The Statesman.
London, England, 1815-02-15 00:00:00

ER F,1,1101.0 ESTATES.

• Sir S. ROM I ILI' rose, pursuant to a notice which
he hail given, to move for leave to bring in a Bill to
render the freehold estates of persons dying in deht,
'liable to simple contract debts. The measure, he
said, was precisely similar to one which had passed
that House with a con%iderable majority last Session,
mid therefore it would not be necessary for him to
dwell upon its character at any length. Ile wished,
however, to obviate a few objectious which he had
heard made to the principle of the Bill, and which
he was sure could have arisen only from a misconcep-
tion of its intended operation. The only object of
the Bill was, to give to simple contract creditors the
same remedy against real estates as specialty cre-
ditors now had ; the claims of specialty creditors
being always satisfied. Another objection was, that
the remedy was in equity only, and not in hew ; this
'provision certainly did not arise from any Oredilee-
firm in the Mover to equity cases, but Wcause it
would produce a great diminution of expellee, and a
great check upon vexatious proceedings, for if the'
remedy were in actions they would ultimately be
removed into the Court of Chancery. lie was not
Surprised that ebjections such as these should have
arisen in the minds of individuals who were not pro-
fessionally concerned in the law, but he was greatly
surprised to find them in others who were so con-
'rented. lie could attribute it only to their not
having duly considered the subject. If he should
he so fortunate as carry his measure, he hoped
some other individual, more fortunate than he had
been in his endeavour. to amend our legislative code,
would follow it up by other remedies, which the
general state of our debtor and creditor laws re-
quired. The law in England proceeded upon a most
tertraordinary principle with respect to debtors—a
principle of the greatest rigour against the person of
the debtor, and the greatest lenity towards his pro-
perty. It punished a man for not paying his debts,
and yet left his property, which could pay them un-
touched. Imprisonment for debt too often became
imprisonment for life ; and so far as the late enact-
ments remedied that monstrous evil, they had his
cordial approbation. lie hoped, however, those
enactments would only be the beginning, and would
be followed by others, which would rectify the nu-
merous deficiencies in that part of our laws. While
the case of the debtor was considered, that of the
ezeditor ought also to occupy the attention of Par-
-I;:iment. Ile hoped some means would be devised
to put down, the ninny artifices by which the fair cre.
ditor was now deprived of his just claims. Those
who were opulent and profligate enough, might, as
the law now stood, protract the payment of their
debts by Writs of Error, Mils in Chancery, and va-
rions other sham pleas. He trusted they would not,
by repealing the Insolvent Acts of last Session, being
us back to that barbarous state of the law in which
we were before they were passed. Among tho evils
‘high have been described as flowing from those
Acts, one was, that they diminished credit ; but
paradoxical as it might appear, he confessed he was
not sorry to see that sort of credit which they affect.
-ed, diminished. It was not the great commercial
credit of the country that was touched; it was those
little debts, the facility of contracting which added
much to the general misery and depravity of society.
The destruction of such credit would be beneficial.
The lion. and LArtied Member then concluded with
snoring for leave to bring in a_ Bill to subject the free.
hold estates of persons dying in debt to the claims of
simple contract creditors.
Mr. Serjeant DUI said, it was not his intention
to oppose the 13ill i:t its present stage ; but as he be-
li..veit his Ilonour,b!e and Learned Friend was not
in t, • Ileuse when he gave his notice respecting the
repi.l of the Insolvent Acts, he wished to state that

. .
fromrunningin debt who had no means of satisfy.

ing their creditors. A great error in the Insolvent
Act.uas, that it treated all persons alike--that it

was fts merciful to the hardened rogue as to the most
unfortunate being afire. It would be much better if
_ _

the term of the imprisonment of every debtor were
left to the decision of an honest and upright Judge.
In his opinion the Insolvent Bill had destroyed credit,

not only where it was injurious, but where it was

.. -
eminPntly serviceable, and, indeed, almost indis-
...

pensibie:

Leave was then grawlesi.
Sir S. ILOMILLY Immediately brought le the Bill,
which was read a first time, and ordered to be read a

second time on Monday, and to be printed.
The Indemnity Bill was read a second time, and
ordered to be committed to.niorrow.—Adjourned.

Arr.

Malls.

I)ue

0
1

MICE OF STOCKS THIS
&ink I.sif
per 1.4411. Red. CO}}}
per Cent. Cons.
4 p^r Cents. 811
5 per Cent. Navy 931 i

DAY AT ONK O'CLOCK
Lens. Ann. 16 5-16
India Bondi 13 11 p
Exchequer Mils 5 1 4 p
°minium 31i d •
Ceassirtar Atka elf

THE STATESMAN.

LONDON:
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1915.

Another day's French Papers (to the 13th) have
reached us, bringing letters from Vienna of the Ist inst.
and as inconclusive as ever. Austria is said to have
shown much political judgment in the affair of
Saxony. Ilad not Italy distracted her attention and
called for the presence of her military force in that,
distant quarter, she would doubtless have also shown
much more vigour io resisting the demands of so am-
bitious a rival as Prussia. The Austrian Cabinet is
represented as in perfect accordance with France and
Bavaria. " The interests of England," say the
letters, "are much more complicated; in cons&
quence of which she temporises with Prussia, as
also, possibly, on account of Belgium, and, per•
haps, wishing to erase Sarong from the list of Mo.
narchics." We could wish to:see this proved to be
a calumnious insinuation of the French Press. A
Monarch may do wrong, and may deserve to lose his
throne ; but no nation which has enjoyed, and has a
right to independence, ought to be blotted from the 1
list of independent States. Great Britain can have
no such wish as is imputed to her. She has no sore
ground for such a wish against Saxony than has been
afforded by almost every Continental State. Eternal
infamy would blacken the name of any Negocia-
tor who pretended to represent the majesty, justice,
and will of Great Britain, should he temporise even
for a moment, when the fate of a free, a •brave,
and an independent people was at stake, far teas be
the ready instrument of their transfer to a Govern-
ment whom they detest—a foreign and arbitrary
Government.

We hare also received Brussels and Frankfort
Papers to the 11 th inst., from which we deem it un-
necessary to make many extracts. They contain com-
munications purporting to come from Vienna, stating
that " the affairs of Europe are finally settled," and
designed to inspire us still, vain effort! with confir
deuce in, and high ideas of, the " justice) magoani-

Tun STATESMAN.

it was not his intention by such repeal to bring back mity, and moderation" of the squabbling Congress.
the law to the barbarous state in which it was before. One remark, made for another purpose than to excite
No parson was more an enemy to perpetual impri- laughter, in a laboured article in the Rhenish lifer-
sonmetit for debt than he was ; and indeed, each ri-
cury, must occasion risibility, though we dare say if is
gnur never could be exercised, for temporary Insol-
• vent Acts were frequently passed, and liberated those very true. The writer finds the cause of the Allied
individuals who were so circumstanced. While, Sovereigns' embarrassments in the " unexpectedness
however, he deprecated severe imprisonment for of the victory which made them precipitate the peace."
debt, he did not think it right they should be dis- They had so much good fortune showered upon them,
charged with so trifling a punishment as was now
that they knew not what to do with it, and therefore
substituted. His object, therefore, was to enlarge '
erred—and, like children, they must quarrel about
the proportion of imprisonment. He differed entirely j
the'division, and fly from their engagements. They
from his Honourable and heerned Friend in his view
of the effects of those Bills; and he confessed he , lament that they bound themselves to obserse any
did not wish to see that species of credit broken in terms at all with the kingdoms and states that fell
upon, which was so necessary in the present state of under their power, and are sorry for precipitating
society. ' the peace with France, the Conventions with the
Mr. HORNER expressed his satisfaction at hear- •
ing that the Honourableand Learned Gentleman who Rhenish Confederation, hien sT, &c. Wonderful
had just sat down had no intention to propose a re. consistency and moderation !
peal of the Insolvent Acts, notwithstanding the f An article from ROMP, of the 25th, announces the
hostility which he had on a former occasion avowed departure of part of the garrison of that city for
to the measure. In his opinion nothing could be I
; Forli, and hints the moment to be critical.
more lamentable than that the term of the imprison- •
I he following are from the Dutch Papers :
meta of a debtor should be extended for a single
week, after the complete and satisfactory disclosure ERLANGEN, FED. 3.—The Gazelle of this place
of his property. By the Insolvent Act sufficient contains the following extract, from one of its Cor.
power was given to the Court to continue the debtor's respondents in Vienna In my next I shall at
iimprisonment until such disclosure had taken place. last be able to communicate to you several of the
With respect to the operation which the measure had grand results, for the affairs of Europe are finally
had on the reciprocal credit of inferior shopkeeper's,
settled ; those of Germany, on the other hand, seem
&c. be agreed entirely with his Honourable and
Learned Friend near him, in thinking that effect to be protracted."
highly advantageous to the community; not that he I B %Arlin/Tit, FEe. I.—Our Gazelle contains the
wished to destroy all trust of that description, but following article:—" The Gaaetle,called the Chroni-
merely to set a limit to improvident and indefinite de of the Congress of Vienna, which is published at
cre
Mrdit.. Serjeant BEST explained. He certainly did Frankenthal, in the Palatinate of the Rhine, and
not approve of the principle of the Insolvent Act, which has so frequently been criticised by almost all
although he was satisfied with the manner in which the French and German Journals for its want of
it had been acted upon. veracity, has announced, in its number of the 17th oft
Mr. LOGKIIARX agreed with the principle of the January, on the authority of pretended letters from
measure proposed by the Honourable and Learned Vienna ' that the King of Prussia would receive, as I
Gentleman. He agreed also with the Honourable .
and Learned Gentleman in his apparent intimation, indemnities, 1,200,000 souls in Poland, 400,000 in
that funded property should aho be rendered liable Saxony, Anspach, Bayreuth, and the countries it
to similar purposes. In fact, all property that could t already occupies on the Rhine.'—We are authorised;
be come at, ought, in justice, to be so liable. Ad. ;to contradict this assertion, as far as Anspach and
verting to the Insolvent Act, he contended that it Bayreuth are concerned, and to declare it wholly
had been extremely mischievous. Many persons' false and without foundation."
would never hesitate to run in debt, if they knew
that an imprisonment of three months would ex- lt• 9 JAN. 25.—A part of our garrison has re.
onerate them from their obligations. Unquestionably ceived orders to march towards Forli. We are
the old English law never contemplated imprison- ignorant how the Austrians will act in these critical
ment for life for debt, yet it served to deter persons circumstances.

I The new Legislative measure to regulate the Corn
Trade• as the raising of the price of grain is cal led, is to be
pushed through Parliament with all possible Meaty.
Every thing is to he made to give way to it, even the
CHANCELLOR of the ExertLouen's Plan of Finance.
There is something io this proceeding, particularly
in the measure of reserving the Minister's plan of
taxation till after a Bill is passed to protect the corn-
growers and grain•dealerx, which calls for the vigi-
lant attention of the other classes of the community.
By our report of the proceedings in Parliament, it
will be seen that the House of Commons propose
immediately to enter into the discussion of this int ?.
resting question. It was ordered, on the motion of
M. ROBINSON, that the House should, on Friday
next, resolve into a Committee to consider the Re-
, port of the ComTittee of last Session upon this sub-
ject, in which Committee the Hon. Member an..
nounced his intention of moving certain Resolutions,
upon which it is intended to found the proposition,
or Bill to regulate the Corn Trade. The CHARM.*
Loft of the EXCHEQUER, " in consequence," as he
said, " of the urgency of this question," postponed
anti, Monday the motion of which he had given no.
Lice for Friday, upon the subject of Finance.

We have also to add, as indicative of the activity
now exerted to push this measure forward, that a
numerous Meeting of Official and Country Gentle-
men took place yesterday at Fife-House, to consult
with the Earl of LIVERPOOL on the subject of the
Corn Laws. The consultation lasted about three
hours. We are told that it was strenuously urged
by the Country Gentlemen present, that the high
duty on importation should be recommended to take
place when the average price of corn shall rise to
80s. per quarter; and on this the House is to be
moved on Friday.
It will then be seen how the Committee who have
reported that more information is necessary, and
their Chairman, who has declared that no further
evidence is requisite on the subject, will adjust their
difference of opinion. The concluding words of the
Reports made by the Coro Committees are these :
" They (the Committee) are so fully impressed with
the necessity of producing further evidence upon some
parts of the question, in order to render the inves-
tigation complete, that they cannot avoid anticipating
your Lordships' opinion on the propriety of ru-
suming the enquiry in a future Session, and before
any alteration Lakes place in laws affecting the inte-
rests both of the growers and consumers of corn in
this kingdom."

We do not often full in with the opinions of the
Times, nor does that Journal often honour us by
repeating our sentiments, but that Paper of this
morning has some observations on this topic which
we shall quote, as supplying a remark we meant
to add on the extraordinary consistency and de-
licacy evinced in the proceedings ander conside-
ration. Even the Times, after remarking in the same
terms of astonishment as we expressed yesterday,
in commenting on Earl HARDIVICKEIS declarations,
observes, " If their Lordships have the least re-
gard to consistency, they will certainly adhere to
an opinion with which they were so " fully im-
prettied " half a year ago ; and we .ehoold con-
ceive that they must look on the positive contra-

diction given to them by their late Chairma:l,
this point, as something very near iy approae!,;„, ,
an insult. It is intimated that the different condi:
nations of landholders (for there are many such
public and private) have determined to raiseb,,l
corn to at least eighty shillings a quarter. Now this
is in the teeth of their own evidence, which stater,
on an average, not more than this som as saffide„f
to afford the farmer a living profit under the pretest
rents end taxes. Now, the Property T, r, «t;ich all
farmers justly represent as an intoler,kble griefince, ig
certainly to be taken off: and if flue rents ,sr.. not
lowered, the trading interest will have a right ID
complain of the grossest injustice. We have
entertained or enconraged the extravagant notio,,,f
an absolutely free trade in corn. To say, therefor;
that 80s. a quarter is now to be demanded, is tosil,
that the diminution of the taxes shall have no other
effect than to increase the profits of the farmer anf
the landholder, and ultimately of the latter Mom..
IVe know that importation must be IV stricter], sa
long as the taxes are any thing like their present
amount; but the whole question turns on the more
or less necessity of the restriction; and iO4. a (vim
ter may be enough.to ruin our commercial indostry,
We are perfectly satisfied that 70s. a quarter ills
high a price as the grower can justly claim, or the con.
sumer without grievous hardship can pay.

One remark further illustrative of consistency.
Mr. COBBETT, after recanting his former opinionsoa
I the expediency of the Corn Laws, in his opposition
to the Hampshire Landholder's Petition for a resi,ion
of these laws, makes the following statements. Mr.
COBBETT is himself a farmer. " It is not true that
the expences of a farm are nearly as high as ever:
on the contrary, they are considerably reduced on
almost every item—for instance, wages from lBs.
down to 12s. per • week—bricklayers', carpenters',
smiths', and wheelwrights' bills, one-fourth lower—.
cost of horses, one-third ditto—timber the same—
food for the horses and seed for the land, of course
on a level with the fall in corn." What, then, must
be the favourable consequences when the weight of
the war taxation shall have been removed?

An Ordinance of the King of WIATT.IIBtRO,
dated on the 4th instant, lays down a plan of repre•
sentation for his subjects. The meeting is filed for
the 15th of next month, and is to include the great
Officers of the Crown, certain Nobles and Clergy no.
minated by the King, and Representatives of the
towns chosen by the inhabitants. Every man of
age of 25, and paying au annual tax of 200 florins
real estate, is to have a vote in the election of ire.
presentatives. The elected must be 30 years of age;
And all persons of the three principal sects of
Christianity, Roman, Calvinistic, and Lutheran, are
equally admissible to vote, or to become the objects
of choice.. . . • - .
ft is thought by some that Mr. VANOTTART having
found the War Taxes on British Spirits, Malt, and
Sugar so productive, and that there has not been a
cry against them, they may be made effectual as the
basis of new loans ; that is, that so much of thesi
may be made permanent as will furnish the dividend
for the money to be borrowed this year, and the rest
continued to raise so much within the year. The
enquiry now making at the Customs and Excise is
respect to these temporary duties may haveghten rise
to this opinion. They still talk also of an additive
to the Assessed Taxes—any thing they say except
the Sinking Fund.

An affair of honour which has taken place at
Vienna, between a Member of the Diplomatic Body
and a young Merchant, partner in a distinguished
commercial house, has excited a great sensation, and
furnished a subject for talk ever since in the first
circles of that capital.

The Cambrian, Captain Cooeca, has mtde the
most expeditious voyage ever known to India and
back : she left Portsmouth the 10th of May, 1814,
touched at the Isle of France; delivered a full
cargo at Bombay; shifted two Of her lower mast!;
impressed a new ship's censpany ; took in a full
cargo, 800 tons ; and arrived in the Downs en the
7th instant ; completing the voyage in eight months
and 2.8 days.
FRANKFORT, Faa. s.—The following is the Dr.
claration which was transmitted, by the ci-devard
King of SWEDEN, now calling himself Duke of
HOLSTEIN EUTIN, to Sir SIDNEY SielTil, to be laid
before the Congress at Vienna :

" DECLARATION.
44 Strong in my rights, as well as in the sacred
duties imposed upon me, I have always been as proud
to maintain the first, as scropeloes to discharge the
second. Having been tlie victim of the Revolution
1809, when the Swedish nation thought it
to sacrifice its King to its political interests, my set
of abdication was the consequence. As a prisow,r,
wrote it, and signed it with my name, declaring the
act to be a free and voluntary one. But,•considerin;
the present state of things, I regard it as a duty
to reiterate that Declaration ; incapable of prevari.
eating on my own rights, I would never have
been forced to sign an act contrary to my princirles
and my manner of thinking. I also declare that I
never abdicated in the name of my son, as has been
industriously rumoured in public. I bad no right to
do so : and hence I could not hare done so without
dishonouring myself. But I hope my son Gusrart.•
when he arrives at maturity, will know how to art
in a manner worthy of himself, of his father, and (f
the Swedish nation, which has excluded him from
Throne of Sweden.—Done and signed by me, tio
month of November, in the year of our Lord, 1814.
" GUSTA VUS A DOLPHIN,
" Duke of Holmeifs Eutio."

Count Timms took possession of the Government
of Guadeloupe on the 14th of Dec. and was receivol
with the marks of joy which might naturally be cx•
pected.

On Monday the Court of Assizes of Paris, sr.
swering to our Old Bailey Sessions, was to cum•
mence. The number of prisoners to be tried 0,14
twenl,ll-six I. 'Mat a-contrast to out heavily lade
calendars?

Chairman, 01
rerent COIGN.
many such,
o raise beet,'
Pr. Now hi'
which state,
of so ffideht
• the present
st, clad' all
gricvntire, k
'tits are nat
e a right to
l:are net.,
tot ,f
therefore,
A, is tosil,
ave no other
farmer and
otter alone,
,stricter!, so
heir present
►n the more
104. a 0%,..
at industry,
barter is al
, or the con.
consistency.
opinions on
I opposition
or a resiiioo
news. Mr.
lot true that -
WI as ever:
reduced on
1. from 18s,
carpenters',
rth lower_
the same—
, of course
then, must
weight of
wrxmatßO,
n of repre.
is fined for
the great
Clergy no.
yes of the
man of this
) florins on
on of Rea
ire of age;
1 sects of
thereto, are
the objects
ART having
Malt, and
not been a
itual as the
ch of theft
e dividend
nd tile rest
rear. The
Excise is
e giwen rise
a additioa
say except
place at
oatic Body
tingoished
ation, and
n the first
mode the
India end
ay, 1814,
a full 't
rer misty;
in a full
'OS en the
It months
is the De.
ci-devent
Duke of
.o be laid
the sacred
as proud 1,,
!barge the
elution of
necessary '
t, my tort
srison ^ r, I
hiring the
nosiderin;
s a duty
r pre►ari-
rrer hare
princitles
re that 1
has been
o right In
o without
ow to art
• and tf
fiotn the
me, 01
d, 1814.x•
is Eutin.'
rernmeut
; receitril
y be co•
'aria, Sr'
to
;led
ily lode
I •