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State of Public Affairs at the commencement of the Year-Serious decrease of the Revenue-Depression of Manufactures, and Reduction in Agricultural Produce-State of Public Opinion-Parliament opened by Commission on the 2nd of February-Her Majesty's Speech-Earl Powis moves the Address in the House of Peers, seconded by the Earl of Eglintoun-Speeches of Marquess of Lansdowne, the Duke of Wellington, Lord Brougham, Lord Auckland, Lord Ashburton, the Bishop of Exeter, and other Peers-The Address voted nem. con.-In the House of Commons Lord Courtenay moves the Address, which is seconded by Mr. Philip Miles-Important Speech of Sir Robert Peel-Observations on the North American Boundary Question, on the Question of the Right of Search, and on the Defalcation of the Revenue-Speech of Lord John RussellRemarks on the conduct of the Governor General of India; and on the Corn Laws, and Income Tax-Lord Stanley vindicates Lord Ellenborough's conduct-Speeches of Lord Palmerston, Mr. Hume, Mr. Villiers, Mr. Ewart, and other Members-The Address is carried unanimously.

HE year 1843 presented at

TH

its opening an aspect of pub. lic affairs, which if not calculated to alarm, at least afforded cause for serious disquietude, and anxiety. The depression which had been for some time a subject of complaint in almost every branch VOL. LXXXV.

of trade and industry, and which had pressed so severely on the manufacturing population, still overclouded those important interests, while the reduced value of agricultural produce, by some ascribed to the recent Tariff, by others to a groundless panic occasioned by

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that measure, but of which neither of these causes seemed to afford an adequate solution, occasioned to the landed and farming interests almost equal grounds of discouragement and perplexity. The reality of that distress and privation among the working classes which report had made current, was confirmed by a test of unquestionable authority as regards the condition of the people: namely, by the diminished consumption of those articles which contribute in so large a proportion to the public revenue. The income of the country for the quarter ending Jan. 5, 1843, exhibited under the head of Excise a falling-off as compared with the corresponding quarter of 1842, of 717,2627., equivalent to a yearly decrease in that department of 2,869,0487. In the Customs the decrease on the same period was 581,185., equivalent to 2,324,740.; in the Stamps, 56.7637., equivalent to 227,0527; in the Taxes, 23,8497., equivalent to 95,3881. The total decrease on these four branches being 1,379,0577., equal to a total yearly deficiency of 5,516,2281.: a result which afforded pregnant evidence of the reduced means and deteriorated condition of the bulk of the people.

The distress to which the foregoing statements bear testimony had unquestionably been borne with much patience by those on whom it so heavily weighed, but it was inevitable that during so long a continuance it must have engendered a restless and uneasy feeling in the public mind, and an undefined impression that some powerful and extensive remedies were required to restore the functions of society to a healthy and thriving state. As to the nature

of the particular remedies which were required, however, the state of public opinion was by no means definite or unanimous. While some assailed the Corn Laws as the root and source of all the derangements that prevailed in the social economy, others denounced the excess of trade and the reckless extension of manufacturing specu lations as the elements of national ruin. Some threw the whole blame upon the Income Tax, and the other financial measures of Sir R. Peel's Government; some accused the Poor Laws; others pointed to Emigration as the natural safetyvalve and outlet for the pressure of a too rapidly increasing population. The facts and arguments upon which the advocates of these differing theories based the views which they supported will be found detailed in the accounts which will presently be given of the interesting discussions in Parliament on these subjects: it is enough here to state the general direction of the opinions prevailing upon public affairs at the commencement of this year, as having been concentrated in an especial manner upon that class of questions which has of late continually assumed a more prominent position in public affairs: those, namely, which relate to the internal condition, the physical comforts and resources of theindustrious classes, and the bearing upon their welfare of particular systems of commercial and fiscal economy.

On the 2nd of February, the Session was opened by Commission. The Lords Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, LordWharncliffe, the Duke of Buccleuch, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Earl of Shaftesbury. The Commission having been read by the

Clerk at the Table, the Lord Chancellor read the following Speech:

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"We are commanded by Her Majesty to acquaint you that Her Majesty receives from all princes and states assurances of a friendly disposition towards this country, and of an earnest desire to cooperate with Her Majesty in the maintenance of general peace.

"By the treaty which Her Majesty has concluded with the United States of America, and by the adjustment of those differences which, from their long continuance had endangered the preservation of peace, Her Majesty trusts that the amicable relations of the two countries have been confirmed.

"The increased exertions which by the liberality of Parliament, Her Majesty was enabled to make for the termination of hostilities with China have been eminently successful.

"The skill, valour, and discipline of the naval and military forces employed upon this service have been most conspicuous, and have led to the conclusion of peace upon the terms proposed by Her Majesty.

"Her Majesty rejoices in the prospect, that, by the free access which will be opened to the principal mart of that populous and extensive empire, encouragement will be given to the commercial enterprise of her people.

"As soon as the ratifications of the treaty shall have been exchanged it will be laid before you. "In concert with her allies, Her Majesty has succeeded in obtaining for the Christian population of Syria the establishment

of a system of administration which they were entitled to expect from the engagements of the Sultan and from the good faith of this country.

"The differences for some time existing between the Turkish and Persian Government had recently led to acts of hostility: but, as each of these states has accepted the joint mediation of Great Britain and Russia, Her Majesty entertains a confident hope that their mutual relations will be speedily and amicably adjusted.

"Her Majesty has concluded with the Emperor of Russia a treaty of commerce and navigation which will be laid before you. Her Majesty regards this treaty with great satisfaction, as the foundation for increased intercourse between Her Majesty's subjects and those of the Emperor.

"Her Majesty is happy to inform you, that complete success has attended the recent military operations in Affghanistan.

"Her Majesty has the greatest satisfaction in recording her high sense of the ability with which these operations have been directed, and of the constancy and valour which have been manifested by the European and native forces.

"The superiority of Her Majesty's arms has been established by decisive victories on the scenes of former disasters, and the complete liberation of Her Majesty's subjects who were held in captivity and for whom her Majesty felt the deepest interest, has been effected.

"We are commanded by Her Majesty to inform you that it has not been deemed advisable to continue the occupation, by a military force, of the countries to the westward of the Indus.

"Gentlemen of the House of

Commons,

"Her Majesty has directed the Estimates for the ensuing year to be laid before you.

"Such reductions have been made in the amount of the naval and military force as have been deemed compatible, under present circumstances, with the efficient performance of the public service throughout the extended empire of Her Majesty.

"My Lords and Gentlemen, "Her Majesty regrets the diminished receipt from some of the ordinary sources of revenue.

"Her Majesty fears that it must be in part attributed to the reduced consumption of many articles caused by that depression of the manufacturing industry of the country which has so long prevailed and which Her Majesty has so deeply lamented.

"In considering, however, the present state of the revenue Her Majesty is assured that you will bear in mind, that it has been materially affected by the extensive reductions in the import duties, which received your sanction during the last session of Parliament, and that little progress has been hitherto made in the collection of ose taxes which were imposed foth he purpose of supplying the deficiency from that and other causes.

"Her Majesty feels confident that the future produce of the revenue will be sufficient to meet every exigency of the public

service.

"Her Majesty commands us to acquaint you, that Her Majesty derived the utmost gratification from the loyalty and affectionate attachment to Her Majesty which were manifested on the occasion of Her Majesty's visit to Scotlaud,

"Her Majesty regrets that in the course of last year the public peace in some of the manufacturing districts was seriously disturbed, and the lives and property of Her Majesty's subjects were endangered by tumultuous assemblages and acts of open violence.

"The ordinary law, promptly enforced, was sufficient for the effectual repression of these disorders. Her Majesty confidently relies upon its efficacy, and upon the zealous support of her loyal and peaceable subjects for the maintenance of tranquillity.

"We are commanded by Her Majesty to acquaint you that measures connected with the improvement of the law, and with various questions of domestic policy, will be submitted for your consideration.

"Her Majesty confidently relies on your zealous endeavours to promote the public welfare, and fervently prays that the favour of Divine Providence may direct and prosper your counsels, and make them conducive to the happiness and contentment of her people."

After the Speech had been read in the House of Lords, Earl Powis rose to move the Address in reply. His Lordship commenced by congratulating the House on the happy state of the country with respect to her Foreign relations, and on the prospect of peace which now extended throughout all portions of the globe connected with the British Empire. He did not think he ought to deal with that subject in a general way, but would call their Lordships' attention especially to those portions of the Speech which had been connected with it. He then adverted particularly to the highly satisfactory result of the Special Mission

to the United States of America— to the early and complete success of Her Majesty's Arms in China, which he characterized as exceeding the expectations of the House and of the Country-to the vindication of the honour of the British flag in Afghanistan, and to the restoration to liberty of Her Majesty's subjects who had been detained there in captivity. After some short comments upon the passages of the Speech relating to the establishment of a government for the Christian population of Syria; and the treaty of commerce, and navigation, with the Emperor of Russia; he expressed a wish that it were also in his power to allude, with equal satisfaction, to the present state of the population

at home.

"Though nothing had happened which should render their Lordships otherwise than grateful for the dispensations of Providence, he yet could not repress the intense anxiety which he felt from the conviction that our great national population had not partaken last year of the same enjoyment of the comforts or even necessaries of life which their Lordships would wish to see conferred upon them. He was afraid, however, that it was impossible that their Lordships could confer, or the great mass of the people derive, the benefit of any immediate and considerable improvement. For, although the alterations which had last year been passed by the other House of Parliament, and which were sanctioned by their Lordships, might account materially and very largely for the diminution of the revenue, it could not be concealed that those alterations would not explain so considerable and extensive a depreciation. It

was not his province to provoke a debate upon the causes which had produced this state of things. It was impossible that justice could be done to a cause of such high and universal interest to their Lordships and to the country upon a day not appropriated to the subject-upon an occasion not devoted to the discussion of topics of that description. One night was not sufficient for the consideration of interests which ought to be discussed at length, and should receive a full and complete hearing; whilst no other subject should be allowed to interfere with it. therefore thought that, in observing upon this part of Her Majesty's most gracious Speech, he was justified in encouraging their Lordships to rely upon the words of the concluding paragraph in connection with this subject, and trust that, although a material deficiency of the revenue existed, all the exigencies of the state would be fully met by the income which the Government might expect to derive from the future produce of the revenue."

After alluding warmly to the general joy and exultation which had been diffused throughout Scotland, on the occasion of Her Most Gracious Majesty's recent visit to that kingdom, his Lordship concluded by reading the Address which responded in the usual manner to Her Majesty's Speech.

The Earl of Eglintoun seconded the Motion, and went briefly through the several portions of the Royal Speech in relation to Foreign Affairs. In adverting to the distress admitted to be be existing throughout our home population, he acknowledged that he did not take the same gloomy view of things as had been expressed by

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