Motion of Mr. Herries, 1848—Protectionist principles stated—Extent
of shipping trade—National defences endangered—Mr. Labouchere’s
reply—Alderman Thompson—Mr. Gladstone’s views—Mr. Hudson—Lord George
Bentinck—Mr. Hume—Mr. Cobden—Mr. Disraeli—Sir Robert Peel—The
resolution carried by 117, but abandoned for a time—Temper of the
Shipowners—Efforts of Ministers to obtain reciprocity by a circular
from the Foreign Office—Reply thereto of America—Mr. Buchanan’s
letter—Reply of other Powers—Progress of Free-trade views—Parliament
of 1849—Death of Lord George Bentinck, September 21, 1848—Mr.
Labouchere’s new resolution, February 14, 1849—Proposed change in
coasting trade—Mr. Bancroft recalcitrates—Hence, withdrawal of the
coasting clauses—The debate—Alderman Thompson, &c.—Mr. Ricardo—Meeting
of Shipowners’ Society—Their report—The manning-clause grievance—Policy
proposed—Agitation in the country.