The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-01-14 00:00:00

ous letters on the placard, that the " second edition

would contain the " President's message." It appears
that Congress was still occupied with protracted &-
bates on the five disputed returns from the State of
New Jersey. A temporary termination was given to
the disputes on this subject, by the determination of
the House of Representatives that only one vote out of
the five should be given in the election of speaker.
The choice of that officer was made on the 14th ult.
Several candidates were put in nomination, and, after
eleven trials, the majority fell on Mr. R. M. T. Hun-
ter, a representative of Virginia, who received 119 votes
out of 232, being a clear majority of the whole. His
election was chiefly secured by the union of the Whigs
with the "state right gentlemen of the south." After
the election the debates on the New Jersey disputed
seats proceeded. The discussion precluded the regular
organisation of the house, without which the President
could not proceed to deliver his mesage. Matters re-
mained in the same condition on the evening of the
18th, when the last despatches were received from
Washington. It may, therefore, be some time longer
before we shall receive the accustomed message of the
Executive. During the protracted disputes in the
House of• Representatives, the senate were unable to
proceed to,business.

The news carried out by the steam-ship Liverpool,
which reached New York on the evening of the sth
ultimo, seems to have had a favourable effect upon the
money market. An improvement in the prices of
stocks was the immediate consequence. Shares in the
United States Bank advanced to 79, at New York, and
81, at Philadelphia, at which price they left off on the
the 19th ult. The rate of exchange on England had
• ranged from 109 to 1091. Cotton was arriving in very
large-quantities at the various shipping ports. It was
generally believed that the crop would considerably ex-
ceed all the previous estimates. Much of it would be
forwarded to England at a very early period.

A very severe storm had been experienced along the
eastern coast of the United States, destroying property
and life to an almost unparalleled extent. The hurri-
cane blew down chimneys, unroofed houses, uprooted
trees, and blew over sheds and fences in great abund-
ance. :Vessels were driven ashore, and foundered at
sea, from New York to Maine, and upwards of fifty
lives were lost. The damage could not be fully esti-
mated... By some it was calculated at one million of
dollars. The storm was most severe at Gloucester. At
that place twenty schooners were driven ashore, and
sixteen of these went to pieces. Seventeen dead bo-
dieS drifted ashore soon after. Eighteen schooners
rode out the gale by cutting away the masts.
Several of the banks in various parts of the States
had resumed specie payments, while others were pre-
paring to resume. It was stated that the Philadelphia
banks would resume cash payments either in January
or February.
It is stated in one of the New York papers that within
the three preceding weeks above a million and a half
of woollen, goods had been re-shipped to England.
These shipments it is said, had been made for two rea-
sons. 'First, they would not make a profit; and next,
the parties were fearfu! that the collector would seize
them, as he seized a large portion of woollens that had
been before imported. The difference to the revenue
would be very great.
Most,,of the manufacturing establishments in the
northern and eastern states had suspended work. The
large stocks of goods on hand is assigned as the prin-

cipal cause of the suspension, In addition to this, the
domestic demand was exceedingly dull. Hopes of
speedy improvement were, however, generally enter-
tained. It was thought that the spring trade for both
home and foreign manufactures would be brisk on the
whole.

The prices of produce in general, with the exception
of Flour, were well sustained at New York.
The news from Canada is of more importance than
usual, at least from the Upper Province. The journals
of the Lower Province are chiefly occupied with news
from Europe and political speculations on the pro-
ceedings in the Upper Province. The session of the
Legislature of Upper Canada opened at Toronto on
Tuesday, the 3d of December. The.Governor-General
proceeded in state to the Legislative Council, where he
took his seat on the throne. The members of the

House of Assembly having been summoned in due
form, his Excellency delivered to the two Houses his
opening address, of which the following is a sum-

mary :
His Excellency said he was commanded by the Queen to
assure them of her fixed determination to maintain the con-
nexion subsisting between her North American possessions
and the United Kingdom. He had no grounds for appre-
hending a recurrence of those aggressions on the frontier
which had affixed indelible disgrace on their authors. If,
however, unforeseen circumstances should again call for ex-
exertion, he knew from the past, that, in the zeal and loyalty
of the people of Upper Canada, and in the protection of the
parent state, they possessed ample means of defence, and to
those be should confidently appeal. It would be his duty to
,bring under consideration, at the earliest possible moment,
.-the subject of the legislative re-union of the provinces of
Upper and Lower Canada. The commissioners appointed to
investigate and report upon the manner in which the duties of
the public departments in the province are performed had
already conducted their inquiries to an advanced stage, and
the result would be communicated as soon as they were com-
pleted. His Excellency announced the completion of the
arrangement for opening a steam communication between
Great Britain and her North Ahlerican possessions, wherein
Government had allowed no consideration to interfere with
the paramount object of conducing to the public advantage
and convenience.

On the members of the House of Assembly, his Excel-
lency impressed the importance of an attentive consideration
of the financial condition of the province. It was indispensa-
ble, he said, that measures should be at once adopted fur
enabling the provincial revenue to fulfil its obligations, and
to defray the necessary expenses of the Government. Ile felt
confident, that, by the adoption of measures calculated to
promote the full development of the resources of the coun-
try, the difficulty might be overcome. His Excellency con-
gratulated them upon the resumption of specie payments by

the banks of that province, and upon the guarantee thus af-
forded of the greater security and stability of their pecuniary
transactions. He was commanded, he said, to submit to

them the surrender of the casual and territorial revenues of
the Crown in exchange for a civil list.
His Excellency, in conclusion, addressed himself to both
houses, as follows :

" In assuming the administration of the government of
the provinces, at the present time, I have not disguised from
myself the arduous task which I have undertaken. The
affairs of the Canadas have, for some years back, occupied
much of the attention of the Imperial Parliament and of the
Government; and their settlement upon a firm and compre-
hensive basis admits of no further delay.
" To effect that settlement, upon terms satisfactory to these
provinces, and affording security for their continued con-
nexion with the British Ern► ire, will be my endeavour ; and
I confidently appeal to your wisdom, and to the loyalty and
good sense of the people of this province, to co-operate with
me for the preparation and adoption of such measures as may,
under Divine Providence, restore to this country peace, con-
cord, and prosperity."

. . .
The answer of the Legislature to the address expressed
great satisfaction at the determination of her Majesty to
maintain the communication between the provinces of Ca-
nada and Great Britain, and at the assurance of his Excel-
lency, that he did not apprehend a recurrence of the frontier
aggressions. On the other portions of the address, the Le-
gislature expressed their satisfaction, and determination to
give the subjects recommended to their notice the most de-
liberate consideration.
On Saturday, the 7th of December, the Governor
sent a Message to the Legislative Council, on the sub-
ject of the union of both provinces. The Message
will be found in another column.

A despatch from Lord John Russell, addressed to
the Governor-General, and dated Downing-street,
October 16th, had been received by the latter. The
following are extracts from this document :
" I am," says his lordship, " desirous of directing your
attention to the terms on which public offices, in the gift of
the Crown, appear to be held throughout the British Colo-
nies. I find that the Governor himself, and every person
serving under him, are appointed during the Royal pleasure,
but with this important difference, the Governor's commis-
sion is, in fact, revoked, whenever the interests of the pub-
lic service are supposed to require such a change in the
administration of local affairs ; but the commissions of all
other public oficers are very rarely indeed recalled, except
for positive misconduct. I cannot learn that, during the
present, or the last two reigns, a single instance has occurred
of a change in the subordinate colonial officers, except in
cases of death or resignment, incapacity or misconduct."

After endeavouring to assign a reason for the system of
converting a tenure at pleasure into a tenure for life, which
originated, he thinks, in the practice which formerly pre-
vailed, of selecting all the higher class of colonial function-
aries from persons who were, at the time of their appoint-
ment, resident in this country, but which had, of late years,
been departed from, by preferring, as far as possible, for
places of trust in the colonies, persons resident there, he
declares that "it is time that a different course should be
followed." His lordship then proceeds to state the rule
which will be, hereafter, observed on this subject in Upper

Canada:
" You will understand, and will cause it to be generally
known, that, hereafter, the tenure of colonial offices, held
during her Majesty's pleasure, will not be regarded as equiva-
lent to a tenure during good behaviour ; but that not only
such officers will be called upon to retire from the public ser-

vice, as often as any sufficient motives of public policy may
suggest the expediency of that measure, but that a change in
the person of the Governor will be considered as a sufficient
reason for any alterations which his successor may deem it
expedient to make in the list of public functionaries ; subject,
of course, to the future confirmation of the Sovereign.
" These remarks do not extend to the judicial offices, nor
are they meant to apply to places which arc altogether mi-
nisterial, and which do not devolve upon the holders of them
duties, in the right discharge of which the character and po-
licy of government are directly involved. They are intended
to apply rather to the heads of departments, than to persons
serving as clerks, or in similar capacities under them ; neither
do they extend to officers in the service of the Lords Com-
missioners of the Treasury. The functionaries who will be
chiefly, though not exclusively, affected by them, are the co-
lonial secretary ; the treasurer, or receiver-general ; the go-
vernor-general ; the attorney and solicitor-general ; the
sheriff, or provost marshal; and other officers, who, under
different designations from these, are intrusted with the same
or similar duties. To this list must also be added the mem-
bers of the council, especially in those colonies in which the
Legislative and Executive Councils are distinct bodies."
The changes which the application of the new rule in the
appointment of public functionaries, in Upper Canada, may
render necessary will be made with as little inconvenience as
a due regard to the interests of the public and of individuals
may require. His Lordship says :
" The application of these rules to officers to be hereafter
appointed will be attended with no practical difficulty. It
May not be equally easy to enforce them in the case of ex!
isting officers, and especially of those who may have left this
country for the express purpose of accepting the offices they
at present fill. Every reasonable indulgence may be shown
for the expectations which such personshave been encouraged
to form. But, even in these instances, it will be necessary,
that the right of enforcing these regulations should be dis-
tinctly maintained in practice as well as in theory, as often
as the public good may clearly demand the enforcement of
them. It may not be advisable to compensate any such offi-
cers for their disappointment, even by pecuniary grants,
wwhenthouitt
suchmß aryi
tiaasni: enacdreomumnnmji
indemnity."
to dispense with their services
'
The Commissioners, Colonel Mudge and
Mr. Featherstonhaugh, had completed their survey of
the disputed
They are now on their way to
England
before
the Government the result of
t o lay territory.
their inquiries. Mr. Featherstonhaugh, at a public
dinner given to him, at St. John's (N. 8.), is said, by
the New York Commercial .Advertiser, to have made
use of the following expressions :
" Mr. Featherstonhaugh considers the claim of his own
country founded in justice, and so he will probably inform
his Government. Still, we should infer from the tone of his
remarks that he would incline to a reasonable compromise.
All the difficulty, Mr. F. seems to think, has arisen from the
unfortunate phraseology of the second article of the treaty of
Ghent, in its reference to points, marks, hills, highlands, &c.
which did not, and do not exist. For instance, he says of
the starting point, the North-western angle of Nova Scotia,'
an essential point, we believe, was a sort of point no-point,
an unascertained spot at the time of the trey, as it is at this
day. So of other references in the afor aid article of the
treaty, neither of them, by the way, beiiig novelties in this
controversy. But we will presume no farther upon our me-
mory, for the statement of Mr. Featherstonhaugh's views,
the object of our present writing being simply to prepare our
readers for a report from that gentleman adverse to the in-
terests and claims of the United States."

We have just received our files of the Jamaica Royal
Gazette and Standard to the 7th of December, inclu-
sive. We learn from these papers that a dreadful fire

had occurred at Savanna la Mar, by which thirteen
buildings were destroyed, and a large quantity of pro-
perty consumed. The fire broke out in the store of
Mr. M. J. Segre, senior, and was quickly communi-
cated to the adjoining buildings.. It is to be regretted

at very little of the property destroyed was insured.

It was a fortunate circumstance that the breeze was
constant in one point, the North East, otherwise the
whole town might have been destroyed. The island
was in a state of tranquillity, and nothing had occurred
to disturb the good feeling which existed between the
Governor and the House of Assembly. The Governor
had 'commenced a tour of visits to the different parishes
in the island, and was. every where received with the
greatest enthusiasm. A measure had passed the
House of Assembly for assimilating the currency of
the island to that of Great Britain: This is a practical
reform which was very much wanted, and which seems
to have given general satisfaction.

With respect to the unanimity existing between the
Governor and the House of Assembly, the Standard
has the following remarks:—" The perfect unanimity
at present happily existing between the several branches
of the legislature, and the able and active Manner in
which the Assembly more particularly are conduct-
ing the statutary affairs of the country, leave our
duties unusually light." There seems, from the
journals before us, to be but one spirit animating
the local government—that of acting for the ge-
neral benefit of the island, and thus disappointing
the hopes, and giving the lie to the anticipations
of those enemies of Jamaica, who have too long
succeeded in fostering dissension, and in embroiling
one party after another in endless, and frequently un-
necessary disputes. It is to be hoped that the House
of Assembly and the Governor will continue to act in
the spirit of moderation and mutual forbearance, and
thus secure the future happiness and prosperity of this
important colony. From the recent acts passed in the

House of Assembly, and sanctioned by the Governor,
there is every reason to hope that the trade of Jamaica
will become as prosperous as ever, especially with an
increase in the labouring population from the adoption
of an extended system of immigration.

We have received our files of the Guiana Chronicle,
to the 25th of November, inclusive. They contain se-
veral important documents on the important subject
of immigration, which we shall have, we trust, future
opportunities of inserting. The Court of Policy had
been engaged in long discussions on the subject of an
alteration in the constitution of the Town Council—a
question of much local interest in Demerara. His
Excellency, Governor Light, had issued an ordinance
to make provision for the due maintenance and support
of certain of the infirm and aged labourers, who were
discharged from apprenticeship on the first day of
August, 1838.

The Guiana Chronicle of Nov. 15 contains a copy of
a despatch from Lord John Russell, dated Sept. 23d,
1839, and addressed to Governor Light, for the
guidance of the latter in reference to the Africans cap-
tured by her Majesty's cruizers, in carrying into effect
the act of the Imperial Parliament for the suppression
of the slave trade. From this despatch, and the ac-
companying letters of Lord Palmerston to the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, it appears that in-
structions have been issued to send such vessels to the
nearest British port or settlement, and that the ncgroes
found on board such vessels should be immediately
landed at such port or settlement, and he placed under
the care of the Governor, or other officer in command,
who is to make such arrangements as may be neces-
sary for the care and support of any Africans who,
under such instructions, may be set free in the colony.

The Chronicle contains several advertisements headed
" Labourers Wanted." A dollar per day and lodgings
are offered for those on coffee estates. A great num-
ber of emigrants had been prevented from leaving Bar-
badoes, to proceed to Guiana, by the misrepresentations
of the stipendiary magistrates. This is much to be re-
gretted, as British Guiana only wants an additional
supply of labourers to render it one of the most pros-
perous regions in the world.

Pending the anti-corn-law agitation, we shall feel it

,o be our duty again and again to recur to the subject
cif these laws, for the purpose of showing the fallacies

and exposing the absurdities and inconsistencies of the

advocates for their abolition.

Among the most prominent of the false promises on
which the anti-corn-law agitators base their arguments

we find the gratuitous assumption that the corn-laws

afford the landlords and agriculturists a greater amount

of protection than is enjoyed by the manufacturing
classes. A greater fallacy than this was never uttered

by the most crack-brained political economist that ever
existed. Let us see, in the first place, what is the
amount of protection conferred by the corn laws upon

.hose classes who are most interested in their continu-

ance.

The present duty begins with wheat at 405.,

and goes up to 735. per quarter : the duty commences
at is. with the highest price, advancing, as the price
lowers, to 465. Sd. per quarter, which is, upon the

average, 50 per cent., but, in reality, no such protection
is given, as may be readily proved. The greatest
difference of price of which we are aware between
foreign and British corn, was during the eleven years
from 1815 to 1825—the price in England during the
eleven years being 655., and the price at Dantzic being
40s. 7d. per quarter. The expense of bringing the
Dantzic wheat to our market would be 12s. sd. per
quarter, and the duty 13s. Bd.: but with such a duty
it could not, of course, be profitably introduced, as
there would be a loss of Is. 9d. per quarter. If the
duty advanced to 16s. sd., a loss would accrue to the
importer of 4s. Bd. ; and with a duty of 18s. Bd., there
would be a loss to the importer of 6s. Bd. These rates
of duty down to ls. give an average protection to the
farmer of 9? per cent., 111 per cent., and 131 per cent.,
and this, in reality, is all the protection which the agri-
culturist can possibly possess. This is the extent of
the " monopoly" which, it is alleged, the farmer pos-

sesses. In round numbers the amount of the protect-
ing duties enjoyed by the farmer may be stated at ten
per cent.; and yet it is cooly asserted that " the landed
interests enjoy a protection of from 88 to 100 per
cent." !

We shall proceed to enquire, in the next place, whe
ther the protecting duties on British manufactures be
not, on the whole, greater than those enjoyed by the
farmer. We are prepared to show that the latter en-
joys a much smaller amount of protection than the
former. We begin with the cotton trade. On cotton
goods (plain) there is a duty of 10 per cent. ; on ditto,
part made up, such as stockings, gloves, &c., 20 per
cent. ; on ditto, in rich fancy or best goods, 30 per
cent.—making an average of 20 per cent. The woollen
trade is protected also. Woollen goods (plain) have a
protecting duty of 15 per cent. ; part made up, 20 per
cent.—making an average of 172 per cent. The pro-
tection in the iron trade is still greater. On large
bars of iron the duty is 30s. per ton ; on small bars
and rods it is £5 per ton; and on hoop iron it is £23
15s. per ton. Our coal trade is protected by an im-
port duty of £2 per ton, or upwards of 400 per cent.
The shoe trade is protected with a duty of from 2s.
to 3s. per pair on shoes, and of 4s. 6d. per pair on
boots; and on the blacking to clean them with
there is a duty of £3 12s. per cwt. The straw
bonnet maker is protected with a duty of 20s. per
lb. on straw plait, and the hatter with a duty of
10s. 6d. each on hats. On linen goods there is a
protecting duty of from 21d. to is. 6d. per yard;
on linen yarn, ls. per lb ; matting, 20 per cent ;
thread lace and gauze, 30 per cent. Japanned and
lacquered wares are protected with a duty of 20 per
cent., and on bronze goods there is a duty of 30 per
on ton
white o
leandper
ton on red lead,
per
cent. ' The lead trade is protected with a duty of £2
per tong on pig lead,7
£4
per ton per n a
ton on lead ore. On copper bars there is a duty of
355. per cwt., on manufactured copper 30 per cent.,
blackd,
lead, £
245.6
and on copper ore 12s. per cwt. On earthenware and
plain china there is a duty of 15 per cent., and a duty
of 3 on ornamental china ware. Jewellery] is pro-
tected with a duty of 30 per cent., and buttons with a
duty of 20 per cent. There is a duty on glass of from
20 to 30 per cent ; on artificial flowers, of 25 per cent ;
on pewter ware, 20 per cent; on clocks and watches,
25 per cent. ; on musical instruments, 20 per cent;
on spectacles, &c., 20 per cent; on brass and copper
wire, of £5O per ton ; gilt or plated, £25 per ton ; on
iron wire, £2O per cwt. ; on steel wire, nearly 200 per
cent; on tin wares, 20 per cent.; on leather goods,
such as gearing for horses, harness, &c., 30 per cent.
On manufactured silk fabrics there is a duty of from

2s. to 275. 6d. per lb.. On paper there is a duty of
3d. per lb; best paper, ls. per square yard; millboard,
£3 Bs. 2d. per cwt ; and m parchment, 1138. per dozen
sheets. On boxes and baskets there is a duty of 20
per cent ; on casks, of 30 per cent ; on cordage, of
10s. 9d. per cwt. ; on corks, of 7s. per lb.; on gun-
powder, of £3 per cwt.; and on tobacco pipes, of 30
per cent. These facts, we trust, are sufficient to con-
vince even the most sceptical that the British farmer
is, in truth, less protected than almost any class of
manufacturers in the country. We would ask those
who are engaged in any of the above manufactures
whether they would consent to a remission of the duties
on the importation of articles of the same description
from foreign countries. Are the Anti-Corn-law agi-
tators " doing unto others as they would others should
do unto them," when they demand the removal of the
restrictive duties on the importation of corn, while they
are content to receive the boon of protecting duties on
their own manufactures? If they wish to repeal the
Corn-laws, let them simultaneously petition for the re-
moval of our import duties on foreign manufactures.
We do not say that the legislature ought to listen to
such a prayer. It would be absurd to do so. We
maintain that protection is the only safe policy which
Great Britain can adopt, in reference not only to her
manufactures, but her agriculture also. This is the
only policy by which she can expect to compete suc-
cessfully with foreign powers. The latter only want
capital in order to rival us in every branch of manu-
facturing industry. Give them the advantage of a free
trade in corn with England, and they will very soon
provide themselves with the necessary amount of capi-
tal to compete with our native manufacturers. The
experience of the past eighteen months ought to im-
press this fact upon our minds. The reciprocity system,
if extended to the whole of the continental powers,
would soon drain this country of its gold, and then
what would become of our manufacturers ? It is quite
absurd to imagine that the great powers of the conti-
nent have no interest in fostering and protecting their
own manufactures. Their importance as a source of
revenue would necessarily impel them to do so. If the
manufacturers of Germany and other parts of the Con-
tinent were asked what measure would most effectually
contribute to their prosperity, we believe that the
unhesitating reply would be, " let England repeal the
restrictive duties on the importation of corn." This
would give an impulse to foreign manufactures, such
as they have never yet received ; and the first to com-
plain of the measure, we feel convinced, would be the
manufacturing interests of this country, though it is
very possible that a few of them would realise very
great fortunes by the change : but the advantages they
would derive during the first year or two would very
soon be neutralised by foreign competition.

THE REV. HUGH APNEILE'S
REPLY TO THE RIGHT REV. DR. GILLIS.