Star.
London, England, 1801-03-12 00:00:00

COAL TRAIII.

Mr. MANNING Paid, he rote purfuant to the
notice he had given for the purpofe of moving for
leave to bring in a Bill for the better regulation of
the Coal Trade; about a twelve-month ago, be
had moved for a Committee to enquire into the
Rate of that Trade.—That Committee had paid
esery attention to the fubjet, which appeared in
two keports that were made. He had been in-
duced to make that Motion in confequence of the
high price of Coals in 1799, and 'Boo. At a
meeting of the Coal Owners in the North, it had
been admitted by them, that they faw with regret
the price of Coals in the Port of London, higher
than the value of the commodity required. At
the fame time he underflood that there had been
an agreement amongli the Coal Owners, not to
fhip any more during the year than a certain
proportion, the tendency of which Refolution
was, to flint the marka, and to cattle the price
to be confiderably advanced to the public. He
underflood that it was cullomary for the Coal
Owners in the North to charge the high price
upon the mal-praltices of the Dealers in the South,
sv!ii!ft thz•le in the South imputed it to a combina.
tin, amongft the Owrers in the Noqh. Mr. M.ta-
r'n alfo Rated the praftice amongfl the Coal
Dealers at the Coal Exchange, of meeting by
ihtmfelvcs in a room, &c. whilil the Public wcrc
xcluded, and left at the mercy of a few indivi-
dcals to regulate the price of the article. In the
Bill he walled to introduce, he meant to pmpofe
Clatife to empower the Lord Mayor and Court
41 Aldermen to exercile that fort of jurifdiltion as
m' ;hr enable the public to purchafe Coals at the
Pool, and he trufted it %medal& appear advifable
that the prcfent praoftice at the Coal Exchange
11.uuld be aluted by new regulations. There were

at preterit four diftlna Ads agenft the Combing-I
tion of Coal Dealers and Owners • it was his in-
tention to move the repeal of thole Ads, with a
view of confolidating them, fo that Coal Dealers
might fee at once what the Law was upon this
fubjeft. It was alto his intention to propofe a
Claufe to prevent the intermixture of Coals in the
Port of London. There were already pretty high
penalties againft thole in the North who fhould
mia Coals, but this did not prevent fuch pradices
when Coals were brought into the Port of London.
The next point to which his propofed Bill related
was that of Meafure. A different pradice now
prevailed in the Port of London in meafuring out
Coals ; and what he fhould propofe was, tl.at in-
Read of perfons retorting to the Coal Meter's-Of-
fice, each waggon load of Coals fhould be accom-
panied with a tneafure of three bufhels, and to al-
low every houfeholder to have the opportunity, if
he chore it, of meafuring any particular tack at
his own door. The Port of London annually re-
ceived and paid for about 9d0,000 Chaldrons of
Coals, which was equal to 360,000 Chaldrons
Pool Meafure. It might alto be a fit fubjed of
consideration, what means could be adopted for
bringing other Coal into the London market,
which were now 'hut out ofit ? with this view he
fhould propofe fome regulations, as to . bringing
Coals to London by the Oxford and other Canals.
He fhould only add, that he meant to propofe, if
the Houk fhould give him leave to bring in the
Bill, that it be printed, and lie on the Table for
two or three weeks, to give Gentlemen fufficient
opportunity of confidering its provifions. He then
moved for leave to bring us a Bill for repealing fe-
veral Ads now in force for preventing Combina-
tions amongft Coal Owners, and alto for prevent.
ing frauds and abufes in the Coal Trade, in the
Port of London.
Mr. BURDON made tome obfervations on the
general nature of the Coal Trade, and vindicated
the condu& of the Coal Owners in the North.
There were many taxes upon the introdudion of
Coals into the Port of London, and he thought the
Coal Owners of the North were entitled to claim
the protedion of the Houfe, not to Coffer fuch ar-
rangements to be introduced with refired to inland
Navigation, as would prevent Coal Owners in the
North from the right of fending their Coals to a
fair market. The Coal Trade was the belt nurfery
for the Navy, and on thiraccount alto it deferred
encouragement.
Mr. Wax.x.ics contended, that the volumes of
their ftatutes would thew the Coal Trade of this
country to be a hiftory of combinations, mono-
polies, and mal-pradices. The Bill now propofed
may have good effkas as a matter of regulation,
but could not tend at all to prevent the recurrence
of there abufes,the mifchiefs of which were fo revere-
ly, felt for the laft two years; though he was aware
that the evils arofe even Rill lcfs from the abufes
themfelves, than from a fyflem radically and fun-
damentally bad. The fource of all the ills was to
be found in the limitation of the vends in the Nor-
thern Counties of Durham and Nortymbei land.
He would not indeed accufe the Coal Owners of
the high prices of Coals in the London River pro-
ceeding from other caufes ; but be accufed that
combination, which profeffed to have for its objea
the proportioning the fupply to the demands of
the market, and thereby aiding every fcheme Sf
rapacity and extortion. One ground on which
Coal
this agreement amongft the Owners was de-
fended, was, at firft, that it ferved to currea a
depreffion in the produce of fome inferior pits.
But the fats would (hew this was merely a dela-
fion and difguife ; for the returns proved, that,
within the prefent year, there were imported into
the River upwards of one hundred and fifty thou-
fend tons of coal more than in the year 1799 and
1800, when the agreement was in force. The
effeCt of this increafed importation would be appa-
rent, when he Rated that it amounted to about an
eighth of the annual confumption. It appeared
in evidence before the Coal Committee, that, in
confequence of that agreement, (hips were tome.
times detained at Newcaftle, while the Coals were
lying on the banks, but were not allowed to be
(hipped Cll a particular time of the month, accord-
ing to the terms of the agreement. When to this
artificial delay Were added there proceeding from
natural caufes, fuch as unfaVourable or adverfe
winds, &c. it muff be evident that the public re-
quired fotrie additional protedion nand thofe
fchemes and fpeculations which people were tempt-
ed to pradife in times of fcarcity. Were the means
of the& monopolies once broken, by which the
trade was fo often fufpended, new fources would
be explored, and new pits of Coals opened, allow-
ing at the fame time to the old Proprietors a fair
price for their commodities, and 'a fufficient in-
tereft*for their capitals. It may be objeded, that
fuch meafures might interfere with the profperity
of thofe Northern parts ; but he did not with to
fee the profperity of there or any other countries
founded on injuflice. The only means, therefore,
would be, to create in this article a competition
with Newcaftle, by admitting the importation of
Coals from other parts, duty free, in times of
fcarcity; and he knew not why this might not be
done on the fame principle that Parliament en-
couraged the importation of foreign grain, to pro-
ten the Public from the rapacity and impofition
of the farmers.

Mr. M. A7rAYLOII depiecated the difeuffion
upon this fubjed at prefent, as it had no connec-
tion with the motion before the Houfe.—ln anfwer
to what the Hon. Member had Elated, he thought
he could prove, at the proper time, that the limtta•
Lion of the vend entered into by the Coal Owners,
was the molt effeifinal method for the Ready re-
gular fupply of that article, and for preventing
Coals from being at twice the price which they at
prefcnt bore. But though he difagreed with the
Hon. Gentleman, it was not his intention at pre-
fent to argue the matter.
A Member remarked on the thinners of the
Houle, and moved that the Houk be counted ;
upon which (rangers were ordered to withdraw.
Upon our re-admiffion into the Gallery, there
being more than forty Members prei.mt, we found
Mr. Mavis ',to on his legs : he inifei:d (or leave
to bring in a Bill to prevent frauds in the acbsea-
furemcat of Coals, btc.

Her MAJErry and the PRINCESSES tool an
ing yefterday morning to Clapham.
His Royal Highnefs the PRINCE of WALES 7 td
yellerday an interview with his Royal Either fur
the fira time Once his MAJESTY'S illnefs.
Two horfes which his MAJ'ESTY was accuflon,.
ed to ride at Windfor, were yelterday brought to
Pimlico, for the purpofe of his taking the ben,:tit
of the air on horfeback.
The Reverend Dr. BINGHAM preached yeller.
day before the Nobility, at the Chapel Royal, St.
James's.
Government is raid to have received intelligence
that Portugal has rejetted the conditions of peace
offered by France and Spain.
A Secret Treaty is faid to have been concluded
between France and Spain, by which his Molt
Catholic Majefty cedes Louifiana to the Republic,
in return for which the latter promifes Tufcany to
the Duke of PARMA.

A Later received by the left overland Difpatch
from Bombay, informs us, that the Commanders
of the enemy's armed vefels feldom come to a
regular engagement, if the fame can be avoided.
They adopt a pradice which is univerfally ad.
hered to in molt cafes, that of boarding. The
number of their crew is concealed between decks,
until they are nearly on board their opponent,
when they pour in from all quarters, and thus
overpower a fbip which depends on the effea of
her great guns.
It is a fid well known in India, that lately the
Javanefe were at great variance with the Dutch
at Batavia, and frequent irruptions have taken
place in confequence. The north part of Java, be.
twcen Batavia and Bantam, is very populous ; and
it is alfo known that the King of Bantam was fre-
quently fo difpleafed with the Dutch, that a con-
fiderable force was always in motion, compofed of
a very fierce people. Both the Kings of Bantam
and Mataram have ever been favourably difpofetl
to the Englith ; and fence the war, our Settlements
in India have had proofs of their friendthip.
The troops belonging to the Kis° of Butte Ass
have at latt demoldhed their eredions on the
Company's frontiers, and withdrawn all
armed boats from the Naaf. Colonel BONJOHER
has concluded a treaty with the Chiefs of the Bur.
inah army, not to moleft the Emigrants who had
fought the Company's protedion, and might here-
after return to Burmah.

We hear from Canton in China, that the Em-
peror has tent a Mandarine of the frit clafs to.
Macao, in order to refide near Canton, as a mark
of retpea to the Englifh faaory. A palace had
been fitted up for the refidence of the hlandatine,
who was received with all the honours due to his
rank. The foldiers were drawn out in the even-
ing, and the number of lanterns, lamps, and tor-
ches employed on the occafion, were beyond all
calculation, as the two extremities of the illumi-
nated fpace, through which the Mandarine patted,
taken in a firait line, and without ettimating the
finking
.of the vallies, or the inequality of the
mountain tops, could not include a lets dillancc
than three miles. It was faid to be the molt mag-
nificent illumination ever teen in Macao. The
courfe of the Tae, for feveral miles, received the
light of day from hia artificial blaze.
A valt diftria near Kitoone, in the Mahratta
dominions, has been inundated in confequence of
heavy rains, which canted a (well of the Malperbe,
and the cbnfequent overflow of the banks, and up-
wards of one thoufand perfons are reported to
have perilhed.
A few precious Rones have lately been brought
from the Interior of Ceylon. It was &id, thatla-
fore we had pact:Gm of this place, Mines of Ru-
bies, Sapphires, and Topazes, were open in many
parts of it, which Ratement has been corroborated
by tome of the dealers on the Ifland.
An experiment has lately been made refpeaing
the water with which Canton, in China, is fup-
plied..—ln a tingle gallon of it there remained, on
(training it, half-a-pint of yellos land; yet in this
Rate the people of the country univerfally ufe it,
and have no idea of purifying it by filtration.
A moo remarkable tower has been ereaed in
Nankin, in China, which is two hundred feet high
front the bate; it is built entirely of fine poreelass,
of various colours, and exhibits a very curious

appearance.
The people inhabiting Cochin China, have filch
a dreadful idea of the effetts of fire, that when-
ever a conflagration takes place in award,: all the
inhabitants are Mimed, except the wow= an-4
did& en.

Leave was given to bring in the Pill, and Mr.
Manning, Mr. Burdon, and Mr. Wallace were
ordered to prepare and britig in the JIM:.
THE POOR HOUSEHOLDERS' RELIEF BILL.
Lord WILLIAM Russiet. having moved for the
Committee, a motion was again made to c,
the Houfc, when a fufficient number of Memb.rs
not being prefent, an adjournment of courfe ttok
place.
LONDON.
THURSDAY, MARCH T 2.
PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONT O'CI ncle.
Confolassi—for acc• 5524 per C. 9/I—ono.. it./ pi un.
PRICE OF STOCKS YESTERDAY:
Bank Stock !hut Long Ann. dim
3 per Cent. Red. !hut Short Ann. that
3 per C. Conf.
,33z; a Imp. 3 per Cut. 53+
4 per Cent. Out Omnium r 13
per C. Navy 91! Conf. for Al.rll s3i
Ditto •Loy.ilty Glut India Stmt.-
-
The capture of Batavia is mentioned in a!ninft
the whole of the laft letters received from Arno ;CA.
By a Blip arrived at Briftol, we have received the
following letter on this fubjcet :—New York, Jan.
3 t.—" I write by the (hip Fair A :ncrican, to in-
form you of the important news u, have received
from Calcutta, by a veffel in ninety-rive days, that.
five Brilifh frigates, with the ith regiment on
board, have taken the Dutch Setticatent of Ba-
tavia."
Her MAJESTY and the PRINCESSES tool an
ing yefterday morning to Clapham.
His Royal Highness the PRINCE of WALES t td
yellerday an interview with his Royal Father for
the fira time Once his MAJESTY'S illnefs.
Two horfes which his MAJtsTY was accufloth.
ed to ride at Windfor, were yelterday brougbt to
Pimlico, for the purpofe of his taking the betide
of the air on horfeback.
The Reverend Dr. BINGHAM preached yeller.
day before the Nobility, at the Chapel Royal, St.
James's.
Government is raid to have received intelligence
that Portugal has rejeded the conditions of peace
offered by France and Spain.
A Secret Treaty is faid to have been concluded
between France and Spain, by which his Molt
Catholic Majefty cedes Louifiana to the Republic,
in return for which the latter promifes Tufcany to
the Duke of PARMA.
A Letter received by the halt overland Difpatch
from Bombay, informs us, that the Commanders
of the enemy's armed veffels feldom come to a
regular engagement, if the fame can be avoided.
They adopt a practice which is univerfally ad.
hered to in molt cafes, that of boarding. The
number of their crew is concealed between decks,
until they are nearly on board their opponent,
when they pour in from all quarters, and thus
overpower a fbip which depends on the effeet of
her great guns.
It is a fia well known in India, that lately the
Javanefe were at great variance with the Dutch
at Batavia, and frequent irruptions have taken
place in confequence. The north part of Java, be.
twcen Batavia and Bantam, is very populous ; and
it is alfo known that the King of Bantam was fre-
quently fo difpleafed with the Dutch, that a con-
fiderable force was always in motion, coin fed of