Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-02-25

relations and commanding the Government for tho
manner in which the late disturbances had been sup
he adverted to the Corn Law and declared HE
opinion to be STILL as it always had been favor Of
fixed duty, as against sliding scale. The greatest
merit Of the present law was that it approached to the
fixed duty He hoped the country might look for some
further change in the next session. The present law
had this disadvanage-tha instead of placing corn in
the category with other articles Of importation, as
Fixed duty would do it furnished, BY its variable
ture, handle TO the allegation, that Parliament was
egslating for class HIS experience the represen.
Of agricultural county, and his experience as
the representative of great manufacturing town, led
him alike to the result he now maintained.
Mr. Ward thanked Mr.. Walter for the declaration
which he had just made the subject of the Corn
LAVE and which, coming from that honorable member,
was of great Importance to the country. The existing
Corn Law could not stand; the agrcultnralists were
becoming sensible 10 the necessity of changing II; and
in the nufacurug districts the feeling against It was
daily increasing. He had expected, that SIR Il. Peel
would have advanced in the line for which he bad last
session declared his preference aod not have taken his
stand upon the imperfect changes he had already made;
but should SEEM that the Minister was controlled by
those who safe behind him. Undoubtedly, there was
this difficulty in fixed du!y-tha addition CT IS
on each OF The two millions Of quarters imported did
in effect impose of 5s. on every quarter raised at
home but still that matter might be made subject oil
compromise; the law, surely, could not remain where
il now was No farmer, in the present uncertainty OF
the subject, could safely take lease. He did not like
the present position Of Sir R. Peel surrounded by broad
theories but withheld from the practical application Of
them. The little which had as yet been done, would
by MEANS suffice for the reputation of the right no.
norable gentleman.
MIR. Vllliers then asked, whether Sir r. Peel had
meant, in his speech of the preceding night to declare
himself against all change in the corn laws'
Sir R. Peel said, that though in general he thought
i: an objectionable practice to answer questions res.
pectng the future policy of Government, yet on sub
ject of SO much importance this, he would not de.
cline state, Mathe did not contemplate any change IN
the general tenor Of the existing tar. He did not
agree that had failed had there been sufficient
experience of its operation 10 justify the differences Of
its opponents When he heard Mr. Wards observa.
ton about the effect OF fixed duty, he at loss TO
conceive how such duty could be consented 10 by
that honorable member; who had admitted, that tor
$4,000 sterling acquired to the revenue, from the
two millions OF quarters which might be usually import
ed, the country would pay tax OF fcc millions sterling
on the twenty millions Of quarters grown at home
lie mod resist any alteration IN the c1isting lao; he
saw other system which lie thought likely TO work
80 WELL nor had he ever heard OF any proposal which
would give absolute security TO the agricuiurisis
against all change, except indeed total abolition OF
duty, which, TO be sure, would protect them against
further reduction because it would leave nothing 10 be
reduced In what he said, however he desired 10
be understood speaking only his present conviction,
and not as pedgng himsefto ything SO irrational US
under Ill poSSoic ciiCum
Stances of any regulation not involving considerations
Of principle.
The report of the address, was then agreed to.
Sir CHARLES MErcALFE.-The new Governor Ge
neral Of Canada, Sir Charles Metcalfe, and suite will
leave Liverpool in the steamship Columbia, which sails
from this port on the 18th Of March next.
Nlr Drummond, Private Secretary 10 Sir r. Peel,
sho, in the vicinity Of Charing Cross, the 20h
ult. lie died in the course o. five days afterwards.
TERRIBLE HURRICANE, ASD Loss OF LFE.-A de-
vastatng hurricane occurred the 18th. In almost
every part OF the country the barometer fell lower than
it had done for years. Much injury was done to the
shipping Liverpool, and many lives lost. The storm
very destructive in Ireland particularly on the
coast of the county Down. Forty six fishermen belong
ing to New Castle, persisted.
Mr. o Cornell has published o letter to the people
of Ireland, in which he says, 81 able, at present.
without doubt difficulty. 10 announce, that the crisis
has upon us, when if the people of Ireland the
ing majority, the repeal of the Union is al but mme
date, and the commencement OF of Irish
prosperity is at hand
land and France is said TO be the tapis, wherein
both countries concede various duties, and aim at
approach 10 recipTocity-but Judging from the unfor
tunate results OF previous attempts, there is little
to apprehend that the present negotiation will fare
better.
SrArS.-The Regent has dissolved the Cortes, which
strengthened the belief that the spirit of revolt had not
been confined to Barcelona The Cortes are TO
meet in April, till which time the control Of govern
ment will remain with the Regent and his Ministers