The Sun.
London, England, 1842-07-11 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JULY 11, 1842.

pease of getting up_ the shoes and sending them over
here was a good pr,,teedon, and he, at last, quieted his
fears: It was the same with the provision-dealers.
He found throughout the town that the business ,

had fallen off one-third, and in some cases, one:

fourth ; and where pei.sons used to take 30/.
and 401., they now only took 101.—(Hear, hear.) '
He would now take the case of the publicans, and in
their trade the falling off was as 6to 13i- • here he was' '
aware he should be met by the state of the Malt-tax,
lout as far as Derby. was concerned the duty' paid was
one-third less in the present year. Having given an
account of the state of their manufactures, and-the in--
fluence of a decreitse of employment and wages in.
the retail trades, he would now state how these circum-
stances operated onthe poor, as ascertained from the state
of the Union housCs. In all he should advance under
this head; he should, be able to give Conservative autho-
rity. In the poor-h'eUses of the Derby Union, the number
of inmates in the first week of Jule, 1840. was 136; in
the corresponding: week of 1842, the number was 219.
In the helper Union, which was two-thirds agricultural,
and one-third manufacturing, and where there existed
other fortuitous advantageous circumstances in the
way of employment, the number of poor in the house
in the first week of July, 1841, was 119 ; in the corre-
sponding-week of 1842 the number was 229. In the
Shardlow Union, which was entirely agricultural, where
the labourers were to be found on the hills, and in the
green fields, and under the bright sunshine, and in all
those happy circumstances described by the Home Se-
cretary, the number of poor in the house was
even greater. • From the statement of the medical
officer of the union,'it appeared that the number of the
poor in the house in the first week of July, 1841, was
130; in the corresponding week of the present year 250.
or an increase of 100.—(Hear, hear.) In the three
unions the total was:—in 1841, 405; in 11842,696; or an
increase of 291. This was the effect which the want
of employment, main!), caused by the Corn-laws, had
on the poor. He should not enter into any lengthened
detail as to the increase of the rates, as it was desirable
that the facts should be condensed into as small a com-
pass as possible. He would now show the influence of
this depression of trade, in the increase of crime. He
should read an extract from the Report of the Visiting •
Justices of the county of Derby, from which it ap-
peared that—
" The number of commitments during the last quarter,
u? to the 24th of June, has been 197 from the county, and
from the borough ; the number for the corresponding
quarter of last year was 143 from the county. and 28 from the
borough, showing an increase of 54 from the county (ch:etly
of felonies), and of seven from the borough.
" The average number of prisoners for the last quarter has
been 187 from the county, and 26 from the borough; the
average number for the corresponding quarter of last year was
159 from the county, and 26 from the borough, showing an in-
crease of 28 from the county, and no difference from the
borough.
"The number of prisoners in the gaol, exclusive of debtors,
is 210 males and 16 females from the county, and 26 males
and five females from the borough, staking a total of 257 ; the
total of the corresponding quarter of last year was 210, bring
an increase of 47 from the county, and no difference from the
borough ; the above 257 is a larger number than has been in
the gaol before.
" The number of prisoners for trial at the present sessions is
62, not one of ehom is reported to 'read or write well;' the
number for the corresponding quarter of last year was 37,,being
an increase of 25."
The Chairman of the Visiting Justices, who was also the
Recorder of the town of Derby, John Balguy, Esq., said,
in his charge to the •Granpl Jury at the last Quarter Ses-
sions--" Without venturing to speculate upon the causes
which have led to -it, he could not help expressing his
regret at the state of the calendar which was now before
him. During the years which he had had the honour of
presiding over this Court, he did not recollect ever
having seen such a calendar, both as regards
numbers and the weight of the charges which
it contain( d. Almost every offence known to

..,, ..
the law was to le.) found in it-Lburglary, sheep steal-
ing, horse stealing, cutting and maiming, and other minor
offences ; and happening, too, at this season of the y ear,
it not Only increased his regret, but his surprise, to find
such an enormous calendar presented before them. He
did not, however, consider it necessary for him to occupy
their time with observations on individual cases ; they
were all acquainted with the duties of Jnrymen, and
feeling assured that -they would discharge their duties
with due consideration, be wculd at once dismiss theta to
their labours." These were the observations of a high Con-
servative, who had been for several years Chairman of the
Quarter Sessions. In the town there were many persons who
had only from Is. 3d. to Is. Gd per week to live upon.
The average cost of the maintenance of the individuals
in the gaol he found was 2s. Gd. per head per weeek ;
in the gaol they neither gave meat, milk, coffee, nor
beer ; they lived entirely upon bread, oatmeal, potatoes,
salt, and water. The inmates were fed according to a
" sliding scale," for whenever a person was committed,
his weight was taken, and registered. When they had
been prisoners two or three months, they began to sink
in weight, and then 'they were allowed a red herring
occasionally.—•(Hear, hear.) . Never, except in cases
of' illness, , had they any other food than that which
had been stated above. In the Derby poor-house the
average cost was 2s. 1(1. per head, and it had struck him
as a remarkable fact, that while in gaol, where the in-
mates lived worse, they cost more than in the poor-
houses. But it had been explained in this way, that in
the gaol the inmates were adults, while in the poor-
houses they consisted mostly of old persons and children.
Taking the average of both gaol and poor-house, the
cost of maintenance was 2s. 3d. per head, and when
they considered that the provisions for both places were
purchased in large qmintities, cooked in the most econo-
mical manner and by: the best apparatus, and that yet it
cost 2s. 34. per head to keep body and soul together,
how the poor, who gave twenty per cent. more
for 'their food, who purchased it in small
quantities, cooked it in the most wretched
way, and had to find fuel, house-rent, and clothes on
less than half the Sum—how these lived, God only knew !
—(Hear, hear.) He had asked them, and none could
tell him ; the deprivations underwent could be
felt but never described. ek question had been put
the other day as to whether there were any
authenticated facts that would prove the Corn-laws
interfered with employment, and whether their repeal
would benefit the country immediately ? He would give
an instance from three gentlemen carrying on trade in
Derby, and owning three mills, one for throwing tilk,
the other for weaving tape, the other for weaving rib.
bon. The tape concern, though only built for five years,
had carried on business till they got no profit
whatever, and they • had then attempted that
which was always the deruier resort in all
places—a reduction of wages. They al'eged they were
paying rather higher prices than those paid by the trade
in other places, and they attempted a reduction of wages.
The men turned out., and after three or four months
came to work again at the old prices: This was tried
fur two months, but the firm failed in their belie-
` volent object, and at last- sold the machinery - of
the concern. With respect to the other mills he had
aeked what they were paying, and he was told not one
third of what they did a year ago. The• senior partner
of this concern, which belonged to two or three brothers,
was extensively engaged in commerce in Liverpool, and
had two agents in Canada, at Quebec, and Montreal, had
stated that if they Could exchange their manufactures
for American cern, fleer, bacon. and beef, from the
United States, they could set their mills into full em-
ployment at. once, and get such returns as would
enable them to , give constant employment. This
was a practical - answer to the question, and
one ablaut . which there could- be, no dispute ; if
they were allowed• tO import provisions, those hands
who were now idle and starving in Derby, might be fully
employed.—(Hear, hear.) The next case he should
give was that of -a gentleman who had been in business
for himself ever since' 1837. He was.a single man, of
careful habits, and actively industrious, with a large
capital, that if put out to interest would have sup-
ported him better than if in trade ; yet with all this
business and capital,' he doubted whether he was the
same man as he was'when he began business in 1837.
He gave sonic instances of losses upon sales in America,
e hick would not • have happened could lie have taken
their corn and flour in the same way as their rice and
tobacco. This gentleman used to consign to New
York, but had left off doing so as he could
not get returns. This was another practical
answer, and it would not be denied that the effect would
be as this gentleman had described it. A few days since
ho was at Nottingham, arid called on Messrs. Cripps and
Co., who had just received their returns from New York-
by the Columbia, and he had an extract from their
agent's • letter, in which it was stated that the
time must shortly come, when they must be allowed
to take the provisions of America in payment for
the 'manufactures ,rf England. It was not true,
as had been stated, that machinery was the cause
of the distress ; it so happened that in the places
where the least progress and change had been made
n machinery, the greatest distress prevailed.
:The meeting had not concluded when we went to press.)

of the only remedy- which can be effectual; and when
for a moment the Premier, with looks and manner
how 'different froM those of Sir Robert Peel in happier
days, stood fronting the Chairman of the Delegates,
in whose kind and manly countenance disappointment
and indignation were contending with respect and de-.
corum, there was a sinister and ominous pause of a
moment, before Sir Robert hurried out of the room.
It was not so that the British merchant and the Prime
Minister of England should look upon each other.
Heretofore the merchant has been the firmest support
of the Minister in peace and . war, and domestic
broil, and there is something ominous of great evil,
when sinister looks take the place -of hearty respect
on the one side, and frank confidence on the other.
What were the arguments which the Delegates of the
Corn-law League urged on the consideration of the
Premier of this great mercantile country, and what
the Premier's reply, 1 leave it ' to. others to state.
The bearing of the parties; such as I have
described it, will not soon be forgotten by either. It
would be doing injustice to Sir Robert Peel to be-
. lieve that he_ was not deeply impressed by both the
matter and the manner of what he heard respecting
the present state of the trade and labour of all the
great mercantile districts of this country. God grant
that he may yet be wise in time—wise before it is too
late. _ _ .

I have stated merely what I heard and saw, at
the conference between the Delegates and Sir Robert
Peel. So sad were the details of suffering, so fear-
ful the anticipations of evil, that it was impossible
not to apply to those who spoke, and to him who
heard, words of a still hopeful augury :

I have strange power of 1-peeeb,
The moment that his face.Lsee
I know the man that must hear me ;
To him my tale I teach.

To whom, if not to Sir Robert Peel, may the com-
merce of England look, not for pity, but effectual
aid ? Is the commerce of England to be sacrificed
to aristocratic selfishness, when Sir Robert Peel is at
the helm ?—I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
A DELEGATE OF THE ANTI. CORN-
L LEAGUE.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

HOUSE OF LORDS.-(THIS DAY.)
TILE REV. JOHN FERGOSSON, V. TILE EARL OF KINNOUL.-.

AMERICAN-NEWS-

LIVERPOOL, SUNDAY.
- The packet ship England, Captain Waite, arrived in
the Mersey this morning. She left New York on the
20th ultimo, and has consequently performed the pas-
sage in- the short period
.of nineteen days and a half.
We have papers from the above city to the day of her
sailing, but they contain no intelligence of importance.
- We are without any further decided information re-
garding the . proceedings of Lord Ashburton in the
matter of the Boundary question. Public opinion was,
however, in. favour of an amicable termination to the
pending negotiations. • -
The Provisional and Temporary Tariff Bill had been
ordered to be read a third time in the Senate, but it was
generally supposed that it would ultimately be vetoed
by 'President Tyler.
Some of the New York journals had recommended a
resumption of the State debts by the general Govern-
ment. Some barbarous murders and other outrages had
been_ committed in the neighbourhood of Natchez by
two negroes, who had run away from their employers.
One, of them was taken, and lynched by his captors.
The manner of his death was most horrible—he was tied
:0 a tree, around which were piled burning faggots, but
having burst his bonds, his sufferings were shortened by
several shots from the rifles of those around him.

From Buenos Ayres we learn that a stop had been
put to the horrible assassinations which for some time
previous were so numerons. General Lopez, of Santa
Fe was completely defeated by Oribe on the 20th at
San Pedro.

Advices from Peru state that the whole army were
assembling near the northern borders of that country,
to commence hostilities with the Equadodians, who had
declared war against the Peruvians ; the latter had taken.
possession of Aricka, which had been evacuated the day
previous by the Boliveans.
A large French frigate, having on board about 100
supernumeraries, had sailed from Valparaiso for Caboa
on the 20th ; she was to be joined by several other
vessels from France, provided with materials for the
establislunent of a new c.alony in the Pacific Ocean. New
Zealand was generally supposed to be their destination,
but stria secrecy was observed on that head.
The Britannia steamer had arrived at Boston from
Liverpool, after another rapid voyage of thirteen days
and a half.

The sales at the New York Stock Exchange, on the
15th ult., were to a fair extent, and prices were some-
what higher. A few bills on London were purchased at
106+ to 107 ; the rate of Exchange, on France was
40c. t.<9 sf. 37/r.

There was only at Heated inquiry for cotton, the value
of which was unaltered. Nothing of importance was
don..i -

PiimanEr.rilla, JUNE 19.—Both the signs of the times,
and the actual events at Washington, are just now of a momen-
tous character. It is said that a change is likely to take place
in the Cabinet ; that Mr. Forward, Secretary of the Treasury,
sill probably resign, and that Albert Gallatin (an eminent
financier) will succeed him. The President and his Cabinet
e by no means unanimous as to the governmental policy, and
particularly 'as regards the tariff. The favourers of a high
tariff are for passing such a measure, with the Land Bill, which
now appropriates the proceeds of the public lands to the several
states, to he c,mtinued ; while the upholders of a low tariff are
for repealing that Land Bill, and giving, as formerly, all the
proceeds of the public lands to the general Government. In
the latter case, it is obvious that the Government would not
require so high a tariff for the mere purposes of re-
venue ; and, as the President favours that view, it is
feared that the Presidential veto will be exerted to extin-
guish any tariff that may be passed connected with the contem-
plated alteration in the Land Bill. The Land Bill, therefore,
has become a test question between the high and low tariff par-
ties. You are aware that a Bill has passed the House by a ma-
jority of 13, continuing the present tariff to August Ist, by
which period the new tariff will probably be ready ; and this
Bill was pasted, striking out a clause for the repeal or suspen-
sion of the Land Distribution Act. It may, therefore, be
fairly inferred that the majority of the House favour the high
taiiff party ; and the same result is anticipated in the Senate.
Meanwhile memorials are being sent to Congress (Mr. Bu-
chanan presented four en Thursday) in favour of Government
issuing $200,000,000 of stock based on the public lands, and
dividing it among the States. This scheme, which would in-
sure the punctual payment of State debts, is, I am pleased to
add, daily gaining ground with the people. The Boundary
Commissioners have met, and negotiations with Lord Ashbur-
ton go on prosperously.
The markets show little change since the sailing of the
Great 'Weitern. Flour continues .at the reduced prices—
Gennessee $5 96c. to $6..; Ohio and Michigan, $5 94c. to
$6 ; Baltimore and Georgetown, $6 124 c. to $6 25c. Sales
in cotton small, and no alteration in prices. The large tea
sales have gone off in quite a spirited manner. Exchange on
Ergland has experienced a still further decline, and may now
be said to range at from 6to 7 premium. Money is pretty
abundant, but business generally very dull. Ashes present a
little variation in Pots, which are from $5 25c. to $5 50c.
Yesterday LOCO barrels of Gennessee flour, for London,
were taken at $6. The United States Treasury is some-
what low, and I observe th‘at a rumour prevails to the effect
that Mr. Robinson, president of a bank is Pittsburgh, is to
be sent to England to negotiate the loan for the Government.