Revel, is already desolated and deserted. The forest that formerly furnished the inhabitants with firewood for the winter was burnt last autumn, in consequence of taking fire accidentally, about the time our countrymen quitted the island. The Emperor has commanded that henceforth a highway toll shall be levied on all vehicles travelling on the road from Engelhardshoff, by way of Riga and Mittau, to the Courland frontier; the amount levied is for the benefit of the Courland and Lifland nobility and the town of Riga. This impost is described as varying from 4 to 14 silver copecs for every ten wersts (about six English miles). It was reckoned that this would fall very heavily on the commercial interests of the place, the whole trade being carried on by land, and just now very

brisk."

bour without being taken by the cruisers of both nations. Another Order in Council, which seemed to have raised the ire of the noble Earl, was one the effect of which was said to be to allow English subjects to trade with the foreigner. Now, the Order in Council of the 15th of April, 1854, to which he supposed the noble Lord referred, no doubt did permit all vessels under a neutral or friendly flag to import all goods and merchandise whatever, to whomsoever they might belong, and allowed British subjects freely to trade with all places, wherever situated, which were not in a state of blockade. The only effect of these So that the Emperor of Russia, who, they Orders in Council, however, was, that the were told, was to be at once coerced by a English Government waived their rights diminution in the trade with this country, with respect to enemy's property on board which was described as being so important neutral ships, and made it legal for them to him that if the small quantity which now to bring enemy's property and dispose of came through Prussia were put a stop to, it without being liable to confiscation. Suphe would fall down at our feet-the Em- pose, however, these Orders in Council peror of Russia had so little regard for that were rescinded, what would his noble trade that he did not hesitate to put an Friend propose to do? The noble Lord additional tax upon every vehicle passing would then call upon the Government to along the road by which the produce of insist upon searching every vessel which Russia was to be conveyed to Prussia. A came out of a Prussian harbour, and to great part of the exports of Russia con- arrest and seize all property found on board sisted of corn, and it was to be supposed, those vessels which the owner could not that a diminution in the amount would have disprove was Russian produce. But merely a most injurious effect on the revenue of rescinding your Orders in Council was not the Russian nobles; nevertheless, the Em- sufficient to do this. By the Customs' laws peror of Russia had put a prohibition on the of this country all manufactured articles— export of corn, and seemed to feel, there- and a very slight process was necessary to fore, that the reduction in the revenue of give them this character-were considered the Russian nobles, which would follow that the produce of the country from which they prohibition, was not likely to be extremely were exported, and he was afraid that the injurious. The noble Lord had referred to mode of meeting the difficulty by a certifia certain order in Council, which he said cate of origin would be entirely illusory. ought to be rescinded; but what was that His noble Friend had stated that the reorder? It was one issued because every- turns quoted by him (Lord Stanley) on a body felt that it was impossible to insist former occasion were "cooked" and were upon all the rights to which the British entirely fallacious. Now, he was at a loss Government laid claim. We were engaged to understand in what respect those docuin war in concert with an ally who enter- ments were wanting in correctness; but tained different views about the right of his noble Friend a few days ago had moved search and about the laws regarding neu- for returns which he now held in his hand, trals. The British Government, there- showing the importations of hemp, flax, and fore, waived-though they did not aban- tallow, the three principal articles of Rusdon-the right to which they laid claim sian produce, received through the Prus-namely, that by which all goods of sian ports in the first four months of the an enemy found on board a neutral ship last three years. With regard to hemp, were confiscated. Considering the posi- the increase was certainly very large. In tion of Russia, he did not know that the first four months of 1853 the importathere was any great generosity in doing tion from Prussia was 227 cwt.; in 1854, this, because Russia presented an im- 323 cwt. ; and in 1855, 42,745 cwt. But, mense inland territory with comparatively on comparing the whole amount exported a small seabord, and we might blockade from Prussia during the last year, and every port she possessed, so that not a allowing it to be placed to the account of single craft could show its nose out of har- Russia, he found that, so far from the

imports of the first four months of this | noble Earl who had brought it forward for year representing one-third of the amount having given their Lordships an opportuusually imported in a year, it did not re- nity of considering a matter which had so present one-fourth, or even one-sixth; so important a bearing on the question of that there was every reason to think that peace and war, and upon the trade and the quantity of this article imported from commerce of this country. The real point Russia was diminishing and not increasing. involved in the Resolution of the noble The next article was flax, the importation Earl, it appeared to him, was how effecof which he found by this return was only tually to cripple the trade of Russia, and 12,423 cwt. during the first four months the question to be decided to-night was, of the present year, while in the corre- whether all had been done that it was sponding period of 1854 it was 58,518 possible to do to effect that object. The cwt.; and in 1853, 47,617 cwt.; so that, noble Lord who had just addressed the so far as the export of that article through House had been somewhat guilty of inconPrussia was concerned, instead of increas- sistency in admitting the importance of ing, the trade had been reduced by nearly this subject, but at the same time leading one-fourth. With regard to tallow, the their Lordships to suppose that the value importation from Prussia during the first of the trade of Russia so carried on through four months of 1855 was 144,035 cwt., and neutral ports was not so great to the in the corresponding period of 1854, 3,694 Power with which we were at war as those cwt. certainly a considerable increase. who took a different view of the subject As regarded flax, the actual decrease in were disposed to believe. He could not, the export from Russia, taking into account he confessed, understand how far the noble all export through Prussia, amounted to Lord meant to assert that it was of comno less than a decrease of about 52 per paratively trifling importance that we should cent. He felt bound to apologise to their continue to permit Russia to export the Lordships for having so long trespassed on greater part of her produce through Prustheir time, but he could assure them and sia; but he thought he might assume that the country, that Her Majesty's Govern- it was of importance to Russia as affordment felt as strongly as the noble Earl ing an outlet for her produce, which in a who had brought forward these Resolutions large measure provided her with resources could feel, the great importance of crip- for carrying on hostilities against us. pling the trade of Russia and of keeping the present and previous discussions which up a blockade with all the energy and had taken place on this subject he constrictness that could be shown by the naval sidered that two points had been establishforces of this country. He was satisfied ed. The first was, the utter and entire that the commanders of the maritime absence of any efficient blockade of the forces of the country would establish a ports of the Black Sea and the Sea of strict and effective blockade of Russian Azoff. The second was, the evasion of ports and that the seaboard export trade the blockade of the Baltic by means of the of Russia would be annihilated. With re- land traffic through neutral ports. Those gard to that portion of the trade of Russia two points were established; and he might which oozed out through Prussia, he saw therefore assume that Her Majesty's Goso much difficulty-on account of the diffi- vernment were not indifferent to their imculty of distinguishing that which was portance. With regard to the second Russian produce from that which was point, an able political article had appeared Prussian-in devising any scheme which in one of the newspapers, which, after should put an end to it, that he feared to pointing out the advantage to Prussia from attempt it would be to inflict the maximum Russian produce being exported through of injury upon ourselves for the minimum her ports, went on to show that as long of injury inflicted on Russia. For these as she possessed that advantage it was reasons he did not think that it would be scarcely possible for her to depart from prudent to adopt any other step beyond a position of neutrality. It was, therefore, that of establishing and enforcing an effec- in his opinion, a matter of serious importtive blockade. ance that they should consider whether means could not be devised for reaching the Russian trade so carried on indirectly through the neutral ports of Prussia. The value of that traffic could scarcely be diminished in the eyes of their Lordships by

LORD RAVENSWORTH said, the noble Lord had admitted the importance of the discussion and he fully concurred with him in that admission, and, therefore, could not withhold his thanks from the

In

the figures which the noble Lord had cited, | Trade, in answering the noble Earl, asand, so far from being of little importance, serted that there had been a reduction of all the best authorities concurred in the the exports of Russian produce, and read estimate that last year it had amounted to some returns which supported, although 10,000,000l. sterling. The noble Lord he (Lord Ravensworth) must say in a very had urged that the Government had taken small degree, the assertion of the noble all the means in their power to repress it Earl. The President of the Board of by a strict blockade. That might be so; Trade argued that a diminution of Russian but there were two opinions held on the produce had taken place. Perhaps it had; subject of blockade, which it would be well but was that any reason why it should not to consider. The more rigid political be still further reduced? [Lord STANLEY economists and freetraders, including Mr. of ALDERLEY: I spoke of the trade through Ricardo, who had published an able Prussia.] The Russian trade flowed through pamphlet on the subject, urged that the Prussia; but he contended that so far from whole question of blockade in these days there having been any diminution, there of free trade and national intercourse, had been an enormous increase by the ought to be considered as utterly useless overland carriage of produce from Russia and obsolete, and they urged that it would to neutral ports. The noble Lord had be wiser to put aside all notions of block-referred, as a proof of diminished exports, ade, and permit the same intercourse, as to the prohibition placed by the Emperor far as regarded commerce, as existed in of Russia on the exportation of corn from time of peace. It might be deemed obtuse Russia; but the fact was, the Emand old-fashioned to make the assertion; peror wanted that corn kept in the country but he could not help thinking that the to feed the immense armies he had raised. principle of free commercial intercourse But to show the importance of this indirect with a country with which we were at war trade to Prussia, he would read a return was as absurd and untenable as for a as to the manner in which that Power had country to attempt to carry on a great war availed herself of the Order in Council of with a peace establishment. But the Go- August, 1854, which permitted Russian vernment had taken the medium course produce to be imported into this country between these two extreme opinions; and in neutral bottoms. In the year 1853 the he must say, with all respect for Her Ma- exports of tallow from Prussia were 54,000 jesty's Government, that that appeared to cwt.; in 1854 they were 253,205 cwt. Her him to be by no means the safest course, exports of hemp in 1853 were 3447 cwt., but one which, on the contary, had led to and in 1854 they were 366,220 cwt. Her great inconvenience to our commerce and export of flax in 1853 were 242,383 cwt., disappointment to our merchants, while it and in 1854, 667,879 cwt. Her exports had tended to the advantage of the enemy of flax and linseed in 1853 were 57,848 and the profit of the neutral trader. What quarters, and in 1854, 116,227 quarters. the Government were now urged to do was, He thought these figures sufficiently proved to take a step further in their own direc- the value of that export trade to Prussia, tion, and, instead of being content with and so long as that trade was carried on the means they had hitherto adopted for through Prussian ports, so long would the destroying the enemy's trade, to take war be popular and profitable to Prussia; other measures which would render that and so long would that country resist any blockade what it was not, really efficient. attempt by diplomacy, or any other means One argument had been used by those we could use, to bring her into that great who consider the whole question of block- European alliance on which we must deade useless, which he must admit was pend for diminishing and controlling that logically used. They said that unless you colossal Power with which we were at war. had a complete blockade you could only Having shown the extent and value of the deprive your own merchants of the ad-trade through neutral ports, he would now vantages they before enjoyed from the direct the attention of their Lordships to enemy's trade, while you left it free to the mode by which that trade might be neutral ships to carry on that trade with-restricted. He simply should propose that out impediment and to the advantage of the enemy, so that in such a case it might be urged that the expense and trouble of a blockade were all thrown away. The noble Lord the President of the Board of

VOL. CXXXVIII. [THIRD SERIES.]

Her Majesty should be advised to impose a duty of from 20 to 25 per cent ad valorem on all cargoes of Russian produce imported into this country in ships of whatever nation from all ports in the Baltic and Black

X

Sea. He could see no sort of objection to undue encouragement to other parts of the such a proposition. We were at war with a world, great corresponding benefits would great Power, and with that Power a great accrue. Any increase of commerce with trade was carried on. It was our interest India would have the effect of increasing at once to choke that trade in their own the internal communications of those proports, if possible, and if we could not ductive regions, and that would be an blockade their ports effectually, we could advantage which would not cease with impose a duty on cargoes coming from the present emergency. It would be the these ports, while, if not equivalent to a means of stimulating the undeveloped reprohibition, would throw an additional bur- sources of those mighty countries in a den on Russia, tend greatly to restrict her manner which no immediate calculations commerce, and swell our own resources. could adequately represent. Even supHe could see no practical difficulty in the posing some inconvenience arose from the way of such a course. It would act as a measure, that inconvenience would be slight vigorous home-thrust at the resources of and trifling compared with the object they the enemy, and at the same time prove a had in view. But was inconvenience to great encouragement to British enterprise; commerce the only inconvenience of war? because it had been clearly proved by all Was there no inconvenience in raising by the authorities who had spoken on the sub- taxation an annual sum of 81,000,000l.? ject that almost all the articles now pro- Was there no inconvenience in adding by cured from Russia could be got from other one stroke of the pen 16,000,000l. to the parts of the world, and especially from already accumulated debt of the country? our own Colonies. He believed that In- Was there no inconvenience in approxidia alone, if its resources were properly mating to a 10 per cent income tax? developed, and if encouragement were All these inconveniences would have to given to the growth of its fibrous be endured so long as this unhappy war plants, would supply an ample quantity should continue; and was the hypothetifor all the demands of this country. cal inconvenience of one small branch of In the paper which he held in his hand, the community to be set against them? The Calcutta Review, there was a list of Having had some means of ascertaining thirty-one fibrous plants, all of which were the feelings of the commercial interest, found in great abundance among the pro- it was his firm belief that any vigorous ductions of India, and, with very little step for the purpose of concluding the war cultivation, would yield any quantity of would, whatever temporary inconvenience fibre which our manufacturers might need. it might inflict, meet with their general The writer added, that among the many assent and approbation. Let them look at important questions which were now press- the character of the enemy with whom we ing upon the attention of the country none were engaged, and the sacrifices he had was more important than the means of already made, to gain his ends. The noproviding an effective and ample substitute ble Marquess (the Marquess of Lansdowne) for Russian flax and hemp; for if there had stated on authority, which he had was any advantage obtained by war, it termed unquestionable, that not less than was in the development of trade in new 240,000 of the enemy's troops had already quarters consequent upon the restrictions perished in these campaigns; and yet, so imposed on the trade of the belligerent far as he could judge from the papers Power. He thought the suggestion he which had been laid on the table, it was had made to the Government was worthy evident that the Russian Ministers had of consideration, because, if restricting and gone to the Conference at Vienna withdiscriminating duties levied in our ports out any intention from the beginning of would lead to a diminished supply of the bringing them to an amicable termination. articles in question, it would give encou- With an enemy of that description they ragement to the trade of India and of our should be prepared to meet him on all Colonies. It might be urged that it would points. This war was not a mere territobe an artificial encouragement, and incon- rial war, but also a commercial war, and sistent with the principles of free trade; throughout the whole of his dominions the but the paramount object was to put a effect of the restriction he (Lord Ravensstop to the war. That was the point to worth) had proposed would be felt. He which all our efforts and all our energies desired that England should make her should be directed, and, as to any future power known and acknowledged through. inconvenience which might arise from any out the whole Russian empire. It should