
racies he (Sir R. Peel) could only express his earnest
hope that the Spanish Government, supported by the great
body of the Spanish people, would have strength and
energy enough to resist any such machinations.
Colonel FOX begged to add that his principal object
in putting the question was to give the Right Hon.
Baronet an opportunity of refuting a report stating that
the French Government lent itself to such proceedings.
Sir R. PEEL desired it to be understood that he did
not in the slightest degree allude to the French Go-
vernment as being connected with such proceedings ; in
fact, he referred to an alleged conspiracybeing commenced
in this or some other country ; and he repeated that the
Spanish Government would have power enough to put
down such proceedings.
EASTERN AFFAIRS.
Sir C. NAPIER asked whether the Right Hon.
Baronet would give directions for search to be made
at our embassay at Constantinople, for those
.papers al-
ready asked for, respecting the instructions given to our
officers with regard to the retreat of the Egyptian troops?
SIR. R. PEEL said he would give those directions,
but if the papers should be forthcoming he would use
his own discretion as to bringing them forward.
Sir C. NAPIER asked then if the Right Hon. Bart.
would produce to the House a copy of the instructions
given to Sir R. Stopford.—(Hear, and laughter.)
Sir R. PEEL would decline for the present.
Mr. MURPHY gave notice that on Monday next he
would call the attention of the House to the deten-
tion and imprisonment of certain of her Majesty's
subjects by the authorities of Central America.
Also, that he would move for copies of any
correspondence that might have taken place on the
part of her Majesty's Government on the subject,
and also for any despatches which the Government might
have received from Sir Charles Metcalf.
Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN gave notice that he should
move, when the House went into Committee upon the
subject of the Corn-laws, that all British colonial
wheat be admitted into this country at a duty of ls.
Sir CHARLES NAPIER gave notice that when the
House went into Committee on the West India Bishops
Bill, he should move, as an amendment, that two be sub-
stituted for three.
Mr. 11. BERKELEY gave notice, that at the first
opportunity he would call the attention of the House to
the present state of property in British Guiana. If means
were furnished for facilitating the importation of free la-
bour, and that means were taken for bettering the condi-
tion, both spiritual and temporal, of free labourers in that
country, the merchants of Guiana would not fear compe-
tition with those of any other part of the world.
SCOTTISH JUDGES.

The LORD ADVOCATE trusted the House would
bear with him while he trespassed for a short time upon
its attention. It would be in the recollection of Hon.
Members, that in the course of a debate which had
taken place last week, a statement had been made
by the Right lion. Gentleman, the late Under Secretary
of State for the Home Department, that the late Lord
President of the Court of Session in Scotland had not,
during the last two years, performed the duties of that im-
portant branch of the Courts of Scotland. That statement
was so inconsistent with the real facts of the case, that he
(the Lord Advocate) considered the Right Hon Gen-
tleman had made it upon erroneous foundation.
He could state with confidence that the Lord President,
down to the close of the Civil Court, had regularly
discharged the duties of his office. The Honourable
Gentleman bad
.moved for a return of the number
of jury cases during a certain period ; and in the course
of the discussion strong reference was made to him (the
Lord Advocate), and allusions were made of no very de-
licate or pleasing character.. He had felt considerable diffi-
culty as to the course which he ought under these circum-
stances to pursue. He might have stated that the re-
fusal to grant the return was the act solely of her Ma-
jesty's Government. He wished, however, to give every
publicity to the facts. Indeed nothing could be so foolish
as to attempt secrecy with respect to a document which
'night be obtained from the attorney's clerks. His at-
tendance in that place rendered it impossible for him to
speak at the time of the discussion from his own personal
information; and he felt that it would be better to remain
perfectly silent, than to make what might appear to be
a qualified statement. He had, therefore, written imme-
diately after the debate to Lord Chief Justice Clerk ;
and his Lordship, on receiving his letter, had taken to
his councils the Solicitor-General of Scotland. He
would read to the House that part of the reply which ap-
peared to him, to hear most immediately upon the question.
The Chief Justice Clerk said, as to the statements he (the
Lord Advocate) had made, that the late Lord President had
presided at all the Jury trials up to July last, and
had remained in Court in one of those cases until near
nine o'clock at night, and was out next day at 10, for the
next trial, not one whit the worse for his attendance so
late on the evening before. It so happened (said the Chief
Justice Clerk), that after the Solicitor-General and
he • had taxed their memories with reference
to the Lord President's attendance in his Court,
they recollected that there were no more than
three cases in which any one had sat for the late
Lord President since Nov. 1830.—(Cheers from the
Ministerial benches.) Such was the statement he (the
Lord Advocate) had received from such very high autho-
rity as the Lord Chief Justice of Scotland. He did
not Impute anything unkind to the Honourable Gen-
tleman opposite, but he seemed so urgent in the
observations he had made that he (the Lord
Advocate) was determined to take measures
to ascertain how the facts with reference to the matter

really were, and he thought it right to lay those
statements before the House.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. WAKLEY observed that the discussion arose
the othernight upon the motion proposed by the colleagues
of the Learned Lord opposite (the Lord Advocate) ;
he had no right to blame his ( Mr. Wakley's) side of the
House—(Laughter)—for the acts that gave rise to the dis-
cussion were those of the Noble Lord's colleagues.
If the motion was granted there might be no blame at all
attached to the Lord President.—(Hear, hear.) how-
ever, the statements made by the Lord Advocate were,
as far he (Mr. Wakley) was concerned, perfectly satis-
factory.—(Bear, hear.)..

Mr. ROEBUCK said he would take all the blame to
himself with reference to the observations which were
called indelicate by the Hon. and Learned Lord
opposite. He objected to the refusal of the
motion upon constitutional grounds, for he thought
justice should be above suspicion, and if the motion was
refused he felt that suspicion would rest not only upon
the Lord President, but upon Honourable Gentlemen
opposite. The explanation then made should have been
made before.

Mr. HENEAGE made some" observations which were
inaudible in the gallery.
Mr. VERNON SMITH said that he should defer his
motion for " a copy of the Order in Council relating to the
emigration of Hill Coolies to the Mauritius, recently is-
sued ; and any correspondence relating thereto since
October, 1841," till Tuesday, the Ist of March.
ADJOURNED DEBATE ON THE CORN-LAWS.

The Order of the Day for resuming the adjourned
debate en the Corn-laws having been read,
Sir W. CLAY rose, but the great noise occasioned
by Hon. Members leaving the House, did not enable us to
catch the commencement of the Hon. G en tleman's address.
He at once confessed his want of ability to reply to the
speech with which the Hon. Member for Knaresbormigh
closed the debate last night, and if he had
the ability, he should not have the incliTa-
tion to do so.—(Hear.) He should be unwilling
to do any thing to damp the ardour of the Hon. Gentle-
man, or to check the career which was. likely to afford so
much aNusement to the House, and to debar the party
to which he had the honour to :belong, from the

enjoyment of that amusement. He turned with
satisfaction to the speech of the Right Honourable
Gentleman, the Vice-President ,of the Board of Trade,
and he (Sir W. Clay) was quite sure he was only ex-
pressing the sense of the House when he said, that all
who heard it could not fail to have appreciated the
ability, as well as the courtesy and moderation, which
characterised it throughout.— (Cries of "Hear, hear.")
Before, however, he (Sir W. Clay) attempted to reply to
the speech of the Right Hon. Gentleman, he would briefly
advert to the speech of the Right Hon. Member for Tam-
worth, in which he introduced his motion to the House.
The Right Hon. Baronet had omitted all reference .to
the influence of the Corn-laws upon the currency, al-
though he could not but know that amongst
all who were acquainted with that subject, whe-
ther in theory or in practice—whether by com-
mercial experience, .or by the laborious applica-
tion of profound thought to its investigation—there
existed an universal opinion that the Corn-laws did affect
the currency, and produced those fluctuations, those alter-
nations of expansion and contraction; the effect of which
produced such extensive suffering. He must know that
such was the universal opinion, and he (Sir W. Clay)
must think it was his duty to show either that so pre-
valent an opinion was unfounded, or that the
measure proposed would remove the tendency.—(Hear.)
But in the elaborate speech which occupied three
hours, the Right Honourable Baronet did not
make the least allusion whatever to that subject, or
to the disturbance which the Corn-laws occasioned in
our commercial relations with other countries, Now
it certainly did appear to him (Sir William Clay),
that the silence of the Right Honourable Baronet on
such a point, and his abstaining from denying that the
Corn-laws had an effect more or less in producing the
languishing state of our commerce, was not without some
significance. Indeed, he thought that silence spoke
volumes. But there were still more extraordinary
omissions in that speech.—(Hear, hear, hear.) It
was an extraordinary omission to make no reference
whatever to the reports to Government upon this sub-
ject. There was a gentleman sent out by the Govern-
ment itself to obtain practical information as to the
comparative cost of the article in different coun-
tries. Before the meeting of Parliament, many
rumours were spread abroad as to the probable result
of that inquiry upon the plans of the Right Hon. Ba-
ronet. The adherents of the. Right Hon. Baronet were
exulting and exclaiming, " You see that Sir Robert Peel
will nottake a matter in hand without proper information.
He would not bring forward any crude or un-
digested measures —he would ground his pro-
position on accurate information. He had sent
for accurate information." Such were the opinions
of the people out of doors with respect to the
measure, which they hoped from the Right Honourable
Baronet. (Hear, hear.) The House also ex-
pected that his measure would be grounded on
the details he had so obtained, regarding the protective
duty he meant to give to the landed interest.—(Hear,
hear.) But so far from that being the case, the Right
Honourable Gentleman never alluded in his speech
to Mr. Meek's report, and the public would never have
heard of its existence if it had not been laid on the
table. It did appear to him that the Right Hon.
Gentleman made a careful and well-digested speech.
Looking to his great ability, and his acknow-
ledged skill in debate, it was impossible not to feel
that those points which he (Sir R. Peel) must
allow to have been important, were designedly
omitted by him, knowing that they were incapable of
being used for his assistance. He would now address
himself to the speech of the Right Hon. the
Vice-President of the Board of Trade. That
Right Hon. Gentleman did not follow the example of the
Right Hon. Baronet, but he boldly faced those difficulties
from which the Right Hon. Baronet. had shrunk.
It may be doubted. however, whether the discre-
tion of the Right Honourable Baronet was not
better than the courage of the Right Hon. Gentleman
the Vice-President of the Board of Trade. That Right
Hon. Gentleman assumed throughout his speech, that the
question was one between a fixed duty and a sliding scale.
No doubt the question between his Noble Friend (Lord
John Russell) and the Right Honourable Gentleman
might be fairly said to be one between a fixed duty
and:a sliding scale ; but the Right Hon. Gentleman had
no authority to assume it to be a question between
a sliding scale and a fixed duty of Bs. His
Noble Friend had carefully abstained from stating
the exact amount of duty—be only advocated the
principle of a fixed duty. The Noble Lord said
he conceived the agricultural interest entitled to
protection for the exclusive burthens to which it
was subjected ; and he also advocated a fixed duty
to prevent too great and too sudden an alteration.
If a fixed duty were calculated upon the burdens
borne peculiarly by the landed interests, then the
duty ought to be much lower than Bs. Mr. M'Culloch
had calculated that a ss. duty would be sufficient. In
1637, when he (Sir W. Clay) had brought forward
a motion for the repeal of the existing Corn-law,
he had been anxious to find arguments to justify a ss.
fixed duty, and he could assure the Right Hon. Gentle-
man that he could not on the score of -any peculiar
burdens borne by the landed interest, find any
arguments to justify it. If the imposition of a duty
were grounded on the necessity of preventing too sudden
a revulsion among the agriculturists, then it would bernore
capable of defence. He felt bound to say that in his
opinion a fixed duty could not be justified on the
grounds of anylpecuhar burdens borne by the landed in-
terest. There was one feature throughout the arguments,
both of the Right Honourable Baronet and of the
Right ion. Gentleman who had spoken last night,
which had peculiarly struck him (Sir W. Clay). It was
that both the Right llon. Gentlemen had strenuously
denied that the Corn-laws had caused the present
distress in the manufacturing districts, and they both
frequently and emphatically declared that they did
not antidipate that the proposed alterations would
tend materially to alleviate the distress. They had
so frequently made the statement that he thought
their agricultural supporters might well ask them why
they interfered with the existing law at all.—(Cheers.)
lie (Sir W. Clay) might perhaps not be prepared
altogether to deny that, perhaps, in some instances, too
much had .been attributed to the Corn-laws as the
cause of the existing distress ; but if it was
meant to be contended that the Corn-law had not
any affect in producing the existing distress, that was a
proposition which he was by no means prepared to admit.
(The Hon. Gent. then read extracts of evidence taken be-
fore the Agricultural Committee, as we understood, show-
ing that the present Corn-laws tended in a very great
degree to bring about a decrease in the growth
of corn.) With respect to the arguments
of the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. W. E.
Gladstone) in reference to the growth of rye, if he
(Sir W. Clay) were disposed to take any one thing
as an illustration of his own view of the case, it
would be the instance cited by the Right lion. Gentle-
man. He (Sir W. Clay) would show them, from a case in
Prussia, where no stimulus was denved from any corn
law, that it was merely a question of supply
and demand, and that the fluctuation in the
price of rye was as great as in the price of
wheat. This was precisely the case of those who
thought with him (Sir W. Clay) on this subject—the more
extended the circle was from which the supply was
drawn the more were the chances of invalidating the
supply diminished. For instance, afield was more uncertain
in its produce than a farm ; a farm was more uncertain
than a county, a county than a kingdom, a kingdom than
a continent, and even a continent would be more un-
certain than the whole world. If then, under a free
trade, they committed themselves to the system of de-
riving their supply from every country and variety of cli-
mate and soil, precisely in the same degree did they increase
the steadiness of that supply, and diminish the chances
of fluctuation. The next point taken up by the Hon.
Gentleman was an attempt to show that the existing
Corn-laws—for he had expressly referred to them—had
been falsely charged with having an injurious effect.
He would state the Hon. Getleman's arguMent, and he
believed it to be this, that at present two millions of corn
were annually. imported, and that, taking the average
amount of their home produce, and the chances of bad
harvests, no less amount of importation of foreign pro-
duce could be reckoned on ; he could not, therefore, see
but the same effect would be produced on the currency
under a free trade as at present. Now, the fallacy into
which the Hon. Gentleman had fallen was this—that
he had taken no notice of the very great difference
between the creation of a market and the exten-
sion of one.—(llear, hear.) At present, if they
wanted corn, and went suddenly to any corn producing
country—say the fertile valley of the Mississippi, they
found no demand for their manufactures, nor in-
clination to take -them ; there were neither dealers,
nor store-keepers, nor agents, nor any of the ma-
chinery without which their manufactures could
be distributed.—(Hear, hear.) They were all essentia
to a market, and a market could not exist without them

It was in vain to expect to prevail upon such a people in
a moment to give corn for their manufactures. But let
them reverse the case, and ask what this district would
have been if they had been doing a regular trade with
them to the amount of a million quarters a year ?
When the period came that required an increase
in their trade, there would be a better opportunity
of doing so in consequence .of the American pur-
chaser having acquired the habit of enjoying their
manufactures, and thus creating a demand for thelN.
He confessed that, to his mind, this was absolutely con-
cltisive against the argument of the Right Hon. Gen-
tleman. Now, the Right Hon. Gentleman had attempted
to show that, under the law proposed by the Right Hon.
Baronet, there could really be as free trade as there
could possibly be with a fixed duty. It was absolutely
essential to the very existence of a mutually beneficial
trade that there should be a free interchange and com-

munication between the merchants of either country.
He really believed that out of Parliament the question
had in a great measure ceased to be a political ore.
This was the case to a great extent is the large borough
which he (Sir W. Clay) had the honour to represent;
there those who, in other respects warm supporters
of the Government, regarded the sliding scale as a sys-
tem highly injurious to the country.—(Hear, hear.) If
his Noble Friend and his colleagues could have
carried their Bill of last year they might have
gone to the people of foreign countries, and have
said, "Bring us that corn which you can produce more
cheaply than ourselves, and we will give you in return
those articles which we can produce more advantageously
than you." " Come when you will," they might have
said, " our ports are at all times open to you • at all times
will you be able to calculate the price at which you can
supply our people with food ; at no time will we entrap or
deceive you by fiscal regulations ruinous to your enter-
prises, and the fluctuations in which you can neither foresee
nor prevent." Such was the language which his Noble
Friend and his colleagues might have used, could they
have prevailed upon Parliament to accede to the mea-
sure. But could the Right Hon. Baronet and his Go-
vernment do so ?--(Hear.) He thought they could not.
He thought the Government should not invite the
people °lithe country to engage in a gambling, a destruc-
tive, and a ruinous commercial intercourse.---Hear,
hear.) The people of this country know of the existence

.
soefcfuoroedfoirnthaenbluinfetlanhe
yce:vewrhe
that the harvests of the whole world are at theirtco:!„
mand, if their own Government would permit them ipcehrmthitetierdotowgneitnidtr
tthryeryni4o:lll
avail themselves of them.—(Hear, hear.) Instead
of
that, although they stand in need of food, they are tope
restricted in their supplies, and the Government inte.rp,,„
and tells the people, though they do want food,
shall not be permitted to get it unless certain one e!:
duties are extracted from them. (The lion. Bart. the,,,
the measure proposed by Sir 11. Peel, and showed. clears
a very inaudible tone of voice, entered into a detail °f
and then proceeded in a very low tone of
.11%*
that the duties he proposed were high and prolabitoory:
the
which rendered his remarks scarcely audible 1
gallery, to compare the different plans respectively pr;io
posed by Sir Robert Peel and Lord John Russell.)
_„,
Right Honourable Gentleman had said that his sYs7-,
would torture the people with some uncertairousio
as to the supply of corn when the Prie em or
to 68s. or 705., and if that torture occurred oni.,)
twice in the course of a year, he (Sir William t-,!-
should prefer the plan of the Noble Lord, tho.l4',
ng!'
did not altogether approve of that, which Wilco
some little torture, when Compared wit‘ilLrobet.
imposed by the measure. of that Right Hon. 'ue
Neither the Right Hon. Baronet, nor the Rigs'
-Jr,
Gentleman the Vice-President of the Board of Telt
had alluded to the grounds upon which they rinsguy
justify a protective duty. Neither of them mad:duty.
attempt to explain the reasons for imposing seeli.,", they'
They talked of 'the burthens on agriculture, wh"those
absolutely shunned entering into a statement of
cost
burthens. They talked of the comparative ~l'ej
of producing corn here and abroad, but they abstsibo
from entering into details upon the subject. rflie)d' oubt
sent for information from abroad, which was no for,
very important, but they had made no use of that's
matron ; and, at the moment after having hen"' anti
speeches of the Right Honourable Baronetoseti
the Right Honourable Gentleman, he COleciple
himself utterly ignorant of the Pr'oey
upon which they justified their protective system.
,e for
had not explained in the slightest way what wet duty
grounds upon which they assumed one scale °t oil
rather than another. The only thing approaching thi,,
explanation given by the Right lion. Baronet wii,„s leH
that he found the average price under the existinswi
was 565. per quarter for wheat, and he had tteconr.eure
his new scale to the purpose of endeavouring to s.'oty
that price. That was certainly a most esti-0(011,m
answer to the people of England.—(Hear, hear.) iree
complained of the existing laws, they stated the Tole!
ings which they were enduring from 9 those laws, en and
complained of the high price of corn to which tK gt.f
rise. And what was the answer of the Right Hon.
w
He said he would introduce a new measure, that lie aif'
bring forward a modification of the Corn-laws, slit be
reply to the prayers of the people, he told them tin:o I 8
would endeavour, by his new law, to maintain Yet,. het
steady the prices which had obtained under the looli4
system, which they detested. In fact he could not'
ing at that measure with the greatest care and arixte",t'het
could not see any other motive for its introduction, 0
a desire to relieve the agricultural interest from as'
of the gratuitous obloquy which the absurdity 'l,Oll
existing.law caused to be thrown upon them. It
do nothing to lower the prices of the food of the 'poet,
the author himself of the measure, the Right Hon.3°*;ho it
shrunk from holding out the very slightest hope
would afford any relief to the public. He tibsiiit3
from encouraging any expectation that it would ore es'
the languishing trade of the country, or give einPln•rtileo,
to the unemployed millions.--(Hear.) Was thus, ties
the measure which, after six months' prepay"„ the
after announcing a change in the Corn-laws 1"
Speech from the Throne, after admitting tse plel
exampled distress in the nation, and the unelt.„,iro
fortitude with which it was borne—was that the nnaii;
which the Right Hon. Baronet thought proper to ss lore
to Parliament?—(Hear, hear.) Deeply did he ,detiiieet;
that such was the determination of the Right lien' bolo
But if he came there as a party man he 5 per
rejoice in the determination, because he Ws*, the
fectly satisfied it would seal the fate ei ato
Right Honourable Gentleman's Administration. Dill,
Right Hon. Baronet could no doubt pass his Go'
but it was beyond his power, or the power of agc,,,ro'
vernment, to maintain the present system of the Leers)
c," laws or any modification.—(Hear, hear, and
Not only was it beyond his power, but 1 feg'
beyond the power of legislation. The people 0' too
land had taken the question up, and like all cee*chef
which they took up earnestly, and with good inn' Oft
would settle it according to their own pleasure- oil
years ago, he (Sir William Clay) brought. CV.' self
a motion for the repeal of the Corn'-laws, and "„eosti'
scarcely any supporters even among his own,: dee
tuency. He was most glad he had given up t,",,n
tion, and that it had fallen into the hands of tiwpaserB
Member for Wolverhampton, who agitated the ,tn„- stotsevi,
with such ability and perseverance. But whatwat,"o-
- the question now ? He believed that last year tut.' it el'
would have been content with the remedy tufihieo
proposed, and would have accepted it with .toow'
but he did not think that they would be content with *
He believed the people would not be content now d
fixed duty, and that their demands would all,",edf
crease in proportion to the time they were rteers:
(Cheers.) He did not believe that the repeal of oot el
laws would altogether remedy this. He had no, It
the same hope which he entertained five yearsinghene
the repeal of the Corn-laws would effect all the tii1)„1
he anticipated at that time. At the Om- rese"
p _Ae•
he believed that the repeal of t to,„
system, and the restoration of a freroul;:i;
,11wouldilhhvnieciritle3prd.loeaxl(miHosufteectadhhro.t)sobe
eilmltaN:ip,esereownvgioe..tollhadurenagdresrooorsnepnwotvsheilboliifial,e,reabcioc,:op".
classes
was as insecure as the sand h h
was .virshr it
mountain tide ; and, in his opinion, if the Bill ligpf
though the 'settlement of the question itof
be delayed, they would at length be coin;
very soon to rescind the Bill.—(Hear.) Aga),
storm of public opinion they could not contend~~~t,
they should be careful that together with, the
law, many other things might not also be swept ir's°/
Capt. HAMILTON said he should not feel trepre
had performed his duty to thOse who sent him W sbort
sent them in Parliament if he did not trespass for teLj
time on the attention of the House. He suPnobje"'
every Member who addressed the House on t Der
would agree with him that the adoption of silatt*fa
sure with respect to the Corn-laws was a
of vital importance to all classes. On t`„- tete;
hand, they had the whole manufacturing 17f the
of this country clamorous for' a total repeal 4„ilic,c
Corn-laws. On the other hand, there was a °le.,' ve
able party, headed by the Noble Lord who oPenej Jotti,
debate last night, who were in favour of a
en corn ; but they were in a minority comp"''`
those who argued for a total repeal ; while he try
that he might state, without fear of contradiction; pore
the agricultural body generally, and certainly thil.,oo°)
tion of it which called itself Conservative, were in boo
of the principle of a sliding scale.—(geftr' an' •Li
On the present occasion lie should not endesil.Jlo,l
combat the arguments with which the Noble Lni
commenced that debate in favour of a fixed duty''
against the measure ' of the Honourable ve;
ronet, and of those who followed the Noble )4,
had opposed the proposal of the Government._
he would confine himself more particularly to the
jl
of duties proposed by her Majesty's Governni!nb
abstained from combating the arguments wini' Qith
been made use of by Hon. Gentlemen oppositel:o4,,
in favour of a fixed duty, or against any duty "thy t't
from a feeling that those arguments were unwnlf.rool
attention of Gentlemen in that House. Far ocilo
i
Those opinions were entertained by too mail 0 frfil
high standing, and station, and attainments tid )
country, not to be entitled to the greatest respect'
the earnest attention of every Member.—(lleiir'
But as, on a former occasion, he had expresos'otio
conviction that the principle of a sliding scale „01,1,,,
maintained, and as he had not seen or heard ft",,"glitito
since to induce him to alter that opinion, he tin),[olsti
should best consult the feelings of the House, a."'ntere.'oo
of those who had sent him to represent their .iiiertit,let,
in that House, if he confined himself to the con'114,001;e•
of the scale of duties proposed by the Right Hon. "the fie-
Perhaps he might be allowed to state, that sinee.„,ta
sent measure was brought forward, by the I"rhstichl
nourable Baronet, he (Captain Hamilton)
tended an important meeting of the farnierst'irloir;f,
at Aylesbury, on the subject of' the Cnreineife
and the proposed scheme of the Goveeienter.
He (Captain Hamilton) was not the rePres re-4P lei
of the opinions of any body of men, howeveLoaltii et
table that body might be ; but he thought it "...,for" io
Au. .le
admitted that when a measure was brought Caf
aie*
Parliament which affected their interests, he opt •ei
Hamilton) might shortly state to the House the pieetty
of those gentlemen, more particularly as thus t
the(B ureeksionlguht
resolution
(Buckinghamshire). rwe )th 'chHe the wmoeueltdingrehaed hto d deep‘el/2,-;000,
was called 'by the Agricultural Society of tili; P,`joel
come to. It was as follows :—" That it is t,..jtjeeetta't.
of this meeting that the farmer should be l'ote
the amount of 605., while the proposed 'ttoi"
Robert Peel extends that protection only too 5(1,1 0
consider that at 555. the duty should be Ole,' eels
when the average price was 60s. the duty I,sis 1-r in' •
155." The Noble Lord (Lord J. Russell) in 'i1t00,:4,10
the other night, had said, as he (Captain lienl'oe ere
derstood him, that the proposed alteration ino the the
would have no effect but in making the wore,
stringent. He wished the Noble Lord had 'pie it tof
meeting he attended ; for the gentlemen of lie ettraoo
composed had come to the conclusion that t to r
the Right Hon. Baronet's measure would tc,bey e t
the farmer's capital at least 20 per cent. 605,,, Op of
tiered the proposed duty, between 555. and sing anal big
adequate protection. They liked the grades t like tee-
the Right Hon. Baronet, but they did niii°ore rnr°
figures. They thought they ought to hove 1- ro-
tion, and he (Captain Hamilton) collet; Lore itier•
opinion. He conceived they might lisy' eons° whe
tection without any injury to the those pot
But when he stated this, he should sityjrty 510,.11,
attended the meeting thought that the that t"'',,tee-
be higherthan2os. Those farmers also thinct he a Pr tee
proposed by the Right Hon. Baronet inig fiord Prped'
tion to good land, but would fail to inferior
tion to heavy and clayey soils end
.eotative'fis
The question which he put, as their repr,e,s_onet a
whether the scale proposed by the Ilom hot 700
was not a sufficient protection. Now there eat tuoje
notice given to that House of' an Lunen, end's, ores
scale of the Right Honourable Barone"rt the of
certainly afforded a protection het`ft;,eh the Segal"
he had named from 555. to 605., Iron. 1101
the Honourable Baronet did not; but then t 255. bed
wa • os
ber forNorthLincoln commences his scal?,e. of
e
in his opinion was decidedly objectioneTat the
tra of'"
to be clearly understood as thinking Taw,
to
the Hon. Member for North Lincoln
warotection if be
superior in that particular point of P ronet' "
scale of the Right Honourable De heh talc
own .„000,-
were speaking only on his alp
might give his approval to I

3ir own industry might
led to get it; they know
world are at their cow
; would permit them to
,ar, hear.) Instead of
I of food, they are to be
Government interposei
ey do want food, they
fleas certain enornmai
The Hon. Bart. thee, ill
entered into a detail of
'eel, and showed clearly'
e high and prohibitor ce,
y;
r low tone of voi
arcely audible in the
plans respectively pr
John Russell.) Tb°o'
id said that his syster
th some uncertainti
vhen the price .Ircea
rture occurred once er
he (Sir William Chil b
e)
4.0b1e Lord, though
that, which indicted
Compared with dist
Right Hon. gember,
nor the Right 110
f the Board of Trade:
m which they lie,
er of them made 011 J
• imposing such a dat...,l'
,griculture, whilst toe/
a statement of
he- comparative c_A
iad, but they abstaiacti
le subject. Theyll%
I, which was no doir,
le no use of that itifal;
'ter having heard "a
mrable Baronet and
leman, he confess‘,-
of the. prierr(iiii',l,6,
otective system• ty
st way what Were ,ty
ned one scale of
ring approaching t11',."
ion. Baronet wast`;;
:der the existing a' j
id he had accoruodstee
adeavouring to seen
a most extraordiusti
-(Hear, hear.) frokel
ley stated the 5tt",,,,-;
in those laws, and t''.";,
Int to which they Pl'
the Right Hon. Bartii
measure, that he noe!o'
the Corn-laws, s:lble
he told them tit
f
to maintain yet 't
Lined under the forieie.
fact he could not,o9hr;
st care and anxietit,',9
r its introduction
d interest front 51;he
the absurdity el ;i1
upon them. It °le,
he food of the peoP'
he Right Hon,Baretit it
slightest hope d'i'ce
niblic. He ahsts,,vo
that it would re' st
y, or give emplorteo,
ar.) Was that, tintu
t"
months'
prepa the
he. Corn-laws „o,
admitting the
and the unexate_arre
-was that the fit
ught proper tonetore
eeply did he cd.
the Right Hob. 1.17„,1
arty man be si)"
ecause he was cbe
the fate of
tidministration. The
doubt pass his 1301,,
the power of anY,
°
system of the 1-0.•
hear, and 000,
power, but it4og,
The people et 000
ad like all • qacsphef
with good will, tiife
own pleasure.
y) brought or fora'hot
,rn:.laws, and
ong his own coney
id given up the Iv.
ie hands of theo ors
agitated the o_o
But what,was the snit
at last year the Pt
he remedy that v,
,ed it with hano,
be content with it !ID s
fie content now
Is would always:,,
they were reit; ,e; I
e
he repeal of the Ivor'
He had riCIttb
I five years ag2o6t;
I effect all the Ps
,ioe,
At the same L,,,„t
1 of the Ps4ocle,
of a free 0,00/'
Teets of ibllereacei
remove the our
tljeoMasses bf 11
11 which 111 C ' 0
W°
was washdtt
, if the Bill ~a
111
Le • question:, OP
Nagth be comPe
Hear.) Against s
Id not contend, $O,
ther with, the
also be swept aes)),,,
uld not feel thste
to sent him to r3ort
)t trespass fora trot
He suppes biee,
House on the sn Jo,
option of any ryes'
INN'S was a rOoria
;ses. On theb,reit
,nufacturing in he
otal repeal (.jet'
acre was a 00111'
iord who °pent; Jot"'
your of a tiset;
ority compare` 1,,111
1 ; while he thovioi
f contra,dictioa,l4.
I certainly the,t vroor
rative, were 11110,
,t 0.,)
Cale.---(lrefir, Jl'l. fit
d not endeavol° Doi
the Noble Ler" 003
of a fixed duty, po,
Honourable „id+
I the Noble l's,
Government. Ale
G
,
icularly to tli l*
it
s Government^ ivol
uments whiebsiler
ten opposite, t'afer,
any duty ivai, Old
e
were unwertlli if;
3use. Far fro I, tr
too many ,alethiJ
ttainments lII'
atest respect,
aen—(l-lettr, I''
had express'',
ji,t
ding scale 0'41,0
or heard s„ht
nion, he thear„jilr4
to House, e!,:tere,6iii
'sent their ottfr
to the consieeroaet.
tight flop. 13,'1„ pre
, that since
it''de:
by the 11141'10a jl
[auditor)) '
the farmers' ,l pt'
the Cortrant.
the Govell„ilt;ti'l
f
the ecpresel'oper
1, however Ohl io
[ought it W. 40 0
wought I°laopts„l.
rests,. he pj‘);
e ,•el
House t
as that ",')011,
f tbilt 10,
ety o j
ad to tPC,I
to had gibg7:'.nie.
it it is Oleo:01-1S
old be pr!),l,
posed sca'
5:4 iv'
,nly to 50 1,0
Id be 2Ongoti.,ol
a duty' °; sp'r'it:,
ill 1!;,.00)11,jo
ain llntatth re
Ition is the ob,
measure a at
I had hc'e- it Wad
en of whcileffeet
that these redo°
Add si
mt. lof oot sog
01 scale
-raduativilik, los
lid t
O vrotee-
lave 111111 10. tbe
otictirre_or, pro'
have weonsuinf'
o
the those 'cv ot
Y that boala
duo' s he del
link that tfote'ee-
be r .^
n
lightffor roe
a 3
I inferio
proSellt4tro,,s
BarOne,' boo 0
here "" to the
endinen cale
That 5 D 4
no. A Agar
eel rein
ot
[fiche the sciyieni
the U°ll' hick
• h255'1/
e 4,41
bk. °tile of
that the
fa of tig
5 aPPl:°f th°
rotectiori if be
wonet• be
half Ara' a;
sialenw-