Star.
London, England, 1829-10-06 00:00:00

TUESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 6, 1829.

MALT DUTY.

A Meeting was yesterday held at the York Hotel,
Bridge-street, Blackfriars, to consider of the expediency of "
Peti-
tioning Ministers for the total repeal, or at least a material reduc-
tion of the Duty en Malt."
The Meeting was very respectably, but not numerously at-
tended. Mr. CURTIN, son of the Member for Sussex, took the
Chair, on the proposition of Mr. Ellis, which was unanimously
agreed to by the company assembled.
Mr. Efts then rose to move the Resolutions which had been
prepared for the purpose of being laid before the Meeting. The
great object, he observed, was to enable the labourer to supply
himself at a cheap rate with the wholesome and substantial be-
vet age of beer—which, owing to the heavy duty on malt, the poor
could not at present procure. The consequence bf the Malt Tax was,
that although the population of t►e country bad been doubled in the
course of a century, there was scarcely as much beer consumed now
as was consumed a century ago. He was convinced that the abo-
lition of Malt Tax would be attended with the greatest benefit,
not only to the agricultural interests, but also to the manufacturing
and commercial interests ; and that, above all, it would be attend.
ed with the greatest advantage to the poor and the labouring class
of the community. He then gave a strong picture of the injury
done to the health. and even morals of the labourer, from the im-
possibility of his enjoying the wholesome beverage to which the
English labourer had been in past times accustomed, and which,
considering how remarkably well the soil and climate of England
were adapted to the production of barley, might be considered the
natural beverage of the country. He was also convinced that this
very obnoxious tax might be abolished without much injury to the
revenue, and without the necessity of having recourse to a property
tax, which, in time of peace, he thought highly objectionable. If
a deputation were to wait on the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to
propose and urge the repeal of this tax, he perhaps would admit
that the tax was objectionable, but would contend that it was
necessary that those who insisted on its repeal should show
either that there was a surplus revenue, or that a substitute
might be found. He did not mean, at that time, to enter at
length into the discussion of that subject; but he believed that he
was prepared with a good answer to the objection. To be sure,
the beer was taxed as well as the malt ; and some might, perhaps,
suppose that it would be of more advantage to the pourer classes to
have the beer duty repealed than to have the malt duty abolished.
But it bad always been a point with him not to petition the Go-
vernment for what he himself thought was unreasonable, and he
was convinced that Ministers could not afford to abolish the duties
both on malt and beer; but of the two he thought it was better to
apply for the abolition of the duty on malt, because that would
afford relief to all classes of the community. Mr. Ellis concluded
by moving the first Resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Bent-
ley. The object of that, and of the other Resolutions, was to
shew that in the opinion of the Sleeting the abolition of the
malt duty was expedient, and specially called for by the actual
situation of the labouring classes of the community.
Mr. FOSSIL expressed his concurrence in the object of the Meet-
ing ; and said that he was old enough to remember when the la-
bourer brewed his own beer, and he was convinced that he would
still do so were it not for this very obnoxious tax. Its abolition
would be attended with the most beneficial consequences to the la-
bouring classes of the comniuuity, whether agricultural, manufac-
turing, or commercial.
Mr. Qusarra observed, that the labouring classes were in the.
most serious distress at this moment, and that it was the duty of
the Govermeut to relieve them if possible. The distress had arisen
to a pitch that could hardly be endured ; and the best modes of
relief would be to abolish the tax on malt, or the tax on beer, or to
abolish both. The worthy Gentleman then stated his objections to
the system of free trade, as it was called. It was said tobe founded
on the principle of reciprocity ; but there was no reciprocity
at all in the nutter, considering that this nation was
loaded with a debt of IWO millious sterling. Under such a state of
things the system was absurd, and made us be regarded by other
nations as simpletons in legislation. As for a substitute for the
Malt Tax, they were not bound to find out one. It was for the
Government to find out a substitute, or reduce its expencm. The
Honourable Gentleman then proceeded to make sonic remarks on
the last Corn Bill, but was called to order, the matter being consi-
dered as irrelevant co the purposes of the Meeting.
Mr. Flex also argued strongly in favour of the abolition of the
tax, and the importance of the repeal to the health and comforts
of the labouring classes. Had it not been for this tax, the
landlords and farmers would apply much of their barley
to the production of a must Invigorating and healthy beve-
rage for their labourers, which, as matters stood, they
now threw to their hogs. It was the want of this healthy
and old English beverage which exhausted the labourer, and
tendered hint reckless—which often drove him to poaching, and
then to robbery. The taxes on malt and beer led to the demo-
ralisation of the country, and ought to be got rid of as soon as pos-
sible ; and instead of confining themselves to one of them, he con-
ceived that it would be better to attack them both together. These
duties were, with respect to the labouring classes, acts of oppaes-
&ion, and of such an oppression as the Despot of Constantinople
would not have ventured upon. It could only have been caused in
such a country as this, where there was a partial freedom. Cer-
tainly if the nation had been fully and properly represented in Par-
liament, nu such oppressive enactments would have been tolerated.
Mr. HIALT stated that he supplied his labourers, of whom he
had a great many, with beer of the same quality as he used at bis
own table—(hear, h:ar !) ; but he would be able to supply them in
much more abundance it these obnoxious taxes were repeated, and
he was certain that the effect would be that the labourers would do
much more work with comfort to themselves. If horses were
sent to the plough from the straw-yard, it would be in vain to ex-
pect that they would do as much work as if they had been fed on
oats and beans ; and so it would be vain to expect the same quan-
tity of work from the labourer, in his present state, as might fairly
be expected from him if he were well supplied with this invigorating
and healthy beverage. Our Government was the best possible
Government, but it was necessary to watch it closely with reference
to its expenditute. An honest farmer, a neighbour of his, was
accustomed to say, that the Clergyman of his palish was a very
good Clergyman, and that he gave very good sermons; but that the
sermons were plaguy dear, for that one week with another they
cost 191. a piece. So he said of the Government. It was a very
good Government, but it was a plaguy dear one; and it was the
duty of every real friend to bis country to watch over the public
expenditure, and to procure the abolition or reduction of such ob.
noxious and oppressive taxes as those on malt and beer, if possible.
Mr. FOADMASI argued, that it was of more importance to the
pour to have the tax on beer repealed than to procure the abolition
of that on malt; and he moved an Amendment, "that the word
beer he substituted for that of matt." lie afterwards withdrew
that Amendment. and proposed that the words " and beer,"
should be added to the word naafi, so as to state it to be the opi-
nion of the Meeting that both taxes should be repealed.
Mr. Eaus objected to both the amendments, and requested the
Meeting to confine themselves to the specific point which they had
been oiled upon to consider, which was merely the expediency of
petitioning for the abolition of the duty on malt. It had always
been his jaiaciple to wish only for what was reasonable. It would
be highly desirable, no doubt, to have the duty on beer abolished
as well as that on malt; but he did not believe that the Govern-
ment could afford to dispense with both, and therefore he thought
it best to confine the Resolution to the repeal of that duty which he
thought, on the whole, to be most obnoxious.
After some further discussion, however, the Amendment was
agreed to by a majority of the Meeting.
The Rev. Doctor Lasts then suggested another Amendment.
the effect of which was to petition for the total abolition of the
duties on malt and beer; or, for a material reduction of those
duties. There was no doubt but that if the total abolition could
not be pro.ured, a material reduction would be attended with the
most beneficial consequences.—This Amendment was al,o adopted,
and the several Resolutions were agreed to.
Pursuant to one of the Resolutions, a Committee was appointed
to carry into effect the objects of the Meeting, and the names of
the Chairman, Mr. Ellis, Mr. Bentley, Mr. Healy, Mr. Foster,
arc. were mentioned, with power to add to their number.
The Rev. Doctor Lasts then n.•ved the thanks of the Meeting
to the Chairman, and stated that it was highly satisfactory to see
persons of property coming forward to promote objects of such
great public importance as the present ; and when they did come
forward, it was proper that their services should be acknowledged.
The motion was unanimou.ly agreed to.
The (*MADMAN, alter returning thanks. observed, that if the
Meeting could accomplish its 'bite!, it would be attended with im-
mense bebefit to the poorer classes of the community. He hoped
that the sentiments uttered at this Meeting would find their way

to the ears not only of Ms Majesty's Ministers, but to those of the
Highest Personage in the community.
The following are the Resolutions adopted by the Meeting :
" 1. That the present distressed state of the labouring poor im-
PiriPtisly calls for the serious consideration of all those who have
the power to afford them relief.
"2. That a supply of wholesale beer is essenti fly necessary to
the health and strength of the poor generally, but more particularly
to the hard-working labourer, to whom it may justly be called
liquid food.
S. That the excessive tax on Malt and Beer in a very great
degree prevents labourers, as well in husbandry as in trades and
manufactories, from obtaining this nutriment, so necessary for
the support of their health and strength, and compels them to
drink water, which, without supporting their ability for labour,
has, in many instances, been followed by consequences destructive
of health.
" 4. That owing to the greatly increased and excessively high
drty on Malt, the annual average individual consumption of that
article, which was for ten years, ending in 1723, forty...me vibes
and three quarts, has been so much decreased, that for the last
ten years, ending in 182 w, it has not exceeded sixteen gallons and
three pints; and for the last year, only fourteen gallons and two
quarts, or about two-fifths of the consumption of 1723.
" S. That if the annual individual consumption of the present
population was equal to what it was in 1723, it would exceed
8,000,000 quarts, being more than double its present amount.
" 6. That the above-mentioned considerations induce this Meet-
ing to recommend either a total repeal or a material reduction of
all duties on malt and beer.
" 7. That a Committee be appointed to promote the object of
these Resolutions, who shall be empowered to adopt such mea-
sures as shall appear to them expedient, with power to add to their
numbers."
INTERESTING FOREIGN NOTICES.

The King of Pros6ia, who in 1813 wrote a very flat-
tering letter, accompanied with a gold medal, to M. Julien, at Paris,
the author f " The Spirit of Pestsluzzi's Method of Education,"
has recently addressed to the same gentleman another letter, accom-
panied with a second gold medal, in return for s copy of the
fourth edition of his " Essay on the Employment of Time." Such
notices from crowned heads are among the best encouragements to
literary and useful exertion ; and we sincerely wish they were
more usual.—Literary Casette.
HUNG/MUM UNIVIRSITIM-411 the Royal Academy of Pres-
burgh there are 433 students, viz, 236 of philosophy, and 197 of
law; added to which there are in the Archiepiscopal Lyceum of
Turnau 78 students of philosophy, and in the Episcopal Lyceum of
Waitzen 60. At the Royal University of Pesth, there have been,
during the present year, 1,710 students, viz. 75 of theology, SSI
of law, 401 of medicine, and 609 of philosophical science. Of this
number, 1,243 are Roman Catholics, 142 Greeks, 68 Protestants
of the Augsburgh confession, 140 Refocuses of the Swiss confes-
sion, and 153 Jews.
PUBLIC LIBRAILIES or Euaori.—We are unable to state the exact
number of these useful establishments, though, on a superficial
enumeration, they cannot amount to fewer than between seven and
eight hundred ; the contents of which have been estimated by
Malthus at 19,847,100 volumes. Of these contents there are pre-
served in—
The Austrian States . 2,220,000 vole
Prussian
Remaining States of Germany 5,524,500

The whole of Germany . 6,651,500
France . 6,427,000
Great Britain
Russian Empire BBO,OOO
Italy . . . .. 2,139,000
The sic most considerable, and, at the same time, most valuable
Libraries in Europe, are the following :
Royal Library, Paris 450,000 vols. 76,1)00 MSS.
Bodleian, Oxford 4K0,000 30,000
_ _

Royal Central, Munich 400,000 9,000
Vatican, Rome lOO,OOO 40,000
University, Gottingen
British Museum, London soo,ooo.—Literary Gazette.
Tut Flagmen Cocaoy.—The Council General of the Depart-
ment of the Eure et Loire did nothing to show any disposition in
favour of the new Ministry, but it voted 5,000 francs (2001. ster-
ling) as an addition to the State allowance to the Bishop of Char-
tres, 11. Clausel de Montals, apparently to compensate him for his
resistance to the laws. With this aid it is thought the Prelate will
re-open the little school he has established in his country house at
St. Etienne. The Cardinal de Clermont Tonnerre, in passing
through Chartres, stopped at the Bishop's Palace, and the Cardinal
de Latil, tormerly Bishop of Chartres, has also been in the vicinity,
at the seat of M. Ferrieres.
These two Cardinals both had conferences with the Bishop, who
reposes under his laurels, and does not boast of his resistance; he
submitted at the moment he was about to triumph ; and had just
signed the official act by which he yielded submission to the ordi-
nances • the Ministry was changed; but no publication has been
made Of his submission. and he remains in appearance the only one
of the Bishops of France who set the last Cabinet at defiance.
The friends of the Council-General say, that it would nut have
voted the addition to his allowance, only that it knew of the sub-
mission made by the Bishop ; but we doubt it when we see them
also voting 64,000 francs (,6001. sterling) as an addition to the
allowances of the teconslary Clergy, and 5,000 francs (001. sterling)
to the great Seminary.
Chartres possesses a fine library, rich in ancient volumes ; but
as it has no funds to purchase books, it has none of the continua-
tions of the works it contains, and It has been deprived of all the
writings which for half a century recorded the progress of the
sciences. If half the addition given to the Bishops were applied to
this library, it would be one of the most valuable in France. Char-
tres now possesses no scientific Institution ; this city has not, as
formerly she had, distinguished Professors to honour it, and the
College is fallen into such discredit, that the young people are
obliged to go for their studies to Versailles, Orleans, or Paris.
RUSSIA.
(From the Literary Gazette.)

Although we have given some details of the statistics
of this mighty empire on former occasions, we owe it to our readers
not to withhold further elucidations of so engrossing a subject, at a
period when it must be peculiarly desirable to them to possess data
of a correct and authentic character. And such, we can assurz
them. is the nature of the information which we now proceed to
lay before them.
The empire of Russia takes precedence of every other nation in
Europe, as regards its extent and population. The numbers of the
motley race by which it is tenanted amounted at the close of 1828,
to 62,592,000 souls, of whom the following is a classifisation by
distinct nations :-
1. Slavonlans • • -
It. Finlanders
3. Tartar■

54,000,S 00 of 7 grades.
5.000,000 11
2,500,000 10
4. Caucasians . . . 1,010,000 6
5. Germans . . . 500,000 2
6. Mongolians . . 3.:0,000 3
7. Esquimaus . • • 90,000 7
8. Sarnojeds . • • 70,000 14
9. Mansur* . • • 65,000 5
10. Indians . . • 25,000 3
11. Kannschadaks . . 12,000 3
12. Unknown ori2,in . . 1,000,000 14
62,592,000, of 83 various grades or races of human beings.
In respect of the religious creeds professed by this party-coloured
multitude, it falls under the subsequent heads, according to an
estimate made two years ago :
Greeks . . 46,500,000 I I.amaites . . 210,000
Catholics . . 6,000,01:0 Reformed Church 84,000!
Mahometans . 3,7,00,000 Armenians . 79.000
Lutherans . 2 600,000 Hernhuttera . 10,000
Shamanese 700,000 Mennonites . 6,000
Jews . . 600,000 Faliponese 3,000
The population of Russia in Europe, independently of her Polish
possessions (which in 1827 cont-fined 3,850,658 souls), amounted
in that year to 44,603,600, which is double that of Great Britain.
Relatively to the other states of Europe, it is extremely thin of
inhabitants, and stands inferior even to Norway and Sweden in
density of population.
In financial respects, the following present general results for the
year 1827 :
Reeeaue (l'o:and inclusive) . r. 158,535,7.35—p..417,294600
Expenditure . . .r. 135.484 990—X16,955.,40
National Debt . . .r. 300,000,000—X37,500,1,00

PRICE SEVENPEN;:t

The military force cousism—in infantry, of 23,1300 gu Kelt and
294,000 of the line ; in cavalry, of 63,320 ; of 24,000 irregulars ,
360 pieces attached to the ham. and 732 pieces attached to the
foot artillery, forming a total of 47,088. This is the amount of
the regular establishment; but, in time of war, like the present. it
is greatly augmented by levies under the imperui ukase Tile
Polish army consists of 50,000.
The Russian navy, at the beginning of 1823, compri'ed 50 ship:
of the line, 33 frigates, and about 100 other large vessels, beside.
floating-batteries, gumboats, gales, &c.—the w bole manned by
somewhat more than 50,000 sailors. This establishmmt has ot'
late been considerably increased.
The whole empire does not present above 1,840 cities and
towns, 1.210 strong places, and 227,400 villages and hamlets.
Among the first mentioned are Petursburgh, 323,000 ; Mo►cow,
260,000; Warsaw, 126,443: Kiew, 40,000 ; Sandunsir, 50,000 ;
Odessa, 40,000; Riga, 47,000 ; Tula, 36,000; Kaluga, 25.00001
Kasen, 50,000; Astrachan, 36,000; and lrkutzk, 7,0,000

PIWCI.aStATION 4Y Nlf ItiCaLLINCY Sit S D.C111.104, LIZIALMANI-

GOVERNOR.

Whereas it is necessary to explain slid amend certain of the pro-
visions in the ordinance for the religious instruction of slaves in the
colony, and for the improvement of their condition ; be it there-
fore enacted,-
1. In reference to the 14th clause of the said ordmanze, the
punishment by bed-stocks shall not exceed six nights, or three days
and three nights; nor shall more than one of the modes of pu:ni•h-
ment provided by the said clause be inflicted for the same offence ;
nor shall any of the punishments be exceeded, under a penalty not
greater than COO guilders, and not less than 200 guilders.
2. And in reference to the 13th and 14th clauses, no other mode
of punishment than is allowed in the said clauses shall be inflicted.
under a penalty not greater than 900 guilders, nor less than 5( 11
guilders.

3. With reference to the 26th clause of the said ordinance. the
provisions of the same shall extend to all sales, as well under the
decree of the Court of Justice as in any other manner ; and it.
questions of doubt the person about to sell shall bring the matter
for decision to the Protector of Slaves. Provided, however, that
parties, whom it is illegal or otherwise to separate may be sepa-
rately sold if they consent in the presence sat the Protector of
Slaves, who shall give a certificate of such consent, to be annexed
to the bill of sale; and any person who shall sell any slave or slaves
in contravention of this enactment shall incur a penalty of limbo
guilders. (Signed) B. WURBAN.
Colony-house, George-town, Dem , Aug. 1.
EXTIRPATION OF THB INDIANS.

We copy the following from a New York paper:—
" CESSION OF LANDS.

" The Gateau (State of Illinois) Advertiser gives the following
outlines of a treaty lately concluded with the Indians, by which
the rich tract of country between lake Michigan and the Nlitsitiipi,
containing about 6,000,000 acres, is ceded to the United Stateb.

" Immix Tar.a7r.—We learn by a gentleman who arrived here
from Prairie du Chien, since the publication of our last paper, that
the treaty with the Winnebagoes, Potawatamies, and Uttawas, is
concluded. The following is the boundary of the land ceded by the
Winnebagoes to the United States :—From the mouth of the Rock
River up the said river to the mouth of the Pe-ka-ton-o-kee, thence
up the Pe-ka-ton-o-kee, to the mouth of Sugar River ; thence
up this stream to the mouth of its extreme eastern branch; thence
up said branch to the place where it is intersected by the trace
leading from the Blue Nlound, the Portage of theOuisconsin, ant Fox
River ; thence with the said trace, passing through one of the Four ,
Lakes to Duck Creek ; thence up Duck Creek to its source ;
thence on a straight line to the lower extremity of Lake Puckway
or Rush Lake ; thence up said lake, and up Fox River to the Por-
tage above mentioned; thence across the Portage, down the Obs-
consin, and down the Mississippi to the mouth of Rock River.
" All the land included within the above bounds is ceded to the
United States, except certain reserves; to wit, one section, or 640
acres to each half breed of the Winnebago tribe, are named in the
treaty to be located hereafter by the United States on any land
within the ceded tract not supposed to contain lead ore, if the
United States, on their part, give to the Winnebagoes 20,000
dollars promised at the Council of Green Bay last year, in
full for rents and depredations committed on their domaitis
up to the present time ; 20,000 dollars as presents ; and an
annuity of 18,000 dollars for 30 years, out of which the Win-
nebagoes are to pay 10,000 dollars in part for expenses incurred by
the United States in the late Winnebago disturbance; for all thefts
and depredations heretofore committed; to Mad. Gagnier, whose
husband was murdered in Prairie du Chien in the summer of 1827,
an annuity of -- dollars fur 30 years, and to her child, who was
scalped, one section of land reserved from the ceded tract, to be
designated by the Government of the United States.
" We understand that Mr. Hunt's claim against the Winneba-
goes amounts to 10,000 dollars ; Mr. Brisbols• to 7,000 dollars ;
Messrs. Luckwood's to 800 dollars; Messrs. Rolettea and others.
unknown.
" The Potowatarnies and Ottywas have sold all the ground to
which they have any claim on both sides of the Rock River, in•
eluding all the land from Rock River to Lake Michigan.
" The Winbebagues still retain a small tract of country between
the Four Lakes, the upper waters of Rock River, Winnebago
Lake and Michigan. This tract is supposed, in many places, to
abound in copper ore.
" The quantity of land purchased of the Potowatansies is sup-
posed to be about 3,600,000 acres. Its western boundary being
the Mississippi, extending from the mouth of Rock River to the
mouth of the Ouisconsin, about 200 miles, and from the Mississippi
to Lake Nlicbigan, 120 miles. And the amount which the com-
missioners have agreed to give is five mills per acre annually,
during their existence as a distinct nation.
" The land purchased of the Winnebagoes is about 5.,000,0t v.
bounded on the West and South by the aforesaid purchase ; East
by Rock and Sugar rivers; North by tits Ouiseonsin and Fos
rivers ; fur which the Commits:otters have agreed to give five mills
per acre annually 30 years, which is equal to 15 cents per acre.
" Thus have the United States obtained the title to about
6,600,000 f land, abounding with ore, more so perhaps than
any other in the known world. The tract is surrounded by navi-
gable waters, arid its climate and sail not excelled in any part of tbs.
United States. The interior is well furnished with springs of the
purest water, and with sites for water power tu almost any extent.
'AMC and sand-stone can every where be found for building att.:
fencing; and timber sufficient fur the purpose for which it may be
required. The annuities of 33,000 dollars are to be paid in cash at
Praieie du Chien ; thus distributing in our immediate neighbour -
hood a little of the needful."