The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1810-06-14 00:00:00

tad that our bit& has been saliptirteti by ftn ad. heroisce to th os e Orders. or that our trade has only been carried on in consequence of a depart dre from them. The system could only be justified upou one or two grounds; bringing the enemy to Mau the steiseres with respect to commerce. wliseli it was our object to induce him to deport front, and in the next place to prevent the navigatiou of Ame rica from carrying away the trade qi this country. With regard to the first point. the system we adopted has been completely ineffectual—the system has completely failed-4t has not had the altect of inducing the enemy to repeal his De crobs—he has not shewa any diapwition to repeal them—you have yourselves. in order to supply the wititA of that country, been obliged to connive at the evasion. or rather the violation of his Decrees and your Orders in Cooped. With respect to the navigation of America. was it not plain Viet no • trade could he carried on except by a flag that wits neutral.—The only neutral power in the world was America. What has been the consequence of your system? The consequence has he en, that the trade with which jots could not dispense, has been carried on tinier other nags, bringing to European powers, subject to the dominion of Bonaparte , that trade, ant furnishing those powers with the means.of esta blishing n marine. Lnokiog to the conduct of that great political and military genius the effect seems to correspond with a deep-laid design. We seem to have given effect to his object. American naviga tion could not be dangerous to us. American sea. men could not navigate the ships of the enemy.— They might be serviceable to our ott ti, by their em • ployment in British ships, undet the prospect of being likely at some tune to return to their o wn country. The truly quietism would hare been a , question of profit and lose; but by the effect of ex ( eluding America, we have transferred the trade to • a foreign dig, carried on by foreign European sea. taco, who are liable at any time to be called upon by Bniipiarte. You have therefore given him that which he must want, when he talks of ships, colonies. and commence. You hate given him a nursery for seamen. Front the papers which have been produced heron Parliament, it appears, that, from the years 1807 to into, the effect of the system to which I am referring has been this—that in 1607 the number of British seamen employed in that trade was 42:000. and foreign seamen 46 000, that in tsOn they were reduced one-hulf, but were afterwards again increased." [Here the Noble Lord stated the substance of the accounts which had berm laid before the House, by which it appeared, that;, by the operation Ok the Orders in Couocd. the number of British seamen employed in the Amen can trade had diminished 8000, while the number of fore:go seamen had increased 12,000 beyond what they were before.) He dean proceeded: d• flow, I *mild avlc, are these men employed ? They are employed in the instigation of the setts of Europe ; in the aarigation of your own coasts ; on roar own shores. You are thus rearing this force as panders to the ambition of your enemy, whe is plotting your oats destruction. Thus much I say as to the effect to be produced upon yoar naval power; but the evil does net stop here. This trade is carried on by licenses—it is conseqnently earned on under the (matron% of the executive alithority—u system inconsistent with the trite principles of a free Go. vernment ; far what can he a more fatal source of influence i What can he more dangerous thsn s power yeSterl in the Government to withhold or permit the means of engaging in commercial speeus latioas ? Batt perhaps I may betted, that this lins not been done. I have heard of instance. which induce me to believe it has ; but seeing its obvious tendency is to undermine the Ise.t interests of the coantry—that it is inconsistent with the principles upon which the commerce of the country is esta blished ; and thotit is inconsistent with the spirit of the constitution itself-4 therefore protest against sires a &ageism* power being tested in the hands elf* Majesty s Much more might be said, bat I hasten to other subject*. I hare no eked the impolitic condurt of Hia Majesty's Mi nisters with respect to th.• war. • I have *hewn, that instead of saving the resources of the country, they have squandered them, not only without advantage, but with very great loss. If we look to the domestic policy of the country. we shall And my little • - cause for approbstion—The first object to which we would natorally direct rior attention. would hp the means of providing for the extraordinary expenditure. now rendered absolutely necessary.— We had e debate on this subject the other night, when too of my Noble Friends urged the inspoliey of the system of finance adopted by Nis Majesty's Ministers. They pointed nut, by reference to the kat three years, the improvident system of expen diture. which bad eareeiled. by eight or ten mil lions anise illy. the limited scale of expense of the last Administration, who were reviled for their sordid economy. which it waa said. was set de. sportive to the country. and so little consistent with the permanent objects or its prosperity. In the drat year of tht war, the Minister. who had the dirention of the finances. proposed a plan, by which the ex penses of the year sere to be provided for within the year. and he charged the loan upon she war times. lie, however, directed other parts of the plan •.• accompany the principaL lie availed hinasilf of the tnevuares of his predecessors. thon.th he did the cookitry service by not followinc gn thpir 'us. L l ' the following year we fiatiod the means and re sources of the year raised by a of expedient'. In the first place, by the reco.nmemlianon of the Committee of Finance, that • certain sum, b-loust in; to the fund tor reducing the national debt should be appro . ',rioted. That mia'st have been •nprnpristed without • Coiniuutter ; bait, h o w ever . we are indebted to the Coartazt.ttee of Fin•uce fo: that plait." Effete the Noble Lord enttred into wartety of tist.aocial Calculation•. Woody.' menu the document* ■od accounts (aid 117.0 n the twl,b, tending to 'thew that the financial arringenit lit. of the ',resent Miniatera were defectire. and were calcalited to in.-cease the di which the finances of the coontry laiwoured.l— et %m le length dwelt unon thi. topic. he ad•ted. « 11v Loofa. taking theories , of the s i .h jet t. i* It not hccermary f..r yin to 'rive a check to %had couriie and ►stein of tin Incroshich hare ininovenali klint illeerMlify to take a review d.Aleni , in of the .itisation in which they hair pied the country. nail to prorate a permanent ernem of finance? The neat thing to which I would all your LerilViips' attcouuti. 141 a salient of nu . . . 1 ). lasi Olt fuitude thin any tattle farmer sinios to I have adverted. It is to tlik present state of your eircalstion. I *es dna of that Colntditter trho.re coined indeel the stoppage of the Bank—l can ;ire it no other name. I wasene of the Committee who advised what was called the restro.tion on the Bank with regard to their psyinetit in specie. I test glibly differed from the majority of the Colo mine •on that subject. I thought. niovritleitandisig all that was stated with respect to the difficult si tuation in which the Bank was placed, that they ought to have aubanitteal to any extremity. rather than have proceeded to the adoption of a inerasaire so stove' in this country. anal so entirely inconsistp eat with its security. The Commuter, however. were of a different opinioo ; and the proposition of the Committee was adopted by a resolution of the House. Upon that occasion. I dill .argue against the danger of a paper circulation—l pointed out the depreciation to which that paper might be liable, and the difficulties of resorting to the old system again. My arguments were not fol lowed ; hut this I may say, that the restriction was originally adopted merely as a temporary meathre. If anyone at the time had talked of its being coati. nued for three or four years, he would have alarmed the whole country ; but what has been the fact It has now continued for thirtren years, and within that interval during one year of peace; and I do not find that at the present period any thing has been done by His Majesty's Aliiii-tern, with a view to au arrangement for putting ins cud to that system of circulation, which Mimi at lirst uuly introduced on the ground that it was not intruded to be per momenta In another House of Parliament • Com. mittee has been appointed, and we were taught to trust to the labours of that Committee. I own that, to the knowledge and cultisms of the per sons composing that Coinmittce, I did tru s t w ith confidence ; but we cannot be so blind to our present situation, as not to see and be con vinced, that by any thing which has been done by that Committees uo benefit whatever has been produced to the country—sithat, on the ontrary, the paper-money has not wily been consider ably depreciated, but that its cirrulatioti . has beec felt with respect to foreign commissions, and the relations of our foreign trade. We have heard it stated, that even the operations of war leave been crippled by this system of waking our pay ments io paper instead of in specie. 1 has is a sub ject to which the contideration of Parliament might to be speedily and seriously directed. What the remsdi!s are. it may not be so easy to say ; hot I have n i hesitation in *toting my opinion, that you ought now, without delay, to look to the wean. of providing, within such time as it may be done, witboat incoavenieuce or danger to the country, for bringi ig back the country his that system which is alone consistent with free circulation, and without' which trade cut iiiii t be Weals the syss trio •.r paiug notes on demand its rush. Tibia then is also • siilect to which 1 shall have the honour of proposing to tall the serious attentiou of His Majesty's Missiaters.—There are other matters of considerable importance c iiiiii echial sills our situ ation— ['lsere is see subject yarticidarly which bias recently been brought mole, the coa.,.teratitin of this Hon.., i• it is a oulliest, the des isom, with re spect to which. I cannot too &nil% deplore—l du indeed regret what I must call the unfortunate de claims of that day need lordly •ay that I to the questiosi of the state of the ltnuwu Calluilits. I will riot return to the topics of a dt bate which has to I stely taken place, but I nin.t rein is k. that if you would preserve thiscouutry from slur dangers which surround it—if you would preserve it lima the meditated attack by which it is threatened—you most do so by mooing all claws of people i.s its defence. It was argued by the Noble Lord in the blue ribband a that France. in possession of Spain and Portugal, would possess forts and whits from which Ireland could easily be attacktd—lt is with a view to fortify Ireland against the danger with whit h she is threatesed. that I wish you to induce the I:itemises to unite in the same commit, cause with you—lt is true. I fear, that France will possess. and shortly too. a Moats's' from which the moot formidable at tack may be directed against the shores of Ireland—hefore it be too late, prepare that defence. which will be mooch more effectual than any other. tiro ire to yourselves that strong and impregnable <Weiser, which is only to he found in the united hearts of the proille—(Hear, hear. krar.l Of your success in ets.stilig the enemy. there will then not be &doubt. I do hope, that notwithstanding the decision the other night, the House will again direct its attention to the subject. I am far from thinking tit it this alone will quiet the minds of the Catholics. I visa. that. by a 'angle Act of Parliament. after are hundred years of us. just persecution. all subject of camplaiiit and die. affection might he removed. lam afra:d, that only to entertain the question of Catholic t:innucipation would not be effectual, hut still it would be a something gained, it would he a point Gout which we might take our beginning. Futon die munieiet what the Catholics desire is accomplished. peace, and renovated hopes. null strength. with respect to other circumstances of domestic po!iroy. which the situation of the country requires. will soon reward us. lam persuaded. that instead of Ireland b.ing the weal:sat point. it would be the in-ist secure part of the dominion, and not only for but would furnish you sith the mews- , of supporting the war. To these points. therefore, I wish to call your serious attentiom I have inferred. that the conduct of Hi. Majest y 's Ministers hat been widely different fruits that which the situation of the country. and the circumstances u:ider which it . it pitier.f. required, by not attending to the star ing and just 'wouldn't' of the people. sad by not adapting • tunely lustros or reform, not mere ly. in 'natters of expenditure. but with respect to those corruptions wliich have been the effect of tune. I have smell to nn the expense that is in curred in the financial measures. and. 11111lItIllbirdiV. it is by brisigiog those wrist branches of the puldis orrvacr within such limys as are consistent with public satety, that any great sawing can be expect ed. In the situation like the one under which we are planed. much may be done by the reduc tion of useless sod unnecessary offices, anti Iry the. limitation of offices of • description tor which tintsbediate servicrs are annexed, but not so as Ito ruterfere with offices which •re growled us • re ward (or s-races before reudrred. Much remains, mud ought to be done. to satisfy the public, and insitei Breit( spied that i &Luce *hick hp in. eteased beyond its proper limits. It is is it to be dewed, that, under the circumstances of Cie coun try, coloidesuble sayings may be made. without inconveniesier to the public. W h atever can be dime, a stli propriety , ought to *be dour. without delay ; but I wish to state this matter quite fairly. ant not uue of those who will flatter the people, by staying. that every office a this kind should be swept away. I am ready to aslant. that the whole amount of Facings, as Compared with the national expense. would not be considerable. I Will go fur ther; twill tultuit the necessity of rush funds tieing pieced at the disposal Of the Crow is, as the means of rewarding public serviees. What would be the ef fect of a contrite,. policy ? I am ashatued to trouble you With a word upon that subject. Can it, 1 ask you, be useful or advantageous to the pnblic ? Can it be economy, consistent with istudeure, to exclude from the services of *hesitate all sum hut those who enjoy large fortunes. and who, generally speaking, are not the best calculate I so serve the public ? Select any period you will is the history of the country. of its greatest glory. attd .l will phew you that the inOst disitingnished persons who we'e at the head of public affairs, were persons who had risen from obscurity by the exertion of their own istleuts--The people atlas con I IT have never looked with envy tit those high honours whin are the reward of merit—who visits the riches and splendours of Blenheim with sentiailists of envy towards the possessor of them ? To deprive the Crowe of rewording merit, would confine the los session of public situations of trust to persons of large fortunes originally, who are not always best qiinliiied, or to desperate adventurers, wbo • have nothing to lose, and who would seek to remunerate themselves at the expense of the peblic. These are the_ principles upon which I say we should proceed—a contrary system would neither be dictated by policy nor good sense. It would expose the country to the ridicule of the world. I would preserve a necessary fund at the disposal of the Crown. to enable the Crown in reward past services. I only think it ought to he limited with regard to its objects, and should guard against abuses by necessary restrictions. These the interests of the public require. The public feelings require such a reform as I have described, and though I would not advise you to yield to an unreasonable clamour, yet when the pulcic burden% press so heavy, you ought to consult their ease, and look to this subject as well as to others which may he of mere importance: it will be a se eful economy, mid will have she effect of Allaying that disposition to complaint whith is IQ general. lia that point of view, its ailvautares would be ii.calculable.— There is ',nether subject to which I would also cdl the Retention of the Home. 1 am not die. posed to complain of the exercise of a certain in fluence, possessed by die Minister( of the Crown; I know that. all that could be urged wt old fail to convince you, that, to • certain degree. it ought not to exist. I would state, however, that it ought to be limited within certain boned*, in seder to pro dace the advantage to he derived from the exiirise it. 1 certainly think that the influence of the Crown, of bite years, has increased. We recently had • discussion . upon the subject of reversions. when it was contended, by a Noble Vi -count. that the inflitence of the Crown had not i Isere seed. and he founded Ire opinion upon an able pamphlet, writ. ten by • Meitiber of the oiler (louse; that opinion, I resided, mod my reflections have since confirmed it. To trouble you with the details, I should be most unwillusg; but is it possible to Imagine or contend that our annual expenditure. which has increased fiso4 sistecit to eighty-fire minimills—our inereassd estahlishia-its_-.the present extent or pawner. infousequence of our colimial pieemaisious, and the exiension of our power and dominion in India, with the nicrease of *entente, and the addition of an army of officers of revenue—ia it possible.' (vomiter tog these tiiinga. for any one to say that the influ ence of the Crown has not increased to extent formerly unknown ?—Such is my opinion, and, therefore,in addition to other motives of economy, I say there is the strong and argent motive of se curing the people agssinst that influence, which. if it can be diminished. ought to be diminished—l maintain, therefore. that, upon all these grooms's, it is requisite that this House and the other !louse of Parliament should look seriously to the state of the influence and patronage of thvCrown, and that every rejection which eon be 'Tiede ought to be speedily attended to--It is my a ith that all matters of this kind should be taken up on a systematic view of the subjset. I do regret as)aelr that the Ministers have not formed a system suited to the exigencies of the tunes, and that these matters have not berm recommended to the attimtvis of your We hair no this, as in every other instance, to la ment that fatal trolley, that blind infatuation, which has not only neglected to take into consicieration every practicable mode of adapting a remedy to the exigencies of the times, and to relieve the people from expense and initatson. by consulting their interests, bat has induced His Mejeety's Mi nisters to oppose every proposition which has beeu brought &mull with that view. Not only have places been profusely conferred, but, a s ilath an intent of insulting and irritating the people, and of reducing them to despair, an office of great public trust has been given, where there was 110 claim by prior public service. It is none. cessary to allude more particularly to the person I mean. for I am sore your Lordships will agree with me. that tie object of Ministers favour had no claim which his public services could justify. Hie services were precisely of that description a hich are the strongest argument against the extension of patronage ; I mean services performed in Paelie moot at the expense of the prople.—(llree.) There is in every part of the conduct of tits Majesty's M tees *When it to call upon this Muse for their condemnation. Idsving stated thi-, I think our ditty ought sot to stop here. I lime spoken only of that ecossomical reform which coiling. in the reduction of places that arc nut places oft IS.:ient service.— But I hare no be-station in sating, that you ought to go further. to. are in the situation of bring called upon to look tutu those other defects, which. by the lapse of tun-, have impairer! the Constitii tion ; and, by • temporary and judicious reform. restore the chacimer of the Government to what it was, and eststilish it on the principles of the Con stitut.on. This is a snhject nn wish I should not wish to propose any thing, without great mire and &liberate eirenmspectlan. eelt„',,j,, sl r. s dtPelll:riod of t I ; Y e din ei n I d t l g a l I. ttoPpneu‘ti:lkit6oeuillir::gtline;lll.:::::::::t;ul:‘iN:ei.,(l,::lti:c.e.ll):ll.l:ll:l,r'i'l:',s.l.. Lion. I will not trey that throe s ear nu t h ai r • some differen4 ef ojiiiiilet with resin et to ro c - iiients now and at the but the general opinions L then formed, h at , iint '" a ' uvulae age changed. There miry he mime sha.lr, of difference in the course of so mow rare--it is ire possible to ism .20 years of one's I,:e, Ord err tS r same subjects precisely in thoms , ne Nom of toss , Though I sin disposed to estimate more eau!ior and soberly than 'formerly did t h e principles o f the Constitutiou ; I may not contemplate them iu such strong colours as I did at the period to which Ism referring; I may he more dou bi foi I in my exp telatiun as to the means of obtai ii ii g reform ; but still, ultw as serious and dispassionate considtration a. l 0 , 1 , give to aunt I believe the most important ci.stics that can occupy yonr Lordships attention, it i, my comicientious opinion, that mach good si.uld result from a system of sermon, a hick should applied to such defects as have arisen in the Cur, stitution by the lapse of time; lout that such ti. form should be marked cad dittoed by the Co i ,. stitution itself, and should not go to the length for which extravagant visionaries are eunteudicg with respect to the reform of another Hou cf Parliament. I hardly know what to propose, hollowly as it rests on its lockmiwksleed lions, and on the alums that have rendered it a harrier for the people against the incooachinew, of power. DM as 11011111 K can be dote on nit subject without the concurrence of all the broilith o of the Legislature, and as that which concerns sue branch of the Legislature concerns us all, it 1 , 02 , poriant the sentiments of suds an individual as my. self should not be misrepresented. I sin reads to declare that the opinion I have before expressed,' abide by. To teinprrate dtliberatioss, amid rho adoptinti of such meliorates of Kerma' as night In applied to correct in the House of Comititse• apparent defects which give most 'caudal to the pub. lie. To such a reform 1 continue friendly—to wi Reform I shall, whenever circuinstacces admit, In ready to give my best moistener.- ; but W.en I *.ite this, I beg also to state, that I never sill projaw other reform, on the ground of throne. or t o : i h h r e nb ia t s l l lU o s i t r' :;: l o w r l : a ry . i i o ° ,e f n i . r n e c r i h rir n t ln i e l l n ,:kO r t hu l t d : ( I I a t : i c t a t l o rr:V P ill rep td e y l t i l l:r ttered the Constitution. I di.epprove of all those .c.J theories in which,* many mess are reedy to It nem new opinion, as I will she* you. It ha. 4—, formerly objected to dais Corratittitton, that !wrist-tides were isekaowri—that the teuhl tad 'at room' in any written code, and therefore did 1... t exist-1 have learnt front' the and by !Mending to the seotineute of tle.w men, who shall same rw mow,. talents we shall always acknowledge, din hue uf, jeetioN to which I have Oft now seferrul. to the greatest petfectiou of our Conditution. h h folly and presumption of the present aye. op a contrary opinion ; and we are ova told, IL what is not written law is tot w the Cru. - itioct We are referred to the statute-book, rent it. t , - asrercd by all that opposition to the Powers or vermeil!, which once threw this cowiitrs stair of anarchy, and nearly subjected it to au us. Weary power. Such would havr lack the aut. butt that the en, rgy of the Couto Ouiion 0 it, and settled it upon the Writ of that Isms sou of power which had been found to gite oat effect to its principles-1 refer to our of Ilium. to whom 1 wav instructed and informs el iu the .1.4 part of my iire—l mess Mr. rox.--1 frill.ut lc,. get the frequent debates is which I hate lueu..l that great wan speak upon this lattice!. 11 .. his political creed there was one arikle on at..i, he reNed more than another, it was. that systems were practical. be would aloes' theta from theories. 1 remember in one discue.re in which he was arguing on this poigit, said, thut if the wised, ablest, sod moat tiliwya set of meta thtt ever existed in any cunotry. 11. 1 e placed rotund a table, in order to (win, a priori, 4 constitution for a state. they would not be able to form a system adapted to the purposes for it was required, without great alterations lora tice. and without great deviations from the ori g ni.l plant and this he exemplified by 31 fauilhar a;!1 apt alleision. He butted. that in the trade .1 building a house, he had scarcely' ever io;;.ei one that was practically cone cultist for the of the owner, but that thvse houses acre the I : .t Ouch had been amended from time to time. I tun now. my Lords, exposed to the same atm. rand centilie limn the erne persons by conduct ass arraigned in the scar 1792. 1 sup t• is cn.iimou with those wish shouts I ;:e:eut Star T. I 4e 3ti"""/7""Pores, accused of the people, because I would not go the length t• wiehed. un h r the appellation of • radical lei• lint my sentiments remain unaltered. and t':e .; sore that was returned by • Noble Loral neat (the Duke of Bedford, we believe, theta 10..1 Miami) to ten Intern from different (Major Carlo right and another), which I t refer to. fully explain what they were at Croat t:itse. and what they are now—*hat were the Obirgli to,t Society (for constitutional purposes) had in •• a ", d , how widely they differed t . from tho. of "" lh.ol.f•ta--filese the Noble 1.t.tl ita • • part of the rorrespondence al to: stated the nil , et of the watery to hr a of the eon:motion. where time had Cilnf , city. but these-awing the opaniun Jolt.: Payne. They washed to reform the Con't in order to preserve ; lint to 'Omen the g fabric under which they enjoyed m . 1 Meat and declined holding % t 7 correspondence with these per.ons• and practices they .a much disat.prove.l4 I • continued the Noble Lord. were my Or 179-2, and they are my opinions it this hour. I were arraigueri by milt. with wheat I th.n •• ed all intercosirse--they are now c :paned • 'tame men with whom 1 disclaim all t orte:it ., Association. Much m they has etiJes‘oured cod tni.renre.rot me. I will n ot he .o unch.? a, to impute the wont motive• to them. I 97 conduct recent publication 4. mud the ell'"" ; 1 . contain. have tilled the public with so runt•.l tatiom Ileac ! hear ! Lea !)--1 oul! • thty Arc Heading in • dang,erowi cour.c.4 • the attaintneut of their object. whether 1,... lion, the crew I:frai bin 'iv row , a I 111 oc !a Off brna tall; OM PI 11$1 rya jusu peel tatm der, mei tbn IiTII atm bet nth