The Express.
London, England, 1848-02-19 00:00:00

THE WORMS SATURDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 19, 1848.

can in ray opinion, be purer than the patriotism' of that Doke
of effellington—(hear, bear)—and when I speak of patriotismI
,-
do not mesa that instinctive feeling hieh prompts a man
to love his country Ocoee all others. To the Duke of Wel-
lington'e patriotism there has always been joiued an opinion
which I share most cordially with him, that one of the rea-
sons why it waa most desirable the independence of England
should he maintained was, because that independence was
a guarantee for the and civilisation
of Europe, and of the other countries of the world.
(Hear, hear.) No man, car, is justified or indeed
is able to east blame on the Duke of Wellington, if
he expressed his opinion in e wsy I state it to heve been
conveyed (hear, hear): ands ahould think it quite unneces
airy to defend him, or to refer to the subject of hie letter, if
it had not been that I have the misfortuus in the first place
to differ from some of his opierons ; is. the second place to
have become cognisant et the tact, that not only foreigners,
but also many persons in this country, base mistaken his
views ; and lastly, that however strong his cause may be,he
has always scorned to have recourse to self defence. having
said thus much respecting the Duke of Wellington's letter,
I will now refer to the four different points of view in which
I regard it. With respect to the first supposition that
has been expressed, thst namely of the probability, of
our being iuvolved in a war, which unhappily, notw
standing the existing peace,
is a contingency that no one
can deny the existence of -.—Since the g. eat mace of 1815 we
have had questions with the United States, Russia, Franceman-
,
and other foreign powers, which, if they had not been
aged with the utmost forbearance on both si les, might have
led to a rupture and to a state of war. Even so late as the
year 1844, at a moment when our relations with France
were of the most friendly description, a quedion arose of
the most deeply compromising character to those relations.
Au insult was offered to &civil officer of the British Crown at
a distant station, and some hesitation was displayed by
France in making a reparation for that insult. The
right
t
hen, baronet opposite (Sir R. Peel), who was then Fi
Lord of the Treasury, spoke in this house respecting that
transaction in language which was no only jus
ti-
fiable but necessary ; and yet I hate been
sured by Frensh gentlemen of great judgment and
political knowledge the' the language merle use of by the
right hon. baronet on that OCV.V.IOII had rendered it difficult
for the government of France to tender the necessary repal
-
ration. If that was the case upon the onmien to which
refer, what circumstances might not daily arise to bring
about a similar difficulty, and what a degree of susceptibility
does it not show to exist on the part both of England and
France, which, possessing great strength, are acutely alive
to any occurrence which may tarnish their honour. When
such slight accidents as these arise to threaten the existence
of peace, how little is it in the power of the executive go-
Varnment to foresee the moment at which that peace may
not be disturbed. I cannot, therefore, but admit, that how-
ever tranquil the aspect of our foreign relations may be
there is always a possibility that a rupture may occur:
and when I recollect at r. Pitt, with all
his sagacity, predicted, ithn thMo year 1792, a long
peace, I cannot discover any reason why Englan
is d
the present time ought not to be on the look-out for the
contingency of a war breaking out, nor is it other than im-
posaible for me to foresee the moment at which such an event
may suddenly occur. With regard to the second point
which I adverted to—namely, the, danger of au invasion al-
though I am not one of them who either dr. ad or anticipate
suck an event, yet however improbable it may be deemed,
it is one to be guarded against. During the course of
three hundred veers as any reed Tof history will ri tidily
recollect, these have been, numerous occasions en which in-
vasions of England have been projected and at-
tempted. The elements on more than one of those
occasion have stood our friends, and expeditiens fitted
out with the greatest care and equipped most
completely have teen defeated by adverse winds, and
the armaments intended for our destructioe have been scat-
tered and destroyed. (Hear, hear.) But the science and
skill which have been exercised of late years, since the gene-
ral peace of 1813, hove enabled our oaitors to traverse theses
against the wind and tide, and, in deft nice of the elements,
to conduct a vessel across the seas. Other nations are pos-
sessed of the same advantages; and it is possible
that a hostile force may, under such appliances, be
conducted into our harbours or appear on our coasta.
With regard to the thud point—namely, that pre-
parations for war have been made by foreign nations
and by France in puticular, it must be re collected that of
late years, and since the revolution of 1830, that country has
been governed by a King who is, I believe, a sincere lover
of peace ; notwithstanding that he has during the whole of
his reign, maintained an increased and an increming force.
That increase cannot be said, as in our own case, to be neces-
tectfor the defence of ide colonial poesessio or to pro-
an extended commercial navy, scattered over ns,
the ocean,
and laden with vast riches. Neither the extent of the French
colonies, nor the extent of the commerce of that country, re-
quire such a large increase in her forces as I find to have
taken place within the last few years. In the yearlB33, I find
that the increase in the naval conscription watt 101,000 men.
In 1847 the conscription for the navy was 134,000 men, The
effective force of marines in 1833 was 11,000, and in 1817
it had increased to 20,000. The value of the annual consump-
tion of material increased frnm 610,0001. io 1833 to 820,0001.
in 1847. The number of 'nimbi at sea in 1833 amounted to
1.53, and in 1817 to 216. (Hear, hear.) Of this number,
66 were steamers at sea; the wh to force of steamers in the
French navy being 111. The number of seamen increased
during the same peeled from 16,807 to 29,00, and the ex-
jenditure from 2,280,0001. to 3.902,3201. The amount of
Mores now afloat is 3,000,0001., and the amount in the
French arsenals, and in preparation, are in proportion. But
then, I am told that in the French estimates for the present
year there has been a reduction. It is true that in the naval
estimates there has beer, a reduction or savin: to the amount
of 81,0001. in the wages of seamen, but then there has been an
increase of 112,0001. in stores for the fortifications and dock-
yenta, making altogether this year an increase of 31.0001.,
and no diminution of expense. (Hear, hear.) I have here
another statement respecting the navy of the French, with
which it is not worth while troubling the house, but it shows
the whole sum voted for the army and navy for the year 1849
to be 3,817,1071. Now Ido not allude—and lam sure the
house will hold me right in that respect, to what urty be the
military forces of foreign powers. (Hear, hear ) Ido not
allude to what may be the numbers of the standing army of
France, or Austria, or Prussia, or any other foreign country,
but when I see a great increase in the naval estimates of
another country, then I think the subject requires attention,
and should be placed within the knowledge of this house and
the country. (Hear, hear.) But, sir, there is—of course I
need not say so, for every one has heard the statement—
there is eleven in number of these French steamers which
would carry twelve or fifteen hundred men each, and which
might be prepared for the business of transport in a very
'short time. I come now to the fourth point, which is this,
that while the French force has been thus iitcreased—while
we have been expasal to this danger, which may even ruin
England, all on a sudden destroy our cantles, ~r lead to the
occupation of the capital, there has been uo adequate naval
or military preparation going on on our part. Now I do
g the house to attend to what has heen made a matter of
reproach by some hon. members, and which ought to be a
source of consolation to those who are co fearful that our
forces can never be made sufficiently great. I shall tell both
the inereruse of force we have msde since 1815, or, rather,
I should say, in two particular years. My right hon. friend
the Chancelicr of the Exchequer stated in 1836, that in
one year there was an increase of 6,000 seamen. The right
hon, gentleman opposite, when he came into office in 1845,
further increased the number by 4,500. The e hole increase
in seamen, boys, and marines has been, from 15,500 seamen
in 1835 to 27,500 in 1418, boys to 18,000, and marines from
9,000 to 13,500, making an mienase in all from 26,600 in
1833 to 43,000 in 1848. The army has heirs increased from
100,991 to 138,769, making an increase of 37,778. The ord-
nance has been increased from 8,252 men in 1836 to 14,294,
being an increase of 6,072. So that the whole of our re-
gular force, army, navy, and ordnance, has been increased
from 133 742 mtn in 1835 to 196,063 in 1848. being an in-
crease of 60,321 in that period of time. I have now stated
every item of increase. I think that our force was
inadequate in 1835, and that, therefore, those items
of increase have been very properly voted by this
house ; but, at all events, it cannot he said that
there has been any neglect or unerillineness on the part of
this house to vote what were deemed necessary estimates.
(Hear, hear.) There have been also of late years other kinds
of force which have been drilled and organised, and which, ,
I believe, will he found, in case of the necessity arising, meet
useful and effectual. Under the late government 15,000 old
soldiers of the line were organised as peurioners. Ureter the
present government there have been enrollee dockyard batta-
lions, a very efficient force I believe. and amounting to 8,873
men thus composed : Artillery, 2,843; boat indentions, 2,016;
infantry, 3,428 ; sappers and miners, 686. The number of
guns allotted to this force is—field pieces, 168 ; ship gum,
144 ; battery guns, 336, worked by the artillery ; and 431
worked by the infantry ; making in all 1,080 guns. A great
part of this force could at any time he sent to another
part of the kingdom with their field piece.' supposing that
part in which they are stationed not to be thre item d. Viers
has likewise been a plan for organising and drilling the
coast guard, and in adding to that force tele r men who, for
a certain small &trustiest of pay attend on eertsin days for
drill, and will make, as I believe, a very I Mai, nt force, the I
coast guard being 2,000 and the supplemental force 6.000
men. Ido not thick, therefore, that on the ground of the
number of men, there has been any unwillingness on the part
of the governments of the different periods to which I have al-
luded, or on the part of this house, to make adequate provi-
-6011 for the national defence. (Hear, hear.) The amounts
voted have incred at least in propoconfining rti .n t r the number of'
men I have stated ;so much so that, my.elf to the
serious items of army, navy, and ordnance, the est mates have
increased from 11,730,0731. in 1835, to 17,3100361. in 1848.
The question then to which I come is this' whether we should
now make a very great reduction in our forces, whether we
should, taking the opposite view, make a very large increase,
or whether we should continue adding from time to time to
such parts of that force as may seem to the geeerntnent and
the country to require increase, resting satisfied with such
additions and alterations as may be suited to circumstances.
Our view is, that, in the first place, considering the position
of this country, considering her immense empire, the num-
ber of colonies which have been added to hat empire, the
various great changes in our military force, the possibility
of war, the duty of this country to defend herself, and to
maintain our independence, it would not be wise
to endeavour to make our expenditure equal to
our income by any large reductions. (Cheers.)
On the other hand, we ate no less of opinion that there is
no reason for sudden alarm or precipitate preparation. (Hess,
hear.) Our belief is, that, taking the different forces you
have of navy, army, and ordnance, with moderate additions
to certain parts of these services, this cossitry will be in a
fit state of defence, and thereby obtain the best security for
ace. (Hear, hear.) I say security for peace, because I
I coneider that the object of all these armaments is toide obtain
what
that security. (Hear, hear.) Let any one consr
would be the effect, in case there was such an accident as I
have alluded to la 1844, concurrently with ouch au unfortu-
nate state of relations between this county and a

actual increase in the estimates of last year wee n0t932,7001.,
but only 314,2001. The preeent government. in the
year before last, made an alteration in the mama. d
duties, the result of which bad been a very
Vett increive in the revenue derived from those
duties. In 1845, the revenue derived from the sue ar
in
1. 1846,
8848,
47,
duties was 3,574,0001 ; in 1846, 3,673,0001.; and
ithwith
4,414,000 k, exhihitiug ore increase, as compared
erect w
of, in round numbere, 840,0001., and, as censp 1
of 541,7801. (Hear, hear.) Thus, under the head of the
sugar duties, did the revenue Increase concurrently with •
diminished impost upon the individual consumer, I will
now proceed to refer to a paper which is in eathd of the
of
Fe balance-sheet of this year, presd on the 3rd
of February. From that balance-sheet it will appear that
there is an extras of expeneiture rent vest of 2,9.56,6831.
But in reference to this apparent excise of expenditure,. I
would impress upon the committee that among the stuns in-
serted on the side of expenditure, there is a considerable
portion of the grant made to reiieve Irish &streets, amounting
to 1,523.0001. ; and I would explein
among the receipts there is the sum of
440,0001.
under the bead of China money, which amount, in-
stead of haring been received here, was stopped, on its way
to England, at the Cape of (had Hope, end placed in the
militar chest for the purports of the K ifflr war. Deducin
theta two sums from the apparent exceu o expenditure f expenditu theg
real excess of expenditure over income would he only 981,683/.
I will now advert to the estimates under the differet sources
of revenue, wich were set forth by my right hon.n friend in
his budget last year, and the sums which, as well as we eau
now calculate, approximately, will be received under those
heads, taking the wh do year up to the sth April next. The
revenue estimated by my right hon. friend as to be derived
from the outwits was 20,000,000/.; the sum we now esti-
mate to be roc iced (rem these duties is 19,774,6001. The
estimate in relation to the excise duties was 1)300,0001 ;
the estimate we have now formed is 13.310 0001 ; the tate
mate in relation to the ramps was 7,400.000 g. : our pusent
estimne is 7,150,0001 ; the estimate of taxes was
4,330,0001. ; we now calculate that the taxes will
produce 4,340,0001.; the income tax, it was thought,
would Yield ,300,0001., w new ex pees from it
5,450,0001.; the Post-016, rewsipts we net down at 8.0,0001 ,
the present estimate is 923.0001 ; the crown lands we esti-
mated would produce 120.0001 , we now anticipate from this
source 60,0001. ; under the head of miscelinhous the esti-
mite was 3,30,0001 , our present calculation is 3,240,0001.
The whole estimate from these various sources made by my
right how friend was 52,065,0001., tne estimate now formed
being only 51,362,063.. This, no doubt, is a considerable
aagoearrtenntafavh,inaitiff i
ose enrethuemrlyneaue
cee which at the
msaerunetiotinnz:
to the dreadful scarcity in Ireland, to the commercial panic,
to the very sudden and extreme [amusecnges whiche ssa hve
rata
theen
place in the course of the year, co
nch t
felling-off in the revenue appears to me to be
less than mieht have been expected under
some
meth
circumstances. (Hear, hear.) I will expected take
of the in which there has been a falling of, and
some of theeitems in which there has been at. increase my state-
ments in reference tweet% eh apply, of course, only to the sth
of January last past, while the more general estimates which
I have stated refer to the year ending the sth of April next.
Of articles from which an increased revenue h u been de-
rived there are mellows, on which there tors b en an in-
crease of 31,4111 • sugar, on which there hes been an in-
crease of 540.000/. ; Mitt, on which there has been an in
crease of 64,000/. butter and cheese, on which there has
been an increase of 24,0001. ' • and tobacco, on which there
has been an increase of 111,0201. Ott the other hand, there
has been, as of course was to have been • wane a decrease
in the duty on corn of 705,8901 ; on timber, of 143,7511. ;
and on wines, of 132,3611. With respect to the excise
duties, there has been the large decrease on ditties on spirits
of 693,0001 , and on malt of 664,00')1—or together,l,3s9,oool.
But the amount of ex penlitur.• actually voted, toteetht rwith
the sums which I have shown were nit included in the
budget, was 52,315,709/., whilst the estimated receipt' were
51,362,0601., leaving a deficiency of 953,6191. I shall now
proceed to state what I calculate will be the produce of the
different articles which constitute the revenue, during the
year commenting in April, 180, awl eating in April, 1849 ;
and I take these different items from the usual sources, and
calculate their amount in the manner always adopted on
the 0e2314001. The Wowing is the estimete which
I se
hare form: el of the revenue of the ensuing
financial year Customs, 19,740,0001. ; excise, 13 000,0001.
This item I have estimated it a somewhat higher amount
than is shown by the returns furnished up to Jaeuary lest,
because the constimpti et of malt and spirits may he expected
to increase in the teeming year. Stage cache, I have
evestimated at 500,0001. ; stamps at 7,200,0001 ; tax at
4,310,000/. The income tax, which in 1846 was estimated
at 5,0840001 , and in 1847 at 5,464.0001., I have taken,
during the mating year, at 5,200,0001 The Post-office,
which, in the year ending April 5, 1818, will have produced
922,0001., is estimete.l to realise, in 1849,900,0001. The actual
amount paid into the exchequer on account of the crown in
1817-8 is estimate'! at 60,0001. ; I have set it down at the
same amount for the ensuing year. The miscellaneous esti-
mates, in 1847-8, amouated to 325,0001, which includes a
sum pea in on aecmint of lions. of Commons fees; I have
set them down at 300,0002 The whole of these different
items constitute a prospective revenue for the enseine finan-
cial year of 51,250,0001. I should state to the house
that for several years post there has been a regular decrease
in the amount ree-eyed of China money, and that now there
are ne hopes of any more being paid. (Considerable
laughter.) Taking the whole amount of the expenditure as
voted last year at the estimated sum of 52,315,7091., and the
receipts as already enumerated at 51,230,0001., there will
exist a deficiency between the receipts and expenditure of
the ensuing year of 1,68e,7091. That is to Fey, the deficiency
which I have stred will exish supposing the expenditure is
the same a last year. But there is also a large sum to he
voted for the excess of the navy expenditure during the
year 1847, and also the sum of 1,100,0001. required to
defray the expenses of the Kaffir war. '1 hose two items
constitute • total amount of 1,345,4001., which, added
to the deficiency of 1.065,7001, which will exist, supposing
we maintain our establishments on their present footing,
will constitute a total deficiency in the revenue of 2,411,2001.
Now, sir, I have wished to lay the foregoing statement of
the finances before the House of Commons at this early pe-
riod, in order that the house may take into its scoot deep and
serious consideration the state of the finances and the circum-
stances of the country, and from those two elements to come
to some resolve with respect to the c mese which shall seem
most befitting to the interests and the credit of the country
to pursue. There are varietal courses open for Us to take.
All that I intend doing to-night is to propene. to the house
that course which the government his deemed it he t to pur-
sue under W. circumstanceele wing it open to the deliberation
of the house whether the prepositions which we bring forward
are worthy of adoption, or if wit, what other raurse will be
most suitable to the circumstances of our financial position,
and to the future welfare of the country. And, sir, it can-
not but strike every one who looks into the facts which I
have detailed, that there is a great question involved in the
existing stite of our finances—namely, that we must either
supply the deficiency which I have pointed out, by increasing
our taxatione or else that we must come to a resolution to
the effect that we can make very great reiuction% in our
military and naval establishments, whereby we shall
be enabled to retiree the expenditure of the country,
and thus meet the current demand upon the revenue,
without being obliged to have r.course to in-
creased taxation. Those, sir, are the subjects which
I have wished the house to take into its consideration, and it
now becomes my duty to state what views the government
entertains upon threw questions. (Hear, hear.) Sir, there
have been, I think, extreme opinions held awl expressed
out of doors on the subject of our national defences. These
opinions comprise. on the one hand, as it appears to me, four
different prepositions. First, that we may at any moment
of time be suddeely involved in a war ; second, that we were
liable to an invasinn ; third, diet the foreign powers, and
particularly France, had been mekieg great military prepa-
rations of late ; and, fourth, that our defences were at the
present moment totally inadequate to offer any effectual re-
sistance es the event of any attack or iovasion being sud-
denly made. On the other Wind, it has been urged that we
are at this moment in a state of profound peace with the
continental powers, and that oar relations with Fran e in par
tinder are most friendly, so that an invasion on her part is the
must improbable occurrence that could have been suggested. It
has likewise been stated that all these cireu stances were
arguments for the reduction of the expenditure, and that
the establiehmetes of the country were not only not upon a
low footing, but were, on the coetrary, extravagantly high.
These, sir, are the propositions pro and eon v. hich have been ,
urged out of doors upon the subject of the national de-
fences ; and I eoliths.. and feel the diillculty, not to say deli '
racy, which surrounds the suleeet, and which makes me
somewhat difßdent in approaching it. But, sir, so largely and
freely have all these topics been discus sd Cut of doors, that
I feel I cannot refuse to state to the house what are the
views entertained by the government upon this eplestioe.
Let me, in the first place, most carefully guard myself
against the supposition that I think in our foreign
relations, and .specially in respect to France, there
is the smallest reason to fear [het any rupture of
the ',Lining peace is to be antiehated. (Hear,
hear.) No man in this lionise is more fully pw-uaded
than f am of the advantages to England, to Europe, to the
whole world in short, of the coetinuance of the existing
peace, and, above all, of the importance of preserving our pre-
sent friendly relations with France. (" Bear," on all sides.)
Sir, it is my belief that there two great countries, both of
which pouess the advantages of a representative and consti.
national form of government, both of which have earned
glory enough to satisfy the most ardent thirst for military re-
putatien, it is, I repeat my opinion, that on those
greaads there exist ne reasons why the relations
between Franco and England should not henceforth
be of the most amicable nature; ante sir, it is my
earnest wish that our intercourse may be most inti-
mate in future. (Hear, hear.) There is, however, another
point of view from which the existing relations between
France and England have been judged of, and which
it is necessary for me to bring under consideration in
locking at the present question—l find it stated in a pam-
phlet, written, I must say, in the most friendly spirit by Mons.
hatchet Chevalier, teed exclusively devoted to the subject we
are considering, that the Duke of Wellingten had thought it
nu:assail to in •ke a sort of pamphlet •erine manifesto in
answer to the Prince de Joinville. Now 1 will venture to
say thet nothing could have ben farther from the intention
of thee Duke of Wellington titan to make any mach corn-
municatiou. (Hearehear.) I know well that nothing could
have caused him greater pain than the publicity which had
been given to an opinien which he expressed privately and
in a confidential manner. (Loud cries of " Hear,
hear.") The Duke of Wellington, sir, has from time
to time communicated to the government, and does
o now, that which he considers ought to be done
jn ree to the defences of the country, and he has pointed
au; wherein there exist any deficiencies in those defences.
Bat, in doing so, nothing could have been farther from his
intention or his wish than to make any appeal tbo ,tmotry
or to tAgerie the people of England re as to disturb or ea-
&Dia oar anncalne relations with France. Nothing, dr, '

-..--e—e--. -----.----- a .
foreign
an lot i, 1140. la _
_ovary &tunny hue state! of 64,596,6001. (Hear, Mau) It is oddest,
the rape are kV ' cassia ' 'added into Wl' amid**, if her Majeseyee emeerimitent aws It
In the
partici. . blew party 'es Der be nealatseanae; of petal, t : view t hays taken of the necessitiee of the cosinery—it
while deers it another fors %sighing at Mime Into ertm , %hen are right In believing teat, looking at thoes nemissides,
If the panywniehia fee wagtail ay, "Look; your neiilln. it is not expedient to make huge redoetiotss, but that kis
bout. is totally defeacelem. Now is the moment for • le- expedient rather to go on maintainmg and improves the
chive blow, which she will never recover." I say that, forces we have—it is obvious that not unly must I propose a
under such circumstances, the weir party would have a great renewal a the income-tax, which will expire this year, but
advantage in ieusion. (Hear, helm) On the other hoed, that it. will be suessaary, suppedng the house should
if the peace party can say, " You are mistaken in that view : Weevil of oar estimates, or "Sling a. the
look at the preparations she has neselee all her forces quite estimates of the past year—it will be necessary that
ready. Any attempt by sudden sr to overpower that additional taxation be imposed. (Murmurs.) In ad-
country must be met by signal, def
eat.." I say that with vetting to this question, lam speaking of that which I
just foundation for such an answer the peace party would think are the necessities of the time to come. It is obvious
gain an immediate victory. (Hear, hear.) Well, then, t a great portion of the deficiency to which I alluded at
what is our state? Sl far as regards the navy, we pro. 'bathe commencement of my statement, is dependent on a state
pare in the navy estimates of this year an increase of of the country, afflicted with inanity, and coneequent corn-
-184,0001. Of this. 04,0001. is fur services not strictly menial and manufacturing distnas ; and though it wolf dbe
aval, leaving 70 000/. only for the increase of our role` nd presurePtuoue to say that we are at once to return
naval espouses. Ili ive in my hand a private letter id Lent state of premerity, yet we may, 1 think, look forwarl,
Auckland, written to me it. consequence of my desire that he within no very long mute of years, to an improver/ condi-
, snould pay every attention both to the estimates he had of tion of commerce and ‘m inutacturee. (Hear, hear)
If we
the French navy, sod throe which were to be laid before are blemeelwith bountiful haryeetsethe effects of thatscareity
the House of Cetaceans. Without troubling the house with of which we have bad to speak will in time be no doubt re-
the early details of his letter, Lord Auckland says : moved ; and, as regards the income of the wintry, we may,
[The substance of the letter," which the noble lord read sea at no very distant period, look far improvement. (Hear.)
low and rapid tone of voice, wag a statement of the prent And, with respect to the statement I have made as to the
force of the French may in commission, coneistilig (awe turf/vinare, it must he remembered that no less Men
understood) of six ships of the line in commission de rade, 1,100,0001. is required for the vote for defraying
and four in cornminion (la force. Against this it was pro. the expenses of the Kaffir Par, and' the last des-
posed that we should have eleven ships in commission, six patches we have from the Cape contain a letter from Sir
with Admiral Parker, and five with Admiral Nepier. In lorry Smith, in which he stales that, from the accounts
addition to this the Bellerophon would soon be completed, forwarded to him, he has every ream to believe that the
making twelve ships of the line. But by reducing one we war is at an end. I cannot, however, say that there is, c
on'could maintain three guankhips, iu a condition equivalent sequently, an end of the bill—C. hear," and • laugh) ; t
to the French commode!' de nuk. It these latter were re- I presume the next vote we shall have to take for this pun
quiren for sudden service they could he fitted up with pose will be considerably less than the present, and that the
mutate, and if required for ordinary service they could be war being ended, we may look to the speedy termination of
fitted up in the usual manner and sent to a foreign nevem. this 'fleece of expense. (An observation was hers male by
The writer further propostd a reserve of steamers, first at the Chancellor of the Exchequer.) My right hon. friend
Portsmouth, consisting of 3,396 horse power; a small says truly, that this 1,100,0001. is for two years, therefore
squadron at Cork and another at Sheerness, five at each we must not expeot, under any circumstances, a charge of
place. As the new ere to were brought into limier sere the like amount in the estimates of next year. On both
vice the old ones w, re to be adapted to harbour defence, these grounds, then—flat, on the ground of future im
and to be manned wit's a short cornpiement of officers and provement in the revenue—though I will not be so
men. The exp.nse of keeping their boilers in order senguine as to estimate in the pretreat budget
would be considerable, but teething like so great as the to what extent that improvement may be in the course of
expense of sea going etearnera]. Ihe noble lord continued— the ensuingeyear —and on the ground of diminished ex-
I think that is a one precauoon. It refers to that which peeve on account of the Kaffir war, we may, I think, fairly
must be our first defence in cam of war, and let it wit he hope that only a temporary increase will be required in our
kagotten that if there be advantages in the invention of estimates. (Hear, hear.) In wise on what, in any view,
steam fur the purposes of conveyieg troops rapidly across the increase of taxation shoul I be, 1 shall consider the pre.
the ses, there are other advantages attached to the sent Mate of the country, together with the great reduction
inventma for the purp..ses of blockade, and of watching made by the late government and by termer governments on
ports, of which, with the skill and science of Britian articles of general cansump ion. I think any attempt to
seamen, this country would not be slow to take advantage impose a per menage on those taxable articles wools' fail in
of. ( dear, hear.) I should hold therefore that with the giving you the revenue required. (Hear, hear.) Any new
present votes we should be fully prepared, so far as naval tax on th. se articles of consumption would, in my opinion, be
preparations are emeerned. Ido not wish to enter mere very unwise at this momenteind much moresoif you thought
particularly into details, nor do I think it would be de- such increase of tax would not last beyond a short
sirable. (Hear, bear ) I should state, however, that in period. And for this reason that year would have all the
the naval estimates of this year we propene, in conformity difficulties and ernbaranmente consequent upon the prepare-
with the declaration et last year to increase the marines tiosis for collecting and the expense of bringing into collec-
by 3,000, that It to say, to add 1,500 to the 1,500 which were tine a cal which would lie imposed only for a short period ;
voted last year. Then with regard to an
point therefore the proposition we have to make is, and I may as
to which I have B,ot been immediately alluding now, to the well now state it at once—(hear, bear)—the proposition we
estimates of the present year, with regent to what created a have to make is to renew the present income-tax from April
great deal of alarm at one time—namely, the defence of the next, when it would otherwise expire, for a period of five
dockyards and ports, I should state that that subject at- yeare--,/eriee of " oh, oh ")—ancl that the house
meted ,mosts sionous attention of the late gov,rnmen , shoula vote an increase of that tax from 7d. to
and wee carefully examined, and when examined Is. in the pound, or from three to five per i
was attended, to a thing I melee say which had for anue cent. for a period of two years. (Murmura of dement from 1
years been greatly neglected. In looking over what various parts of the house.) And now, air, I will state, I
had been spent during the last few years since 1841, without going into the argument on the subject, that cond.
he found that on Pertamouth was spent 101,2101. ; der the very great distress which for the last twe years
Plymouth and Devonport, 57,000/. ; Pembroke, 33 6331.; has prevailed in Ireland, considering, too, that you did not
Sheerness, 70,8761. ; making a total of 262,79e1., of which originally in 1842 impou this tax upon Ireland—taking into
54,0001. was for the purchase of land. I believe that the account also the very great struggles now making in order te
fortifications which have been erected were made by skate' adapt the social condition of Ireland to the great changes
engineers. I know that the commander-in-chief, the Dake which have taken place in that country, and that all classes
of Wellington, and the Master-General of the Ordnance it,- —landlords in the improvement of land, and farmers
muted them law year, and the Duke of Wellingten assured in the payment of wages—are required to take
me that he was perfectly satisfied wi h what was doing. part in that great change taking these things
With regard to the army it should be statedthat although we into consideration, we think—though, fully admitting in
do not propose the increase of • single man ia the estinnites, the abstract the justice of imposing this tax upon Ireland,
and although there appears a diminution, yet the number Le as well u npon England —(hear, hear)—I say, though
men in the leuited Kingdom will be very materially in- fully admitting the justice of that propuition—(bear)—we
creased by the number rot
regiments returning from Imlia. coureer that this is not the moment for extending the
I cannot put down the number that will arrive during the income tax to that coulary. (Cheers from the Irish mem
present spring and summer at leas than 5,000, and it may here, and cries of "oh ! oh " from other parts of the
possibly be more than that. The reduction of tho army in home.) I must beg gentlemen, when they come to that
India has been accomplished by the care and economy of argument, a little to consider that we have not only to deli-
Sir Henry Hardinge, who, atter terminating the conflict by berate on what may be abstractedly fair and just with regard
his !kill and courage, determined, when peace had been re. to the imposition of taxes in England and Ireland, but that
stored, to place the finances in such a condition as to were we have likewise to take into account the fact that the proepe-
tete credit of the government, and ho therefore took upen rity of the whole of the United Kingdom is bound up
himself the unpopular task of retrenchment. (Hear, together, and that if you check the exertions Ireland is
hear.) I may stata perhaps in this place, that making to place herself in a mate of future prosperity, you
with all this reduction, the peace of India. was in fact place a check upon the prosperity of the Centel
never so well enured. We have there, a'ter all Kingdom generally. (Hear, hear.) But if, on the other
these returns, an army of 240,000 men, of whom 28,000 are tome, you refrain from imp 'sing
unableland burdens
Europeans; and this, too, atter having reduced the expendi- which she might at the moment be to meet, reserv-
tare by the amount of a mill i= sterling. (Hear, hear.) nag them until she is more equal to beer them—(langliter)
The effect of all this will be cinsiderably to increase the —you do provide for the prosperity of England and Scot-
number of mea in this country during the present year, so land, as well as Ireland. (Hear, hear.) We prepare there-
that the number of rank and-file in the United Kingdom, fore to take the income tax exactly as it has men imposed
being at present 65,000, will be increased, I expect, to in vast years ;on the same principle on which it was me
60,000 in the course of the summer. I believe it. is a long natty proposed and defended by Mr. Pitt ; on the same 1
eime since there was so large a force ia the United rinciple on which it was afterwards increased by Lord Oren. 1
Kingdom. It is not produced by proposing an in. ville and byLord Lareidewee—(cheers and laughter)—and on
creased vote, but partly by bringing men hume from the same principle on which it was again impoeed and defends I
the colonies,--• regiment from the IVest Indies, by the right hon. gentleman oppneite (Sir R. Peel). (De-
and weme others,—and it will, no doubt, be in- risiye cheers.) lam aware that I voted against that tax
creased by a regiment from the Cape, as Sir Harry when it was proposed by the right hon. gentleman—(im-
Smith has premiered that the return regiment, which was menu cheering), and I hold that I was perfectly right in se
lately detained there, should be immedietely unt home. The doing. (" Hear," and a laugh.) 1 know, too, that I voted
number of men in the United Kingdom has been increased for it in 1845—(hear, hear)--and I neither regret the vote I
by more
dean 20,000 since the year I mentioned, 1835. I gave in 1842, nor that which I afterwards gave in 1845.
will not detain the home with details, u on the army nti. (Hear, hear.) My right hen.. friend the member for Ports-
mates the Secretary et War will explain them fully. The mouth (Mr. F. T.
IBaring) na
il, in the discussion upon the 1
amount of increase for the army is 43,0001., but with regard question in 1845, " the queston in 1842 was, whether you
to the ordnance we propose a more considerable increase. It would continue other taxes—whether you would diminish
has appeared to us that with respect to the infantry of an protective duties, or impose an income tax, You have taken
army you may make rapid increase, but that with respect to your course, and now, an 10,45, it would be, I think.
the artillery and the corps of uppers and miners, they inexpedient to repeal that tax, or allow it to fall, for the
form a description of force which you could hardly purpose of imposing other taxes." I think my right hon.
make efficient under a training of 18 months or two years ,riend was right in that view, and that was the principle on
Taking that view of the question we proposed hut year, and which I supported the measure of 1815, and on which I now
we propose again in tho present year, an increase in the bring forward the present proposition. On looking at this
number of the artillery end the uppers and miner.. The question, may 1 sek for a short time the attention of the
increase we propose to make in the first vote is 99,0051., house to the great reelections which have beat made from
which will give an increase of 400 an pen and miner., and time to three in the duties on such articles as come into the
1,4-51 royal artillerymen—the total increase being 1,902. We consumption of the great body of the people Adam Smith
also propose to make an increase, and a c maiderable one, in wad there were three or four texes on the necessaries of life,
the ordnance estimates., under the head of stores. From the el he mentioned candles, leather, coals, and soap; the
statement of the uter Geeral of the Ordnance, wo I dutis on these four articles have been taken He stated
desired to lay fullyM before then house all the particulars ofh the also that the taxes on malt and beer were equal to
charges connected with his department, it appears that an abont twenty-five or twenty.six per cent. on the malt. That
increased supply ot smallarme, and an additional neck of that tax has been considerably reduced is well known.
gunpowder will be absolutely necessary during the present The tax on salt amounted yearly to 1,490.0001.' on candles,
, year—these being articles which, in case of war euddnily 482,0001, ; coals (brought coastwise). 9.58,0001. ; leather,
breaking out, we could not depend upon obtaining en 600,0001. ; beer and cyder, 3,00,0001. glass, 647,0001. ;
&deviate supply of immediately, and therefore it is sugar, 2,311,0001. ; butter and cheese, 112,0001. ; and you
neensary we should make provisien beforehand. The may add, taking the average of the leat five years, the duties
increase in the estimates will be, therefore, in the on latent and meal, which will be taken off n. at February,
ordnance 245,0001.—in the ee
army,et mates, for nays' 862,0001.wh01e amounting to 10,513,0001. of yearly
purposes 70,0001., and in the the increase will be taxese removed from articles entering into consumption
43,0001. ; making a total addition of 3e0,0001. Th. re is by the great body of the people. DI addition to this, it
another species of force with respect to which we propose to must not be forgotten that there are very many articles, now
lay a measure before the house in the cone of the present admitted which were formerly prohibited, and which I have
session, and with regard to which 1 also propose to take a omitted. I have, therefnre, in this estimate, understated
vote fr a sum of mosy in the estiates lam now lay in the aout. The whole amount of taxes taken off
before you. Howevere efficient that amount of force con- g
niece then peace, deducting the income tax and all
meted with the three services I have named is, it in to In other taxes which have been imposed during that time,
considered—amonget the chances of a war, the remote see equal t a reduction of taxation of not len then
chances if you will—but it is always to be considered pee- 39,705,34 U. a year. Ido not think, therefore, when such
Bible that an enemy miht land on our hors, ad ou too been the diminution of taxation, that we are now asking
would then have to garrison Portsmouth,s Plymoue tn yh, and much of the house when we call upon then for a tem-
the other dockyard. and Plans of defence on mir coasts. It porary increase of the present direct mercion, in the face of
does not appear that your number of 60,000—large as that the circumstances of almoet unparallelleddifficulty which have
number is as compared well the force you have had at yor occurred during the past year, and with a view of keeping up
command in former ye in—would altogether suffice for the our establishments-1 trust not extravagantly, not inordi.
purpose of garrisoning those places and at the same nntely, but with a view to the permanent maintenance and
time leave you a 'efficient disposable force for the defence of the country. The result would be an expenditore,
general referee of the country. (Hear, hear.) Now, ,•ir, as I have stated, of 44,596,5001., and an income of 51,250,0001„
the force to which the country has in former times increased by the income-tax, which I take at an amount
been in the habit of looking in aid ofthe regular army for hos than I might take it if there lead not been so much
the purposes of internal defence—and it has always been commercial distress, namely, at 3,500,0001., so as to make
statd obe the onstiutional fne of this countr—(her, the total income 54,750.000/. There ie one tex which
heart
tot
one that has beeno kept up in former timeaa in presses very severely upon one species of industry, which
periods of peace—a force, too, which row the favourite one sins Bennet. those principles you hare of late years adopted,
of perhaps the greatest man this country ever produced, and which might be taken off withoutthat great diminution of
Lord Chntham— (hear)—is the militia force. (Cheers.) I rev nee which the reduction of the duty 041. tea, or the removal
am aware that difficulties attach to this subjec, now which nf the widow tax, would infliee. I allode to the tax upon
did not torraeely exist. The habits of the country are a 8 copper reimposed in 1842 upon the ground that it wastes be ad-
chaeged that in dealing with this question you find your- mated at a small duty, instead of melting in bond, and that
selves placed between these two difficulties. If you take that duty would not produce anyeserious effect. Now although
1 substitutes such are the migratory habits of the lower cl Ines the duty was consider, d small, the effect of it, or if not the
that you could net depend upon having them when wanted, effect of it, the concomitant effect, had been that smelting has
while, on the other hand, if you refused substitutes you been performed in Chin, where it had not been used before,
would be imposing on the people a hardship in respect to I and the esta smeltingestablishments in this country have in con-
military service to whichthey hove never been acceetomea, sequence greatly suffered. Ido not think that the owners of
and which /meld he galling and distasteful to them. (Hear.) 1 copper mine., while
be injured if we took off this
Such are the difficulties with which this guration is ' email duty, while by doing so we would remove those °beta
beset. We sh ill propose such a measure, howev. a as I cies which impede the proenects of smelting from resuming
appears to ua to be best calculated to meet these dinculties ; their funurable aspect. Repealing that tax, which 1 take
and I am most anx ous that that measure should be C•II.Si I at 41.0001., the am runt it sue lest year, we should have
dered by the house, an,l, should it be approved of on the 54.760 0001. of revenue and 54,637,0001. a the ex s penditure,
second reading, that its provisions should be fully discussed leaving &surplus of 113,0001. That surplus, I must again ()b-
-in committee as to whether the measure is one which is in serve, would be considerably larger but for the extraordinary
every way fitted for the present circumstances of the expenditure of 1,100.0001 , and wenld have enabled us to take
country It will be for the house to decide whether aml off other taxes which press heavily on the people. Although
tia force is one that ca and ought to be mead under their , I stated that I should confine to an outline I have
present circarnetarces.n If you can make it practicable, I been otliged to enter considerablymyself into detail both as, regards
believe it is correct in prin. iple ; a. it is, I know, useful, hi a ' the diminution of revenue, and the estimates we propose for
national poiet of view, to have a portion of the people .meeting it, I have done so with the view of laving these
trained to the use of arms, who, in case of hostilities, might estimates fairly before the borne, that the house might make
be brought together, and marched at once to any spot that lup its mind calmly and deliberately upon the subject. We
might be threatened. And, though there are massy reasons I might have asked for the navy and army estimates, showing
in favour of such a force, still, should the house not at once I a small increase, and pod pd
our statement at • later
conclude that it would be desirable non to establish ami itia period think it is due to the House of Commons that
force, that measure, might, nevertheless afford the means 1 they should know fully what is the question before them
next year, or ii, future yean, of providing such an eaten- i and that if they voted the estimates we propone, come in-
sion of the regular military force of the country as should 1 cresse of taxation would be necessary. We therefore sub-
ensure us at all times a sufficient force to oppose against any ' mit to the house at once, that questionbut which ma
we are
y he
enemy who tbreatened
therefore, M invade us. (Heart hear.) I pro- 1 the most difficult, and the mast unpopular, which
pose, erefore, to take a vote of 150,000/. in the estimetes bound to look in the face as affecting not only the public
of laying the foundation ; puree, hirt the independence and honour of the country as
of the preset'', year fee he purpoee
of this military force. I have stated what are the difficulties I well. This home has been enabled to take elf nearly.
of the case, and I have only to add that I shill be happy to 40,000,0001. of taxes, of which more than 10,000.0001.
have the assistance of the house in coming/to such a conclu- premed tome the comforts and enjoyments of the industrious
tiOlt as shall be most to the advantage of the country. (Bear, p nips of the community. But while doing that, you were also
hear.) I will now state what will be the whole cape nditure enabled not only to preserve the empire undiminished, but
under the different heads for the year from the sth April, to exited it. Consistently with that large reduction, you
1848, to the sth April, 1849. The charge for the funded debt have been enabled, under the guidance of the right hon.
making together baronet, tbe member for Tamworth, to give scope to those
2i552,6367.77,60018 009Thl. ;ecoutonliddieclteddefbutn,d7csb2=take.t2
750,0001
; principles of commerce of which Adam Smith was the great
the expenses we have to pay for the Caffre war, 1,100,0001. ; propounder, and of which William Pitt, in the plenitude of
naval excess for the year before last, 24.5,500/.• charge for his power, declared himself the disciple. You have been
the navy for this year, 7,726.6101. army, 7,1649961. ; ord- enabled to suppress an insurrection in Canada to repel an
mince,
navy,2,924,1; miecellaneous. 4,oo6,oool.—making in all, agereenioa in India, to maintain your eolonial 'establishment
including av army, ordnanee, end mimellaneoue, and give protection to your fellow-subjects at the
Kateaeoea I add to this 150,0091. for the militia, and we Cape of Hood Hope subjects of the tame Eno-