Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-06-17
FROM OUR EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT
LONDON, MAY %, 1913.

LONDON, MAY 90, ls4e
Mr.. LABoucHERE's proposed alterations in the Br-
fish navigation laws are the following The coast
ing trade and the British fisheries are the only
branches OF the subject which left in their pre-
sent condition All existing restrictions which have
reference TO the importation of the produce of ASIA
Africa, and America from European ports, either in
British or foreign ships, are TO be stricken from tile
statute-book the power being left to impose coun-
tervaing duties on any foreign nation that might
treat British shipping with injustice 1t is also
proposed to admit all ships, built abroad but owned
by British subjects TO British register. With re-
ference TO manning, it not proposed to alter the
law which required that the crews engaged in for
eign trade should consist Of two-thrds in British
seamen, but it intended to admit Lascars in the
character of British on board ships engaged
in the foreign trade. With respect to apprentices,
it was proposed to do away the necessity which
was now imposed upon shipowners Of taking them,
leaving il matter of option to take them or not as
might be preferred. As regards the coasting trade
OF the colonies, it was proposed to reserve it to Bri
tish shipping, in the same manner as the coasting
trade in this country, but to allow each colony to
pass an act, subject to the appreciation Of the home
Government, to throw open its coasting trade to
foreign countries if it thought fit. Messrs RICARDO,
HUME, and MITCHELL spoke in favor Of the mea-
goth instant. The measure is fraught with impor-
tant consequences, and it will receive decided it
may be fatal, opposition in both houses. IF car
ried, it will be another and very important step
In the onward progress of free-trade legislation.
The public health bill is being debated, line after
line, in the House of Commons. The principal
objection against it appears to be, not any denial Of
the necessity for such measure but jealousy of
the corporate authorities of the various cities and
towns OF any governmental interference with their
municipal duties or any direction how those duties
should be performed. The corporation Of London
has taken the lists in direct opposition to the Gov
eminent, and many other large towns have placed
themselves in the same attitude. 1t is very proba-
bic that this highly useful measure, salutary as it
would prove in every sense will be defeated through
this jealousy of the increase of Government power
and patronage. To us it appears to be one of the
comparatively few legitimate subjects to which Go
vernmen is called to direct its attention. 1t is quite
evident from the history of the past that civic au-
thorties and corporate bodies are either unable or
unwilling TO compass the work, and none more so
than those of London. Nothing short of the plague
will rouse these obese sleepyheaded legislators in
to action, since the late miserable season OF disease
and death has failed to do so.
We have rumors now that Sir ROBERT PEEL and
Lord JOHN RUSSELL are about forming coalition
administration, and that nothing is wanting to its
declaration but the final adjustment of persons and
places. We are very doubtful of the durability of
such an administration, particularly if, fear
will be the case it arrays itself against the reform
measure, which is now in the hands of Mr. HUME,
and which will be before Parliament in few days.
The social condition OF England for the next year,
and how much longer no one can tell, will be deter
mined by the result of that debate. More than one
hundred members of Parliament have joined the
new reform party, including not only many men Of
the best talents but ALSO the representatives of
ly all the largest constituencies in the United
Kingdom.
One Of the last remnants Of feudalsm is very
likely to be shortly eradcated from England. CO.
pyhold tenures have long been regarded as feature
of English law very much behind the spirit and
feeling of the age. very decided step has been
taken towards their obliteraton. The example has
been set in Staffordshire, where some Of the lords
of manors have offered very equitable terms of en-
reimbursement to the copyholders. Should these
be accepted, a very unequal and oppressive feudal
tenure will be got rid OF. and considerable add-
tional number Of freeholders created. This would
not do much, but it would do something towards
diminishing arstocratic influence in the county re-
presentation, and would, so far as it went, be a
measure of parliamentary reform.
Thrones and prncipalities and powers seem yet
to be lettering on the Continent. Neither Austria
nor Russia have yet passed their revolutionary or
deal, and what either or both may settle into cannot
at present be foreseen. What is most TO be dread
ed throughout the whole of GERMANY and her cog
nate nations, is the clashing of interests and feelings
of the different tribes and nations who are spread
over her immense surface. Amidst all this great
and general shaking up, if not breaking up, Of all
old kDgly and arstocratical continental institutions,
ENGLAND can scarcely expect to escape unscathed !;
but yet we think that the close of l84s, memorable
as the year will always stand the page of history
for change, will not find the position Of England any
different from what il was recorded being at its
commencement. Change there must and ought 10
be; but il need not be any&ganic one. There are
only wanting those chang eSwhch arise from resto-
ration, and judcious application Of the recupera-
tive energy of first principles, to render England
nearly all which is necessary for the wants and
wishes OF her people, and the permanent promotion
and preservation of all her best interests. The in
dustrious poorer classes Of England have witnessed
the successful struggle of kindred classes abroad
and are every day closer approaching in their feel
ing towards them they see that FRANCE, and PRus
STA, and AUSTRIA have made and are making con-
cessons to the masses of their population and they
expect, patiently and quietly expect, that some
boons, some extensions Of political power and social
privilege, will be granted to them. Government will
not act wisely if i dsapponts these patient and
quiet expectations. Some Of the public journals
accuse the administration Of having carried mea-