Star.
London, England, 1823-05-10 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Petitions were presented front Rochdale, Colrate, andWrot-
tesley, praying fur the abolition of Slavery, particularly in the
West Indies.

Petitions were presented from Barnard Castle, by Mr.
Lana:ow; from Leads, by Lord Mwrom: and also fronalrough•
ton.—The Petkiona were read and hid on the table.

• Mr. CA LCII. AFT postponed has notice of Motion on the
Leather Tax until Monday the 26th inst. when he hoped Minis-
ters would give it a preference on the orders.

' Mr. LUSIIINGTON brought up the Report of the Union
Intercourse Bill, the Amendments were agreed to, and the Bill
ordered to be read a third time on Monday, if then etti.rcissed.
Sir H. PARNELL presented the Petition of the Catholic
Bishops of Ireland, complaining that they, in common st-ith the
Catholic Laity, experienced the injurious effects of the existing
restrictions on the Catholics, which robbed them of various
valuable privileges; amongst other things, of the.power of en-
dowing schools and houses of instruction for the dissemination
of education amongst their flocks, or Chapels of Ease, and houses
of residence for their Clergy. The Han. Baronet hoped that
the Acts imposing restrictions on Catholics in endowing Chapels
and Schools might be revised by the House.

After a few observations in support of the Petition from Mr.
Roaziersott, the Petition was read, and ordered to be printed.

The Hon. Baronet then gave notice that he should make a
Motion on this subject on the 7th of June.

Lord MILTON presented a Petition from Sheffield, praying
for an equalization of the Duties on East and West India Sugars.
—Laid on the table.

Mr. T. WILSON presented the Petition of the Silk-weavers
and Manufacturers of the cities of London and Westminster,
praying fur the repeal of the restrictions imposed on the trade
by an Act commonly called the Spite Melds Act. He stated that
the manufacturers of London laboured under great disadvan-
tages, which sent all the trade to Manchester, Macclesfield, and
Norwich, for an assortment of fancy silk goods. There were
restrictions as to the width and number of threads in each piece,
as well as on the application of improved machinery, which ren-
dered it impossible that the London manufacturers could com-
pete with those in the country towns of England.
Mr. RICARDO was astonished to find that such Acts as the
Spitalaelds Act should still exist in the 19th century•. These
Acts, in effect, went to regulate the price of labour in a manner
that was quite absurd, and to circumscribe the employment of
capital by silk-manufacturers resident in London or any other
place- There was a prohibition also to the use of improved ma-
chinery, which in itself ought to insure the repeal of enactments
so absurd in these days.
Mr. W A LL ACE had expressed his opinion on this subject long
since, and he hoped the Petition might be made the means of re-
moving from our Statute Book restrictions which skewed so much
ignorance is the Legislature. He was convinced that these Sta-
tutes were highly prejudicial to trade and unjust to the manufac-
turers themselves, and meat of all to the workmen employed.—
.This reminded hint that similar restrictions existed on this trade
in Ireland, insomuch that the Macclesfield people could under-
sell the silk-weavers of Dublin. He hoped this shameful re-
proach would soon be wiped away from the Statute Book.
Mr. HUSK ISSON equally regretted the existence of this
Act on our Statute Book. ' The only reason he had postponed a
motion for the repeal of this Act was, that he found there was a
considerable body of manufacturers and silk-working weavers
who could not lie persuaded the repeal would not be attended
with giving advantages to their rivals abroad. The House, how-
ever, was bound to do its duty by the Public in spite of these As.
surd fears. They, generally speaking, began to feel their error,
since a manufactory had been started at Streatham, in Surrey ;
for the Act only went to limit the trade in he county of Mid-
dlesex. He hoped to meet the wishes of the petitioners, by
moving, on Monday next, for leave to bring in a RR to rope-1,
this most impolitic regulation on the trade.—The Petition was
lead, and it prayed that the Acts of the 13th, 32d, and 51st of
the late Klee should be repealed.
Lord MI I.TON thought it absurd that the petitioners had
not noticed that now high duties were placed on the importa-
tion of silk, whilst encouragement was found necessary to be
given to the manufacturers, by holding out a bouury to them on
• the manufactured article.

Mr. BUXTON said, that when the Bill was brought in it
should have his full support.
Mr. Alderman THOMPSON said, the injurious operation of
the law which it was proposed to repeal was clear from the cir-
cumstance of the trade having diminished. He had no doubt
but the manufacture, under praiser regulations, would uiumph
over all foreign competition.
Mr. Aide, man SAIITII supported the Ntitinn.
Mr. WILLIAMS spoke in favour of the measure suggested
by the Right Hon. Gentleman, "Air. Huskisson.
Mr. LLLICE baid be fully concurred in-the principles laid

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r • - CPR E S • -PANI 1:,

down by the Right Hob. Gentleman, Mr. Huskimon: be hoped.
however. that the individiasb concerned would be alkowed an
opportunity of %Laing timid, sentiments on the subiect.
Mr. BARING expressed his -concurrence in the proposed
alteration.

After a few words from Mr. Alderman Dames and Mr. T.
Wit.sotr, the Petition was ordered to Ile on the table.
Mr. lIUSKISSON said be would on Monday nezt submit a
Resolation preparatory to the bringing in of the Bill. The
parties concerned would then have sufficient time to consider the
measure. He had no objection that they should be heard.
However, as the opinion cf the House seemed to be made up
on the subject, he thought it would be better to avoid all mulct.
cesiary delay, which perhaps would be employed to exci:e
groundless prejudices.
Mr. ELLICE disclaimed any intention of exciting prejudices.
On the nicrinn of Lord CRANBOURNI, the second reading a
the Game Bill was postponed to this day fortnight.
Ou tl'e motion of Mr. HUMZ, a variety of Pipers relating to
Cape Briton were ordered. The lion. Gentleman said he wourti
rake an early opportunity of bringing the state of the Colony.
under tit, consideration of the House. •
Lord G. CAVENDISH presented a Petition from Abh-
boticae, praying fur the Abolition of Slavery in the West ladies;
and also another Petition from the sant.: place, praying that the
Duties on East and \Vest India Sugars might be equalised.—
Ordered to be printed.
The House went into a Committee on the Scotch Linen MAP
nufacturers' Act.

Mr. HUSKISSON apprehended there could be as little
do•tht us the mind of the House of the impolicy of continuing
the legislative regulations on this branch of trade, as they h. 4
seen was entertained on the subject of the silk trade restrictinet.
Tnese regulations, however, went much farther. They went
to restrict theMinutiettirers to the use of a certain number aT
threads, and of every raw material used in their trade. A re-
ference to the 13th of George the First, would show the num.
her and nature of these wise regulations, and it certainly would
appear strange to many, why a manufacturer should be re-
strained front putting more of any ingredient in his work thins
was deemed necessary by the Act, it he should choose to do so.
The same system existed in respect of the linen trade of Irelind,
but that trade had been brought up in that country. with a sort
of fostering protection which would not allow of their interfering
with it. lie hoped, however, that she would benefit by the
example—(Hear, hear).—He should move for leave to bring in
a Bill to :intend the several Acts regulating the Linen "4nd
Hempen Manufactures in Scntlautt

Sir R. FERGUSON expressed his thanks to the Right
Ilonotirable Gentleman for the ttintlnnus and benevolent in-
tentions he had expressed towards one of the vital interests of
his country.

M ABET/LEY hoped that trade would be sa completely
emanciprned ft the legislative shrckles by which it was borne
down, that there would remain no r.:strictiuns wl.atev,r, but in
the shape of an exception.
Sir H. PARNELL expressed himself favourable to a similar
change in the Linen Acts of Ireland. The measure now pro-
posed must otherwise be injurious to the trade of that country.
Mr. HUME said, he agreed with the Hon. Baronet (Sir H.
Parnell), but he thought it would be better not to mix up the
two questions. He did not hear the slightest objection to the
measure front any person in Scotland interested in it.
Mr. RICARDO said, that a similar measure should be ex-
tended to Ireland. Though the linen trade was th., darling child
of that country, she should not be allowed to spud it. It was
quite proper, however, to make this a distinct nteasure.
After a few words rom Mr. HUSIZISSON and Mr. Maeznutv,
leave was given to bring In the Bill.
Mr. BROUGHAM, in the abstnce of his Hun. Friend the
Member for Essex, gave notice that his Hon. Friend would, on
the 10th of June, bring under the consideration of the House a
' measure relative to Juries. His object was to remove the in-
convenience now felt from want of.k sufficient number to serve
as
.Jurymen in those counties where three Circuits had been
lately introduced iu place of two.
Mr. HUME said, that a measure was in contemplation some
time back with regard to British Consuls, lie wished to know
front the Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Canning) whether it was
soon to be brought under the consideration of the House ? ILe
begged also to ask the Right Ho:tom-able Gentleman, whether
any new regulations had been sent Out to the English Consul in
the Brazils?

Mr. Secretary CANNING said, that die Bill alluded to in
the first question put by the Hon. Gentleman, was iu the pos-
session of the President of the Board of Trade before lie (Mr.
Canning) came into office. He was not prepared to give an
answer as to its details, bat he knew the subject had received the
most anxious attention during the Session. Witk respect to the
second question. he requested that the Hon. Member would not
press it at present. It was rather a delicate subject under exist-
ing circumstances, as the intercourse with the Brazils was regu-
lated by the Treaty entered into when eat Colony and the Mo-
ther Country formed a whole.
Mr. BRO UG HA 31 asked whether the Right Hon. &cretary
(Mr. Canning) could inform him if it was true that a large Rus-
sian army was assembling on the frontiers of Poland, on the
banks of the Vistula'?

Mr. Secretary CANNING said, it was certain that Russian
troops had assembled in that quarter; but whether there was a
large army or not he did nut know.

ANI then asked whether the Austrian troops
had evacuated the Neapolitan country, and whether they had
not halted, on their march home, on the Po?

Mr. Secretary CANNING said it was true that the evacua-
tion had in fact taken place, but he could not say whether they
had yet marched out of the Milanese territory.
Mr. BERNAL wished for some information relative to some
seizures of Rum lately made by the Excise, on the pretence that
saccharine matter had been used to colour them, which pre-
vented the Officers from ascertaining their strength.
Mr. HERRIES said, that the case had not yet come before
the Treasury—there bad been no complaint, but the Excise
would, in the course of its duty, acquaint them with it.
The Union Duties Bill WAS read a third time and passed.