Several Petitionswere presented on this subject by Mr. Burrel, by Mr. Arkwright, and also by Mr. Denison, who observed that the petition he had to present from the inhabitants of Croydon, Surrey, was, though short, full of serious circumstances. The petitioners slated that they could no longer bear to witness the distressed and even starving condition of the destitute labourers, many of whom were out of employment, and must actually die of want, if they were not relieved. They stated that the taxes on beer, malt, and on hops, might be considered as poll-taxes, falling the heaviest on the poor labourers, who were obliged to consume those articles to support their strength, though at present they could get neither this nor any thing else. The want of those necessaries of life was shortening the existence of thousands of labourers. If these taxes were remitted, beer would be reduced from 5d. to 1d. per quart. He did not make these remarks from any hostility to his Majesty's Ministers, but he must press on their attention the propriety of taking these complaints into their serious consideration, He wished to enforce these complaints by the strongest language which he could with propriety use, and he should be glad that similar petitions from every distressed district were sent up, as he thought by that means alone would the Government be induced to remit a sufficiency of taxation to give the people permanent relief.
§ Petitions read and printed.