CHAP. LVIII. 1784. that an export trade, to be successfully conducted, requires capital sufficient to bear the disappointment of failing remittances and dishonest correspondents; forgetting that, in every manufactured article, they would have powerful and experienced competitors in the markets; they strained their endeavours to furnish large supplies, giving credit beyond their means; while their commodities, hastily prepared by inexperienced workmen, gave little satisfaction, and produced inferior prices. Commerce, in consequence, became stagnant; Distress of mathe unemployed manufacturers thronged the towns, nufacturers. and particularly the capital, in alarming numbers, exhibiting unfeigned proofs of the deepest distress. Sums of money were granted for their relief; measures were proposed, motions made, and an address to the King voted; but the extensive calamity was only soothed, not removed; and the people, pressed by Their outrages. want and urged by factious instigation, menaced and maltreated public officers, tarred and feathered those whom they considered as their enemies, because they dealt in imported goods; and, in their misdirected fury, performed the same operation on a coach, because it had been sent over by an English makert. moved in Par At length, the question of trade was brought 2nd April. before the House by Mr. Gardiner, who, after a pro- Resolutions found, learned, and truly candid speech, moved for re- ment. solutions declaring that the increasing importation of foreign manufactures, superseding those of the country, caused the existing poverty and distress; and demanded the interference of Parliament. Several debates ensued, and many principles were laid down and proposals discussed, tending chiefly to equalize the duties on exportation and importation between the two countries; but nothing was definitively arranged before the prorogation. plaints investi During the recess, these weighty matters under- These comwent much consideration. The Lords of trade in En- gated in England, aided by the Commissioners appointed on the part gland. * Macpherson's Annals, vol. iv. p. 57. CHAP. 1785. Arrangement communicated to the Irish Parliament. February 7th. Resolutions of Ireland, examined minutely into the interests of manufacturers of every description in both countries*; and an arrangement having been agreed on, Mr. Orde, secretary to the Lord Lieutenant, having read in Parliament a paragraph from his Excellency's speech, recommending the adoption of a commercial system, equitable and beneficial to both countries, tending to support the common interest, and to secure mutual satisfaction, moved resolutions, declaring that all moved by Mr. articles, not of the growth of Great Britain or Ireland, should be imported into each country from the other, under the same regulations and duties as were imposed on direct importation, and with the same drawbacks. That all prohibitions in either country against the importation of articles grown, produced, or manufactured, in the other, should be rescinded, and the duties equalized. Other resolutions related to internal taxation, to facilitating the corn trade, and to some details in foreign and international commerce. Orde. These propositions were immediately attacked by Mr. Brownlow, with a warmth for which he afterward apologised, as the effect of misconception; but the House readily adopted them. Some petitions were presented from manufacturers and traders of different classes, but of no great force or importance: when they came to be finally discussed, a long debate produced but little substantial objection; they were unanimously agreed to by the Lords, and transmitted to England+. In opening the session of the British Parliament, the King particularly recommended the adjustment of commercial intercourse with Ireland; the system which would unite both kingdoms the most closely in reciprocal advantage would best ensure the general prosperity. In the debates, this part of the speech was rather incidentally touched upon, than made the subject of any separate and substantial animadversion. Lord North, having objected in terms of pleasantry to * See their Report, in a pamphlet published by Debrett, 1785. the word "reciprocal," gave Mr. Pitt an opportunity of reminding him that, two years before, the same word had given exercise to his wit, and of shewing from the journals that the paragraph in question was only the echo of a resolution moved by the Secretary of State during the Rockingham administration*. CHAP. LVIII. 1785. notice of a On a subsequent day, Mr. Pitt gave notice of his 1st February intention to move, in a fortnight, for a call of the Mr. Pitt gives House, to take into consideration the reform of the motion. representation, and another measure of "nearly equal" importance, the commercial intercourse between Great Britain and Ireland. Mr. Fox could see no reason why an affair so important as the intercourse between the two countries should be brought forward in the Parliament of Ireland, while that of England remained completely ignorant of the minister's intention; but Mr. Pitt successfully deprecated all expressions of opinion until the measure should be regularly introduced. Committee When a few days had been allowed for considering 22nd Feb. the resolutions of the Irish legislature, the House, on formed. the motion of Mr. Pitt, resolved itself into a committee. The Irish resolutions were read, and the minister detailed the views of government, and their hopes that the justice and liberality of their proceedings would confer extensive good, and give general content. He declined going into details; but, on general principles, examined the proposed system in two points; its probable effect on our own particular commerce and manufactures, and the return which Ireland would make toward the common expense. There was nothing in the system to alarm the British manufacturer or trader. Goods, the produce of Europe, might now be imported into Britain, through Ireland, by the express authority of the Navigation Act. The new proposition applied only to Africa and America; for Asia was excluded by the monopoly of the East India Company. Would it, then, be wise in this country to give to Ireland the liberty of importing, and afterward of exporting to *May 17th, 1782. CHAP. 1785. Alarm created. Petitions. March 3rd. 11th. 16th. Britain, the produce of our colonies in Africa and America? Intercourse with our West India Islands had already been given, and a free passage to all foreign markets had been opened. It was the natural right of Ireland; and the measure was one of justice, not of grace. Having animadverted on the futile fears which had been diffused, of the probable ascendancy of Irish commerce, and explained the intended equalizing of duties, he proposed a return to be made by Ireland for intended concessions, by appropriating a certain sum out of her revenues toward the support of the navy. He moved for a resolution of the committee, declaring it important that the commercial intercourse between the two countries should be finally adjusted, and Ireland admitted to a permanent participation in all commercial advantages, whenever their Parliament should permanently secure an aid, out of the surplus of the hereditary revenue, toward defraying the expense of protecting the general commerce. He would not press for an immediate vote, but postpone the further consideration of the question. Several leading members who spoke, abstained from discussing the general merits, each confining himself to an explanation of some former opinion, intimating some present impression, or claiming to offer more detailed observations in future. From the time this measure had begun to be in agitation, no means were omitted for the excitement of alarms and combinations of the parties interested. Two kinds of opposition were formed; the one of persons who supposed that many branches of English trade would be seriously affected, if not altogether ruined; the other, of men who considered that the honour of Ireland was to be insulted, and her interests sacrificed. The opposition in the House of Commons was warm and unremitting; and the press sent forth numerous works, impeaching and defending the measure. Petitions were presented, and delay was requested, that more might be obtained. Liverpool, Manchester, and several other places, availed themselves of this postponement, and one member spoke of CHAP. LVIII. Mr. Pitt's pro a petition which lay at his feet, for it was too heavy to be held in his hand, signed by eighty thousand manufacturers in Lancashire. The total number exceeded 1785. sixty*; and, after two months had been expended in May 12th. hearing counsel, examining witnesses, and in desultory position. debates, Mr. Pitt introduced his propositions, which varied considerably from those agreed to in Ireland. One alteration, much complained of, was the second resolution, which subjected the revenue of Ireland to a contribution, in time of peace, toward the expenses of the naval force for protecting the trade and the general interests of the empire. Other resolutions prohibited the Irish from trading beyond the Cape of Good Hope during the existence of a chartered company; established the payment of duties and imposts; provided for the future regulation of fisheries, and protected copy-right and patents from invasion. The number of propositions was extended from eleven to twenty, and the alterations introduced were numerous and important†. Mr. Pitt supported and explained his measure by Debate on a luminous speech, in which he endeavoured to shew them. that it would not be injurious to the commerce of this country, where capital, credit, and a refined and finished skill in manufacture, would always assure preponderance over every other nation. Lord North and several distinguished members spoke on the other side, but no one at so much length, or with so much vigour and intelligence, as Mr. Fox. He objected to the propositions singly and collectively, averring, that as the Irish were greatly and exclusively interested in the conclusion of this bargain, their evidence might, perhaps, be deemed improper when brought forward to support the system. Whatever superiority we might enjoy in capital and superior workmanship, would be balanced by the cheapness of See General Index to the Journals of the House of Commons, vol. v. Title House 9, No. 194. The two sets of propositions or resolutions are given together in Macpherson's Annals of Commerce, vol. iv. p. 84. And they are printed, together with the bill founded on them, in a separate pamphlet; Stockdale, 1785. |
