URING the last Session of Congress, it will be recollected
that, ' have " tied himself hand and foot" to vote for any particular mea- instead of complying with the insatiable demands of the itestric- sure at any particular time. But it was. necessary to his character tionists for increased duties on foreign goods, the American legis- than they have done lately. seem, been able to recover. For the Presidential contest is consi- We regret to find so few. independent members returned for the dered as one .between the advocates for high and those for low du- Metropolitan districts. They are nearly all Ministerialists-Lex- ties; and the latest electioneering intelligence proves, that Mr. cellent and honourable men certainly, in whose hands the liberties CLAY, the High Tariff candidate, will be defeated, and that Pre- of the country are safe, and who would scorn to turn their seats in sident JACKSON, who is in favour of moderate duties on feign Parliament into sources of private advantage, according to the old products, will almost certainly be reelected by a very great majo- aiistocratic and corrupt custom. But, wart one or two exceptions, rity. We may, therefore, expect to find the American commmial we see none who would be ready to press disagreeable measures code speedily undergoing .a revision, which will assimilate. it to the of retrenchment and reform upon a Whig Ministry. Mr. HUME more rational system which has lately been, to a certain extent,. will find, we have no doubt, efficient allies in Mr. GROTE and Mr. adopted in this country. Men who would fain, by arbitrary regu--- Tgrus-vsox ; but sturdy opposition to a Ministerial job can hardly lations, convert an agricultural country into a manufacturing one,. be expected from Dr. LUSHINGTON, or Messrs. GRANT, HORNE, or the reverse—men who appear to think themselves wiser than and. SPANEIE. We fear, indeed, that this last-named gentleman Providence, and stronoer than the course of Nature—will no doubt will be found but a poor substitute for Mr.BABDAGE. He certainly be grievously annoyed by the contemplated change in the commer- will require looking after. His addresses and professions are very cial policy of America; but they who earnestly desire to promote like those of a trading politician. He has a.character yet to earn. the greatest happiness of the greatest number, Will hail it with It may be very proper for an old and honest member, like Alder- sinoere rejoicing. man WOOD, to refer to his past, and speak as to his future conduct, So much for the United States. Now what are the manufac in somewhat vague and general terms ; but an untried man, like turers and financiers about to do in France? Sergeant SPANKIE, vehemently suspected, too, of having pinned it has been well known for some time, by those who take an in his conscience to a brief from the India House, should be clear and terest in these subjects, and watch the course of trade abroad as explicit in the exposition of his political creed. We wish that the well as at home, that the French merchants and manufactusers electors had exacted A promise from him to resign his seat when- have been suffering, beyond all comparison more than- our own, ever he should be required to do so by a majority of his consti- in spite of their adoption of the restrictive system in its-fullest ex- -tuents. But in Finsbury, as elsewhere, there was too much taken tent—by the uncertainty of prices, the stagnation of demand, and, -upon trust. If it is necessary, however, to watch Sir JOHN Hon- above all, by the increase of smuggling. For some time past, the HOUSE, the learned Sergeant assuredly must not be suffered, more discerning among our neighbours have been sensible, that a through his comparative insignificance, to escape without a search- perseverance in their present course would lead to rein. Rut, ing scrotiny into his Parliamentary conduct. partly in consequence of the distress which a return to, a more ra- tional system must entail Upon the monopolists, who, have bean encouraged by, but have not thriven under, the present deceptIve policy,—and partly because the fierce Political struggles in which AndAnd often took leave, but seemed luili t dpart." the nation was engaged, rendered men averse from inquiring into o e these less exciting topics,—bitherto, and forthese reasons mainly, high opinion of his Lordship's piety, we were not prepared for so the Free Trade party in France has retrained from vigorously notable a proof of self-denial. To resign what he had not the urging upon the Government the adoption of some remedy for the smallest chance of attaining to, must have been to the noble commercial disease which is.eating into the vitals of the country. Master an act of serious difficulty. On Thursday evening, the Now, however, that the friends of moderate measures and of peace Standard thus announced his Lordship's resolution— appear likely to retain their ascendancy in the national councils, " It is with regret we state, that, contrary to the advice of his friends, Lord they have begun to exert themselves. A petition, signed by one Henley has resigned. The chances of success did not appear to him sffi ucient, hundred of the principal silk manufacturers of Lyons, has been but they,seemed ample to all others." presented to the Chamber of Deputies. The petitioners, in very Our worthy contemporary adds— strong terms, reprobate a perseverance in that policy whizli was " We regret that he has taken this step at this moment ; but it is not too adopted formerly at their own suggestion, and for their extlusive late. An gentleman of sound principles, and Parliamentary rank, is certain of benefit. They pray the Chamber "to adopt the principles of free driving Air. Hume out of the county. We speak without any doubt, after trade frankly and above board." They are "prepared to make
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