Star.
London, England, 1812-05-07 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The Committee on the Irish I'opulatioe Bill was postponed till
Monday.
• Sir W. cuaTis brought up lour Petitions in favour of the
Yr:ast-India Charter; one from the Merchants and Bankers con-
rectal with tie Company; the second from the ship plumbers,
&c. the third from the sad-makers, and the fourth from the tea-
dealers. Ordered to lie on the table.
Sir JAMES SHAW presented two Petitions; one from the
Mock-makers and the nta•t.ntak"
ers, and the othtr front the•cop-
per.sntiths, Ordered to lie on the table. •
ALleritian COMB} presented a Petr,ion from the Merchants
and Manufacturers tortf:Lcterl with the trade. Ordered to lie on
ihe Table.
.Mr. LYNG brought up a Petition from the Rope-makers and
another from the ship-chandler: and the ship-coopers.
Mr, KENRICK brought up n Petition from the Boatmen of
Dover, in Kent, for an Act for the better Regulation of the Port
of Dover. Referred to a Committee, •

' The Right Hon. Wm. Fitzgerald appeared at the Bar,
_ In the
Custody of a. Mes,enger, and on the motion of Lord DcsAer,
was discharged on paying his fees. •
Mr. CREEVEY gave notice of a motion for the 24 of June, in
order to take Into consideration the papers relative to Sir George
Barlow, which had been laid before the House in this and the
preceding Session, and to advise, his recall.
• The Sheriffs of London brought up a Petition from the Lord
' Mayor, Aldermen, &c. praying for a Bill to enable them to im-
prove and grant BuldingLeases, in Moorfields,--Referred to a
Conniitee.
General GASCOYNE brought up a Petition from Liverpool,
for a Bill to prevent Riotnus Assemblies, and to punish Rioters
More effectually.—Ordered to lie on the Table.
-
Mr. WHITBREAD further postponed his notice relative to
ghe American Papers, to the 21st instant.
The Securities Bill was read a third time and passed.
The Report of the Bankrupt Members Bill was taken Into fur•
tier consideration; the amendments were agreed to, and the Bill
ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.
The Riot Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, and
committed for to•morrow.
The flan Superannuation Bill was TA a 9d time and passed.
The Sugar Brewery Bill was read a second time, and com-
mitted fur to-morrow.
Mr. MANNING moved the farther consideration of the Pad-
dington Canal Bill.
A lor.g conversationithen took place between. Mr. CRLIVKT,
Sir Geo. WARREHDER. Lord FoLKSTONI., and Mr. LOCKHART.
Mr. CRREVKT complained that due notice had not been given to
laim as landlord, according to the standing orders o' the House,
and Sir G. Waage tibia contended that he was not Intended by
We Orler.
The SPEAKER observed, that in this late stage of the pro-
zetidng,-Illr. Crervey could only raise the question by Petition.
The consideration of the 13111 was postponed till tomorrow.
C Vltt()l.lC VENAL STATUTFS.

Mr. CANNING said, it was his intentim, before
the conclusion of the present Session, to submit a
Motion to the 1-I,,use on the subject of the Penal
Laws, as they relate 'to his Majesty's Roman Catho-
lic subjects. He should move it in the form of an
Address to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent,
1 praying that his Royal Highness would be pleased
to take this subject into his consideration ; and also
to consider and determine on the securities with which
it would he necessary to surround and fence the Esta-
blished Religion, in the event of extenuing enianci-
pation to the Catholics. A call of the House Stand.
mg for Wednesday, the 27th of May, he should take
the opportunity of the next day, the 28th, which it
appeared was an open day, to bring this. Motion
forward.
The House then, on the Motion of Mr. BROUGHAM,
went into a Committee on the Orders in Council, and
ptceeeded to examine evidence.
About half-past seven o'clock, the examination was
concluded.—The Chairman reported progress, and
obtained leave to sit again.to-rnorruw.

INCOME TAX.
Sir T. TURTON brought tnrward his Metioivre-
lathr to the inequalities of the Income Tax. He
understood that the Right Hon. Gentleman bad no
intention of making any alteration in the Act; it
therefore became incumbent on the House to take up
this measure for the relief of persons in the middling
and lower ranks of life. When the Tax was origi-
nally laid on, the principle mac, that those who had
the largest stake in the country should contribute the
largest silage tywards its exigencies. On that prin-
ciple it was, that Mr. Fitt so introduced exemptions
in tavow of persort having incomes under 4200,
and don to £6() a-year. lilt, by the late Act, that
-Fr.nciple was certainly done away : and the conse-
queuce wits, an extended scenu of distress through.
out the country. On Ow; subject be had innumerable
repteseutations'of hardships made to him. Here the
lion. baronet went over many of the statements long
silage laic' before the Public, to
,prore the great inc.
quality of this tax; by which hue sheaved, that a man
with► an income arising out of a life annuity paid a
larger tax than the man who had an ,equal income
out of a freehold estate. This operated as a great
hardship on all hie. e:nuitants, Clergjmen,•and Mi-
litary Officers, If this principle
_went on, people
would be ob4,ed to sell their. annuities.—He next
alluded to ,the exemptions for children, which were
po rtlief. whatever, because they were allowed nut on
the incomes, but on the contributions; so that a man
saving nine children, paid almost as mush as a man
baying no children, but possessing an equal income.
He cuctal not see on what gri'und fereigners ought
3.1) be *tempter), for the property they had iu our
-hinds, To continue this exemption did not produce
the slightest advantagts to the euttottY, because fo.
yelpers would not vest their property in our funds,
was pot their interest to du st>; and the taxing
or got:p.rtycrty would not cause it to be taken away J

r=

...
.
front the country. The power of collectors and asses- ~eOO.OOO or £500,000 per annum. The year pre- ture geneial Birmingham articles. Consider ... „„
nufactures of Sheffield at one-half those of B"
most vexatious manner-. No later than Pesterdays 1 America three or four years ego considerable ; but 1 ham ; but population round Sheffield not near so im.
he bad received an account of a man who.had been goods remain there; and no proceeds received. Goods portant as round Birmingham ; towards Wolver-
eurcharged to an amount much more tliau the income aye been sent there. and not enquired after, for fear hampton it is almost a continued street. Designates
he could prove himself possessed of. The Consmis- of expenses ; abandoned to avoid additional payment the iron trade, as the manufacture of pig-iron into the
sioners made him pass an ordeal of •examination as to Captains of freight, insurance, and sea-charges, different articles of wrought iron. The steel made in
to all his private affairs ; and thenswithontatiencling over the prime cost. Considerable extra employment America is worked up into swords, bayonets, and
to his remonstrances, his property was seized for the recently in making cast-iron pipes ; in Staffordshire edged tools of all sorts ; but chiefly arms. Their ma.
whole amount of the surcharge. There were many to nearly £lOO,OOO, but altogether peculiar to last , nufactures are extending rapidly ;no doubt when
collectors who had no bondsmen of responsibility.— - year. Birmingham not materially interested in them. ('het have erected Manufactories, and obtained me.
There were instances of some of these people run- America has lately erected steel furnaces, and gets ebonies, it will be part of their policy to prevent
fling away with the money, and the parishes had to her iron from Sweden : not likely to want more steel our importations.—Believes about half a million oe
pay the whole of the defalcations. Such were those ' from ns : our exports had considerably diminished Birmingham goods ale at Liverpool, the promy of
glaring instances of oppression which numbers of , before the Non-intercourse Act, on that account.— merchants there, which would be chipped on the
people throughout the country suffered, and which Within- last year or two poor's-ratos somewhat in- repeal of the Orders in Council.; and at least double
all were daily liable to I His motion would be for creased ; paupers now at Birmingham about 9000. that amount in Birmingham. No reason to fear the
a Resolution, stating the partial and injutious nature receiving from half-a-crown to 7s. per week, as neces- competition of any country, if trade were open. An
of this Tax, and declaring the necessity of revising I sorrels preserve their lives, in addition to assistance the other foreirn trades of Birmingham have de.
the same. His object was not to take one shilling 'film clubs, which are general in Birmingham. This creased, to the best of his'knowledge. Birmingham
from the revenue of the country ; on the contrary, iis exclusive of private relief. .Includes Birming- eapOrts little to West Indies.. Believes there is Up
he would wish to see the public income increased. ham, Ashted, and Deritend. The 9000 poor are out West India merchant in Birmingham. Never knee-
He saw a clause in the Act allowing persons to make of the number of 60,000. the population of those much of Birmingham goods exported, but by Bit.
voluntary contributions ; but he could not learn that places. Knows of no other means of employing mingham merchants. Known large amounts sent to
any one person in the higher ranks of life did con- 10,000' of the manufacturers, ohould they be turned Bristol; and to Glasgow and Edinburgh, to be ship.
tribute one shilling voluntarily. It was his intention I out of employ. Great reluctance to discharge the ped by Glasgow merchants, for the United awes,...
to bring this subject annually betore the House.-- men ; but manufacturers have exhausted their cep'. Hardware to the West Indies goes mostly throash
The Hon. Baronet concluded with making the mo- tel, and must probably discharge one-third, and keep the London merchants : believes amount not eon-ii.
tints already stated, which not being seconded, was, on the others at half or two-thirds work. Very many derable. Dues not believe 4100,000 worth of Bir.
of course, not put. orders received, conditional on repeal of Orders in mingham hardware goes yearly to the West Indio.
DELAYS IN CHANCERY. Council, for nails, bridle-bits, and plated wares. Ten Probably about one-fifth Of Birmingham exports to
Mr. TAYLOR, pursuant to notice, called the at- thousand families work in the nail trade from four United States are sent to South America, Spain, or.
tention of the House to the case ofsSuitors in Chan- in the morning till ten at night, at ten to twelve tugal, Sicily, Malta, Heligoland, and the Baltic...
eery. He said the.. arrears in that Court were a sub- shillings per week, for labouring men. Some retain Whole exportation of Birmingbatn goods to thecae&
ject of universal complaint throughout the coontrY• I their workmen from mere humanity'. Within seven ,tinent not worth mentioning ; when trade was oper...
He stated a number of cases to prove this position, years the trade gradually worse; and during last ; not above £200,000 a year. Nearly the *hole ez.
and to shew the necessity of some remedy. The Hon. year nominal wages decreased seriously. Falling off 'ports go by Liverpool. The fuel in America for
Member concluded by moving—" That it he a sp.=- of trade chiefly owing to stcppige with America, and i steel and nail manufactures is chiefly wood, which la
cial instruction to the Committee sitting, to inquire in other respects to that of the Continent : exports I preferable for them; there arc some coal-mines there.
into the causes that retard the decision of suits in the almost entirely composed of labour, so that near a Some razors, &c. are sent from Sheffield with Sr,
High tours of Chancery, to examine persons at the million is lost to the labourers. Ily the Orders in mingle= goods. A considerable set of ironworks
Bar, as well as Solicitors practising in ileit Court, Council, though some trade continued with America cannot be erected under 430,000. In neighbourhood
touching the causes of dela)." casually, it has gradually declined, and so have Con- of Birmingham there are ten such; besides Puny
Mr. MORR ICE said, the examination now recom- tinental exports. The export of £BOO,OOO to Ame- 'lesser ones. The griever part are employed in pro.
mended, was one extremely delicate ; and one which rica ceased on the 2d of February, 1811: for some bably not more than half work : necessity forces the
if possible, ought to be avoided, since it would be to time before it was very casual ; still in the year pre-Iproprietor to work even at loss, or the works decay,
make the Bar judges of the conduct of the individual ceding believes it to have been £BOO,OOO. Knows i and he loses his capital. In two blast-furnaces 6or
who presided in the Court ; and that too, at a time these facts chiefly as a banker. Speaks from casual 1-80) tons of coal are consumed in a week ;In a large
when no one had the courage to say that the Noble calculations and general recollections. Great irre- work, probably lg.:00 per week. In the conditool
Lord, whci presided in that Court, did not properly Fularity in exports for three or four years preced.l orders given to Birmingham, knows of no allusion to
discharge the duties of his office. The great cause rug February 2, 1811. Nails, excepted in late Or- I the repeal of the principles of blockade of 1806—
of delay arose from the Chancellor being taken from tiers, because manufactuted in America, said to be i Birmingham merchants understand that on repeal ti
the Court of Chancery a considerable portion of his by imprOved machinery. Esperiments making there i Orders in Council the Non intercourse Act ceases;
time, to hear and decide, appeals in the House of in nail-making, without success; till within three or end upon that, without farther autholity, they would
Lords. He concluded by declaring, he saw no four years ; many manufacturers emigrated. •, A ship tor America.
ground for the motion, which would only tend to. stamp machinery. erected there, to supersede the use
I IVilliant lekitrhourr, Nailmonger, of West•Brom.
harrass the Lord Chancellor. or hammers ; encouraged much since intercourse has . .
with, in Staffordshire, about sax miles from Bat
Mr. ABERCROMBIE reprobated the idea of this ben interrupted. Means, that the interruptions have ' ' a
, mingliam, stated, that the do cession in trade cora-
, being a personal attack on the Lord Chancellor, and given encouragement and hope; to the American • d
mence about August, 1810, and that it had hoar
I contended, that those who wished to stifle this en- manufacturers. Thinks pricer of our manufactures i
. query were the enemies of the tame and character of rose in America before 1811: those sent r o our c.;lo- . fri'ial..g, .continually worse since ilia date. The •
the person they pretended to defend. vies, to be taken to the United Stites, }save failed :
mg state, ,
at ivianutactory in his district, when in a flourish,
employed from tieenty-live to thirty thoo,
, I Sir W LEMON was in favour of inquiry. our manufactures •to be bought in Canada n't less
Mr. SIMEON said, the conduct ot •the Noble than prime cost. America likewise snpplied from sand persons. 'I he reduction ot wages since August,
Lord at the head of the Court of Chancery had been Low Countries and Germanyavith goods resembling 'lB 10, has been ft-cm seven and a halt to trn. percent.
ery. ported only
such, as to render it unnecessary he should have any ours, such as hard-ware and brass-foundry, cheaper, Since Febrit
person's panegyric to support his character ; nor did but worse in workmanship. Prior to Feb. 1811,.de- one lot of goods 1811, the witness had ex
to America. In the Menufectory
with while the witness was ~
he stand in need of any person's vote to stop inquiry ward in America greater •than could be supplied. connected thehandshad
been reduced from twelve hundred pair to five bun.
into his legal knowledge ur abilities. With respect Believes there was an excrort, or the hope of one. de- .
to his conduct, the House had the most satisfactory ring Mr. Erskine's -arrangement : scarcity orotst. i deed pair. There -are considerable, orders is the
try, to be executed immediately on the inter.
documentary evidence before them ; and docurnen- goods then raised the p,icee. British got at that
h A • being d. The witness
recrica opene . . .
tali evidence was the best which valid be had in tithe not invoiced, materially dearer : iiisurance mote , course
. "It
such a case as this, and far preferable to any opinion considerable. American imports of such ;ere d$ from ! considered the exports to South A.merit aan tnuene;
toun .
which could be given by Gentlemen prectiserg at the the Continent never went% mentioning till interrup;; trade. About cue fi eirth ot the Nails neinn'actufte,
are exported to North Arnt'TlCA..
Bar, .who, in his opinicu, in attempting to judge of tion of intercourse; our goods being superior, and he supPn'es,
the conduct of the Chancellor. as to delay or expedi; mere approved. Had no differences occurred, be-i
time far exceeded the line of their duty. Neves America would have consumed the surplus of . -T. Pour, a Merchant, residing at B rtningllarn,
being examined, stated, that he oad been in businea
Mr. TAYLOR replied. • our manufactures, or reexported them from thence, , sixteen or eighteen years. Had some knowledge();
The House then divided-I:er the Motion, 20— except such as we had a legitimate, market for else-' the nail trade in Brimingham. The wages in this
Against it, 84.—Majority e,. where. Thinks the whole demand of the United business are so low, that a man can scarcely exist.—
.
sr:: I 1 • State, might have been supplied from hence. Im. ' A rise had taken place, in the expectation of ()penis;
The House then wer into a Committee of Supply. ports from the Continent to Arne? ka, greatly pie. the trade With Amet ica,but that expectation hae ban,
' On the motion of re. W. POLE several usual... Aims i meted by the merchants exporting produce to the disappointed. Men in the button. and plaid line,
• were granted for t!e., miscellaneous services of Ireland. Continent, and taking back ,Continental manufac- who would formerly earn from forty to fifty shillings
£5,336,0‘ve and £5,384,000 were granted for pay- tuns. If exports from America generally extended a neck, do not now get h4lf those wages. In the toes
ing outstanding Exchequer Bills, and the tardier sum to the Contineat, thinks the imports would not be of Birmingham there were from 20 to 25,0001 a.
of £1,700,000 tor paying off the interest of the same. I greatly increased. . They are forced now to great ex. , bouring men out of employ. The whole toien is die
The usual annual grants for printing the Journals,, tent ; but when opposed by superior articles must fall.; ferent from what it used to be—there is a deficiency
Votes, and other miscellaneous charges of the House I off, in which more depends than on cheapness of. in every trade. Distresses are universal. I thick
were then proposed by Mr. WHARTON and agreed I price. Has understood that American produce ex-'
in the course
to, and the report ordered to be received to-morrow. ; ported to the Empire of France did not exceed the merchan
of two months, that necessity will oblige
• UNLAWFUL OATHS. 1 4200,000 a.year, and conceives the Continental ma- - ts to dismiss at least two parts of thee
men out of three. Witness exported Berningitam
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER . nufectures Liken back, as rot more. The price of manufactures to America : the export was worse then
brought up a. Bill to prevent the administering or ; iron has fallen from e.'22 per ton to tel lor Lie.— . ever. Their goods cannot be shipped from Livers
taking unlawful Oaths.—Re I
ld a first time, and or- Perteingliarn manufactures would sell at less than popl : tee/ wilt not be received in the United S;ates.
dered to'be read a second time to-morrow. ' prime suet, not excepting the small arms manufac- ' h
f e shipments began to Lill off in MS: there wort
The other Orders of the Day were then disecsed of, ' ture, which is abOut £44K),000 a-year. American no fall ng off in ltiti7. The trade had been tau:trimly
and the House adjounred at Half-past Eleven. ' nails cheaper, and perhaps as good as ours. Exports increasing, and we could always anticipate what
ORDERS IN COUNCIL. .
of Birmingham to other part ;abroad in period allu.! would suit the market, before the orders came, and
IFIDSN;Ie etrotte Tat NOUSC OF COMMONS. ' ded to, about 0700,000 or X 300,000 a-year ; but less; that enabled us to keep the lower orders in the vicir
The minutes of the evidence before the committee now; about half the manufacture consumed at home,'
'thy of the town constantly employed. The Ameri•
of the whole House, on the petiticens agaiust the Ur- judging loosely, The £t,00,000 or 41,000,(0) cans were.once considered bad payers, but they hate
dens in Council, given on the 29th and Seth of April, ;17) ear exported to America may comprise some
improved progseedvely every year. Witness hid
have been printed. ' part of the exports from the neighbourhood of Bit.- I done no business e i:11 America since 1811. neat,
!
On the 29th, Mr. Attevood, High Bailiff of Bir- . mingham. Calculates upon 'the accumulated dis- '
ming Lam, was the first examined. He stated him- ; tempt to smuggle goods to the United State' had
tresses of his neighbours during the last lq months, i been attended by pitiful results. Goods at Quebec,
self to be a banker in Birminghani, and ronnec,ted ! —Total value of Birmingham manufactures about,
with the iron trade. I re 2,000,000, one half of which he should copsider as ' than at the manufecturing towns. The value of tk•
frem Manchester and Birmingham, were cheaper
The material part of his evideeee is, that Birming- i not having lost the former markets. Previous to in. i exports from Birmingham, revels's to the distresses..
ham and the neighbouring manufacturing districts , vestigation respecting'Eest India Charter, wrote 20 r
contain 400,000 persons, ot whom he conceives 50,000 I off in 1809. Men had emigrated from llirtniqballl
was about a million; did net know whether it fell
deters to most respectable manufacturers : average '
men, women, and children, are employed in the iron ' of answers was, that they had not more than half a t .
manufacture, and trades subsetvient to it. About full employ. No parish relieftill to America.
on verge of statva- Joreph Shaw. Chairman of the Chamber of Fonts
10,000 are employed in the brass foundry. Within lion. Distress embittered by high price of provisions. , Commerce of Birmingham, stated, that the hardware
fifteen miles ot.Birmingliana 10,000 at least are em- Population of Birmingham greater mete 1800,' but ; export trade to Europe, Tarkey, anal South Americ.ar
ployed in the nail branch. Every branch of the iron cannot speak to increese of manufactures since then. I bad decreased since 1607. The witness spoke ofd's'
trade is in 'a deplorable state : even smelting affords Has understood that before the interruption, about appointments in the trade to Buenos Ayres ; 1500
within the last two years, Seven years ago
no profit one-fifth of 'exports to America was re-eaporte dto persons were employed at Birmingham in the Ame-
it E Indies.
ourished ; three or lour years ago it declined ; South America and the East Prevented
now rican trade. The trade to the Continent had decree!
and since then many have given it up, and the work- by want of opening to the principal of them, the East red since the Orders in Council, and was now alto
men seek employ alt over England. Hundreds of la. : Indies and China, nothing particular to prevent it at an end,
tourers now to be had at 12s, a week, who could get 'to
South America ; but believes Ameiican
eos, a year batk. Every manufacturer is overloaded ,chants have greater facilities. Ascribes the distress
with stock, which he can sell only at his own loss, to the war e but in a very great degree to the Ordersmbr-
that his business had greatly declined by the Amen-
James Ryland, a plater of coach harness, kr. state 4.
•
!in Council. Reason to believe there is a very great flissar4 simmer Banker of Birmingham, corm'
can markets being closed.
Within twelve months, iron cannot be manufactnred
with- ' exportation from slit district round Birmingham of
in Staffordshire, Shropshire, and other places, ,
,
out great loss, Exports have been chiefly to Ame- manufactures, but cannot judge of its amount. Be- (Amen.
rica ; formerly a much greater trade to the Conti-1 Neves the greater part of the distress arises from stop.. berated the preceding statements respecting the Meg
off pf the trade,.and the distresses of the.w _
nent, but during last meaty year;, one branch after Iy.;e of trade : the present sort of 1 • emp oy cannot , aminint.,4 ,„
ici,
The iocrease on thpir r ooroates ip eight Year)
.
another leas been lest; during last 12 months, no ex. continue twelve month; without convulsions...-- r-• "--5°4
port trade to America, About £BOO,OOO Pe Labourers looked to ail opening with America : Filliaw 131a4way, a lampfemakerr ImPkled sill!
£1,000,000 of Birmingham manufactures sent to ! their conduct very orderly till last fortnight. Does . crated that tact
Pair of hands at Birmingham. flo -- .tor
America in years of open intercourse. During thee' not cakulate Wolverhampton, Ailseoti, Walsall, trade of his Article had fallen ofG. and the ca •
last twelve month; a u•ifling export to kortugd. i woneanury, kc, Some Pails are j7l.k de. ' D bin er
Spain, Malta, South America', and 4 small quantity 1 sh" '
and 9, cub. a , ore .oucest ire, an many at be e .
irrllDWs only of Sheffield 440 Adak OW Manate-
es 5 id. can market being shut.,..ehould be obliged?) turner
P.
, bplas4haQtif: iifs cest:liftj'ediPtoadhqBPgon hit
hands,
..be mem;
this PIPIT
to #elignland; the elm': ameent not many than . . al) 0 .
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