Annual Register

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 581,1857., equivalent to 2,324,740.; in the Stamps, 56,7631., 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

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 speculations 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 Com

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.

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 581,1857., equivalent to 2,324,740.; in the Stamps, 56,763., 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

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 speculations 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, Lord Wharncliffe, the Duke of Buccleuch, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Earl of Shaftesbury. The Com