The National Register. — London, England, 1816-03-11 00:00:00

grievance; mot, in proportion to the capital of a farmer, the tithes mint be more oppressive. He wished to trace the dis til as to its source; whether it arose from the amount of the Nut:onal Debt, from the quantity - of paper in circulation, or depression in the price of the produce of the land. He was of opmitin it OW!!e from a combination of all those circtonstanees, and it was necessary to trace the origin of the combination to get at the a ffect.—The primary cause was a surplus-produce, oceasioneii by our own growth. A very small surplus, or a de ficit below the demand, would have the effect of altering the price. The eirenlatiog medium had a great effect, from its great extension, of forcing up the price of grain ; consequently, front the lately ❑pparent decline in the circulation of that me dium, grain had felt its effects. The country, maw ithstatoling persons entertained a different opinion, grew enough to support its own population ; and if capital were employed outheiently, the laud would produce one-half inure than it at present does; and if that part of the country yet tinculti v ited was put in a proper state, it would, in his opinion, pro since triple inure than sinficient to supply the population, with •ut the aid of a foreign supply. hi this respect the circulating medium was of great advantage; it convened the dormant ca pital of the farmer into immediate activity. It would, when his harvests were brought into his yards, make his :,,tun►l. worth •t corn instantly productive, and putt him in a stale of making greater improvements and more advantage of his laud. The effect of it had been to produce a glut in the market, and a surplus. On the fall of the price in Isla, the first effect was to produce alarm; the rejection of the Corn Hill in 1813 and Isl 4 still further increased the alarm, and added to the depres hare. The farmer could not obtain relief, and he was forced Into the market for money, but without effect. The object to which the House must direct their attention, was to find a market for the surplus of the land. Suppose no etiOrt to relieve the agricultural interest was made by the Legislature, the price must eventually rise in consequence of the diminution of produce : the sources from whence that produce was drawn were in a rapid state of destruction.— (Hear,Atar.)—The price would rise in consepience of the scarcity; it might be some time first; but it must rise. The earnings of industry were diminished in proportion to the price of the articles; so that the people were starving in the midst of plenty, and sinking into a gradual state of impoverishment. The country might rejoice greatly at having what was called cheap bread ; but the people would not get so much wheat—they could not command it— the sources of wealth, strength, and power, were rapidly de eaying—the productive industry of the country was suspended —their moral feelings distressed. In such a state of things, they would lose their independence—their labour wits their in dependence and their property, and was Nil as valuable to a labourer as the estate of his employer.—(hear, hear.)--While he gave his labour to his employ er, he stood in an independent state; but now, deprived of the exercise of that labour, he wandered about begging for employment, but could not get it. --(Hear, Aear.)—All his moral feelings were in consequence in jured; and until Agriculture was become again promperons so be must remain. He thought that the Government ought to provide a policy which should protect the independence of our agriculture against foreign importations, and lead us to depend on ourselves for sustenance. Having recapitulated utmost of the topics which he had noticed before, and stated that the land did not produce to the farmer more than one half of its former revenue, consequently that the public revenue must be injured in proportion, he concluded with reading' the Resolu tions which embraced the leading points of his speech. They were to the following purport:— 1. That it was the opinion of Parliament that the agricultural part of the country laboured under the most unexampled distress.-2. That however various were the cruses from which it originatal, the demand for theprodu.al of the land was not now such as to enable the cultiv a to r to sell its produce at a price sufficient to indemnify hint for his expences. —3. That the consumption of barley, and consequently the demand for it, were reduced by thetax on malt, and that this duty ought to beabated w repealed. That relief ought to be granted to the holders of agri cultural produce, by advancing money to them on security of that pro duce, and collecting into public granaries, in a year of surplus, abun dance against the return of scarcity.—S. That it wasexpedient to repeal so much of the Corn Act of last year as related to the warehousing of foreign grain.-6. That it was expedient to encourage the exportation down for some time by a bounty.-7. That it Mai expedient to encourage the growth of our own soil, by imposing duties on the importation of seeds, and other articles of agricultural produce, from abroad.--a. That the fo tithes and poor-rates were lt with increasing severity in the present ,! general distress; and that is was expedient to consid e r of some mo d e o f 1 easing their pressure. The Hon. Gentleman moved for a Committee of the whole Nome on the distressed state of agriculture. Mr. F. Lewis seconded the motion. The conntry was over whelmed in distress, and they looked to this House for a palli ative. In his opinion, nothing but a very great reduction of taxation, and a long peace could save the hind owners of this country. 'fitere were many parishes in the kingdom at this moment which were little better than barren wastes. The only Way of restoring the credit of the farmer would be, to reduce the taxes, and particularly the malt tax, which hail done much indeed to injure the occupier of land ; it had, by its operation already, since its imposition ' reduced the growth of barl e y t wo thirds. Another and very heavy oppression on the laud was the poors' rates ; this called lousily for the interference of Par liament. He would not now say what regulations ought ulti mately to be adopted on this subject; but two points lie cer tainly should recommend ; first, that relief should be given with discrimination; aud, secondly, that it should be given only to a certain extent. Lord CARTLER 4GH said, that the Hon. Mover had met the question fairly, and had submitted certain practical remedies, to which he should concur in gising the most patient attention. The matter of his speech was not only to be highly approsed •f, but the tone and moderation to be exceedingly admired ; and he was free to confess, that he had never hearth a speech in Parliament more likely to conciliate all parties to the consi deration of so important a measure. Mr. WasTcnt then moved, that the whole House should re solve itself into a Committee on Tuesday st'unight, to con sider the state of Agriculture cf the United Kingdom.—This abotiou was agreed to, and the House adjourned. FRIDAV, Msticii 8. There are to he Calls of the House on Friday next, and on Wednesday, the Pith inst. Nuoxrous pc;ii ions were presented against the Income Tax. Sir CHAR LE.; MON UAL NT said he rose to present a pelitio, from the Freeholders. Gentry, Clergy, ex. of the county of Narairi., which e‘piesseil their surprise at the avowal on the pmt of At:nesters to attempt the renewal of the Property-tax in time of tie we, when according to the promises lucid forth to the cianitty, , it was to cease. They also prayed for the aholi -6011 ufrinecnres ; and that the salaries of the Public Witaril 1:;1(1 been Increased when the neees•aiilN of life well enoranoiedy high. be reduced now that the prices had so much Niro. Toe petitioners also objected to the otos mow, military c.tablishment proposed to be Isept up, as dangerous, u 4 requiring an expenditure much bey and the steam of the - THE NATIONAL REGISTER. country to support. The lion. Baronet declared that in imait of these sentiments he entirely agreed, most especially in those which related to the Military Establishment and the Property Tax. The people had supplied the wants of his Majesty's Mi nisters, without a murmur, for a long period : and if this mea sure was to be continued, it would be a tax on profits in war, and as losses in peace.— fhe pcition W:IS then laid on the table. Mr. Pnks•ros presented a petition against the Property Tax from Ashburton.—Laid on the table. N1r..1. St LLIVAN preserited a petition also front Ashburton, praying for modification in favour of the agricultural interest, which, if granted, would render the tax an eilicient and proper means of raising 'Hooey for two years, to pay the present heavy dentauds on the public treasury. Mr. Buocc.ii ru observed, that these petitioners could not, he presumed, be of exactly the right description tbr the Gen tlemen opposite ; for they prayed for the abolition of sinecure places, although they might be friendly to the continuance of the Income Tax. If they would have this tax, and their neigh bours wished to he relies ed front it, the question might be settled between them, according to the rule of a well known anecdote ?—let those who wish the tux have it; and those who wish to do without it be freed from all anxiety on the subject; and thus both parties would be gratified. —(!fear, hear.) 'the petition was then laid on the table. Lord CASTLEREAGH gave notice, that on Alonday he shollid MOST for leave to bring in a nil' for SEEMAIR the safe custody of Napoleon Bitonaparte in the Island of St. lieicna. MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT. Mr. Cocas fully approved of the system which had been adopted in making peace, and of the measures taken to pre serve it in our foreign relations; outwardly ht thought that enough had been done to merit the approbation of the House ; and he was only sorry that when he cane• to look at the inter nal military plan for the state of peace, lie kit himself called upon to oppose it as unnecessary in extent, and expensive be yond onrmeans. . _ Colonel Posey contended, that the country should not be called upon to maintain a single soldier beyond what was ne cessary tier its security. Our fathers had always felt consider able jealousy of standing armies; and he hoped that our chil dren would never be ashamed to avow the same constitutional feeling. It was a poor argument to tell the House, that this establishment wonid he wanted but for a short tune; the coun try has not a short time to lose; we must enter upon an inane diate system of economy, or we must inevitably be ruined. He would clothe utmost iu his power to avert the evils which seem to 1w preparing for the people; and he should feel it a duty which he owed to the country to oppose this unwarrantable military establishment. Mr. I:pron . :set' observed, that when Members were called upon to deliberate upon the plan of a peace establishment, it was not necessary that they should come prepared to yield up their judgments to the mistaken expectations of persons out of doors ; they must look to the real merits of the question ; nail if' it found that they ought to impose a heavy military esta blishment for the security of our possessions, they would not shrink from their ditty, lie admitted that the Hon. Gentle men opposite acted with perfect propriety in refusing to go into the Committee, if they thought the estimates were made upon a scale which the circumstances of the times would net warrant ; but, this was not his opinion ; and he thought the tx• amination had proved, that the plan was a wise one, and not more than adequate to the object proposed. The attempts that had been made to mix up the question of the military es tablishment with that of the Property Tax, had wholly failed. The necessity for that tax would not be done away by any practical reduction of the military establishment. Mr. C. Ga Aar said, the question of our military establish ment might be considered in two points of view ;---Virst, What was the extent of our military establishment, of which Our finances would admit and, secondly, What was the smallest military) establishment that could be supported consistently with the seenrity of the empire% Nothing could be more absurd than to maintain an empire, the means of defending which were wanting. That, however, was an extreme case, and had been pet by none who bad argued this question. The distress of the country was doubtless great, but it proceeded from tem porary causes, and, when these causes ceased, would case also. At the end of the American war the eottntry was said to he ex hausted of resources, and yet Parliament had imposed new taxes instead of remitting the old. But in the. present cast there had been a remission of taxes to a large amount. It was tutu said that the resources of the country were exhansted, and one Gentleman in particular observed that the country had been used up, and that the imposition of new taxes would be fruitless. Bet the Parliament of that day had the magnanimity to impose new toes; and Government was called upon now to display the same magnanimity, as the distress of the country, though great, could not be permanent. Mr. W. WYNNE said, the security of the nation could not be established by a lavish expenditure ; and it would be much more advisable to tallow up a system of economy in all the civil and military departments of the :state. Lord Mit.ros said, the capital objection was to the increased influence of the Crown; which was advancing, by the opera rations of its powerful patronage, to the destrection of the country. Charles I. had put his hands into the ',copies pockets; but the prescut power was acting upon a different principle silently, but with as great certainty. Sir J. Bea estanto, in explanation, stated, that what he had said upon the subject of the Leeward Islands was, that it was 111111011 , 411 C, w ithout the assistance of a military fusee, to give protection to any of them. Mr. WORTLEY recommended reduction, partienlar:y in the household troops; for the present vast bodies of which there existed no necessity. Mr. WILBERFORCE said, he felt an impatience to oppose sonic parts of the general statement upon political, financial, and military grounds. He considered the vast extent of glory by which the British troops were distinguished, and the illus trious consequences of their efforts to their own and users other nation in Europe, with due seneration. He esteettiel it a pledge of their fitture energies, to which his relimice was firmly bound, that they had succeeded in breaking the chains of the Contiuent, lie booked upon their Commander as Upon one a hom an angel had protected fur his own, as well as bar the world's sake. He participated in that feeling of affection fire hint a hid' had sprung up among timbals, me! oillused it-elf, blended atilt the spirit of liberty, which his very name was calculated to regenerate. But at the same time that lie thus applauded the army amid its commander, he could not forget the Constitution; and he would say to the lace of that gallaat man, who was Engli.linian enough to ft el the sennment with conge- Mal delicacy, that he looked with great jealousy upon a great standing army. It had been said that the dithisiou of k otos 'edge and of wealth distite;uisheil the ease of this country from ling or all others, in the records of a high the influence of pow erful military furce in times of peace wa s ma r k e d i n I mu:11,1 !.. r of cousternotos and affright. But what laid grown up with MARCH 11. that knowledge and those riches? The terrific patronage of the Crown. The Hen. Gentleman lit re exples ,, cd his approbation o f ie‘cral estabiblone,its, particularly that of the lICW larder of knighthood, and the institution for the increase of mihtary skill ; but he advise d, in the strongest manner, a general re trenchment. If we were to keep up so prodigious a peace establishment, what could we do in the season of war? He really thought that this country was too ready Co go to war at all times, instead of directing her eye to France, which shou'Al alone oceinl its alit ntion. Lord PA 1,311-11, - TON stated, that the pecnniary advantages arising from retrenchments in the estuhlishinents would not be commensurate to the injury likely to be sustained. The charge Ida deliberate intention on the part of 'l Misters to es tablish a military force, and thereby break down the constitu tional barriers, he was persuaded would not meet with many supporters. Ministers could never shut their eyes to the eon. sequence of such a pr,cceding. An improper military force was the means by which legitimate Governments were over thrown. Fears had been advanced that a standing army would become ahia to overthrow the Government, but before that event could happen the people must be reduced to a state of political degradation. The public mind iu this country %%as strong and vigilant, and no reasonable apprehension could Le felt on that acconnt. Sir JOHN SEIIIII6IIT said, the present state of pewee did not call for a standing artny. It ma-, I crimps, the hrst time sitter: standing armies were Introduced, that the French were with out one ; yet this was the moment whin his Nlajesty's Ministers called upon the country to support 150,000 men. lie could not vote in f tour of Ministers. The question Itas loudly called for, awl the House agreed, without a division , " that the report be ,ww read." Upon the question, " That the Report in read a second thne," Mr. WYNNE rose to move an Amendment, 't .dl the words after the word that, be left out, and that the fellov•ing be higerted—" thi, Report In. recommitted;' upon which a ui‘ i mam took place, when there appeared For the Amendment - - 122 Against it - - 190 Majority in favour of Ministers tits _ The CIi\NCELLOR Of the ExcitEUVER mentioned Wednesday , next iis the day 'lima which this I ileHitle 'lax would come into direct discussion.—Adjourned to Monday. 7'ITESDArs LONDON GAZETTE. Crown-opr, Mardi 5, 1816. MEMBER returned to sem in this present PARLIAMENT. County of Statiiml—The Hight lion. George Granville Leven* Gower, commonly called Earl Gower. D.3NKR[TPTCY ENLARGED. T. Jones, men. Greencrott, Durham, banker, from I'eb.3 to March 1.3. BANKRUPTCY SUPERSEDED. .1. Sparkes, Hampton, Middlesex, coach-maker—J. Clemson, Man chestel., dyer. BANKRUPTS. J. !low, Brentford, victualler, to surrender Mardi 9, 16, April IC, at Guildhall. Att. Mr. Bon Acid, Bouverie-street. Fleet-street-J. 'fucker, Bath, (*al-merchant, ' , .larch 18, 90, April 16, at the Elephant and Castle, Bath. Att. Fruwd and Hose, Serle-street, W.. 1. Gam:re-street, ship-hmker. March 12, 19, April lii, at Gulhiluill. Att. Mr. Paterson, Copthalheourt, Throg morton-strect.-S. 1. Lob, Windmill -street, Finsbury-square, niers sham, Mardi 9, 12, April 16, at GuildhalL Att. Mr. E. ItUry street, St. Mary Axe-F. T. Ilasivell, Peckham, deals, March 12, 26, April 16, at GuildhalL Att. Mr. Paterson, Cupthall-court, l'hrog rnorton-mrvet-J. Thorp, Ely, merchant, March 11, 12, April 16, at the Lamb Inn, Ely. Att. Pickering and Smith, Staple -inns J. Hutchins, Charlton, Andover, butcher, March 26, 97, April 16, at the Mason's Arms, Andover. Att. Brenthridge and Son, Dyer's buildings, Holhorn--.1. Darcy, Exeter, timber-merchant, March V. QS, April 16, ut the Globe Tavern, Exeter. Att. Darke and Co. l'rinces taxed, IVelquan, Otter,' v,, Mary, Devonshire, builder, March 16, 23, April 16, at time Halt' Moon him, Exeter. Att. Sandys and Cu. Crane -court, Flavt-Arett-W. Rand. Tredingtun. 'Worcester, butcher, March 19, 20, April 16, at the Red Horse Inn. starrtird-upon-Avon. Att. Price and Lo. Lincoln's Inn Old-square- J. Smith, Vere-street, Clare-market, triponan, Mardi 9, 19, April 16, at Guildhall. Att. Mr. Barnes, Clifford's-inn-J. I'. Crager, Or conl-strect, gla , s-sellers, March 9, 19, April 16, at Guildhall!. Att, Mr. Mepoott, Burrow'..-buildings, Blackfriar's-road-W. Richardson, Island, Lancroit, Cunds:rland, ale-) ruse-keeper, March 20, 21, April 16, at the George and Dragon, Brampton. Att. Bleasdale and Co. New-inn. DIVIDENDS. March 26, K. Mason, Great Swan-alley. Colrma/I-street, carpenter, at Guildhall—March _ii, 1). Fowler and A. Anstie, Gracechurch-sL-ert, nterchants, at Guildhall—April 4, W. Clarke, Tcritertlen, Kent, wine merchant, at the IVoolpack Inn, Tenterden—March 30, It. Jackson. and J. Riding, Kingston-upon-Hull, ship owners, at Sam's Cofks home, Kingston-upon-Hull—March 16, J. Wright, Nuthampatead, IlerUhrds:iirti, dealer, at Guildhall—March 26, S. Sanders, Elect-street, perfumer, at G uils:i lall--...11 arch 30, W. S. Andrews, Ilielnnond, Surrey. apothecary, at Guildhall—March 26, J. F. Street, and W. Street, llucklerisisury, stationers, at (iuildhall—Mardi Iff, T. I). I.r.tham, Devonshire-square, merchant, at Guildhall—March 26, J. 13runsden, I Fore -street, I.anibeet, whiting-maniditcturer, at Guildhall—March 46, S. Keene. Upper North-rlice, Gray's Inn-lane, upholder, at Guildhall --March 25. G. ('iadwin, Braastngton, 'Kirby, corn-factor. King's Arms Tavern, I)erby—March 28, G. Gregory, son. Chester, cheese factor, White Lion Ina, Chester—Mum h 28, J. Meals, otherwise May. Cols:sr-Hill, Yorkshire, shcpkoiper, Wlute Horse Inn, !Judders field—March 28, R. Jennings. lilatikney-Fen, Lincolnshire, horsa. dealer. White Hart Inn. Spalding, LinalisLice—March 26, J. V:(1 ton and 'l'. Thornton, Kingston-upon-Hull, timber-Merchants, IMF and Duck l'wvern, Kingston-upon-Hull—March 30, C. 1.. Spina, M. Molng, G. Mulling, and 11. A. Spina, I.awrence l'ountney-lane. metchants, at Guildliall—Marsh 23, A. Wray, Tokenhouse-yard„ merchant, at Guildhall—March 30, T. Herbert. Andover, Hants. grocer, at the Public Rooms, New Sarum, Wilts—March 26. R. Friend, Old Windsor, Bcrlss, dealer in hay and strww, at Guildhall. CERTIFICATES-MARC:II 26. \V. H. Marks, Bath, woollen-draper—T. Holden. Aranehrster. butcher—A. Ch land, Charles.strtst, St. Mary-le.bore. cabinet-maker —W. Hill, Cock-hill, ttatelifib-highway, grocer—J. tlellewell, Elland. Yorkshire, woollen-mantela:turer--.1. (7legg. Manchester, colon-mer chant—T. B. t'osark. Kingstoo.tipon-llun. merellsr:.-IV. Johnson. I a...•ds, lionnihries, St. Bennett's-hill, whel, sale drug,sh,s-I`. 'Jaynes, K., kfriers-rnail, kl s ar.,l Stalrorth.hire ware limbenian—lt. Pugh, li'm:ston, 11 , :nfords . dre, • :ctusllrr mot. 11'r.A.r„ Nicholas-lane, inutranee.broker—..l. Cooper, Ilothw,ll, Norshanipton, farmer—T. 11.8, Leeds, merchant. DISSOLUTIONS OF PARTNFT,SHIPS. Ru sum and (:ib. on. Leeds. cloth.nrewior.—Pc arson and Co. I.nods, merchant...—M.ll,er and Rankin, Liverinad, ship;ht;txllcra. I' and Co. Intakai.--Tate and Co. Camberwell. 111111 e-burne( ll .--ll• &Hi .1. I.ips. Anne, (Adel:. t-ter, pexituao.--Wy wertik and Co. Bragg 40 6 liutascaslau, LuenLana