The National Register. — London, England, 1820-05-08 00:00:00

mine witnesses relative to charges against George Ed wards. He understood that Edwards was about to !cave the country, and be had written to Lord Sidinouili, de siring that such person might be prevented from leaving the kingdom. Mr. S. WORTLEY presented a Petition from the West Riding of Yuiltsliire, complaining of the impolitic Tax on Wool, observing that his mind was made up on the subject. Lord MILTON presented a similar Petition, remark ing that the Tax had been imposed when the trade was in a ruinous stale; as a sitea.nre of revenue the tax had failed. It was within his knowledge that an important contract, to clothe the Russian at my, had been lost to this country, and owing, lie verily believed to this tax, which was most impotent as a measure of relief to agriculture. It had been equally useless in protecting the manufactures. Even if the tax were necessary, was this the time to im pose it ? • The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed, that as a measure of revenue the tax had not been fairly tried—it could not yet be said to have failed. The Petition was from Leeds and its neighbourhood. Read and ordered to be printed. Mr. GORDON moved for aceounts of the progress made in building the New Post Office, in getting plans, &e. He did not object to the new office, but he still complained of the mode of raising the money, namely, by burdening the Orphan's Fund. Accounts ordered. Sir H. PANNEL brought forward his motion fur cer tain Civil List Accounts. He considered the expence of the Civil Government of these kind to be little leas titan 9.000,0001. a year, made ap by grants (ions Parlia ment, the Fee Fund, dec. He should therefore acquire accounts of the produce of the Fee Faim Office, Ike.; of the Revenue and other emoluments of the Duchy of Lancaster; and of the several additions made to the Civil List during the late reign, mid of the charges taken away (ruin such fund. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, that many of these accounts were itnnece•Nary, as most of the intormaiion was already before the House. As to the report of 1816, he thought there could be no objec tion to re-print it. (Hear!) The accounts being mine• cessary, lie should move the previous question. Mr.TIERNEY was satisfied that the papers, or some such documents were requisite; but, even if the question were waivea, he begged to be understood not to give up his right to have papers on the subject. Mr. CALCRAFI' rata Sir H. Parnell observed, that if the motion were abandoned, it was on the understanding, that the report should be re-printed.—(Hear I) Previous question carried, and the report of 1816 was afterwards ordered to be re-printed; Mr. Tierney hav ing remarked, that wind he wanted to know was, what bad happened lance 1815 and 1816. Mr. I'ALCRAFT (for Sir J. Newport) obtained leave to bring in a bill to regulate the office of Clerk of the Peace in Ireland. Mr. HUME brought forward his motion, also for Ac counts illustrative of the state of the Civil List, He re quired the sass Iota• for previous years. bat be wished to haves!! the items for the last year. The House knew that many sunss ceased to be paid out of the Civil Lest, about 600.0001.; hut it would be impossible to utiderstand the sub. ject without having the items of the Bth desi g ned the details of the occasional class. The informatiun he required WU no where to be obtained without immenselabour; he there fore thought there could be no arch objection urged to his motion us had been made against the previous proposition. He courted d with moving fur a series of accounts of the amount in total paid on each class since 1815, of the c.o. tingenciea, Ate. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that the Ai counts were ordered to be laid regularly berme Par liaosem, by Art of Parliansent ; if each direction had not been complied with. let the instance be pointed out. Ile concluded with muviug the previous question. Mr. HUME hoped that the House would assist him in collie; for these accounts, and nut suffer his motion to be thus met. Mr. HUSKISSON said, it was a new doctrine to hold, that the Hoax Vials retitled to accounts regarding the Civil List, whenever they were called fur. Mr. Fox had held that the Hoare ought not to call fur detailed act omits regarding the Civil List. except a here the Crown caine for a „,,ta g ag e to the Civil Lisc,—(Hear, from the opposition benches.) All the intormalion required could be obtained from the estimate of she preceding year; nod therefore why should the lutetium be acquiesced in to gratify the curiosity of aay lion. Member, of how much might have been paid for wine, ur its the Lord Chamberlain's department.— (dear, hear.) Mr. TIER NEY said this speech was must extraordinary. It was argued, as if a Civil LIN exit.ted, whereas the "maims was, how to makes Civil List; and the *hole wits now to be begun de NOW . Iteeides, in proportion to the imielicrey of agitatitig the subject a hen " ritually arranged." the more incumbeut 1111411 i it ins them to enquire now. Some thought that all the money granted had not been expended; at all events th. y taught to know whether too much or too little had been granted. Wheel the bum had beets perniastently arranged, then it %mild be indelicate to euterfere; but now when they were its agitation, surely it became them to enquire. Lord J. ItUYSELL thoiti;ht the motion extremity fair.— To refine the Art unlit, 'lie present distressed slate of the people, %oak, hr u.iiig the country extremely ill, and err tamly vay that a Report was ma . * iii 1815 or 1816, was Cot suds a.. afoot.. fn ll.' how hi the noose ought to receive. Tile gallery w .s IM a eleared foe a division.—Some discus sion look place oine swinger, st era r %chided. Nu division took plare, anti whets stranger, were rt-admitted, Lord N111:1 ON wto r lII' tic that every tittle of evidence sh. a shl he refused when tiles, were culled up to arrange the Civil Lint at the commencement of a new trip,. Swinger. were again ordered to withdraw for a division. The numbers were—Ayer 6.o—Noes 113—Majority tit 53 against the iniitiou. Alf. HUM E. on our re-entesing the gallery, w... urging Iris stem lion file Papers respecting the l still List, con tending that she detii.lt of she lust year were moo heir to be found. Ht r listed with 000 sing fur other l'aper,, w hurls %err severally et fused by negativing she mitt , the Chan editor of the Exchequer 1111 l wing " the pr. %PM' QSSeSISSISS• " Mr. lIUML unit moved f. r Aerould of ills Sl:ij..slo, Reserved Heves, .e, sit SeotlantL &c. considered t 111111..11.11i 10 a r.gut adjudi.all4.ll Civil List. The Nit e.sties %sere .ppiied U. pri.,•oll: port Minister,' influence, and to ell .her them 111 e. I Mill Members of t..at iluuse.—( Hear, near !)—lle should silo se ma account to suck purport, iu a few days, as an answer to THE NATIONAL REGISTER. the cheers of some Hon. Members.—(No cheers.)—lle con cluded with moving for the Account of the Hereditary Revessues,dic. Mr. RICARDO seconded the motion. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER again moved the previous question. Motion ne4ntived. Mr. HUME moved for Account, iif the Items constituting Miscellaneous Services, Pensions, &r.—Motion negatived. Mr. HUME gave notice, that to-morrow he should move fur account*, respecting the Revenue. of Gibraltar. The Bill declaring the Insolvessi Debtors' Act to be in force was brought its and read u first time—second time to- morrow. Some further Accounts having been ordered, and the re mainhig Orders disposed of, the Moose adjourned. THURSDAY, MAY 4. Mr. Coke and several ohm Members took the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and their seats. The SPEAKER said, that a misunderstanding bad arisen amongst the Agents of the House engaged in the private business. They had imagined that the business of last Session was to be re-taker up where it had been left at the dissolut:ou of the last Parliament ; wb it was only intended that the parties, to save expense, should have the benefit of all the evidence previously received. The misunderstanding, however, had produced such in convenience that fresh time was required for the receiv ing of private petitions ; the time was afterwards en larged from to-morrow till to-morrow week. Mr. S. WHITBREAD presented a Petition from the Watermen of the Middlesex side of the Thames, com plaining of the state of London Bridge Sir W. CURTIS denied that the Bridge was in the dangerous stale which had heen represented, and added that inquiry ought to be instituted. Mr. Alderman WOOD said that he did not expect any thing effectual from the Hco. Baronet, but he thought some of the parties who had presented petitions complain ing of the state of London Bridge, ought to move for a Co Itee. The petition was received and ordered to lie on the table. The Drury-lane Theatre Acts Amendment Bill was brought in by Mr. Calcraft, and read a first time. WOOL TRADE. Mr. WILSON prevented a petition from the nsannfac facturers, &c. resident in London, on the subject of the Wool mole. While the tax continued, he considered it as a bounty given to foreigners. He implored the Mi nisters to reconsider the wool-tax, and to repeal it before the distress of the trade would render such a proceeding wholly unnecessary. Mr. BARING also begged the Government to re-con. eider a tax which affected the oldest ntanisfacture of the country. It had been hastily imposed, arid merely to in duce certain gentlemen to acquiesce more readily in par. beater doges. If it continued, he was qu.te ante that the English manufacturer could not meet the foreign trader. It would most materially affect the existence of the trade. He would take this opportunity to state, that on Monday next he should present a Petition from Merchants of London, on the subject of the restriction on trade and comuue►ee in general. Mr. WILSON said he bad no intention to move for a Committee out the subject, as that might oc:upy the whole year ; but lie intruded to follow np his minion by moving that Counsel be heard at the Bar on the abject. The Petition read, and ordered to he ;tinted. Mr. DENNISON gave notice on Tuesday next he should move for leave to bring in a Bill b enable Land lords snore easily to recover the possessios of Lands held from them by their Tenants. Sir M. W. RIDLEY presented a Petitim from Protes tant Dissenters of Newcastle-isponayue,praylog fur an alteration of the Marriage Act, Mr. Sheriff Bothwell presented a Petitim for enlarging the New Post Office Act, to enable more money to be raised. Sergeant ONSLOW protested against my money being raised by Coal Duty fur any such purpose Mr. R. GORDON spoke to a similar elect, observing, that 238,0001. bad been expended without a single brick being yet laid. lite first estimate of Wt whole expense did not exceed 200,0001. Mr. Alderman WOOD said, the course to be pursued was to refer it to • Committee. The alvantage of the new of f ice would benefit the whole county, not London alone. So long as the duty continued, be Corporation of Loudon alone paid 12,0001. a year. The LORD ADVOCATE moved for fie report of that office on the sixth report of the Commissiiners regarding. the utility of continuing a fourth Baron of the Excite quer in Scotland. He observed that the office had been tilled on the recommendation of Commissioners Adams, Shepherd, &c. hlr. ABERCROMIIY lamented that the Crown had been so ill advised as to fill up this office, when the House had stated that the office might be dispensed with. After remarks from Sir J. Newport and Mr. Huskissou, the motion was agreed to. Dr. PHILLIMORE moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend the Mai riage Acts, again remarking on the de nciencies of the law as it now stood, the proposed bill being sunilar to what bad already passed the House. — Motion agreed to. CROWN REVENUES. Mr. HUME rose to move for the accounts of the Reve nue of Gibraltar. It had been said, that the House had no right to interfere here—but in reply, it had only to state, that those for 1794, 3,6, 7, and 8, had been ordered, and laid before the House. But the most important por tion of the subject was, the principle on which the money had been raised ; fur he contended that his Majesty had no right to impose any duties on ally portion of the sub jects, in any colony whatever. In (our years 20,0001 bad been raised by the Crown for duties in Gibraltar, ' and appropriated to its own use. He submitted that it was interfering with the privileges of that House to im pose sin+ duties. It was said that the duties were im posed and appropriated, according to immemorial usage, out that he denied to be the ease, founding such opinion on Queen Anne's declaration In 1705, to encourage set they, in Gibraltar. 'flee taxes now imposed were of a heavy and disgraceful nature. After encouraging all 4.14:44.11, of whatever religion, particular duties were un- F used ux Catholics stud Jews waking wills, as well as a CA1.11.01011 TAX Of Id dollars ass each Jew and Catholic— t that e‘hdtd no where but in Turkey. He denied Site t ight of the ministers, above all of Governor Doe, ru impose any taxes but the latter had laid on many n ew fortaxes; instance 91 1. a year for cash wine and sp it it 147 house, taxes on billard tables, besides public lotteries.— Whether all these stems were seat house be knew not; but they were raised to be sent home to the Ring's privy purse•. Thus the Sovereign exercised a power of raising money for his own private use. As to the economy of the place, lie mentioned that in war there was one Town. Major, now there were two; in war, there were two Barrack Masters, uow there were three' and so on.-- Supposing the money was raised for the public service. it ought to be carried to the public accounts, and cot to the privy purse. If they were Crown Revenues, he con sidered them to have bee.. virtually given by the first of Geo. 111., which re-settled the Civil List. Far too murk was raised, consideriog the smallness of the place ; and while a million was voted for she building of churches•— ■ vote which he deemed unnecessary—he regretted that more attention was not paid to the religious establial,• menu, schools, &c. of Gibraltar. He concluded with moving for returns of the duties raised ia Gibraltar in 18110 and 1818; of the number and nature of the °Meta in the Garrison Establishment; of the total amount et seventies and how disposed of, &c. Mr. HOBHOUSE seconded the motion. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER lamtnted that the Hon. Member had deemed it necessary to go into such detail, enlarging on the general governmeolof Gib raltar. He should move an Amendment for a general ac cone: for the produce during a series of years—au ac count that might soon be produced. Sir J. M'INTOSH thought the Rights of the Garrison had nut been treated with that cousideration to which they were entitled. He hoped the auleudnient would be accepted for the present. Mr. HUME's two first papers were ordered, and the third was altered as suggested by lb° Chancellor of the Eiehequer and agreed to. The remaining orders having been disposed of, the House adjourned. Isnlnalt ! KAY 5. Leave was given to bring in a Bill to light the City of Norwich with Gas. Mr. M. A. TAYLOR brought ins Bill to punish cri minally persons found guilt) of the negligent driving of stage coaches.—Read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Monday nest. The Conisnittee of Supply was postponed to Monday neat. The House went Into a Committee ou the Insolvent Debtors' Act Continuance Bill. The blanks were filled up, and the Report ordered to be received on Monday. Mr. W. SMITH moved fo'r Returns of all Extents in Aid issued since January MR.—Ordered. REVENUES OF THE CROWN. . Mr. BROUGHAM rose to britTg forward his motion on the subject of the Revenues of the Crown and the Civil List. The motion had not been sought by hint ; be felt pledged by what passed In 1812 to bring the subject be fore the House, in the event of Ministers, on George 111.11 death, not doing so. In bringing it forward, he did not contemplate any degradation of the Crown, or of the means by which its dignity was supported. 'These were not times to tamper with such subjects ; but he desired not the support of any mate who was nut convinced of the expediency, as well as safety, of his motion. It was accooding to precedent, and euolornsed to principle. It kept within the strict lines of those priuciples which bad been previously recognized; and he submitted that be should be able to show that it would support the dignity of the Crown, and advance its security. He deemed further prelim. unnecessary. As to the King's property and revenue, is was so unquestionable principle of the Constitution, admitted by the ablest writes., that the Sovereign of Eagland was incapable of holding any sepa. rate property. He was prepared to prove this at length, alit were deemed necessary; but the principle, he would take it for granted, was not to be disputed. It was esta blished by the case of the Duchy of Lancaster, and by a celebrated cause that arose regarding certain old stores, reported by Lord Coke, where it was disputed bow those stores could be granted. whether by the Kings sign ma nual or otherwise. Lord Clarendon also detailed a simi lar case. It arose in those times when there were pro. ceedbig most important disputes between the Commons and the Crown. It was then held to be an unnatural doctrine to hold. that the King could have any stuns than did not pass through the customary channels, and were not accounted for in the usual way. Lord Clarendon declared, that, if a contrary doctrine were held and acted upon, the King might live to repent the day when be lie teased to such principles. That doctrine was long held— till Mr. Pitt attacked it, and he was the first to attack the principle, by the 39th of George 111. Then it was este. Wished that the King could have separate property, by which the Monarch might get together resources sufficient to defeat even the voles of Parliatuent.—Further, the King was enabled to hold copyholds, and of the subject too; and yet those who supported this doctrine also talked of upholding the dignity and lustre of the Crowns (Hear, hear!)—The Constitution recognized no such principle.—W hat constituted the Crown Revenues wire originally granted to enable the Sovereign to catty on the Government, and were devoted to the payment of officers, &c. lie had to admit that a great change bad taken plate in the anode of managing the money concerns of the Government—the Parliament paying fur all those se' - vices of defence, &c. which were usually defrayed by the Crown Revenues, I)roits, &c. without wholly apptoirri ating the revenues,the Crown having nevertheless received upwards of 13,000,0001. during the last reign. Nor had such changes been confined to the Crown. The 'yaws possessed by the Church were burdened with the ma !I• tenance of the poor till the reigns of Alary, Elizabeth, and Edward. Here was an analogous case. The Chinch had tyt;tes and maintained the poor; the Crown had re venues, but they were burdened with expenditure. A bargain was made with the church ; they. retained the tythes, but were deemed lay.propto ty chargeable with the poor like other property. Let a similar proceeding be adopted regarding the Crown revenues. As it was. nu one knew what the King's Income was. They knew the amount of the King of France's—ol the Pi esident's—of the Stadtholder's, &c.;—but the greatest adept could not lied the exact amount of the King of Eii4l.littl's ism 'Phis exposed the Crown to misrepresentation, .ranges outs misrepresentation.—Mr. Paine, for instance, on his book declared, that the King of .1.:.104,111 cost the country be tween 13 and 90d,0001. per 11111i111.1; C'tfSC butt strung manner, that he could got nil able h Min to do it fur 5001. a year. (A taii4li.)—Tins oos the n consequence of the jumblieg that now took place is the ( /'or )