gene and show what part of it was derived from before this, but nothing important oclate and what from former administrations. curred in it, I mention it here, because, He wished to say one word ou another sub-in this debate about the distress of the ject-the subject of an inquiry ral distress of the country, worthy Alder- country, there occurred what is to me man had previously alluded to this subject; one of the strongest arguments in favour but he must express his doubts as to the uti- of repeating the Union. lity of that general inquiry which he suggest recollects that, that measure brought us The reader ed. An inquiry into all the causes of the national distress could not produce any good, and one hundred members from Ireland, and he should be sorry to see the House go into placed them in our House of Commons an inquiry which could not end in conferring to help to govern us; and I will now credit on itself or benefit to the public. A Parliamentary inquiry into the condition of give the words of one of them in order s the southern parts of the kingdom, into the to show what we gain by having them districts which were now exposed to disturb here. The question was, the distress ance, would be very important, and might be of the people of England, and the provery useful. Commissions had been issued to support the authority of the laws, which priety of having a committee of memhad been violated in those districts, and bers to examine into the causes of that which must be supported for the benefit even of the poor themselves, for it was essential to their happiness that property should be protected, and that all men should have confidence in the protection of the law; but those Commissions, it was known, were likely to punish a class of persons who had been driven into outrage partly by distress, and partly by the terror of others. He knew that the papers moved for by the Right Honourable Baronet would show the sums of money raised distress. Mr. OWEN O'CONNER wished the inquiry to be extended to Ireland, The distress of the people there was very great. When he saw the comfort of the English people, he was astonished at their complaints and disturbances. The Irish had nothing but a few potatoes and salt to live on, and wretched cabins to dwell in. No more would the English, O'Conner, if it were not for their complaints and disturbances. of the American war the whole annual amount required for the Army was only 613,000l., a sum scarcely sufficient to pay the expenses of the present force for a single month." and expended for the poor; but he wished for an inquiry into their condition, which would show the general nature of the payments they SUPPLY. On Mr. Rice moving for received, the extent of their remuneration, 113,000l. to defray the expenses of army and the defective system under which the Poor services for seven days, from the 25th to Laws were at present administered. It was a great misfortune, that in many places the la- the 31st December, 1830, Mr. Cresset bourers were paid wages out of the poor-rates, Pelham "condemned the extravagance and he should like therefore to have an inquiry" of the Estimates for the Army, and into the mode of administering the Poor-Laws. « observed, that at the commencement (Hear.) The evils of the poor-rates were very great, but whether any remedy could be found for these grievances was a grave consideration." After all the schemes which had been brought" forward on this subject, he must say after applying his mind to the subject too-that he had no hopes that any legislative remedy could be found for such extensive grievances. At the same time he should think that the House abandoned its duty if it did not examine the subject, and ascertain what was the state of the administration of the Poor-Laws, and if any remedy could be found for the evils which existed. To that extent he hoped that the House would institute an inquiry, and, so limited, it would produce a very good effect; but he could not think that an inquiry into the general causes of distress would be useful. He would repeat, as he had before stated, that generally the great interests of the country were not in an unfavourable position, and that what the country wanted was quiet, order, peace, and confidence. (Hear, and a laugh.) To ascertain the state of the agricultural districts was most important, for the other interests, he must repeat, were moving well.” The question of the Union came on WINDSOR CASTLE. Twenty-five thousand pounds voted for repairs already done. The original estimate for the repairing of this Palace being 150,000l., and the sum already voted being 900,000l., caused some grumbling. RIDEAUX CANAL. This is a canal that is being cut in Canada. It has cost this nation (England) 572,000l., and it is to cost 160,000l. more, and Mr. WARBURTON gave the Government credit for its candour, but protested against any further expenditure, as the regulations with respect to trade would render the Canal totally useless for the purposes which were originally contemplated. No commodities, such as the Canal was intended to convey, tried by the Magistrates under whose warrants two thousand pounds spent for what is just found out to be quite useless! and then great credit is given to those who have spent this money so uselessly, for their candour, good God! Can we wonder at any thing when we see things like this? Tuesday, 7th Dec. HOUSE OF LORDS. Nothing of consequence. HOUSE OF COMMONS. fluence. ༄u 。*,ཞེན GAME-LAW'S. This infamous code of laws is, at last, likely to be done away with. Mr. Fyler very justly said that it was quite sufficient to make 66 every man a trespasser who came upon "another's land." That is the law as it now stands, and it is law enough. Lord Althorp said that he was happy "that the bill had been brought in; "and he could assure the House that "Government would readily support Lord ALTHORP gave notice that on Thurs- any measures that could improve the day next he should move for a Select Com- present system. Certainly that sysmittee, to inquire whether any and what re- "tem which filled our jails with hardy ductions ought to be made in the salaries of men, with the most active and intellipersons holding office under the Crown, and being at the same time Members of either gent of our population, and educated House of Parliament. (Loud cheers.) He" them in vice, associated them with would take that opportunity of stating, that it" criminals, and then turned them loose was his intention to submit to the Committee on the country prepared for all kinds of Supply on Friday evening, simply a proof crimes-certainly, such a system position, to the effect that the House would grant a certain sum to his Majesty on account "could not be too soon altered." of the Civil List. (Hear.) An excellent beginning! But further on in the evening there was mention of a curious ending. For instance, Mr. TENNYSON inquired whether there was any truth in the report that the late administration had procured the addition of several names to the Pension List, after the head of that ministry had virtually resigned? Mr. GOULBURN said that he believed one pension had been appointed on the morning of the day on which the late ministry resigned. He had not heard of more than one such appointment. FAMINE. SENSIBLE WOOD, member for Preston, expressed his fears that we should be all starved together; for that the country did not produce enough to feed its people. To be sure, between Preston and Manchester he would not see much; but, he must surely shut his eyes as he comes up through Northamptonshire, Bucks, Bedford and Herts! Oh! no, Ottiwell, it is not want of produce, but want of just distribution, and proper cultivation. It is, because SPECIAL COMMISSIONS. Mr. RIDLEY men are employed cracking stones for COLBORNE took that occasion to advert to the fundholders to ride on, instead of state of the disturbed districts in the vicinity being at work in the fields. It is because of the Metropolis, and of other parts of the hundreds of tons of cheese rot in the country in the same condition, urging the ne- warehouses of London, and hundreds of cessity of issuing Special Commissions, in considerable numbers, for the trial of offenders. tons of bacon go to the soap-boilers of He wished to press upon his Majesty's Govern- the infernal Wen, instead of being eaten ment the necessity which existed of making by those who till the land. It is because such arrangements as would prevent parties this fund-hell consumes as much food accused from being tried by the Magistrates by whom they had been committed, and with as twelve of the counties of England. whom they might have come into personal But all this lies a great deal too deep for thy noddle to reach. Get a copy of mation of his honourable Friend, that in addi- my RURAL RIDES, read it through, and tion to the Commission already issued, another then you will know something about. had passed the Great Seal for the trial of of England, of which, at present, you seem fenders in Buckinghamshire. There would to know no more than you do of the be, in the issue of many more Commissions, moon. To be sure, if this system could considerable difficulty in finding Judges to try the accused. He fully concurred with his hon. go on long enough, England would be Friend, that none of those persons ought to be barren; it would grow nothing but conflict. Lord ALTHORP had to state, for the infor i 1 the other two, which saved them from the destructive element. The feeling exhibited by tainly that of exultation, and they not only a considerable portion of the crowd was cerrefused to assist in extinguishing the flames, but were active in preventing others from assisting. The buckets were taken from those carrying water, and tossed into the flames, amidst considerable cheering; the pipes of the fire-engine were cut in six places, and a police-officer of the name of Bowman, who was standing on the eugine, directing the pipe down by a stone which struck him on the foreupon the stacks not on fire, was knocked head, and inflicted a severe though not a dangerous wound. When the flames appeared to get low, the embers were stirred up with sticks, and as the fire brightened up, a part of the crowd cheered! The fire continued to burn the whole night, and the stack, which might be worth about fifty pounds, was en hardy weeds. But, thanks to the labourers, it will go on but a very little while longer. Read the evidence, Otty, given before Slaney's Committee, in 1828; hear what Mr. Boys of Waldershare says about the decline in the tillage, on account of the taxes. Go to Farnham, and see them ploughing hopgardens, instead of digging them, and see the poles twelve feet long instead of eighteen. Be taught, Otty, before you open your mouth on the subject again. But what do I hear! Can it be true, that there is trouble or distress in this nation, when, as I used to say, "You have got STANLEY and WOOD!" Why, the devil's in the nation, I think, if it ean be in a hobble with two such law-tirely consumed. In one part of the crowd givers in its senate! I told the rich rascals at Preston that their triumph over me would be of short duration; and now they know it. God send them no hope but what they can have in Stanley and you. And, apropos of Stanley, will he see the parsons so hunted, and not come forth in their defence! They will stand in need of all his powers; I can tell him that. DOMESTIC AFFAIRS. STATE OF THE COUNTRY. RURAL WAR. CUMBERLAND. On Tuesday night, a little before nine o'clock, a fire was discovered in a wheat stack belonging to Mr. M'Cutcheon, situate in a field a little above the new Church in Caldewgate, on the Wigton road, and within a quarter of a mile of the city. A fire-engine was immediately procured, and a crowd of persons collected upon the spot. Attention was soon afterwards directed to another fire which was discovered in an opposite direction in a haystack belonging to Mr. Andrew, spirit-merchant, situate at the Sheep Mount, in the Willow Holme. Another fire-engine was procured at this place, and another crowd assembled round it. Within a few yards of the wheat-stack already mentioned were three other stacks of grain; and the fire being on the windward side, it was feared for some time that the whole would be set fire to-and doubtless that had been the intention of the incendiary. By the assistance of the police and part of the crowd, the stack nearest to the one on fire was speedily taken down and removed; and wet tarpauling were thrown over we heard the expression-"This will teach At the fire in the Willow Holme the crowd was not so great in the early part of the night; but between eleven and twelve o'clock there was a considerable accession of numbers. The police officers, and some of the persons assembled had worked the fire-eugines with' considerable effect, and the supply of water being plentiful bad succeeded in partly sub.. duing the fire, when the pipes of the engine choked up with sand aud gravel. From the top of the stack they rolled off the burning portions, and persons below removed them to a distance. But when the crowd became numerous, the persons employed were ob structed in their work, and ultimately driven. off; and the burning parts which had been removed were again thrown upon and round the stack, and the fire, which had been par tially extinguished, was thus relighted. It. continued to burn all night, although there, was a heavy fall of rain, and next day a part of it was saved. While workmen were removing the unburned part on Wednesday, a crowd again assembled, and first annoyed them, and finally drove them off. It was a very large stack of old hay, of an inferior quality. The loss is estimated at about fifty pounds. Whilst these dreadful and alarming scenes were going on, not a single magistrate, ca. pable of acting, could be found in the City! The Mayor is non-resident; the senior Alderman is old and infirm; and the other only. Magistrate in the city (Dr. Heysham) is so infirm by age, that it would have been the height of cruelty to ask him to go out on such a night. To such a state has Lord Lonsdale's system of promoting to the Bench only political supporters and hangers-on reduced us! The Lord Chancellor has read him a lesson that he will not, haply, dare to overlook. His superior has given the order, and he must now obey, On Wednesday a meeting of the county traced, and Parliament might proceed to leMagistrates was held, to consider what steps gislate on sure grounds; but if we are to trust should be taken, when 1001. reward was to measures of defence without probing the offered for the apprehension of the incen-root of the evil, we shall find, perhaps, when diaries. One man has been taken into cus- it is too late, that in putting down the late turtody for cutting the engine pipes, and warrants bulent assemblages of the people "we have are out against some other persons who were only scotched the snake-not killed it." The recoguised as actively engaged in this diabo-result of the inquiries would show that the lical work. The following is a copy of a cultivators of the soil have too small a portion written hand-bill which has been posted in of the profits of the land, and that no other reCaldewgate: 10001. reward for the appre-medy is to be found than in narrowing the dehension of boroughmongers, stock-jobbers, tar-mands of the landlord, the tithe-owner, and eaters, monopolizers, special constables, and the Government. It should be borne in mind, the extinguishers of freedom.-By order of the Swing Union."-Carlisle Journal. CAMBRIDGESHIRE. that one-tenth part of the produce has, of late years, frequently amounted to one-third, and, in some instances, to more than half the profits. SUSSEX. At a public meeting, held on Monday, the 22d of November, 1830, at the Crown Inn, Horsham, Mr. John Steele, in the chair. The following Resolutions were unanimously passed: 1. That this meeting sincerely sympathises with the distressed state of the labourers, and will exert themselves in every proper and legal way to alleviate the same. 2. That the difficulties under which the Farmers and Tradesmen are now suffering render it im possible for them to pay increased wages, without a very considerable reduction Rents and Tithes, and of that enormous burden of Taxation under which the Nation now labours. 3. That the immediate repeal of the duties on malt, soap, candles, and coals, appears to this meeting to be most urgently required, with the total abolition of all sinecures, useless places, and uninerited pensions. CAMBRIDGE, DEC. 4.-I sent you yesterday a hasty account of the grievous fire at Coton. I am sorry to learn that nearly the whole of the corn in the parish has been destroyed. The wreck that remains of Mr. Adgier's property was secured by the exertions of the Students of the University and the inhabitants of this town, whose conduct on the occasion is above all praise. The Editor of The Cambridge Press, in his paper of this morning, regrets the extreme indifference to the painful scene exhibited by some of the labouring people, and the refusal of others to assist at the engines or buckets. Facts like these show too plainly where the perpetrators of these abo-in minable crimes are to be found. Lord Vera. lam and others err greatly in their judgment in ascribing them to foreigners; it is, indeed, not a little extraordinary that such opinions should have been advanced with any degree of confidencs, since in no one instance that I am aware of has a foreigner been seen in a parish where a fire has taken place. Every effort must be made to detect and punish these assassin-like destroyers of their neighbours' property,aud of the public wealth, while at the same time Government (as I trust will be the case) should show itself awake to the situation of the peasantry, and resolutely bent on measures for improving their condition. If the statements of the Duke of Richmond and Lord Stanhope had been listened to last spring, the frightful outrages that have taken place lately might have been prevented. The Magistrates of this county are acting wisely. The following resolution, passed at a meeting convened yesterday by the Lord-Lieutenant, will, if vigorously and judiciously carried into effect, do more to quiet the minds of the peasantry, and prevent disorder, than any other measures, whether of the military or civil authorities, can effect: "Resolved-That in order to allay the irritation which appears to exist at the present time in the minds of many of the labouring classes, the Magistrates for the county of Cambridge will immediately make inquiry into the actual state and condition of the poor in every parish of the county." If a similar inquiry were instituted in every county, the source of the grievance would be 4. That the present disturbed state of the Country, and distress of the Farmers, Tradesmeu, ani Labourers, is wholly caused by misgovernment; and that it is become absolutely necessary for the restoration of that harmony and good feeling which it is so desirable should exist among the different orders of the State, that the people should have the right of choosing the Members of the Commons House of Parliament. 5. That a Petition to the House of Commons, founded on the above Resolutions, be prepared and signed. That the following Petition be adopted : To the Honourable the Commons of the That your Petitioners have found themselves compelled to reduce the price of labour, and we have seen our peasantry deprived of the comforts, and, in fact, of the necessaries of life, without the means of alleviating their condition. Nevertheless until now the oppressed labourer has borne his load, complain ing but not resisting; but the time has rick, adjoining to which were a cart-ho ise and arrived when he will bear it no longer. Des- baru, which contained all the corn the farmer peration has urged the labourers of this and had. The whole was entirely consumed. The neighbouring parishes to rise and congregate. house adjoining was saved. He was one of They have surrounded the houses of your Pe- those small labouring farmers occupying titioners in vast numbers, claiming at our scarcely more land than he himself could nands that which we believe to be their right, manage; and I don't know where the exciteand which we have felt it our interest and meat could be to destroy his property. He is duty to give. We have increased their wages, uninsured. The buildings which he occupies and now, with our augmented burden (insup-belong to the Earl of Abingdou. portable before) we approach your honourable BANBURY, DEC. 5, 1830.-SIR,-Allow me House. We tell you in language, respectful to lay before your readers an example of wages yet plain, that our burdens are such that we paid to farmers' labourers in the district of can bear them no longer. We therefore most which Banbury, in Oxfordshire, on the borders earnestly beseach you to cause the immediate of Northamptonshire and Warwickshire, is repeal of the duties on malt, soap, candles, the principal market. and coals; aud a practical and constitutional The average wages (haytime and harvest reform of the House of Commons,-to the excepted) of a farming labourer who has a want of which we trace our present difficulties; wife and family, have, for the last two years, and such an appropriation of part of the (to that period have I limited my inquiries), Church property as is not absolutely neces-been 9s. a week. sary for the liberal support of the Clergy, | Allow the family three meals a day-breakaccording to their several stations and merits, fast, dinuer, supper;-allow one penny per to the exigencies of the state ;-also the abo-head for each meal; at the end of the sixth lition of all sinecures, useless places, and un-day the whole wages will have been spent, merited Pensions, together with such a reduction in the large sums paid for the Civil List expenses, as may be deemed consistent with the proper diguity of the Throne. JOHN STEELE, Chairman Poisoning Cattle.-If any thing were wanting to increase the horrors we feel in reciting the numerous incendiary fires, it is the fact, that the diabolical miscreants have commenced wreaking their malice on the unoffending cattle. On Tuesday night, Mr. Samuel Goodmau, coach proprietor, of this town, who lives at a farm on the Loudon road, had several fine pigs destroyed by poison, and similar instances have occurred in other places.-Brighton Herald. On Thursday night two barns (one containing nine loads of wheat), a clover rick, and seven hog-pounds, were destroyed by fire, on a farm on Lord Gage's estate, uear Firle, Sussex. It is said to have been done by the workmeu. At Arundel, on Sunday night, a wheat rick, the property of Mr. Oliver, was destroyed by fire. OXFORDSHIRE. OXFORD, DEC. 6.-We are becoming more alarmed for the safety of property than ever. On Friday night there was an incendiary fire at Denton, about five miles from Oxford, between the Henley and Wickham roads. There was much property in danger, but it was discovered early, and put out by the villagers, without the assistance of engines, but not without the loss of a great part of a hay-rick. I am not aware if this property was insured. And last night, about eight, our city was alarmed by a fire in the direction of Evesham, on the Cheltenham road. Engines were im mediately put in motion, and it proved to be near Cunner, Berks, a small village on the left. The fire commenced at a small straw and not a single farthing left for the seventh day, for fuel, for clothing, for the other little articles absolutely necessary to keep a family in cleanliness. Observe, I say average wages; if there are instances of 10s., there are others of only 8s. The wages of a stout single man have, in winter, been only 3s., sometimes 3s. 6d., very rarely 4s. a week; but my inquiries have not been so pointedly directed to this class as to the other. Let each reader make his own comment. Cannot the tenantry pay higher wages? No. As a body they are paying rent, tithe, and taxes, uot from profits alone, but capital as well. Let each reader make his own comment on this.-Yours, &c., A.B.C., Special Constable. On Monday morning a party of above 50 rioters assembled at Southcrop, near Farring don. It appeared the ringleader had induced his followers to swear they would abide by him, and resist any force which the farmers should oppose to them; but no sooner did horsemen appear, than they all fled in the utmost confusion; and though many of them were armed with axes, hammers, and other dangerous weapons, above forty of their num ber were taken in less than half an hour after the horseinen entered the village. One fellow had in his pocket a flask full of powder, and a large quantity of shot, for the purpose (according to his own account) of shooting a few small birds! Unfortunately the ringleader, who was the first to decamp, eluded the vigilance of the pursuers. This morning we heard of a fire at Kempton, near Deddington, and, on inquiry, found it was on Mr. Lovedren's farm; a barn, one hovel, and a quantity of corn, were burut; to the amount of 200. The people were very ac tive, or the whole must have been destroyed. I hope we shall hear of no more fires, but now |