The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-05-22 00:00:00

IMpERI.AL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.WEDNESDAY.
Kr. LINDSAY presented a petition from the linen
mainsfacterers of Scotland against any alteration in the
laws relating to the Lined Trade.—Laid on the table.
Sir W. LEMON presented a petition from the inha-
bitants of a parish in Coruwall,against the Duty on Coals
carries! coastwise.—Laid on the table.
Mr. MANSFIELD presented a petition from Leicer-
ter against the operation of the Warehousing Bill, parti-
cularly as it regards Woollen Cmods.—Laid on the table.
A petition was presented from Poole against the Slave
Trade.—Laid on the table.

CURWEN presemeil a petition fram the agrirnl-
tgists of the county of HachHugon, complaining of the
low price of Tallow, and praying for relict—laid on the
table.

The !Immoral)le Member presented a petilon to the
state effect from the butchers of London.—Laid on the
table.

Lord LOWTHER. presented a petition from the mer-
chants and woollen manufacturers of Kendal, praying
for a repeal of the duties on foreign wool.—Laid on the
table.

Mr. D. SYKES presentel a petition from the ship-
owners of Kingston upon-Ilnli rewecting the duties on
East India Sugar.—Laid on the table.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' ACT.

Mr. PAuutry presented a petition from the inhabi
tants of Barnard Castle against the Insolvent Debtors
Act.—Laid on the table.

Mr. HOBHOUSE presented a similar petition from
3.000 of the merchants and traders of the city of %Vest-
minster. The Hon. Member stated tfeat a meeting bad
been called on the subject, and the general opinion was
that the Insolvent Laws 01Ifilt to be assimilated as clost -
IT as possible to the laws relating, to bankruptcy. They
also wished that there should always be meetings of the
creditors, as in bankruptcy cases. f lie House, he oh-
d, would be surprised to hear that, from the Ist Feb.
to the Ist March, not less than 3000 individuals had taken
the benefit of the Insolvent Debtors' Act. Ile den.e I
that there was e-n eagerne,s on the part of tradesmen to
give credit ; on the contrary, lee was assured that they
had the greatest difficulty in guarding themselves against
persons who wished to get into debt only for the purpose
of afeerwards becoming. Insolvent.—Tlse petition was or-
dered to lie on the table.

Mr. LAMBTON presented a pillion from the inhabi-
tants of a Parish in Durham, against the Stare Trade.—
Laid on the table.

'fife LORD MAYOR pre*ented a petition from the
Silk Manufacturers of Sudbury, against the Silk Itlanu-
facturers' Bill.

Mr. C. CALVERT %dialed that mere time should be
allowed to the Silk Wearers to consider the measure.

Mr. RICARDO thought the Bill extremely n;es-
sary.
Mr. W. SMITH supported the petition, which was or-
dered to lie on the table.

Sir T. ACLAND presented a petition from the Agri-
culturists of a parish in Devonshire, complaining of
Distress, and praying fir relief.—Ordered to he printed.
The 1100. Member presented a petition from the Agri-
culturists of another parish in the same county, against
the Coal Duties.—Laid on the table.

Mr. HART DAVIS presented a petition from the In-
habitants of Bristol against the Duty on Coals carried
coast wise.—Laid on the table.

Captain WEMYSS pres..nted a petition from the Agri-
eniturists of Fife, praying fur an increased duty on Fo-
reign tAllour.
The Hon. Member presented another petition from
certain persons in the saute county, in favour of the
Stamping of Linen Bill.—Laid on the table.
Mr. HUME moved for certain papers relating to the
ease of a person named Butcher, whom he represented to
have experienced oppressive treatment under the Excise
Laws in Scotland.

The WILD ADVOCATE said he would not oppose
the motion, for the papers theinwires woul i afford the
b►st answer to the allegstionsuf the party in question.—
Motion agreed•to.
SPITALFIELDS ACTS.
Mr. F. BUXTON presented a petition signed by
11,000 persona, lithabitaots of Spitalfields, against the
Bill now in progress for altering the Laws relating to
the Silk Trade. He said that the petition had only lain
for signatures three days, when so large a nainber of

Mr. W. SMITH said that all he wanted was time !,
overcome the prejudices of the petitioners. In all 0t1.e7
points he held the 'ame opinioa with the lion. Melnber
for Poriarlington. From the conversation which he
had with many of those petitioners, he found thew to
be reasonable, a.though prejudiced.
Mr. STUART WORTLEY said that the urging the
Bill was against the Standing Orders of the Hougts
which required that any Bill making regulations
trade, should be preceded by an inquiry before a Com-
Inittee up stairs, when the parties in•erested would
have an opportunity of being heard. He ag• fed iu tie
opinions of the Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Huskisun)
and of the Hon. Gentlemen behind ( slr. Ricardo and
Mr. Ilildiin.wl), as to the useful operation of the mea-
sure; but he did nut think any disadvantage could ar:se
from granting time to convince the petitioners that this
Bill was fur their benefit. lie recommended that both'
sides might be examined Wore a Committee •p stair',
as was the case with respect to the regulation for ma-
chinery. and the somping of woollen cloths introduced
into the (Vest Riding of Yorlcsliire.

Mr. PHILLIPS admitted the inconvenience of the
existing Act, but it was fur that very reas,n he ttes!rvkl
time to be given for the due consideration of the tit w

Mr. HUSKISSON said that of all the Ilonouralla
tientlemen who gave their opinions on the Bill, no one
contended against its principle. He often heard com-
plaints from tientlernen from both sides of the lionse,
that Government did not take on itself the responstifty
of introducing new measures ; and yet when they had
taken on themselves to introduce this measure, they
were called on to delay it. lion. Oentlenten were de-
ceived, if they thotight delay in this case no slit be
useful. There was no new matter in the present Bill
requiring inquiry. lie appealed to his Bight Honour-
able Friend near him, whether while he was at the heal
of the B..artd of Trade, this measure was not every
year the subject of discussion at the Board, in the
presence of intliiiduals on both sides? By pestponi-g
the Bill to another Session, they would be only giv'mg
an instance of their own weakt e4s. With respect to
the observation of the Honourable Member for Coven-
try, tamely, that the employees might, if they did
nut like the old law, have their business done in tike
country, where they might also remove their capital,
that was the very argument which showed the re.es-
sity of repealing the existing Act. When that Art was
passed, there were no silk 'manufacturers in the coin-
try, except at Spitalfields; but by the ingenuity and
skill of individuals, they were 'ma- established in many
parrs of theconntry, which would engross the wh,le
trade if this law continued, and the obvious conse-
quence would be, that Spitaltields would be entir,dy de-
serted. On all grounds, and after inquir;es, which be
did not spare himself the trouble of tusking, he was
tonvinced that lie was not doing an injury to any p ries
by the measure be proposed, and he was therefore re-
solved to proceed, but without precipitancy. The re-
ferring the consideration of the measure to a Coro•
mittee up stairs, and the postponing of it to am titer
St salons, would lie thought be prejudicial, loo'h to 6.:
manufacturers and petitioners. By the Spitallieine
Act, when the nitiqer and the journeyman disputed
shout the prices, the Magistrate, who knew nothing
about the business, was to he called in to decide be-
tween them. He agreed with the Honourable Member
for Coventry, that the lams against combination
quired revision and alteralon. They applied to all
parts, but the Act under consideration at present ap-
plied to one particular district, anti be ssuuid not be S.lf-
prised if be saw petitions from all other parts of Lae
country against any alteration.

Mr. CALCRAFT thought it was not admissible to
proceed with the Bill without giving time for Consi-
dering it to those parties who were 'host interested.—
These pettims did not understand the new useasurt a,
anti it was the interest and the duty of the House to
give thew time to see and feel that what was proposed
was entirely for thrir benefit. To enact any tue,sere
that affected to be for the interrsts of either
without consulting them, was preposterous. If a new
law were to be proposed, a diffsreu: enter-e
followe I; but when the Hluse tires shwa re?-aling
regulations under which those persons Ise
thought time ought t.) be allowed them to discuss_ and
understand it.

RICE said that be was revesteil by a most
reep•ctsbk manuf.eturer of silk in Ireland to say,
that the petition was analopotia With. his views. Socii
WAS the 3 Lvsety of the silk tua•:u:actuters io lrcl

en the snhjert of the present Bill, that they prayed to
be entirely exempt from its operation.
Me. F. BUXTON raid that the Standing Orders of
the House re mired that the petitioners might be heard
before the Bill proceeded. He had the anthority of Mc.
Hely, a respectable manufacturer, to state, that within
his time there were not two instances of an appeal to the
Mp_gistratea.
HUSKISSON contended that the Standing Or-
ders of the Honse did wrap* to the preSent cage. The
.prereritHill instead of regulating how trade was to be
carried on, had for its object to set it entirely free.
Mr. ST UA RT WORTLEY explained.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
did not mish to pronounce on the merits :if the Bill t
but as to the Standing Orders of the, House, they, he
believed, were resolvedin imitation of a resolution by'
the House of Lords, that no Bill should be introduced
there, making any regulations in trade without first in-
quiring by a Committee. The Orders in both Houses
were made with a view that no new restraints should be
impaled on trade or manufacture, without bearing the
parties interested, and giving them time for consider-
ation.
Lord MILTON was of opinion that the petitioner
should he beard at the Bar. The Standing Order should
be enforced in the present instance, and the inquiry be
gone into before a Coinmi 'tee.
Mr. ELLICE recommended the propriety of post-
poning the consideration of the subject. The Standing
Order arose from a former circumstance which was not
In any way aisslogons to the present case.
al r. D..BROWNE was of opinion that the Bill should
be deferred.

The petition was then brought up and laid on the
table.

►lr. presented a petition t 3 the same effect
from the tradesmen in the neighbourhood of Spital-
&hi s.

Mr. G. PHILLIPS spoke in support of the Standing
Order twin/ enforced.

Mr WALLACE was perfectly satisfied that the object
of the Standing Order when it was first made, was to
p t any restrictions on trade being carried without
sufficient notice. He hnp-d it would not be acted upon
in the present ease', as it would ha-e the effect of pre-
venting the Rill Acing pass.d in the present Session.—
Every necessary information hid been already obtained,
and there could be nothing further bad by going into a
Committee.

Mr. MA XIV F:LLliesit ited to approve of the principle
of the Bill, and also declared hianself friendly to a mini-
mum of wages throughout the country.
Mr. HUSKISSON repeated his objections to the en-
forrement of the Standing Order.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER ex-
plained.
Sir J. MACINTOSH said that the wordsof the Stand-
ing Order were so conclusive, that they could not admit
of any delih. ration ; lie said that with regret, as he was
most friendly to the Bill going through the House.—
lie could n..t agree with the proposition for a mini-
mum of wares, which an Hon. Member (Mr. Maxwell)
had broached. Why nut propose a minimum of labour,
or a minimotn of rent as well as a 11l i l dooms of wages
—either woul I, in his opinion, be equally absurd and im-
practicable.
Mr. BARING was in favour of the Committee, though
lie wished the Standing Order of the House to be re
pealed. With gr.-at resrct to the Hon. Uent. who moved
v, he must say, it was not the standing order of absolute
wisdom.—(A laueh.)
Mr. HUSKISSON was ansioos to put an end to the
conversation. the Standing Order was passed on the
231 of June 1320, and up to the present hour was never
• nfur. ed ; though the Hononrahle Author of it was con-
stantly in his place in the House. Ile wished that the
order should he referred to a Special Committee to eon-
Oder the propriety of its being enforced, and he would
out press the second reading of the Bill that night.
The petition was then brought up, laid on the table,
and ordered to be printed.
Mr. BYNO presented a petition from the Governors of
the Poor of the Parish of Bethnal-green, against the
Spitalfielda Wearers Bill.
Mr. WHITBREAD presented a petition to the same
effect from the Overseers of the Poor of Mile End New
Town.
After a few words from Mr. D. BROWNE and Mr.
HUSKISSON th• petitions were laid on th- table.
RUSSIAN MARITIME CLAIMS.

Sir JAMES NIACIN FOSlton seeing the Right Hon.
Secretary fur Foreign Affairs in his place, ruse to ask a
question from him on the subject in which the hononr,
he dignity, and the interests of the British nation were
concemed. In the la,t Session be had pnt a question to
the Noble Marquess, then at the heal of Foreign affairs,
respecting the pretensions which Russia was stated to
/avd made to maritime rights over a tract of ocean from
the north west roast of America to the north east coast
of Asia. The Noble Nlarqness then told the House that
Majesty's Government hid protested against the
recornition of any such principle or claim. Since that
tinfe,"howerer, it appeared from the information he had
receive I, that these principles were not only put forth
but absoiotely acted upon on the ocean extending from
Noutka Sound to Japan. It appeared that American
vessels hal not only been warned but driven off, and the
next' step he supposed would be that British vessels
nould receive similar treatment. The questions he
wished to put were whether the British Cabinet had re-
ceived any information of American or other vessels be-
ing warned off in consequence of the enforcement of those
principles ? and, secondly, whether any answer was re.
ceivel to the protest made by the late Marcrtess of Lon.
donderry to the Russian Government ? or it any negoci•
aticins were at present depending between both Cabinets
cm the subject
Mr. CANNING (as we understood .him) said that Go-
vernment had received no official information on the sub-
pa of the 6:st question. With regard to the second, the
sxme protest which was alluded to was renewed at the
Congress of Verona, and since, in the course of conset.
rieations with the Russian Government. •At present ne-
gotiations were depending at St. Petersburg in conse-
quence of instructions sent to the British Minister by the
s. ahinet of this country.
Mr. BROUGHAM inquired from the Honourable
ikronet of the Admiralty (Sir George Cockburn) why
there. was an expeuse for two houses kept up in
Ne 4 Street, Spring Gardens for the service of the Ad-
usiraity ?
Sir EO. COCKBURN sail that one of Admits.' was
retained as an ',thee, and the other was occupied by the
Paymaster of the Marines.
Mr. DIV./UGC/AM still complained of the expense.
Sir GEO. COCKBURN sail that a saving of rent to
the extent of SOW. should be riftcted when the new houses
now in progress would he built. . The expense of the
buildigns would not exceed 5 001)1.
Mr. ELLICE said that the House projected so much in
New-street, that it was **twills:see.
Sir GEORGE COCKRURN said the fact was epic. the
Winsi3 was built p•rpetodicalar, and all the other houses had
given way.—(Loud Laughiog.)
14PRINO RICE presented a petition from the to-n of
itsgaiit complaining of certain charges on the Irish Coasting
Trade. He was anxious, if it was quite consistent with the
ar:lze—tt•L rt..":“.....;:iat the petition should be referred to
the Committee on Vertigo Trade.
Mr. II USKISSON said the attention of the Cotnmittte on
Fganfirn Trade vas given 0 'Wet subject.
Me. ELLICE said before the petition was brought up, he
*lidied to put a question with regard to the charges on ship-
ping is the Colonies. In all Colonies belonging to other
coboteles, the charges did not exceed one shilling a ton.—
Ilitewas maxim to asostutio if his Majesty's ljorirnment