The National Register. — London, England, 1816-06-23 00:00:00

• alio nal( A taitittr+ Our ding, tottigitution anb laiani. SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 1816. Full and temperate discussions followed ; wise measures were proposed ; and in the mean time, the scarcity which began to be felt in France having closed the ports of that country to exportation, and rendered her on the con trary an importer of corn, the price of grain rose of it self in our land, and our farmers found themselves re lievtsl from their greatest apprehensions and diffivultie>. A subject of almost equal interest soon arose to claim par liamentary investigation. The restrictions on cash pay ments at the Bunk were to expire euily in the year : au enormous rush might take place on that establishment, before it should have had time to collect a sufficient amount of specie to answer the demands of the public. Ministers proposed to remove the danger, and obviate the difficulty, by continuing the restrictions for two years longer. Though frequently combated, they ultimately triumphed ; and the measure was no sooner adopted, than the exchange rose so considerably in our favour, that our paper became, and still remains, more valuable than gold. The necessity of a new silver coinage was next investigated, and means taken to carry it into effect. The renovation of the Alien Bill, although on a milder principle, occasioned repeated discussions ; and the consideration of the Catholic claims, the con solidation of the English and Irish Exchequers, and many other subjects of importance, though of minor moment, rendered the session no less laborious than useful. During its course, and after the severe lesson which the loss of the Property Tax gave them, Ministers displayed much self-restraint, and the Opposition much moderation after their frequent triumphs. Party spirit, in a greater degree than usual, gave way to real foe the public good ; and the country will have derived more real advantage from this short session, than from those _ _ _ pomp of discussion, IMPERLa PARLIAMENT. 110 USE OF LORDS, MONDAY, Jews 17. Ab4's Divorce Bill was read a third time awl passed. THli COIN. Lord LAVDEROALt rose, pursuant to 'mike, to call the at. tenticm of the house to the measure proposed by government with rt spect to the New Coinage of Silver. The Noble Earl considered that the measures to be pursued relative Its the new Silser Coiiiage would involve the people in great difficul ties and expellee, without being of any earthly benefit to them. Ile should state what he had to say on this subject, more with a sleet to direct the attention of Ministers to certain points, than to bring over the House to his opinions. fie contended, that they would do a thine fatal to the country, if they did not make sliver the coin of legal tender, and the standard of value. With proper alloy it was harder, and p d its impressiuu longer, than gold. Silver was a less encouragement to coun• terfeiting or defacing the coin than gold. From the disappear ance of the Gold Coin, he proved that silver was the most proper fur coin, because it afforded less temptation for sendiug it out of the country. According to the opinion of dealers in exchanges, it was impossible fur any country, whose standard was gold, to have an exchange at par. He concluded by mow. ing for a Committee to inquire, %l hether there was any pro bability of the new Silver Coin reniainiug in circulation ; and also to inquire into the policy of making a silver legal tender hevond 425. ? The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, his opinion on this subject remained the same as when he brought the Prince Regent's Message on the new Coin before the House. Ile believed, thegold had been made the standard measure of value, because it was necessary fur the extensive dealings of the country. When mar gold Coin was defective, the exchanges were against us; and when it was re-established, the changes conic rotund in our favour. It seas also a recommendation of gold as a standard of value, that it WAS an article nut so generally used in manufacture as silver, and therefore must be mach less fluctuating in value. He did not Wiese, that the whole amount of Shillings and Sixpences in circulation was inure than a million sterling. '!'here was no intention to keep the Bank Tokens iu circulation more than about two, or at most three months, after the issue anew:shillings and Sixpences ; because, by that time, the new Coinage of Half crowns' and Crown pieces, would be ready for circulation, to supply the place of the Bank Tokens. lie considered that all the arguments, and facts, and information that existed ou this subject, were before the House and the Public; for which reason, he would oppose the present motion. After a short reply from the Earl of LAUDERO , LLE, the motion was negatived without a di visiou.—Adjourned. TUESDAY, JUNE Ig, Earl Gnry asked the Noble Viscount (iidinolith), whether Mr. Burr, the lau' Vire-President ol• the *Jailed 'states, was not sent out of the country some years since. as as A ? Lord SLUMMY'S' answered in the ni.gat ise. A debate then ensued on the third reading of the Alien fill. The Marquis of Bt;Ckll•nttAM itto‘vd AS an Atuendinent, that it Ire read that day six mouths. Piticz 9.Zd. The Amendment was lost, and the Bill paastd ; there ba..g for it, Wit; against it, 4S. WELINVIDAY, JUNE 19. Lord GREY moved the second reading of the Freehold Ea ton.% Bill, and at some length sopported the measure. Lord REDESDALE opposed it, anu the Bill was rejected.-- Adjourned. THUTICIPtY, JUNE 21. The Royal Assent was given by eoiniistri.• to the Bank Re st ri lion, Lottery, and Waterloo Bridge Rills, and to various. othermi, both public and private. The other ot dela of the &Ay were gone through without material discusnon and the House adjourned. br JP_ No. 437.—V oL. IX. POLITICAL D/SQ VISIT/O.V. RETROSPECT OF THE SESSION. THE labours of Parliament may now be considered as closed. It is expected that the Commons will atljourn next Wednesday for a few days, to give time to the Peers to come up with them, and that both !louses will he pro regued about the 4th or sth of July. Of the Session we may therefore speal as of the past. It is now mat ter for history, to which it will utfonl a varied and im portant page. Short in its duration, and for the first time after 25 years of universal cares, confined to the limits and interests of this country ; it contpensated by vigour and activity for what it hat in extent of operation. Notwithstanding the greatness of the subjects that had hitherto engrossed the attention of Parliament, it never displayed so much firmness and true national spirit, as during the few months which have now brought round the close of its sittings. Never, on the other hand, was the country more feelingly awake to its least proceedings, or more ready to support them, and give them effect by throwing into the legislative scale the timely and de cisive weight of her petitions. The first occasion on which all her force was marshalled to sustain the stand vim& by her representatives, was indeed well calculated to call forth her voice and her exertions. An impost universally abhorred, long borne with detestation, but with patience, because it was confidently expected to tenoinate with the war, was once more presented to the public eye, under forms vainly softened by modifications intended to reduce both its amount and its powers. The absolute necessity of the Income Tax to enable Go vernment to wind up the expenses of the late contest, was urged with plausibility and obstinacy, but urged in vain. Parliament conceived that its revival would only serve to encourage extravagance in the Ministers. Its opposition roused the land. Petitions on petitions besieged the House ; and the favourite measure of an administration admired for the success of all its plans for the liberation of the world, was rejected by a majority of 37, though supported by all the influence of the Crown, both in Parliament and in its ramifications throughout the kingdom. The results of this triumph on the part of the co:►ntry and her representatives were not long doubtful. —Ministers withdrew their own estimates and reduced them. The sal•.ries of certain officers had been increased when they anticipated a successful issue to their attempts at reviving the Income Tax. They would not appear so totally defeated as to tread hack their steps in this instance, But whilst they suffered the augmentation to remain, they lopped off other offices, so as to cfrcet upon the whole a considerable reduction in that branch of public expenditure. The regulation of the Civil List to prevent all excess in future, may also be considered as one of the consequences attendant on the loss of the Property Tax; as well as the advantageous arrangement with the I3sink, which enabled Ministers, together with the diminution of national expenses, to supply the wants of the country without creating a single additional impost. To the state of Agriculture did Parliament next direct its wisdom. The farmers and landholders, who during the whole period of the war had enjoyed a revenue four fold increased at the expense of manufacturers and traders, no sooner found that ponce introduced plenty . into the land, and compelled them to return to low : prices, than they exclaimed, that they were ruined, and a cry of desolation resounded from one end of the king dom to the other. It cannot be denied, that in comparison with their former profits they suffered severely; and theta sudden and alarming depreciation took place in landed pro perty. Agriculture was neglected, and farms relinquish ed, for other speculations which bore at the time a more promising aspect. The alarm spread to the House, and petitions loaded its table from those who were affected by the passing calamity. Parliament once more inter fered, but with soberness and judgment. A gene►al committee was leant t, to examine into the state of agri culture, and the meta of remedying existing evils. FRIDAY JUNE 21. The Earl of Lannestow. presented a Petition seainst the Gas Light Bill, which was ordered to lie on the 'fable. Tice Earl of DONOI InfMORL presented a Petition from the Protestant Noblemen, Gentlemen, and Clergy, of the county of Galwy, in the our oldie Catholic Claim•. The Petition having been laid on the Table, — The Noble Earl addressed the House at considerable length on the claim of the Catholics of Ireland to be relieved from Ms. abilities ; and concluded by mot big :a resolution, calling on tho House to pledge itself fur a dime discussion of their grievance. early iu the next bession of Parliament. The motion was opposed by Lord Longford. Lord Bathurst, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Itedesdale and Lord Liverpool ; and supported by the Duke of Sioisex, Earl of Aberdeen, and Lord Grey. After a detailed debate, the propositiou was negatived i the numbers being : Contents 40—Proxies 29-69; Not contents 37—Proxies 36-73.—Adjourned. _ SATURDAY, JUNE 2s. 'lids day the Royal Assent was given, by commission, to tbe Irish Notional Debt Bill, the. Silver Coinage Bill, the Stamp Duties, tke Soldiers"frade Bill, the Militia Amendment Bill, the Irish Yeomanry Bill, the Husbandry Horse Duty, the Edin. bough Police Bill, the Millhook Penitentially House Bill, and several private Bills. The several Bilk on the table were also forwarded a stage, and their Lordship then adjourned to Monday. HOUSE OF CONINIONS, MONDAY, Jvrs 17. Mr. CANNING took the oaths and his scat as Member for Liverpool. Gen. Tnaaxro■ gave notice that he would on the 25th inst. move an Address to the Prince Regent, far erecting three Gaurchrs, in honour of the Victories of Salamanca, Trafalgar, --- rthel4 this j r ecl before e coma era es • stew. The Ifebi Lord proceeded to make various observations on the Mad- House Act of 1774, and its provisions t which, he contended, were wholly inefficient. The Noble Lord then proceeded te state several most aggravated CASH of the neglect to *hick these unhappy wretches were subjected. One house he al luded to, in which 13 female patient. were put to sleep nightly in four cells; the straw on which they laid was saturated with their own urine ; and the air-holes of the cell (the only means by which air could be admitted) were stopt up with filth, which the unhappy wretches had no other means of getting rid of. la another house hr knew an instance where male keepers and male patients bad free egrew to the females, sad he mentioned this consequences of it. The Noble Lord then adverted to the cruelty with which pauper lunatics in workhouses were treat ed ; and maid, a clause should be iutroduced into the present Bill, enabling Magistrates to send pauper lunatics, at the ea pence of their parishes, for cure to the nearest kinetic asylum. Mr. Rosa declared be had no objection to this amendment. Mr. W. Wynn. also wished a clause should be introduced, requiring that no lunatic should be taken into a private house as boarder, or otherwise, without a certificate being obtained from a physician. The Rill was re-committed. PROPERTY TAX PAPERS. Mr. BROVCHASI asked, whether the destruction of the Pro perty Tax Papers, as far as the names were concerned, bad yet been begun The CKANCILLOR of the Extntiatrast (we believe) answered in the affirmative. Mr. Strounti•ra expressed his joy tohear this; and he should be glad to learn, as many persons in the country had alarms on the sab t iect, whether there we, any intention Go revive the la come lax next year, with modifications? [The answer conld not be heard.l VICE.TREASURER OF IRELAND. The Report of the Committee respecting the Vice-Treasurer of Ireland was brought up; and on the motion that the Reso lutions be agreed to, and that the salary be 3,.4001. Mr. PoNsounv re-moved his former amendment, that the sa lary be 2,0001. He said, if be had erred at all in his amend ment, it was in proposing too large an amount; and he was quite sure, that no person out of that house, whether in Ire laud or England, would think his amendment improper. Mr. V•rvslirr fir defended the original proposition. The Opposition loudly calling for the question, strangers were ordered to withdraw; when the house divided. The numbers were --For the Anicildinent 100—Against it us—" jority against the Mini.ters 2. Mr. CAN ta NG now emceed the House; he present during the previous business and dtm ceiling the Right Hun. Gentleman, the I . him with a loud dicer. He took his seat .. Castlereagh, and on the right of the Chancellor quel. On the question that the amendments be Mr. Ponsunny observed, that he ►hould tion to the clause rc•pecting the Vice Trea•u; litied to tale a seat in Parliihneut, till the ‘2,1)(; • • - ' - ` - le 0 Ij) he not having is. ivision; WWI ell . ''.. . , • Se Opposition greet i . 11% - ' s on the left of , 04 ~,,,„,,,k , cellar of the E't • ??:! s enzrourd. -- .. sk Al reserve his Of '.. .". 1 re t l: l l . l d re g r eding being , 1 f . t..........m.v.: