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Northern Star (1837-1852), 12th February 1842, Edition 5 of 4, Page 5, Untitled Article

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      essential to manufacturing industry , to the general consumption , or to the comforts or enjoyments of the people , it would be well to weigh the materials which ijjn possess before you draw such a conclusion , g ' j , in the Report of the Committee which sat on the Import Duties there is evidence on the point—evidence given by the Hon . Gentleman the Member for Bolton , whose attention has been directed to this subject , and who , before that Committee , and in the Report which he made on the Prussian League , on the state of our commercial relations wiih Prussia , has " given information as to the comparative consumption of the people of this country , and the consumption of the inhabitants of the Prussian States . Now , let cs take the great articles of consumption and we begin by admitting that meat is dear , and that com is dear , the great articles which constitute the sustenance of the people , and administer to their lumfortB . I admit that they are greatly lower in

      Prussia than they are here . ( flear . J iintaslsaid 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 constitutes their comforts . 2 vow I begin with meat , and in speaking of that I shall take my information from a perfectly unsuspicious source . It is from one whc differs from me as to the operation of the Corn Law ^ and who is a decided advocate for their r-rpeal . ( Hear , hesr . ) J ) r Botmns ' s calculation with regard to meat is rir ' en in 184 'A It is the report on the Zolverien ; he was speaking of a state of things in this country , where the Com Laws had b ? en in operation for thirty years , and must have affected , if that were their tendencv , the comforts of the people . But what witha report icado by the Right Hon . Gentleman < >~ ow , with respect to meat , Dr . Bowring says , tha 000000

      in Prussia he calculates that 14 ,, ' of personconsume 425 , 000 , 000 pounds of meat ; that i 3 at th < rate of about 55 pounds annually for each person But the Hob . Gentleman fays , that in this counrr 25 . 000 , 000 of persons consume 502 b . of meat annually : he say 5 that it cannot be less than 50 lbs ., and it habeen estimated at double that amount . Now , I wil takeita ; the lowest calculation , and from that } i appears that the inhabitants of Prussia consume bu 35 pounds yearly , whereas in this country 50 pound are consumed annually— ( bear , hear . ) Now , talf 5 n ? ar . Observe I am not at all denying that sexei c distress prevail *; in manyparts of the country distre . - * prevails to a very great extent—( hear . ) I certainly d < not mean to say that the 17 , 000 persons in distre ? ia Paisley consume so much meat or sugar , Neat all ; but it is impossible to argue the subjer without drawing general inferences . You mn ?

      look at the who ? e amount , and m doing so , you mm aot be taunted by the remark of , can voh say , tha at Paisley and Stockport , such is the amount ? 1 esy no such thing . I admit that there there is n < such consumption ; but in drawing general conclu sions with respect to legislation you have no other alternative than to deal with general averages an < comprehensive results , and by that means to ascer tain upon the whole , what the consumption of ! country is . "Well , now , sugar ; now , before yeu df tennine that high price 3 are necessarily an evil , j ask you to compare the consumption of sugar ii the different conntries of Europe ^ - ( hear , hear . ) rely entirely upon the authoritj of Dr . Bowiinj : The Hon . gentleman saj 3 that in France the col sumption of sugar is -Jibs- 8 ozs . jper head ; I will allov that it is olfas . par head , because there is certain bee root sugar , which he has not taken into his caJcuia

      tion , but in rrancehe put it at thehighest . The corramption of sugar by each individual per arm . is olbs . in the states of the German League it is 41 b . ; ii Europe generally it is 2 J ib . The consumption o-Great Britain ihe Hon . Gentleman calculated at ] 7 lbs . per annum . I take the consumption of corn , o ; this very article . —( hear , hear . ) Mr . Hume , that i . ' 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 Hoi ! GfDtleman " s calculation is , that 24 , 000 , 000 of the m habitants consumed 45 . 000 , 000 quautrs of araii : tkat is ail other kinds of grain included . Now , ) beg the Hcnse to bear in mind , with reference to iharticle of corn , that the estimate of consumption , b } two gentlemen possessed of such mean 3 of informa

      tion , entertaining views which make the testimony so altogether free from suspicion , is that the consumption of this country , compared with that w other countries , is one quarter of wheat fir each individual . The Honourable GentlemaD makes the total consumption for 24 0 c 0 , 00 o of inhabitants , 45 , 000 , 000 quarters © f grain , which Lnot very far from two quarters per head for each individual . Now , the Hon . Gentleman has given i >* the consumpiion of the Prussian States . The Prus-Eian States contain , fourteen millions of inhabitants , and the consumption of those States amounts to thirteen miliion 3 of quarters of wheat . Observe , le ? E than one-fourih 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 individual , 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 tht Prussian States the consumption of rye is the pro portion of three and four to one when compared to wheat . Tne consumption of 124 , 000 lbs ., gives ns a consumption of 65 lb& . of wheat and 2401 os . of rye to each individual . Thus , this 124 , 0001 b ? . gave an annual consumption of little more than one bushel of wheat to each individual in the Prussian States , instea-: of one quarter of wheat , which was the consumption of Great Britain . The Hon . Gentleman 3 avs 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 . Tha annual consumption of salt , in the Prussion States , is 16 i lbs . per head , in England , it is 22 ibs . per head . The conssmption of cotton goods in Prussia was four psands and one-third for each family of five persons , vrhichwasnot 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 uid a _ quarter a head . It appears that the consumption of tobacco is greater in Prussia daa 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 . Toe consumption of butter is likewise greater in Prussia , amounting to 21 b . per head in that country , as < i lib . per head in England ; bnt you must recollect

      that in ali the great articles , in cotton , in woollea , in sill , in tea , in sugar , in corn , the very article wmcii vre aie a ; this moment considering , the consamption- ' of each individual in this country ,, estimated m ibajezrlW } , &t a time when the price of ? ° ™ J ^ exceedingly high compared with the price ^ Prussia , owing to the command whieh the labourjxg classes hid of the necessaries and comfort 3 of ¦ ae , tne consumption far exceeded in thi 3 country pe consumption in Prussia , where the price was jss—( hear , hear . ) I do not mean to say that that ^ ^ J'argument now against removing restrictions uoad Opposition cheers . ) It is no argument agonist giving an increased command over these jtftiQles ^ but it is an argument to show that it i 3 not iZxr * o give the diminished price of food as an arguasnt for the prosperky of that country . Information had been kid * on tha table as to the condition of ^ s laboaring classes in Belgium . . Now BeJzinm is

      a ? y ? at manufacturing country , ana is represented as D 5 ia » in » kign " state of prosperity . In this cocaiDe nt the wages of the agricultural / labourer in « igmm is stated at lid . per day , those of Reivers at 13 ., masons , 1 =. 3 d ., ' locksmiths and carpenters Is . 31 ., manufacturing labourers "" -V ~ ' miners acd quarrymen Is . 4 d ., jewellers and soios oiiiis i 5 . gd . Such is the rate of wages in Pogrom . In the last vesr the market price of wheat ^ tnat country was from 51 =. 9 d . to 53 s . per quarter . £ Antwerp it was from 5 ls . to 55 s . per quarter . Using , lDeD > tjje geDeTa ] arerage of the prices of corn in Belgium , * and comparing them wiih the u ^ oanr of wag ^ s in that country , notwithsiandmif taannfactnring and ai-ricaltcral prosperiivit

      ^ , JvV me tha : the wages in that eonmry do cot Kf . , sams command over the enjoyments of life j ^ . the wages received in this country do . Sir , j ^ . ' f ° r lhe purpose of confirming my .- Pressjon chat to look for any rapid or great ehange ^ t ^ condition of the people of this country from *~ j extensive alteration in the Corn Law 3 , would fij'P Jon to CTeat disappointment . My firm belief - lam Fpeaking of those who are in favour of the acsointe repeal of the Corn Laws—my firm imprestV Bj liiit * f ln ^ House were t-o consent t- > "st total repeal which is urged upon their con-^ "fcoa , instead of mingating , in the jj-gotest degree , the - maBufactanng distress pow prevalent , von would on ' , - ? enraradd to

      i * *« -e severest a ^ nccltural distress—( hear , hear . ) w y u ra - ^ Qistar bance of the agricultural interests , would , in mj opinion , inevitably lead to fatal results , t ' n - 5 f ly ^ rs ? Pect ° . agriculturists , but to inose oiher classes of society whose prosperity was wenacal with theirs . There is , however , another porti on of those who are advocates for a material > aeration in the Com Laws , who do not go the Jeagtn of advising absolute repeal of those law ? , bat a s ubstitution , in place of the present , of a fixed duty ] open corn . With respect to these , the ground is Mrrowed which we take . They are in favour of a j ased

      duty on corn—they admit that the agriculturist j " entitled to protection , and therefore would impose » fluty invariable in amount upon the importation of 2 P «> ni . Wiih respect to those , it must be re- ; membered that whatever odium attaches to the im- ' P ° auon of a variable duty , must necessarily apply , jnta equal force / to the imposition of a fixed duty , j U-r . es of •» No , no . ") I am sure , Sir , Honourable ; ge ntlemen opposite do not understand me . I am i ^ l sa Jirig that the same objection applies to a fixed ; sty as to a variable c :: e . I am only saying this , ; > nat as f ^ j . 25 O £ j ; ^ attached to the imposition aav Qaiy on the main snhdsrpnrp of the nsnnle— '

      » to ti . extent , in principle , a fixed duty is liS ^ o aole t 0 objection . ( Cries of " hear , bear , nfl load Tory cheering . ) There may be advantages a czed duty . That i ^ for argument—( htar , hear ) j

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      but theargument 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 duiy . ( Hear . ) Both the one and the other most 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 enceurage the productions of our own Eoil —( hear , hear . ) But on principle , it is impossible to say that they do not rest on the same ground , and must be -defended by the same arguments —( he&r , hear ) In common with my colleagues , I have given this -ubject the fullest and most patient consideration ; and , if I could come to the conclusion that fora variable it would be better to substitute a fixedduty

      , I hope I should consider the obligations under which 1 act , a 3 Minister of the Crown , and should have the moral courage to avow it and to propose it to the House . But afu r giving the fullest consideration to the principle of amendingthelaw , I cannot reconcile myself to that—C ' hear , " from the opposition . ) I do not beiieve we could impose an amount of a fixed duty sufficient for the protection of domestic agricultnre in years of average Eupply , 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 . . In the consideration of the question it to ascertain

      ' . s necessary what are the probabilitys that this country can , from its own resources , supply us population . ( Tory cheers . ) I am not prepared : o admit that this country is unable in ordinary times to supply itself . If I formed my judgment , Sir , from ; he quantity of corn grown curing tha last four year ? , 1 should be _ bound to admit that we Were dependent on a . foreign fupply for a great portion of > ur i-ubsistenee , because during the last four years , ' . o state the case fully and fairly , the average importation of foreign grain was 2 . 300 * . 000 quarters in each of those . four years . And if we take the last twelve or thirteen years we shall find that on the whole the

      importation of foreign corn has been very considerable , 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 ihe oth of July , 1841 , is 13 , 475 , 000 quarters . ( An Hon . Member on the Opposition benches—In each year ? The Hon . Baronet ? xplained 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 ¦ rive any such period of time as ten years during -vh : ch we shall be quite independent of foreign supply ; such a period of time cannot leave us without , during its progress , being under the necessity of

      mporting a supply of foreign grain , and in that ense you are not independent of Joreign supply . I -.-tain my opinion that it is of the utmost impor--3 ! ice _ to 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 impracticablevud nothing , I think , can be so mischievous as to trtempt to p ' ass laws which should have the effect of giving such an encouragement to domestic produce 13 should certainly secure iis snch an unqualified ndependence . This i 3 impossible , but , speaking jenerally , I think it i 3 important that a country ke this , whose chief meaDS of subsistence are

      de-¦ sved from its supply of wheat , —I say that it is . mportant that if a country like this , is obliged to enDn to foreign countries , it ought to be rather or the purpose of making up its deficiency , than \ iT drawing its constant and chief source > : ' . subsistence . ( Hear , hear hear . ) Now , Sir , I orm this inference , as 1 said before , from what has ak £ n place during the four years ; and , looking at . vhat has occurred , I am bound to admit that this jountry was dependant on others for a considerable jort ion of its supply , because , as I have before stated , 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 ihe average imponatior : during the first six of those

      years . l > nring the first six 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 - -0 rapidly increased with reference to its subsis-: c-rce . that you must altogether abandon the hope of driving-sufficient supply from your own agriculture . Within the last ttn years the population of this country had , of course , considerably increased ; irid , during the last four years it had been found necessary to import foreign corn , but during the six years preceeaing , the average produce of the country had been sufficient for the consumption . I s . m 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 scarcity —( 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 uniimited 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 severe di-cress 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 highest authority , that 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 affiected 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 consequence of a slight additioa to the quantify of corn produces an effect on prices very different from the amount ef excess . Mr . Tooke , in his work on prices , lays down the principle a 3 follows : — " It will be found that prices vary in a ratio very different from

      the variation of quantities , and that the differer . ee of the ratio , between quantities and prices is liuble 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 those 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 harvest here is an indication of an abundant harvest on the continent—( hear . ) While , therefore , this calculation shews what supply we raighi 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 , tha * . the consequence of imposing a fixed duty would be to prevent those great alternations , and that alchouun ir might , be-difficult to maintain a fixed duty if thtre were periods of some scircv . y , yet t&at the tendency of such a law -will present such a scarcity , an a the occurrence of such a contingency , in which the difficulty would principally consist . Now , all expsrieuce seems to me 10 show , that with respect to corn , such fluctuations in produce and in

      price must be impossible to be remedied by legislation . —( hear , hear . ) That no law that you could pa-s for the free importation of corn would , in case of deficient harvest hero and on the continent , prevent a rise in price to eucli a . point as to make a fiX' ^ a duty intolerable . Take the United States , which were nor subject to the operation of the Corulaws , and then you will find the amonnt of fluctuation in . price arising from the fluctuation of the seasons to be as M re&t as that prevailing in this country—( hear , hear . ) In Prussia you will find , with respect to rye , a species of grain not affected by the Corn-laws that 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 i ., and if your anticipations , that by legislative ecactments you can guard against the rising of prices be not fallacious , aud taen p rices rise to 80 or 90 shillings , I retain the impressions I stated in the couise of last Session , that 1 . 0 Government could nntertake at tueh prices to enforce a fixed duty . If that be admitted , you muse 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 to 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 inver&ely with the price of the article in the whole market , that is , the principle of the exlstinglaw . Themaintainanceof that principle necessarily involves the pr inciple of the system of averages . It is said there would be gieat 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 jour proceedings are founded on a . system of averages ; it is impossible to abolish the .- " vB-emfof aTera ^ es , Jbecause fj nnnaal

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      payments tie founded on the accounts 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 exttnsive combinations have been entered into for the purpose of influencing theavera # e 3 , and procuring the release of corn at lower prices . In Leeds , 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 Fix weeks ending the ith of August , the 18 th of August , the 20 th of August , the 27 th of August , thfc 3 rd of September , and the lOih 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 733 . Id . If I exclude the Yorkshire market , the general average for the kingdom wouid be 71 s . lid . It is probable that the raisins 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 , aud , therefore , they could draw no necessary inference that great frand had been practised because the

      London averages exceeded those 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 . In 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 ^ , would have been 2 s . td . ; but the average , exclusive of the London market , would have raised the price of corn up to 10 s . 8 d . Bus then , as I said before , as the price of corn in London is higher than in . the country markets , you

      must n&fc infer fraud from that circumstance . But , Sir , various proposals have been made with respeot 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 4 > hear , hear , " from the Opposition benches . ) It is advised by some that the returns be taken by the growers . Thai 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

      efiect in raising the price of corn .. fair , I must state that I think we ought to guard as far aa possible against fraud ; but I do not think we ought to effect an increase of protection by any indirect operation . If any protection be requisite , make it to come direct only frum 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 frauA Various alterations in the law of the averages may be made which will have that fffecr , 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 mako a return of the corn sold . It is 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 sold instead of the return made as at present . I conceive that the greatest , and only effectual , security , against fraud is to diminish the temptation 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 wiW 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 sales 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 propo ? e 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 to perform the duty by _ their general habits of bnsintss , and the responsibility they incur on account of their being public officers , giving , by their character , and that of their occupations , 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 shall 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 aro 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 towms , but ia the Bill which we

      intend to introduce we Bhall name several populous towns which are v . ow 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 eollected , we shall obtain greater security against the average being improperly influenced , 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 made to those of Eugland and Wales . I propose to continue this limitation , so that although I propose to add ^ several towns , the towns added wili all be situate in 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 tho 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 fr ^ m which the averages are taken ; and , secondly , by employing a respou .-ible c-fficer , acting under the authority of a public beard to make the returns . But wemoreparticularlyrely , as a prevention of fraud , upon such an altera ion of the duty as shall diminish the tempntioa to it . ( Loud cheer ? . ) I trust I 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 country , and the manner in which we . propose to levy the duty . At present the House is aware the duty depends—( here there was considerable interruption , the cause of which we did not apprehend . ) The Eight Hon . Gentleman resumed . At , present iho dutyon corn is levied in this manner : —When the price _ is 59 s . and under 60 s . vr quarter , a duty of 27 s . is levied . It thendiznikis > 03 at the rate of If . of duty , with Is . increase of price , until it arrives at a price above 6 £ s and not above 67 s . when the duty falls 2 ^ . for 1 ? . rue or price until it

      reaches above 6 ' 83 . Above 69 j . the duty ia 16 s . 8 i . At 70 .- \ per quarter the duty is 13 s . 9 d , ; at 71 s . it is 10 s . 8 J ., theu it falls is ., and at 72 s . it is Gs . 8 d . At 73 i . it is 2 s . 8 d ., and Tviieu coru 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 ^ . 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 38 j . 8 d . in a single quarter of corn combining to raise the averages between those prices . This difference between COs . and 73 s . is an inducement to

      retain corn for the purpose of affecting the averages . At 66 s . the inducement to retain corn in the hope of a rise in ita price is 4 s . on account of its price , and 10 s n account of the duty , being an amount of 14 s . in the 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 ia 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 $ . 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 ofpM increased price aud a diminished duty . holders of corn wtre induced to kttp it back , notwit : ; s : andiEg the high price , in hopes ofrealizing aprice upwards of 73 ^ . and of pouring in corn at a duty of Is Theagriculturists _ oughttOiobs £ rV 3 what is the effect

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      of a law which permits the importation of corn at Is . duty . Ia the year 183 « the total amount of wheat imported for homo consumption was 1 , 728 , 000 quarters ; and . of that amount 1 , 261 , 000 quartera were entered at the duty of Is . In 1840 the total amount of wheat entered for home consumption was 2 , 020 , 000 quarters ; 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 1 b . 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 ^ aken out at a duty of Is . was , takea out ia the week followring the 13 th of September . In the year 1140 , the 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 takeu out at the low duty of Is . or of 2 a . 8 d . But it was taken out at the critibal 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 , ou account of the quantity of foreign corn that was poured in at the low- amount of duty , which met the British former 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 farmerBin the North of Englaud . As their harvest was so late , and as they were obliged ; to bring their . Cora at a late period into the market ^ they were peculiarly exposed to the-. disadvantage of having to contend with a sudden influx 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 favour to a modification of tne existing law . Now with the permission of the House I shall proceed in the course of a few minutes 1 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 iuterest , every protection which it can legitimately claim . —( Hear . ) But , at the same time , it is a scale devised for the purpose , when foreign corn ia required of facilitating , as far as possible , commercial intercourse with respect to corn , aud of subjecting dealings in corn to the same principles which regulate all other commercial transactions . Nothing can be more difficult than to determine the amount 01 protection which home produce is entitled to . Hut with respect to wheat 1 do not think there would be much difficulty ia 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 ot 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 . — Theaverageof thelast ten years was 6 Ss . lid ., but this average of ten years , includes three years during which corn was higher than I am sure any one would wish to see it again . For myself , I should say that so far as I can judge for thV agriculturiBt , I believe that if they could be secured in a price somewhere betweed 54 s . and 54 jb . 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 . aii , average of 56 s ., which , so far as I can judge , is a fair remunerattng price , which 1 should not wish to see exceeded . ( Cries of " Hear , hear . ") I ctunotsee , ou the other hand , any advantage , considering the circumstances of the country , and the existing relations between landlord and teuant , and considering the happiness of the , country , J cannot , I say , see any great advantage in any diminution below that amount . I am of opinien that the variation iu 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 vagua . 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 remunerationg price for corn . ( Hear , hear . ) The same difficulty occurs in 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 thp 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 bo 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 is

      under 51 s ,, a duty of . 20 s . shall be attached ; but in no case shall that duty be exceeded : when it is from Us . to 52 s , per quarter , the duty be Jfc . ; we should i hen propose to make what may be called a rest in the scale , for the purpose of applying to the three next items of' prices the uniform duty of 18 s ,, so that when corn was from 52 s . to 55 s . there should be a duty of 1 . 8 * . Then from 553 . to 56 s . a duty of 179 ^; from 51 ) 3 . 57 s ., ' 163 . ; from 57 s . to ois ., lSri . ; from 58 i . to 503 ., 14 s . ; from 59 s . to 60 s ., 13 s , ; from 60 s . to til * ., 12 s . ; from CIs . to 62 s ., lls . ; from 62 s . to 633 ., JOj . ; from 63-j . to 64 a ., 9 i ; from 64 s . to 603 ., 83 , ; from 653 . to 66 s . 7 s . Then with respect to the three next items 1 would apply the duty of tfs ,, so that vihen corn i 8 from 66 s . to C 7 s . per quarter , there

      shall be a duty of 6- < . We then propose , when corn is at from 69 s . to 7 # s . there shall be a duty of 53 . ; from 703 . » to 7 l 3 . a duty of 4 s . ; from 71 s . to 72 s . a duty of 3 d ; from 72 a . to 73 s . a duty of 2 a . ; from 733 . to 743 . a duty of Is ., and that at 75 s . the duty shall altogether vanish . —( Cheers and laughter . ) What I propose , then , is when coru i » the British empire is . under the price of 5 ls . the duty should never exceed 20 s . as I am perfectly satisfied that it would be useless to take auy greater amount . The duty when the price of wheat is from £ 6 $ .. to 57 rf . will be 18 s ., and from 60 s . to 61 s ,, as 1 said before , 12 s . I apprehend that the tffect of this seale will be to diminish the temptation to practice on the averages , and teat when the price of corn has arrived at from

      60 s . to 6 'ls . 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 , i ' ot the purpose of realising a greater profit . If the markets are risiug , and there is a prospect of the price risiDg 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 wish to call the attention of the Honse to what has been the effect in tho articles of oats andbarlftv ,

      of a more practical reduction of the duty under the present law . In the case of wheat , the fail in the duty i $ so rapid , that it 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 . Qi . y 695 , 000 at a duty of 3 s . 2 d , 243 . 000 at 4 s 9 d ., and 940 , 000 at 6 s . 3 d . Such is the effect of a gradual fall I in the duty of Is . 6 d . I propose to apply the same principle to wheat ; and , by applyiug 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 lOOrf ., tiie 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 56 s . for wheat , a duty of 16 s . should apply , on barley , a duty of 9 ^ . ought to apply ; when oats are at 229 ., a duty of about 6 s . . 3 di ought

      to apply ; when rye , peas , and beans , are at 32 s ., a duvy of 10 g . 3 . ^ di Now I am not at all aw are of any reauaa whfcn exist tor altering the pro ^ ortiona " with , respect to other kinds of grain , which we find established by the existing law ; and i propose , therefore , that . in adjusting the duties applicable to other kinds of grain to exiting 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 , I 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 ? . that it should continue to decline as the prices

      increased by Is . ; that the extremes of variation of dutyj shoulibe ** ., and the duty of Is . should be the minimuoa , and be continued when the price of Oats shall bo 2 * 3 . iHear . ) 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 « 8 . and 27 a ., the duty should be 10 i . ; at 27 s , and under 30 s ., it should continue at 93 . ; that at 30 s . and 31 s . it should be 83 ., and so oh until 37 s . and upwards , when theduty should be decreased to 13 . In the case of rye , peas , and beans , I propose that the same proportion should be observed . I don ' t think it necessary to read t'he scale that will apply to rye , peas , aud beans , particularly as it is founded on the same principle . The law which regulates the importation of British Colonial wheat at present is to this efiect : —British Colonial wheat and flour has been imported into this country at a duty of £ ¦ 3 -, whenever the price of British wheat is below tf / 8 . When the price of British wheat exceeds 67 s .

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      it is then admissible at a duty of 63 ; 6 d . I propose to give the same advantages to Colonial wheat , with respectto the reduction in pricei as is applicable toi other ^ escriptioriB of grain . Bat , considering that the suddeu drop from 5 s . to sixpence , in consequence of the difference of oue 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 a . ahd under 56 =. tha duty to be 4 s . ; and 5 f s . and ander 57 * theduty to be 38 ; .: at bis . and under 58 s ; the duty to be 2 a . ; at

      51 s . and upwrrds the ; duty to be Is . ; and this if 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 in full possession of what Her Majesty ' s ^ Government intends to propose onthis subject , lfyou compare thered uct ion in the amount of duty with the existing duty you will find that it is very considerable . To those who have appeared to think ¦ ¦¦ Utat" the modification , which I propose to make in the : existing law is

      of no importance , I shall only say , compare my scale of duties on the admission of foreign com with the existing scale of duties . When corn is at 593 ., and under 6 O 3 ,, the duty at present is 27 s . 8 d ; When corn is between those prices , the duty 1 propose is 13 : ? . Whan the price of corn is at 0 O 3 ., the existing duty is 36 s . 8 d ., increasing as the price falls ; instead of which I propose , when corn is at 50 s .. that the duty shall only bo 20 s ., and that that duty shall in no case be exceeded . ( Hear , hear , > At 56 s . the existing duty is 30 sv 8 J . ; the duty I pro * pose at that price is 16 s . At 6 O 3 . the existing duly is 26 e . | i . ; the duty I propose at that price is 12 a . At 63 s . the existing duty is 23 s . 8 d . ; the duty I propose is Is . At 64 s .

      the existing duty is 22 s . 8 d . ; theduty I propose is 8 s . At 70 s , the existing duty is 903 . 8 d . ; the duty I propose is 59 . Therefore , it is impossible to deny , « n comparing the duty which I propose with that which exists at preseutj 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 opinioii can be made consistenUy with justice to all the interests concerned . The protection which I propose to retain , I do not retain for the especial protection of any particular class —( hear . ) Protection cannot be vindicated on that principle . (" Hear , " from the opposition . ) The only protection which can be vindicated is that protection which is consistent with the general

      welfare of all classes m the country—( hear , I should not consider myself a friend to the agriculturist if I asked for a protection with a view of propping up rents , 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 I 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 the main sources of your supply of corn should be derived from domestic agricuHuro , —( hear , hear ) ; while wo also feel that an additional price which you may pay in 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 such 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 be vindicated on the ground that it is for the interest of the country generally . ( Hear , hear , ) I , however , certainly do consider that it is for the interest of all clafesos th t we 6 hould 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 altogether , or in a great part , 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 questiori may I 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 pcrmanicnt welfare of all classes , manufacturing , commer-. cial , and agricultral , in the country . ( The Kight Honourable Baronet resumed his seat amid lorn

      cheers . ) Lord J . Russell would make 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 wiih the list of towns 1 or which the Right Hob . Baronet proposed to collect the averages . It -was in dispensable tliat they should have this information , and also a Btatomcnt of the principle upon which tht selection was made . He hoped , therefore , the Right Hon . Baronet would give the House this etatenient to-morrow . Sir R . Peel would lay the list on the table on Friday . His sole principle was to Belect the most important towns 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 it was not his intention to enter into any argument on the question tonight , buthe did not think it would be just to himself , or to his constituents , it' he did not take that early opportunity of denouncing the scheme as au insult to the suffering people . The other orders of the day were then agreed to , and the House adjourned at Eight © 'Clock precisely .

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      Brief Rules for the Government of all wh « write for this Paper . —Write l 6 gibly . Make as few erasures and interlineations as possible . Jn writing names of persons anA places be more particular thaii usual to make every letter distinct and clear—also in using words not English . Write only on one side f the paper . Employ no abbreviations whatever , but write out every wor 4 ih full . Address communications not to any particular parson , but to " The Editor . " Wheu yoil ait down to write , don't be in a hurry . Consider that hurried writing makes slow printing . Remember that we go to press 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 conies 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 communications . All matters of news , reports of meetings , ice , referring to occurrences on Friday , Saturday , or Sunday , should reach us by Monday ' s post ; such as refer to Monday ' s occunences by Tuesday evening ' s post ; Wednesday ' s occurvences by Thurflt day * s post ; and Thursday ' s news by Friday morning ' 3 post , for second edition . Any devi vtion from this order of supply will necessarily subject the matters so received to the almost certainly i ; f rejection or seri « us curtailment , and u-etakano bktme / or it . All personal correspondtnee , poetry , literary

      conirnuijiciitions , and articles of comnieut to be here by Tuesday . Or their chance of insertion for that weefe will be very small indeed ; if not here by Wednesday we don't hold ourselves feouri J even to notice ihejn . Finally ; .- remember that ^ we have only for ty-eight columns weekly for all England , Scotland , Wales , and Ireland ; that we have no interest in -preferring one town or place to smother , because ours is not a local but a nutional paper ; that we are bound , therefore , in dealing with the masses of matter whick come to us , to bold the scales of Justicdfevenly—^ -our first object being the promotion and enhancement , according io our own besl judgtiienl , of the success of the great and good cause ; and our second , the distribution of oar time

      and space so as to give least cause of complaint ; that we are alike bound to this course of ac . ion by inclination , interest , and duty ; and that , therefore , it is useless and senseless for individuals to fume and fret , and think themselves ill iwed because their communications may not always be inserted , or for Bocietks to trouble their htads and Wivste their time in passing votes of tensure upon us for devoting tco much space to this , or too little to that , 01 fox inserting this thing which they think should have been omitted , or for omitting the other thing which they think should have appeared . All

      these are matters for our consideration , and for the exercise of our discretion and judgment , which , we assure all parties , shall be always used , so fur as we are able to perceive , honestly for the public , without fear or favour to any 0110 , aud without being allowed to be turned for one inatant from ita 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 iae various Chartist funds are acknowledged by him ia the column of " Notices to Correspondents , " and that he ia answerable only for ih * sums ihora udMtrtised to have been received .

      Bradford Short-Timk Committee . —Their address to Lord Ashley is unavoidably postponed for want of room . The great length at which toe have given 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 nblreceived till Friday mornitig—too late for insertion . Shiiton . —The notice of the "Baker ' s" meeting on Tuesdayis omitted for the same reason . Rothekhithe . —The notice of their meeting on Tuesday is omitted fur the same reason .

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      The National Petition . — -C . Weskiay writes : — " Though considerable exertions have been made by the London Chartists to obtain signaturea to- the National Petition , I think there is a plan ¦ which I ant astonished they have not ere this put in practice namely , by having tables , with Petition sheets on them , in some of the principal thoroughfares of tha metropolis where working men pass to and from work : for instance , there are thousands of Workmen pass over Blackfriars , London , and Westminster ' Bridges , between the hours of six and nine in the morning ; and I am certain that a quarter of a million of signatures might be obtained at those places alone if this plan . wa 3 adopted . It is quite a common occurrence to see petitions for the repeal of the Corn Laws laying at tne corner of the streets for signatures . How much more important is our object than that of the Plague ; therefore , should we out do them in exertions to advance our causa . "

      " Plague" Petitions . " —The tricks resorted to l > y the Plague to obtain signatures to their humbug petitions are really amusing . Not a week passes / that we donol receive from varioits parts of tht country information ; of ihe most disgraceful exhibitions of low cunning . Children of tenter eleven years . of age who can write are stoprc ^ -, they go along the streets by the fellows who si »> . a with anti-Corn Law petitions for sit / naliirex , mug asked to write their names . Men are appointed to stand in . various parts of large towns with tables and petilior ^ sheets , and other men- are employed to perambulate the town , signing at every table :. Several petitions are got up from the same place ,. signed by the same persons in

      different pretended capacities . Thus a cor ? respondent , from Castle Douglas , this we « h writes us : — . " One of our dissenting clergy , last Sabbath evening , after he had turned his sancti / ied face to Heaven , and called down the best blessing of God upon the head ef bac Sovereign the Qseen , the Koyal Gv ~ sort , and their two infant children , the hope of this great nation ; and that they inight long : be Bpated 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 of the Corn Laws , and that it was bis intention to get up what he cal led a congregational petriion for tha minister , elders , and hearers , and he intended to

      go at the bead ot it , aod . it would be found nt the church every night for a -week to append signatures . He also intimated that it was tha ifltention of some of the reapeetable xaembers of our town to get up what be 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 of the eldera in connection with the same church . " Leicester CiiARnsTs . —Ali , Saijvts Of en . — We cannot publish their address to Mr . O'Higgins- — not because we object to its spirit or sentiment ; but because it coittains some'expressions which might compromise the , National Charter Association as a legal body .

      H . Di Griffiths must excuse us—we have no room His letter of lait week was received . W . H . Morbish writes under « gross misapprehen-Hon Air . W . Leigh and Mr . F . R . Lees are two quite different persons . Chables ST&vrart . —Campbell's pamphlet is out of print . Dennis M' Mill an . — We do not think ihe " creeper $ " can dp much harm . J . M . Leicester . — The National Charter Association fids no ' . '¦ " sections , " old or new— -no branches or divisions : it is on& body ; and we wish its members 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 1 They would feel greatly indebted if he would forward afeti lines . ¦ ¦ ' . ' ¦'¦' . '¦¦ . : ; '¦ ¦ .- 7 ' ; . ¦ . -- ¦ . ¦' .-- . ' Scotch objections to the National PETiTiojf . George AshWelJ , in reply toMr . J . Dv ^ jCjL denies that any man can be a conscientioiis Chartist , and support the New Poor Law : he denies the right of any man claiming to be a Chartist to object to the petition on the ground of its reciting certain things as grievances unless he be prepared to prove thai they are not gric

      vances . W . Daniells has our thanks for his watchfulness . We have laid Jhe " wee thing" by for a future time , " if need bev" : W . Griffin . —The extract from his American friend's letter must stand over for the present . Will he write and tell us us what trade his friend L . 11 . —We should say " no , " but he ynust remember we do not profess to give legal ' opinions . Hanley Potteries ., —— We have no recollection oj having received their council nominations . It

      may very probably have got mislaid unseen . .-... Will the' officers of any well regulated co operative store transmit their laws , per post , if not so large as to be very expensive , to John Wai ' , 24 , Currant-street , Nottingham , and he will send postoffice stumps 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 underitood this . Public Charhst Challenge to Sidney Smith , the Great Lion of the London anti-Cork Law Association . —Mr . H . L ' igh hereby

      challenges Sidney . Smith to discuss the question , of the Corn Laws with him , at the Theatre of the Literary Institution , Prince ' s-street , Leicestersquare , or any other suitable public place . Mr . II . Leigh will undertake to defray the expenees of ihe meeting ^ including printing , Qc , provided Mr * Smith will accept this challenge . Edmund Fallows , Middleton . —His Paper was sent as usual from this office . James Brown , Lynn ^ has sent us a notice of the death of a " young patriot , " without either giving us his name , or tlie names of his parents .

      JoHJr Hodgson . — We really know not how to advise in the case . It is all nonsense to talk of ihe poor having theprotection of the law in this country ; they have no sveh thiny . There is no doubt that , if satisfactory fvidence 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 worse than the disease" We think the opinion and advice of the magistrate , under all the circustances , the best that could be given . Leave the . rascaVs shop . Expose him in , the neighbourhood , and let him be tatiuht by an

      empty till that honesty is the best policy . A Real Democrat , Manchester . —Thnnks for the paragraph from the Guardian , which tee had not seeii . We shall give it with a word or two . Charles M'Ewen . — We have received another copy of the le . tersio which we refused insertion last week . It is rejected for the same reason as before . T . Walker ' s notice of a Raffle at Bermondtey is an advertisement . James Simmons and J . Barber . ——The tables of wages are thankfully received ^ We shall use them . * - John Mason and Others , TIhbsay . —We have received the copy of their letter to iMr . Knowles r it cannot appear .

      Untitled Article

      Newcastxeon-Tyne . —Those Fersogjswho received their Papers from Mr . Carrathfcrwan have their Plates and Medals by applying to . Messrs . France and Gtv ; Their names will be entered on application ; Messrs ; France and Co . will send us a list ; and the Plates to the number of applications will be forwarded . Parties are requested to eall early , as . it "will be inconvenient if two parcels have : to be sent . JpjSN MVRD 0 . CU , Castle Douglas . —The paper was sent at the proper time : thePlates were not sent till after . We-never send Plates to the Post-office on Thursdays-or Fridays , because , from the large quantities of newspapers going through the

      posteffice on these- tfays , the Plates would be in great danger of being spoiled ; ' ' Write to Mr . Campbell , 18 , Adderley-street , Shaw ' a Brow , Manchester , for the Cards . Thomas ^ bbott , Manchester . —He is mistaken he had better refer to the advertisement again , and Write to the ' proper parties . Has Mr ; Arthur received two letters from Mr . Skil-Iithotn , BackrStteet , MaTyport ? P . W . — "Revolution of Philosophy" is ont of print , and cannot be bad . Henkv JoxES , Lokdon . —rlf the Stamps were received the Portrait was sent , The Females at Pert « do not say what the 5 s * sent is for .

      FOR THE EXECUTIVE . ¦ £ . s . d . From a few friends at Ledoory ... 0 10 0 ~ i % e New Town Class of the National Charter Association , Bishop wearmouth ... ... 0 10 0 First profit * from Smith ' s blacking , Plymouth . ... ... ... 0 2 « FOR . MUS . FROST—THE " TrHlG-MADE WIDOW . "

      From H . Hanly , Jabn-street , Drypool , Hull ... ... ... 0 0 $ „ the Chartist Association , Newport , Isle of Wight . ' ,.: ... 2 0 » Air . W . KenyoD , Preston , per GKHalton ... ... . „• 0 0 « « . Kyde , Isle of Wigb-t , by J . W . Butler ... ... "; .. ... 0 4 5 ^ Worsbro'Common andArdsley , perPet 6 rHoey ... ... 0 6 6

      ¥ OR MBS . JONES AND MRS . ZEPHANIAH ¦¦ . - " ; ' . - ¦ . . T ¦ WILLUMS . ¦¦ -- ¦'¦¦ . . ¦ ¦ ¦ . . -. From the New Town Cia 83 of the ; Njitional Charter AeBociation , Bisnopwearmouth ... . ; . e 10 ^ . -. ,, IM-t « VirTB * . Ard&ley , perP . Hoey ... .. ; 0 2 ^ lv « V » *" 15 l » W FOR THE USE OF THE DELEGATE FUND 3 ? O JS T A R ^ U . , DEyoNSUiRE , &c . ¦ ;; - .-i * ? S $ Wrr ^> h ' * v From the Chartiste of Southmbltqn 0 10 Af / ffi l £ ^ A ^ 0 ^ i !! & \ t FOR G . BLACK , WHO LOST HIS PSBS « Si « L ^^ 5 fef ^^ ' j . ] From Piymoutb , per S . Smith ... 0 ^^^ W ^^^ M ^ W , Mai ^ iSMaw

      2to $&Eitoev$ «N& '^Tdvve^Mntfentfi:

      2 To $ &eitoev $ « n& ' ^ tdvve ^ mntfentfi :

      Untitled Article

      THE N O R T HE RK S ^ T A B . ; ____ J _

  • 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-ncseproduct878/page/5/