Star. — London, England, 1812-06-27 00:00:00

PARLI4IMEIVTifRr PROCEEDINGS. HOUSB OF LORDS, JUNE RI. Seeted EIU ways brought tip from the Consumes. The poldk las wife. the New Lean 818,. the Bahama Trade Bill, the ** Loon, Riot Act, the Irish Courts' Reguladott; and the Unietrid Oaths' Bills. They were errerally read the first time. The Cloud lodes' Bill was read a third time, and the Bills on the Mae forwarded in their respective stages. eußATas' situ. The Eirl of HA.R ROWDY rose, on the order of the day for recommitting this Bill, and observed, as the Noble Lords bad taken the Bill into farther consideration, he would intrude on them with a few observations The Bill which he had the honour of introducing, he was concerned to say, appeared to • have been completely misunderstood and miscon - ceived. It appeared, from a vat iety of letters which he bad received, that the principles of the Bill had not been known to persons who had addressed him. At a more early period of the Session, he should have hoped that this misconception might have been retrioved ; at least, if time had been allowed, he could have proved the true meaning and principles of the Bill to the Country. Under all the circum stances, the Noble Earl felt it due to his own charac- ter, and what was equally dear to him, the memory of a most respectable person, (Mr. Perceval,) by whom the .measure was first [nought forward, to send the Bill, in its present form, before the Country, in order .that it might be fairly considered. This he proposed to do by regular discussion ; but it was not is intention, during the present Session, to press the Bill cn the House. He was desirous that the Coun try should 'see that the measure was not liable to those objections which had been applied to it so earnestly on a former day. After the misrepresen , talons whichhad taken place on this Bill, his Lord ship conceived it necessary that the Country should see the Bill in its original shape. With that view he would submit a proposition to the House, namely, that the Noble Lord (Walsingham) should leave the Chair. and report progress, that the Bill might be considered again on Wednesday next. If the business which stood for that day came on, the far ther consideration ofthis Bill might stand for Thurs day. In making this atrangement, he uould not be understood as being dissatisfied with the principle of the Bill ; on the contrary, his Lordship conceived it necessary for tile welfare of the Country, and worthy the authority of his much lamented Friend. Under all the consideration due to the Bill, he hoped the House would concur with him in thinking, that it would be well introduced again at the early part of nexarsession. His Lordship was fully persuaded that there was no room for delay. TI e necessity of such a measure as the present had been felt nine years ago. The Archbishop of CANTERBURY rose to offer a few observations, in consequence of what the Vohle Earth:l4l said. With respect to the conclu sion the Noble Earl had made, a the correctness of the Bill in the Noble Earl's view of it, he begged leave to dill. r from him. It _the Bill went 1i r.h in its present fiwin, without opposition, it would appear as a bill rectanniended by the Bishrps. The Right Re 7. Prelate could not, flow the opinion he had fined, Consent to the Bill, unless it nos rnatetially altered in form. The Bishop of LONDON was willing to admit, that some 13111 was necessary for increasing the sa laries cf Curates; but alter the most attentive pew sal of the principles of this Bill, he could not give it his sanction, unless great additions and alterations were made. Lord HARROWBY again observed, that the Fill must have been misconceived, and he could not avoid saying, that there was frit any intention of in cluding the Incumbent within the spirit of the Bill. The LORD CHANCELLOR. said, he under. stood that it was the intention of the Noble Earl to postpone the consideration of the Bill to next Session. If the discussion had . been brought on this Session, his Lordship woul d have moved an Amendment, but, wider the present circumstances, he would only say, that if this was considered as a Bill afh•cting the tstate of any one of the Incumbents in the Country, it was completely misunderso)o.l. The Chairman of the Lommittce then reported . progress, and obtained leave to sit again on Wed nesday next.—Adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS. The East India Company's Loan 11111 (.C2,100,000), was read a first tune; to be read a second time on Tuesday. Übe Copperas Duty 1141 was read a third t►me, and passed ; as was also the West India License bill. Accounts were presented front the Post Office and Transport !Board. - Mr. LONG gave notice that he would, on Tuesday, move for leuvi to bring In a Bill to regulate the Management and Appli• ca•lon of Untiainted Prize Money. The General Inelosnre Bill was read the third time, and pa•sed. The R. port ut the Publicans' Bill was deferred till Tuesday. The Irish Excise Bill was ordered to be read a third date to tr.orrew. A. new Writ was ordered for Downton, Sir Tuosta s Pio. bias laving accepted tke Office of Attorney-General ces his Majesty. inAbe farther consideration of the Report of the Contraiftee of Supply, several of the lie: elution were read and sonLtued, and BIM ordered to be brought in, grounded on those Reso- Minns. ~ Mr. KINGSTON, from the Directors of the East Bulk Comb pan!, prcseeted the Annual Accounts of the Company. In a Contmktueof Supply, the SUM of .C 4,000 wai ga* . the farther improvement of th e City of Westminster, w ith s e rag other *Muer sums kr the Suptraanuation Use. The Reputt to be received tooneirow. . . The 4:emolument of the Newfouzdland Spirit Bill was pock paned till tomorrow. . - - . . The Linen Bounty till, the Irish Commission Fees MP, lb; blob 'Better Bill, the Irish Treasury Bills Bill, were severally re. pored, sod ordered to be read a third time to-morrow. The Committees en the Local Tokens' Bill, and the Sokliers' i Widows Bill, were postponed to Monday. Mr. WHARTON brought in the A'5,000,000 Exchequer Bills Bill--Read a Brit time, and ceased to be read a second time tomorrow. The Exchequer Bin on Aids Bill went through a Committee. Te report to-morrow. The Scotch Assessed Taxes Bin went through a Committee. Tp report en Monday. Mr. ABILCROMDIE moved, That there be bid before the Hesse a Copy of the Warrant, by which Commisbioners were ',pedalled ffie inquiring bto the Laws of the Island of Jersey, as ye as mama to the Mimi= of lurats.—Ordered. The Hawkers' and Pears' Bill Wale domes a Ciallefaittse TM in was ordered los be teed the third time toonerrovr. Mr. ',ALL= grog In a Dill far authorising the Rattans yee o f g at knitnamsk, geed a first, and enlaced to be rend a second thee ea Meafaysteat. Mr, CUM 111101 , 101drolea, that the Master of his Ma stitis Heetahela title &Sinai of litinelhe a Judie. He wish ed to be Wateiwie esbetherjewaisth ghbi Was as seetemplatioa. ' • His luso 4 Oleg the wee, ha edge that, if answer el hob illimmles, es Wet esi lie anesolty of catalog . - to Mine resolution, declaring that Judges should sat be appoint ed from political eonaideretions. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER NM, that ha seer beard a more irregular question asked, nor ens t. we d& it would be mere Irregular is give an answer. • Mr. WHITBREAD said, that words had bees used week* of the bet. • The CHANCELLOR et the EXCHEQUER grounded the irregularity of the question on its inquiring into intention radar than matter of fact. Mr. KENDRICK (the Gentleman alluded to) said. be had no notification made to him of the appointment, (that of a Welch Judge), if so, be would not be sitting where he then was. A Petition was presented from Captain Eyre, relating to Prize Money, which was ordered to lie on the table, and Mr. Blil• DVIMII gave petite of a Motion upon the subject. 11R. IT. JOIIN /SAWN. Mr. SIIIMIDAN presented a Petition from Mr. St. John Mason, complaining of certain statements contained in a printed docu ment from the Duke of Richmond to Mr. Secretary Ryder, and praying to be allowed to vindicate himself from the ch arges therein contained against him.—Ordered to lie ou the tabl:. =CHEWIER BILLS. Leave was given to bring In a Bill, prolonging the time of papsent of certain Exchequer Bills, advanced last year to Mer chants and Manufacturers, in support of common credit. On this occasion, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated the as. malty of granting this farther indulgence te these public debtors. on the grounds of supporting commercial credit for a short time, when he hoped that it would be able to maintain itself. He also informed the House of the progress made in discharging the Loan ; one half was paid, and he had an doubt but that the whole would be paid off within the time to which the kitended Bill would ex. tend, which would be no more than six months from the present time. The first instalment, which is payable next month, he proposed to defer, and to divide that and the next instalment into three : the rst to become due in September, and the last to be payable in January. Having made his glotion for leave to bring in the Bill, Alderman COOMBE spoke a few words, explaining the con duct of the Commissioners to whom. by the Act, ;he lending out, and t' e repayment of the Bills. was to be directed. Sir JAMES GRAHAM also %poke to the same sift ct. Mr. WHITBREAD complained of this measure. The eaten slon of the time of payment was not anticipred by the late Chancellor of the E;chequrr. There was now an extension of not less than six months : he thought it incumbent on the Chan cellor of the Exchequer to inform the House of the number of those who were now unable to fulfil their engagements, how their securities were circumstanced, and what were his expecta tions of repayment at t!te time propoimil. He desired to know whether the whole of the Exchequer Bills, lent some years ago for the relief of the West India Trade, were now paid up. He feared that some defalcation was likely to be experienced with respect to the present loan. The CHANCEL.LOR of the EXCHEQUER entertained great hopes of relief to trade. from the opening of the American mai ker. He felt great satisfaction at the manner in which the Commissioners had conducted thenise yes. Mr. WHIIIIREAD said, that unless the ai!vances had been made to persons affected by the Ordt r 4 in Council, the opening of the American trade would give no rebel. The CHANCELLOR o► the EXCHEQUER.—" The ad vances made to persons of that description were •ery consi der.hle." Mr. WHITBREAD was of opinion, that under suet circum stances the Indulgence should be rest, iced, and not be general. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER.—" "1 hat is to be kit to the discretion of the Commissioners." Mr. I.OOKHART asked, if the Loan to the West India Platt. tern Lad been paid off ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, that not more than .1.10,000. remained due, and even that, as a debt, was disputes!, and is under investigation at present. Leave was given tu bring in the HAL THE LATE RIOTS Lord CASTLEREAGH observed, that it might be for the convenience of Gentlemen to inform the House, that he hoped to be able, either tomorrow r on Monday, to make to the House a communication, relative to the situation of the Counties s‘hich had re cently been in a state of disturbance. The communi cation would not be such as would be calculated to excite any discussion. MSTAGE arr.r. Mr. LUSHINGTON !Nought up the Report of the Postage Bill. General WILDER ro;e, not with a view of op . posing the Bill, but to call the attention of the Right Honourable the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to the charges made by the Post Officer (under the autho rity of the Post-Master-General) for every individual whose business or profession requiring, them to take passages in any of his Majesty's packets sailing from any ports in England, but particularly from Fal i mouth, amounting to, on an as erage, about 45. 10s. each, which there is no sanctkn for by any Act of Parliament, and which has also, on two or three (lit: !trent occasions, been raised by ordcr of the Secre tary of the Post-011ice. The Gent al wis!.ed to ask lthe Right Honourable the Chancellor of the Exche qtter, to what purpose the sum of motley so paid was 1 applied ; if it was d eman d e d b y way of' licence for the pleasure .of quitting this country, it indeed fell hard upon every Officer who was obliged to go to various parts abroad to serve his King ; and, if it was not demanded on that head, he wished to be in formed by what-autliosity the Post-Office made such a charge; at any rate, the business ought to be in quired into, in order to relieve the very many t flicers baviag occasion, particularly at this time, to take ad vantage of that mode of conveyance to join their re giments, and other military duties abroad, and which is a great and severe burthcn to them, as it appeared that this sum is charged under the name of " Cabin Head-Money," and when a servant is a passenger, under that of " Steerage Head-Money," indeeen. dent of the sum paid to the Captain for their nressing,, to which there can be no kind of objection, though the price is very high. For instance, an Officer pays for Cabin Head Money to Malta, ie.i. 9s. and if he has a servant with him £C6. 4s. 6d. independent of the absurdity of the servant's paying a greater sum than his master, merely because lie is allowed take his passage out in a packet, for it is pot contended (and indeed all the captains of packets positively demand these sums for the Post-Office) that it is fur any other purpose, and therefore the General conceived it hi s duty to point out this circumstance to the Right Ho nourable the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in order that Officers, going abroad on duty, either to join their regiments, or any.other military purpose, might be relieved from such an extravagant demand, as it , fell very heavy, in many instances, orkat body of men who could ill afford it, and w h o are alholutely under the necessity of adopting this anode of conveyance where no other offers. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was sorry that it was not j et in 114 power to give a satisfactory answer on this subject, not having re ceived the necessary ioformation. _ General WILDER exp res sed some surprise at th is} inattention, particularly as he had mentioned this bq, sinew; to the House on a former 16104 and had ad dressed himself personally to him this day, in another place, requesting him to inquire into this abase, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER apologised for any apparent neglect, and promised to make the necessary inquiries forthwith. NMI TAXg& • On bringing up the Report of the Bills imposing additional Taxes on Leather and on Servants and Horses employed in Husbandry, Mr. BROUGHAM rose, and objected to the pro.; posed Taxes, not on general lent particular grounds. If a nation is disposed for war, it is not reasonable to complain of the payments necessary to carry on that war. He objected to the Taxes now proposed on ac count of their unequal pressure and probable effects, and as not being the best which, under present cir cumstances, might be selected. It would be enough for him to point out the defects, it was not his busi ness to apply a remedy. To proceed to the Tax cn Husbandry, he thought the best method of exhibiting their inequality and severity would be to make their amount on a faint of 100 acres. A farm of that ex-'. tent would require two pair of horses, and three ser vants for its proper cultivation ; this was a low esti mate, as he knew that, in the more remote parts of the islands, to which the improvements in farming did not extend, that a much greater proportion of labour was used ; but on this estimate, the Duty on the Horses, according to the present rate, would amount to sixteen shillings • then was to be added the Duty on Leather, three-halfpence per pound, which would be a duty on each beast, taking the whole hide at sixty pounds, of ninety pence ; this was the fair way to consider it as the hide might be tanned, the evident operation of which would be the discouragement of grazing. The Tax on Leather falls unequally, be cause it falls heavily on the coarsest kind of leather, but at present he would consider it as an Agricultural expense. The addition on this head, together with the addition of nine shillings on three servants, would with what he had before stated, make twenty-five shillings ; harness, with repairs each rar, and other ' trifling charges, would make, in all, forty shillings ; this was a very considerable addition to his rent.—;- Taking the average rent of England and Wales at 30s. per acre, the rent would amount to £l5O. Here then he vrasplaced in a difficulty peculiar to his situa tion. He does nut pay in proportion to his gains, but in proportion to the gains of another man. He pays one-tenth of RI3O, amounting to £l2, so that, adding the 40s. it would make one-sixth d his pre pet ty tax. He was averse to enter into general to pics, but could not help observing, that the more our rescurces were confined to ourselves, the more desirous should we be to keep close to our agriculture, and be ready to give it celery support. The tux on Shoes, taking two strong pair for each servant, w..uld .amount to three shillings. The tax on heads had been taken off,, he said, to be clapped on the feet.— The Chancellor of the Exchequer h.td got hold of the lower orders by the feet. He thought it rather unsafe to lay hold of the people by that part ; but, in truth, this was a poll tax, and a most unfair poll tax. It would be much fairer at once to impose a poll tax, which, at the rate of two shillings a head on ten mil lions of people, would amount to one million of money ; the otl.er is unequal, and, at most, would I not raise mole than- JCS6O,OOO. In principle it was a poll tax, and as it was partial, uncquil, and perni dons to agriculture, it must meet vt ith his most de termined opposition. • Lord ALTHOR PE prgued against the Tax on Leather, as likely to be severely felt, from its general consumption, and pressing too hard on the lower orders. The time, in the midst of dearth of provi sions, and other accounts, was vet y ill chosen,. His Lordship moved, 4 , That the Report, instead of now, should be taken into considetation this day six' months." Mr. BENNET supported the Amendment. Mr. LOCKHART opposed the Taxes on Leather, and on I Icrses and Servants, as injurious to farmers, and as establishing a principle of inequality between the farmer and tithe-holder. The Taxes fall ulti mately on the consumer, and operate as a bonus to tht tithe-fatmer. The person taking tithe would be the greatest gainer. The liberty of enclosing is fur chased at one-fourth of a man's estates. General TA RLETON opposed the Taxes, parti cularly on Leather, as affecting the Army, particu larly the Colonels of regiments, in a vay serious manner. Eir THOMAS TURTON spoke against the Tax on Leather. It would injure the tanning trade in this Country to a great (stint. They were *heady labouring under great 'hardships, having eighteen months stock on hand., the trade had fallen to decay —and one of the consequences of this tax would be, to give an unfair pieference to the Irish tanner, as the tax does not extend to Ireland. It would raise the price of coarse shoes not less than two shillings. AldermanCOMßE and Mr. BRAND were against , entering into the consider a ti on o f t h e Report inistae-i diately. Mr. BIDDULPH complained of the expensive I manner in which the taxes nere collected, paiticts- 1 larly in Scotland, The difference as to the ex' enee between the two commies, was in seine instances, one half. He would oppose the motion therefore, on the grounds_ of the existing tax es n ct b e i ng d u ly collected. l He intended to propose, on some future day, a Reso lution, that it was the duty of the House not to im pose any new taxes, until convinced that the present are diligently collected. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that he would arrange the arguments ci the Gentlemen on the opposite tide, under three beads, as the same grounds were taken by them all, namely, is affecting the poor, the husbandman, and the array. the first place, - it was necessary to observe, that it was impossible to lay taxes in any way that would be productive, but as an addition to existing t ties. Tie Tax on Leather had not been increased fix 101 years, and, on examination, it would be found that it did pot bear more than its fair proportion.— The statement of the Hon. and Learned Gendesn.:n with respect to husbandry, would be found to amount to something less than fivepence an acre.—( Hear, lacerßy the progress of improvement, the tax woulde less !wavily felt. The poor would not pay in a greater proportion than in the reign of Anne, got Even so g,reat. The Hon. Baronet was under a mistake in what he said respecting the advantage that Ireland would enjoy in the tanning trade, as by the operation of drawbacks, Irish leather pays in t land the English duty, and English pays the Irish duty in Ireland. As no length ot time would enable us to get more light upon this subject, he was averie to any procrastination. The whole case was before them. and was a simple one, and it was a gross mistake to suppose that the higher orders would not be affected by the tax on leather in their coaches and harness, as will the poorer in their shoes. Colonel BASTARD said, he should be induced to vote against the Bill by the arguments of the Ch. cellor of the Exchequer. Three-pence an acre w as added by it to the rent of land, and th e poorest soil p a 4 the same as the richest. Taxes ought to be di m, and not collateral, and the lion e should not add to the burthens of the people. Mr. :;11ER WAN hoped the Right Hon. Gentl e . man (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) would 4 least agree to some delay, however tie might oppae the amendment of the' Noble i.ord (Althea:pc). h o le place it wonlcl be severely felt, he nieant the t at , or St dl'ot d, by his former, and probably his fut on conAktient,. No tax would fall so heavily as this ry I the labotious poor.' The ploughman and l a b otet would pay twenty times as much upon his sh oo " would be paid upon the finest leatilet, worn bya ge s . tirmae. if the tax went only to affect tbefine trat. pings of barouches, and the equipages of the In a * . he bhottli have no objection to i:. Such a ta a h it been formerly proposed to the Admini s t rat i on* , which he had been connected, but upon mature siderat:on had been given up. lie %tidied at h at for some delay. A representation had already hats made by the tanners on this subject, and if nexus, given, would also be made by mat.) abets. The [louse then divided :—For bringitg Ripon now, 66—Against it, 40—Majority swan % lug up the Report, 426. The Report was then brought ur, and the be c t I.det e d to be read a third time un 11edneaday. MEGSAGE FllOll TUE I.on al. A Atvt4age from the toed; at notowei! their ladthip amg to the Iri-h Grand lufl• MI, and the blailarlars wi:input any amendment. Mr. Cora prt,er.ted un Account td the tut.! Protect ei t d Salt of the it uAllio;-tift*t tvr the Year' lel I.- Uni t: Le un tic table. • ASSESSED 1 AXLE REPORT. Some conversation on this subject teak plseel% twixt Mr. HENRY SAUTD and the CHA Neil LOX Of ENCIIEQUEII, respecting an alteration of a wad is. tended to be introduced by the further. The SPEAKER suggesting that the alteration milli be made upon the third reading of the Bill, thetas ther consideration of the Report was postpostd to-morrow. TAX ON HORSES E/IPLOTED rV 111311ANDIT; Mr. Git.es, Mr. LAME, Mr. W. TAILOR, ladies Wes, eat:, opposed the Tax, as highly injorinefe the interests of agriculture. The CDANCELIM Exutruoza, Mr. Gout-nom, atid Mr. limula orp ported it ; the last Gentleman (Mr. Baring) dabs/ this was the best time for a Tax of that lad.. Sir FRANCIS BURDETT saw no neceolgfe any new Taxes, if the old were' properly cam* Landed Gentlemen ought to look to their intaglios their real rent was continually diminishing but increase of the paper system. He agreed is alt servittions of the Chancellor of the Exalt" Taxes generally found their level, and that theplet would ultimately be affected by any I Tax imposed upon the wealthier. classes tbs 1111 tnuoity. ~ Sir G. WAR RENDER opposed thalk. h ! cause he thought that it pressed on the agadeel 1 interests of the Country. 1 Mr. WHARTON was convinced, that if the I ber of horses employed by farmers was diWaIM 1 it would be of great use to Agriculture is He did not think that the country could be inriif the 'L'ax; he wished that the opposers of as* suggest one less objectionable. After. a few words from Mr. H. Count swat Cu s immix a of the EXCHEQUER, the House divild: For the Clause 43—Against it 25—Majority IL The other Clauses were then agreed to, aad deg was ordered to be read the third time on Mcolir: VitrWCII OFIPICERS, PRISONILIVI, ARCANINO PAIN& ' Mr. N. CALVERT moved, that the paperhil' on the table, relative to French Officers on Pale Ibe printed. He said, the great number of Boa Officers whe had taken an unfair and dishonsmalk 1 advantage of the confidence placed in their Wei by the Government of this country, was sheath { cred.ble.; and he thought some effective now' sh , uld be adopted to prevent the recurreocedielly I breaches of faith, and the abandonment bider* so brblce their faith of every principle of monks the numbers were so great that no former vet o° Mr in the slightest degree to be compared to deo He thought therefore the Transport Board *soli le empowered to put an end to such shameful precool. ings, or at least to render them less Bequest. WW I be was on his legs on this subject, be could sot* observing, that the enormous number of fortiori residing in this country amounted to a rat once. It was his earnest wish to give every of protection to such unfortunate persons oda ' compelled to reside here from persecution is& own country ; but he thought those who bad ON ' here, and still remained, without being able en.' duce proof of such being their situatiort, sue" sent out of the country directly. Locil CASTLEREAGH thanked the Honieselk G:ntleman for the observations be had node. 1 1 subject deserves( every consideration, and GOO' meat were very desirous to pay all Ant , I A though there would be great diEcalty in diaat i Dating is a case so intennued. r• Mr. A. BARING said, be thought somethlor. necemary to be done, as to of fi cers Tweaking dige___, L P role; but 10, from some statements be WI reol""' even theee• moons drought they had reuse to L edio plain. He dui] mentioned ;he complaint ofs NW Officer, who for that offence was now confoll, hoard a prison -ship at Chatham. He was aea great family and ccesexions in France, as will 111 . education ; and be complained of being put iWa d i society of three or four hundred common whit. his country. He had stated, that if et c l oii V i V iP ill car, being a prisiner in France, bad . same offence, be would bare been coming* ° di ...a - confinement ; but not in such romper/ all be . . 6 for he was actually over-run sod devoured. arg' were, by vermin. Sir J. SEBRIGHT said, that when 32 drg leki proved he was not to be trusted on ha • pm* eft flour, he had brought apart himself a deb 411 " 11, character which justified his being confuted with t' sons of an inferior rank; and though then won" common soldiers in the same place with hiPs ba s' by his conduct, brought himself below their Will ie Mr, CROKIR thought it necemall 0 00 7 the Fermat alluded to by the Hon. Cr •