§ Mr. Ellicesaid, he had a petition to present, which was the natural consequence of some of the statements of the chancellor of the Exchequer last night. It was signed by all, or at least nearly all, the considerable silk manufacturers of the City of London, imploring the House to consider their situation before they carried into effect the plan of the right hon. gentleman. The petitioners stated, "that they have learnt with the utmost surprise, by the reports of the proceedings of the House, that it has been proposed to adopt so important a measure as that of a reduction of from 5s. 6d. to 6d. per pound upon Italian and China raw silk; from 4s. to 3d. per pound upon Bengal raw silk; and from 14s. 8d. to 7s. 6d. per pound upon Italian thrown silk; and the admission of foreign manufactured silk goods to importation in this country, without any previous communication with the several branches of the trade, all of which are thrown into the greatest consternation and alarm by the contemplated measure; the petitioners therefore humbly pray, 372 that the House will suspend its decision upon every point of this important question until the several branches of the silk trade have had an opportunity of submitting their sentiments to his majesty's government, upon a subject affecting at least 300,000 of his majesty's subjects, and several millions of capital."