§ Sir G. Clerkstated, that he had been requested by the noble Lord the Member for Liverpool, in his absence, which was unavoidable, to state the terms of the resolution that it was his intention to move, upon the motion for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of Ways and Means on Friday, to consider the Sugar Duties, they were as follows:—
Resolved, that considering the efforts and sacrifices which Parliament and the country have made for the abolition of the slave trade and of slavery, with the earnest hope that, by our exertions and example, we might be able to lead to a mitigation and final extinct ion of those evils in other countries, this House is not prepared, especially considering the present prospect of a supply of sugar from British Possessions, to adopt the measure proposed by her Majesty's Government, for the reduction of the duty on foreign sugar.
§ Lord John Russellwished to state that, in the event of the House not going into Committee on the sugar duties, and the resolution, of which they had just heard the notice given, being put from the Chair, he should move an amendment to it in nearly the following terms, but which to-morrow he would give more correctly:—
That it is the opinion of this House that it is practicable to supply the present inadequacy of the revenue, and to meet the expenses of the country, by a judicious alteration of the protective and differential duties, without materially increasing the public burdens, and at the same time to promote the interests of trade, and to afford relief to the industrious classes; and that this House will consider such a course as best calculated for the maintenance of the public faith and the general welfare of the country.