by which this country was animated. You must go elsewhere before you can fully estimate the true state of the public feeling at that critical period. You must go to the great seats of manufacturing industry-to Stockport, to Paisley, to Manchesterto the mines-to the collieries-to districts not subject to the various influences which, in a great metropolis, are combined in favour of order and the maintenance of authority. No, it is not London that I would select as the best example of the resolution which pervaded this country to maintain its laws and constitution. I would look to the West Riding of Yorkshire, to Lancashire, to places where, in former periods-in such times as 1818 and 1819-social order has been shaken to its foundation. In those districts, since the year 1846, the manufacturing interests have been deeply depressed, there has been great want of employment, great suffering from many privations. But see the patience and resignation with which that suffering has been borne

how the inhabitants of these districts have conducted themselves, when, in combination with suffering and privation, they have had before their eyes the example of Irish disaffection-of revolutionary violence in France-of continental thrones subverted-of almost universal anarchy where before there had been peace.

I hold in my hand the report as to the state of Manchester, made by the Chief Officer of Police. It bears date the 19th April, 1849.

He observes :

"In presenting these returns, it is impossible to avoid referring with pride and satisfaction to the state of this borough during that period of excitement and anxiety which occurred early in the past year. Slight disturbances did certainly take place, but when all circumstances are considered, it will be, I think, generally felt that it is scarcely possible to have stronger or more satisfactory evidence of the general intelligence, and loyal and peaceable character of the population around us, than was afforded by the events which occurred during the period referred to. Whilst gratefully acknowledging (as one having some degree of official responsibility in the maintenance of order) the firmness, vigilance, and watchful care manifested for the preservation of the peace by the mayor and magistrates, the active organization of districts by the committees of the council, and the liberality of that body in granting efficient assistance to the ordinary police, as also the invaluable co operation and assistance so readily afforded by the owners of warehouses, shops, and property, and by those in their employ, I venture to suggest that this borough was indebted to a still larger extent to the working classes and the mill operatives, for the maintenance of order;-to that important class, for their expressive disapproval of, and absence of sympathy with, the proceedings of the few disorderly and disaffected individuals who sought to create disturbance; for their determination to continue at their ordinary employment, and to resist any attempt at interference; and for the promptitude with which they at once agreed to be associated for the protection of the property of their employers, we are unquestionably indebted more than to any other source for the success which happily crowned the efforts of the authorities to preserve the peace and protect the property within this borough, during a period of almost unprecedented excitement and alarm, and of great privation and distress."

Surely these are significant facts-surely these are decisive proofs that the policy you adopted in removing the duty on articles of first necessity,

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was a wise policy. That which was done was no act of a sagacious minister-the coming crisis was not foreseen by statesmen. It was no lucky accident. It is my firm belief that it pleased Almighty God to hearken to your prayers. It pleased him to turn your dearth and scarcity," into " cheapness and plenty," and so to direct and prosper your consultations, that upon the eve of a great calamity, standing on the brink of a great precipice, you established "Peace and Happiness," on the foundations of "Truth and Justice." You have reaped the fruits of that policy. You have passed unscathed through the sternest trials to which the institutions of nations were ever subjected. You have stood erect amid the convulsions of Europe. And now you are to have a proposal made to you of some paltry fixed duty upon corn. Consider what this is. If it be 5s, on wheat it will give a duty of 2s 6d on barley, and 2s on oats; that is, 1s 6d on barley, and 1s on oats more than you have at present. It is an equivocal advantage at the best. But by every consideration which can influence consistent and rational legislators-by the highest suggestions of a generous policy-by the coldest calculations of a low and selfish prudence, I do implore you to reject this proffered boon. I implore you not to barter away the glorious heritage for which you are indebted to your sagacious and timely policy-for the most worthless consideration for which, since the days of him who sold his birthright for a mess of pottage, the greatest advantage was ever surrendered.

60

APPENDIX B.

EXPORTS OF MANUFACTURES AND PRODUCE of the UNITEd Kingdom, from 1814 to 1828 inclusive, with Official and Declared or Real Value.

Real value of Exports above official, 1814 to 1820 inclusive
Real value of ditto less than official, 1821 to 1828 inclusive

£41,521,795

83,243,769

Total amount of depreciation in value of Articles The yearly amount of Exports upon an average, from 1814 to 1820 inclusive, is

£124,698,076

£45,262,375 per annum

The yearly amount of ditto, upon an average from 1821 to 1828 inclusive, is

36,462,019

Amount of annual decrease last 8 years

£8,800,356

This does not include Colonial produce.

The yearly amount of Exports of Colonial and Foreign produce,

The decrease in amount of Exports in Home Manufactures and
Colonial and Foreign produce, for the last 8 years, is
The depreciation in value is 28 millions on 43 millions, or about 60

£13,325,046 Pe

cent.

Copied from Hansard's Debates, New Series, vol. 21, page 1202.

THE END.