The Sun.
London, England, 1820-07-19 00:00:00

I3ARRACK AGREEMENT BILL

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved
the Order of the Day for the third reading of
this Bill.

Mr. LOCKHART stated his intention of oppos-
ing this Bill to the last. The Hon. Member de-
tailed a variety of objections .which he entertained
towards the Bill, as tending to continue the sys-
tem 'of establishing Barracks all over the coun-
try, which he looked upon as a principal agent in
the rapid advance which of late years had been
making towards the establishment of a military
despotism. lie warned the House to consider,
that a military ascendancy once gained in the
country was not so easily controuled as might be
wished, by those who looked forward to wield it
for their own purposes. Armies had as often ac-
complished Revolutions as they had been the
means of repressing thorn ; and the history of the
past was the history of the future. In modern
days, Spain afforded an eKan.ple of the truth of
what he advanced. Among other objections which
he had to the Barrack system, was, that be had
always observed, that the enclosing individuals
in high walls had the effect of rendering them of
a morose disposition, which was the last thing to
be encouraged in a soldier. This remark would
be found to hold good with respect to labourers
in manufactories which were surrounded by high
walls ; and it would he found that the spirits
were always depressed,-and the temper soured,
in proportion as individuals were debarred from
a free circulation of air, and an unrestrained in-
tercourse with society.
The House then divided on the motion for
the third reading of the Bill, when the numbers
were :

In favour of the Bill so
Against it
Majority —3s
IRISH DISTILLERY REGULATIONS.

On the Order of the Day for the House going
into a Committee on !the Stills' Regulation Bill
►eml,
Mr. liuTcuzNsom stated his objections to the
measure, as being contrary to the wishes and
opinions of a majority of, the Irish Distillers. The

Hon. Gentleman concluded by MON Ina for a copy
of the Report of the Excise Board of Ireland,
containing their opinion on the proposed Regula-
tions in the Distilleries ; also for a copy of a Re-
port of. Messrs. Doyle and Carr, made on an in-
spection of the Irish Distilleries in the autumn
of 1819.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER objected
to the motion, on the ground that the papers
moved for formed a part of a correspondence not
yet complete, and therefore lie submitted,' it
would be better the motion should be withdrawn
for the present.
Mr. CHICHESTER considered the measure now
under consideration as one that would go to de-
stroy the Distillery of_ Ireland,,and under- that
impression he should, previous to these Bills
passing, move for a Committee to inquire gene-
rally into the subject.
General HART repeated his objections to this
measure, as not giving sufficient encouragement
to small stills. He also objected to the system
of still fines. The Collectors had been let. loose
on the country to seize and plunder ; and there
was no means at present existing- of bringing
them to account for the plunder they then made.
He then gave notice, that he would not rest until
he had obtained inquiry into this subject. Re-
verting again to small stills, he submitted, that
by licensing stills of this description, they would
derive a revenue from an evil they could not cure.
After a few words from Mr. HUTCHINSON, the
motion was negatived.
FOREIGN TltArlt.

Mr. WALLACE brought up the Report of the
Select Committee on Foreign Trade. lii laying
this Report before the House, the Hon. Member
stated; at some length, the principles upon which
the Committee had conducted their deliberations.
They took into their consideration the numerous
petitions from commercial and manufacturing
communities laid before Parliament, complaining
of the great injuries sustained under the restric-
tive system which had so long prevailed in this
country, for the protection of British manufac-
tures and commerce ; and, upon the fullest con-
sideration of the subject, it appeared to them
that all restrictions on trade whatever was an
evil not justified by political expedience ; and
that, whenever this evil can he removed, without
absolute injury to the manufacturing interests of
this country, or actual violation to-treaties with
foreign nations, it ought to be removed. There
were some manufactures of this country which
had grown up to prosperity under the existing,
system of restrictions to which it might be ruin-
ous if that system were too suddenly withdrawn,
and towards those the system of relaxation mint
be more general for some years. With respect to
the trade with Africa and America, it was the
opinion of the Committee, that all intercourse be-
tween them and this country should be carried on
in British ships ; but with respect to the produce and
manufactures of the countries of Europe, the
Committee were of opinion, that they might be
brought to this country in ships belonging to the
countries of which they are the produce, except
from parts of Germany and the Netherlands,
Where restriction should be confined to the article
of linen, which was to be imported in no ships
whatever. With respect to the warehousing sys-
tem, the Committee were of opinion, that it would
not be too much extended if this country was to
be made the emporium of the world for the pro-
duce and manufactures of all nations, by free im-
port and export. It was not his purpose at pre-
sent to state at length the reasons which induced
the Committee to adopt those regulations,
because this was not the proper time for
such a statement. The fitter time would be,
when the measures intended should be
brought before the House, which would be
in • an early part of the ensuing Session of
Parliament. There was one difficulty which the
Committee experienced, namely, an examination
of the various Acts of Parliament, by which -the
trade of this country -was-restricted with respect
to the produce of other nations. In 1815 it was
said, that of such laws there were two thousand
passed, of which there were eleven hundred then
in operation, to which some others had been since
added. But the sooner they could be abolished,
the more he was convinced it would be for the
advantsge of this country. There were some
regulations in existence which subjected to sei-
zure ship and cargo if brought to this country
from foreign ports ; and every man must see what
an impediment this must be to our intercourse
with other nations. He did feel, however, that
a considerable time must elapse before all impedi-
ments could be removed, and the Country" placed
in the full enjoyment of those advantages to be
derived from an unrestricted system of commerce
with ,the world. Such 'was the Outline -of the
system recommended by the Committee ; they
were important in many views Of the 'uliject ;
and if the House should approve of their Report,
he shouid consider it one important step gained.
towards realising the true means of prosperity to
the country, which he was sorry to say the enact-
ments of that House had too long prevented,
under a mistaken policy ; and .which it be-
came necessary now to reform for the better
regulation of our trade with foreign nations.
This system, so long the reproach of our
Country, had obliged foreign nations to adopt
the-like system towards us ; and, though we might
for some time support this exclusive system
in some instances, he trusted. we should now
shew that our disposition was to-.fairness and re-
ciprocity towards other nations, and he trusted
that if foreign countries, in future, should im-
pose any restrictions hostile to the trade of this,
they would not be able to justify their conduct
by quoting our example. The Hon. Member
concluded by moving, that this Report do lie on
the table, and, that it be printed.—Ordered ac-
cordingly.