Lords Sitting of 18 February 1842

MINUTES.
Petitions presented. By Lord Stafford, from Presbyterians of the North of Ireland, and by Lord Brougham, from Presbyterians of Omagh, Drogheda, Ramelton, and Cumber, to Legalize Marriages by Dissenting Ministers; from Baptists of Red Lion square, and from Perth, and other places in Scotland, for the Repeal of the Corn laws.

CORN-LAWS— PETITIONS.
Lord Kinnairdpresented petititions for the repeal of the Corn-laws from the provost and town council, and other persons in Perth; from Cupar, and other places in Fife; and from Arbroath, Montrose, and places

635
in the county of Forfar. The distress of the country, the noble Lord said, continued unabated, and there was no suggestion of a remedy. In Paisley nineteen thousand persons were supported by charitable contributions, and the funds in the hands of the treasurer were not sufficient for three more weeks, and there was not the slightest prospect of improvement The manufacture of Paisley was in articles of luxury, such as shawls; with a few necessaries, such as handkerchiefs, and there was no hope of a beneficial change. The mills were, indeed, working, but for very short time, and at a loss to the owners, who thought it better to suffer this loss rather than close their mills altogether. This fact was a sufficient answer to the assertion, that trade could not be bad, because our exports continued large, Their Lordships knew well why the people had borne their distresses with such patience; they were reduced to such a state that they had no energy. The heads of families died of starvation, caring not what became of their wives and families. Something ought to be done; for it was impossible that the people could see their children dying around them, without feeling most acutely;
Petition laid on the Table,
Adjourned.