The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-03-24 00:00:00

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

On re-consideration we must beg to decline inserting the
letter of " Amhulator." It shall be addressed as requested.
The favour from Sheffield has been received. We shall be
glad to give insertion to the document referred to.
We are afraid that there is no means for abating the nuisance
of which " An Inhabitant" complains.

Ziberpoot Bttatibatti.

TUESDAY MORNING, MARCH 24, 1840.

By the packet-ship Garrick, Captain Palmer, which
arrived here yesterday, we have received New York
papers to the 25th ult., inclusive. They do not, how-
ever, contain any news of importance. The New York
money market presented no new features of any inte-
rest. A moderate amount of business was done in fo-
reign exchanges for the packet. Sales of sterling bills
were made at 81, but some good bills were taken at 71.
The exchange on London was quoted at 71 to S.

The affairs of the Manhattan Bank continued to at-
tract attention, as well as those of the United States
Bank ; but no new facts respecting them had tran-
spired.
The St. Louis Exchange, in New Orleans, had been
destroyed by fire, on the 11th ult. The building cost
upwards of 1,700,000 dollars.
These papers bring us an account of the death of
Mr. Maury, who resided for so many years in Liver-
pool as the American consul. He died at a very ad-
vanced age.
There is no news whatever in the papers before us
from Canada. The same remark applies to the states
of South America.

The following New York Circular of the 25th ult.
will show the state of the markets at the latest date :
New York, 24th February, Monday, p.m.
The continued absence of European advices, our latest
dates from London being only to the 4th of January, has
contributed to prolong the inactivity in mercantile affairs ge-
nerally, to which we have frequent occasion to allude. The
money market is in a very easy position, good business paper
being sought after, both by banks and individuals, at 6 per
cent. per annum. _

There has been no change, since the 12th instant, in the
condition of the Flour market, which is still drooping, al-
though prices have not declined to such an extent as might,
from the circumstances, have been expected. We quote
Western Canal dol. 6-8 to fit per brl. ; Common New York,
Tx oy, &c., 6 to 6-k ; and Southern kinds, 6 to 6}; Richmond
City mills, 64-. Wheat, Southern, 118 to 120 cents per 601bs.
In cotton the transactions have been on the same steady,
moderate scale as for some weeks past, and without any
alteration in prices, excepting that, from the difficulty of
obtaining freight to Liverpool, cottons, in round bales, can
be bought a fraction under our present quotations. Uplands,
very ordinary to middling 7 to 81 cents, fair to good fair and
good 9k to 91 and 10 cents per lb. ; Tennessee and Alabama
7 to 9 cents ; fine Mobiles and Lousianas, &c., 91 to 104
and 11 cents per lb. Sales, since 12th instant, estimated at
5,100 bales.

Ashes, 4i dols. for Pots, and 51 to 5-1 dols. for Pearls, per
100 lbs. ; Rice, 21 to 31 cents per lb. ; Turpentine, 21 to 21
dols. per brl. for North County soft; Tar, 11 to 2 dols. per
brl. ; Flaxseed, clean, 11/ dols. per tierce.
The rates of freight to Liverpool Ito per lb. for Cotton
in square bales, and to in round; Turpentine and Flour
4s. to 4s. 6d. per brl. ; Flaxseed 12s. per tce. To London,
Cotton 1 and 4 per lb.
The rates of exchange on England for the packet of the
19th instant were 108 to 1084 per cent., with only a mode-
rate demand.

For this conveyance the transactions have been rather
more extensive, chiefly at 108 to 108 k ; but at the close sales
of good bills have been made at 1074 to 107 L
Bills on France f. 5.274.
Bank Checks on New Orleans 41 to 44 per cent. discount;
on Mobile 8 to 81; on Savannah 6 ; Augusta 8 to 81 ;
Charleston 34 ; Philadelphia 61 per cent.

We have received our files of the Jamaica Royal
Gazette and of the Jamaica Standard to the 3d. of Fe-
bruary inclusive. The news respecting the internal
condition of the island is of an unsatisfactory character.
The Royal Gazette speaks in the most rapturous terms
of the conduct of the Governor. He continues to earn
for himself golden opinions—to claim the respect and
esteem of all ranks—the love and gratitude of the un-
fortunate. It is said that " his benevolence of heart
and charitable disposition are things on every one's
tongue," and that " he appears to be happy himself,
and takes every opportunity to make those around him
happy also." So far so good. We have no doubt that
the demeanour of Sir Charles Metcalfe justifies these
eulogiums. But what says the Royal Gazette respect-

ing the agricultural prospects of the island ? While it
states that the peasantry are somewhat improved—that
there is less excitement among them—that they appear
more inclined to work—it acknowledges that they are
not to be depended upon for continuous labour, and that
robberies are, unfortunately, too common among them.
Some parties get tolerable work from the labourers ;
others can scarcely get any. On several sugar pro-
perties, which began crop before Christmas, sugar had
been made at an enormous sacrifice ; and on others the
people had been insolent, and struck work. On one
estate, which had been held up as a pattern to all the
rest in the same neighbourhood, and which made an
excellent crop last year, the labourers had obstinately
refused to work.

The Royal Gazette states that it can scarcely give an
opinion as to the introduction of the captured Africans
into the island : it comes to the conclusion, however,
that " as a population must eat, it is to be hoped they
will work, and so increase the cultivation of the island."

The subject of immigration continued to occupy the
attention of all classes, and there was every prospect
that the House of Assembly, after the adjournment,
would introduce some general measure for the purpose
of inducing parties to carry it on with spirit.
A letter from the parish of Manchester says—" I am
convinced that nothing bat immigration can save us.
The exorbitant wages demanded by the people, 1 am
of opinion, is as much owing to the white people as the
labourers." The reason he assigns for this charge is,
that, owing to the scarcity of labour in the market,
parties are in the habit of tempting the labourers from
one estate to another by the offer of higher wages. The
consequence is, that the work is left unfinished in num-
berless instances, owing to this constant competition
between the employers. An abundant supply of la-
bourers would produce a competition of a far different
and more beneficial character—a competition among
the labourers. This would soon bring wages down to
their natural level, and enable proprietors of estates to
carry on their cultivation at a profit.

The papers before us contain a prospectus for the
formation of 3. " Silk Company" in Jamaica. This
project had been introduced by a Mr. Whitmarsh, an
experienced and practical man from America. The
parish of St. Ann had been fixed upon for the first es-
tablishment in connexion with this company. A spot
had been chosen for a mulberry plantation, of good as-
pect and virgin soil, of nearly 400 acres in extent.
This land the company had commenced clearing for
the purpose. The papers speak very enthusiastically
of this project.
We regret to learn that several incendiary fires had
occurred in different parts of the island. This is a
truly alarming symptom of the state of the labouring
population. It is to be hoped that the police force,
which was in course of organization, will prove suffi-
cient to check these and other outrages, which are now
of such frequent recurrence.
The Royal Gazette of January 11 contains an inter-
esting letter " On the utility of establishing a village
in a central part of every parish of Jamaica, to he peo-
pled by British agricultural emigrants." In our next
we shall give copious extracts from this important do-
cument, which opens up a new field for British enter-
prise.

That it is the bounden duty of the State to provide
for the moral and religious instruction of the people,
and to offer to every member of the community the
opportunity of attending the public worship of the
ALMIGHTY, is a truth which few, excepting the avowed
infidel, can have the hardihood to deny. It is equally
true that " the only proper and legitimate instrument,
for the fulfilment of this duty by the State, is that pure
and reformed branch of CHRIST'S Holy Catholic
Church which is established in this kingdom." These
undeniable truths cannot be too frequently or too ear-
nestly forced upon the attention of the people, or too
zealously urged upon the notice of the Legislature. Our
rulers would do well to ponder these momentous pro-
positions. In proportion to the degree of attention be-
stowed upon them will the highest and most ennobling
functions of the legislative office be faithfully dis-
charged, and the best interests of the nation be pro-
moted. If it be true, as is expressly stated in Holy
Writ, that "righteousness exalteth a nation," every
means employed for discouraging vice and immorality,
and for elevating the religious character of the people,
must contribute to the increase of our national happi-
ness, by securing to us that inestimable blessing, with-
out
which no people can permanently prosper, the fa-
your of DIVINE PROVIDENCE. The history of the
Jewish nation, as recorded in the sacred Scriptures,
affords a striking and instructive illustration of the
truth of these remarks. As long as they remained
faithful in their observance of those divinely-appointed
institutions which had been delivered to them through
the hands of Moses ; as long as they continued to sup-
port the public worship of ALMIGHTY Goo, and di-
ligently kept his ordinances ; so long were they exempt
from the molestation of surrounding enemies, and
dwelt in peace and prosperity, " each under his vine
and his fig-tree, none making them afraid." But as
soon as they departed from their fidelity, neglected
their religious duties, and " went seeking after idols,"
the favour and protection of DIVINE PROVIDENCE
was withdrawn from them, the chastising rod was held
over their heads, they became the captive prey of fo-
reign adversaries, or were visited by the still more in-
tolerable scourge of intestine wars and troubles. This
was remarkably the case when the rulers of the people
—the executive government—refused or neglected to
support the worship of the ALMIGHTY, and thus, by
their example, led the people astray. The whole people
were frequently punished for the declension of the
rulers. It were needless to cite instances in proof of
these remarks : they must be familiar to every one at
all conversant with the sacred Scriptures.
Surely, the political history of the Jewish nation
must be written for our edification. It cannot have
been penned merely to gratify our curiosity. That
would be unworthy of a Divine Revelation. It must
have been put on record for some great object. That
object can be none other than the instruction and guid-
ance of all other nations. The judgments with which
the Jews were visited for their departure from the wor-
ship of the ALMIGHTY must be considered as warn-
ings to deter other nations from following such an ex-
ample. Ought we not to pay heed to these solemn
warnings ? Have we any right to expect that the peo-
ple of England will escape those national judgments
which fell upon the Jews, if our rulers and our people
refuse to maintain among us the public worship of the
Almighty ? We can well imagine that the proud scep-
tic and the filthy Socialist will laugh at these conside-
rations ; but they cannot, assuredly, be neglected by
any conscientious Christian, let his creed be what it
may : still less ought they to be disregarded by those
who profess themselves to be members of the Church
of England, who, to be consistent, must acknowledge
that it is a duty obligatory upon the State to maintain
the public worship of ALMIGHTY GoD, and that a
neglect of this duty must entail upon us a national
curse.

It is, in fact, the highest duty of the Legislature to
promote the extension of pure religion. They owe it
to GOD and to their country. The Church of England
is established for national purposes; and it has been
well remarked that " all have a right to demand spi-
ritual instruction in her sanctuaries." The question
here occurs--can all avail themselves of this privilege?
Are there not millions of our countrymen who are ne-
cessarily excluded from our churches for want of ade-
quate accommodation ? The statistical details which
have recently appeared in the columns of the LIVER-
POOL STANDARD afford a conclusive answer to these
questions : but, as the subject cannot be too frequently
or too urgently brought before our readers, we shall
proceed to give a few of the more striking of the proofs
which have been adduced to show the amount of spi-
ritual destitution in the country. This we do in
fulfilment of our promise to agitate the question of
CHURCH EXTENSION, previously to the introduction
of Sir R. H. Inglis's motion before the House of Com-
mons. On this subject there cannot be better advice
given than to "agitate—agitate—agitate."
The roost authentic statement of the deficiency of
church accommodation, will probably be found in the
" Second Report of Her Majesty's Commissioners ap.
pointed to consider the State of the Established
Church." From that document, which is signed as
well by Lord Melbourne and Lord John Russell, as by
the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Lon-
don, we derive the subjoined statistical details.
The report states that " the most prominent of the
defects which cripple the energies of the Established

Church, and circumscribe its usefulness, is the want of

churches and ministers, in the large towi:s and popu-
lous districts of the kingdom." In the rural, or purely

agricultural districts, there is comparatively little com-
plaint made of any deficiency of church room ; the po-
pulation in these districts remaining nearly stationary.
This, however, is not the case with the mineral dis-
tricts and the manufacturing and commercial towns.
In these the growth of the population has been so ra-

pid as to outstrip the means possessed by the Establish-
ment of meeting its spiritual wants. The progress of
trade and commerce has, during the last twenty or

thirty years, caused an immense increase of population
in most of our large towns ; and the result is, that a
very large proportion of the people are left destitute of
the opportunities of public worship and Christian in-

struction, even when every allowance is made for the
exertions of those religious bodies which are not in con-

nexion with the Established Church.

A few facts will serve as illustrations of the preced-
ing remarks. Looking to those parishes only which

contain a population of upwards of 10,000, we find that
in London and its suburbs, including the parishes on

either bank of the Thames, there are four parishes or
districts, with an aggregate population of 166,000, but
with church room for only B,2oo—not quite one-twen-
tieth of the whole. There are twenty•one other dis-

;ricts, the aggregate population of which is 739,000,

while the church room is for 66,155—n0t one-tenth of
the whole. There are nine other districts, with a po-

pulation of 232,000, and church room for 27,327—n0t
one-eighth of the whole. The entire population of
these thirty-four parishes or districts amounts to
1,137,000, while there is church room only for 101,682.
Supposing that church room is required for one-third,
there ought to he sittings for 379,000 persons. There
is, therefore, a deficiency of 277,318 sittings. It would
require at least 200 churches to supply this deficiency.
In the diocese of Chester there are 38 parishes or
districts in Lancashire, each with a population exceed-
ing 10,000, containing an aggregate of 816,000 souls,
with church room for 97,000, or about one-eighth—
the proportion varying in different parishes from one-
sixth to one twenty-third.
In the diocese of York there are 20 parishes or dis-
tricts, each with a population exceeding 10,000, and
.51
with an aggregate of 420,000, while the church accom- io
modation is only for 48,000—the proportions varying
,51
from one-sixth to one-thirtieth.

In the diocese of Lichfield and Coventry there are

6 parishes or districts, each having a population above

10,000, the aggregate being 235,000, with church room
for about 29,000—the proportions varying from one-
sixth to one-fourteenth.

These details are only " samples" of the returns em-
bodied in the report from which they are extracted.
The catalogue might be easily swelled by numerous,
other instances from all parts of the kingdom.
Since the year 1801, the addition to the population
of England and Wales alone has been at least six mil-
lions five hundred thousand, and the whole increase of
church accommodation that has been provided by the
state, within the period, appears, from the " Eighteenth
Report of the Church Building Commissioners," to
amount to 225 churches, affording accommodation to
297,912 persons—or less than one-twentieth of the ad-
ded population. This fact alone speaks volumes in
favour of CHURCH EXTENSION. It should also be
borne in mind, that the increase in the populatiop is
still going on in the same ratio, far outstripping the
means for providing church room, and leaving a greater
number every year without the means of religious in-
struction.

Under these painful circumstances, what must be
done ? Are we to consign nearly one-third of our po-
pulation to the darkness of heathenism ? It is of no
avail to appeal to the voluntary principle as a means
for removing the existing evil. The experience of the
last forty years has proved that the voluntary principle
is totally inadequate of itself to remedy the deficiency.
It has done much, certainly, and might do much more ;
but the assistance of the state is indispensably neces-
sary in order to meet the exigencies of the population.
It is, therefore, incumbent upon all who have the best
and highest interests of the country at heart, to peti-
tion the Legislature to take immediate measures for the
removal of that religious destitution which is now so
prevalent in every part of the kingdom.

Nine weeks have now elapsed since the opening of
Parliament—nine weeks of interminable debate,—and
in what, we ask, have they resulted ? Has any mea-
sure been proposed to relieve the sufferings of a corn-
tnunity, bleeding at every pore, and faint with the
sickness of hope deferred ? Have any great views of
statesmanship been developed ? Has any disposition
been shewn to grapple with the difficulties, financial
and social, which seem closing round us on every
side ? None. We can point to no part of the pro-
ceedings of the House of Commons, during the pre-
sent session, upon which a British subject can pride
himself; hut, on the contrary, we see much to excite
feelings of shame, indignation, and contempt. During
the present session, that House—that reformed house
—has contrived to lower and degrade itself more in
the eyes of the people of England, than any Parliament
since the Commonwealth; and as lovers of the British
Constitution—as friends of rational liberty—we de-
plore and fear the consequences.
Yes, we FEAR the consequences. There is some-
thing in the feeling of apathy with which the proceed-
tugs of the House of Commons are regarded by nine-
tenths of the community, which is sufficient to excite
the fears of any man who has studied the character,
and is acquainted with the temper, of the English
nation. Proud of our liberties, jealous of our rights,
we have always been taught to look up to that House
for succour and for sympathy, in those periods of dif-
ficulty with which Providence visits occasionally every
people; we have always pointed to that House as to
an assembly such as no other nation in the world could
produce; we have ever been taught to consider it BS
the palladium of that " noblest work of man," the
British Constitution ! Do we view it with these feel-
ings now ? Does this great nation, racked with suf'
fering and steeped to the lips in tribulation, its revenue
declining, its commerce crippled, its honour tarnished
—its honour, that possession for the preservation of
which it has lavished blood and treasure almost Meal'
culable :—does this great nation, we ask, hope any'
thing or expect anything from the present House of
Commons ? It does not. The people of England
gaze upon its proceedings—its paltry squabbles, its
insolent pretensions, its strangely-mingled tyranny and
folly—with indifference,—calm, cold, contemptuous
indifference !

Such a feeling is most assuredly not one which 11,
lover of his country and of her institutions shod'
delight to contemplate, for let it be borne in mind that
it is not directed against a party or against an adraini"
stration, but against an entire branch of the legislature
—against a portion, and what has ever been to die
people of England the most valued portion, of tie
Constitution itself. It is not felt by any one part jl
but pervades to a great extent all parties and a
classes, producing, as its results, a want of confidence
in the security of property generally—a doubt of tie
elasticity of the resources of the country—and a
ing indisposition to embark capital and enterprise ip
undertakings, the profitable result of which is dePeri;
dent to any great extent upon future contingeneie
For two years our revenue, our finance, and our CO
merce have been suffering to an unparalleled exteri d
and our embarrassed merchants, manufacturers, su
traders, without a helm to guide or a compass to Woo
er
by, are drifted by every current of Opinion, With op
safe anchorage in prospect. Accustomed to rely' tiPlig
the guidance of a House of Commons represeuti
the interests of all classes, and directing their sYlifep
thies towards the good of all, they are now, Iv to
deprived of that guidance, nay spurning it, readYiritii
i
snatch at the nearest advantage which offers, and,
so
the selfishness of drowning men, to owe their h,
pro!onged safety to the ruin of their suffering nelf:rty
hour. Class is arraying itself against class, Pt of
against wealth, servant against master. The hope c
any returning season of prosperity, which shall diffus s
its benefits over all classes alike, is destroyed bYs s
contemplation of the utter imbecility, the hael
opt
cit.c
venality, and the obdurate heartlessness .he Pre by
House of Commons; and the people are:Jed awaY'able
reckless agitation, in pursuit-of objects. upattain
except by the perpetration ofi `ticeaild'illitirY. it is
Is this, we ask, an overstigerittilic Alas, he tbe
not. 'lie unprincipled agitati.99,,qPbf.:Alf.)ject,_° the
Corn-laWs, carried" by hired: ..le4tggl.:Pr"gs
length and breadth of the. houi,—tbe.ftitil 510'4

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