Star.
London, England, 1820-05-19 00:00:00

THE EVENINGv,STAR.

LONDON.

'FRIDAY; MAY 19, 1820.
THE FUNDS.

PRICE Of STACKS THIS DAY AT ONE OtLOCIE t
3 per Cent. Reduced 691/4 69
3 per Cent. Consols 69% 1/4
4 per Cent. 871/4 57-3 per Cent. 1061/4 IA
Long Ann. 17 15-16 1$
India Bonds 21s. 225. pr.
Exchequer Bills 3s. Is. pre.
Consols for Acct. 691/4.

Petitions from Agriculturists continue to pour into
Parliament, stating their great distress, and praying for
relief. Last night, no less than fifteen from different
quarters were presented to the House of Commons.
The relief prayed for seems generally to be—to lessen
the facility of receiving foreign supplies ; or, when
freed from all disguise, to have the price of bread
raised. This, no doubt, would be a benefit to farmers;
but whether the measures which they Suggest are the
best adapted to gain this end, may be questioned.
Whatever means will the soonest enable the labourers
and artizans to eat full in place of half meals, will
most effectually relieve the agricultulists, by in-
creasing the consumption; for the prices of corn,
and other farm produce, will rise in the samepropor-
tion. It is plain then, that the farmers can receive
no effectual relief but from a revival of commerce ;
and it seems equally plain that, .to effect this, our
restrictive Eystem must be eradicated. We mean
not to say that foreign commodities should be ad-
mitted free of duty ; the thing is impossible; for
revenue must be had to meet our large expenditure,
.ind to produce revenue, duties must be levied on
articles of•consumption. Foreigners do not complain
of fair duties, for they know, as well as we do, that
not them, but the consumer, pays the impost. But
they complain, and justly too, of our partialities, in
admitting the products of some countries at less du-
ties than. similar products are received from others;
and they complain of what are called protecting du-
ties. The latter, in their operation, are but ill under-
stood by many. It may be for the interest of indi-
viduals that they should be imposed, but it is always
injurious to the community. In every question of
this kind, the whole community should be considered
as one great trading company, and those employed
.in different commercial pursuits only as the agents,
who manage certain accounts which are to be exa-
mined in the general balance. Were this constantly
acted upon, it would be found, that some of the
accounts (connected with protecting duties),' though
exhibiting a balance of gain, had caused a default to
a greater amount in other account's; or, in other
words, that the general profits were thereby lessened.
The Paris Papers of Tuesday 'arrlied this forenoon.
The Chamber of Peers assembled on Monday in
the High Court of Justice, to hear the Report of the
Commission of Inquiry into the Assassination of the
Duke of BERRI. Baron BASTARD de rETANG made
the Report, and had not completed it at six o'clock,
when the House adjourned. From what was read, it
did not appear that the Commission have been able
to trace the crime beyond the breast of the wretch by
whose daring hand it was achieved.
The Chamber of Deputies had on the same day ,
their first Debate on the New Project of Election
Law. It promises to be both long and furious.
Five per Cents. Monday, 73 fr. 60 c.

An arrangement is, we understand, fixed for Mr.
VA NhirrAßT's speedy retirement from the Chancel-
lorship of the Exchequer. Ile is to be succeeded by
Mr. HUSKISSON, whose present appointments are to
be the reward of that indefatigable application which
has so long honourably distinguished Mr. LUSIIING-
TON, one of the Joint Secretaries of the Treasury.
APPROCIIING CORONATION.--COURT OF CLAIMS.
—Yesterday the first Meeting of the Court of Claims
was held in the Painted Chamber at the House of
Lords, in obedience to his MAJESTY'S Proclamation.
At twelve o'clock, several of the Lords Commissioners
having assembled, the Earl of HA RROWBY, Lord Pre-
sident of the Council, took the Chair, having on his
'right hand his Royal Highness the Duke of CLA-
r xce, and on his left his Royal Highness'the Duke
'of GLOUCESTER. Silence having been proclaimed,
the Commission was opened, and was read by the
Clerk of the Crown in Chancery. Several Petitions
of persons claiming to perform certain services at the
Coronation were then presented, and were read also
by the Clerk of the Crown. Among the claims
made, we understood, were those of
The Cities of London and Oxford to assist the Chief Butkr.
The Earl of Ahergavenny to act as Cbief Lartiner, which
was counterclaimed by Mr. Estcourt,
The Duke of Norfolk, as Earl of Arundel, to be received as
Chief Butler.
The Duke of Norfolk, is Lord of the Manor of Worksop,
County of Nottingham, to find a Glove for the King's right
band, and to support his Majesty's right arm while the King
holds his sceptre.
The Duke of Montrose, as Master of the Horse, to act as
Serjeant of the Silver Scullery.
Mr. Campbell, as Lord of the Manor of Lyston, in Essex, to
make Wafers for th King.
The Bishop of Landon, in respect to the service of the Organ
hi the Abbey.
The claims of the Dukes of NORFOLK end MON-
TROSE were presented by Sir GEORGE NAILER, on
behalf of those Noble Peers.

Among the Commissioners present were—
The Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester, the Loed President
of the Council, the Marquis of Camden, the Earls of Shaftesbury,
Macclesfield, Courtorm, Viscount Strangford, Lords Gwydir
(JA.ord Great Chamberlain), Erskine, Arden, Henley, St. Hawes,
mherst, and Charles Bentirck, the Right Hon. Sir W. Scott,
Sir W. Grant, Sir John Stella, Mr. P. Robinson.'
Aftqr these proceedings were closed, the Court
was adjourned to Thursday next.