The Sun.
London, England, 1842-07-30 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY MORNING, JULY 30, 1842.

flax ; but flax could -not be grown in large quantities ;
the great quantity of water, the superior soil, and the
great and constant care that were required to bring
it to perfection, rendered it impossible to cultivate
it in very large quantities—a square rood, and even a perch
frequently being the extent of a flax field. The south
of Ireland, which was the part best adapted for the cul-
tivation of flax, grew none ; in fact, 100,000 acres was
the whole extent of Ireland occupied in the growing of
flax. He was not prepared to say at present where they
could find a 'market for any largely increased quantity of
sax, but he knew that they could in Ireland, without any
difficulty, grow twenty times as much as at present.
This would give a staple manufacture, a staple trade to
Ireland ; that trade would be partly with England, partly
with France, but principally with America ; and from
the island of Valencia, on the west coast of Ireland, the
transit to America would be both safe and speedy. From
Valencia to New York, in fact, the ship might steer a
straight line ; the distance was about 2,700 miles, and the
passage might be performed in eight days by steam. Ire-
land had no trade now, and as surely as her trade was
destroyed by a law designed for the purpose, so surely
would the trade of England be destroyed under a law de-
signed to protect the land. The distresses of Ireland were
to be attributed to a system of agriculture, fostered by a
Corn-law, unfitted for.the country ; and he would re-
mind them that they could not get rid of that system till
they got rid of the Corn-law, and called the attention
of the people to the best means of improving their in-
dustry on land.—(Hear, hear.) They would then esta-
blish manufactures in Ireland—a linen manufacture
would be the first ; that would find employment for the
unemployed portion of the people ; it would represent
an improved system of agriculture ; instead of having
employment one season of the year, they would have
employment all the year through ; instead of starving at
home, they would have the means of exporting to other
nations ; instead of being a country at which the people
of the world looked with astonishment, and wondered
why it was so impoverished, its western ports w ould be
crowded with ships from all other quarters of the globe ;
instead of being a country where no railways existed, it,
would be the pathway between this and America ; and
Ireland would have railways stretching out their run
arms throughout the length and breadth of the land, as
England and America had ; they would get their bread
from America, and send them linens in return ; and, in-
stead of there being a growing competition for land, which
brought destruction on the people, and ruin on all, there
would be employment for all, plenty for all, peace would
hold her sway, and property would be secure throughout.
the whole country.—(Loud cheering.)
Mr. RAWSON said that a gentleman, Mr. Thomas
Platt of Glossop, one of the delelegates had just been in
the North of France to examine the state of the spinning
establishments there. lie would by the leave of the
Chairman ask him a few questions. What kind of
machinery as compared with ours, do you find in the
north of- France ?—I consider the machinery most de-
fective. What are the masters giving in wages for a
thousand hanks ?—They are giving from three to four
times as much money wages for 1,000 hanks
as we are giving. What amount of money is given
to the French cotton. spinner—say fur spinning
one pound of number 40 twist ?—Four pence per pound
in English money. What does the English spinner re-
ceive in money for spinning a pound of the same number
of twist ?—On improved mules not quite one penny.
What amount of money wages weekly will the English
spinner make on the average spinning this quality of
yarn ?—From 20s. to 255. IN hat does the French
spinner earn weekly at 4d. per lb. for spinning P—A bout
15s. Then to what do you attribute the higher wages
earned weekly by the English operative, seeing that the
French spinner gets four times the money the English
workman receives for an equal weight of yarn ?—I at-
tribute this wholly to our superior machinery. Are the
French cotton-spinners improving their machinery ?
Decidedly ; from what I saw they are at present turning
their attention especially in that direction. Are there
any new machine making establishments that came under
your pwu observation in the North of France ?—There
are several. I saw one myself lately established by
English machine-makers at Lisle, and from the manner
in which that establishment is fitted up and conducted,
they are able to manufacture machinery on the most
improved principles. Should you think, from what you
saw, that with the price at which yarns are selling in
France English capitalists, with such machinery as is
now constructed there, would be able to realize a profit ?
—I am convinced that an English cotton spinner
establishing concerns in France with the modern
machinery would realise a very handsome profit indeed.
With regard to the opinion that machinery was one
cause to which the distressed condition of the operative
might be traced,
Mr. PLATT begged to observe, that about nine or
ten years ago he had his machinery very considerably
improved, and he now. employed three times as many
hands as he did previous to that time..

Mr. S. &mill-gave a short account of a meeting which
was held a night or two ago at Chelsea, where persons
of all conditions in life, and of all trades, including shoe-
makers, plasterers, curriers, &c., came forward, and
testified to the depression at present existing in their re-
spective branches of industry. He also stated that he
had received letters from various Associations in the
country, stating that they were anxious to send deputies
to the Conference to strengthen their hands, to thank
them for the exertions they had made, and to assure
them that they had effected much good. He (Mr. S.
Smith) believed there would not bo time, before the
breaking up of the Conference, to receive them here, but
he believed that it would be of service to send any ac-
count of good that had been done to the Anti-Corn. law
Association ut Manchester.

The CHAIRMAN then said-311a time has now arrived-'
..fur adjourning. I had thoughts-°I should-have been able'
to lave announced to you to•day+,' whether.or not this
oO'nference would break up on Monday. It appears that
all means to influence the Government have been tried
—it appears that but little morecan be done substantiiely
by this Conference. We have received communications
of distress from all parts of the country, and there is
little more to communicate on that point. The disturbed
state of the country, and the mani:estations which may
become greater than they are at present, act in two ways.
In they first instance, it makes many who are here de-
sirous to be at home ; and in the second place, it does
afford some argument, that if the distress of the country
should manifest itself in a greater degree than it
has hitherto done in disturbances of the public peace—
or what is called so, which is taking food without which '
life cannot be sustained—(Cheers)—it might be desirable
that the Conference should still sit. On Monday,
next we meet again at the usual hour ; I hope the at-
tendance will be as full as possible, because it is pro-
bable that the question will be submitted, whether the
time has arrived for the termination of the Conference,
or whether it would be expedient for us to continue our
labours, The Conference is now adjourned till the
usual hour on Monday.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LOIWS, July 29

Their Lordships assembled at Five o'clock.
On the motion of the Duke of BUCCLEUCII, the
South Australian Bill was read a third time, and passed.
The Earl of RADNOIt presented a petition from
Dunfermline, praying for the repeal of the Corn-laws.
The NOBLE EARL alsollaid on the table a Bill to repeal
the Corn-laws, which was read a first time, and ordered
to be read a second time on Thursday next. .
The Poor-law Commission Continuance Bill was read
a third time, and passed.
The Court of Chancery Offices Abolition Bill was
read a third time, and passed.
The Earl of CLANCARTY, pursuant to notice,.
begged to put a question to the Noble Lord the Presi-
dent of the Council. He wished to know whether it Was
the intention of Government to sanction the appropriation
of any portion of the education grant for Ireland for the
establishment and endowment ,of agricultural schools in
connexion with the schools of . the .Board of Educa-
tion in that country, and if se, whether such
endowment would be limited according to the principle
laid down in the seventh Report of the Education Com-,
missioners ?

Lord WHARNCLIFFE said that it was not the in-
tention of the present Government to withdraw any
portion of the present powers of the Education Commis-
sioners in Ireland.
SUDBURY DISFRANCHISEMENT BILL.

The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said, that looking
at the present state of public business, and considering
the late period of the session, he did not think it possible
for their Lordships to bring this Bill to a satisfactory
termination. He begged, therefore, to move that the
order of the day for the second reading of the Su&
bury Disfranchisement Bill be discharged.
After a few words from Lord BROUGHAM, the mo-
tion was agreed to.
POOR-LAWS (IRELAND.)
The Earl of GLENGALL presented a petition from a
place in Ireland, praying that the conduct of the medical
charities might not be placed under the control of the
Poor-law Commissioners. The Noble Earl took that
opportunity of deprecating the extravagant sums paid
to the Poor-law Commissioners and Assistant Com-
missioners as travelling expenses, &c., in addition to
their salaries, and also passed some strictures on the
Poor-law Commission generally.
The Earl of WICKLOW said that the expenses of
the rommissioners, if extravagant, from whatever
fund they might be taken, ought not to be permitted ;
but he must say lie never knew of public servants who
better deserved the remuneration they received than the
Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners.

After a few observations from the Bishop of DERRY
the petition was ordered to lie on the table.
The Earl of MOUNTCASHEL presented a petition
from the medical practitioners superintending the fever
hospitals, dispensaries, &c. of the county of Donegal,
against placing the administration of the medical chari-
ties under the control of the Poor-law Commissioners.
The Noble Earl also presented two other petitions to the
same effect.

The Earl of GLENGALL presented a petition to the
same effect, from a Board of Guardians in the county cf
Fermanagh.
The Grand Jury Presentments (Ireland) Bill was
read a second time.

The Fisheries (Ireland) Bill was considered in
Committee.—Report to be received on Monday.
The Municipal Corporations Act amendment Bill
passed through Committee.
The Rivers (Ireland) Bill also passed through Com-
mittee.—Report on Monday.
The Manchester, Birmingham, and Bolton Police Bill
was read a second time.

The Assessed Taxes Bill was also read a second time.
The Joint Stock Banking Companies Bill passed
through Committee.
On the motion of Lord BROUGHAM, the Insolvent
Debtors Relief Bill was read a second time.7-Committee
on Wednesday next.
The House than adjourned at a Quarter-past Seven
o'Clock, till tomorrow at Twelve o'Clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, July 29.
The SPEAKER took the chair at Four o'Clock.

The Lords' amendments to the Mersey Conservancy
Bill were considered and agreed to.
Sewell's Divorce Bill was read a second time, and
ordered to be committed.

Mr. BROTHERTON brought up the Report of the
Committee on Public Petitions.
FREE TRADE.
Mr. VILLIERS presented petitions from a benevo-
lent society, Elgin ; from the hand-loom weavers, Mid-
dleton ; from a friendly society at Northwich, in the
county of Chester ; from the machine-makers in the
employ of the Messrs. Sharpe, all complaining of dis-
tress, and praying for the removal of the restrictions on
trade.

Mr. BROCKLEHURST presented a petition 'from a
body of operatives in Lancashire, complaining of their
low rate of wages, and of the laws affecting labour, and
praying the House not to separate without taking their
case into consideration.

BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.
Mr. SHEIL said he believed it was a breach of privi-
lege to attribute to a Member of the House expressions
discreditable to him, and sentiments which he had never
uttered. In the Morning Herald report of the debate on
the Bribery Bill, he was represented to have said that
in his opinion in Ireland the bribery oath was no check
to the practice, and:that it was frequently violated. lie
had uttered no such sentiment ;* what be had said was.
that the.oath was a very-great restraint. He was sa-
tisfied., -tlio rcp,irter did not. intend' to misrepresent
him, but he was naturally anxious that no erroneous
impression of what he had said should go abroad ; there
had been a misconception, but it had arisen from his own
indistinctness.. .

Sir J. GRAHAM said he had paid particular atten-
tion to what the Hon. and Learned Gentleman had said.
He was the first Member who objected to the clause,
though he alleged that its stringency was very great,
and had been effectual.

Mr. SHELL—It was a mere mistake.
BRIBERY BILL.

In answer to a question from. Mr. HUME,
Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET said, as the evi-
dence on the Bill, as taken before the Committee, con-
tained various matters connected with individuals and
the public, he_was not prepared to say that he could lay
it all on the table.

Mr. HUME would put a question on the subject on
Monday.
Dr. BOWRING asked, as the evidence referred prin-
cipally to one locality, whether it would be followed up
by any other Report?
Lord G. SOMERSET said another Report had been
prepared, but he could not say when it would be pre-
sented.

THE DEPTFORD CHARTISTS.
Sir J. GRAHAM said he perceived by the notice
paper that the Hon. Member for Finsbury intended to
present a petition from Dr. M'Douall this evening, and
to submit a motion to the House upon it. The Hon.
Gentleman had submitted his motion in this particular
form, in consequence of the Standing Order adopted
in April last, which made it competent to the
House to discuss any petition complaining of
a personal grievance, which pressed fur a remedy.
He understood that the person whose grievance was
intended to be brought under the consideration of the
House was not in custody, but at large on bail. At
present, therefore, there was no personal grievance
suffered ; had there been he would not have asked
the Honourable Gentleman to postpone his motion.
But as the parties were at large, it would be a great
convenience if he would adhere to the customary
usage in presenting petitions, and give notice of
the precise motion he intended to make. As a
point of form, there would be greater advantage
in adopting that course. He (Sir James Graham) would
state that he had, yesterday, written to the Magistrate,
requesting to be furnished with a full report of the pro-
ceedings in the case. He had not yet received the re-
port, but he expected to receive it by Monday.
It would, therefore, be more conducive to the ends of j us-
tice if the Hon. Member would postpone any motion he
might be desirous of bringing forward until Monday, on
which day her Majesty's Government would give him
every facility for bringing forward his motion. He (Sir
J. Graham) requested, as a personal favour to himself,
that the Hon. Member would postpone his motion till
Monday.

Mr. DUNCOMBE would be happy to accede to
the proposal of the Right Hon. Baronet, and would post-
pone his motion, on condition that he should have pre-
cedence on Monday.—(" Hear, hear," from Sir. James
Graham.) He would- now confine himself to pre•
renting two petitions. He thought certainly that
those petitions came within the rule which allowed
a discussion to be raised on the presentation of
a petition, complaining of an immediate public and per-
sonal grievance. The petitioner had been held to bail
for six months, when he had committed no offence, but
had merely exercised his right of attending a
public meeting, which the police, acting upon the
law as laid down by the Right Honourable Baronet,
had chosen to interrupt as illegal. The first petition
which he would present was signed by the Chairman of
a public meeting, consisting of 5,000 or 6,000 of the in-
habitants of Deptford, complaining of the conduct
of the police in arresting 1)r. M‘Douall, and the
other was from Dr. M`Douall himself, a surgeon,
residing in Hampton-street, Walworth, complaining
of the conduct of the police in interrupting a public
meeting, and arresting him ; of the hardships which he
had endured in the station-house, and of the obstacles
which had been thrown in his. way to prevent his pro-
curing evidence to show that the charges of the police
were unfounded. He moved that the petitions be printed.
The petitions were then brought up and ordered to be
printed with the Votes.
RAJA OF SATTARA.
Mr. HUME presented a petition from Puntaub
Shean, the deposed Raja of Satpira, who was now
a state prisoner at Benares. He had last year
offered a petition to the House on the same subject,
but as it was written in the Mahratta language, and un-
accompanied by an English translation, it had been with-
drawn. He now presented a petition from the same in.,
dividual, written in the English language. The petition
was signed at Benares, on the Bth January, 1842, and was
sealed with the seal of the Mahratta kingdom of Sevajee.
It was attested by four inhabitants of Benares and
' by a Magistrate. The petitioner stated that he
was the lineal descendant of Sevajee, the
founder of the Mahratta empire ; that he was
now the legitimate head of the Mahratta empire ' • that
in 1819, on the deposition of the Peishwa, he had been
restored by the British Government as a feudatory of the
British empire ; that from that period, up to the
year 1835, he had enjoyed the unlimited confidence
of the Court of Directors, who in that year had sent him
-a sword of honour, and :stated.. that .his conduct was
worthy of the imitation of the. other native-Princes;
that since that period he had I*.h deposed, under the*.

cumstances related in the petition, to only a few of
which he (Mr. Hume) would allude then. '
He stated that in 1836 he was accused of plotting 2gainst
the British Government.. but his whole life ought to have
been a sufficient answer to such an accusation, that the
Governor of Bombay was empowered to procure evidence
against him, as having violated the treaty which he had
entered into, but he referred to Residents Dutl;
Bing, and Robinson, in testimony of its faithful
observance ; that he was accused of conspiring againt
the British Government, and entering into a treaty
with the Portuguese Government, to procure three
thousand troops from Goa ; that an inquiry was
instituted, which was kept a secret from him; and that,
notwithstanding, the whole evidence against him was
declared to be worthless. He stated that his princip.tl
servant was seized and imprisoned;- that he was kept
for twenty-two months in prison, •in a state of torture,
till he signed a document to save his life ; that the
charge of procuring 30,000 troops from Goa was so ab-
surd that the House could not give it credence; that he never
I had more than I,soo.troops. and that to attempt any
I such proceeding as he was charged with, was totally at
variance with his character ; that his brother was
placed in his stead on the throne, who was proved,
under his own handwriting, to have conspired to,
injure the interest of the India Company ; that
he (the Raja of Sattara) had private property to
the amount of . 350,000/. taken from him ; that
he was seized by the orders of Sir J. Carnac,
in his palace, to which he was never after allowed to re-
turn, and that he suffered all these losses upon the vague
charge of bringing troops from Goa, whilst he was never
heard in his own defence. He, therefore, solicited from the
House a consideration of his case, and an investigation into
the treatment which he had received'; that the vast
power of England need fear no alarm, and that
it would tarnish the glory of her Majesty's
reign if an individual, once her Majesty's faithful
ally, now her prisoner, did not receive her protection.
That was the petition which he had received, and as it
was one of importance he begged to bring it up, and to
move that it be printed. •