The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-02-06 00:00:00

imprriat Varltament

HOUSE OF LORDS.—THURSDAY.
Parliament was opened by the Queen in pe, son, with the
usual formalities. Her Majesty having arrived at the
House of Lords, and taken her seat on 'the throne, read
the following most gracious speech :
THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.
" My Lords and Gentlemen,
" It affords me great satisfaction again to meet you in
-parliament, and to have the opportunity of profiting by
your assistance and advice.
" I entertain a confident hope that the general peace,
so necessary for the happiness and prosperity of all na-
tions, will continue uninterrupted.
" My friendly relations with the King of the French,
and the good understanding happily established between
my government and that of his Majesty, with the continued
assurances of the peaceful and amicable dispositions of all
Princes and States, confirm me in this expectation.
" I have directed that the treaty which I have concluded
with the Emperor of China shall be laid before you, and I
rejoice to think that it will, in its results, prove highly
advantageous to the trade of this country.
" Throughout the whole course of my negotiations with
the government of China, I have uniformly disclaimed the
wish for any exclusive advantages.
" It has been my desire that equal favour should be
shown to the industry and commercial enterprise of all
nations.
" The hostilities which took place during the past year
in Scinde have led to the annexation of a considerable
portion of that country to the British possessions in the
East.
" In all the military operations, and especially in the
battles of Meanee and Hyderabad, the constancy and va-
lour of the troops, native and European, and the skill
and gallantry of their distinguished commander, have
been most conspicuous.
" I have directed that additional information explana-
tory of the transactions in Scinde shall be forthwith com-
municated to you,
" Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
" The estimates for the ensuing yearwill be immediately
laid before you.
" They have been prepared with a strict regard to eco-
nomy, and at the same time with a due consideration of
those exigencies of the public service which are connected
with the maintenance of our maritime strength, and the
multiplied demands on the naval and military establish-
ments from the various parts of a widely extended
empire.
" My Lords and Gentlemen,
" I congratulate you on the improved condition of se-
veral important branches of the trade and manufactures of
the country.
" I trust that the increased demand for labour has re-
lieved in a comsponding degree many classes of my faith-
ful subjects from sufferings and privations, which at former
periods I have had occasion to deplore.
" For several successive years the annual produce of
the revenue fell short of the public expenditure. I con-
fidently trust, that in the present year the public income
will be amply sufficient to defray the charges upon it.
" I feel assured that in considering all matters connected
with the financial concerns of the country, you will bear in
mind the evil consequences of accumulating debt during
the time of peace, and that you will firmly resolve to up-
hold the public credit, the maintenance of which concerns
equally the permanent interests and the honour and repu-
tation of a great country.
" In the course of the present year the opportunity will
occur of giving notice to the Bank of England on the
subject of the revision of its charter. _ _ _

"It may be advisable that, during this session of par-
liament, and previous to the arrival of the period assigned
for the giving of such notice, the state of the law with
regard to the privileges of the Bank of England, and to
other banking establishments, should be brought under
your consideration.

" At the close of the last session of parliament, I de-
clared to you my firm determination to maintain inviolate
the Legislative Union between Great Britain and Ireland.
" I expressed, at the same time, my earnest desire to
co-operate with parliament in the adoption of all such
measures as might tend to improve the social condition of
Ireland, and to develope the natural resources of that part
of the United Kingdom.
" I am resolved to act in strict conformity with this
declaration.
" I forbear from observations on events in Ireland, in
respect to which proceedings are pending before the proper
legal tribunal.
" My attention has been directed to the state of the law
and practice with regard to the occupation of land in
Ireland.
" I have deemed it advisable to institute extensive local
into a subject of so much importance, and have appointed
a commission with ample authority to coaduct the requisite
investigation.
" I recommend to your early consideration the enact-
ments at present in force in Ireland concerning the regis-
tration of voters for members of parliament.
" You will probably find that a revision of the law of
registration, taken in conjunction with other causes at
present in operation, would produce a material diminution
of the number of county voters, and that it may be ad-
visable on th*t account to consider the state of the law
with a view to the extension of the county franchise in
Ireland.

" I commit to your deliberate consideration the various
important questions of public policy which will' necessarily
come under your review, with full confidence in your
loyalty and wisdom, and with an earnest prayer to Al-
mighty God to direct and favour your efforts to promote
the welfare of all classes of my people."

The eniclrerse in reply tettc epeoela from the
was moved by the Earl of Eldon, who observed that he
occupied a more favourable position than had fallen to
the lot of his predecessors on similar occasions, for they
could do little more than express hopes of better times,
while he had to touch on matters which were almost en-
tirely subjects of congratulation. In reference to Ire-
land, which, though the last topic referred to in her
Majesty's Speech, must almost of necessity be the one
uppermost in their lordship's thoughts, he was delighted
to find that her Majesty was resolved to persevere in ex-
tending strict justice to that country, and be hoped, what-
ever way the pending trials might terminate, should it be
found necessary to arm the executive with additional

powers in order to preserve the peace of the country, that
Parliament would not hesitaie to give them. Amongst
other topics touched upon by the noble earl, he alluded
to the omission from the speech of all notice of the corn
law, from which he inferred and believed that the protec-
tion which they now received would be long extended to
the agriculturist. He also referred to the melancholy
death of Colonel Fawcett who had fallen by the hand of
another officer in the service of her Majesty, who had,
however, been since obliged to quit that service, and ex-
pressed an opinion that some measure ought to be, if
possible, adopted to secure the country from the loss of
valuable servants, to which it was constantly liable.
Lord HILL, in seconding the address, expressed a hope
that her Majesty's Government would be supported by
Irish proprietors in sifting to the bottom the real state of
that country, with a view to measures for the ameliora-
tion of the condition of the people, and for giving stability
to its Protestant institutions.
The Marquis of NORMANBY said he should feel it his
duty, as soon as the state trials should terminate, to sub-
mit for their lordships' consideration a general motion
upon the state of Ireland. If the promise contained in
the speech from the throne, respecting a registration bill,
should be fulfilled in a fair and equitable spirit, it should
have his full and hearty support ; but with respect to the
landlord and tenant commission he must express the
greatest fears, being decidedly of opinion that government
should, upon its own responsibility, have brought in spe-
cific measures to remedy specific evils, instead of ap-
pointing a commission unrestricted in the nature of its
inquiries, and which could only operate as a convenient
reason for the government in resisting any measures pro-
posed by others for the benefit of Ireland while declining
any attempt at legislation themselves.
Lord BROUGHAM said it gave him great satisfaction to
have lived to see the day when an address could be agreed
to in reply to the speech from the throne, in which, with-
out any violation of truth, there was nothing but congra-
tulation from beginning to end. He thought it was wise
to abstain from discussing the affairs of Ireland while the
trials were pending, for in such a debate they would be
necessarily hampered and restrained by a sense of justice
both to the crown and to the traversers, whom they were
bound to •believe innocent until found guilty. If, how-
ever, it should be found necessary to arm the government
with new powers in order to suppress disturbance, he had
no doubt but that parliament would do its first and most
sacred duty, and give any supplementary powers that
might be wanting. The only question would be as to the
necessity; and though willing to give the power, if requi-
site, he would rather arm the government with the power
and the disposition to better the condition of the people
of Ireland—to gain them over rather by paternal mea-
sures than by a display of force, and thus to rescue them
from being the dupes of impostors and deceivers. In re-
ference to the commission of inquiry respecting the state
of land tenure in Ireland, the noble and learned lord al-
luded to the observation of the late Mr. Drummond, that
" property had its duties as well as its rights," and while
admitting its truth, said it was not to be forgotten that
though the rights were of perfect the duties were of im-
perfect obligation ; and however one might regret that a
rich man would not perform his duties towards the poor,
yet it could not be remedied without trenching upon the
inviolable rights of property', which, if once sanctioned,
would totally unhinge society. The noble lord next ad-
verted to our relations with France, warmly eulogising
M. Guizot, as warmly condemning the French opposition,
and that portion of the French press which was endeavour-
ing to fan into a flame the slumbering embers of antipathy
to this country. As regarded America, be condemned
the repudiators who were by their conduct casting discredit
upon popular or republican governments, and related an
anecdote showing that since the repudiation of her debts
by Philadelphia and other states of the union, Americans
in France were ashamed of their country,
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said that if the Speech
contained nothing but, topics of congratulation, it was be-
cause the most important topics were not at all referred
to. He was convinced from the speech that government
had no measure in contemplation for the benefit of Ire-
land during the present session, and he regarded the
commission for inquiring into the state of Ireland as the
most pitiful clap-trap imaginable, for the purpose of do-
lay • while it bad the mischievous effect of disturbing men's
minds in districts which had hitherto been perfectly peace- I
able.
Lord CANIPBELL said that when the state trials should
have terminated, he would have much to say respecting
the manner in which they were instituted, and the man-
ner also in which they were conducted. He complained of
the omissions in the speech, and that no promise was
made of the law reforms which had been under discus-

Lord LYNDHURST said it was his intention to introduce
an Ecclesiastical Courts Bill, and also a Small Debts
Bill. Ile would add that those were not the only measures
of reform which he would introduce to their lordships'
consideration.

After some desultory conversation, the address was
agreed to, and their lordships soon after adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-THURSDAY.

Lord OLIVE moved the address in answer to the royal
speech. The noble lord passed in review the various topics
on which her Majesty had dwelt. He congratulated the
house on the determination expressed to use every exer-
tion to improve the condition of the people of Ireland,
and felt assured that the hone would approve of his ab•
staining, under existing circumstances, from a more direct
allusion to the events that had recently occurred in that
country.
Mr. CARDWELL in seconding the address, followed the
noble lord over the chief topics of the royal speech, dwel-
hng particularly on the improved condition of the people
in the manufacturing districts. He felt assured that our
manufacturers had nothing to fear from competition ; on
the contrary, they had never been more prosperous than
when stimulated by competition. (This declaration was
followed by loud cheers from the opposition.) Mr. Card-
well added that the manufacturers, grateful to Providence
for returning prosperity, felt a confident belief that the
point they had already reached was but a preparatory step
to a more extensive sphere of activity. On sitting down.
the hon. gentleman was warmly cheered by both sides of
the house.
Mr. HUME, after complimenting the noble mover and
the hon. seconder of the Address on the able and most
unobjectionable manner in which they had both spoken,
complained of being obliged to come to a hasty vote in
answer to a Speech of which members wet e not yet even
possessed of a copy. He was prepared to go even farther
than the Address in congratulating the house on tue re-
newed friendly relations with France. He had prepared
an amendment on the subject of Scinde, but as that ques-
tion was so soon to come before the house he should not
now press it. What he complained of most in the Royal
Speech was the absence of any announcement from which
the country might gather the intentions of the government
with respect to the corn. laws. If the present system of
governing Ireland was persevered in, he believed he should
himself end by b coming a repealer. The hon. gentleman
concluded by moving amendments, expressing a regret
that the attention of parliament had not immediately been
directed to the state of the corn-laws, and expressing a
conviction that, with a view to the relief of the people,
large reductions ought to be made in the civil and mili-
tary establishments of the country.
Mr. S. CRAWFORD wished to move an amendment
pledging the house to inquire into the just grievances of
the people before the supplies were voted. One of these
grievances was the inadequate representation of the people
in that house, whence arose class legislation, and many
attendant evils.
Lord J. RUSSELL said he never could give his sanction
to any proceedings by which a minority might attempt to
force certain measures upon the majority by a succession
of obstructive proceedings. With respect to Ireland, he
wished to secure himself against being supposed to ap-
prove of the conduct of government in that country. He
had already given notice of a motion on the subject of
Ireland. On the day fixed for that motion, the trials now
going on in Dublin would probably have been brought to
a close. If not, he should postpone the motion till after
the conclusion of those trials. With respect to China,
he could not now but rejoice that the English government
had not submitted to the ignominy of suffering English-
men to be imprisoned with impunity. He rejoiced at the
friendly terms existing between this country and France.
They (the whigs) had sometimes been reproached with
attaching too much importance to a French alliance.
France was for a time diverted by some Egyptian idol
from her ancient policy of supporting the integrity of
Turkey ; but he rejoiced to find France had returned to
that policy. He had heard with much pleasure the state-
ments of the hon. seconder respecting the improved con-
dition of the manufacturing classes, and he believed him-
self there was no doubt that some solid improvement had
taken place, owing to the reduced price of bread. This
improvement was quite independent of the corn-laws.
On this subject the noble lord said, that in making a
change great caution ought to be observed, and he thought
that those who expressed a much stronger distrust of the
right hon. baronet (Sir R. Peel) than he (Lord J. Rus-
sell) had ever felt, were acting very unreasonably in now
expecting the right hon. baronet to come forward with a
distinct declaration on the subject. He (Lord J. Rus-
sell) should give his cordial support to the Address, and
should vote without hesitation against the proposed
amendment.
Sir R. PEEL, after passing some handsome compliments
to Lord Clive and Mr. Cardwell, for the ability they had
shown that evening, deprecated strongly any attempt on
the part of a small minority to obstruct the business of
the house by repeated motions for adjournment. That
power ought to remain with the minority, but those would
assume a very serious responsibility who attempted to re-
sort to it on a trivial occasion. He thought it advisable
that the address should be drawn up in such general terms
as might make a division unnecessary. A contrary prac-
tiee might give a very unfair advantage to a minister who,
relying on a strong majority, might feel disposed to extort
an important pledge from the House of Commons. On
the subject of France, he believed the house was unani-
mously of opinion that the greatest value ought to be at-
tached to a good understanding with that country, not
merely so for the sake of the two countries themselves,
but it was for the interest of humanity and civilisation
that that good understanding should exist in the most
perfect form. A cordial good feeling between the two
countries however could be maintained only so long as
neither were called on to make any unfair concession. If
there was to be an English party and a French party in
every country, England and France would become a curse
to the world. Passing to the subject of the corn-laws,
the right hon. baronet intimated that her Majesty's go-
vernment had no intention to propose any alteration in
the existing law. Had such an intention existed, it cer-
tainly would have been announced in the speech from the
throne. The total abolition of the corn-laws, he felt sa-
tisfied, would lead to much suffering and distress in the
country ; and if a fixed duty were laid on foreign corn, for
purposes of revenue, it would be found very difficult to
resist the call that would be made for a similar duty op
home-grown corn. The pressure under which a large
portion of the labouring classes were lately suffering had,
he rejoiced to say, been converted into comparative
prosperity, and the revenue had been so far improved
that, where a deficit very recently existed, there was now
a surplus.

Lo.rd PALMERSTON denied that a fixed duty on foreign
corn must be followed by a similar duty on corn grown at
home. Such a principle had never been applied to any
other article of trade. He rejoiced as much as any man
could, at the existence of a cordial good understanding be-
tween this country and France, and it was certainly not
the fault of the government of which he had been a mem-
ber, if any interruption had taken place in that good feel-
ing. If on the eastern question they had differed with
France, they had done so in common with the other great
powers of Europe. The good understanding that existed
between the two countries from 1830 to 1836 had led to
satisfactory results in the Netherlands, in Portugal, and
in Spain, and to the conclusion of a treaty by which the
mutual right of search was conceded. The result of the
present good understanding had been most unsatisfactory
in Spain. and should the right of search be abandoned, the
slave trade would immediately revive under the French
flag. The Message of the President of the United States
on the subject of the Oregon territory awakened serious
apprehensions on his mind, lest undue concessions might
again be made. Rumours had prevailed of an intention
on the part of the goverament to propose large alterations
in our criminal code. If such intention existed, it ought
to have been announced in the Speech from the Throne.
The Address he approved of as it stood, and he should
certainly vote against the proposed amendment.
Mr. ROEBUCK expressed surprise that the present state
of Ireland should be possed over in complete silence, when
such imminent danger existed of a dissolution of unity of
the empire. Such a course of proceeding could not but
excite a strong feeeling in Ireland.
Lord Howrcx thought the very importance of the Irish
question made it desirable that it should not be discussed
on the first night of the session along with a number of
other topics. When the trials now pending were over he
trusted his noble friend would bring the question fully
before the house. The corn laws also were too important
to be discussed incidentally. A fixed duty would be a
compromise between extreme opinions, and perhaps the
time for a compromise was not yet gone by. If, however,
the right hon. baronet resisted all compromise, the only
question that remained would be whether the existing law
should continue, or whether foreign corn should be entirely
free; and if that was to be the only alternative, then he
had no hesitation in declaring himself in favour of free
importation. In the sentiments with respect to foreign
policy to which the right hon. baronet had given expres-
sion, he (Lord Howick) cordially concurred.
Mr. WYSE, after what bad occurred, would not allow
the debate to close without declaring his dissatisfaction
and indignation at the situation in which Ireland had been
placed ; and he considered it the duty of the house, at the
earliest opportunity, to take this question into considera-
tion.

Mr. M. GIBSON considered the amendment of Mr. S.
Crawford well deserving of support. He thought the
right hon. baronet bad done right in making no declaration
pledging himself to the maintenance of the existing corn
law, for the significant speech of the right hon. baronet
could only be understood as an intimation that he was not
at present prepared with any bill on the subject. He (Mr.
Gibson) defied any minister to rise and declare in the name
of the Cabinet a determination to maintain the existing
law.

Sir R. PEEL thought it hardly necessary to protest
against the interpretation put upon his words.
Mr. PLUMPTRE believed that the declaration of the
right hon. baronet would give great satisfaction to the
country.
Mr. !3ROTIIERTON protested against any attempt to stop
the business of the house by vexatious divisions, but in
voting against the amendment he hoped he should not be
understood to vote against an inquiry into the grievances
of the people. He distinctly understood the right hon.
baronet to have declared himself this evening in favour of
the existing law, and it was better that this intention
should at once be declared, than that the delusion should
be kept up that it was likely government would do any.
thing.
Mr. VILLIERS thought the debate had elicited from the
right hon. baronet an acknowledgment that he could not,
In hts present situation, abandon the corn law. The fact
was, the government was not the government of the
crown or the people, but of the landed aristocracy, and the
government did not dare to act otherwise than as that
landed aristocracy' permitted. The lion. gentleman read
long extracts from an article in the Foreign and colonial
Quarterly Review, aaa.cutumented upon the Article at
considerable length, intimating his belief that the article
make the sentiments of the Right Hon. the President of

Mr. GLADSTONE assured the house that he bad never
read even a line of the article referred to.
Sir J. 11 ANMER earnestly hoped the right hon. baronet
would follow up the policy of treating our colonies as in-
tegral parts of the empire.

•
Mr. SCA RLETT spoke strongly in condemnation of the
proceedings of the Anti-Corn-Law League.
Mr. H UME was then understood to withdraw one of
his amendments, and the other was thrown out by 235
against 49.