The Sun.
London, England, 1820-05-30 00:00:00

PAIILIANIENTARY INQUIRIES.

MR. EDITOR—AS the Agricultural, Manufac-
tnring. and Commercial interests seem all desi-
rous of Parliamentary Inquiry, and all equally
anxious for Parliamentary relief, it may be an
useful hint if we can sbew them that a private
Commi,ree of Inquiry in their own bosoms is
likely to do them more real good, or at least will
tend Inure to quiet their discontent during an un-
avuidable change and revulsion of circumstances,
than any thing that can possibly arise from Parlia-
mentary investigation. We have risen to what
we are under Parliamentary care, indeed to pre-
vent us from hurting ourselves or others, but

without any of those appeals to Parliament now
so loudly called for; and it is therefore more than
probable OA what our own exertions have
hitherto crone, they may still do. As far as na-
tional distress arises from circumstances witl)n
ourselves, in ourselves we must seek :he re-
medy ; but neither we nor Patliament can remedy
such portion of that distress as arises from ex-
ternal causes., We can neither regulate are affairs
nor the policy of other nations—let us then try to
regnl:oe our own. in this attempt Parliament, in.

deed, may aid us, but we cerium expect either it or
Government tO ork mit ar. lee, t►or ought we even to
ask for their assiitance until ►ve have done all that
we can do without it. 'Till then assistance would
be rmrely interference ; and would probably do
ri►nre barn► than good !

4 As for AGRICULTURAL INQUIRY, it needs not
the aid of Parliamentary investigation. The only
immediate causes of Agricultural Distress are a
fall in In.icts, and a diminished demand, without
a proportional diminution of charge in raising
produce, or with that charge remaining stationary,
or with tbat charge inc.:easing beyond tile former
ratio.

let the Agriculturist ask himself can Par-
liament raise the price, or increase the demand ?
During the War, Government went into the
market with 13 or 14 millions annually. When
Peace came that expenditure was unnecessary, and
was draws from the market. Dirieg the War,
Government was expending 150 millions au-
totally, including the interest paid on the National
Debt. Now they only expend half that serer.--
But can Government or Parliament bring back
that competition in price and demand in conseinp-
floe, by any other mode than that by which they
were formerly occasioned—namely, by War ? If
they can, let the quetiat point out the mode.—
'Tis worse than futile to deceive ourselves and
others, by asserting that they can, unless those
who assert it, or expect it, will say How?
itilt it may be sail that Parliament can relieve
the former by a diminished taxation. If by that
is meant a general diminution of taxes, let ns ask
ourselves where or how ? We do riot raise taxes
enough for the expenditure; but where is the ex-
penditure to be reduced ? Can we reduce the 45
millions of interest for the National Debt ? If we
do, we shall in the first place increase our paupers ;
besides which we shall check present circulation,
bud destroy future credit, Ate we, in fact, pre-
pared for the ruin that would ensue ? Then how
shall we reduce the other 30 millions ? Can we
take off 10 millions, or five, or ONE ? But sup-
pose five millions of taxes, generally speaking,
could be taken off, and that diminution to be
equally divided, what relief would it afford to
the Farmer ? Would even a reduction of TEN mil.-
lions of general taxes do the Farmer ball the good
that would result from an increased demand to the
amount of FIVE millions thrown into the Agricul-
tural market ?

But some Farmers may hope that Parliament
will take off the taxes that bear specifically on
Farming. If Parliament does so, without being
able to diminish the expenditure in proportion,
then they will only rob Peter to pay Pa►►), and will
take out of the consumers' pocket that money
which he, otherwise, might hive spent with the
Petitioner

Can Parliament relirre the Farmer in regard to
other charges ? Can they reduce the rents ? Can
they reduce the Poors' Rates ? Can they reduce
the price of articles of wear and rear in the farm-
house and in the field ? If ihey cannot, what then
Can they do Can they grant a bounty on expor-
tation ? It they do, Who must pay the bounty,
and who will buy ? Can they pass a new Corn
Bill, and double the importation price If they
tic,, will the Farmer sell wore, or as lunch Corn,
when the price shall be 100 s, as now when it
i. 78,!.?

It they can do none of those things with pro-
priety, for that is the point, what can they du ?
" P;othing," I believe, must be the answer, at
least nwhing in a direct wAy, though they may
pass bilk on specific subjects,. But then, these
subjects mug, first exist independent of Parliament.
An Act ut Parliament may regulate; but Lc who
expects it to create will be dis:sproiuted.
Where filet, is the Farmer to look for relief
answer is rei“ly—in himqeit ! If he cannot
rai toots, he inti.2,t tbminiA as far as he can,

his Agricultural expenses. If that cannot be (lime
to the extent of giving him such profits at he hail
when priers Were high, lie must then diminish
Isis own expenditure, and live as Farmers lived
when Aglicultural profits were no higher than at
present. "This may appear harsh ; but it is only
what other classes of the community are forced to
do, tinder circumstances that are beyond Our im-
mediate control. If large farms will nut pay a
money cApiral, they must be reduced so that labour
will 'num a principal part of the capital. Where-
ever wheat cannot he raised so as to pay the ex-
pense, other prodoce mutt be cultivated. Lands
must, 111 short, be brought back to ihrir costomary
produce before the war ; and that may he done
without retiograrliog in Agricultural improve-
m, nit ; manilal labour must be brought back to its
former standard ; and fetter horses must be kept.
Even whrre cat:le labour is necessary, oxen must
be adopted, as far as possible.
In doing all this, the tanner's son intuit give
up his goo and his hunter, the farmer's daughter
must give tip the ptattalorte for the churn, the
drawing.toom for the dairy, and the country race
ball for a Tide on Dobbin to market ; the fartnet's
wife must exchange her silk gown for a Norwich
s,ntr; and the tanner himsclf driA horne-
birewed Instead of home made port ? The remedy
is desperate ; hut the disease is dettpurre ;
alter all, it • 11l only be a return to that plain
na-
tural stare whit h existed in Agriculture betore
(nice(' and artificial rise in prices. Such Farmers
and their families as like n ) the remely, may
decline it it they can. I test 'tot tO off. nit,
to hurt their feelings ; but, if home truths probe
deep, the better chance there is of curing the
wound.

In a future communication, I sball notice the
Aittuuittaturer and Commeiciaiist, aiid remain,
fl'our's,

IGNOTUS.

COLIONATION CLAIMS.

At the Pied Poildre Court sitting by Special
Commission, and by adjournment from,
last Bar-
tholomew Fair, for the investigation of all minor
Claims at the ensiling Coronation, the following
demands have been made

Mr. Alderman Ho? claimed the right of pro-
•iding all Wood to be ►►sed in necessary articles
in the department of the Groom of the Stole, and
to attend the same, and to have the same for his
Fee.

Mr. Common Councilman SLOP claimed the
right, " as his father had fought for the House
of Brunswick," to be Champion, and to ride into
the Hall cased in brass, offering to fight the Par-
son in support of his claim.
Mr. Alderman SHAWL claimed the right of sup-
plying the necessary woman with Lawn, and
claimed the same as his Fee. lie further claimed
to enter the Hall as the Champion—of Reform,
upon a Tothillfields charger, in the costume of a
Bashaw, and ornamented with the three soldier's
horses black tails which be saw in Giltspur.street,
and to have the ass for his fee.

Mr. Reformer and Sinecure Morrnovs, claim-
ed the right of presenting on Essex Cal; to his
Majesty, its right of Lis manner ; and to cry Baa
for his fee.

The Landlord of the Saracen's Head,Snow-hill,
claimed the right of bringing up all 'curious folks
to see the Coronation in his own Coaches ; and for
his fee to have, as a new sign post, one of the
portraits in the painter's show window, Ludgate-
bill, which at present only serves to f►ighten
children. and turn the milk of the milk-m, id 3.
Mr. Common Councilman Hour's claimed not
to be a " myrmidon" upon this or any other
occasion.

Mr. PARMMAST GHERKIN claimed to supply all
the pickled mushrooms from the ei,y, at the Co-
ronation ; but he was told that the city mush-
rooms are already in a sad pickle ; and having
been served but are not likely to be served up.
The Botley political Farmer claitned the right
of brushing his Majesty's coat, previous to his
Coronation; but this being inadmissible, he claim-
ed the right of brushing and of turning his own,
with a seat in the King's Bench. He was an-
swered that he already enjoyed those rights ; but
was allowed twopence for his fee.
A Borough Member claimed the right of carry-
ing a Broom atter the Canopy, supported by the
Barons of the Cinque Ports, and to kick up
a dust for the same, and to have a fee for his dust
instead of the dust for his fee.

The Lord of the Manor of Glastonbury claimed
the right of appearing before the King in a new
White Hat ; but he was told to content himself
with his Old Hat in Ilchrster Castle. He also
claimed the right of taking his neighbour's wife,
and of sending in a bill for eighteen month's
board and lodging for his fee. This, he %vas
told, be had done already ; and could not be per-
mitted to do so again, at least not for two veers
and a half.

Sir FGANKY SLYGOfled the right of grind-
ing all the Cakes in Middlesex at his mill of Isle-
worth, and to live Middlesex for his fee. Re-
ferred to the Bailiff of Westminster.

Jourr CAM claimed the right of presenting n
classical Speech to his Majesty ; and to have
&elect'? e Prvfanis for his fee. Grautttl.
Adjourned sine die,