Star.
London, England, 1830-02-09 00:00:00

fore, any such prohibition was ever declared by Mr.
Canning, be was satisfied that it must have been made upon
some special grounds. (Hear.) He was the mote confirmed in
this conclusion, because there was on the part of the United
States a declaration of suck an intended amicable interfer-
ence, in which special grounds were pointed out. In a note
of Mr. Clay, the Minister of the United States, dated December,
1815, that government, then having recognised the independence
of Mexico and the other Republics, be declared its intention to pre-
serve a strict neutrality in the case of a war between them and her
former colonies. The terms of that declaration were, however,
that if Spain should persist in carrying on war without the prospect
of success, the Republics of Columbia and Mexico would probably
retaliate, by making an attack upon Cuba, that being therms d'ap-
psi from which Spain could carry on her operations ; and that If a
emir carried Into that island by the Republics should prove to be
we
of a desolating nature, such as the putting of arms into the bands
ei one class of the inhabitants against another class, then it
would be necessary for America to interfere and to prevent such a
i woe of extermination from proceeding. This was the ground which
.America had taken. What she said was, that she would not inter-
fere so long as the war was carried on on both sides according to the
laws of civilised nations; but she would not see such a course taken
as must lead to the depopulation of the island of Cuba, and leave it
to be transferred to the possession of some European power. If
Mr. Canning ever made any similar declaration, he was satisfied it
must have been one of this nature. With regard to the recent expe-
dition sent out by Spain against Mexico, it was, he believed, almost
. entirely sent from the Havannah. Almost the only person in it
who proceeded from the mother country, he believed, was the
commander of the troops ; and he could assure the honourable
gentleman, whatever be might think, that it would have been ex-
tremely difficult for England to have prevented the sailing of that
expedition by remonstrance alone. So much for what had been
done; and now for the intentions of the Government as to the
future. ,They felt a deep interest in the welfare and the prosperity
of these infant states. They had recognised their independence, and
were anxious to see that independence consolidated by their tran-
quillity,
and by their security from foreign attack, so long as they
gave no just cause of interference to other powers. He did hope
that they would now turn to their own resources, and subduing
their own party divisions ; establish an internal union and peace,
which, after all, would probably be their greatest safeguard against
foreign aggression, The Government of this country had hoped ,
that Spain, if she could not be persuaded to negotiate with her lost
Colonies, would have seen the policy of abstaining from actual hos-
tilities against them. If there should hereafter appear to be any
chance of a revival of Actual hostilities, the policy of England
would be to use her best efforts for their prevention; but if that in-
tercession failed, and Spain was determined to proceed with hostile
measures, then he bad no difficulty in making on the part of the
British Government this public declaration—that so far as the law.
ful operations of war were concerned on either side, this country
would act upon principles of strict impartiality [hear, hear!].
Mr. G. LA MB rose briefly to state his reasons ft.r voting for
the amendment to the address on the first night of the session. If
he had had any confidence in the ministers, and he begged to say
that he had none, he should still have found himself bound to vote
for the amendment. The honourable Gentleman then went over
several of the topics which were discussed on Thursday and Fri-
day nights. He observed, that in the course of the debate, on
a former evening, allusions had been made to the state of the
currency, and several .honourable Members on both sides of
the house had suggested the propriety of an immediate altera-
tion of the law, which required an adherence to a metallic cur-
rency. On his part, he confessed he was not prepared to re-
scind the determination which they had come to on that sub-
ject, although he would not deny the inquiry into its propriety
which was so earnestly solicited. On these grounds he had sup-
ported the amendment rather than the original address, with respect
to that part which related to the internal affairs of the empire. lf,
however, the ministers were accused of recklessness and carelessness
of every thing connected with domestic policy, what was to be said
with reference to their conduct upon every thing relating to Foreign
affairs? [(ministers were charged with too great a resemblance of
Whip in their management of domestic affairs, on the Continent
they were considered the most tremendous Tories that ever apper-
tained to any party in this country. And be really felt there was
but too muchjustice in the observations of the noble lord, the mem-
ber for the University of Cambridge (Lord Palmerstou), when
be declared, on Friday evening, that the character of England was
disgraced and detested on every part of the continent. He confessed
it was with the greatest pain and regret that he heard the right
hon. gentleman, the secretary for the home department, hold so low
a tone on the subject of the position of this country, with reference
to the continent, and admit that the fear of war was the sole cause
of that temporising system of policy which was so loudly com-
plained of. That tone was indeed so low as to form a remarkable
contrast with the language used scarcely two years ago by the
Minister who then directed the councils of this country. The
nation reposed confidence in Mr. Canning, because he had
raised its name to that great and exalted station which it
ought to occult among the states of the -continent; and
when he unhappily sunk he bequeathed to his country as a legacy
an example of the consequences of a liberal but straight-forward
and determined course of policy, which, it was fondly hoped,
would be followed by his successors. The confidence, therefore,
which the nation felt in Mr. Canning had been continued to his
successors, and what had been the result? Why, that they had
obtained the reputation of being considered the foes of every
liberal institution, and of having leagued themselves in
strict alliance with feeble Sovereigns and bigotted Ministers—
(Hear, hear.) The whole mind of the people of these coon
tries, whose good opinion, he contended, it was the true policy
of ngland to maintain, had been alienated by this course,
and, instead of being considered the friend, England was held to
be the enemy of all liberal institutions. He was told, however, by
the right hon. gentleman, that war must be avoided, and that this
was the cause of their adopting the policy of non-interference ;
bat be trusted that there would now be an. end of the confidence
which the country had reposed in them who maintained
such a doctrine. For he could tell them that by their abstain-
ing from all that was liberal and just, through the apprehen-
sions of war, the time might come when the question would
be, not whether they were to abstain from a particular
act because It might lead to war, but whether they would
not have war forced on them, and forced on them, too, when
they bad ;deprived themselves of the assistance and the good
withes of all the friends of freedom, who, formed he was per-
suaded, the great (hear, hear) majority of the population. The
honourable member then referred to that part of the speech in
which Portugal was mentioned, and observed, that as they were
told all hope of a reconciliation between the two branches of the
House of linger= was at an end, they must now be prepared, he
supposed, fur the disgrace of the formal recognition of Don Miguel.
flow, he would ask, was this recognition to be effected? By what
artifice was it to be managed? or after what form and In what
language was the Sovereign of England to enter Into terms of amity
and friendship with as usurper, who was acknowledged to have
even broken the sacred word of royalty? Of the doctrine of non-
interference, which the right hon. gentlemen had contended for,
he should say no more than that it always appeared to him to
labour ender two objections—one was, that it was utterly im-
possible to persevere in it as a system; and the other was, that no
nation in Europe would give this country credit for natality if it
attempted it. (Hear, hear, hear.) The right honourable 'env*-
, man had quoted the opinions of a great number of eminent
Statesmen in favour of the position that it was important
to preserve the integrity of the Turkish Empire. But it was most
unfortunate for thiright honourable gentleman and his argument
that, at the very moment when this country fur a long series of
years had acknowledged Turkey as an ally, that moment Turkey
tound her ancient enemy before the very gates of her capital.—
Now, whatever might be the well-merited diffidence with which
the people of this country regarded the wisdom and experience a
- wawa .. =misters, with regard to our domestic aid
commercial policy, they wets surely folly justified. im-
licit:lg the utmost reliance in their military knowledge, when
they saw' how many distinguished military men held situations
placing
lu the present Administration—when they saw • Field Marshal
I Premier, and recollected the high rank and experience of his
right honourable friend the Secretary of the Colonies (Sir George
Murray.) and of his right hon. friend, who held a distinguished
place in the Ordnance (Sir H. Hardinge)—they could not but reel
'Surprise at the confidence which seemed to have been entertained
with respect to the impregnability of the passes of the Balkan,
after they saw they were travelled over by the enemy with as
much ease as if it had been the turnpike road to Walmer Castle,
(Mar, hear!) lie had declared he felt no confidence in the pre-
sent ministry; and if an individual so little distinguished as he was
should be considered worthy of any reply, be trusted he should
nut be met with the backnied language of wilts is held fit to take
their places? He hoped he never should he told that the Hoenig
Commons did not supply a number of men who were well
to guide the councils of the country. and worthy the confirZriij
the sovereign. It had been the fashion of late'to fill the posts of the
Administration by reeruttleg among the tanks of their enemies.
In one case they sought an Attorney-Gel/9i from among the'
Whip. In another they sought for a lir of the Mint in on
Hoo. Member who had been among their opponents; and,
Widen they ended by selecting a saint, be lig Dot know in what
party they had nut sought for support (Mien lad a laugh.) Ns
looked on this, not as an attempt to inmost the strung* el the
Ministry, but as a means adopted to softewheeility ; aid hi ob-
jected to it as calculated to deem the Indepaiduato at the Reese
of Commas by eadeawmalas to pat an ani ht thsedigint of
parties, and reuderft wee, seep lit it an edielat swab* Pen
neat. hest 0 The Hiltitrak 'llwaher doididde by
pardoo (or treiblii-the awe mrinich it length; blltilitt

strongly on these subjects, and he knew this was the only occasion
on which be could record his opinions.
Mr. Secretary PEEL said he role to correct a most erroneous
impression which the honourable Member had formed of what
fell from him on a former night: He positively denied that belted
used one word which implied the fear of war on the part of this
Government—(Cheers) So cautious was he to avoid misap-
prehension on that point, that he never suffered himself to use
the word " peace," in the course of what then fell from him,
without studiously adding that he thought peace not worth bar-
ing unless it was such a peace as was consistent with the honour
and character of the country—(Cheers.) They might avow—
England was strong enough, and powerful enough, to enable
them to avow, a love of peace without the fear of being
supposed to shrink from the effort of supporting a just war—
And let him tell the hon. gentleman that those nations who were
not backward in avowing the love of peace, when the time of dif.
ficulty came, would perhaps be found the most powerful and ready
to sustain war. The hon. gentleman bad alluded to the foreign
policy of this country, and had stated that the character of the
country had suffered ; but his opinion seemed to have been
formed upon vague rumours which he bad himself picked up
somewhere or other. Among the rest, the honourable member
had heard that the government of this country had used some
sort of influence in the appointment of the present Ministry in
France. He had no doubt but that the honourable member's other
information was equally erroneous, when with regard to this only
definite charge against the foreign olicy of the country, he ventured
to assure him that never was there a charge so utterly void of loins
dation. There never had been any communication direct or indi-
rect, between any party in France, and any person belonging to the
government in England, respecting the appointment of the Printer
de Polignac.
A Mascara spoke to the bitter and general distress which per-
vaded the country, but trusted in its character and energies for a
return of its prosperity and comforts. He had heard with great
satisfaction the determination of his majesty's ministers to main-
tain inviolate the laws which had been passed upon the currency.
Mr. Alderman W AITH MAN contended that the class of re-
tail traders were suffering a degree of distress equal to that which
had fallen upon any other class of the community. He had no
confidence in ministers, and he believed, in saying so, he repeated
the opinion of a great majority of the people.
Mr. ROBINSON said, that he approved of that part of the
address which assured the house of the continuance of that foreign
policy which was likely to maintain for the country the blessings
and advantages of peace. He bad voted for the amendment be.
cause be thought it stated the condition of the country more truly,
and because he meant to support all measures of inquiry.
Lord NOR MAN BY said he had heard with much satisfaction
what bad fallen from the right hon. gent. as to the foreign policy of
the country, and laJped the government would act up to it. There
was an opinion on the Continent that the general tendency of the
present policy of England was in favour of despotism.
Mr. H. DA VIS said that from the information he bad recently
received, the distress of the trading classes was not so great as it
had been represented to be. He had also seen a gentleman of high
respectability and large landed property in Ireland, who had assured
hint that he knew one property in that country producing a rental
of 30,0001. where there had not been a single deficiency in the pay-
mate of rent.
Mr. SA DL1.31. deprecated the practice of introducing the opi-
nions of individuals who might po overgrown capital, to divert
the attention of the house from those enquiries which ought to
ensue if they discharged their duty toward+ the labouring and pro-
ductive classes who sent them there, and who were the parties
upon whom all the distress and suffering fell. Amongst these the
distress was but too general, as no man could doubt; and the most
courageous, humane, and patriotic course they could take was to
court enquiry until they found'a remedy.
Sir J. STEW Ala denied that the distress was general in
Scotland, the only interruption to its prosperity arose from the
badness of the harvest, which bad delayed the payments of rent,
owing to the difficulty of effecting sales of agricultural produce.
Mr. O'CONNELL said that he had received letters that morn-
ing from Ireland, confirming what he had before stated to the
house as to the prevalence of agricultural distress in Ireland.
Mr. FY LER said that he could bear testimony to the esistence
of extreme distress in those parts of the country with which he was
acquainted. In the city and county of the city of Coventry, and
in many parts of Warwickshire, and in other places there were
thousands in such a state of distress as not to be able to support
themselves. He could also state from information received from
the directors of the pour, that many persons who were formerly in
comfortable circumstances were in that state, that they were with-
held solely by feelings of shame from receiving parochial aid. In
one district of the county of Warwick was a parish containing a
mixture of manufacturers and sgrsculturists. The population
amounted to 7,100 persons, on a space of 6,500 acres. Of these
there were 2,000 receiving parochial relief,-2,100 not receiving
relief, but not able to contribute any thing to the rates, the whole
weight of which was borne by 500 heads of families, the repre-
sentatives of the other inhabitants. These were facts which spoke
for themselves, and no doubt many similar could be adduced,
If every hon. member were to answer the call that had been
made upon him, and state candidly what was the actual con-
dition of the people in that part of the country with which
he was connected. The hon. member then briefly contended
that the arguments as to the prosperous state of the country which I
had been drawn trom the increase of our exports and the increas-
ed business on some of our canals, were utterly without foundation.
To prove .that these were instances of prosperity, it should be
shown that the increased exports were a profitable and not a losing
trade, and that the increased business on the canals which had
been named, had not been the result of the diversion of the trade
of other canals in that particular direction, or the result of the di-
minution of land carriage in the same line. He rejoiced at the
manly view which had been taken of the state of the country by
the right hon. member for Liverpool, and he hoped that that right
bon. gentleman, seeing the course which bad been adopted by so
many other states with respect to their trade, would fed it twee,•
sary to reconsider the subject of the free-trade system. He was
glad to hear the promise of economy which bad been held out in
the speech, but he was sure the noble Duke at the head of the
Govermunet, to do any thing effectual, must either bring down
our expenditure to our resources, or raise our resources to our
expenditure.
Mr. ROBINSON, in explanation, said he had been mistaken
in attributing to the right hon. gentleman, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, the observation that the hon. member for Kent had In-
troduced the amendment to the address from sinister motives.
Mr. A. BA RING said be did not rise on this endless subject to
follow any of the several hon. members who had preceded him,
into the theories which each raised as to the causes of the present
distress. It was not to be denied that distress existed at present
In the country to an extent which had not been felt for many
years; and it was the more severely felt, because now, at the end
of fifteen years of peace, when we had reason to expect our con-
dition would be much improved, it was rather in a worse con•
ditiun than at the commencement of that period. Reason upon
it which way we would, we could not shut our eyes to the fact,
and it struck him as useless to be endeavouring to ascribe it to this
or that particular came, for to no one of the camas mentioned could
it be fairly ascribed? It would be better therefore to apply our-
' selves to the remedy, for it seemed to him that distress so general
in its nature must be ascribed to sense general cause. He had his
own opinion as to the Several causes which had been assiened.eut be
owned be could not bring himself to believe that it was to be attri-
buted to any one of them. Let it be recollected, that if we felt
distress, we were not the only nation in that condition ; it per-
vaded every country, from one end of Europe to the other,
and extended to countries beyond the Atlantic—(Hear, hear,
hear.) •A distress, then, which was so general in its extent,
must, as he had stated, have some general cause—(Beer, hear.)—
What that cause was, he must own he could not state, but he
thought that man must be extremely ignorant of the nature sod
extent of the evil who should say, " government most know it ;
gosternment must apply the remedy ;" or as the farmers said
in Some piece's, " government must do surre'ai" What could
that government, or what could that house do to remedy the
evil? He should like to see any man point out the course
that ought to be pursued, and say, "tined the remedy."—
Ho would admit with those gentlemen who advocated the apical-
ral interest, that that body was suffering in a greater degree than
any other class of the community. Yet it would not be denied
that this distress existed without any very low prices (Acorn; for
corn was not on the average at a higher price for the last five
years than it was last year, and up to the present. But the diffi-
culty felt by agriculturists was this : they had two bad years, and
the farmer, owing to the nature of the corn-laws, obtained In
one year the high price which would be a compensation to him
for low prices in the preceding. Of these laws, however, the
farmer could not complain, for they were made for his protection.
(Hear, hear.) He might, perhaps, say, that be had not that
protection to which be was entitled. In his (Mr. Baring's)
opinion, a higher rate of protecdoo to the farmer could not be
compensated by him to the country in a year of great seareity $ and
if he obtained its it would be at the expense of a starving porde.
dos—(l4esr.) It had always been a doubt in his mind whether
the country could stand that kind of protection which the agri-
cultural interest required. At the same time, be would not. do
swag with those corn laws which now edited, for that would be
M Wect to dispossess an immense portion of the land•owoers ;
for such were the charges upon land la a variety of shapes, that
If protection were withdrawn, it would leave the present land-
owners little more than mere nominal proprietorship It wet.
therefore, Only in a ease of the greatest • neesesity that * could
consent to any alteration In the present *ton of oat earn laws.