The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-03-23 00:00:00

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

"A House Owner's" note in our next.
The similarity which "Sciutator's" handwriting bears to that
_,..
of another party who has written on the same subject, kW'
us to request his name as a voucher. If our suspicions ere
unfounded, as to his identity with the party to whom Ore
allude, we shall cheerfully give insertion to his letter.
The letter of "One of the Public" will require pruning befoul
it can be published.
The communication of " A Cheshire Plough-boy" is not of sag'
cient importance to justify its publication. fie must, there-
fore, submit to endure a " trivial disappointment."

Ebe Eiterpool

FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 23, 1838.

(L.-- The Publication of the STANDARD commenced this motn-

ing at 5 o'clock.

NEGRO APPRENTICESHIP.—We have great pleasure its
introducing the following very interesting document td
the notice of our readers. The sentiments which Sir J•
C. Smith expresses in his speech must be cordially re-
sponded to by every benevolent mind. We may ccofi"
dently refer to it as furnishing a complete answer to the
calumnies of the abolitionists, as far as one of the most
important of our colonies is concerned. The evidence of
a man like the Governor of Demerara is worth ten times
more than the ex parte statements and prejudiced ha'
rangues of Sturge, Palmer, and Co. The allusioo
which Sir J. C. Smith makes to, the comparative condi-
tions of Demerara and Great Britain is very happy, but
it would have been still more so if he had introduced it
parallel between the comforts, and exemption from hard
labour, enjoyed by the negro, and the hardships, and six'
teen-hours-per day toil, endured by the British labpurer-
DEMERARA,
sPaten OF THE GOVERNOR AT THE OPENING OF THE

COLONIAL. LEGISLATURE.
(From the Guiana Chronicle, Feb. 5,1838.)
Court of Policy, Saturday, Feb. a
On the opening of the doors at one o'clock this day, the
Governor delivered to the Honourable Court a long speech..
The following copy of the same is taken, for the sake of per-
fect accuracy, from the official Gazette of this evening
"Gentlemen,—Her Majesty having been graciously pleased
to cause her royal approbation to be communicated to me et the
practice I have adopted of addressing this Court, at the opening
of the first session of this year—a summary review of the political
events and circumstances of the past twelve months; a Tecapi-
tulation of the legislative proceedings of the same period; and
an intimation of the nature and purpose of the projects of law
which it is my intention to bring forward; my duty
present occasion I feel it to
to W. following observumnils upon the'
I am in the first place desirous of offering to you my sin-
cere congratulations upon the happy, contented, and prosperous
state of this province. I challenge comparison with any count,'
of Great Britain; and I affirm that fewer crimes and fewer
breaches of the peace will be found to have been committed in
British Guiana, during, the year 1837, than in any part of her
Majesty's dominions of the same extent, possessing two sea-ports,
and containing an equal population. •
"3. When 1 reflect upon the good conduct of the apprenticed
labourers; upon their anxiety for religious and moral instruc-
tion ; when I see new churches, chapels, school-rooms rising
rapidly in every district throughout this province, it is impossi-
ble not to be sanguine in the expectation that after the exfira-
lion of the apprentice system this colony will be blessed with a
religious, mote, and industrious race, and continue to flourish
accordingly.

4. You are aware, gentlemen, that in a dispatch dated sco
,ar back as on the 19th of March, 1836, (now nearly two years
age),) addressed by me to the Right Hon. the Lord Glenelg, I
deprecated the ided of shortening the period of the apprentice-
ship. The contents of that despatch have only been made known
to you in consequence of its having been laid before Parliament,
and been directed by the House of Commons to be printed. I
allude to these circumstances, in order to prevent the possibility
of its being supposed, even for a moment, that in communicat-
ing to the Right Hon. the Secretary of State soy sentiments
upon a question of so important a nature to the future prospe-
rity of this colony, 1 was actuated by any foolish or mistaken.
desire to acquire an ephemeral popularity with any, particular,
class in this colony. The sentiments I expressed in that des-
patch I still entertain. I consider the continuance of the pre-
sent system until the Ist of August, 1840, as identified with the
future welfare of this magnificent. province. It appears to me,
that if, in British Guiana, we are allowed to continue as we
are, thera is every prospect of our being enabled to slide almost
imperceptibly into a state of perfect freedom. Excepting in
cases of theft, the degrading punishment of the lash is unknown,-
Females are not permitted to be sent to the treadmill. The
advantages resulting from labour are becoming daily more
derstood, and better appreciated by the apprentice. Be is,
moreover, fast acquiring a knowledge of the rights and. duties
which, as a freeman, he will hereafter have in th.e one• case to
enjoy, and in the other to perform. The proprietor, on his part.
is daily preparing to meet the coming change, A kind and it
good feeling between the employer and tb.e labourer is. every-
where rapidly gaining ground. It is no, longer the master and
the slave having opposite interests; but the husbandman who
cannot effectually till his ground without the willing aid and the-
extra work of his apprenticed labourers; and the apprenticed!
labourer who looks to the husbandman for that Money, in pay,
ment for his extra labour, which he requires to enable him to
take care of his wife and family, and to provide himself and
them with those articles of comfort and luxury to which they!
have become habituated. When things are going on so well as,:
in British Guiana, it appears to me, that it would be littift.short
of an act of folly to offer any interruption to the present system._
b. During the year which has elapsed, we passed. 17, ordin-
ances in this court. It does not appear necessary for me to;
trouble you at this moment with any remarks upon acts whick
have so recently received your attentiOrt.
" 6. The first legislative measure which I wish to bring nailer your notice during the present session will be one relative,. to,
the classification of the prredial and non-prtedial labourers.. In
errors have taken place, if any individual is liable to he called
upon two additional years of servitude, in consequence of his
name having been entered in the wrong column of the registra-.
tion list, it is fit and proper that he .should be placed in. that
class to which he legally belongs. I anticipate your ready tic-,
quiescence in this measure.

+ r •
J. CARMICHAEL SMYTH.,

, .
POSTOFFICE REFORM.--In another column will be
found an article on this subject, copied from the Post
Circular, a stamped publication, having for its object
the diffusion of every species of useful information rela-
tive to an alteration in the fiscal arrangements of the
Postoffice departmen% The subject is one of the great-' -
est importance, and one in which every individual is'
more or less concerned. It is likewise of the greatest
moment in its bearing upon all other departments of ouF .
national policy, and in its connection with the progress'
of civilization and the development of our national re-
sources.

Of the necessity of some reform in the Postoffice re-
gulations there can be but one opinion; but whether the
plans submitted by Mr. Rowland Hill are calculated to
obviate.all the existing evils is a matter which admits,of
considerable doubt. The principal objection against ltist

•

plans arises from the consideration that they would pro-
dUce an amount of loss to the Exchequer which would
require the imposition of some other tax as a substitute.
Tfiatan extensive reduction in the charge for postage is
—called for, we believe will he generally acknowledged;
but we think the charge fixed upon by Mr. Hill is consi-
:.derably too low.

Js

1.,i \ -.

.

'As Mr. Hill's plans have already been amply discussed
in the public prints we do not deem it necessary to exa-
mine any of their details. An enumeration of the ad-
vantages likely to result from a reduced rate of postage
will be.found in the article to which we have referred,
and which we recommend to the candid perusal of our
readers.

Since the publication of Mr. Hill's pamphlet another
plan of " Postoffice Reform" has been submitted by the

Baron de Berenger.

We have seen no notice of this

plan excepting in the Weekly Chronicle. The only fea-
ture in this plan which is avowedly copied from that of
Mr. Hill is, the aim, by a very considerable reduction of
postages, (and perhaps by equability also,)-to cherish a
sufficiently productiveibcrease of correspondence, &c.,
to compensate for the loss which such a reduction might
otherwise occasion in the Postoffice branch of the re-
venue.

The plan of the Baron de Berenger differs, in some
respects, very materially from that of Mr. Hill. For in-
stance,-the Baron carefully endeavours to avoid two of the
most unfavourable and objectionable features in Mr.
Hill's plan—the stamped covers, and the compulsory
payment in advance. The former of these features is
objected to on several grounds, but chiefly because it
would be a source of constant trouble and delay-7411g
it would be unprofitable, from the circumstance that it
would require an increase of bulk and weight, and that
it.would facilitate extensive fratids. The latter feature—
the payment in advance—would tend to counteract the
main object in view, by exciting a repugnant feeling
With the majority. .
- The Baron proposes to obviate the inconveniences
'which would result from the adoption of Mr. Hill's plans,
and to meet the exigencies of the case, by suggesting
the following :
".No. 1. The conveyance of a much greater number of let-
• ..ters in considerably less space than that deemed requisite at
. present; thus to reduce the expenditure in what appears one of
the leading items, i. e., mail-coach disbursements.
"N 0.2. Considerable reduction in matters of account—faci-
lity as to liquidating such, founded on simplification—addi-
tional security, alike as to them, and in preventing the imposi-
tions of correspondeuts.
' " No. 3. Immense curtailment of the labour and time at pre-
sent
ing, and delivering letters; and to an extent, to warrant the
expectation that, although the correspondence should be in-
creased by one-half more, the consequent duties will be dis-
• charged, and most amply, without the necessity of increasing
the number of persons employed at present ; and in a similar
~proportion on the still greater increase fairly anticipated.
"No. 4. The addition of a novel source of revenue, as a pru-
dential security and equivalent to the post-office, for any deft-
.- --ciency,. which, for a time, by possibility, may be created in its
.revenue. If the economising alterations aboAlalluded to, or
..
:the reasonably to be expected increase of c Trespondence
<either or both), should fail to compensate for any loss conse-
Anent on a material reduction in the charge of postage. Such
' ' -additional source, in an opposite case (aud thereupon, instead
,of being resorted to a.s.an auxiliary) to be converted into a
lasting, although immense source of emolument, and becoming
one in addition to the post-Office receipts.
" No. 5. ;To place, at governments disposal from one to two
millions sterling, in ready money, and within from two to three
shonthi after the adoption of this plan ; a sum, not only con-
' tinuing in advance hereafter, and without detriment to the
annual receipts of the post-office, but particularly desirable, on
grounds of populafify, 'since it will be contributed by those, and
voluntarily, whose interest it will be to augment so desirable an
item in ways andmeans.
No
.6. To 'lead the public to adopt the mode of paying post-
-ages in advance, Without resorting to compulsion (highly ob-
jectionable as it would be on many grounds), not only allowing
the-exercise-of option ds foimerly, but :in all respects even yet
bolding out such inducements as surely will create a preference
.for the-post-paid' lettet-sending systeM, securing, at the same
'time, compensation for the additional trouble caused by those
who adhere to an opposite course:N.B. More frequent deli-
.. --weries of letters, andifiereased speed, with other minor yet de-
sirable results, must obViously grow out of the cultivation of the
above measure and therefore have not been enumerated.
" The attainment of these, in 'every view desirable objects,
because promoting, as they must, an incalculable extension of
commerce and manufacture, the unquestioned foundation of this
.realm's greatness, and cherishing also its chief auxiliaries, the
promulgation of coiontific knowledze and enlightened views, as
muck as the furtherance of friendship and refinement, by a
greater frequency of correspondence—all these, to national
greatness so powerfully conducive objects, can actually be se-
..cured, ( even to occasion an increase thereby, instead of a fall.
ring off in the revenue), by means recommending themselves
-additionally on the grounds of certain popularity, on the one
hand (since, unlike. Mr. Hill's, they do not deprive the public
•of an option, and reconcile themselves also more to the execu-
tive departments by guarding against loss), and by reason of
their economy and peculiar simplicity on the other; for, surely,
a slight change in the texture or colour of paper, a change so
readily to be effected, yet so firmly to be relied on for overcom-
ing all difficulties, as presently will be shown, may fairly be
pronounced a measure of great simplicity—one that, although
the unreflecting may deem it feeble and insignificant, may hope
that, by profound and impartial investigators, it will be adopted
and cherished, as being, in reality, the main-spring of ma-
chinery, as unerring (because 'devoid of all complication) as
gigantic in its operation ; accordingly, ond because confident
that it will confirm the adage, that " the greatest result often
owes its origin to a diminutive germ,"—just as the majestic oak
does to that sif an humble acorn—Baron de Berenger feels em-
boldened humbly to recommend the general arrangement of a
Plan (yet without presuming to hint even at an adoption free
from deviation), which is based on the introduction, but for
correspondence by post only, of
" A PECULIAR SORT OF PAPER,—purposely to be manufac-
tured by or for government, and distinguished by the following
Characteristics :—Additionally to being made a folio post size,
and as thin and light as batik post, Genoa post, and similar
commercial papers, the wire sieves (or, if machine paper, wire
lengths, &c.) employed in its manufacture to have, in each
quarter of the folio sheets, the words " General Post Office,"
as a -water-mark. For letters where, postage is to be paid in
advance, the paper not only should be coloured, but continue
invariably .of the same, the original colour which H.lll. Post-
master General may have adopted ; not to be tinted superfi-
cially, however, but stained in the pulp, and therefore coloured
through and through. For letters of which the receiver is tVey the postage, the paper to be white, although made with th:
-same sieves, &c.
Additionally to facilitate detection, and by a mere glance
.even, of any other paper submitted forgovetnineiat's, the white
especially, (since the use of otherpaper is not prohibited,
the
ee
wordsfolding
of othfeawlaetteterr.
es will appear hereafter)
and because
partially)
anay concenl-(either whollrk, the wire 'pattern of y
thoer
sieges, or of the m
&c., should vary froualt others aching lengths,
,galanndt
materially, (as is the case
peasidr
Fith.paper made for Bank oy to be seen ; for exam ple, f tit
bt notes) that is in any way
the supporting wiry the
formation of the coarse,
es, say in large diamond
ground being filled up by fins wire of the wove,
their fields or
thee
imt
huesrl i no sf
like pattern. Not only should the
counterfeitvineg' ot.
these papers be, interdicted, but it .might, perhaps, be made
felony. It must be obvious that thus the inspection any
part or a lett r will show, e
and most readily, whether orof not it
and is written on governrnent paper; also whether it is paid, or
distinct information will be
secured without .resorting to the troublesome, and therefore ex-
pensive mode of candleing, taxing, marking, &c., very few
caw alone excepted.
, -
"CoNrtestaTtorss that the objects stated in the summary
Will be attained, together with other advantages, by the adop-
tion of this plan.—That is, by issuing to the vendors such paper
in-a wholesale way, yet at a price which, including the selling
price .of the paper, Covers the postages of as many letters as
this;.Post-office paper can be converted into: fur example, a
sheet of folio post to be charged ('in addition to some price to
be settled of the paper) as two single letters, because, when
kited as a folio sheet, its supeificial size is quite as much, if not
More„than that of most dOuble letters. It can be used by being
divided (by either vendor or purchaser) into halves, as two
4to, post sized single letters, and, when divided again, so as to
he6inie the q'ttarter of a folio post sheet; thus to be used as as a
"!er only, it makes the postage of a letter under cover less
Ihitnihat of a really double letter, nevertheless contributing to
the revenue,. and in due proportion to superficial measure."
Pa. the utility or practicability of this scheme we are
/._e4rPely prepared to deliver an opinion, especially as we
1
WYe not seen the sequel of the above remarks. In
wl4l:way will the plan suggested obviate forgery ?
The importance of the subject has induced us to de-
vet. ,
MO large a-space to the consideration of this ques-
tion ,
asit -concerns every grade of society we do
not think •
it necessary to' offer any apology for giving it
so much prominence.

THE NISEI BoARD OP EnucATro:l.—Titular :11.11a1.e
j849e4 Piother of his fulminating letters against the