The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-05-02

Correspondence Of the Herald.]
DrrptrS Ipt-I.Nn Anril 2 lS1t


To JAMES GORDON BENNETT, ESQ
As you appear to feel some interest in what con-
Germs us morals at this side of the world, am
pleased TO think, that the facilities of intercourse
which now subslss between the two countries, will
allow me to frequently address you, and with that
regularity of communication, which may in part
atone tor any unintentiona deficiency or neglect
upon my part, as TO the extent, or measure of nfor
nation may at any one time send you. A gloom
has lately overcast political horizon at this side
OF the channel-he change of tory rule having
gwen back TO us our former task masters, and resto-
red to us the partial blessings of an Orange ascen-
dency. Though this is an evil of some belief
among us, yet very much question if the burthen
endure has not been fully equalled BY the reign
OF terror, the political and social prescription to
which every man dissenting from wing precepts,
wing duplicity, and the still wild and theoretical
notions, which has distinguished British wing pc.
hey OF later days, to make the sober-thinking-in-
deed every man who has stake or any thing to
lose in this country TO hail the change even such as
1t is special God-senda generous interposition
of Providence in our behalf
All minds, as you may well believe in this part
of the empire, are at this moment engrossed in the
absorbing corn law question before Parliament;
specializing on its probable consequences for good
or for evil TO this country and which diver
sy OF opinion nevertheless exists: the agricultu-
rlsts being reasonably apprehensive of losing mo-
nopoly which they have long enjoyed of the English
markets, whilst the masses led on by the disjonted
fragments of the ultra liberal party, headed by Mr..
Daniel O'Connell, are loud in their demands for
cheap bread, cheap PROVISIONS without taking into
account the difficulties, which such change must
entail upon themselves, in the immediate curtail-
ment of the means, and one only source from which
their own pecunlary supplies must proceed. We
have but one leading interest in this country, the
agricultural, upon which every other of minor
kind depends for its support Clog the wheels of
Its machinery, dry up or lessen its resources and an
immediate Encouragement of entire social sys-
tenn Is the result lis use to say that landlords
and landed proprietors must take warning, and be-
fore the pressure can reach them from without con-
tract and reduce their expenditures to the character
and altered position of the times They cannot do
so Oppressed with difficulties, and in debt them
selves, they have scarcely discretionary power in
the matter, and with very few exceptions, una
bic to follow the suggestions, which prudence and
aproper forecast would otherwise dictate.
Ii has heretofore been the fashion to decry this
body OF men-to represent them as hard headed
selfish and exactinS towards their tenantry. Such
Is not the case have had some experience in such
matters; / know the subject well, and can with
exceptions, ether in your own favored land in
England, or elsewhere, more singleness of heart,
more forbearance, or greater indulgence, than is
shown by the landlords or landed proprietary of Ire
land to their tenantry, and to whom they have al
ready reduced their rents, and with them their own
expenditures TO the lowest possible limit that will
enable them to pay up the annual pecuniary de-
nands upon their estates, and allow themselves to
live. Inns country ls as yet tar behind the present
age, in It's tlllage culture Of the SOIL and regret
to think, that these indugences instead of operating
as stimulus to increased industry and exertion on
the part of the tenant, have very frequently had
contrary effect, and in most instances has rather
operated as bonus TO idleness, and an increased
improvidence in our people, that has always been
distinguished as OF their national charac riscs
Any check which the present bill NAV give TO home
agriculture will be severely felt in this part of the
empire by all classes. A panic in anticipation of
the probable consequences has already seized upon
the farming population OF many of the southern
districts OF the country where have lately visited
An immediate and general demand of reduction
OF forty per cent upon the present rents is be of
the hrst consequences OF dlmlnultion of the price
or value of agricultural produce, by the more gene
raj introduction of foreign grain into British con-
sumption, to be enforced in the event of refusal
by the general non-paynent OF any rents whatsoever
and the establishing OF reign OF blood, and mgnight
terror, throughout all parts OF the country, with
view of lettering landlords from the due enforce
ment of their rights, the recovery of their lands
into their possession by legal process or otherwise
But will the landlords submit to these exactions,
however called for by the exigencies of the times!
Certainly not, except on such estates as may be I'M
ncumbered with debt, other charges and that the
proprietor may make such disposition thereof as he
please. But nearly twothirds of the landed property
OF Ireland splaced under very different circumstan
ces the landlords paving nearly twothlrds of their
annual rental, in interest on money borrowed
the amount OF premium life assurances, as
security to the lender, Qor estates in this coun-
try are generally entaed) in setting out their
children in the world, or perhaps to feed past
a nm
der positive kcompulsion to the reduction of forty
or even thirty per cent upon the present rents whilst
obliged TO meet the last shilling of their own previ-
Gus engagements would be to reduce themselves,
gary and starvation; for habituated to life
of idlenes, they cannot work, much less
in a market which there is every prospect will
be glutted, by an overstock of the poor mans
capital manuel labor The landlords then
will strive to the utmost to avert these difficulties
from their own doors-a deadly strife will com
mence between them and the present occupiers,
who be assured will make common cause, and Of
fer up many human sacrifice, before made to part
with their present all, or quit the possession Of the
land, which is the only stay between them and des
tituton. But speak alphabetically and under an
assumption, that the present bill will have the
effect of deprecang the value of agricultural pro-
duce in this country the standard that is generally
supposed Will be the case. have however my own
misglying on this point and rather believe that the
intended new mode of striking the averages, the
adding SO many other new towns to the former list
from where such averages are to be taken, will pre-
vent that species of gambling which hitherto ena-
bled few corn dealing monopoists to raise the
markets on to-day and depress them on tomorrow,
it may suit their purpose, and thus permit them to
introduce foreign corn into the British market when
ever it might answer their purpose, at duty scarce
ly more than nominal
You will possibly enquire, if that the general OPT
mon of the country anticipates the result that now
speak of, and that the sacrifice iof every Irish ne-
rest will be the inevitable consequence of the pass
ing of the present BILL why it is that the public voice
has not more generally declared itself on subject of
such importance TO the national welfare will
tell you. Because the expression of public opinion,
particularly in the SOUTH except it runs in one beaten
and sckly channel, according to the will of Mr..
O'Connel, and the few remaining dupes of any cha
racter, or property by whom he is still supported,
apart from the Catholic priesthood, and the masses
under their CONTROL is altogether suppressed and UNI
known among us. No individual in this ill-fated
country dare venture to record their sentiments ID