Russel, and Mr J. Williams, some on the ground that it was getting rid of the Corn Laws by a side-wind, and others as not affording an immediate and effectual relief to the manufacturers. Sir T. Lethbridge's amendment was negatived by 214 to 82, and the House went into a committee. A long discussion again ensued. The first resolution viz., "That all foreign corn, meal, flour, &c. in bond on the second of May, should be admit ted into consumption, on payment of the following duties, wheat 12s., rye, beans, &c. 8s. and 6s., oats 4s., meal and flour 3s. and 3d. the quarter," was agreed to.

The second resolution was read, viz. "That it is the opinion of this commitee, that it is expedient to empower his Majesty to permit, under certain limitations, and for a time limited, the importation of foreign corn, subject to the above duties." Lord Milton moved that the chairman report progress, and ask leave to sit again. This motion was negatived by 109 to 60, but a farrher debate took place on the resolution, and ultimately it was agreed to report progress, and leave was given for the committee to sit again on Thursday. Adjourned.

STATE OF THE NATION.

4-Mr Hume rose to bring forward the motion of which he had given notice two months since; and in doing so, he would not interfere with the measures of Government, as their acts, with the exception of those which regarded the expenditure of the country, were such as gave him pleasure, and, as such, he had often voted with them. The situation of the country, however, now called im. peratively for inquiry. Some imputed the present distresses to the state of the currency, some to the Corn Laws, and others assigned other causes; but for his part, he was satisfied they arose solely from extravagant taxation. The Ho nourable Member then went into a detail of various items, to show the futility of the sinking fund, and the fallacious statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who had told the public, that twenty-seven millions of taxes had been taken off, when it must be seen, that, by altering the standard, and attempting to restore us to a metallic currency, there was nearly the same sum paid now into the Treasury that there had been on the average in former years, antecedent to the arrangements in our finance, which took place upon the cessation of hostilities in 1815. He should conclude by moving, "That an humble address be presented to his Majesty, praying him to take into consideration the present cala

mitous situation of the country, and that he would be graciously pleased to direct an inquiry into the causes which had produced such wide-spreading distress, and to ascertain the best means of relieving the country from its embarrassments."

The Chancellor of the Exchequer proceeded to refute many of the statements of the Honourable Member for Aberdeen, and defended himself and his Majesty's Government from the charge of illiberal motives; at the same time maintaining that Ministers had not proposed any expense but what was abso lutely necessary. He should not consent to the address moved by the Honourable Member. Mr Brougham supported the motion of his Honourable Friend, whose object was to induce Parliament not to draw from the public one shilling more than was necessary, so that the burthens of the people might be effectually relieved. Mr Robertson (amid cries of Question) rose to move an adjournment, which was seconded by Mr Alderman Heygate.

The motion of adjournment was negatived without a division. The House then divided, when there appeared-for the motion, 51; against it, 152—majority, 101.-Adjourned.

5. The Glasgow Saltmarket Bill was read a third time and passed.

CORN LAWS.

Mr Secretary Canning moved that the House go into a committee on the Corn Act, with the view to resume the consideration of the Ministers' second proposition.

Mr Calcraft trusted that the House would give its most stubborn opposition to the second proposition.(Hear.)—He could compromise no longer; he was prepared to go into a full discussion of the Corn Laws, but he was against any expedient.

Sir C. Knatchbull spoke to the like effect, and said they were called on to legislate without adequate information.

The House resolved itself into a committee on the act.

Mr Canning again moved his second proposition. He was disposed to give up all limitation as to price and duty, and to fix the limitation on quantity only; and that the quantity should be limited to half the quantity imported in the largest year of importation, which would make the whole amount to 500,000 quarters, exclusive of the quantity now in bond; the importation not to continue more than two months, and to be subject to duty as fixed by the King and Council, not exceeding the highest duty now pay.

able, nor being less than the lowest. Mr C. Wilson gave his most cordial support to the proposition. Sir T. Lethbridge thought no case was made out to justify the apprehension of a scarcity of corn. Mr Portman thought the present distress did not arise in any degree from a scarcity of corn, but from a want of employment and credit. Mr Sumner said, he was confident there was a sufficient supply of corn in the country to prevent scarcity. Mr Peel said, there was no inconsistency in proposing to Parliament to arm Government with a power to admit a limited quantity of corn, in case there was reason to apprehend a scarcity. It was a delusion to suppose that corn was admissible into this country when it became 80s. a-quarter. The fact was, that there must be a long run of averages at that price, but, in the mean time, corn might actually rise to 100s. or 120s. (Hear! hear!) As a friend to the agricultural interest, he must deprecate the rejection of the measure. The gallery was cleared for a division, but none took place, the motion having been agreed to by an immense majority. On the motion of Mr Peel, the Aliens Bill was read a third time, and passed. The Gardens and Hot-Houses Bill was also read a third time, and passed.

BRANCH BANKS.

8. In answer to a question by Mr Grenfell, the Chancellor of the Exchequer stated, that the Bank of England has under consideration the best means of establishing Branch Banks throughout the kingdom.

CORN LAWS BILL.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer mov. ed that the report on the Corn Act be received. Mr Calcraft, Mr Bankes, Mr Jones, and some other members, confess ed that they had been in some degree reconciled to the measure by the arguments they had heard, and still more by the modifications it had undergone, but declined pledging themselves to support it. Lord Belgrave and Mr Holme Sumner opposed the motion, as injurious to the landed interest. Mr Stanley supported it, as necessary to save the unemployed manufacturers from famine. Mr Frankland Lewis, Mr Irving, Mr J. Smith, and Mr C. Wilson, also supported the motion. Colonel Wood thought the House ought to show every wish to relieve the sufferings of the manufacturers. Sir M. W. Ridley voted for bringing up the report. Mr J. Smith thought Ministers would have incurred a most heavy responsibility, if, in the present circum. stances of the country, they had not

brought forward the measures now before them. Mr Baring opposed the measure, on the ground that the whole question of the Corn Laws ought to be discussed and settled. Mr Whitmore also urged the propriety of opening the general question, and settling it. Mr Huskisson ably defended the measure. Sir E. Knatchbull opposed the measure, as ini mical to the interests of agriculture. Mr Canning defended the measure at some length, and said that it was intended for the good of the landed interest, and that, if he were called on to name the present bill, he would call it a bill for the protection of the landed interest. Lord Milton was of opinion, that the present measure was not calculated to meet the existing exigency, and hoped that Ministers had some other measure in view, in case they should be defeated in the one which was now before Parliament.

On the Speaker putting the question, that the resolutions (contained in the report) be read a second time, Mr Baring moved, as an amendment, that the resolutions be re-committed. On this amendment being put, Lord Milton rose to second it, and observed, that the present time would be as good for settling the general question as any other. Mr Canning said, that the amendment would go to engage the House in a revision of the whole question of the Corn Laws, and he hoped he had already shown satisfactorily, that the present would be a most inconvenient time for such a discussion. The gallery was again cleared, and the House divided, when there appeared→→→ For the amendment, 51-against it, 167,

majority in favour of the resolutions, 116. The report was then agreed to.

The Bank of Scotland Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be re-committed to-morrow.

9. Mr W. Dundas presented a petition from proprietors of West-India property resident in Edinburgh, complaining that their property would be deteriorated, if the contemplated measures were car. ried into effect, and praying for protection.

The Banks in Scotland (Copartnerships) Bill went through a committee. Report received, and ordered to be taken into farther consideration to-morrow.

CORN BILL.

On the order of the day being read for the second reading of the Warehousing Corn Bill, Mr H. Sumner moved an amendment, that the question be adjourned. Mr Canning was against the amendment. The House then divided. -For the motion, 174.For the ad.

journment, 2.-Majority for the motion, 172. The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed to-morrow.

11.-Mr Hume, in moving to bring in a Bill to render lawful the exportation of machinery, but which he afterwards withdrew, said, if he had the honour of a seat in that House in the next Parlia. ment, he should take the earliest oppor tunity to introduce the subject to the at tention of the House.

CORN LAWS.

Upon the motion for the second reading of the Foreign Corn Importation Bill, Sir T. Lethbridge repeated his for. mer arguments, against a measure which he must consider as aiming a vital blow against the agricultural interest. Mr H. Sumner also persisted in his intention to oppose the Bill in every stage. Sir W. W. Wynn supported the Bill, whilst Mr Bankes considered it every way objec tionable, more particularly as the late disturbances might be imputed to the relief proposed to be given to the manu facturers, and to this opinion he would never lend his sanction.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer repeated his former opinion, and defended Government, who only asked for a power with which they might do great good, and could do no imaginary mischief. After a few words from Mr Whitmore and Mr Irving, the House then divided, when the numbers were-for the second reading, 189-against it, 65-majority, 124.

12. On the motion of the Lord Ad. vocate, the report of the Scots Banks Copartnerships Bill was presented and agreed to.

On the motion that it be read a third time, Mr J. P. Grant expressed his disapprobation of the Bill in its present form. It was at complete variance with the law on the subject in England. It would be waste of time to divide the House on it. The Lord Advocate defended the principle of the Bill. After some remarks from Mr P. Moore, the third reading was ordered to be on Thursday next.

CORN IMPORTATION.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved that the House go into a committee on the Foreign Importation Bill. Colonel Wood said, he had been urged not to propose his amendment, for the non-importation of corn, till the price of 65s. He did not wish to be obstinate, and should leave it with the House. Lord Milton was glad that the proposed amendment was not to be pressed. Sir W. Ingleby wished to propose that there

be an importation duty of 20s. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, no proposition on the subject could be made in this stage of the bill. The several clauses were then agreed to, the House resumed, and the report was ordered to be taken into consideration on Wednesday.

On the motion, that the report on the Warehoused Corn Bill be received, Mr Bennet (Wilts) moved, as an amendment, that the Bill be referred back to the committee on the Corn Laws' Act, for the purpose of raising the duty from 12s. to 17s-the difference of duty to be applied to the distressed manufacturers. Mr Portman seconded the amendment. Mr Huskisson opposed it. After some discussion, the gallery was cleared for a division, but none took place, the amend ment having been withdrawn.

CORN IMPORTATION.

17. On the motion that the report of the Corn Importation Bill be presented, Sir T. Lethbridge said, though his opi. nions remained unaltered, he should not offer farther resistance to the measure. It had been carried by a large and respectable majority, but he trusted that the measure now urged would not be considered to prejudice the great question of the Corn Laws. (Hear.) The Chancellor of the Exchequer repeated what he deemed the pledge of Government, that this measure should not be held as prejudging the question.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved, that the report of the Warehous. ing Corn Bill be received.

Sir H. Heron said, it would do no public good, but put money into the pockets of particular individuals.

Mr Huskisson remarked, that there was twice the quantity of bonded corn in London that there was in Liverpool, and that the Honourable Member's fortune would not cover the loss that would be sustained by the duty of 12s.

Report agreed to, and bill ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.

18. The Lord-Advocate moved for several returns relative to the state of prisons in Scotland.-Ordered.

MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS.

Lord Milton wished to ask the Right Honourable Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether it was the intention of his Majesty's Government to apply any portion of the public money to the relief of the distress in the manufacturing districts? Mr Canning said, as the motion to come on to morrow evening would embrace the question proposed by the Noble Lord, he should reserve his sentiments until that motion came before the House. Should any

thing, however, occur to occasion a postponement of the motion, he should in that case have no objection to state to the Noble Lord the intention of his Majesty's Government.

The Corn Importation and the Warehoused Corn Bills were severally read a third time, and passed.

COURT OF CHANCERY REPORT.

The Attorney-General, in moving for leave to bring in a bill founded upon the report of the Chancery commission, expatiated at great length upon the various propositions suggested by the commissioners, and vindicated the Noble Lord at the head of the Court from the illiberal attacks and violent aspersions which have been so unceremoniously levelled against him. His object, however, was, not to discuss the various clauses of the bill during the present Session, but that it should be printed, to enable gentlemen to give every attention to a subject of so much importance to the judicial character of the country.

19. The Lord Advocate presented the report of the committee on Scotch prisons. Ordered to be printed.

Mr Hume presented a petition from a poor weaver of Glasgow, complaining of his distressed condition, of the Corn Laws, &c. and praying for the affixing of a minimum on wages, as there was on the price of corn.-Ordered to be printed.

Mr Baring presented a petition from the manufacturing cotton-spinners of Glasgow, praying that the House would extend to them, in their distressed situation, some suitable measure of relief, In reply to a question from Lord Milton, Mr Canning declared, that it was not the intention of Ministers to propose any pecuniary grant for the relief of the distressed manufacturers.

THE GREEKS.

Mr Deacon presented a petition in favour of the Greeks,-a cause that merited the support of this country. Mr W. Smith was of the like opinion. He should like some expression of the Government's sentiments on this subject; it would be most useful. Sir R. Wilson spoke of the sacredness of the cause, and condemned the foreign enlistment act. Mr Hob. house did not despair of the Greek cause, though Missolonghi had fallen; if Napoli di Romania defended itself with half the courage, it could hold out a long time. The French had played an unfair part; they had encouraged the Turks against the Greeks. He had a list of French officers, on half pay, now serving the Pacha of Egypt, and of Austrian vessels that regularly aided the Turks.--Petition order ed to be printed.

VOL. XVIII.

SLAVERY IN THE WEST INDIES.

Mr Brougham moved that the resolutions of the House for the amelioration of slavery in the West Indies be read by : the clerk. He addressed the House at considerable length, and concluded by moving a resolution, that the House would, in the next Session of Parliament, take measures to enforce its resolutions of the 23d May 1823, for the ameliora tion of the condition of the slaves in the West-India colonies.

Mr W. Horton, Mr R. Ellis, and Mr Bernal, opposed the motion. Dr Lushington and Mr Denman supported it. Mr Canning said, the resolution would interfere with the proceedings of Government, who were determined to enforce the former resolutions of the House.

Mr Brougham replied, after which the resolution was negatived.

26. Mr Secretary Canning presented the convention of commerce and naviga tion between his Majesty and the King of Sweden and Norway.-Ordered to lie on the table, and to be printed. ・・

Lord J. Russell rose, for the purpose of moving resolutions relating to bribery at elections.

Mr W. Wynn moved the previous question.

On the question being put, Mr Peel confessed, that he should have been glad had the noble Lord consented to have postponed his resolutions until the next Session, as he was well inclined to the principle of them, but he objected to the time of their being brought forward, se veral members having supported the mo tion. The house divided, when there were-For the motion 62. Against it 62.

The numbers being even, the Speaker gave his casting vote in favour of the resolution, (loud cheering.)

SCOTCH BANKS.

Mr Peel brought up the report of the select committee on the banking system of Scotland.

On the question that it be read, Mr Tierney rose to call the attention of the House to the report of the committee on the Scotch and Irish promissory-notes. On this measure there was a great difference of opinion among men of good judgment and understanding; but he had given it all the support in his power, from a conviction that it would ultimately be beneficial to the country. Mat, ters went on smoothly till Scotland was mentioned. Of Ireland he should say nothing, because nothing conclusive had been stated in the report. With respect to Scotland, however, the case was dif ferent; and he believed that, since the

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year 1745, there had never had been such a combustion (hear, hear !)-raised in that country, as had arisen when Ministers signified their intention of meddling with its banks. Nothing could exceed the firmness with which the Scotch mem. hers had supported the new system, until they found it approaching their own doors: but then, had the House been at tacking all the rights of Scotland in one single measure, the cry of alarm-the call to resistance-could not have been greater. The effect of the first demonstration was magical-such as he (Mr Tierney) had no powers of eloquence equal to describe. Why was it that we had no inquiry in England-that we had been so sure as to be able to run before the law, not lag behind it? The plain truth was, that the tried prudence-the approved integrity of our Scottish neigh. boursin impeachment of which prudence or punctuality, far be it from him (Mr Tierney) to say one syllable that these great qualities shed such a degree of sanctity over all their arrangements, that the least of them could not be med. dled with without deep inquiry; while in England, without any inquiry at all, but by the mere strong arm of the law, and almost by the strong arm without it, we put a change into instant operation, which, the fact could not be denied, had been felt from one extremity of the kingdom to the other; for there could be no question that the first part of the late measures had been hastily brought about. Scotland was not now what she formerly was-Hear, hear.) When she was poor, it might be proper to connive at it, because every assistance was of great importance; but now this was not the case; he knew of no country which had made such advances in wealth and general prosperity (and he said it with much satisfaction, for the prosperity of Scotland was a part of the prosperity of England)

-but then, he hoped that the Scotch gentlemen would allow, that what brought danger to England was a matter of some importance to English gentlemen. Scotland, in fact, was in no respect what Scotland was thirty years ago. The system of the Scotch Banks was different from that of the English; but it was one part of Lord Liverpool's scheme to assi milate them as much as possible. Was Scotland alone to set up for an exclusive system? Was a gentleman in Scotland, with £.20,000 a-year, to enjoy the advantage of a cash-credit, while another system was to prevail in England, which would not permit it. He could not but augur, when the report came to be perused, the temper of the country in favour of a gold currency, might change to one in favour of paper. Why, he asked, were not the English bankers examined as well as the Scotch ?-for it could only be by such means that the merits or demerits of both systems of banking could be fairly ascertained. He had no motion with which to trouble the House, and he begged to say, that he had every respect and regard, personally, for the Noble Earl (Liverpool), but he wished he had possessed better nerves, and had indulged in less flash-( Hear, hear, hear! )

Mr Secretary Peel complained of this very irregular mode of proceeding, the report not yet being printed, and conse quently, not in the hands of Members. Mr Abercromby observed, that the solidity of the Scotch Banks, in consequence of the great number of partners in them, was a reason why, above all others, they ought to be put under restraint as to the issue of their notes.

After some remarks from Mr Ellice, Mr Guerney, and Mr Grant, the report was received.

31.-Parliament was prorogued this day till 14th July, pro forma. It was dissolved on the succeeding day.

Trade has almost deserted our town. Some weighty failures, in the end of last week and beginning of this, have spread dismay among all classes. A great quantity of labourers, in consequence, are out of employment.

Dundee. Our commercial horizon, gloomy and dark already, has become more so by the effect of some additional failures, which are threatening to be too common; when they will end, Heaven knows; but at, present there is

no appearance of a termination to them. It is somewhat curious, that while wea ving is in so depressed a state here, and still getting more so, wages should be improving in Forfar.

12. The question between the King's Printers and the Bible Society, as to the right of printing or importing from England copies of the Sacred Scriptures, Psalm-Books, Confession of Faith, Catechisms, larger and shorter, and Books of Common-Prayer, was decided, this day, by the First Division of the Court