The National Register. — London, England, 1816-03-31 00:00:00

souring to acquire a habit of parliamentary espression, but he declared to (:oil he hail ties er been aide to du yet. 'Che riot was, this office was necessary to previ iit the public trona being did" d out of their nioney.—(lher, Mr. CROMER hoped the House mould allow them to go into the Committee, on the Estimates, lit eider that the details of them might be txplained. He contended, that the +Alibi:try imtlinates always fell in time of war ; .ending our tivets over the face of the earth (a 1410 ~ the of diary expellee ' of ' , typing the ships at home, of cams , . was ilimmisheil. The ordinary estimates in this year were less than those of any for mer period of peace (at least during the first year of it) that aumld be mentioned. Mr. W. WYNNE would propose either that smaller sums should lie voted, or that the present estimates should be voted only up to June. Mr. TIERNEY was e•plaining, la hen there arose a cry of :poke ! from the Ministerial benches. r. Fit et: MANI LE then moved that the House should adjourn. Mr. TI FAIN EY supported that motion, arid (mitten& it, that many rethietieus might he made in the Navy. 'fête question tor adjournment was then negatived without a aiVibiO/I.—Adjourned at One o'Clock. TLESDAY O MA nen 2r. Mr. Abereromby presented a petition from certain tra des- men confined for debt in the county goal of York, stating, that they had met with unavoidable misfortunes in trade ; that they were ready to make over their effects for the benefit of their creditors ; and that they had heard, with great concern, that the repeal of the Insolvent Act was in contemplation; and praying the House to take into consideration their case.—The petition was laid on the table. The Report of the Committ.e of Ways and Means was brought up, the Resohitious read and agreed to, and Bilis ordered ac sordlugly. Mr. Brougham moved for an account of the number of Clerks and their Salaries in the Navy Office, from 1 75 1 to ISM—Or dered, The Crown Laads Bill ss as r..ad a Ciird time and passed. THE TR USSPORT BOARD. Mr. CHOKER rose to move for leave to bring in a Bill to transfer the Transport 80. rd Ditties to the Navy and Victual ling Board. The Hon. Gent. said, it was originally intended to put down the Board altogether, but as the Board had a va riety of seenrities which they were entitled to hold and to sue for, it was, therefore, he moved for a Bill, with a view merely to enable the Navy and Victualling departments to exercise *hose duties, in a legal point of view. Mr. WEsTEav asked, whether the medical department aes to be dispensed with. Mr. CHOKER observed, that it was with a view of economy that this transfer was made ; but there was no idea of dispeu- Willerhe Medical Board. Leave was then given. TRANSPORTATION OF FELONS. Mr. H. ADDINGTON moved for leave to bring in a Bill to tmend the Act relating to the Transportation of Felon•. The principal object of his present Bill was to supply the defects of as Act which passed last Session, and to correct the deficien cies in sonic clanses of two other Acts, in respect to the ap pointment of superintending Officers over the felons confined in prison-ships. Leave given to bring in a Bill. CIVIL LIST. Lord CASTI.ERr AGII stated, that it was intended after the bolidays to bring in a Dill to regulate the disbursements of the Civil List. SLAVE TRADE. Mr. IVII.BCRFORCEIIIdVertViI to tin rosolution, in concert with the allied Powers, in respect to the Slave Trade, and wished to know what steps had been taken to carry into effect the resolution so alluded to. Lord CAcTLER EACH l eplicd, that he had addressed a letter to the Ministers of the four allied Powers on the subj ect; and no time would be lost in carrying the conferences, which were In embryo into effect. On the motion of Mr. VAssirrant, the House resolved it self into a Committee on the Loan Act. The Right Hon. Gent. then moved a resolution, that the several Acts respecting Loans should be repealed.—'l he Resolution was agreed to, and the Report brought up. VICTUALLING DEPARTMENT. Mr. BARING observed, that Ministers overlooked generally the principal points of the expenditnre of the country, and thought they satisfied the people that in taking off some part of the salary of the pocir Secretary, they had done their duty. He had to state a most grievous charge against them in the Naval Estimates, of excess in a sum of 132,9601. for victualling .1570 num, at the rate oils. 6d. per head. In order to elucidate this point, he should move for the necessary Papers, convinced, from the information he had received that they might be sic. titalledat ls. per head, in the harbour of Minima, which would make a difference of 41,0001. The Hon. Gentleman then moved for a statement of the number of men victualled, other wise than by the competition of public tender. Mr. CROMER denied that the men could be victualled in the badman of Portsmouth, Plymouth, Chatham, Sheerness, &c. at as cheap a rate as in Wales. He had, however, no objec. Lion to grant the papers moved for. BARHAM stated, that lie had lately come from Milford Haven ;for the last three or four months the price of bread was 3d. per pound, batter sd. and pork 21s. per cwt. Admiral MARKHAM, Mr. Crum en, and Mr. ilitouon vs, en tered into sonic explanation iii respect tothe contract at Milford Haven. The latter Hon. Gentleman disclaimed the knowledge of any contract.—'flie motion v. 4,3 then agreed to. The Hon. Gentlemau then moved for the expence of fitting for sea the fi 'gates Cydnus an Earotas, which were built in 1813, mid were now breaking up for tire-woad. Inc wished to know why the country was to be put to the very great expence of building ships not lit tbr service more than two or three years. Sir G. WARRENDER had no objection to the motion. After a short conversation between Mr. Eronsleam, Mr. Cro ker, Mr. Forbes, Admiral Markham, and Mr. Saving, the 'no tion was agreed to; Adjourned. WCDNESDAY, 2S. A ittiition wss presented f, 0111 Wnrcebtor. prityi” retrenet int of in the i.xpenditure, and reduction of the Itlilitarf lAd hlishment. . . . Mr. Loren Art? gave not:ee that he should stove for a returr terull the rt,sitiabao4 fonds Prized within the I..vt six Together wink the nausea of the p(rsosts to 11::..431 the goods were Ti.'l he Au a wean Trade Bill was read a third time, and passed. A message from the Lords I - ought up a 11 . 01 which had passed their Lorilihips' Hour, ,ter mituralizitil Leopold Prince of Saxe Cubutirg; so which thug desired the concurrence of the Bill went itooti ni.itely throng!) all it* strivi, nod THE NATIONAL REGISTER. TREASURER OF GREENWICH HOSPITAL. Mr. Wv ; , 4 au said, the motion he was about to submit to the House relutive to the appointment of Sir T. Thompson to the office of Treasurer of Greenwich Hospital woof uot, he con ceived, occupy di time, since it was merely a question on the constrnetion of an Act of Parliament. By the Act of the 6th of Queen Anne, it was provided that any person being a Member of the House, and accepting a place of profit under the crown should, in consequence thereof, vacate his seat. *net e could be no enquiry whether it was desirable that the person accepting office should vacate his seat : the only course which the House had to pursue, was that pointed out by the Act, without at all turning aside, either to the right or left. The Hon. Member concluded by moving, that the Speaker slmuld issue his warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, ordering him to issue a new writ tiir the election of a Member to serve in Parliament ior the city of Rochester, in the room of Sir T. 13. Thompson, who since his election, had vacated his seat by accepting the office of Treasurer of Greenwich Hospital. Mr. BA N ICES 'littered from the Hon. Member, though he con sidered the motion as a very proper one; but lie was of opinion that the course which had been pursued in the case of Mem bers of the House accepting the office of Master of Green wich I lospital, was decisive of this question. Mr. II tirituass. contended, that the office of Treasurer of the Hospital must be considered as au exception from the ope ration of the Act, on the same grounds that the office of Master was. If the House should decide that the Treasurer ought to vacate his seat, so ought the Master of Greenwich and Chelsea Hospitals also; and in formerly dc/ iding to the contrary, the House had conic to an erroneous decision. ..... After some observations from Sir J. Newport, and Mr. Bathurst, Mr. Ponsonby moved, that a Committee should be appointed to search for precedents, and to report to the House thereon. Mr. WyNste would not object to this course, he wished to have this question decided; and, therefore, with the leave of the House, would withdraw his present motion, and move for a Committee as suggested. This was accordingly dune, and the Hun. Member's new motion was agreed to. The House then went into a Committee of Supply. Sir GeKORGE WARRENDER then rose to submit to the consideration of the Committee the Nasal Estimates. In respect to half-pay, a charge would be incurred of 48,0001. in' addition to the fund for providing for that branch of the ex penditure. lle then moved his first Resolution for granting a sum of 1,5110;101, 10s. 9d. for repairs, &c. and service of the civil department of the navy. Mr. BAILING objected to this mode of putting the Resolution, as it contained 18 different heads. He suggested the pro priety of dividing the heads, aid first voting the 01,0001. for the service of the Admiralty. Captain PELLEw noticed the expence of paying the widows' pensions, and sug gested certain retrenchments in the number of officers in thediderent departments. Mr. PONSONEY was anxious that the course pursued in re spect to the Army Estimates should be adopted on the present occasion, and that the Estimates should be separately voted, and not in the sweeping way proposed by the Hon. Baronet. Mr. TIERNEY on referring to the clerks of the Admiralty aid Navy °thee, wished to know wily it was necessary t o in crease their salaries by an Order in Council admitting they were a meritorious set of men, it was, then-fore, with pain he alluded to them at all on the subject of remuneration. lithey had been let alone, all the business of the peace would have been done equally as well. The total reduction of clerks was 21. In 1811 the salaries were 90,8101. and in ISIO the salaries were 101,0001. So that all the public got by the reduction of clerks was an additional burthen of 10,0001.—(firer, hear. ) But it was not only accessary to get rid ot' some of these clerks; they must also be superannuated at an expence 0150901.; thus saddling the people with 15,0001. additional expence.—tHror, hear.)—The Hight Hon. Gentleman had no objection to vote the Estimates for six months, and in the mean Rate lie would suggest the appointment of a Committee to inquire into these matter~. The first Resolution was then withdrawn. . . . A Resolution was moved, that a mu of 59,7651. be granted for the Admiralty offices, Cie. To this Resolution Mr. TIERNEY moved an amendment, that 29,8611. lbs. sii. be grautul fur the same office, being for 183 days, ti:c. On the question being put, Mr. Caoaan contended, that in the year 1891 and 1802 an in crease had taken place in the Naval Estimates, which were in amount 210,0001. The Dock Yards in 1801 was 25,0001. and in 1802 the amount was 77,0001. ; making in three Rents an in crease of 60,0001.; whereas now there is a diminution of 40001. or 50001. The Hon. Gentleman then adverted to the case of the clerks' salaries, and stated, that the superannnation did not originate with him. In respect to the number of desks iti the Admiralty Office, the Rt. Hon. Gentleman was in error. He (Mr. ('.) had not added one clerk to the Establishment. Since the Ist of March, 1814, there were not less than 20 clerks re duced. The Hon. Gentleman stated, that the labour of ollice for the last four months had been greater tkan during the war. One reason would suffice to .hew the increase of labour. In 1802 there were 3300 out-pensioners. In the present year the number was increased to 33,000. Every one of those added to the labour at the Navy-Office as well as the Admiralty. The accounts were to be brought up, and in the first year of peace there was no end to the trouble and labour of getting up Abe accounts. With respect to patronage, every department was restricted, in case of vacancy, from tilling it up. So that the Bonilla Admiralty had every dispositi iiii to second the views of the country for economy. It was his duty to state, that of the clerks superannuated, two had served from 35 to 37 years, (Mar, hear )—Five others were selected, who were the least efficient, and they were dismissed. Mr. BROUGHAM was not quite satisfied with .the Hon. Secre tary's explanation, as to the items of expenec in the Estimates, and eatered into an enlarged statement of the increase of sala ries, and concluded by expressing his heartfelt conviction that if tie House did not watch over the pledge that atinisters had pot in the mouth of their master, of economy, they would be negleeting their most sacred duties. Mr. 1: NRES said, it seemed to be agreed that the Estimates, as far as salaries went, were increased, and vet that fewer effi cient persons were employed. To him it appeared that the Howe would be departing from its bounden ditty if it agreed to an, augmeatatitia whatever in the salaries. In many instances of dm kind, he had seen that the interests of the public went for noOting ; but he hoped the house would ant sutler it to be so in die present case. He thought this part of the Estimates should be postponed. Lord CAA ei.s . .ae.thit defended the measures of Government, and said Ministeis could not, consistently udb their duty, sub mit to regulate their conthiet entire ly by the .11%111111 of Gentle pen opposite. 1k ready as any of those Gentlemen tosiiii. :mut) the real voiee.-if Parliament ; hut, whilst cutest:ions that he • i.„..jz, t!pi io-st err Ilia fur time i,-,tv,tu• MARCH 51. Cage. of the country, he would not be clamoured down by Gcn. tlemen who so loudly contended that their system only was the system of ecnionny. (Ifear t 4ear, hear!) Mr. Possotinv opposed the vote. The Committee then divided on Mr. Bankes's Amendment, for the Chairman's reporting progress, and asking leave to sit when the numbers were—For the Amendment 85— Against it 163—Majority against the Amendment, and in fa. s our of Ministers, 7S. On our re-admission into the gallery, Mr. BARING Wei speaking on the general question. The Hon. Member con chided by moving that n sun' of 57,7531. should be inserted, instead of the original sum proposed in the Resolution. The Amendment was supported by Mr. Caderaft, Mr. W. Wynne, Sir M. Ridley, Admiral Markham, Mr. Forbes, Lord Folkstone, &c. and opposed by Mr. Croker, Sir G. Warrender, Mr. Rose, Mr. Wrottesley, Lord Binning, Lord Castlereagh, and Mr. Fitzgerald. The Committee then divided upon Mr. Baring 's Amendment. For the Amendment 3S—Against it —Ma jori ty for Minis ters The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at Hall-past Two o'clock, THIRSDAY, MARCH 28. PRINCE OF SANE COROURG. The Density Vsher of the Black llnd summoned the attend ance of the Mese in the House of Peers, to hear the Royal Assent given by Commission to public Bills. The Speaker, up on his return, announced that the Royal Assent had been give n to the Bill for permitting the tratittalization of the Prince of Saxe Cibourg. The Citaxer.t.ton of the E Wiltat! PR moved for leave to bring in a 11111 to natiraliza and settle the precedence of Prince Leo pold. Leava given. The Cita:set:town of the F.XCHECWFR brought in the Bill, which wits passed through its several stages, and orilered to the Lords. A message from the Lords afterwards announced, that their Lordships had also agreed to the Hill. COUNTY RATP.I. _ _ _ Mr. Cia.spr.ts gave notice, that on an early day he should apply for leave to introduce a Bill for the better regulation of County Rate , . 0,1 the notion that the Wonky ich Ferry Bill be read a second time, some diseos , ion arose between Mr. Swan, Sir J. Graham, Alderman Smith, Mr. Calvert, and Mr. Barclay, who proposed that the Bill he read a second time this day six months. On this proposition a division took place. The numbers were—Ayes 32 —Noes 16—Majority 16. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES,. - - The Report of the Weights and Measures Bill was brought np, and the Resolution read and agreed to, the alteration pro posed by Mr. Termayne, that there be no iron weights under .51b. instead of 11h. being acquiesced in. Mr. LUMINGTON hiollght up the report of the Committee on the Promissory Note Act. and the resolution that it was expe dient to revive and continue the Bill for susionding the Act of the 17th of the King was read nod agreed to, and a Bill order ed accordingly. Admiral Slsunlse moved for an account or all fees re ceived in 191.1, by the Admiralty,Navy, and Victualling Office, and the appropriation thereof respectively. Ordered. LEATHER TAX. Mr. HART P IVTA Stated, that he had received several letters from Bristol, upon the subject of the Leather Tax, a very gene ral opinion has ing got abroad that the Chancellor of the Exche quer intended to propose a repeal of that tax, or at all events come mrstitication of it, he should be glad to learn from the Rt Hon. Gentleman whether he had any such intention? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, that awtn any repeal or modification of the Leather T ix, be believed that neither would be of any extensive benefit at tho present mo ment. POLICY OF LOTTERIrs. Mr. TROMPS(); moved for an account of all the Cornmission ers ot•thc Lottery in town and country, together with their sa laries fur the two last years. The CIISNCELLOR of the Exciter:it:Ea having made some ob servations, Mr. THOMPSON added, that he knew there were many Cots• missioners all over the country, that they were in town only a few days during the drawing of the lottery, that they formed a Ward amongst themselves, relieving one another by turns ; his object was to ascertain what were the salaries of such indi viduals. Mr. Lrr•rLEToN took this opportunity of expressing his objec tion to the mode of raining money by Lottery, he agreeing in opinion with a late valuable Member of that House ( Mr. Whit bread,) that whatever might be the excuse for pressing such a system of taxation during war, it was unjustifiable in time of peace—( Hsu• !) Mr. RENNET deprecated lotteries, and trusted, now peaco• had returned, that lit act forth they would be discontinued.— ( Hear !) Mr. M. A. T.tvr.nn observed, that this important subject had often occupied the attention of the House, and that he was the first individual M ho had of late years directed the House to the consideration of its impolicy and injurious tendency. About 23 years age he succeeded in gaining a Committee, whose re port contained much important information, but the war break ing out, and money of course being wanted, the wishes of many upon this subject could not be accomplished. Now, however, peace had once more happily returned, and those who might he disposed to turn their attention to this solviect- -to the fright fully injurious consequences that resulted from lotteries, wonid obtain House.—Motion agreed to. DISTRESSES OF THE COUNTAV. Mr. MErnu sr: presented a petition from the President, Vice. President, and Members of the Agricultural Society of Wilt shire, complaining of the distressed state of agriculture, the im portation of foaeign corn, &e. Colonel Wool) presented a petition from the county of Brerk nock, complaining of distresses from the depressed state of act i culture, praying the repeal ot' the clause, allowing the import. atinn of foreign corn. Petition ordered to lie on the table. Sir M. FouLlu presented a petition from the county of Nor folk (we understood), complaining of the distressed state of agriculture, in consequence of the great national burthens, and the importation of foreign cern. Ordered to lie on the table. CIVIL LIST ESTIMATES. Mr. Tir:DNEY enquired whether there sees likely to he any considerable delay in presenting the Civil List Estimoies, with ilniwu by the Noble Lord kCostlereagli) for the puipose of reducing them? The Cit ktrert.r.rn of the Eacurquea replied, that Govern ment ha&evesy disposition in bring them fonvord as CZJI,' NMI!