The Express.
London, England, 1847-04-30 00:00:00

IRISH.

In answer to a natation from Mr. W. BROWN,
Mr. LABOUCHERE read an extract of a letter from
Mr. Everett, dated Cambridge (U. S.), March 26, and brought
by Captain Forbes, who took the command of the J
from Boston, and to whom the writer paid • wrlsrriZ
compliment, as wed as to his crew, stating that the wad
had brought in provisions about one half of the amount
raised in Boston, and some villages in New England for the
relief of the Irish. The sum already subscribed had reached
100,000 dollars, and another cargo would shortly follow.
The governmeht of the United States had placed the Juns
town, a vessel of war, at the disposal of the Baton Belief
Committee, and the right hon. gentleman added, the same
government were about to provide another vessel of war, be
bad been informed, for the conveyance of the WIEWINing
provision+ to he purchased by the food which had bees
collected, the Jamestown being now on her way back I.
America. The statement was received with loud cheers.
REVENUE AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTS.

Dr. fiiiiiiiiiiiti;;;;Wp;;;Tilie following reodutiotu,
which he said he would at once read, as they would best
explain themselves.
1. That it appears by official returns which base been laid on the
table of this home, that a sum exceeding 7,000,1001. sterling IA an-
nually 1 upended in the different department. of government, withoat
being paid into her Majesty's exchequer, or subj. eted to ant prelimi-
nary parliamenta .n or motrol. 2. That It appears hy tee
returns ordered tory be printed is the last emsion of parliament, that
gams amounting to 6,131,3841. 140.9,1 A. were deducted by the varies.
revenue detairtmente from their gross receipts, and intercepted
in their programs to the exchequer, for disbursement m ter
said revenue departments, in the year entline the Stia day
of January, 111146. 3. That it appears by the same return,
that in Na said year the stun of 909,6,11. Its. 2d. no
received by maim. departments of °spew/nide, from maths
independent of parliamentary grant., or issues from the ex.
chequer, and that such sum has been or may be expended without
previous parliamentary examination and control. 4. That hr de
temerity of the public navel., and the accuracy, simplicity, and am
plenthem M the public accounts, it to desirable that the gross receipts
of all the departmenta of revenue should be paid into her X=
exchequer. 3. That no department of expenditure should be
I to receive money (roes any quarter other than her Mejestre ester
quer, under parliamentary vote, and that all auto received he
stores, km, fines, or from any other similar thanes, be paid
Into her Majesty's exchequer. 6. That every department et
receipt be required to prevent an annual eetima'r of eatiekdal
expenditure, and that each estimate be submit., ed to the Midi=
and approval of parliament. 7. That, no this house has, by its res.
lutioos of but session, recognised and approved of the mineiple, end
directed it to be adopted in the Crown colosies, that the grow rem
aura should in all came be paid tuba the public ti easury, there to as
suflicient reason for delaythg the application of the same prisciple
the revenues of the United Kingd m ; and that this home creme la
the recommendation made by the Commissioners of Public Atangle
in the year 1831, " that no portion of the public trams. Mode le
arrested on any plea or pretence whatever on its way to the aim
quer; and that no portion of it sboald be issued from the =tomer
without previous parliamentary sanction;' and "that it lately Pik
adoption of this principle that any really efficient and ecespiete me-
tro! earsbe Introduced into the different departments of the peke
entice."
. .

The ground-work of his resolutions was, that the fawner
of receipt and expenditure ought never to be confounded,
and that it was the duty of parliament to see that all tares
reached the exchequer. The non. gentleman went into estate
ment to show that large sums of money had been retained by
various public departments as disbursements, which did not
appear in the public accounts, the net amount being returned
as the revenue of such departments. Ile contended that
such sums ought not to have been so kept back without the
sanction of parliament. Connected with this scheme was the
of a better mode of keeping the public accounts, by seam ef
the Italian, or double-entry system. ThO system was
strongly recommended by the commissioners of 1831, sad
was now generally adopted by. merchant. and buten. Al
order had been issued for its introduction into the deport-
nients of the government, but he found that it wee not Ige
troduced by the Home-office, the Colonial-Ace, the Board of
Control, the Customs, or the stamps and taxes department&
It became the duty of parliament and government totem
their attention to this subject. He we. only asking them to
unction a principle rec,srnised by the hiehest authority, sad
the efficiency of which had been proved.
Mr. W. WI LL IA MS seconded the motion. He looked ups
this question as one of high importance, and he meld Mess
how the government could resist it.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER odd ere
not his wish to controvert the principle laid dowels, dM
commissioners in the report to which the hon. weedrelbr
Bolton referred; but it was found impracticable based
their recommendations into effect. From time to timere
advances had been made in the direction indicated hr
hon. member of simplifying the accounts of the sealeff•
It we. only last year that a great improvement WI Moir
traduced by the right hon. gentleman who peseedsiNO
with respect to a more correct audit of the naval eggshell..
(as was understood). That improvement had heenesimd!
to the army, ordnance, and commissariat departs/di es
he regretted that his time was so taken spies leasse
tenni by other matters, that he was not able te duds mad
attention to the subject generally. (elear,hesz.) Astellele
the appropriations in aid, there was a very great indemsee
for the officers to be careful with respect to the di
__.1111.0
The hon. member for Bolton complained of blilese..
expense under the heads of damps and taxes. Hetdr _
bear in mind, however, the increased revenue esi=ge.
those departments. In 1836, the amount wenll
whereas in 1846 it reached 17,0.10,000 f. ; and dm
' for collecting was in favourer the latter year. WA
the complaint of the hon. member for Coventry be
post-office expenditure, the cause of the inemmee
apparent. (Hear, hear.) If increased accused=
provided for the public, there must necessarily be
expense ; and there was no change which he ore
approved than that with respect to letters. Tbs sr birt
member had stated the cost of the general esilidas
fat
revenue in 184.5 at 131 per cent. In 1846 it was 8. N
I Ile would not enter into minute detail. Agredg
was desirable to introduce improvements in the feeene
department, he contendfd that many of the statemodo.,
were not to be relied upon, and that there could Mayes'
tape in proceeding hastily.
Mr. HUME did not see why the public Mold sistham •
' general account of receipt and expenditure Ali OS
children might understand.
Sir G. CLERK said the object of the hos. Mobli
Bolton was to provide that the entire receipts oder ON
department of revenue should, in the first inseam"
nutted to the Exchequer, and that whatever psysiso
required to be made the money should be Mogi eel=
Exchequer itself. To such a proposal he could ilisri;
assent. The payments were made at premed
I known regulations, and the greater portion oftbge.„...tti
the authority of acts of parliament. The senate
receipt and expenditure desired by the hen. mienlegginor
in substsnee be found in the accounts if thsy gee
examined. jesuss
Mr. F. BARING agreed that in may lig
possible to improve the mode of keeping segesset''''
had no doubt that as opportunities occurred dte given
would give their attention to that subject.
Sir J. GRAHAM could not doubt for a messee eel LI
system of double entry was the proper mode of igriii_l:a
accounts of this country. He had himself been
in introducing that system, and the presentadmiai