The Sun.
London, England, 1818-02-02 00:00:00

TIMBER DUTIES.

Some time since we directed the attention of
our Readers to the Memorial from Nova Scnti<.►
on the apprehended alteration in the Duties on
the' importation of Timber. We now submit to
them the Memorial from Saint John'3, ,in New
tirunswick. We, however, trust that the Duties
withaetnain as they are without alteration, and that
every encouragement tvill be given to a Trade so

importatalo the Shipping and Manufacturing In-

tertsts of Great Britain.

the Ri4lA Honourable Earl BATHURST, one of, his
• liliejesty's Principal Secretaries of State, &c. &c.
The MEMORIAL of the MERCHANTS and SHIP
OWNERS of the CITY. of, SAINT JOHN, in the
Province of NEW BRUNSWICK,
HUATBLY SHEWETEL-That the Notification
:from the Lords of the Committee of Privy Coun-
cil for Trade, of its being the intention of his
11.1“je.stys,s Ministers to submit to Parliament the
-rtoosidevation of an extension of a duty to the,

iinported into the United Kingdom from
Briasitl North American Colonies, equal in
to-t!le additional duty imposed on foreign
'Timber in 1513, has tined your Memurialistswith
-

• .‘"rhat from the encouragement hCld out to the
Briasb North Arneileao -%s heiithe Com:-

perm of the Nation was excluded Irvin. the Baltic,'
the Merchants of this Province devoted their pro 7
perty, time, and attention, to the Trade in Timber
with the mother country. -
That ships have been built to, a great extent
fir the purpose of transporting it, which are in a
ttLeastire unsuitable for any other business—costly

establishments have been formed, and dearly the
whole industry of the Countty diverted into
iii;,incltes connected with this Trade, which was
expected-not only to be lucrative but permanent;
and had in its favour), as
.they conceived, the
pledge of tarliarnent and his ilidiesty's Govern-
piety-, that it should always be upheld by mea-

cures of protection.
" That the smallest duty on Timber imported
from these Colonies, while the duty on foreign
Wood is now barely sufficient to place their Trade
on a level with that from the Baltic, must put
cm, cwire :clop to its export from this Country.

That the loss of the Timber. Trade would
not be the only evil effect of such a duty, it
woirld very materially injure the Fisheries of the
Colonies, and cause an almost total Suspension.
of its iipportatioa of British 111anufactnres.
" The Trade in Wood front this Province has

at no time been pursued en►irely fiir the imme-
diate profit resulting from one principal object
connected
,‘Vith it, having always been the impor-
trttin 6f Stilt at an easy freight ; and another,
that of making payment for the goods required
for: its consumption. If„ therefore, this only
fneans ofpoying for the Provincial Imports be
taken away, the most ruinous consequences must

en'tte,.

" That not only are the whole proceeds of the
Timber Cargoes (including their freights when in
the ships of this Country) laid out in British
goods; but the length-of. these voyages creates a
nurse►y for Seame❑ vastly stipetior to any derived
frog► 'the Baltic Trade, thrice as many vessels; all
British, being required to supply the United King-
dom with Timber Trout North America, as from
the Blaltic Sea. Your Memorialists, therefore,
think it will be seen that no other Trade of equal
extent •can he so essentially and entirely advanta,

geous to Great Britain.
" From what has been stated, it must he evi-
dent to your Lordship that the Timber Trade is
at all thaw of vital importance to this Country,
and. particularly so in the present extremely de-
pressed state Of its Commerce.
e‘ Your Memorialists, therefore, most humbly
Appeal to the Justice and parental Care of
his Majesty's Government to avert from them
a measure so destructive to any farther 'Trade
Timber from the British North Amelican
Colonies. -
" And-yiibr Memorialists, as in duty bound,
will ever pray."

THE HAMILTON FAMILY.—The late Marquis of
ABfAICORN eras head of the House of Hamilton,
being descended from Lord Claud Hamilton, third
son of the first Duke of Chattelherault ; the pre-
sent Duke of Hamilton being descended front the
House of Douglas and became Duke in. right of
Anne, Duchess- of Hamilton, in her own right,
daughter of James, first Duke of Hamilton, and
Earl of Cantbridge,, K. G. The first title was
granted to his' issue male and female, and on their
failure to heirs general, by reason of their near
aihnity to the Throne, which, on the death of the
Joe Doke of- Hamilton, caused an inquiry to be
insiitnted as 'tit heirs general, and it was discover-
ed that an Act of Patliament had passed to uniie
the Dukedoms of Hamilton and Brandon, in the
male line, as long as it continued, otherwise the
Hamilton litle• would have been vested in the i.e-
rode, and the' Brandon- in the male. The French
Dukedom of Cbattellierault decidedly descends to
the trmale, th'e patent being granted to heirs ge-
neral.

TO THE
MANUFACTURERS OF GREAT BRITAIN

Whilst I sincerely rejoice in the returning
prosperity and increased. demand for your Ma--
nutactures, which the transition from
.war. to
peace so materially affected, I .seejk with concern,
that several of our- ancient channels for their
disposal are nearly dried up ; and an inqui7y as to
the causes which produce this change, appears to
be highly expedient and necessary.
I wish to confine myself to one, apparently the
most material, viz. the continuance of the. War
llut►es on Goods imported and exported, but
chie.fly the first.

At the time these Ditties were-imposed, it was
fully understood that they were to cease in a few
months after the signing of the Definitive Treaty
of Peace ; but this understanding has not been
acted npou, and-many have been made perl►etual,
.pattly.to suit peculiar interests, and partly from
financial neces,,ities of Government, the Minister
finding it eligible and convenient to have them
retained.

It is to -be observed, that these duties were
mostly imposed during the existence of the_ Con-
tinental System, when British ships and goods
were proscribed in nearly every State of.Burope,
and part of America. They. were intended to re.
taliate on our then enemies, and improve our re-
sources at the same time. It waslikewise meant
thereby, ,to make those mongrel traders;.Who car-
ried on business under an assumed mask of..neu-
trality, -pay for the. beneficial permission which
they enjoyed.
Hence most of these Duties were exhorbitant,
Which, • and the attendant risque, neatly stifled
Commerce ulth.the Countries at war with us.
When Peace was restored, and along with it
the ancient line of Monarchs in France' regained
the .Thrtme, the most friendly political under-
standing, cemented by the personal intercourse
among the chief Monarchs of Europe, became
established ; jealousies which had existed for
ages became' extinct ; and a rivalry for the good of
.the civilized world in general succeeded, ; whilst
the desire of conquest seemed to be narrowed.
Unfortunately the commercial relations of the
different 'States were put .off for future Treaties to
be formed, and bave'been, with a few ex6eptions;
ever since continued, as the war originated and
left'theth ; many of them with the plainest marks
of that hostility in which they originated on our
part, and the retort on the part of 'the Govern-
mews who felt the smart.
Those Countries which, antecedent to :the last
war, had rested contented with our receiving their
raw products; took our manufactures. in 'return,
and then no complaint, as to the duties imposed,
existed ; but during the war some became Our
i ivals in the manufacturing line, and gave the
Home Establishments great encouragement.

Finding, on. the Peace taking place, the British
Government immovable in the restrictions
anti
high duties imposed, though the intercourse of
navigation was renewed, they still pursued the line
of conduct they themselves hail resorted to ; hence
that commercial enmity and bickering, and the
refused admission of British Manufactures, even
in countries saved by British blood, valour, and
money irons perdition and lowest tyranny. It is
even deemed patriotic to combine not ,to use or
wear any thing of British Manufacture, though
the Government does not prohibit the importation.
The marked distinction between the private and
public conduct is this by. the former the use by
individuals is hindered; by the latter, if joined with
the former, the import and transit through the
Countries inland would be put a stop to ; a most
ma erial object in regard to the Netherlands and
Germany, and which ought to be attended to.
:•;onie StateS which have appeared peculiarly
hostile, have, with great show of reason, de-
clared, that, the refusal of receiving the produce
of their country an terms the consumers can afford
to pay, or give special indulgence,s to opponents,
who are enabled to supply those consumers at a
cheaper rat e,acts upon them thus excluded,-so hurt-
fully, that they cannot find means to.payfor the
soperfluities„- It.xtrries, and tuanufacturosof other
countries, in short, without producing a balance
of trade actually ruinous to themselves ; a 'decla-
ration founded on good reasons, .and on the duty
of self-preservation. . .
• The Countries which have chiefly felt the,„ in-
fluence of the British System; and Wilk!) without
complaining have rather let us quietly feet the re-
taliation, are, the Northern rowers of Europe,.
say Russia, Prussia-, Sweden, nod the eastern
ports of the United States. Their Governments
are wise enough to distinguish, that ()rifles on
articles which Great Britain can only procure
.from them, they being of the first necessity, it-
makes no matter how high the duties are, for they
must tall on the British consumer. This applies
to the naval articles in general, with the excep-
tion of timber, and there not altogether, but more
specially to hemp, flax, pitch, tar, turpentine,
,and some articles of less note, •FIR
iron, &c. The exception of timber,, being under
a prohibitory duty, is an object of the greatest
interest to
,the Stales above named; for"Gi-eAt
Britain has been the ancient mart they have at-
tended to for this product, and there are hardly
any markets in. Europe to which they can resort
instead : timber is a burden, instead of a useful
article of commerce;and they try as far
.as in them
lies to bring our manufactories under the same
predicament, for which they cannot pay for want
of the usual assets, they drew from this their
staple article rif trade, being not convertible.
'Timber, as an article of the utmost necessity
for a variety of uses, is not produced in Great
Britain or Ireland either, in the quantities want-
ed. It is•therefore imported into all British ports,
and sent inland by various ways, as svatited.
The port of Liverpool mostly supplies Mooches-
ter, and its sorrounding country, and though
aware bow the interrupted trade in this commo-
dity does affect the temper and conduct 'Of those
governments from whence the prohibitory duties
are payable, and' is retorted by them on 'our ma-
nufactures by similar prohibitions in those Slates.
Yet, as timber is not a branch I deal in, I have
preferred to request the sentiments of an intelli-
gent ftietul in'Livetpool, who has dealt butt" in

Enropean and AmeriCan' l'imbe'r'; -fur-
nished me with his sentiments, of which I here
add a literal copy, to prove how much the
Pplitish manufactures suffer in consequence of the
present system of Duties on foreign Timber, and
how greatly it behoves all those who are interest-
ed in restoring the export of manufactures of all
kinds to its old Channels, to.bestir themselves to
procuredsuch alterations as will renew those com-
mercial relations by which we formerly prospered.
I am; Sir, yours,
L. L. Manchester, January 29, 1815.

" Liverpool, Jan. 24, 18,18

" DEAR SIR,-1n compliance with your request,. I •ill try
to render you the best account concerning the trade in tim-
ber imported here, and how far its present situation seems to
promote the general commerical interest of Great Britain.
Previous to the late French Revolutionary war, all timber
imported from the British American Colonies was duty free,
and is so to this day.
" From the eastern provinces of the United States, from
Russia, l'russia, and Sweden, the timber (confining myself to
the article and term, Balk,) paid 20s. Gd. per load of .50 feet
cubic. The American Balk is pine, the European fir
timber.

" Dieing the war which ended in the peace of Paris 1815,
various additional duties were laid on timber (not British
Colonial) so that it amounted to 655. per load, 50 feet cubic
in English bottoms, and Cas. Gd. per like load in foreign
ships, and these duties are those payable at present. It is
an immense duty on an article selling from 2s. to 3s 3d.
per foot, and acts as a prohibition, whilst the American
timber sells at 2s. did. to 2s. 6fd. per like foot, paying no
duty whatever. The import Of foreign timber is nearly no-
minal, usually in a ship where the-owner Ininself ships with-
out calculating on a freight, as it and duty together cannot
be saved. Several foreign cargoesbaye lost even part of the
first cast, if kept any time on hand, for expellees of yarding,
rent, &c. are heavy,- - • •
" 1 do not notice Norway timber, from its. inferior.quaT
My and size it Paystess duty than other European timber ;
the impart is exceedingly trifling, and I cannot quote apriee.
The advantages allowed to Britishl Colonial timber under the
existing War Duties, allured several adventures to make
establishments in several harbours of NOva Scotia, Prince
Edward's Island, and 'Canada, for cutting and shipping pins
timber; yet European fir is still in some instances, on account
of its superior length, called for. And Government does at
times, and very lately, advertize for contracts to deliver quan;
tities of Riga, Dantzic, and Memel Balk, in moderate qintul
tities ; these sorts generally exceed the American pine by 30
feet. The enormity of duty and freight during the war was
such, that at times none but American timber was iu our
markets.
" The adventurers in cutting and shipping the British
American timber, being aware the war duties on foreign
timber, so favourable to them, would cease in a few months
after the conclusion of the peace of Paris, and the Signing of
the Definitive Treaty having been accomplished, came forward
with urgent petitions and remonstrances to,Government, tliat
they.ultimatelysecured p promise from the Ministeisithatum
alteration in t amber ditties Should be made undeethree years.
In conformity to this promise the Board of Trade did in. Fe.
bruary 1817, give notice to the adventurers in British. Amer-
ican timber, that his Majesty's Minister would find it expedient
to impose a duty, in the now present Session, on such Bri-,
tish timber Government has thus honourably acquitted it.;
self of its promise. It is insisted that the least duty laid
on British American timber will ruin them, ruin Bri-
tish shipping, Ruh every poor man who has gone there as a
labourer to cut wood for them. In proof of this be it, re-.
membered, that- since it has been believed the Minister was
really serious, and bent on laying a duty on British ,Ame-
rican timber, the price in this market, of pine balk from the
British Colonies, has risen from nineteen-pence to thirty-,
pence per cubic foot, and frieghts. now arriving, are at sixty-
three shillings per load, which used to - be forty-five !! the
earlier part of the year. All this may stand in humble proof
that American timber-cannot bear five-pence'per cubic foot
whilst foreign pays 15id. to sixteen-pence halfpenny duty
for the like foot!

" I confess, that if 20s. 6d. per load be imposed on British
American timber and no more, it will not be deemed•by,the
ancient providers of European timber to our market, to be,
sufficient to enable them to meet their competitors.
" It strikes me that those at present struck out of the list
of supplying this country with timber, will regret with. their
now opponents, that American timber should be burthened
with any ditty whatever, and only request that theiprotuise
of the abolition-of .the war duties be fulfilled, and they be
admitted to entry with their timber at stOs. 6d. per load as
formerly.
" As to the value of the advantages this country may
effectually reap from the disforesting the barren fo-
rests, and fields of Nova Scotia; you, my dear .Sir, as a
Manufacturer, and inhabitant of the first town in that line,
in Lancashire. at least, must lodge better of this subject than
myself, and I commit it to your consideration.
" Respecting the delicate fears for the interest of the com-
,mercial shipping, I am rather better able to speak. to-, than
on the last subject.

•" The carrying trade of Timb2r.from the north of Europ•
to Britain has ever been, with a trifling exception, effected
by British vessels. Russia has hardly any trading ship, its
long. Winters renders then► unprofitable concerns, and as
most of the• shipments are made for British Accounts, the
Charters are mostly made at home, by the receiver and
owners of the goods.' • ,
Out of ,200,000 tons of Salt, which have been shipped per
annum from-this port, the far greater part has gone to the
Baltic, and no vessel hound thither goes in ballast, whilst if
every vessel going to the British American Colonies took
Salt, when no other goods offer, the Salt would not be worth
more tiro► first cost at the farthest.
" If these ideaSnud intelligence of mine can . tend. to re-
move the hardship under which -.the manufacturing interest
labours, it Will give great satisfaction to,
'."4:tear Sir, yotirs:

FRENCH PAPERS.

CHAMBER OF PEERS, JAN 27,

The discussion was 'Opened on t*he Resolution
adopted by the Chamber of Deputies respecting
the age requisite in persons elected Deputies.
After hearing some speakers, the Resolution
was referred to a Committee of Three.

Adjourned—No day fixed for the next sitting.

CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES, JAN. 27.

On reading the Proces Verbarof the Sitting of
yesterday, the Baron Foyferre de Cere objected to
the applanse manifested during the speech of the
Minister at War, as being contrary to the rules of
the Chamber..
The President said, the applause began amongst the De-
puties, and he recommended them to recollect that, by the
Orders of the Chamber, every sign of approbation was pro-
hibited.

The discussion was opened on the Articles of the Recruit-

ment Projet. •
The President summed up the discussion on the Projct,
and referred to the several amendments.
The first amendment considered was that proposed by the
Count d'Ambrugeac, Reporter of the Committee for new
modelling the Ist Article, to the effect that the Vrencli army
shall be recruited by voluntary enlistment, and in case of
that failing, by ballot.
This was supported by M. de Bondi and the Count DuPont.
After a conversation about some points of form, the Arniy
was, on the suggestion of the Count d'Ambrngeac, substi-
tuted for the French Army. The article, as proposed by
him, was then adopted by an immense majority, only from
15 to 20 Members, on the right, voting against it.
An amendment in the id Article, to exclude foreigners
front enlisting, was got rid of by the previous question.
M. Beugnot moved an amendment, that no individual
should be allowed to enlist before the age of twenty, without
the written ctaiscnt of hia 'father or guardian,

After come.itiseussion, ga.4.4lnendment wa.s rejectettagO"
appel nominal, 130 to 92.
Au amendment, proposing a term of service 'cif eight dad
in all the corps; was got rid of by the p reliant question.
M. de. Vogue stored to strike out that ,part of Article
which prohibited the giving bounties on enlistment.
After some discussion, this motion was got rid of by !hi
previous question.
The Articles of Title 1,. having been adoptad,-,ihilOw""
sion of Title 2, respecting the Ballot; was postpetted ti/t".

morrow.
JAN. el

• .
;et Wag

resumed.

iseussion on the Recruitment Pro4p;;44.

The amendment prOpoSed by'llie Committee. in ;t rticle 5i
(first of this Title), was first taken,, fixing the peace ;e44
lishtuent of the army at 240,000 men. • • •
M. de Villele demanded apriority for the diScussion onrje
question of an annual vote of the amount of military force.;
This was negatived, and the priority given to the athendei;
.Article proposed by the Committee, which was unanitnono
agreed to.
The second part of the Article was then taken into CO
deration, fixing the amount of t beattiotal levy at 40,000 Wen'
and also the amendments proposed by M. M. de Bondi and 0.6
Chativelin, to the elfeLt that there should be an annual v°t°
as to the number to lie recruited.
After some discussion, the previous question, getting rill °I
the proposition for an A nual Vote, was carried almost "'WI'
mously, only 12 or 15 Member 4 on the left oppoging it. •
In Article u, ;enerat populatiou *as substituted for Wl'
tary population. •
On an Atneutiment proposed by M. de Courvoisier, tp
effect that the proportional Contingents of the respect;']:
Departments should be fixed by a law, -the previous questiv"
was moved and carried. •
An ametithnent of M. Dultamel, that the--fikation of t!il
contingents for the. departments, together witb the anritw
state of the voluntary enlistment, should be communicated t° •
the Chamber, was unanimously agreed to.
sto
Oti Article 7, regarding the ballot, M'. Dunteilet-mored,
amendment, to the effect that the ballot ghould'uot take I'M
in any canton, the young men of whicbitoluaarilf furuls7-
their contingent.
, .
• The consideration of this Amendment was rpostttoo-
till
the discussion of Art. 14. . •' _ • •
An amendment, moved by SI., Flair.ac, that,:young• rbir
Married previous to the prunnitkationni the faiv-,-$11141•0- i„,
exempted, instead of previous to:its presentation, was WO!
mously agreed to.
- •
Articles 7,8, 9, 10, and 11, were- agreed to:
On Article 12, respeiting the details of 4.11 e ballot, "fie trii•
cussion was adjourned till to-morrow. •-•
PARIS, J. 29 -Tire puke of. Orleans cris
-with the King yesterday morning. . '
The Spanish Ambassador,.the Duke-cle fernat",
Nunez, presented on Ttiestleay letter Iran;
vereign to the King, communicating the
the Infanta. of -Spain, Maria Lbuisa
daughter of the Kin; and Queen.
Mustapha Effendi, an agent 'of the Paclia't)rif
Egypt, who has been travelling injtilr
Switzerland, and was'latelif-at Geneva,-has, attar
making a short stay at Marseilles, travailed
Alexandria.
The new. Dey of Algiersitasiit teemi,
ed the Turks who formed his guard,,aad.,..•retsialfr
only blacks near him. • -•
Some adventurers-in an Engli,sh vessel wereAelli
the 3d of November last, in' the:passage
Lisbon, going, they said, to. the Azores, andirl"*':
thence to the South Sea, to seek their fortateo- -
in consequence of the war haying ceased in bit'
rope. Their mysterious answers, however, till-4* •
no great light (pot] the object of theii voyage..Lc"
Sir George Murray has arrived bere,and
Adjutant-General of the British Ariny'in
The Sieur tiadois, author of the
Cliambres, and the' Sieur EsneauX, author
work. entitled Reflections on the Tria4.ol:l4,,..c.ttir''''.
fer, are, together with the printers of tiinstfp.4‘itie,'.4
cited to appear beforethe Ttibuttal'Oftl+ed!rr
4."
. •
tional Police on Satniday'next.' -•
' VIENNA, JAN. 17.--Til4-Instintelliginte 6'0111,,
.1
Constantinople of the 10th ult. states; tbar-V:a°
Jabot, the Spanish Aiititster there, having -made* 4
formal complaint, that,the Captain Paella, hatl-14;
~-
ceeded his authority, in ill treating thaseamen-w`'
the Spanish frigate Gnadalintpe, and nut 41010 q
obtained any satisfaction, be had addressed • 0.6 ',„:4
Ministers of Foreign Powers, wlio bad
.taken up the-affair,- and had.presertiedtet
Effendi a detailed ,memorial upon the subject, •
MANHEINI, JAN. 21.—1 t is underst4d-that 41:F: •
preparatory arrangement of the general late'? s
specting the liberty of the press` in -GerinanY, ss
ready to be sulomitted shortly_ to the Diet.
FRANKFORT, JAN. ,is that, tilettir.or'
pions of the Mehthers of the. Ger.matVWDlet
still very tlinch divided respecting the litotleol-_,„:tly
carrying into effect the 1801,,ArOcle
rut Act, preienting the establisbinerst:of -Reps'at,
tentative Constittitibns in alf the .St4teS at `th
,• •
-Federation...

To CORRESPONDENTS.

f~i

For Literary Review, see Last Page,
We are again Under the necessity of postponing many Favour"-

THEATRICAL REGlsTtrt.
Po:formed en Saturday Ni,"
THEATRE rtoYAL, Dituity-LANE.---Itiehurc, Duke .of York'
the Principal Characters by. Mr. Kean and Mrs. Glove!.
After which, The Turret Clock. „
THEAT,RvitoYAL; COVENT-GA RDEN.—fjuynannering: Henri
Bertram, Mr. Ilrahanr; Lucy Bertraitn, Miss Stcphett• A
ter which, Harlequin Gulliver. . • •

MAILS. .
ARRIVen-2 Dublin, 3 Holland, 1 Li'sbon, 1 Malta,,,Fmnrge
; New York. Do E-2 Waterford, 4,Hollaukl, tit (At ebb u rt; b,
Flarnburgh, 1 Flanders.

PURIFICAtION VIRGIN MAUY.—Holiday at the karpc, EX•
cilicquer,East India and South Sear-rutist-4.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE TO -MC*ll.Oll7.
Morning, zio nanut,s ittler 12. I Everking,.ss,Miuutes aftei it

E s'11)"
rr; ,

SOLENI QUIS DICERE FAL,SUAI 4.IJIYENT ?

LONDON,
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1818.

We received yesterday the Paris Papers of Wed-
ne!day and Thursday last Those of Friday, which,
were due this morning, have not come to . hand.
We give in another column an abstract of "heir
contents. The recruitment Projer was stilt un- ;
der consideration in the Chamber of Depotties,o);
general discussion having closed, the deliberation.
upon the different Articles and Amendments, wa.
proceeding with a similar -tediousness.. The' prr

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