Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-06-06
HOUSE OF coMnroMs.

- II
Ia the debate the esd Feb. Mr. Eice Member for Co
veny, presented petitions from the Sk-weayer aud moved
AN inquiry iaio the espedeney prohibiting the Importation of
foreign Silk; which motion he supported by speech and was
Followed the by Mr. Williams the lawyer who din-
shed himself by the acueness of his examination on the
Queens trial. 1, in reply them tina, following
admirable speech was delivered.
The question being put
Mr.. Husksson rose, and addressed the House TO
the following effect The Honorable Member for
Coventry, in the arguments he has just advanced,
Lay naturally be supposed TO be influenced by his
connection with that city, but felt ready to meet
chat circumstance, in the consideration of his speecb
IN order not TO retract from the weight of what he
has said in support of his motion. With respec, to
the last Gentleman who has spoken the seconder
ofthe motion, must suppose that he is under the
influence of some connection more recently formed
Y than that of the Honorable Member for Coventry
CIIear and Laughter Possibly the Honorable and
Learned Gentleman may be in expectation of sue
ceedng to the post Of the former Honorable Mem
ber's colleague. l will, however, examine more
infinitely into the speech which have Just heard,
confess with astonishment, from the Hon and
Learned Gentleman who has just sat down. That
Hon. and Learned Gentleman has allowed himself
TO say, that he not authorised to make certain
statements-not at liberty TO make certain admis-
.ions-in word, he seemed 20 address the House
though he came specially instructed for the oc-
casion; holding such language as was usual and
customary in the Courts of Justice, but which
sounded new and striking in the mouth of Mem
her of that House. With regard 10 the character
which marked the other portion of his speech, the
vehemence of his heated defamation, his unauali-
fled censure and sarcasm-l say, that as respects
those features of his, can with perfect snceritv
assure the House, and the Honorable and Learned
Gentleman himself, that entertain no sentiment of
anger nor any other feelings than those in which
=. H..
entertain sound views this interesting question
and who now, for the first time, hear that Hon.
and Learned Gentleman launching forth his denun-
Citations against the maintenance and advocacy of
general iples-aganst the adoption of philo-
sophical theory-against acceding after DELAY and
crcurNspection, to the universal desire OF every
honest and intelligent in the country, and
yielding to the opinion OF every enlightened man in
Europe Loud cheering.) I le,ve him then.
Sir, In the full enjoyment of all the new light
that has so recently and suddenly broken in up
on him. leave him and his Honorable Friends
around him to digest the tauns and sneers which
the present occasion, has been his pleasure 10
pour forth-asainst course OF measures which his
friends profess TO have been the first to recommend
and for which thay claim tie mert-gCheers.
Now, Sir, beg to say, that in whatever quar-; ems
the statements of the Hon. Member for Coventr;-
may have originated, and more especially if they
be from individuals suffering distress from the
want OF employment, and which want of employ
ment they may conceive may have been caused by
the measures of this House; from whatever QUAR-
tiers, say, they may come, they entitled 10 our
Indulgence. feel, sir, the difficulty in which
am placed in rising address the House in Or
position 10 what it has heard from the mover and
seeonder OF the motion. In opposing it, l nay
seem insensibe or indifferent the distress which
now bears upon so large a portion Of the manu-
lecturers, not only in this branch, but in Others
hp and nod
that was not only mistaken in my views, but that
am insensi5le to the distresses now prevailing
among the manufacturing classes
Mr.. Williams denied having applied the term
insensible to the Right Hon. Gentleman
MIR. HuslSisson Most certainly understood il
TO be so applied. l appeal 10 the House, whether
the Hon. and Learned Gentleman did not, in tbs
whole course of his speech, speak of me as one los
to every thing but desire of maintaining consist.
ency, and the principles formerly proessed at al
sacrifices. | appeal to the House, whether he did
not use quotation applying to the malignant
qualities OF a demon. II is for him to reconcile
his opinions expressed at different times in Parlia
ment, and tor me TO entertain my feelings of utt eI
scorn Tor the accusation Charges have been mad,
against from other quarters, and before si
down shall be able TO repe them, and sheyy th,
House that my conduct, and that of my friend,
around me, has not been such as has been repre-
sented by the Hon. and Learned Member no has
by some strange perversion of understand e. and
indeed, the Hon. Member Tor Coventry has don,
the same, addressed the House upon the subiec
as ii we now heard of it for the first time The,
have gone on in manner which would lead any
One 10 suppose that this very measure was not the
result Of an Act OF Parliament passed 8 month,
back, and which has, in fact become part of the
law OF the land l that, in the view take
OF the speech of the Hon. Member for Coventry
OF which do not complain, and of the speech o
the Hon. and Learned Member who last sat down
OF which do complain, upon the view ! take OF
them, they seem 10 me TO 90 entirely upon this
viz that the principles Of commercial policy vhiel
have prevailed for the last two or three years in
Parliament, and which tend to remove all restric.
tons on commerce, and to give every facility, con-
sistent with vested interest, to the extension oil
manufactures, industry, and the full employment oil
capital, have been the cause Of the present condi
ton of the country. What other view can be IA
ken OF them after all we have heard about recipro.
city, which applies TO every measure which relate.
70 the different circumstances under which manu-
features and trade were carried on, now and here.
toiore. therefore consider the present question
rs, whether we shall, by re-enacting these prohbi.
tons, re-essblish the system of restriction general
ly! Whether we shall tread back all the steps we
have made in advance towards a better system Of
commercial policy? fCheers. II we relrac, in thu,
instance, we must in consistency retrsce all our
oiber steps; nay, we must 60 further and under
PROMOTIONS such as have never been heard Of be
tore. Hear, hear. We shall be obliged to GO
upon system ofslmost total exclusion. Therefore
DO say, that the question is not now simply the
motion before the House, bot, as said before. OF
totally changing its commercial policy. It becomes
-the House before it decides this important question
look little at what has been the cause Of the
Tes sdoptedby Government I shall be cor
r0 b,,s L.. A..