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916 THELE1DER. l^l^^^^^sr^
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THE INTERNATIONAL FREE-TRADE CONGRESS. T...
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STATE OF TRADE. Tins advices from the pr...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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The Koyal British Bank. A Meeting Of The...
refold to back the Ue , and to say that we are dishonest men . Tou know it is a lie to say that we are all dishonest men" f" Oh oh ! " " Bear , hear i ! " cheers , and confusion . ^ Dr Goddard ' : » I know to the contrary , and to my cost . " The Chairman : " As I believe this room is full of honest men I am convinced they would not believe or lack a lie Truth is truth , and your resolution declares a lie . We are not dishonest men . " ( Cries of " You are , " " No , you are not , " and great confksion . y Mr . Owen , formerly a director , said He left the board
in consequence of the way the money had been misapplied , and that it was at one time discovered that Mr . Cameron had a book with a private key , -which book was never seen by any one but himself . This fact was not known till Mr . Cameron was taken so dangerously ill that it was thought he would die very shortly . "It would have been well for us if he had died , " exclaimed one of the shareholders . Another shareholder , in a state of great excitement , shouted , " You are all little better than a set of thieves . " Mr . Owen said he had not
before stated what he knew because he was afraid of injuring tie bank . Loud cries having been raised for Alderman Kennedy , whose name had been mentioned by Mr . Owen , the Alderman came forward , and said that two years ag-o he had told the proprietors they wanted more capital ; he had the greatest confidence in the bank at the time , but had been deceived , and was not only a great sufferer himself , but he had the misfortune of having caused a number of his friends to be losers . He did entreat them at least to let him have the same sympathy as others , for he could assure them that he had been in no way the cause of the misfortune . —General Aitcheson , who had previously maintained that the only
course by which the shareholders could have justice done them was by going to the Court of Chancery in accordance with the Winding-up Act , moved as follows , after an ineffectual attempt on the part of Dr . Goddard to repeat his former resolution :- — " That it appears to this meeting , and we hereby declare , that the losses of the Royal British Bank have exhausted all the surplus , or reserved , fund , and one-fourth part of the paid-up capital of the said bank . " Mr . Stapleton seconded the resolution , and the Chairman declared that it was carried . Great uproar ensued , several persons denying that the motion -was affirmed ; but the Chairman ' s decision was not rescinded , and the meeting broke up without any more tangible results .
916 Thele1der. L^L^^^^^Sr^
916 THELE 1 DER . l ^ l ^^^^^ sr
The International Free-Trade Congress. T...
THE INTERNATIONAL FREE-TRADE CONGRESS . The Congress assembled in the Gothic-Jiall of the Hotel de Ville , Brussels , at one o ' clock on Monday , and was occupied in listening to the statements of the delegates from different countries for upwards of three hours . The hall contained at the time of meeting between three and four hundred deputed and adherent members connected with trade and commerce in various parts of the world . Among the gentlemen present at the commencement of the proceedings were : —M .-Figualorn , Barcelona ; M . Hertz , Hamburg ; M . Clink Sterk , Holland ; M . Mathyssens , Antwerp ; M . Cherbulier , Zurich ; M . Masson , Vervain ; Mr . Charles Holland , chairman of the
Chamber of Commerce , Liverpool ; Mr . Francis Boult , Liverpool Financial Keform Association ; Mr . Wickham , M . P ., delegate of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce ; Mr . Oliveira , M . P . ; Mr . E . Chadwick ; Mr . W- Ewart , M . P . ; Mr . Winkwortb ; M . Suringar , the founder of the Dutch Mettray ; Mr . C . Allhusen , chairman of tho Chamber of Commerce , Newcastle ; MM . Guillaumin and Gamier , Society of Economists , Paris ; Mr . S . PlimboII , Yorkshire Coal Owneis ; Mr . Swan , Chamber of Commerce , Leeds ; Mr . Burn , Manchester ; Mr . Henry Bohn , London ; Mr . F . O . Ward ; Mr . Niell , Consul for Montevideo .
Mr . Corr Vandermaeren , President of the Belgian Free Trade Association , opened the proceedings by glancing at the previous Congress of a similar character hold in 1847 , and at the -various reforms in the way of the removal or reduction of Customs' imposts since that year in the several countries of Europe . He then resigned his place to M « C . do Brouckere , who bad been elected President of the Congress , Laving filled the samo post in 1847 . The two points to be kept specially in view by the spoakers were stated thus : — " 1 . What arc tho obstacles , artificial or natural , which impede the extension of commercial relations with the country which you represent ? 2 . What are the practical . means proposed or that may be proposed in each country to remove or lessen the obstacles which thus impede its commercial relations with foreign nations ?"
The President then called upon delegated members of Uxe Congress , according to a prearranged order , to addteiBB the assembly . Each speaker , in succession , mounted a Wad of tribune , and gave expression , in French , to tho opunoas of tho body by whom ho was deputed . Most of tnerft wad from manuscript notes , which thoy subso-?^ ft !^ ? ° d ( ld > t <> the secretary , the time allotted by SLri ^^ T * ^ arter of an hour-boing in some Th « flrST *^ *** * otbora considerably exceeded . * JS £ ? n « fl tST £ l ' Clmk Sterk , Holland , who mm'mmm
stances even the total extinction , of many branches of commerce . A separation having been effected between th « two' countries , more enlightened views began to prevail in Holland , which was urged on in the path of amelioration by the example of England , and now barreled herrings are the only articles prohibited by the tariff . { A laugh . )—M . Mathys 3 ens , of Antwerp , thought too glowing a picture had been given by the preceding speaker of the liberality of the Dutch Government—M . Reepmaetker agreed with M . Sterk , allowing for a few limitations .
Mr . " Winkworth , delegate from the Society of Arts , London , briefly described the objects of the body with which he was connected , claiming for it the credit of originating the happy conception of a universal exhibition of the industry of all nations . He referred more especially to the obstacles placed in the way of the silk trade of England ( on which he had drawn up a Government report in 1855 ) by restrictive duties ; and then , passing to the general subject of Free Trade , he quoted statistics to show that the prosperity of the English people had laTgely increased since the repeal of the cornlaws . —M . Hertz , of Hamburg , gave a similar picture of the state of commerce in his city , resulting from the relaxation of fiscal restrictions .
M . Cherbulier , Professor of Political Economy of tie Polytechnic Institute , Zurich , and delegate from his G-overnment , next described , at a length which called forth a remonstrance from the President , the present commercial situation of Switzerland . Up to the year 1848 , Switzerland had no fiscal system whatever ; but , means being required to keep up the public roads and carry out otter public works , the Government in that year was obliged to introduce a Customs' tariff adapted to the peculiar circumstances and geographical position of the country . The duties were very light , but every step the Government took in commercial legislatioa would be in the direction , of Free Trade .
M . Figualora ( Spain ) stated that up to 1834 tlie old system of inter-proyincial barriers prevailed in his country , and duties were levied on commodities conveyed from one province to another the same as if they had been imported from a foreign country . The Customs' revenues had more than doubled since the revision of the tariff in 1849 , while the internal trade of the country had equally benefited . M . <« a . gie , of Antwerp , having stated the views of the Chamber of Commerce of that city in favour of Free Trade , tHa Conferonee adjnurned to the following day .
On Tuesday , the speakers were sigru ^ r Scialoja , ' delegrate from Sardinia , Count Arrivabene ( Tuscany ^ , Mir . Gamier and Wolowski ( Paris ) , M . Molinari ( Brussels ) , Dr . Bambers ( Berlin ) , M . Pascal Duprat ( Paris ) , M . Vanderbruck ( Central Agricultural Society of Belgium ) , M . Mullerdorff ( Chamber of Commerce , Viviers ) , Mr . Oliveira , M . P . ( who spoke ¦ in favour of reducing the wine duties ) , and Mr . Bohn , the London publisher , who expounded his views on the subject of an international book-post , based on principles anaiagous to the system recently intrpduced into England . All the speakers from continental towns and countries gave hopeful accounts of the spread of free-trade doctrines in their respective localities . —The Congress shortly afterwards adjourned for the day .
On the reassembling of the Congress on Wednesday , M . David , of Denmark , gave up his right to speak , and M . Wattel , of the Chamber of Commerce of Antwerp , made some observations with a view to showing that the tendencies of the Chamber he represented were not protectionist , as' two previous speakers had asserted , and that the people of Antwerp inclined to free trade . M . Ackersdeyk , from Holland , followed , but his remarks were not audible . A Swiss gentleman , representing the ^ Nation al Institution of Geneva , then made some very energetic remarks , with a degree of vehemence which provoked some mirth . In tho course of these observations , he wandered into the question of the oppressed nationalities , but was called to order by the Presidont . After Sefior Matias Gomez Villaboa , who appeared for a Spanish Agricultural Society , had read from a paper which , as far as could be distinguished , appeared to be opposed to free trade ,
M . Molinari occupied tho tribune . He had to report on tho proposition of M . Corr " Vandermaeren , for tho establishment of an International Customs Reform Association . This proposition had been adopted unanimously , and it bad been arranged that tho central committee should bo composed of men of all nations . Tho central office would be in Brussels . The second proposition had reference to the establishment of tribunals of commerce , uniformity of weights and measures , and money , as well as letters of credit and postage . After some discussion , tho resolution was referred to tho now International Free Trade League which has just boon founded . The next proposition , submitted to and carried by the Congress unanimously , was from tho authorities « f Antwerp , and was to tho effect that what remained « f tho colonial system should bo abolished .
Iho third proposition was to tho effect that " tho Congress desired that all duties on rivers running from one country into another , and straits separating tliem , should bo abolished . " Carried with ono dissentient
. Tho fourth proposition , suggested by M . Couvrour , was to " tlie effect that tho passport aystorn should bo
modified , and the compulsory visas for various nations be abolished . This proposition was carried unanimously The fifth proposition ran thus : — " That declarations oa the importation and exportation of merchandize should be simplified and made uniform for all nations . " Carried unanimously . M . Tilliere brought up the report of the section on the teaching of political economy . The section appealed to the delegates to pledge themselves to use their influence to get the elements of political economy introduced as part of popular education in their respective countries and to recommend the preparation of teachers for this purpose . - Carried unanimously . Mr . Ewart , M . P ., then moved an address of congratulation to the King on the twenty-sixth anniversary of the national independence . This was agreed to without a dissentient . It was then arranged that a fourth and final sittin « - of tlie Congress should be held on Thursday . °
A letter has been received from Mr . CoMen , vhicli although it was not lead to the meeting , is to be published with the other documents submitted to the Congress . After expressing his deep regret at being unable to attend , Mr . Cobden quotes some statistics to show the yearly increase in the value of our exports since tlie year 184 C , when Sir Robert Peel "dethroned the ancient Protectionist superstition . " He proceeds : —" You will find that the table exhibits a steady yearly progress , interrupted only by the revolutions of 1848 and the war of 1854-1 S 55 . But observe the upward rebound of tlie present year of peace , in the first seven months of which our exports have reached 64 , 0 OO , O 00 Z . sterling , being a t the rate of 110 , 000 , 0007 . for the -whole year , or nearly double the amount of 1846 . 3 ^ o other instance of so
large and rapid an increase of foreign trade can be cited in the annals of the world . I anticipate that this year our exports will exceed those of France , Austria , Russia , and Spain together , —the four largest states of Europe , containing an aggregate of four times our population ; and that they will amount to double those of the United States , whose distinctive party banners seem to bear every conceivable device , excepting that of commercial freedom . " Mr . Cobden then digresses into some observations on . the late war , remarking : —" Let me stipulate beforehand that Free Trade be not held responsible for the misuse of the wealth which it confers upon , a nation . To confess tlie truth , we have not made the best possible use of our prosperity . We have spent nearly 100 , 000 , 000 ? . in adding one more to the list of Sydney Smith's 'foolisi ,
just , and necessary wars ; ' and I am afraid we are now wasting more in warlike preparation than ever we did at any tormer . periua ~ f yo « ,. e ; nor can it be denied that never in my experience were we as a nation giving so little attention to domestic reforms as at present . It need not surprise us , then , if the improvement of the population has not kept pace with the increase of our material wealth . But this only tends to prove that the moral fruits of our principles cannot be gathered by one nation alone . It is only when free trade shall have become tlie international code of the civilized world tlat its bigliest blessings will be realized in the purer spirit of forbearance and justice which will characterize the intercourse of
nations . With respect to the prospects of free trade on the continent , Mr . Cobden writes : — " I confess that ray chief hope rests on the poverty of the continental Governments . The continual augmentation of their military establishments will compel them to enter upon a reform of their tariffs as the only mode of enabling their peoples to support the constant increase of expenditure . There is scarcely a country in Europe whose revenues might not bo largely augmented by abolishing its prohibitive , and modifying its protective , Customs' duties . In this way , a Peel or a Huskisson could in France , Ilussiaj" or Spain iucrcaso the annual revenue several millions sterling , and give an indefinite expansion to the industry and wealth of tho people . "
. An international congress of homoeopathic doctors commenced sitting at Brussels on Tuesday , and will sit till this day ( Saturday ) , in the hall of the Philharmonic Society , Ruo do TEvequc . It is understood that the widow of Jiahncrminn , the founder of the homceopatliic System , applied to bo allowed to take part in tho conference , but was refused on tlie ground tliat she hn < l no professional diploma . This exclusion baa provoke ! u rather animated discussion .
State Of Trade. Tins Advices From The Pr...
STATE OF TRADE . Tins advices from the provincial towns for tlio -week ending last Saturday contain nothing of importance , and merely confirm the gcnornl steadiness of trade . At Mnnchcstcr , the extent of business is moderate , but prices arc -well supported . Two small failures have occurred , Messrs . W . II . Gray nnd Co ., for lf ) , 000 l ., and Mr . Aldorman Shawcrcas , for 25 , 000 / . In tho latter cnac , n composition is contemplated of 12 s . Gd . in tho pound ' -y instalments extending over two years . At Uinning '" '" ) tho iron trade remains without variation . Tho invent ion of Mr . Bessemer continues to fca an absorbing topic , lmt its probable value is strongly contested . Tho liabilities of Mr . G . P . Simcox , of Kidderminster , are stated not to exceed 21 , 000 / ., and 15 s . in tho pound is offered in instalments . ' From Nottingham , tho accounts continue extremely favourable . In tho woollon districts , the transactions nro 9 ntisfactory , and the Irish cloth nmrket continues firm . —Times .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 27, 1856, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_27091856/page/4/
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