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Northern Star (1837-1852), 12th February 1842, Edition 1 of 4, Page 5, 2To Medtotv& anti Coftr^ijonlieittjss

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      essential to manufacturing industry , to the general consum ption , or to the comforts or enjoyments of the paople , it would be well to weigh the materials which y ^ n possess before you draw such a conclusion . Sir , in the Beport of the Committee which eat on the Import Duties there is evidence on the point—evidence giten by the Hon . Gentleman the Member for JJ olton , whose attention has been directed to this sabject , and who , before that Committee , and in the Report which he made on the Prussian League , on the stste of our commercial relations with Prussia , basgiven information as to the comparative cons umption of the people of this country , and the consumption of the inhabitants of the Prussian States . Kott , let us take the great articles of consumption and we begin by admitting that meat is dear , and that corn is dear , the great articles which constitute ih * sustenance of the people , and administer to their

      comforts . I admit that they are greatly lower in Prussia than they are here . ( Hear . ) But as I said before , it appears to me that the true test is not by comparative lowness of price , but the command the people have over that which consulates their comforts , Sow I begin with meat , and m speaking of that I shall take my information from a . pc-rfectlv unsuspicious source . It is from one whe differs from me as to the operation of the Com Laws , and who is a decided advocate for their r-rpeal . ( Hear , hesr . ) J ) r Bowring ' s calculation with regard to meat is riven in 1 S 4 ' > . It is the report on the Zolverien ; he was speaking of a state of things in this country , where the Corn Laws had been in operation for thin y and must have affected , if that were their

      years , tendencv , the eomforis of the people . But vriat m .-the report mado by the Right Ron , Gentleman 1 >~ ow , with respect to meat , Dr . Bowring says , tha in Prussia he calculates that 14 , 000 , 000 of personconsume 4 C 5 , 000 , 000 pounds of meat ; that 13 at th < rate of about 35 pounds annually for each person Bat the Hon .. Gentleman says , that in this countr ; 25 . 000 , 000 of persons consume 50 ! b . of meat annually he savs that it cannot be less than 50 lbs ., and it habeen estimated a * double that amount . Now , I wil take it at the lowest calculation , and from that it appears that the inhabitants of Prussia consume bu 35 pounds yearly , whereas in this country 50 pound are consumed annually—( bear , hear . ) Now , taVf Sc ^ ar . Observe I am not at all denying that seveir

      distressprerail ?; in manyparts of the country distress prevails to a very great extent—( hear . ) I certainly dt not mean to say that the 17 , 000 persons in distre ? ia Paisley consume so much meat or sugar , Kc at all ; but it is impossible to argue the subjer without drawing general inferences . You mu ? look at the whole amountj and in doing so , you mm sot be taunted by the remark of , can voh say , tha at Parsley and Stockport , such is the amount ? 1 Esy bo such thing . 1 admit that there there is n < Euch consumption ; but in drawing general conclu Eions with respect to legislation you have no other alternative than to deal with general averages an ^ comprehensive result 3 , and by that means to ascer

      tain upon the whole , what the consumption of i country is . "Well , now , sugar ; now , before yeu d > termine thai high prices are necessarily an evil , > ask yon to compare the consumption of sugar is the different countries of Europe ^ - ( hear , hear . ) rely entirely upon the authoritj of Dr . Bowrin ^; The Hon . GeEileman says that in France the coi ; sumption of sugar is 4 lbs- Sozs . jper head ; I will allov that it is olfas . psr head , because there is certain bee root sugar , which he has not taken into his calcula tion , but in France he put it at the highest . The cor-Eumption of sugar by each individual per ann . is oibs . in the states 01 the German League it is 41 b . ; ii Europe generally it is " 21 ib . The consumption o Great Britain ihe Hon . Gentleman calculated at !'

      lbs . per annnm . I take the consumption of corn , o ; this very article . —( hear , hear . ) Mr . Hume , that h Mr . Dacca Hume , a gentleman whose loss we mu ; all deplore—Mr . Hume calculated the consumptioi of the people of this country to be one quarter c wheat for each person . He calculated the consumptioa of wheat to be " 25 . 000 , 000 of quarters being onquarter per annum for each individual . The Hod Gfntleman ' s calculation is , that 24 , 000 , 000 of the il habitants consumed 45 , 000 , 000 quaittrs of graii : tha ; is all other kinds of grain included . Now , } beg die House to bear in mind , with reference to tharticle of corn , that the estimate of consumption b \ two gentlemen possessed of such mean 3 of information , entertaining views which make the testimony so altogether free from suspicion , is that the consumption of this country , compared with that 01 other countries , is one quarter of wheat fcr each individual . The Honourable Gentleman

      makes the total consumption for 24 s 0 l' 0 , 00 u of inhabitants , 43 , 000 , 000 quarters ef grain , which L not very far from two quarters per head for each individual . Now , the Bon . Gentleman has given p . * the consumption of the Prussian Slates . The Prussian States contain fourteen millions of inhabitants , and the consumption of those States amonnts to thirteen miliion 3 of quarters of wheat . Observe , le ? p than one-fourth the consumption in thi 3 country ; but while the Hon . Gentleman calculates the consumption in England as one quarter of wheat per annum for each inoividnal , according to the Hon . Gentleman ' s calculation of the quarter of grain consumed by the inhabitants of the Prussian States , threefourths at least is barley or rye . ( Ministerial cheers . )

      The Hon . Gentleman says that throughout the Prussian States the consumption of rye is the pro portion of three and four to one when compared tc wheat . Tne consumption of 124 . 000 lbs ., gives us a consumption of 651 bs . of wheat aid 2401 bs . of rye to each individual . Thus , this 124 , 0001 b ? . gave an annna ! consumption of little more than one bushel of wheat to each individual in the Prussian States , instead of one quarter of wheat , which was the consumption of Great Britain . The Hon . Gentleman 3 ays that in England the consumption of tea 13 twelve pounds per head per annum for each individual , while in tne Prussian States it is one pound . The annual consumption of salt , in the Prussion States , is 16 i lbs . per head , in England , it is 22 ibs . per head . The

      conssmpnon of cotton goods in Prussia was four pannd 3 and one-third for each family of five persons , which was not half the amonnt of the consumption ia England . The consumption of woollen cloth in Prussia amounts to two ells and one-sixth per head per annum . In Great Britain it is six ells Mid a _ quarter a head . It appears that the connamption of tobacco is greater in Prussia than in England . In Prussia it amounts to three lbs . per head per annum ; in England the consumption is only one poand per head per annum . The consumption of butter is likewise greater in Prussia , amounting to * 2 ! b . per head in that country , and lib . per head in England ; but you must recol-Ificttbat in all the great articles , in cotton , in

      woollea , in salt , in tea , in sugar , in corn , the very article wmcb we are a ; this moment considering , the consumption ^ each individual in this country ,, estimated ia the year 1840 , at a time when the price of ? £ J * . exceedingly high compared with the price in Prussia , owing to the command whieh the labourag classes had of the necessaries and comforts of ¦ oe , the consumption far exceeded in tb . 13 country tae consumption jq Prussia , where the price was i * 55—Cnear , hear . ) I do not mean to say that that ^ ^ J argumen t now against removing restrictions —ucmd Opposition cheers . ) It is no argument a Pnpi giving an increased command over these irncjes , imt it is an argument to show that it i 3 not * air to give the diminished price of food as an argufflsnt

      for the prosperity of that country . Information had been kid ' on the table as to the condition of tee labouring classes in Belgium . Now Belgium is a great manufacturing country , ana is represented as D 5 in » in » high " SEate of prosperity . In this cocnmeni the ws ^ es of the agricultural " labourer in tuiguaa is stated at lid . per day , those of bearers at Is ., masons , 1 =. 3 d ., " locksmiths asd carpenters Is . 31 ., manufacturing labourers '" .. ^ - ^ miners and qnarrymen Is . 4 d ., jewellers and Soiosmith * i 5 . 3 ^ gacn is lbe ^^ of wages in fHigmm . In the last year the market price of wheat ^ taat country was from 51 =. 3 d . to 53 s . per quarter . a *» Antwerp i ; was from 5 J 3 > t 0 555 . per quarter . J-acng , then , the general average of the prices of wrn m Belgium . ' and comparing them with the Sudani

      of wagts in that cenntry , notwithslandmif rf ^ 3 a ! ifacturing and asricuh-cral prosperity , it P ]> eaT 3 to me tha : the wages in that country do rot Sf . , sams command ' over the enjoyments of life 7 t l * Iae wa § e 3 received in this country do . Sir , j ^ . ini 3 for the purpose of confirming rcy .--pressjon that to look for any rapid or great ehange l " ^ condition of the people of this country from * V . extensive alteration in the Corn Law 3 , would f ^ J ? 21 JOn lo ^ reat disappointment . My firm belief -- 1 am Fp ^ aiin ^ of those who are in favour of the r- ^ EJe repeal of the Corn Laws—my firm impresi . oa 13 , that if this House were to consent t- > ' ? , '• lota ' repeal which is urged upon their con-* - ? jv Sdonj instead of mitigating , in the ^ -igntest degree , the - maBufactunng distress cow prevalent , yon would oniv snperadd to

      ' ? ^ e severest agricultural distress—( hear , hear . ) ** 1 pzb . disturbance of the agricultural interests ; woald , in my opinion , inevitably lead to fatal results , cot merely in ra = pect of the agriculturists , but to \ inoseoiher classes of society whose prosperity was ' Jaenacal with theirs . There is , however , another ] Pprnon of those who are advocates for a material ' alt eration in the Corn Laws , who do not go the J eagth of advising absolute repeal of those law ? , fcat ; a Hubstitunon , in place of the present , of a fixed duty ] « pon corn . With respect to these , the ground is Darrowed which we take . They are in favonr of a I p ed duty on corn-they admit that the agriculturist j « entitled to protection , and therefore would impose a outy invariable in amount the importation of

      upon f treign corn . With respect to those , it must be le- j fflerabere d that whatever odium attaches to the im- ] Position of a variable duty , must necessarily apply , ' wjtfi equal force , to the imposition of a fixed duty , j u-ne- of " No , no . ") I am Eure , Sir , Honourable «« itlemen opposite do not understand me . I am aot saying . that the same objeotion applies to a fixed , E ! J ^ a variable c :: e . I am only saying this . » aat as far as odium is attached to the imposition »» any auvy on the main subsistence of the people— » 5 to ihzi extent , in principle , a fixed duty is ' . in ^ V ^ j ole to obJe «^ n . ( Cries of " hear , bear , Sa loud Tory cheering . ) There may be advantages a *** & duty . That iijfor argument— ( hear , hear ) j

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      but theargnment ag " ainst the imposition of any duty whatever on the main article of subsistence applies with equal force to the fixed as to the variable du-y . ( Hear . ) Both the one and the other must assume that agriculture requires protection —( Tory cheering)—either on account of the burthens which they have to bear—< cheers ) --or for reasons of public policy to encaurage the productions of our own Eoil —( hear , hear . ' * But on principle , it is impossible to fay that they do not rest on the Bame ground , and must be defended by the same arguments- ( he&r , hear ) In common with my colleagues , I have given this subject thefullest and most patient consideration s 1 $ I could come to the conclusion that for a variable it would be better to substitute a fixedduty , I hope I should consider the obligations under which act

      f . , as Minister of the Crown , and should have the moral courage to avow it and to propose it to the House . But aft » r giving the fullest consideration to the principle of amendingthelaw , I cannot reconcile myself to that- ( " hear , " from the opposition " I do not beneve we could impose an amount of a fixed duty sufficient for the protection of domestic agriculture in years of average supply , which would at the same time determine in other years the quantity or the price that would be adequate to the wants of the country . ! n the consideration of the question it : s nece ? sary to ascertain what are the probabilities that this country can , from its own resources , supply its population . ( Tory cheers . ) I am not preparoa : o admit that this country is unable in ordinary times to supply itself . If I formed my judgment , Sir , from the quantity of corn grown during tha last four

      year ? , 1 saould be bound to admit that we Were dependent on a foreign supply for a great portion of > ur s-ubsistence , because during the last four years , to state the case fuliy and fairly , the average importation of foreign grain was 2 . 300 . 000 quarters in each of those / our years . And if we take the last twelve or thirteen yrars we shall find that on the whole the importation of foreign corn has been very considerate , I think altogether twelve or thirteen millions of quarters of foreign wheat and foreign flour . Since

      ' . he year 1828 , the total amount of foreign wheat and foreign flour e t ^ red for home consumption , from . 5 : h of July , 1828 , to the 5 th of July , 1841 , ia 13 , 475 , 000 quarters . ( An Hon . Member on the Opposition benches—In each year ? The Hon . Baronet : xp ! ained that it was the whole amount , and proceeded . ) This I think must be admitted also , if we ake any period of the last ten year ? . We cannot —ive any such period of time as ttn years during -vbich we shall be quite independent of foreign supply ; such a period of time cannot leave us

      with-¦ , during its progress , being under the necessity of mporting a supply of foreign grain , and in that ense you are not independent of ioreign supply . I retain my opinion that it is of the utmost imporpiceio the permanent interests of this country , ha ; it should be as far as possible independent , of oreign supply . ( Hear . ) I do not mean an absoate and entire independence , which , I know , is absolutely impossible—it is perfectly imprncticabletnd nothing , I think , can be so mischievous as to trtempt to pass laws which should have the effect of giving such an encouragement to domestic produce is shonld certainly secure us such an unqualified ndependence . _ This is impossible , but , speaking generally , 1 think it 13 important that a country

      ke this , whose chief means of subsistence are delved from its supply of wheat , —I say that it is mportant that if a country like this , is obliged to e ^ ors to foreign countries , it ought to be rather or the purpose of making up its deficiency , than ~ jT drawing its constant and chief source > f subsistence- ( Hear , hear hear . ) Now , Sir , I orna this inference , as I said before , from what has jken place during the four years ; and , looking at vhat has occurred , I am bound to admit that this country was dependant on othere for a considerable portion of its supply , because , as I have before ^ ated , the amount imported during that time has jeen on the average 2 . 300 quarters a-year . But let is take the last ten years , and let us see what was

      . he average importation during the first six of those years . During the first fix of tne last ten years , the produce of the country was sufficient for its own consumption ; - During the first- six years of the last : en years the average importation of corn into this country amounted only to 137 , 000 quarters . And : hat having been the case during the six years of 1832 , 1833 , 1834 . 1835 , 1836 , and 1837 , it would be 00 mucn , I think , to infer that the population had > o rapidly increased , with reference to its subsis-: c-i : ce , that you must altogether abandon the hope of lmving-sufiicient supply from your own agriculture . Within the last ttn years the population of this ¦ xmntry had , of course , considerably increased ; trid , during the last four years it had been found

      necessary to import foreign corn , but during the six years preceeamg , the average produce of the country had been sufficient for the consumption . I am not prepared , therefore , to admit the conclusion , that there must necessarily be a periodical and annual importation of foreign corn to supply the deficiency in this country . And therefore , Sir , in determining our duty , we had to provide for periods of comparative abundance , as well as for periods of comparative scar city—( hpar , hear . ) Six years of good harvests might again recur , during which the prodnce of the country would be sufficient for its own consumption . If they did recur , then I fear that the effect of a fixed duty would be that the unlimited right of importation , at a given amount of

      duty which you would always undertake to maintain in times of scarcity , would subject this country to sevt-re d ^ rress and suffering in consequence of the > " -xress of produce , the fall in prices , ana in the remuneration for labour —( hear , hear . ) Sir , it has been observed by writers of the highesc authority tha : unfavourable and favourable seasons return in certain cycles—that you will often find , looking back to the produce of several years , that years of favourable harvests on the Continent have been generally found contemporaneous with favourable harvests here ; for the great producing countries of Europe are within the same parallels 0 / latitude , and are aSectea by the same climate ; and it will , therefore , be found that abundant or scarce harvests prevail through them all at the same time . Now where there is an abundance , the cansequenee

      of a slight addinoa to the quantity of corn produces an effect on prices very different from the amount ef excess . Mr . Tooke , in his work on price ? , lays down the principle a 3 follows : — " It will be found that prices vaTy in a ratio very different from the variation of quantities , and that the difference of the ratio , between quantities and prices is liable to alter according to the nature of commodities ; but more in the case of corn , probably , than in that of any other article of extensive consumption . " Mr . Tooke also makes a comparison between defective and abundant harvests in this country and tho ? e of the continent , and the conclusion he comes to is , that it is gen-rally the case that deficient harvests here are accompanied by deficient harvests in the chief producing countries of Europe , so that an abundant harves : here is an indication of an

      abundant harvest on the continent—( hear . ) While , therefore , this calculation shews what supply we migh : look for-from other countries , it also shews that at a time of unnatural depression , we might receive such discouragement to our native productions , as to make us dependent on foreign countries , aresult that I should deplore as a great evil . ( Loud cries of " Hear , hear . " ) It is urged on the other side , by the advocates of a fixed duty , that the consequence of imposing a fixed duty would be to prevent those great alternations , and that al'houuh it might , be-difficult fo maintain a fixed duty if thtre were periods of some scaxctf . y , yet , vkai the tendency of such a law will prevent such a scarcity , ai ? a the occurrence of such a contingency ,

      in whien the difficulty would principally consist . Now , all experience seems to me 10 show , that with respect to corn , such fluctuations in produce and in price muj-t be impossible to he remedied by legitla-: ion . —( hear , hear . ) That no law that you could pa-sfw the free importation of corn would , in case of deficient harvest hero and on the continent , prevent a rise in price to such a point as to make a Sx ^ a duty intolerable . Take the United States , which vrere not subject to the operation of the Corulaws , and then you will find the amount of fluctuation in . price arising from the fluctuation of the seasons to be as ^ reat as that prevailing in this country—( hear , hear . ) In Prussia you will find , with respect to rye , a g pecies of grain not affected

      by the Corn-laws tha : in consequence of the fluctuation of the seasons as great a fluctuation in the price of it takes ' place , as in the price of any other grain . If the fixed duty be 8 s . or 10 s ., and if your anticipations , that by legislative enactments you can guard against the rising of prices be not fallacious , aud men prices rise to 80 or 90 shillings , I retain the impressions I stated in the course of last Session , that 1 . 0 Government could untertake at such prices to enforce a fixed duty . If that be admitted , you must make some provision for its relaxation . If you entrust the power of relaxation to the executive authority , you introduce immediately uncertainty into the operation of the law . You give a power capable of being abused , and most difficult to be exercised : and

      if this be so you destroy that confidence in the permanence of your trade which you rely on as the great encouragement of trade , ' and , therefore , with reference to a fixed duty , as applicable to the state of the country when there are low prices of corn , or as applicable to a state of scarcity when high prices prevail , I have come to the conclusion , after fully considering the subject , that it is not advisable for Parliament fo alter the law and apply the principle of a fixed duty . ( Loud Ministerial cheers . ) The alteration of tne law which I shall propose will proceed upon the principle of rttaining a duty upon

      corn , varying inversely with the price of the article in the whole market , that is , the principle of the existinglaw . Themaintainanceoftbatprinciplenecessanly involves the principle of the system of averages . 1 c is said there would be great advantages in sweeping away altogether the system of averages . It is quite true that it might be competent to abandon the system of averages with respect to the imposition of a duty on corn ; but you must maintain a system of averages , because the whole of your proceedings are foun-ied on a system of averages ; it is impossible to abolish the sys-emSof aTeraxes , Jbec&use fj snnaal

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      payments are founded on the acoounts of the averages . It appears that as the averages must be maintained for the purpose of tithes , it would not be expedient to adopt any other system materially varying in principle from that for determining the duty on corn . I propose , therefore , as necessary to a varying duty , to retain a system of averages . It is the general impression throughout the country that there has been great fraud in respect of the averages—a very general impression , particularly in the agricultural districts , that there has been either great frauds practised on the averages , or that extensive combinations have been entered into for the purpose of influencing the averages , and procuring the release of corn at lower prices . In Ieeds , Wakefield , and

      other parts of Yorkshire , there have been great and successful combinations for the purpose of influencing the averages . As I said before , I am inclined to think that the apprehensions upon this subject may not be altogether without foundation , but I think that the apprehensions which have been entertained are greatly exaggerated . ( Hear , hear . ) Now , Sir , if I take the averages for six weeks in the year 1841—if I take the aggregate averages of the kingdom for the ? ix weeks ending the § th of August , the ISrh of August , the 20 th of August , the 27 th of August , thfc 3 rd of September , and the 10 ih of September , the averages of the kingdom , for the whole of those six weeks , was 75 s . Id . Now , if I exclude London altogether from the averages , the general

      average would be 72 s . 8 d ., in place of 73 s . Id . If I exclude the Yorkshire market , the general average for the kingdom wouid be 71 s . lid . It is probable that the raising of the price in the London market may have the effect of raising the price in the other markets ; but as far as you can judge from the figures and returns , I think that the apprehensions that there have been very extensive frauds with respect to the averages have been , as I said before , not altogether unfounded , perhaps , but that they have been greatly exaggerated . It should be remembered that the price of corn in London was higher than in Leeds and other parts of Yorkshire , and , therefore , they could draw no necessary inference that great fraud had been practised because the

      London averages exceeded tnose of other places . For instance , from the 13 th of August to the 7 th of September , in 1838 , the weekly average was 73 s . The exclusion of the London market could have made no difference . Ia the year 1840 the aggregate average , from the 24 th of July to the 20 th of August , was 70 s . 2 d . ; the average , exclusive of the London market , was 70 s . lid ., but that difference made a great difference in the amount of duty . The duty upon the aggregate average of 70 s . _ 2 jk would have been 2 s . Svi . ; but the average , exclusive of the Loudon market , would have raised the price of corn up to IO 3 . 8 d .

      But then , as I said before , as the price of corn in London is higher than in the country markets , you must not infer fraud from that circumstance . But , Sir , various proposals have been made with respect to the amendment of the law as it affects averages —proposals which have received the utmost consideration from her Majesty ' s Government . I think there will be a general agreemont in this , that whatever system is devised fraud should , as far as possible , be prevented . ( Cries of " hear , hear , " from the Opposition benches . ) It is advised by some that the returns ke taken by the growers . That is a proposal which it is impossible to adopt . At present the Irish and Scotch returns of corn sold are

      admitted into the averages . It would bo impossible to have this course adopted , excluding the Irish and Scotch grower , as it would have a very material effect in raising the price of corn . Sir , I must state that I think we ought to guard as far as possiblo against fraud ; but I do not think we ought to effect an increase of protection by auy indiuct operation . If any protection be requisite , make it to come direct only fn-m the Legislature , but it would not be fair to procure indirect protection and encouragement of domestic agriculture by any suggestion with respect to the averages , except with a view of preventing fraucf . Various alterations in the law of the averages may be made which will have that ffiect , which if they are necessary for the purpose

      of guarding against fraud , ought , in my opinion , to be adopted ; but for the purpose of getting any indirect protection for agriculture , I cannot be a party to the proposal of such au alteration —( hear , hear . ) It has been suggested by some that the sellers should be bound , under a penalty , to make a return of the corn sold . It i 3 difficult to foresee what would be the effect of requiring , under a penalty , any farmer who might sell a certain proportion of corn , to make a return of the quantity Bold instead of the return made as at present . 1 conceive that the greatest , and only effectual , security , against fraud is to diminish the teaptation to commit if Any plan that will remove motives of self-interest will constitute a most effectual security . The

      proposal of her Majesty ' s Government , with respect to taking the averages , is this : —They wii-1 propose to take the averages in the present mode from the factor , or miller , or purchaser—the party who now , under the existing law , makes the return each market day of the whole of the purchases he has made during the preceding week ; and upon the whole we can see no advantage in departing from that principle , namely , of making the buyer of the corn return the amount of gales of the preceding Week . Trusting to the&e alterations , we shall make a levy of the duty for the purpose of preventing fraud . We shall propose that the duty of collecting the returns shall be devolved upon the Excise . The Excise is perfectly competent to undertake it . They

      have officers employed in the market towns , and such officers are qualified to discharge the duty , by having similar duties to perform—enabled at the same time ta perform the duty by their general habits of business , and the responsibility they incur on account of their being public officers , giving , by their character , and that ot their occHpations , greater security against fraud than could be given by any persons in a private capacity— ( hear . ) We propose , therefore , that when the averages have beeu taken , they Ehall be collected and transmitted by an Excise officer . Another security which we propose to take , is to widen the range from which the returns are to be taken . At present there are 120 towns mentioned in the Corn Act from which returns are received ; from this number of 120 many considerable markets are excluded . We propose , therefore , not to take

      any discretionary power ftr the Executive to add to the number of these towas , but in the Bill which we intend to introduce we shall name several populous towns which are now extensive corn markets which have hitherto beeen excluded , in the list for the averages : This , by increasing the number of places from which corn returns are to be sollected , we shall obtain greater security against the average being improperly iufluenccd , while at the same time we shall gain a nearer approach to the actual average price of corn , than we could hope to obtain under the former system . It was thought proper when the present law was passed to limit the towns from which returns were to be ruade to those of EugJand and Wales . I propose to continue this limitation , so that although I propose to add several towns , the towns added will all be situate ia England and Wales .

      An Hon . Member on the Opposition side—How many towns are to be added ? Sir R . Peel—I will name them all in the Bill . I propose to add those towns which have hitherto been excluded . Although we propose , therefore to prevent fraud in the taking of the averages , first , by widening the range from which the averages are taken ; and , secondly , by employing a respou .-ible effieer , acting under the authority of a public beard to make the returns . But we more particularly " rely , as a prevention of fraud , upon such an altera ion of the duty as sho . ll diminish the tempniioa to it . ( Loud cheer ? . ) I trust 1 have made myself sufficiently understood by the House as to the alterations I propose to introduce in the method of taking the averages

      —( hear , and cheers . ) I now approach tnat much more important subject , in fact , few subjects can bo of more importance , the amount of the protection we propose to give to corn , the produce of this counrry . and the manner in which we propose to levy the duty . At present the House is aware thu duty depends—( here there was considerable interruption , the cause of which we did not apprehend . ) The Right Hon . Gentleman resumed . At present iho duty-on corn is levied iu this manner : —When the price _ is 59 s . aud under 60 s * , nrr quarter , a duty of 27 s . is levied . It thendimiijisles at the rate of lr . of duty , with Is . increase of price , until it arrives at a price above 665 and not above 67 s . when the duty falls 2 ~ . for If . rise of price until it

      reaches above 6 ' 8 s . Above 69 i . the duty is l ( Js . 8 i . At 70-. per quarter the duty is 13 s . 9 d , j at 71 s . it is 10 s . 8 J ., theu it falls 4 s ., and at 72 s . it is Gs . 8 d . At 73 s . it is 2 s . 8 d ., and when corn reaches a higher price that that per quarter the auty is Is . per quarter . Now , Sir , the objection to this mode of regulating the duty are these : —First , that the reductions of duty are so rapid , thar they hold out a temptation of 16 s . 8 J . up to the price of 70 s ., for a 'fraudulent operation upon the averages ; this temptation operates from 66 s . to 73 s . From 60 s . to 73 s . there is an increase of price of 13-. per quarter but there is a decrease of duty of 25 s . 8 d , which makes an under current of 3 $ s . 8 d . in a single quarter of corn combining to raise the averages between those prices . This difference between € 0 s . and 73 s . is an inducement to retain corn for the pmrpose of affecting the averages .

      At 66 s . the inducement to retain corn in the hope of a rise in its price is 4 s . on account of its price , and I 0 i n account of the duty , being an amount of 14 s . inthe price of a quarter . Between 70 s . and 73 s . there is a difference of 3 s . on account of price , and 9 i . ia point of duty , being an inducement of 12 s . to retain corn at 70 s . in the hopes of its reaching 73 * . Now , it has been urged that these rapid rises iu the price are injurious to the consumer , are injurious to the producer of corn , and injurious also to the revenue ; injurious to the consumer , because when corn is 66 s . and 70 s ., and when it would be to . the public advantage to liberate it for the purpose of distribution , stiil , by the joint operation of an increased price aud a dimiuisheu duty . holders ofcorn were induced to ketp itback , nptwit : ; 5 tandiEgthehighprice , inhopeiofrea ] izingaprice upwards of 7 i < . anrt of pouring iu corn at a . duty of Is The agriculturists oughtto 5 ob 8 erV 3 what is the effect

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      of a law which permits the importation of corn at ] s . duty . Ia the year 183 « the total amount of wheat imported for home consumption was 1 , 728 , 000 quarters ; and of that amount 1 , 261 , 000 quarter * were entered at the duty of Is . In l&H ) the total amount of wheat entered for home consumption was 2 , 020 , 000 qnarters ; and of that amount 1 , 217 , 000 were taken out at a duty of 2 s . id . It is not merely to the amount taken out at a duty of Is . or of 2 s . 8 d . that we are to look ; we are also to look at the time of the year at which these duties were paid . That is a matter which it is very important we should observe . In the year 1838 , the corn so teken out at a duty of Is . was , taken out in the week following the 13 th of September . In the year lliOthe corn

      , taken out at a duty of 2 s . 8 d . was taken out on the : week following the 3 rd of September . In each of those years by far the greater part of the foreign wheat was taken out at the low duty of Is . or of 2 s . 8 J . ^ But it was taken out at the critical period just before the farmers in the greater part of the counties of England had thrashed their corn for the purpose of bringing it to market—( hear , hear . ) There was , therefore , a sudden depression in the price of corn at that critical period , on account of the quantity of foreign corn that was poured in at the low amount of duty , which met the British farmer in the market just at the time he was thrashing his corn for the purpose of sale . And thie told ,

      with ta peculiarly unfavourable effect / upon the farmers in the "¦ North Of England .- ' As their harvest was so late , and as they were obliged to bring their , corn at a late period into the market , they were peculiarly exposed to the disadvantage of having to contend with a sudden . i » 4 ux of corn , kept back for the purpose of being procured in the market at the lowest rate of duty which it was possible to expect , That consideration alone , it appears to me , ought to weigh ; with those who are the most useful advocates of protection to agriculture , and induce them to listen with iaydur to a modification of the existing law . Now with the permission of the House I shall proceed in the course of a few minutes i to read to the House the

      scale of duty which we propose to apply . —( Hear , hear . ) That scale of duty is devised with a siucere desire to afford to agriculture , and to the agricultural iutetest , evtry protection which it can legitimately claim . —( Hoar . ) But , at the same time , it is a scale devised for the purpose , when foreign corn is required of facilitating , as far as possible , commercial intercourse with respect to corn , and of subjecting dealings in corn to the same principles which regulate ail Other commercial transactions . Nothing can be more difficult than to determine the amount of protection which home produce is entitled to . But with respect to wheat I do not think there would be much difficulty in determining on what would be a fair average , and a satisfactory price to the country

      at large . If we take the averge of the prices of wheat , the seven years' average , on which the tithe commmutation act was founded , we find that the average price of wheat was £ 63 . lOd . a quarter . — The average of the last ten years was 65 s . lid ., but this average of ten years , includes three years during which corn was higher than I am sure anyone 1 would wish to see it again . For myself , I should say that so far as 1 can judge for the agriculturist , I believe that if they could be secured ia a price somewhere betweed 54 s . and 5 % . a quarter , they would not object to the admission of foreign corn . Taking the average of the seven years which was the basis of the Tithe Bill , and taking the average of the last ten years , but excluding the ihree years which

      exhibited the extreme portion , you will find an average of 56 s ., which , so far as I can judge , is a fair remunerattng price , which I should not wish to sefl exceeded . ( Cries of " Hear , hear . " ) I cannot see , on the other hand , any advantage , consider ing the circumstances of the country , and the existing relations between landlord and teuant , and considering the happiness of the ; country , I cannot , I say , see any great advantage in any diminution below tbatamount I am of opinion that the variation in the prices should be limited to some sum between these extremes . ( Hear , hear . ) But , as I said before , any calculation of this kind must be vague . The quality of land , the rents paid , and a thousand other consideration enter into the question , and therefore

      nothing were more vain than , in particular cases , to determine what is a remuneration ^ price for co rn . ( Hear , hear . ) The same difficuity occurs iu regard to what shall be the rate at which foreign corn can be imported with advantage into this country . In the first place , it is necessary to ascertain the quantity ; and in ascertaining--the : ' price of corn , the quantity must be particularly regarded . The price of wheat and the distance of the country necessarily enter into the calculation , and therefore it is almost impossible to determine what is tho exact price at which foreign corn can be brought into this country . I will proceed now to read the scale of duty which her Majesty's Government proposes to place upon corn . We propose that when corn ib

      under 51 s ., a duty of 20 s . shall be attached I but in no case shall that duty be exceeded : when it is from Sis . to 523 , per quarter , the duty be ISw . ; we should then propose to make what may be called a rest in the scale , for the purpose of applying to the three next items ef prices the uniform duty of 18 s ., so that whencoru was from 52 a . to 55 a . there should be a duty of 18 * . Then from- ' 553 . to 56 s . a duty of lZs ^ ; from 5 f > 3 . 57 s ., ' 16 d . ; from 57 s . to 58 ^ ., 15 s . ; from 58 i . to 59 s ., Us . ; from 59 s . to GOa ., 13 s , ; from 60 s . to 6 "L-., 12 s . ; frpm Gls . to 62 s ., lls . ; from « 2 g . to 634 ,, lOi . ; from 63-i . to 64 s ., 9 s ; from 64 s . to O'Ss ., 8 s , ; from 653 . to 66 s . 7 s . Then with respect to the three next items 1 would apply the duty of 6 a .. ; so that when corn is from 66 s . t 6 C 7 s . per quarter , there

      shall be a duty of -6 * . - We then propose , when corn is at from 69 i . to 7 * 3 . there shall be a duty of 5 s . ; from 70 d . } to 71 s . aduty ^ of 4 s . ; from 71 s . to 72 s . a duty of 3 d ; from 72 a . to 73 s . a . duty of 2 s . ; from 733 . to 74 s . a duty of Is ., and that at . 75 s . the duty shall altogether vanish . —( Cheers and laughter . ) What I propose , then , is when corn ia the British empire is . under the price Of 51 s . the duty should nerer exceed 20 ? . a » I am per iecUy satisfied that it would be useless to take any greater amount . The duty when the price of wheat is from £ 63 . to 57 a . will be 18 s ., and from 60 s . to 61 s ., as 1 said before , 12 * . I apprehend that the effect of this seale will be to diminith the temptation to practice on the averages , and teat when the price of corn has arrived ai from

      eOs . totils . there will be no inducement , on account of the duty to keep back corn from the market . It must be recollected that there will be always an inducement to a certain extent to hold back corn , for the purpose of realising a greater profit . If ; the markets are rising , and there is a prospect of the price rising to 73 s ., there may be a considerable inducement to hold back to take advantage of therise . To attempt to remove altogether every inducement tojhold back . would be useless ; but I trust that the proposed scale is bo arranged as to hold out no inducement on accouut of the diminishing scale of duty to hold corn back from the markets—( hear . ) I onw wiBh to call the attention of the Honse to what has been the effect in tho articles of oats andbarlev ,

      of a more practical reduction of the duty under th « present law . In the case of wheat , the fail in the duty i $ so rapid , that ifc offers a temptation to hold back wheat until it shall have reached such a price as to be admitted at the lowest scale of duty . In Barley and Oats where the fall in the amount of duty is more gradual , the same resu'ts have not followed . Of 3 , 513 , 000 quarters of Oats which have been imported , 248 , 000 quarters were admitted at a duty of Is . 9 d . j 695 , 000 at a duty of 3 s . 2 d , 243 . 000 at 4 s 9 ii ., and 440 , 000 at 63 . 3 d . Such ia the effect of a gradual falljln the duty ot Is . 6 d . I propose to apply the same principle to wheat ; and , by applying that principle to wheat , I consider tbat there is every prospect that wheat ,

      like oats , will be taken out at a higher rate of duty , that the revenue will profit accordingly , and that the commercial and agricultural interests will be equally benefitted by wheat being taken out of bond when the legitimate demand requires it . ( Hear , hear . ) Sir , with respect to the other articles of grain , I propose to adopt the proportions I find in the existing law . The proportiens in the existing law are , that assuming tho value of wheat to be lOOd ., the value of barley is taken at 53 s ., the value of oats is taken at 40 s ., and thq value of rye , peas , and beans is taken at 50 s . If it be assumed that at a duty of 563 . ior wheat , a duty of 16 s . should apply , on barley , a duty of ' 9 s . ought to apply ; when oats are at 22 s ., a duty . of about 63 . 3 cL ought

      to apply ; when rye , peas , and beans , are at 32 s ., a duvy ot ! 0 g . 3 ^ Now I am not at all aw are of any reanas whfcn exist for altering the pironortions with respect to other kinds ot grain , which we find established by the existing law ; and I propose , tiiererore , that in adjusting the duties applicable to other kinds of grain to existing proportions of the Corn Law should be applied . Tne schedule of duties which I will propose for those several articles of consumption will correspond with the relation of price . In the case of foreign oats , 1 propose that the maximum duty should be 83 . Probably it is scarcely necessary that I should read the whole in detail , but in the case ot ' oatB I propose that tho maximum duty should be 83 . ; that it should fall with the increase of price , 7 s ., then that it should fall to « s . and continue at 6 s . for the three items of price , 21 b ., 22 s ., and 2 * 3 , ; that at 24 a ., the average price of duty should be 5 s ., that it should continue to decline as the prices

      increased by Is ; that the extremes of variation of duty , shouldlbefi ., and the duty of Is . should be the minimum , and be continued when the price of Oats shall ba 2 * 3 . ( Hear . ) In the casee of Barley , I would propose that under 263 . the duty shall be for every quarter lls ., that being the maximum ; that between 2 « s . and 27 s ., the duty should be IO 3 . ; at 27 s , and under 30 s ., it should continue at J 3 . ; that at 30 s . and 31 s . it should be 8 s ., and so oh until 37 s . and upwards , when theduty should be decreased to lg . In the case of rye , peas , and beans , I propose that the tame proportion should be observed . I don't think it necessary to read t'he scale that will apply to rye , peas , and beans , particularly as it is founded on the samo-. principle .. .. "The ¦ law which regulates the importation of British Colonial wheat at present is to this effect : —British Colonial wheat and flour has been imported into this country at a : duty of 6 i , whenever the price of British wheat is below fc / s . When the price of British wheat exceeds 67 s .

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      it is then admissible at a duty of 68 ; 6 d . I propose to giye the same advantages to Colonial wheat , with respect to the reduction in price , as is applicable to other'descriptions of grain . Bat , considering that tHe suddeu drop from pa . to vfiixpence , in consequence of the difference of ouo shilling in price , is at variance with the principle of the law which seeks to establish as equable and uniform a reduction of duty as possible , we propose to make these arrangements with respect to colonial wheat—that when the price of British wheat is under 56 s . the duty upon every quarter of British colonial ; wheat should be 53 . ; when it is 55 s . and under 56 ; . tha duty to be 4 s .: and 5 J » 3 . and under 57 s ; the . duty to be 3 s * ; at fi 7 s . and under 588 i the duty to be 2 s . ; at

      5 * 3 . and upwrrds the ; duty to be Is . ; and this is to take away that sudden fall in the amount of duty upon colonial wheat which takes place under the the existing law , thus giving to colonial wheat the advantages in reduction which are given to other descriptions of corn . With respect to flour , I should propose that it be admitted at the same relative scale at which wheat is admitted . I believe , Sir , I have put the House iu full possession of what Heir Majesty ' s Government intends to propose onthis subject , lfyoucompare the reduction in the amount of duty with the existing duty you will find that it is very considerable . To those who have appeared to think UsaV the modification , which I propose to make in the ; existing , law is

      of no importance , Ishall only say , compare my scaJc of . duties on the admission of foreign com with the existing scale of duties . When corn is at 59 s ., and under 6 O 3 ,, the duty at present is 47 s . 8 d . When corn is between those prices , the duty I propose is 13 s . Wh 9 n the price of corn is at 0 O 3 ., the existing duty is 36 s . 8 d ., increasing as the price fall 8 ; instead of which I propose , when corn is at 50 s . that the duty shall only be 20 s ., and that that duty shall in no case be exceeded , ( Hear , hear . ) At 56 s . the existing duty is 30 s . 8 J . ; the duty I propose at that price is 16 s . At 60 s . the existing duty is 26 s . f i . ; the duty I propose at that price is 12 s . At 633 . tho existing duty is 23 s . 8 d . ; the duty I propose is Is . At 64 s .

      the existitiK duty is 22 s . 8 i . ; the duty I propose is 8 a . At 70 a , the existing duty is 90 s . 8 d . ; the duty I propose is 5 s . Therefore , it is impossible to deny , on comparing the duty which I propose with that which exisis at preseut i that it will cause a very considerable decrease of the protection which the present duty affords to the home grower , a decrease , however , which in my opiniou . can be made consistently with justice to all the interests concerned . The protection which I propose to retain , I do not rtjtaiu for the especial protection of any particular class —( hoar . ) Protection cannot be vindiea . ted on that principle . ( " Hear , " from the opposition . ) The only protection which can be vindicated is that ¦ rotection which is cuneistent with the general

      welfare Of all classes in the country —( hear , I should not ( jonsider myself a friend to the agriculturist if I asked for a protection with a view of propping up rentSi or for the purpose of defending his interests or the interests of any particular class —( hear)—and in the proposition I now submit to the House 1 totally disclaim any such intention . My belief , and the belief of my Colleagues is , that it is important for this country , that it is of the highest importance to the welfare of all classes in this country , that you should take care that themain sources of your supply of corn should be derived from domestic agriculturo , —( hoarv hear ); while wo also feel that an additional price which you may pay ia effecting that object is an additional price which cannot be

      vindicated as a bonus or premium to agriculture , but only on the ground of its being advantageous to the country at large . Yoa are entitled to place suoh a price on foreign corn as is equivalent to the special burdens borne by the agricuUurist , and any additional protection you give to them I am willing to admit can only bo vindicated on the ground that it is for the interest of the country generally . ( Hear , hear . ) I , however , cortainly do consider that it is for the interest of all classes th t we should be paying occasionally a small additional sum upon Our own domestic produce , in order that we might thereby establish a security and insurance against those calamities that would-ensue , if

      we became allogether , or in a great pan , dependent upon foreign countries for our supply . — If it is the pleasure of Parliament to affirm our proposal , it will , of course , pass into a law . If it be the pleasure of Parliament to reject it , I hope still thatjthe question may | be adjusted . Whatever may be tho determination of Parliament with respect to it , I shall conclude by expressing my most earnest and solemn hope that the arrangement , whatever it may be , may bo one most in concurrence with the pcrmarijent welfare of all claases , manufacturing , commer-. cial , and : agricultral , in the country . ( The Right Honourable Baronet resumed his seat amid loud cheers . )

      Lord J . Russell would inake no observation this evening on the statement of the Right Hon Bart ., except to remark that they would come better prepared to the discussion if they were supplied -wi- » h the list of towns lor which the Right Hon . Baronet proposed to collect the averages . It was iiidispensablo that they should have this information , and also a statoment of the principle upon which the selection was made . He hoped , therefore , the Right Hon . Baronet would give the House this statement to-morrow . Sir It . Peel would lay the list on the table on Friday . His sole principle was to select the most important towus in England and Wales , iucludin , g of course , the principal market towns . On the motion that the Chairman should report progress ,

      Mr . Cobden said that ifc was not his intention to enter into any argument on the qviesUon tonight jbut-he did not thiukit would be just to himself , or to his constituents , if he did not take that early opportunity of denouncing the scheme as an insult to the suffering people . The other orders of the day were then agreed to , and the House adjourned atEighto'Cloc ' s precisely .

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      Baixp Rules fob the Government op all whs WRrriE ! fob this Paper . —Write l 6 gibly . Make as few erasures and interlineations as possible . In writing names of persons and places be more particular thaii usual to make evert / letter distinct am clear—also in using words not Englisb . Write only on one side the paper . Employ no abbreviations whatever , but write out every word ih full . Address communications not to any particular parson , but to " The Editor . " Whenyoii ail down to write , don't be in a hurry . Consider that hurried writing makes slow printing . Remember that we go to preaa on Thursday ; that one side of the paper goes to press on Wednesday ; that we are obliged to go on filling up the paper the whole

      week , and that , therefore , when a load of matter comes by the last one or two posts , it unavoidably happens that much of it is omitted ; and that it is therefore necessary to be prompt in yeur couirriunications . AU matters of news , repoits of meetings , &c , referring to occurrences on Friday , Saturday , or Sunday , should reach us by Monday ' s post ; such as refer to Monday ' s occurrences by Tuesday evening ' s post ; Wednesday ' B occurvencea by 'Ihurfc day ' s post ; and Thursday ' s news by Friday morning ' s post , for second edition . Any deviation from this order of supply will necessarily subject the matters so received to the almost certainty <; f xcjection or serious curtailment , and tec take no blame jor it . All personal correspondence , poetry , literary

      communications , and articles of comment to be beru by Tuesday , or their chance of insertion tor that ¦ wetk TFill be Very small indeed ,- if not here by Wednesday we don't hold oiirsolyes feounJ even to notice them . Finally ; , remember that we have ouly forfcy-cight columns weekly for all England , Scotland , Wales , and Ireland ; that we have no interest in -preferring one town or place to another , because oiirs is not a local but a nutional paper ; that we are bound , therefore , in dealing with the masses of matter wbick come to us , to hold the scales of Justicdfevenly- ^ ourflrBt object being the promotion and enhancement , according to our own best jiidgnienl , < sf the success of the great and good cause ; and our second , the distribution of oar time

      and space so a 9 to giyia least cause 0 / complaint ; that we are alike bound to this course of ac . ion t » y inclination , interest , and duty and that , therefore , it is useless and senseless for individuals to fume and fret , and think themselves ill uded because their communications may not always be inserted , or for societies to trouble their heads and waiste their time in passing votes of ensure upon us for devoting tco much space to this , or too littie to that , or for inserting this thing which they think should have been omitted , or for omitting the other tbing which they think should have appeared . All

      these are matters for our consideration , and for the exercise of our discr « tion and judgment , which , we assure all parties , shall he always used , so far as we are able to perceiye , honestly for the public , without fear or favour to any on « , and without being allowed to be turned for one inatant from its course by ill-natured snarls or bickerings . Public Funds . —> To prevent mUtaked , let it be especially noted that all monies received by our Cashier for tfce various Chartist funds are acknowledged by him in the column of " Notices to Correspondents , " and that he is answerable only for tha sums thora advertised to have been received .

      Bradford Short-Timk Comscittee . —Their address to Lord Ashley is unavoidably postponed for want of room . The great length at which we have givtn the Parliamentary intelligence of the week , including the speech of : Sir Robert Peel on the Corn Laws , has necessarily excluded a large mass of Chartist notices from a variety of places . CoNGLETON . —The discussion between Messrs . West and Campbell was not received till Friday morn-: xiig—too late for insertion . Shilton . —The notice of the "Baker ' s" meeting on Tuesday : is omittedfor the same ' reason . RoiHERHiTHE . —The notice 6 }' their meeting on Tuesday is omitted for the same reason .

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      The National Petition . —C . Wesiray writes : — " Though considerable exertions have been made by the XoBddn Chartists to obtain signatures to the National Petition , I think there Is a plan which I am astoaished they have not ere thiB put in practice namely , by having tables , with Petition sheetB on them , in some of the principal thoroughfares of the toetropoliB where working men pass to and from work : for instance , there are thousands ' . of Workmen pass over Blackfriars , London , and WestmitisterBridges , between the hours of six and nine in the mornjng . and I am certain that a quarter of a milHon of Bignatuies might be obtained at those places alone if this plan was adopted . It is quite a common occurrence to see petitions for the repeal of the Com laws laying at the corner of the streets for signatures . How much more important is ¦ our object than that of . ' the Plague ; therefore , shoulcl -we out do them in exertions to advance our cause . "

      "Plague" Petitions . " -The tricks resorted to bylhe Plague to obtain signatures to their humbug petitions are really amusing . Not a week passes that we do not receive from varioits parts oftht country information , of Ihe most disgraceful exhibitions of low cunning . Childrenoj [ ten , ttr eleven years of age who can write are stopt < , \ tt-, they go along the streets by the fellows who s \ pn with anti-C&rn Law petitions for signatures , ana asked to write their names . Men are appointed to stand in vario&s parts . of'large totems with tables and petition-sheets , and other men- are employed to perambulate the iotvn , signing at every table . Several petitions : are got up from the same place ,, signed by the same persbjis in

      different pretended capacities . Thus a correspondent , from Castle Douglas , this ieetk writes us : — - . " One of our dissenting clergy , last Sabbath evening , after he had turned bis sanctified face to Heaven , and called down the best blessing of God upon the head ef bur Sovereign the Queen , the Royal Co 111-sott , and their two infant children , the hope of this great nation ; and that they might long : be Spared to reign , that we might enjoy the many privileges under them that : we are at present in possession' of ; said that he wanted a repeal ot the Corn Laws , and that it was his intention to get up what he called a congregational petition for the minister , elders , and hearers , and he intended to

      goat the bead of it , and . it would be found at the church every night for a week to append signatures . He also intimated that it was thai intention of some of the respectable members of our town to get up what he called a town petition , which he intended to go at the head of also ; and that it would be found at a certain shop on the way from the church ; the same is the house of one ot the elders in connection with the same church . " Leicester pHARrisTs . —All Saints Of en .- —TF

      H . Di Griffiths must etcuse us- ^ we have no room , His letter of last meek was received . W . H . MoRRiSH writes under a gross misapprehen ~ fion : Air . W . Leigh and Mr . F .. R . Lees are two quite different persons . Charles ; Stew art . —Campbell's pamphlet is out of print . Dennis M' Mill an . — We do not think the " creeper »" can do much harm . ¦ ¦ ¦ .-J . M . Leicester . — The National Charter Association hati no " sections , " old or new— -no branches or divisions : it is on& body ; and we wish its mem , ' bers would learn to breathe one spirit . The Ipswich Chartists are desirous to ascertain from Mr ,, O'Connor if he at all contemplates visiting their part of the country ? They would feel greatly indebted if he ivotild forward afeyi lines . "¦• ¦; "•;¦ . ' ¦ ; ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ - ¦ .- ¦ , ' ; . ¦ ¦' .- " - ¦ ¦• - . - . . ¦ ¦ . ' - , Scotch objections to the National Petitios .

      George Ashwell , in reply to Mr . J . Duri . CAN , denies that any man can be a conscientious Chartist , and support the New Poor Law : he denies the right of aity man claiming to be a Chartist to object to the petition on the ground of its reciting certuin things as grienanr . es unless hi be prepared to prove thut they are not grievances . . . . . .. ¦¦ ..-. ¦ . ¦¦ ¦ - . ' . ' . ' . '¦ '' . .- ' . ¦"• ' ¦ ¦ ' , W . Damells has our thanks for his watchfulness . We have laid Jthe " wee thing" by for a future time , "if need be ' W . Griffin . —The entracf from his American friend ' s letter miist stand over for the present Will he write and tell usus what trade his friend -U-3- - ' ' , ¦ ¦ . ¦ " .. ' ' ¦ . "¦ •/ : . ¦¦¦ : L . 11 . —We should say ' ¦ no ; " but he rnust remember xce do not profess io give legal opinions . Hanley Potieries . —— We have no recolleclion oj having received their council nominations . It

      may very probably have got mislaid unseen . .-... Will the officers oj ' any < well regulated \ co operative store tranamU their laws , per post , if . not . so large as to be very ewpensive ^ to John Wal ^ 24 , Currantstreet , Nottingham , and he will send postoffice stamps to cover the ' expence . J . H . Loxgmead , Truro , will oblige us by writing only on one side of his paper . We thought all our Correspondents had understood ifiis . Public Chartist Challenge to Sidney Smith , the Great Lion of the London anti-Cork Law Association . —Mr . H . L'igh hereby

      challenges Sidncy . Sndth to discuss the question of the Corn Laws with him , at the theatre of the Literary Institution , Prince s s-street , Leicestersquare , or any other suitable public place . Mr . II . Leigh will undertake to defray the expences of ihe meetingiincluding ¦ printing , Qc , provided Mr . Smith will accept this challenge . Edmund Fallows , Middleton . —His Paper was sent as -usuat' from this office . James Brown , Lynn j Acts sent us a notice of the death of a " young patriot" without either giving Us his name , or t fie names of his parents .

      JOHir Hodgson . — We really know nothow to advise in the case . It is all nonsense to talk of the poor having theprotection of the law in this country ; they have no such thing . There is no doubt that , if satisfactory rvidence of the short weight could be adduced , the scoundrel is liable to an action ; but that , we apprehend , would be found , to a poor man , " a remedy wurse than the disease . " We think the opinion and advice of the magistrate ^ under all the circustances , the best that could be given . Leave . the rascal ' s shop . Expose him in the neighbourhood , and let him be taught by an empty till that honesty is the best policy .

      A Real DtMOCKAT , M-akcuester . —Thnnks for the paragraph from the Guardian , whichwehad not seen .. We shall give it with a word or two . Chakles M'Ewen . — We have received another copy of the le . iersto which we refused insertion last week . It is rejected for the same reason as before . T . Walker ' s notice of a R >> jjle at Benhoridtey is an advertisement . James Simmons and J . Barber . ——27 ie tables of wages are thankfully received , ^ We shall use them . * ' ¦ '¦ . ¦; John Mason and Others , Embsay . —We have received the copy of their letter to iMr . Knowles : it cannot appear .

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      Newcastxe-OiV-Ttne . - —Those persowswho received their Papers from Mr . Carruthera ? can have their Plates and Medals by applying to Messrs . France and 'Go . / . j Their names will be entered on application ; Messrs ; France and Co , will sendxa a list and the Plates to the number of applications will be forwarded . Parties nie requested to eall early , as , it will be inconvenient if two parcels have : to be sent . John MuRD 0 . cn , Castle Douglas . —The paper was sent at the proper time : the Plates . were not ssnt till after . We-never send Plates to the Post-office on Thursdays * or Fridays , because , from the large

      quantities of newspapera going through the posteffii ; 8 on these / £ ays , the Plates would , be in great danger of being spoiled ^ ' ' Write to Mr . Campbell , 18 , Addetley-atreet , Shaw ' s Brow , Manchester , for the Cards . Thomas Abbott , Manchester . —He is mistaken : he bad better refer to the advertisement again , and Write to the ' proper parties . Has Mr ; Arthur received two letters from Mr . Skillithorn , Backr 9 treei , Maryport 7 P . W . — ' * Revoiutibn of Philosophy ' is out of print , and cannot be had . Henry Jones , XONDON .--If the Stamps were received the Portrait was sent ,

      The Females at Pert * do not say what the assent is for . FOR THE EXECUTIVE . £ . 8 . d . From afew friends at Ledoflry ... 0 10 0 ~ tlie New Town Class of the National Charter Association , Bishopwearmouth ... ... 0 10 0 First profits from Smith ' s blacking , Plymouth . .,. ... ... 0 2 € FOR MRS . FROST—THE " WHIGf-MADE WIDOW . " FOR MRS . FROST—THE " WHIG-MADE WIDOW . "

      From H . Hanly , Jebn-street , Dry- . pool , Hull > .. ... ... 0 0 6 „ theChartist Association , Newport , Isleof Wight . ... . ... 2 0 ¦ „ , Mr . W . Kenyon > Preston , per ( J . Halton ... ... ... - 0 Of « . Kyde , Isle of Wight , by J . W . Butler ... ... ... ... Q 4 5 ^ Worsbro'Common andArdsley , per Peter Hoey ... ... 0 66 . FOR MRS . JONES AND MRS . ZEPHANIAH - ¦ . _ ¦ " . ¦ ' . '¦ -:-. WILLIAMS . " A ; '' ' 1 ' " '¦ From the New Town Claas of the ; Njitional Charter Association , Bisbopwearmouth ... , ; . 0 10 t- V _— -. »—» - > . ^ Ard&ley . per P . Hoey ... ... C 2 ^^ JiTllERW FOR THE USE . OF THE DELEGATE IDSD- ; ibfiTA R ^ , DEVONSHIRE , &C . V ^ ' *~> ^ Vlt 'V = A ' c ^^ 'V From the Chattiste of Southmbltpn 0 \ Q Afc&r ' ^ fLj ^ ^ j *^ . y FOR G . BLACK , WHO LOST aiS PrBS * Ssl ^^^^^ ^^ * From Plymouth , per S . Smith - ... 0 ^^ p ^ M ^^^ : % S % lil

      2to Medtotv& Anti Coftr^Ijonlieittjss

      2 To Medtotv& anti Coftr ^ ijonlieittjss

      Untitled Article

      ^_ T HE N O R T HE % K ST A B . ____*?_

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 12, 1842, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1148/page/5/