The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-05-12 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-FRIDAY.

After the presentation of many petitions,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER proposed to defer
his financial statement [budget] from Monday till Friday
next.
Sir R. PEEL said, that although, no one could deplore
more than he did the cause of Lord J. Russell's absence, he
coule not see that it was absolutely necessary to defer the
statement on which the country felt so much anxiety on ac-
count of that noble lord's absence. _ _

The CHANCELLOR Of the EXCHEQUER observed that as
he should have to make a statement that would, no doubt,
tive rise to, discussion, he should not like to bring it forward
in the noble lord's absence.
Lord SANDON moved that Mr. Labouchere be added to
the Liverpool dock committee.
Mr. LABOUCHERE said he was already on "five" public
committees, and he therefore feared that he should not possi-
bly have time to attend ; if, however, it were generally de-
sire 1, he would do his best, though he could not promise to

attend.
The Earl of DARLINGTON gave notice that on Monday
next he should move for a new writ for the borough of
Ludlow.
Sir R. PEEL stated that on Monday he should ask the
Under Secretary of State, or the Attorney-General, a ques-
tion respecting the state—not of the law, for he believed that
was clear—but as to the practical embarrassment arising from
its promulgation, in respect of the rating of stock in trade,
to know whether it was contemplated to bring forward any
measure for removing embarrassments that might tend to
vitiate any rate.

Sir J. WALSH said, as the evidence was now printed, that
on Monday he.should move for a new writ for Cambridge.
Mr. WARBuRToN said that he should move, as an amend-
ment, that such election be taken by " ballot."
Lord PALMEASTON, in answer to inquiries from Mr. Col-
quhoun, said that some mistake had gone forth that when
any country enforced a blockade on the ports of another that
any third power was bound to declare whether it acquiesced
in, or objected to, such blockade. The right of blockade was
one that attached to an independent state, and all that any
other third state had to do was to notify the fact to its own
subjects, that they might not incur injury through ignorance
of it. As to Buenos Ayres, to which the inquiry particu-
larly referred, in June, 1838. the French admiral had notified
to our ambassador there the fact of the blockade since en-
forced. There had been no actual declaration of war between
the two countries, but there had been virtually hostilities be-
tween France and Buenos Ayres since ; indeed the very block-
ade was really war, though there had been no previous war,
and the blockade could not be binding on a neutral state, un-
less it were founded on the principles of war.
Mr. CoLQuiloux remarked that he made inquiry, in con-
sequence of the blockade having been lately rendered more
stringent as to communications between British merchants
and the agents at Buenos Ayres.
Lord PALmERsToN rejoined that it might have been so.
perhaps, as to particular individuals, but generally there had
been no change for some time in the blockade, unless in re-
gard to some coasting trade, which the French wished to
prevent.
Mr. W. GLADSTONE observed that, as the house was
aware, a most important motion on the subject of China was
fixed for Tuesday. He, understood an overland mail had
recently arrived from China. He wished to know whether
the noble lord intended to lay any additional papers on the
table of the house before that day.
Lord PALMERSTON answered that he had no additional
papers to lay on the table, with the exception of one from the
China association.
Mr. BARNEBY put a question with respect to the postage
stamps and covers. The order in council stated that the
stamps would be sold to the public at a penny each, and the
covers at a penny farthing. The fact was., that the stamp
distributors at the west end of the town were charging Is.
2d. a-dozen, for the stamps, and they refused to sell covers
under lid. He wished to know whether the Chancellor of
the Exchequer was aware of this fact, and, if not, whether
it was his intention to make inquiries on'the subject, as he
thought that the system to which he had adverted was an
imposition on the public.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER answered that he
thought the hon. member must be under some mistake when
he stated that this course was pursued by stamp distributors.
He had confounded them with other persons who had pur-
chased to sell.

Mr. BARNEBY stated that he considered the subject of so
much importance that he had written to the commissioners
of stamps on the subject.

The CHANCELLMi of the EXCHEQUER said that it rested
with the public as to whether they would purchase the stamps
from the proper distributors (the post-offices), or from those
who were not licensed to sell.
Mr. BARNEBY wanted to know whether those persons who
were authorised by the Stamp-office to sell stamps were per-
mitted to charge 8 or 16 per cent.
The CHANCELLOR Of the EXCHEQUER answered that the
officers of the stamp department sold at a certain tixed price
to the offices, but other parties sold at any price they could
get, or the public were unwise and foolish enough to give.
Sir R. PEEL asked whether it was intended to retain per-
manently that ornamental engraving which appeared at the
head of the covers ? He had the highest respect for the ta-
lents of the artist by whom it had been produced, and it was
not his intention at all to call in question its merits as a work
of art : an inquiry and observation that called forth much
laughter.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER gave no answer.

Mr. T. DuNcomßE, Mr. Hulls, &c.' having urged Mr.
T. Walsh not to press his motion for the Cambridge writ on
Monday,
The house resolved into committee of supply, in which
Mr. H. GORDON moved the remaining miscellaneous esti-
mates, which called forth much desultory discussion.

A TAILOR'S' BILL.—The constabulary committee ap-
pointed on Thursday, at the court-house, among other
labours in store for them, will have to examine a tailor's bill,
for clothing the rurals, amounting to the very modest sum
of three thousand seven hundred pounds. Alas! and alack
a day, these are indeed the days of economy with a ven-
geance !—Preston Chronicle.
A NEW TRADE.—As we were passing by the Birming-
ham Townhall on Tuesday last, we read the following an-
nouncement of a new trade, printed in large type and posted
on the first door of the hall, in Congreve-street :—" En-
trance for the Breakfast-makers only!" Questionless there
are numbers of persons in Birmingham who are desirous of
being instructed in this new and interested trade—where are
they to apply ?—Ted Town's 43fessetwer.