The New York Herald Newspaper, March 20, 1846, Page 1

, Vel, XIL, No. 78 Whele Ho.4291. “THE NEW YORK HE RA LD. NEW YORK, FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 20, 1846. ARRIVAL OF THE STEAMER HIBERNIA, | WT BOSTON. TWENTY-TWO DAYS LATER. Highly Important Intelligence, from the rest, and absorbed much anxiety. These are, the Westminster and the South Not- | tingham contests, the first caused by the appoint- ment of Capt. Rous as a Lord of the Admiralty ; the other by Lord Lincoln’s acceptance of the office | of Chief Secretary of Ireland. The liberal party | brought forward Gen. Evans, of the legion-in-Spain notoriety, who formerly represented the West End, j “a whig and something more,” and whose love for was more ancient than the Captain’s. 5 light in which it was viewed by the Government—Sir Robert Peel presented himeelt as as eight o'clock, at one of the hustings, the moment the sy opened, and tendered hia vote for his Lord of the Admiralty, Captain Rous. The other | Cabinet Ministers and supporters of the Government | in their various localities within Westmiaster, did | the same; and every nerve was strained to make the | Minister’s tavorite the people's choice. But all was | useless. The fiat had gone forth. The democratic Principle amonget the most aristocratic Jeeale in Eu- Tope—in the world—had to be vindicated, and Rous was accordingly sacrificed. The firet hour showed THE EFFECT OF THE REFUSAL OF ARBITRATION, IN ENGLAND. THB ORRGON QUESTION IN FRANCE. THE GREAT DEBATE In the British Parliament, on the CORN LAWS. NEW PROPOSITION FOR THE TOTAL REPEAL _ OF THE CORN LAWS, TERRIBLE BATTLE IN INDIA. KROREASE IN THE BRITISH ARMY. Non Arrival at Liverpool of the Pilot Boat William J. Romer. The Railway Revulsion---Extensive ommercial Failures. Depression in the Cotton Market. PALL IN THE PRICE OF COEN. TIOMCNESS IN THE LONDON MONEY MARKET. The steam ship Hibernia, arrived at Boston at 9 e’clook yesterday morning. She sailed from Liv- erpool om the éth inst. ‘The news is highly important. Jt ws said that despatches, of the greatest import} anoe, have come out in this ship, for the British Minister and our own government. We shall probably soon hear something of their character. Thete bas been a tremendous battle in India. No leas than three thousand British and Native troops Killed, and a reported loss of 90,000 Sikhs. Cotton had slightly declined. ‘The priee of corn had fallen. American affairs continued to absorb the public mind in Englead.and France. There have been several extensive failures in Lon- don and Liverpool. In the latter place one house, Messrs. Stockdale and Sons, the moat extensive soap manufacturers, it issaid, in the world, have suspended payment. Their liabilities are little short of balfa milion of money. The failure was owing to the tightness of the money market, and to their consequent inability to negociate their paper. This great failure has seriously involved several firms, and bas dragged down some smaller houses. ‘The Liverpool Borough Bank suflers to the extent ot more than £100,000, and the result has been to send the shares of that establishment almost to par. ‘The American Minister in London is confined to his house by sickness. Lois Philippe 1s said to be in favor of refernng the Oregon dispute to the arbitration of three Eng- * Geb and three Amencan gentlemen—thus carrying out the idea of Mr. Winthrop, of Massachusetts. ‘The packet ship Patrick Henry had reached Li- verpool, but we oan find no intelligence of the pilot boat Wm. J. Romer. ° The weather in Kogland continued unusually mild, and the effest cannot fail to make itself felt on the growing crops. Vegetation is extremely for- wird. The great debate on Sir Robert Peel’s financial seheme, which extended over three weeks, and af- forded food tor twelve nights’ incessant oratory, was brought to a close on the morning of the 2h ult., by a division which gave the Minister a majo- rity of aincty seven! The eye of the hawk never followed its prey with greater intensity than the pub- lhe, out of doors, have turned to these debates in Parliament. ‘The agitation which is now proceeding in favor of free trade is almost exclusively confined to the walls of Parliament. The people out of doors—the great wees of thinking, intelligent, stirring na- tioa—require no fillip, want no incentive, to wed them to the cause. ‘We annex the monster debate, and its all but monster majonty—a majonty too potent for the landlords to struggla egainst. The safety of the magastre seems to be insured; and our readers, engaged in commeree with England, may rest sat- fefied that Peel’s commercial policy will become the law of the land. There will be wrangling, there will be delay, but there will net, cannot be » @efeat. So says Willmer’s Times. The events of the last few days before the Hi- bernia sailed, show that the House of Lords will swallow the pill ;.with wry faces, it may be, like children taking medicine, but they will gulp it down, from a conviction of its neoessity—com- bined, probably, with a oonvietion, equally strong, ‘that they will be made to do so should they turn restive. Some fears have been expressed that Lord Stan- lay would lead the protectionist forlorn hope in the House of Peers. ‘The affaire of Ireland are absorbed in the con- templation of the great free trade drama, which is now being acted in England. ‘The proceedings in Parliament, a: ising out of the Government scheme for extended trade and com- meree, have been followed by a vanety of political | g; movements, upon which the attention of the coun- tty has been anziously fixed. Amongst the half doten or half score elections which have had their origin in this,cause, twothave stood out par excel- him in a minority; and every hour uatil four in- creased it, when he was nearly 1,000 votes behind his military opponent. The Spanish and English Government, it is said, are about forming a commercial treaty, by which s ish wines and Cuba sugars are to be received iato this country on favorable terms; the manufac- tured goods of England to be admitted into Spain at low rates of duty. The “ Locossoes ” of Berne have gained a great triumph, A majority of 26,000 against 10,000 of the whole people has decided that an assemblie constitu- ante be elected by the 2d of March, tor the drawing up of a new constitution, in place of the existing one, which is too aristocratic. . Father Mathew has published a letter, accompa- nied with specimens of bread and “stirabout,” made from Indian corn. Efforts are now making to introduce this excellent beverage, not only into Ireland, but into the three kingdoms generally, on the plan which marks its use in the United States. Naples has entered into commercial treaties with Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Sardinia. She has ns removed Get peohiicen on the org of pins, allowing it to take place on payment of amo- derate duty. Naples is very fiberally disposed with regard to her tariffs, and, it is said, intends to make very great modifications in them. It will be seen, by referring to th®communication of our Paris correspondent, that the French Cham- bers have voted a sum of money for the settlement ot a line of steamers between Havre and New York, so that when all the projected ‘‘ vapor ships ” are in action, a daily, or at least a semi-weekly mail between Europe and America will have ben se- cured. The spirited and successful maper,:.s of the Halifax mail steamers are building anotner fine ves- sel, to add to their already splendid fleet of steamers. Free trade principles are becoming popular in France. Subscriptions for the distressed Irish have been commenced ai Calcutta. , Baron Von Bulow, Minister to the king of Prus- sia, died at Berlin, receatly. From Prussia we hear, with alarm, that the chole- Ya is raging furiously. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert will, it is said, after her accouchement, visit France. The Duke and Duchess of Nemoirs are to repair to London to accompany them. In one year, sriing 6th January, 1846, 229,241 wheat flour were imported quarters of wheat an into England from Canada. The Grand Duke of Baden having found his chambers intractible, has dissolved them. The op- Position calculate on retaining their majority. According to the German newspapers, there is now raging in eeveral‘parts of Russia a violent dis- ease among cattle, similar in every respect to the cholera. The Apstrian Lioyd’s Co. have 20 steamers, whose total force amounts to 7900 tons, and 2000 horse pow- er. The least is 40-horse power, andthe largest 160-horse power. ’ Prerarations ron Wan.—Whether or not we ave to have war, great preparations are made for it. The army is to be increased 10,000 men ; the militia ate to be in readiness for immediate a peep the ordinance corps are to receive an accession of 1500 men; the royal marines 2.500 men; and the land regiments of the line 6,000. The increase in the navy will be about 1,000 men. Agnivats rrom THE Unitep Srates.—The steamship Hibernia arrived here on her homeward voyage trem Boston, on the 14th ultimo, after a ere dd of 13 days. Sue was sueceeded, on the 23d the Queen of the West, whose news was antici- pated bythe steamer. On the 27th, the Sheridan, with five days later news, arrived, anticipating the Oxford, ot the 2nd, which arrived on the fol- lowing day, the 28th. On the 21 inst, at2 30P M, the Patrick Henry, Capt Delano, put us in posses- sion of dates to the 9th ult., after a rough vo) - Atthe time of our going to press we have bo news of the clipper schooner “ William J. Romer,” which sailedjwith the Patrick Henry, and uf which we find so much said in the New York papere of the 9h. The Patrick Henry has fairly beaten her.— The important news by the Patrick Henry was for- warded immediate'y to London by our exprese, and reached there in 64 hours after the vessel entered the river: our messenger making up the news tor pub- heatioa whilst travelling up. It is worth remark, that the same dates trom New York arrived in Lon- don in one hour afterwards, via. Havre, by the “St. Nicholas,” arrived at that port on the 23h‘ult., and which veseel sailed in company with the Patrick Henry and the clipper schooner. To the captains and consignees of all the vessels we tender our best thanks for the prompt delivery of our papers.—Wilmer’s Times, March 4. The Effect the Refusal of Arbitration Pro- daced in Engtand. [From Wilmer’s Times, March ‘}, ‘The scarcity of money has been making itself felt in the cotton market. During the last fortnight the market has been dull, with receding prices,and matters would have remained in this lethargic state, had it not been for the arrival, on Monday, of the Patrick Henry, which sailed on the 6th, an rought the President’s <page to Con- gress, and the correspondence between the British and American ministers relative to the Oregon.— question has taken has The turn which this vexed Kmapmios! i See epee sent te Soiener | measures present government wouldpave tacilitated the settlement ‘of the dispute, on a ““The covtoa market edvanced d on some descriptions an eighth when the belligerent Perport of tie id viees by the packet transpired. peremptory the American Government to submit the westion to arbitration, on the ground that it would by recognize the rights of the British Govern- ment to aportion of Oregon, is regarded as puerile, not to say insulting. These rights have :been lon; acknowledged by treaty between the parties, and it is held as being too Inte in the day to erase a bond which negotiators, on both sides of the Atlantic, have combined to feapeet. The friends of that the arbitration—the most satisfac- peace tory mode of settling amicably a controverted claim should have been so ubbtencatoualy rejected; and its effect upon the cotton market has been, as we have stated | to make it more decidedly firm. The pilot-boat, William J. Romer, which sailed in com- Ry, with the Patrick Henry, has not yet arrived. — is said to be the bearer of Mr. Pakenham’s de- spatches to the British Government. The packet experienced heavy weather, otherwise it is probable that the miniature craft might have cnt a more re- epectable figure in the race. ‘The Great Battle in India. Our columns to-day contain a record of two terri- ic battles, in which the British troops have been en- saa The Sikhs, it will be seen, fir wed aro i se'SO tN, wiht hen rom 60, to 80,000, with a mdi park of artillery, double that of the English, and " British territory, to measure strength ith our fo The fighting Jasted three days, the carnage was dreadful. Our forces only amounted, British and native, to 20,000, out of which we lost nearly 4000. Several distinguished officers fell, bagaast others the brave veteran, Sir Robert Sale. Sikh generals commi some sad blunders ; and our own troops, there is reason to believe, owe the victory to that indomita- ble pluck which never knows when it is beaten, ra- ther than to the science or skill of the leaders who commanded them. ¢ man@uvring on the part of Sir Hugh Gough and Sir Hen linge seems have oes indifferent. ee $5 But the British bayonet did the busi: al h thereby ont the officers we have named are not against censure. The Sikhs, it is clear, as 8 scipline and courage, are far superior to the ene- = with whom we have mostly to deal in In- ia, | Sir George Clarke, dinge, Gove: General of India, was misled es to the intentions of the The uent di hes from Bi L THK BRITISH PARLIAMENT. ‘The Great Debate—The New Commercial Policy of England—Majority for Ministers. We give below the brilliant speech of Sir Robert Peel in favor of his new financial measure’. He spoke nearly three hours, but all the points will be | found preserved in our condensation. During the twelve nights’ debate, there were 108 speakers, 43 of whom advocated free trade, and 55 protection. Nearly all the talent of the house was in favor of the tree trade 'y, and foremost amongst the speakers on that side were Lord John Russell, Sir James Graham, Lord Morpeth, Mr. Cobden, Mr. Bright, r, ‘Villiers, Mr. Goulburn, a Mr. Sydney Herbert. The most effective speaker on the other side was Mr, Disraeli. Sir Roser Peat rose and said, two matters had ner in which a party should be conducted ; the other, the measures by which the gontingency, of a great public calamity should be mitigated, and the princi- ples by which the commercial policy of a great em- Pire should for the future be governed. On the firet point the greatest part of the debate had turned; he did not undervalue its importance, but surely it was subordinate to the second. On the party question he had little defence to make; he would admit at once that the measures he had brought forward were the very worst measures for party interest that could have'been brought forward by him. He considered it unfortunate that the conduct of the measure, in so far as the corn. were concerned, should have fallen into his 3 but that which prevented its committal to other hands was the firm conviction under which Ministers labored that a part of this empire was threatened wits reat calamity. He had firmly believed, he sti id firmly believe, that there is impending over the country, and there will come at no remote period, a calamity that they would all deplore. When he was compelled toaban- don the hope of averting the threatened danger, and of bringing the question to a settlement, he took the earliest opportunity he consistently could of tender- ing his resignation to the Queen. ‘I offered no opinion as to the choice of a successor. That is al- most the only act which is the personal act of the Sovereign ; it is for the Sovereign to determine in whom her confidence ought to be placed. It wasmy duty to ascertain, in consequence of the request of the Queen, whether those of my colleagues who had dissented trom me were either themselves prepared to form a government, or to advise her Maj > if they themselves were not prepared, to submit to other hands the formation of a goverament—mean- ing by other hands, those who were favorable to the maintenance of the existing corn:law.” Those who diflered from Sir Robert in the views he entertain- ed did not think it advisable to form a government ; and her Majesty determined to call upon Lord John Russell to undertake the task. ‘“ firm belief was, that the noble Lord woul: ha n enabled to undertake that duty ; my firm persuasion was— the noble Lord will excuse me le saying so—my firm persuasion was, that he would have succeeded it he had undertaken it. I must say, the noble Lord did disappoint me when he did not at once unser- take the formation of a government on the principle of adjusting this question. I knew all the difficul- ties with which any man would have to contend who unuertook the conduct of the government. 1] knew there must be a great dislocation of parties. 1 thought it unfair and dishonorable, under the impres- sion that the noble Lord would be the Minister, not to take these steps which I thought would diminiah his embarrassments.” In the former explanation ot the Ministerial changes, Lord John Russell had read one letter, and stated that there were other letters of whieh he had no copies ; since one of these let- ters had been referred to as of primary importance, Sir Robert felt it his duty to read that also. On the Sth of December, two days after his resignation of office, and after hearing that Lord John Russell was tojbe his successor, he wrote, in bis privat- capaci- ty, the tollowing communication to the Queen :— i Wuitewatt, Dec. 8, 1845. “Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty; and, influenced by no other motive than the desire to contribute, if possible, to the re- lief ot your Majesty from embarrassment, and to the protection ot the public inierests from injury, 18 induced to make to your Majesry this confidential communication explanatory of Sir Robert Peel’s position and intentions with regard to the great ques- tion which is now agitating the public mind. je “Your Maj can, if you think fit, make this communication known to the Minister who, as suc- cessor to Sir Robert Peel, may be honored by your Majesty’s confidence. i “Oa the first of November last, Sir Robert Peel advised his col on account of the jing accounts from Ireland, and many districts 1n this country, as to the failure of the potato crop trom dis- ease, and for the purpose of guarding against con- panne which, in his opinion, were not impro- bable, humbly to recommend to your Majesty that the duties on the import of foreign grain should be suspended fora limited period, either by order in council or by legislative enacunent; Parliament in either case being summoned without delay. : “Sir Robert Peel foresaw that this suspension, fully justified by the tenor of the report to which he has referred, would compel, during the inter- ve of suspension, the re-consideration of the Corn laws. _ “If the opinions of his colleagues had then been in concurrence with his own, he was fully prepared to take the responsibility of suspension; and of the necessary consequence of suspension—a compre- hensive review of the laws imposing restrictions ‘on the import of foreign grain and other articles of food, witha view to their gradual diminution and ultimate removal. _ e “Sir Robert Peel is prepared to suppor t, in a pri- vate capacity, measures which may be in general conformity with those which he advised as a Mi- nuster. “It would be unbecoming in Sir Robert Peel to make any reference to the deiails of such mea- sures. “Your Majesty has been good enough to inform Sir Robert Peel that it is your intention to propose to Lord John Russell to undertake the formation of @ government. ; “ ‘The principle on which Sir Robert Peel was pared to recommend the re-consideration of the jawe affecting the}:mport of the main articles of food, was in general accordance with that referred to in the concludin ph of Lord John Russell’s letter to the electors ot the city ot London. “Sir Robert Peel wished to accompany the remo- val of restriction on the admission ot such articles with reliet to the land -from such charges as are un- duly onerous, and with such other provisions as, in the tetms of Lord John Russell's leger, ‘caution and even scrupulous forbearance may suggest.’ a“*Sir Robert Peel’ will support measures found- ed on that general principle, and will exercise any influence he may possess to promote their success.” Anticipating that a difficulty might be felt by Lord John Russell en being called upon to under- take office when an increased expenditure would be required, thus exposing his financial position to an unfavorable contrast with that ot his predecessor, Sir Robert added the following assurance :— “Sir Robert Peel feels it to be his duty toadd, that, should your Majesty’s future advisers, alter consideration. ot the heavy demands made upon the army ot the country for colonial service, of our re- lations with the United States, and of the bearing which steam Lp th may have upon maratime wartare and the detence of the country, deem it ad- visable to ky pee an addition to the army and in- creased navaland military estimates, Sir Robert Peel will su; the proposal; will do all that he can to prevent it being considered indicative of hostile or altered feelings tcwards France; and will assume forthe increase in question any ree of ibility, present or prospective, which can fairly attach Yo him.” eh i “Now,” continued Sir Robert, “when it is charged on me that I am robbing others of the cre- dit which is justly due to them, [hope toat the ex- tion which I have now given, ot the course | pursued when | was acting under the firmest per- suasion that the adjustment of tnis question would be committed to others, may tend to prove that I was not desirous of robbing others of the credit of settling this question, or ot trying to embarrass their course.” (Much cheering.) Other commu- nications had passed during the ministerial negoti- tions ; and it was pro; to put him in 10 venn Comal ve mean je yg tas john Russell, to arrange the question ; but Sir bert thought it better that he should net be made acquainted with such particulars. ‘“ { thought that my know! of them, or any appearance of con- cert between the noble lord and myself, would have the tendency rather to prejudice than promote the adjustment of this question. I theretore declined to receive the communication of those details ; but I think that the noble lord must have been satistied, that though | declined to concert the measures with him, yet it was my intention to give to the noble lord in the adjustment ot ts question, according to his views of public policy, that same cordial support which it is his boast he now intends to give me. believe that must have.been the im ion of the noble lord—(Hear, hear! trom Lord John Russell) —because, after communications with me, the no- ble lord undertook the tormation of a | bea > ; and J am sure that the noble lord will admit that no act of mine caused the failare of the nodie lord’s attempt, and that I was in no way concerned in th Teasons which induced the noble lord finally | occupied the attention of the House: one, the man- | t | w| | course which I have pursued with respect to those | who had been hitherto opposed. eg I never made inquiry as to who should constitute the new geWroment; [had no personal objections of any kind. My belief was that this question ought justment by my vote, agd by th | ever influence Lcould command.” As to the party | who had so long given him their support, it was na- tural that they should withdraw their confidence, | acting as he had done at variance with the esta- | blished principles on which party isusually conduct- ed. But he would ask them, was it probable he would have sacrificed their tavorable opinion and support unless influenced by the highest considera- tions of public duty? He ought toknow the mo- 3 of his party ; and he believed that there never existed a party in: eed by more honorable and disinterested feelin; This testimony was due to them. But for himself he must say, let the conse- quences be what they may, they could not rob him of the conviction that the adviee which he hac given was eonsistent with ail the due obligations which party could impose. ‘‘I know what would have conciliated temporary confidence. It would have been to underrate the danger in Ireland—to invite an united combination for the maintenance of the existing law—to talk about hoisting the Mug of pro- tection for native industry—(cheers and laughter)— to insist that. ugricultural protection should be maintained in al its integrity. By such a course I should have beeu sure to coneiliate temporary confidence ; but the month of May would Not arrive without demonstrating that I had thereby bandoned my duty to my Gee to my Sover- eign, and even to party. (Loud cheers.) [ had and have the firm persuasion, that in the present temper of the public mind, the state of public feeling and of public opinion with respect to the Corn-laws, in- lependently of all adventitious circumstances,makes the defence of those Corn-laws difficult enough.— Yet I have the firmest persuasion, that if that calam- ity which I foresee to Jreland should arrive, and if ie battle had to be fought for maintaining untouch- ed the present Corn-laws, and for permitting a state of law to exist whereby a duty of 17s. attaches to the import of toreign wheat, such a degree of odium would have attached to the landed interests, if that battle had been fought, as would have done them the greatest injury.” What were the facts which came under the cognizance of the Secretary of State forthe Home Department? Why, that in one part of the empire four millions of the Queen’s sub- jects were dependent on a certain article of food for subsistence, and that disease had seized that article. The government saw, at the distance of three or four months, the gaunt forms of famine and disease following in the train ot famine. “I will refer to some documents, if the subject is not distasteful, as it seemed to be when { last mention- ed it; for you appeared to dislike a reference to let- ters, and turned away from communications. But it is absolutely necessary, before you come to a fi- nal decision on this question,that you should under- stand this Irish case. (Cheers.) You must do so. (Renewed cheers.) I cannot conciliate your confi- dence by any expression of regret for the course [ havetaken. So far from it, I declare in the face of this House, that that day in my public life which I look back on with the greatest satisfaction and pride is that Ist of November last, when I was ready to take the responsibility of issuing an order in Coun- cil to open the ports, trusting to you for an approval of that step. (Loud cheers ) I wished then, that by the first packet which sailed after the first of No vember, the news might have age forth that the ports were open. The primary object of such a mea- sure, of course, would have been to increase the supply ot food, and to take the precautions against famine, although other collateral advantages might have flowed from it. I think that the best step then to have taken would have been to open the ports— and, supposing that our anticipations had proved aaatbenr ny. pe that we had formed a false es- timate of this danger—I believe that the generosity ot Parliament would have protected us from harm.” (Cries of “Hear,” “hear,” from the Protection benches) Sir Robert read letters which had been received by the last two mails from Ireland, not from official authorities, but from men from whose statements there could not be the slightest pretence of withholding confidence. The first letter was ad- dressed to himself by Sir David Roche, formerly members ¥ Limerick, dated Carass, near Lime- tick, February 11th. Sir David Roche stated, that at one time he was disposed to think that the part of the potatoe crop which appeared sound Long Lae frogs would have continued so; but he found he was in greater was now ob! to be given to pigs ani attler to sa owners from total loss. Sir David added doubt, for six or seven weeks, while the remains of the potatees last, destitution will not be general; but [pray you, sir, look toitin time.” The next letter contained the resuit of a very minute investigation made by Mr.JW. W. Hemsworth, sub-inspector of police, stationed at Stradbally, Queen’s County, in- to the condition of one hundred and ninety families living in that neighborhood. In his enquiries the officer was accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Emerson, the minister of the parish. The result 1s thus stated —Many families whom we visited, and who had planted sufficient for their ordinary wants, including the seed necessary for the ensuing season, have not had a potatoe of any kind for the last month.” {*Observe,” exclaimed Sir Robert Peel, “this is in the month of February—tive months at least before there can be any supply from the natural bounty of Providence.”} “Others have lost nearly all; and the few that still remain are totally unfit tor human food. In every instance where we saw potatoes in pits in the fields, we had them examined, and with scarcely an exception, we found them to be a mass of putrefaction, perfectly disgusting even to look at.” ‘Te third letter was from Lord Stuart de Decies, the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Wateriord. Among other particulars it mentioned this—That in two districts alone of the union in question there are,even at this early period of the year, no less than three’hundred persons whose stores of provi- sions are upon the point of becoming exhausted.” Lord Stuart suggested, “that much good met be effected in keeping down Prices By the establish- ment of Government corn-stores, from which grain might be purchased at firat cost price.” Tue fourth letter was from Mr. Thomas Dillon, of Cahirciveen, aresident magistrate; it etated, that having gone round his district within the last ten dayv, he had opportunities not only of hearing but of witnessi the destruction which had been committed, ani whieh was gaining ground rapidly. Mr. Dillon added, that he almost jelt counfggnded at the diffi- culty that must exist in _ procuring a sufficiency of good seed for the ensuing crop. Sir Robert next quoted an official return from the highest authority, embracing particulars from every electoral district, with the exception of ninety-nine. The facts were —that “‘in four electoral divisions the loss ot pota- toes has been nearly nine-tenths of the whole crop; in nimety-three, between seven-tenths and eight- tenths; in one hundred and twenty-five, the loss ap- proaches to seven tenths of the whole crop; in six- teen, it approaches to six-tenths; in five hundred and ninety-s#1x, nearly one balf of the crop is entirely de- stroyed; and in five hundred and eighty-two divi- sions, nearly four-tenths of the crop are entirely de- stroyed.” Government had acted upon the sugges- tions made to them; stores of corn should be estab- lished tp be disposed of at low prices, or given in return fOr labor. A Member—“It will be wanted for seed.” Sir Rosent Paet— Yes. To get seed from foreign countries for the ensuing year is next to im- . Aneighth of the whole crop.s required for seed; each acre of potatoes requires nearly a ton, three-fourths of aton at least, tor seed: take the ae which it would require to bring in 10,000 tons of potatoes from any part of Europe where po- tatoes may still abound ; it is almost im to supply the deficiency. You must look tor seed to the accumulation by making savings trom the exist- ing crop. It may be necessary for you to form that saving. When the pressure ot famine is severe, the immediate want will be supplied—the danger ot next year will be forgotton. e government must interlere, for the purpose of encouraging the saving in sufficient quantives, in order to secure p supply of seed for next year.» How are we to do this Why, by the substitution, I suppose, of some other articles of provision, to be given under wise regu- lations, tor the purpose of preventing waste, and of geting these seed-potatoes in exchange. I ask mn, if in May next we had to proposing large votes of public money, were paccaeing the clergy ot the Church, and the clergy of the Roman suasion, end telling them, ‘ your localities mus, supply more than the govern- 3 You must give corn in exchange these toes, or for the sustenance of human . I have stood here, proposing votes of £200,000 01 £300,000, and encoureging the charity Ot those whe had ii to dispense in charity, and would it have been tolerated, that at the same mo- ment we should :.ave been retaining a duty of 17s on the introduction of corn 1 famine should ensue ; do you believe that it would be for the cred- it and honor of the landed aristocracyof this coun- We throw upon the government the ity of taking security, bat not one letter of the Ferg ye eng be abandoned ? Would that be ity to the landed interest ? No, I believe that whatever might have been the seeming ee) ———— ———eeeee_ ee abandon that attempt. So much therefore, for the | consiste: to be adjusted. I was prepared to facilitate its ad- | e exercise of what- | * trea Hence} ty ou impute cl thought it for pan tne and the interests of all, to relieve ourselves from the odium of stipulating for these restrictions in such a moment of sal would have been the real | eae to me, because I have | i f pressure.” | (Repeated cheers.) Parliament would have taunt- ed him with the example of Holland and Belgium, where, though the pressure was less severe, mea- ures of precaution had been adppted. Under simi- | lar circumstances to the present, what had been the | | course taken by English Parliaments deeply inte- | | rested in the welfare of agriculture? There have | been times betore when there has been the appre- | hension of scarcity in this country ; what has been | the remedy thet the heart of every man suggested 1 | What has been the reinedy that the legislative wie | | dom took ? Why, in every cas>, without exception, | | the removal for atime of the duties upon cora. | (Cheers and conater cheers.) [A member—‘ What | | at the end of the time ?”] I will come to that im- | mediately. I rejoice in the cheer which I met from that quarter—(looking to the Protection benches)— what is it but an assent, apparently an uaanimous assent—(“ No !”)—at any rate, a very general as- sent, that at a period of impending famine, the pro- per precaution to be taken ig to encourage the tree importation of food. Ihavea right to infer, that it that had beeu the proposal, namely, that existing du- ties upon corn and other articles of provision should be suspended, that proposal would have met with general assent. (Cheers.) Then, i that be so,I ask you to expedite the passing of this bill— ter and cheers)—or to move 28 av amendment, the duties upon all articles of provision shal! torth- with be suspended.” (Renewed cheers.) The op- ponents of the government plana seemed to say that they would consent to a suspeusion of the law till next harvest; and he was glad of the admis- sion thereby implied, that it would not be wise to stipulate for the present that no rice, or oats, or maize should be admitted, and that the duty on wheat should be maintained at 17s. Sir Robert Peel quoted some oi the instances in which the ports had been opened—in :1756, 1767, 1791, 1793, 1795, 1796, 1799. Had the ports been opened in Novem- ber last, the supplies might have been more ample ; but there was still the command of six months. Parliament must now make its choice. It must ther maintain the existing law, or make some pro- posal for facilitating the introduction of foreiga food. Then came the further qu@tion, ‘‘ After the suspension of the existing law, and the admission ot foreign importation for a period of eight months, what do you propose to do with the existing corn- laws? That is, of course, the question which any man would have to consider who advised the sus- pension of the corn-laws? Well, my conviction 1s 80 strong that it would be utterly impossible, atter establishing perfect freedom of trade for a period ot eight months, to permit the existing corn-law to come into operation at the end of it—my conviction is eo strong that it would be impracticable and im- politic, that I could not entertain such an idea.” It might be said, ‘Give us suspension now, and at the end of that suspension we will have the corn- laws as they are now;” but any such notion was founded on a total misapprehension of pub- lic opinion. What! would they revive the existing corn-law in all its provisions? Would they, for instance, refuse the admission of maize ? “Tt was proposed, last session, to admit maize free ot duty. The price of barley was falling, the duty on barley was increasing; and, without the slight- est natural connexion between maize and barley, the duty on maize was increasing also. Then, might notthe law be altered in that respect 1— Yes. But remember this, that in the course of last session notice was given that maize should be imported duty free, because it was desira- ble to have maize Tor food. Do you think it possible in devising a new corn-law, to devise one, the lead- ing principle of which should be, that maize should come in duty free because the admission of that article would be for the benefit of the farmer, as he might feed his cattle and pigs with it; but that there are certain other articles used for consumption by human beings, and in respect to them the law shall be maintained in all ita force? Do you advise us now to fight that battle Do you not feel that that very fact of suspension would constitute a new element in the consideration of things, and would | take. | people as a substitute for butter. “ Now illiam Miles, the member for Somersetshire : that geatioren had declared for the maintenance of the existing law in its integrity, and given Sir Robert notice, that hencefo he must ex- pect the renewal of his confidence. But Sir Robert implored that gentleman and others although they might visit these penal consequences, on Ministers, to pass the measure submitted to them, if they thought it advisable at the present crisis. To stating that he hed hitherto been a aup- porter ot the government, Mr. Miles was in a mis- On the great question of “ grease” —( Roars of laughter)—he was a determined opponent, under an apprehension that grease might be ueed bysome must, say that [think the hon. gentleman, in taking his stand upon grease, did much more injury than bene- fit to the cause of protection.” A few more of Mr. Miles’s argments he was anxious to notice. Asto flax, was its cultivation abandoned in consequence of the withdrawal of the duty Y—and at what period did it take place ? Mr. Wu. Mices—After the last remevel of the cuty on flax. Sur Rosset Per.—Now the last reduction of duty was only 6d. per hundred weight. (Laughter ) ‘The cuty ou foreign flax was removed in 1$24—at that time it was £10 a ton ; a reduetion was then effected to the nominaliduty of 5d. a hundred weight, and in 1842 the duty was abandoned uito- ether. Was it the removal of this duty of Sd. a foadred weight that involved the perenes of Ald- cock and Chisselborovgh in ruin? In freland no culture is more profitable than that of flax, which is unprotected ; and Ww it is obvious thet the decay of Aldcock and Chisseiborough had arisen from other causes than the withdrawal of the protective duty. The debate had chiefly turned on the corn laws, but it was not necessarily a corn law debate. The proposal wae that the House should go into commit- tee to consider the principles of our commercial po- licy. ** Now, as I stated before, it is the intention of her Majesty’s government to adhere to their pro- posal. I have stated the reasons why they wiil do it. They are incl‘ned to prefer it, considering especially the opportuaity that three years affords for Hapeovement in drainage. But, at the samo time, also distinctly make the statement, that if the agricultural body are of opinion that it will be for their advantage—if they think that immediate re- peal will be preterable to the deferred oom which ig the proposal of the government—(‘‘ Hear” from the opposition benckes)—if, by a unien with honor- able gentlemen opposite, they should place me in a minority—then the only consideration which I shall bear in mind will be, what course can I best take to give effect to the law so amended at your instance. iy cheers from the opposition benches.) 1 will jo all roan fe carry, the Proposition ie the qaveme ment—I preter it. I proposed it, believing it to favorable to the agricultural interest. ch not sa) what course, ing for myself, I might pursue. do not say what effect success here might produce in anether place, for which [ have lees means of an- ewering than I have here ; but this I will say, that my opinion as to the policy of a fiaal adjustment of the corn laws will remain unaltered ; and J shall de- cidedly prefer immediate repeal, even though car- ried against me, to throwing the country into con- tuaion by the rejection of this measure. (Loud cheers.) Observe, I say it will be quite for meeelt to consider what course of personal conduct will be most conducive to the result | should have in view but this I do believe, that the final adjustment this question is now a consideration paramount to all others.” (Loud cheers.) As to the probab! cost of corn under the new measure, he could not pass an opinion ; but he thought that nothing was More erroneous than to suppose that the interests of agriculture were naturally and immediately inter- woven with the price of wheat. [a demonatrating the truth of this, Sir Robert adverted particularly to the fact that it is impossible to draw a just inference from the nominal price of wheat, without, at the same jtime, taking the quality into account. He showed, by reference to returns beginning in 1795, that the price of wheat had shown a tendency to decline. “ A very remarkable series of facta also presents itself in the amount of rental of land as compared with the price ot wheat. The gross r-n- tal of land in 1815, as taken from the property tax give a tenfold stimulus to the agitation that Does ously existed? Do you invite us to fight that battle now? What would be the state of feeling upon the subject? Do you invite us to suspend the law with @ guarranty of its revival?” In reference to the changes of opinion which had been avowed by members of the House, and es to which an attempt had been made to attach suspicion, Sir Robert asked if some of the most honorahle men that ever sat on the ministerial benches had not given conclusive roofs of sincerity. Did Lord A: evs Mr. Stuart, Mitr. W. Patten, Mr. Egerton, Lord Henniker, Mr. Charteris, or Mr. Dawnay, vacate their seats from interested or corrupt motives? Passing {rom these considerations, Sir Robert invited attention to the course which the debate had taken, and to the ad- missions and expressions of opinion of those who had been loudest _in their condemnation of the Go- vernmen:. The first he would notice was the mem- ber for Huntingdon, Mr. Thomas Baring. ‘The hoa. member thinks it is just the time for making a compromise on the subject—tor a new Corn-law !— Why, if ever there was an unfortunate moment for a compromise, it 18 the present. What isthe mean- ing of a compromise ? Is it a new Corn-law? Well, what is the security for the maintenance of that %” (Ironical cheers trom the Protection benches ) The member for Roxburghshire, (Mr Francis t,) was the loudest advocate for protection, and had a curious notion of the relation between a country aod its Minister. Mr. Scott had likened Sir Robert Peel to a hired advocate, and said he had thrown up his brief. Perhaps Mr. Scott was not aware that a Minister of State took an oath to unreservedly and freely deliver his opinion in council, according to his heart and con- science. Sir Robert apprehended that an ob- ligation of that kind constituted a material difference between the position of a minieter of state and the office of a retained counsel. But Mr. Scott, when insisting that he was bound by every censid- eration of consistency and honor, to maintain the Corn-laws of 1842, had admitted that within the last three years, in his own country, there had been such iaprovemeats in roads, such introduction of science into agriculture, such facilities for introduc- ing cheap corn, that in his opinion the time was come when the present Coro-laws must be altered. “And when I asked the honorable gentleman, ‘whom are you counsel for ’—meaning, that if any obligation was imposed on me to maintain theCorn- law of 1842, I could not quite understand why the honorable eee could so readily abandon it— the honorable gentleman was perfectly indignant at being supposed to be a counsel. Claiming the tune- tuons of Anacharsis Cloots, who said he was attorney genera! for the human race, the honorable gentleman said, ‘ J counsel !—that is an imputation on my hon- or: I am counsel for the agriculturists—I am coun- sel for the commercial interests—I am counsel tor the whole country—I am counsel for the interasts of humanity.’” (Laughter.) Sir Robert Peel did not, himeelt aim after tunctiens so comprehensive. The next was the member for New-castle-under. Lyme, (Mr. Colquhoun): and he told Sir Ropert, that hereatter and for ever he withdrew his confi- dence from him. But if ever there was a man who had less reason than another to censure a Minister for not a “a Ts fey gee itwas Mr. Colquhoun himeell. ‘ Why, honorable member for Wolverhampton ; andhe has voted against him. (Laughter.) He 1s an advo- cate for a fixed daty, but he has done all he could to maintain asliding scale. {do not know whether the honorable gentleman has shared in my misfor- tune, and read the pamphlet of John Campbell Col- quhoun, Eequire, of Killermont. (Laughter ) must say that that pamphlet, as tar as I can under. stand it, advocates repeal ot the Corn-laws. [f, then, the honorable man has voted with the honor- able member for Wolverhampton, and has voted against him—if he is a determined rter of a fixed duty, and yet ever since 1812 has done all in his power to maintain the sliding ecale,and if my construction of his phiet be correct, und he is an advocate of repeal, 1 wonder how I should have | fared with him if I had laid down ‘a great principle’, I wonder what the honorable gentleman would have said, it, after having carried suspension, I should have subsequently declared that at the end of that | suspension the Government would stake its exist- | ence on the revival of the existing Corn-law. . I ven- ture to sey there would not have been a more stren- uous opponent of such a course than the honorable gentleman; at least, I venture to say, there never was a gentleman so rous for the announce- ment ot principle. who pursued a course which left him so completely a single-anchor to vote for any Proposal might be made. (Laighter.) The | Jetter ot Lord John Manners was next ad' | to 5 Sir Robert inquired if it could have been possible | for the Government to rely on Lord John Manners support had they resolved to advise a renewal of the Corn-law upon suspension. “He says he is decid- edly in tavor ot repeal of the Corn-law, but he | thinks the pre#€nt Parlament ought not to enact, nor the present Minister to propose, such a measure. Well, but the personal on is no satistactory anewer to the country: The question for the coun- try is, is the measure right or wrong. Surely, no member can justify himselt in voting againet a mea- e has voted with the | I return, was £32,502.000. The price of wheat for five years ending in 1815, was 102s. 5d. For the five years ending with 1842, the price of wheat. was 64s. 7d., while the gross rental of land in England had increased to 794,000 Thus, coincident with a fall in the price of corn, there was an in- crease in the rental of land.” The speech from the throne contained a recommendation to review the existing duties, and ascertain whether such further teductions could not be made as would tend to in- sure a continuance of the advantages derived from the previous reduction. The answer made by the mmons did not convey a pledge as to the measure, but it conveyed an assurance that the recommendation should be considered. Aud how was that assurance to be fulfilled? Would they refuse to go into committee 1 Will you stand still !—for six months to come will you do nothing? I say, in. this country, to stand still ia to retrodrade. I never said that it was on the ex- perience of the tariff for three years I have come to a shane of opinion. I said thie—that during three eats | have seen, coincident with abundance an low prices, great prosperity; | have seen great con- tentment; I have seen the diminution of crime; I have seen the abatement of ail social cisordets; I have seen goed health; { have seen increased com- merce; and that experience of three years has con- vinced me that cheapness and ppt are at the foun- ion of your prosperity. (Cheers.) Thia is the challenge | offer, not connected with the tariff of the Jast three years alone, but with respect to the whole series of your relaxations of prohibitoryeduties— show me one relaxation, or removal of prohibition, which has not contributed to the advantage of the great body of the consumers of thiscountry.” He had indeed been ashained to some of the peti- tions presented on the subject of this protection. One was trom ship-owners, praying that the House might check all further rash experiments on British navigation, and reject the propoettion for reducing the duty on foreign timber ,from 26a to lbs. He asked, “ what haa been the issue of the rash experi- meat you made in 18427” You found then a diseri- minating duty of 458, which you reduced to 26s. Have you destroyed the Canada trade? At the port of Liverpool the average tonnage in the British North American trade, for nee preceding the reduction of the duty was 153,000 tons; and since you removed the duty on Canadian timber, the ave- tage has been 194,000 tons of shipping emma ed at Liverpool in the Canada trade. On the average of seven years before the reduction of duty, 5,749,000 loads of pines were imported; in 1844 the quantity brought trom Canada amounted to 6,211,000 loads; and in 1845, to 6,170,000 loads. Yet the shipowners call on you to refuse a reduction of the duty on tim- ber, as they called on you to refuse a reduetion for- merly from 45s. to 268. But you havea deficiency in that particular article which) will build ships that shall endure for twelve years; and were the circumstances under which you have the modest proposal made to leave the discriminating duty at its present amount of 25s, ins ot Parr t to 158; and that is what the ship-owners, of all things, ask as “‘ essential to their interests!” Following a subject, Sir Kobert referred to the Ter a ted in previous times" to reduce im; dake od to the ratviog resulte which hed fok lowed. When Mr. Huskisson an altera- tion of the silk daties, Lord Ashburton, (then Mr. Baring) resisted the measure, asserting that the ef- fect would be to ruin the silk-weavers, and drive to the poor-rates for subsistence. And what had been the result? The em which tor the ten years ending in 1638 was 1,940,902 pounds, now, for the year 1844, 6,208,020 pounds. Simi- lar tears were expressed in 1842, in reference to the trade in feathers. One extensive merchant told Sir Robert that the effect would be to annihilate the Irish and English feather trade; but that person had written to him in the course of the present tell- ing him that his fears had proved unfe \—that his trade was more prosperous than before; and mentioning that his great demand had been from Cornwall, thus showing that the Cornish miners had been prosperous in consequence of plenty and abundance, and had been able to expend a part of their earnings in feather goods. In conclusion, Sir Robert remarked, that the vote to be given did not involve a question of confidence in the Government, but the decision as to whether the House were ling to advance upon the path on which they bad been gengouding. of whether they would re He entreated them to look at their physical advan- tages; at those nerves and sinews of their mansite, tures, stores iton wi abouad Ser them look also at their acquired theirdecision. Sardinia liberal tariff: Naples se yg * he hem 5 Fron oe ne deeiraes to follow the example which England was setting. [Sir Robert Peel, ; ly three hours speaking, resumed his seat amidat long-contint ers, especially from the opposi- tion.) the momentous subject which Sir Ro- sure which he believes to be ri and which con- | cerns euch mighty inate had sow asto Mr. ° has bi ber Pee brought rward ; and to explain and