Mr. Ewartpresented a Petition from the Bankers, Merchants, and Inhabitants of the town of Liverpool, against the removal of the Government steam-packets employed in the Post-office department between that port and Dublin. He wished to inform the 1278 House that great inconvenience would arise from any interruption in the present mode of communication between the two places, and he thought that would be evident when the extent of the trade between them was considered. In the last year there was imported into Liverpool from Ireland 9,000 head of cattle, 130,000 sheep, and 150,000 pigs; such a trade could not be disturbed without causing much embarrassment.
Colonel Conollyhoped there was no idea on the part of Government, of disturbing an established mode of communication with Ireland, such as that from Liverpool, which had increased so rapidly, and was attended with such beneficial effects. He was sure that both countries would sustain injury from such an attempt.
§ Mr. Spring Ricebegged to assure the House there was no intention on the part of Government to remove the Post-office station from Liverpool. He imagined the petition had originated in a supposition by the inhabitants of that place, that, because a Committee had been appointed to inquire into the present state of communication between this country and Ireland, the Government station at Liverpool was to be abolished; whereas the object of that Committee was to inquire how far the communication between the two countries could be accelerated and facilitated.
§ Lord William Lennoxsaid, he could confirm this opinion as expressed by the right hon. Gentleman. The object of the Committee now sitting, of which he was a Member, was, to facilitate the communication with Ireland, and it would be an extraordinary way of accomplishing that by taking away the Liverpool packets. On the contrary, one entire day had been occupied by the Committee trying, if possible, to accelerate the Liverpool mail, to get it down before the sailing of the packet.
§ Petition to be printed.