The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-03-14 00:00:00

THE BRITISH PRESS.

Wawa, that these two propositivo. were totally unfounded in
point of erect; and that the measures which had been dons would
show meat conelealvely that then's.' no foundation whatever to
earthet Govontraeot bad not doge 'sough to relieve in an essential
dame the blitallas of the country. *hen he said this. however, he
gina not mean to Imply that they ought to stop is the wort of allevi.
sting thou burdens: far from it; but what he intended to say was,
'that there was no foundatign for the assertion, that Government
hod not been dolt anything to relieve the country since the
Image; on the y, without making those further re-
elections demanded by some persons, Parliament had been
ohle to do much essential service to the country. (Neon, beer.) But
ip ceder for the Committee to know the real amount of retloction
, In the taxation since the peace, it was necessary that they should
go beck to the year 1918. lie would state the progress et this
redaction, the items on which the reduction was made, and the
petneiples by which they were rejoiced ; and he thought it would
he seen by thew statements that Porliinicnt had rot been guilty
of any remissness In the duty they owed w the country ; tor lie
.tansidered that It was an indispensable duty iioth of Government
sod of Parliament to exert an unwearied watchfulness over the re.
Karen of the empire, and to avail themselves of every C.TCUM.
stance by which to reduce the annual bunters of the people.
(theme.) The year 1816 was the first year in which any reduction
of the taxes took place. The first thing shone ass the coral of
Oh. Property Tax. He was aware that that repeal was eEected
contrary to the opinion and recommendation of Oorernment.
. Government were desirous that the Property 'fax should be fir -
*Wed two years longer; but Parliament thnu;:lit otherwise, end
It was therefore repealed. Whether the Guvcrtimerit was riglir. or
the House was right, was immaterial as rilsti!ed the country ;
'the people, at all events, enjoyed all the reivatang.: from a reprel.
of tllat tax to the amount of CI 4,3Z0,000
In the same year there was a redaction of duty on
lllalt of
'On ‘Var Custom,, Tonnage. Coasting. &c.
Berretta and Window Taxes in Ireland -
Malt and Spirits ditto

2.700.060
1.1211.0011
35,01 N)
313,000

Making a total of tax., rerlueed in that year of 1d,248,u0tt
in the year 11117 there leas a polltial relit f noon the
A +same' Taxes, as to Shop IVintlarors, llusbaary

Ilona, etc.

2t0,000

)n the sear IBIS Assessed Taxes of TarOus kl.Als in
Ireland

2343,11 Ca

In the year 10111, the policy of the Ons•emment was tlilTerent, and
a very considerable addition was made to the vises. amounting to
upwards of three millions; which he 'mull .I,ls,zr: to presently. In
J?_'o. there was no change in the amount of taxes. In the
duty on agricul:ur3l hnrses, to the amount M. 4:10,00111. was re-
ducal.

It 2:/, • further reduet!on of duty on Malt was

made. to the amount of -
On Stilt ft -
The duty on Rides -
Tonnage Mitt
licsrtlis and Windows in Ireland

Makings Total of Taxes repealed in the year 1822 of

In the year 1823 there wan a reduction of Assessed
Taxes in England of v,trious kinds, of -
D:tin in Ireland, the whale -
- -
On Spirits In Ireland and Scotland
Eranchca of Customs -

Slaking a Total in 1323, of

In Ple. a reduction of duty cn nom, amounting to
On Coals -
On Law Stamps -
(J 1 lVonl - -
Produce of an Export Duty

1.41?0,0e0
1,1:95 OW
31)0,001)
1611010

3

2 2.;0.1110
100.091)
Itoo
50,000

3.2W,000

50.0410
21i11.
£00,06t1

410.690
70,CM

On Si;k
The Union Detica Item 102:1

350.0100
17.000
3V0.l

Making in an the reduction In 1824 amount to

In the Tear 1825, the reminder of tax on Salt was re-
pealed to the amount et . -
Beni', - - - .
Cofer, & - - -e. - -
Bridah Spirits and Rum - - -
Wine - - .-
Cider - -- - -

1.727.H00

Asseo.eti Taxv.—Small Houses
Customs—Small Branches

200.000
IWO*

1,2A0.000

.10410.000
20,01:11
276M00
230,000

Making a total reduction of Tares in 1625, of 3,144.090
The total amount of taxation reduced in Cie course of these seven
years, was no less a s•tai than 30.712,0001. From this sum there
wu undoubtedly to be deducted the cum of 3.190.000/. being the
amount of taxes imposed in the year 1019 ; but after this deduc-
tion was made, there remaincti no less a reduction since the year
1816 in the burthens of the country than 27,520.000/. (Cheers.)
now, he would say that this was a great and substantial relief to
the country. (Hear, hear, bear.) No man in his senses could
argue that that relief was cot contributed mainly by the situation
of the finances of the country, to which he he.d on former occasions
alluded. (Hear.) It was true in 1816 measures affecting the value
of the currency, if estimated by the amount of kr!ion creitangee,
were adopted, by which a derrec'ation was produced in Coe treble
of the currency In that yew to the amount of be: per cert.; end it
might be said that the wtiel.• reduction ou!;Itt net to be zonsidered
as a reduction positively cf...c,etl, friaanitten as tat was n tax sub.
saquently, by the valuer( money being rai.acd, i rl:.,se also the amount
of the depreciation, as comparing the year 1:22.1 nith the ye:-.r 11116;
but the depreciation was rot more than 5 per cent. and an allow:-
Int:sof three millions would be sufficient for the purpose of mak.
log up the difference ; for the taxes of that period were actually no
less than 61,000,0001. Deducting then these three minions min the
47,520.000/. there remained i.o less a sum 'than 24,N111,0(8.1/. of
tarn reduced since the war, which were imposed far carer.
lag on the affairs or the country, mil all of wh.ch were
lrelispettsibly necessary for that purpose. (Heir, hear, hear.)
When he said that this reduction had ten.ded to promote the pros-
perity of the country, he would not weer into the argument that
ill flu Hon it must be so. But this was a practical prof' of it f—
ir they were to deduct the,e 24.00(1,000/. fret :-.3.000,00et. which
ours the amount the taxes would bare hen if nu cethicii,n had
taken place, the taxes would produce no more than 3 (.030,003/. ;
but the actual produce of the revenue for the year 1325 was L,,t
lees than 82.000.0006; therefore it was quite cle-a: that this di:Ve-
nom of 18,080,000/. had been ratsze!, bezause the people had a
greeter power of consumption of those articles on which the taxi
were levied. (Cheers.) If they were CO prove this by the test of the
feelings of those who paid three tones, he should be coati/era of
des sense result, lie saw the Honourable Me:nbar lur Wareham
opposite, who took so active a part in the reduction-of the
duty on salt. That Honourable Me•aber stated at the
time, that that they pressed hard upon etc TeßOU:all of the
poor man ; he (the Cha::cellor of the .11 eh-finer) would ask
the Hon. Member now, whether he did not tcUeve that the poor
man felt a little ease when he came to stun up the amount of his
comforts, and whether, in fact, lie was not grateful .to the lion.
I/limber for bls exertions its obtaining the repeal of that duty ?
He should like to appeal to the 171,000 persons rho, in the course
of the last year, had been released from tl:c whether they
did not feel that some benefit hod resulted to them by :lie repeal of
that tax? lle should like to a.lc the persons who had been
released from the pressure of the window tax whether they had ex-
perienced any practical benefit fain] the roped of that tax? And
whether they agreed with the Hon. !Mintier for be rdeen ( Mr.
flume) when Ott said that nothing had beta dote for eh,' people;
that their wants and wishes. were act at nought by the House;
(hear, Lear, hear) and all iisr the sae of unbeldirg an emtrava-
gent and unjust control in that house, and for the sake of some
paltry patronage the maintenance of W'hess Of%Cell rive to
Government? lie (the ( ham eilor of the Exchequer) declared
to God that he entirely set at neat,..tht the considerai i,nt of that ma,.
eery patronage whenever he contemplated any measure Ad, he
thought would tend ti the pu!,lie go4lsl. (Cheers.) It never had
in any one instance crossed Lis mind to ask himself what would be
the consceuence if flavernment acre to lase this patronage, which
the existence of such an ofEre gave them, by its abolition.
New did he reflect that by keeping up such an oti:ort, be
Might have obliged some friend, to whom lie might have been
exceedingly glad to have given the appointment. (Cheers.)
had never felt the least repugnance to dreier, to any
who might have applied to him for sack an appointment,
" I am sorry for it, but 1 have nothing to give you. We have
estt every thing down to the lowest possible point, and we hay: re
°fitters in any situation but these who are competent to fill them."
(Cheers.) He had felt no hesitation in giving such an answer to
any pawn who bad ever applied to him ; and he would declare,
that there wee no ofßee retained by Uovernmeatt fur the purpose of
osalotatain the paltry petronag4 it was purposed to confer, sad
that the diciest stores of the country was never mote comp*

[Qum at the present moment. (Hear, bear.) The eetnrnittee
would allow him to state, that during the period of time which he
had been reviewing, the permanent burdens of the country—he
meant those connected with the public debt—had been very mate-
rially reduced. But, before lie touched upon that point, it Pit-
haps would not be unsatisfactory to the t ommittee to know a little
in what ratio, since the year 1816. the power of consumption in
the country had increased, because he thought such a statement
would show, li, rind die passibility of doubt, that all those prog-
nostications, which delared that the country could not go on with-
out some andel-pied and incomprehensible change took place. were
entirely and altogether visionary. Ile bad an recount of the con-
sumption of all the articles on which a duty was paid, giving a
comparison of the consumption in the year 1816 and the year 1825.
Theettancellor of the Exchequer then rend the following compare-
, tive statement :

Ib26.—Consumption per Centum of Increase beyond that of MI&
I liereabe per (:1. I hareem per Ct.
. . :It. - . V 2-6
. 114 HI
. DO: 317

Auctionot
Iher. Small
Wick% .

CantllCX
Lellethlef
Paper
I'. GOMIS
Soap, Ila,ll
so!t
Tea .

Ilrltlrh Spirits .
Foreign Spins • •
Butter . . •
Sugar . . .
Tallow . .
Tinikr . •
Deals . .
ift'•-• and Cocoa .
Hemp . . .
lion) . • • •
Silk, RIM • • •
- Thrown
Toburcu . • .
Wire . . .
Wool. S. ,
- C.

19
. 201
. 196
1182 1.3

. 672-3
. 1101
▪ 114
• 1214
. 21,4

(iimsm. C.
fircen Cl3•e

951
101

-, Platt
I e3ther
3141 t .

. lOU 14

n4i
. 11W
131
...

88
. 443
. 119

It might be asked whether he me tat to say that the permanent
Increase of consumption was to be taken at that epprigant
ratio. Certninly bedid not mean to assume any such thing; but
he still would contend that this statement, however extravagant
tt might appear, was enough to show the progressive power of
consumption possessed by the people ; it was sufficient to show
the inherent strength and vier, of this country, vfbielf enabled
her, and had always done an, to meet difficulticw of the mom trying
and appalling kind ; and which made him rely most confidently
upon her power and resources for the futare.—(Cheers.).—
But lie would now advert to the reduction of expenses
conneenel with the National Debt. ►'hilst they lad
reduced twenty-seven millions of taxes since the year 1818,
eight millions of which were reduced within the last three years,
what. he would ask. had been done in reducing the national
debt ? This he would proceed to show. 170 to the sth January,
1323, the amount of the funded debt was 796.630,040/. Or. the sth
January, 1826, ;his debt had been reduced to 778,128,000 L, being a
reduction in the course of those years of no less a sum than
13.402.0001.. being at the rate of about 8.139,0001. per annum.
Up to January 5, 1823, the unfundedeleht amounted to 36,281,0001.
On January r., 1626, the unfunded debt was reduced to 31,704,0001.
!icing a reduction in the three years of 4.577,h00/. The total reduc-
tion of the charge (which was the true way to estimate tile thing,
and not to reduce by figures, or to calculate the capital that was
standing, the real question was, what had been paid for it?) the
total charge, then, on the sth January, 1823, inch :Mg the manage-
ment of the funded debt, was 28,123,900/. (1❑ the sth January,
1826, the charge, including the management, was 27,117,0001.,
being a reduction of 1,006 0001. in the course of the three years.
The to al charge of' the onfuntied debt on sth January, 1823, was
1.1C0,000/. Ott the sth January, 1326, it was reduced to 920,000/.,
being a reduction of 280,000/. in the three years. The total
charge, including the management of the funded and unfunded
debt, was on the sth January, 1823, 29,285,0001. ; and on die sth
Jaruary, 1826, 27,948,000/. being a reduction of 1,339,0001. of an-
nual charge in the eourse of the three last years. (Cheers.) It was no-
thing at all in his view of the case whether this reduction was produced
by a sinking fund or by a surplus revenue. It was not the name
ol•the thing bat the substance to which his attention was directed.
If the people had to pay less upon the debt now than at a former
Period, and If at the same time Government was enabled to pro.
vide adequately for all the necessities of the State, and had suffi-
cient for the maintenarce of the honour, dignity, and security of
the country ; If at the same time they had been able to do much
towards the extension of religious instruction, and much for the
imprcr.•etnent of the country in the erection of bridges, the repair.
ing of habeuts and of the public highways ; and it' they had at the
same time been able to bestow on the country the benefit of a re.
mission of taxes to the amount of eight millions, and the re-
duction also of the interest on the national debt by no less a sum
than a million, then he would say that Parliament had done some.
thing (cheers) of which they need not be ashamed; and with the
statement of which the'y might meet their constituents, in what-
ever parts of the country they might be called upon to do an.
(Cheers). lie hail just alluded to that portion of tee expenditure
that was saved by the reduction of the national debt. There was,
however, another part of their expenditure against which he had
always felt inclined to wage the mot unrelenting war; and that
was the expense of the collection of the revenue. (Cheers.)
This was an object which had always attracted his attention, and
which he had elvays considered to be a fit subject for the most rigid
exercise of economy. lie wits bold to say that Government had
nut been idly inattentive or inell'cient in that particular. In the
year 1313, the expense of collection of the taxes for the United
Kingdom was 4.353,003/. A large sum he would admit. In the
year 1825, the expense of this department was reduced to three
miltione, eight hundred and thirty-two thousand pounds, being a
diminution of et:l,OW. ; this arts a geitat thing to accomplish.
The reduction of a half a million in this one branch of expendi-
ture. in the short period of seven years, was at least prima facie
evidence that the Government had endeavoured to do their duty in
that respect. It was not a very easy measure to effect. They had
many prejudices, many Interests, and many deep-rooted
notions to overcome in the execution of this task. ille
could tint give a better proof of the great tl:ing that had been
done in executing this part of their duty, than by adverting to what
hail been pnblished recently in the more northern parts of the em-
pire. It seemed that the extinction of the Boards of Customs and
Excise in Scotland and Ireland, lard their amalgamation into a
central board in England was to be considered by every trite Scut
as derogatory (cheers eel laughter) to his natural dignity, offensive
to his national pride, and, good God ! subversive of his prescriptive
rights. Moue cheers.) This reminded him of the lurgusge of
our immortal Shakspeare, used by .lark Antony, while lookingon
the dead body of Orme—
" 0 what a fall was there, my countrymen;
Then I, 0111 you. aid all of us fell downs
• Whilst bloody treason fleurielte.: over us."

The eppeal of Hark Antony was not more vehemently made, I
his TeSElltraCat of Cresar's death was not more pointedly directed
against those who ceased it, than the resentment of the Sent was
against the aatitor of that measure, which had for its object the
transfer of two miserable and insignificant fiscal departments from
one part of the United Kitigtiom to another. (Wear, hear, hear.)
He felhllike mine guilty dung, epprosett by n weight of some un-
defined pain, when first heard of this charge, jand he could
hardly dare to 100 is friend the Lord Commi sioner of the
Board in the face at the first ; but at last it °centre! to him that
he had sonic same good Scottish bh-n):1 within hint (and good he
hoped ft was). lie did not L'cl he had ken insensible to the honour
of that part of his Majesty's dominions. (Cheers ) Really when
he reflected on the stinal triumphs whiteli Scotland hail achieved
in ail that dignified and ennobled huraan nature, when lie looked on
the origioaltry and the great end brill' it'd genius of her poets—
the (Intim:nee, eccuracy, end rcsear..!l of her historians—the elabo-
tare discoveries and profontal of her philosophers,
otile watching over the dflighth,i r:gisms of litncy, or penetrating
into the depths of natuvt and to scitirce, he never thought that
the interests of Scotland woof! Le tlalangered by the transfer of her
seat or Custoo s. When, tro years ago, it fell to his lot to intro-
duce that nitasure, he never thought that the honour of Scotland
would he rarnished,because tl c great !toast of Customs was removes
from the north of Berwick to London. lie thotitpt the genius of
that country would have still shone writ perennial light, although
tha Excise had never meddled with her whisky; and he hoped that
their greatest genius would long live to atlcen and shed lustre upon
hi, country, although these two petty Boards had been lost to
them. But who woad have thought that the honour and dignity
of Sootland was st stake, because its Board of Customs had been
swallowed up, oh ! what a catastrophe! in the vortex of an Eng-
lish uniformity. (Cheers and laughter.) lie thought, If he were
a real Scotchman, he should be too proud to admit that the
honour of his ancient lineage was endangered because Government
had 'Ens patronage to of and the Aristocracy of hia country
less necessity to covet it. (Cheers.) This necessary reform

Hoe so it appeared to him), was so fist from being in his judgment
injurious, that It would tend to promote the happiness of the peo-
ple ; and he should tbaofore look without terror upon the flourish
of the claymore, that'll invoked front its acabbod by the Incanta-
tions of the first magician of ten age. (Cheers.) What then were
she eircomataniesninder which they were now called upon to look
at the situation of the fin was of the country ? He had stated the
extent to which the times had been rethavd, and he had stated the
benefits which the country 'was Sun to derive from that measure;
and he would now state that oat of that, very diminution, would
arise a Poeta 10 carry them on still further. (Hear, hear.) Ile
would state to the Bohm list ke anticipated would be the
unmet of revenue for the present year. First, however, he
would mention the charges of the coontry for the cur-
rent year and secondly the means to meet them. The amount
ed' the expenditure, a very considerable portion of which the
House .having already sanctioned, made it unnecessary for
him to trouble the Committee with any comments. The
first item was for the interest and management of the public
revenue, amounting to 27,11702'g Then the interest, which was
described as ths deficiency bill., 60,0001. ; the Ci vil List 2.065.00014
pelf-pay Annuity, 2,000,0001. ; the Sinking Fund, 5,581‘,2351. ;
making a total amuse of Charge of 37,617,4211. There then
came the annual supplies: the army, which had already been
voted for, 7,747,0004; the navy,13,135,000/. I ordnance, 1,764,000/4
miscellaneous, 2.223,0001. ; the interest on Exchequer bills,
860,0001. Adding all these and the former permanent charges
together, they formed a total of 66,520,4211. The revenue
which he calculated to realise was, first, a small item of ear.
plus of the year 1825 beyond the amount paid to the Sink-
ing Fund, which he considered himself perfectly entitled to deem
available, amounting to 167,0001. The next was the Cuts.
toms and Excise, which be was under the necessity of
taking together, because, on the set pf transference of Customs
last year, a very large pramiet . was originally collected
by the Excise, and It therefitirflebeame haposdble to separate
them. They amounted to 37,1141,1101. 'Stamps 7.400,0001. Taxes
(including the assessed and hind tax) 4,800,0001. Poet-office
1,550,0001. Miscellaneous 1.36041001.,making a total of 52.7M,0004
to which was to be added the email of half.pay and pensions re-
ceived from the Trustee*. bean; 4.320,0001. making together
27,043,000/., from which, if 56,320,4214 be deducted, there would
be left a surplus (with which Parliament would deal as it thought
fit) of 714 0791. after providing for all the expenws of this year.
It was, however, fit that he should state to the Honse what were
the grounds upon which he calculated to realise this amount of
revenue; because undoubtedly it might appear from what had re-
cently occurred,' hat he had calculated upon receipts more highly than
could be realised. He wouhl state the estimate ftorn the :eceipts
of the year just past, making afterwards such apportionments of the
amount of the receipt as circumstances appeared to require. The
Customs and Excise of 1825 was 17,144,000/. But it so happened
lust year that this part of the revenue was affected by circumstances
which operated to reduce it .0 a great extent; he meant the refund
that was made in reduction of the duty on wine to holders of stock
in hand, amounting to 1,050,000/. But this would not occur again'
and he was entitled to assume, In the groundwork of his esti-
mate, that supposing no other ehrumstances intervened to re.
duce the amount of the receipt of Customs and Excise, that
that 1,050,000/. would be available in 1626 ; that was to say, it
would not be abstracted in Bee as in 1025. He calculated a
small sum paid for getting rid of boonties to the amount of 50,0001.
The House was aware that last year an extensive alteration was
made in condensing the laws of Customs, from a multiplicity of in-
tricate statutes, into six Acts of Parliament. Some minor errors
had escaped the House at the moment, and amongst these was
certainly one of a venial nature, still it affected the revenue. The
duty on tobacco was at the beginning of last year 4s. per lb., but by
a clause in one of these Bills, that duty was reduced from last July
to 3s. per lb. occasiooing a losaotresenue to the amount of 460,0001.
Therefore if he should take the sums he before alluded to, viz.
50,000 L which was paid for Leming rid of the bounties, 1.050.0001.
repaid in consequence of the alteration in the duties, and 450,000!.
lost last year by the accidental reduction of the duty of Is. a lb. on
tobacco, together they would mate a sum total of 1,550.000/. to be
added to the actual-receipt of the Customs and Excise for last year,
which, as before stated, asnounVCo 37,1.46,0001. This would make
the total amount dr*eillieWifie sietteent year 39,096,0001. if the
. receipts of the prueng. tom. *au to betaken at the same amount
as the receipts of 105; but he admitted that it would be quite
preposterous to make such a ealcolation under present chasm-
stances. If he were to hold out such expectations, in all pro-
bability those expectations would not be realised. It must
be considered, therefore, what kind of reduction we should I
anticipate in the revenue of the present year. He calculated that
a further loss would be incurred this year by the reduction of
taxes last year, and this loss he estimated at 350,000/. As soon
as it had been known in the last year that it was the intention of
Government to make a reduction of the ditties on certain articles,
this contemplated reduction began to affect the Revenue. Three
fourths of what he maculated would be the entire amount of lose
by the reduction, was lust during the last year; and he only and.
cipated a loss of the remaining one-fourth in the present year,
This, as he had just said, would amount to 350,000/. To avoid
misconception, he would state that he estimated the entire amount
of lout by reduction last year at 3,146.0004 ; but he would explain I
why he now only talked of' 350,0001. as the one-fourth of that
loss. 3,146,0004 was the grosaamount of loss by the reduction,
compared with the receipts of the preceding year. But in esti-
mating the loss at this sum, the increased consumption to which
the reduction would leattwas not taken into amount. Taking
the increased consumption into account, the loss by the re-
duction would only amount to 1,400,0001. ; 350,0001, therefore,
was a quarter of the true loss, and to this degree he thought
the revenue of the present year would be affected by the reduction
of taxation which took place last year. He was sensible, that
under recent circumstances, considering the pecuniary embarras.l
menus under which numbers at present suffered, and the sudden 11
stagnation which had taken place in the commerce and industry
of the country, it would be unsafe to estimate chat there would
be no loss in the present year, especially in the amount of
revenue derived from the Excise and Customs. Ile had
endeavoured to form some estimate as to the amount of the loss
that may be expected. . Of coulee there would be a variety of
contradictory opinions on this ;Lint. It was probable that on such
a question every one would come to a different conclusion, even
if all had the same materials upon which to found an opinion.
Ibis estimate was, that 1,300,0001. should be taken as the probable
loss in the receipts of the storm and Excise, besides the
350.0001. which be Ii MI es the leas -lowered
in the revenue of this year b the reduction of taxation made in
the last year. Ile knew it luso difficult to form any precise cal.
culation as to the leas which may be reckoned upon in those
branches of the revenue; but' he did not think he was wrong in
estimating it at 1.300,000/r. The receipts during whit had pest
of the preset,' year, afforded seine criterion upon which an
estimate may be made as to the probable low. He particularly
referred to the Excise revenuq, and during the first month of the
present year, which, it would be recollected, was a month of gnat
pressure,—so great, that hi! Majesty's Government thought it
their duty to order the offiecting olEters to abstain front
pressing upon the public in cases where such pressure would
produce inconvenience; Meat, hear, hear,)—ln that month, as
compa:ed with the came month during the lest year, there
was no material lots in theigroas amount of the receipts of all
branches of the Excise. T 4 loss is that month upon all that part 1
of the receipts wh;e's the lteratioes of last year did not althct,
is
amounted tit no greater sum an 2.30/. (lieu, hear.) The gross
amount of those branches of the Excise which the alterations and 1
reductions did not affect, aMonnted in the first month of the last
year l 000) to ,2.21 A. trait. 'the gross receipts of the same branches
in the first purifh of the present year amounted to 2,257.250/ ; so
that, as he had harem state), tho loss in the receipts of the month
was only 2.T ...it., whieffocat of no importatfce. In these branches.
of the Excise t whir!: the (eduction extended, there inns of course
a falling oft: The rettuctioi chiefly affected the duties norm cider,
glass, licences, sweets, vin ar, and some other articles. Upon
these the receipts, during tie first month of the present year, was
less by 102,1001. than the yeeeipts during the same month in the
last year. Thc.meas amouat of these branches fur the first month
of 11325 was 292,9131. In tho same month of 18211, the amount was
only 190.tn:7/.-ConseqUen there was a diminution in this batoch
of the revenue of nearly 1I t ail. But this falling ow in the re.
ceipts of the revenue did mai arise front a diminished consumption
of the arti:Es. With the eiteeption of 2,0001., the decrease in this
breach of the revenue was eritolly to be attributed to alterations of
an extensive nature which bad taken plant The duty on licence

in Ireland was subjected to the most absurd and Inconsistent Mee.
It was unequal in various parts of the country, and varied In a
most whimsical manner. In some parts of the country, he under-
stood, the duty on licences was axed accord:ng to the number of
Members which that district sent to Parliament. (Hear, and a
laugh.) This absurdity had been got rid of, and the periods at
which the duty was payable were altered. The duties were for-
merly payable M the early part of the year, bat this was altered ;
and, as much as may be, assimilated with the practice in England.
It was fixed that the licence duty in Ireland should not be paid
until after the sth of July, instead of early in the year. The loss
of this arrangement in the month's revenue may be calculated at
1110,000/., but of course this would take nothing front the total
amount of the revenue for the year. The gross loss on the articles
affected by the reduction amounted to 102,0001., but the actual loss
on the month did not exceed 40001. He thought therefore he was
warranted In estimating the total loss to the Excise for the year,—
he meant from diminished consumption;—at no greater sum than
1,300,00 W. There were some other branches on which he calcu-
lated there would be some lass, but it was scarcely necessary for
him Ito enter in detail into those items. On stamps he
assumed that there would be a loss of 47,94.3/. in the present
year, the produce of 1825 was 7,447.9431., and die estimate
for BM was only 7,400,0001. In the Post-ctfice he also calcu-
lated that there would be some falling off. The Post-office last
year: produced 1,595,4511; this year it was calculated it would
produce no more than 1,:.110,000/.; assuming a liar, during the
year, of 45,4611. There was another lose which he contemplated
would accrue in the amount of the assessed taxes. This 'seamed
loss would arise from the reductions e'1825, and he estimated it at
190,13111. ; the produce of the assessed taxes in 11'.25 being
4,999,13/U., whilst the estimate for the present year was 4,1;00.0001.
In the miscellaneous items of the revenue he anticipated no loss.
In rasa the estimate under this head was larger than had entered
into his mind, because several items would arid to it which he had
scarcely reckoned upon. These was a sum of 100.0001. whleft the
Government of Holland was bound by treaty to pay its 11125,
but which payment was not realised in the last year. and it would
consequently form a part of the receipts of 1826. There was
also a auto from what he feared vane Gentlemen would term
the never-ending lotteries. When the last contract was made
he really was not aware that, front the manner in which the
drawings were conducted, the lottery would form any part of the
revenue of the present year. Tire drawings, however, were conti-
nued to a much longer period titan he had expected, and in conse-
quence a sum of 189,0001. would be added to the revenue this
year. It was now done, and too late to mend what had been
done; but lie had certainly been mistaken with respect to the con-
tinuance of lotteries, which had met with the reprobation, and he
would add, justly met with the reprobation, of that House. (Hear.)
He said justly reprobated, because, however speciously it might
be glossed over, or whatever ingenious arguments might be ad-
duced in defence of such a system, he had held and should ever
hold that it was iticonsistent with the principles of gond govern-
ment, for a great sdate to derive any portion of its revenue from
what, after all, could only be designated a species of gambling.
(Hear, hear.) There was another item which would add to the
miscellaneous revenue of the present year. He alluded to the pro-
I duce from Ireland of silver coinage. The supply of silver coin
for Ireland cost the country, last year, a sum little short of 500,090/.,
and the value of the old coin which will be returned would of comae
become applicable during the present year. He calculated that this
would produce 400,0001. There was another small item estimated
at 60,0001., arising out of an arrangement between the Admiralty and
the East India Company. It was found neces, try to increase the
naval force for the protection of a part of the East India Com-
pany's 'marries, and the Company had undertaken as they ought,
lie said an they ought, but he should add as they read.fy did undertake,
to pay 110,0001. towards the increased expense, in consideration of the
benefit which they derived from the protection given them by this
local augmentation of the naval force. Those various items in.
creased the miscellaneous estimate, which amounted last year to
619,06111.; hut which it was calculated would amount in the present
year to 1,360,000/. He had now gore through the various details
which he thought it necessary to lay before Parliament. The total
amount of the year's revenue he estimated at 57,043,000/., ar.d this
lie calculated would meet the expenditure, and leave a surplus re-
venue of 714,5791. This he admitted was not a very large sum;
but he thought it was worth having, (Hear, hear,) and that it may
avail to some useful purpose. No doubt there were many purposes
to which a steeples revenue of such an amount may be advantage-
Misty appropriated, and yet he thought that the choice of appli-
cation was rather limited in the present year. The continuance of
the reduction of one shilling in the duty on tobacco, which he had
before alluded to as occurring last year by accident, seemed most
desirable. When it was ascertained that the accidental reduction
had taken place, applications were made to his Majesty's Govern-
ment to learn whether the 1.. duty would be revived on the bah
J y last. The reply of his Majesty's Ministers to this inquiry
had been, that the ditty should not he informd until the opinion of
Parliament was taken upon the subject. He now meant to continue
the reduction on tobacco. lie thought it was most desirable that
the reduction of last year should continue; but he did not thiek it
would be expedient to carry the redue•ien further at present. Ile I
understood that great advantage was derived front what he should
call the accidental reduction. It had been found to give a check to
smuggling in Ireland, which nothing before had done. The inge-
nuity of the human mind, he believed, hail never been exercised
more actively than In the smuggling of tobacco is Ireland.
Could he enter into detail upon this subject, honourable Gentle-
men would scarcely credit the extent to nhich ingenuity was
stretched, were it not that the number of smuggled articles which
were to be seen in this country proved the devices which were re-
sorted to in the exercise of this illicit traffic. However he-under-
stood the reduction of the Is. duty hid been productive of the most
beneficial effects, and from a continuance of the reduction he wee
warranted in expecting a continuance of the benefits. Ile esti.
mated the loss of this remission to the revenue at six hundred thou-
sand pounds. Ile had now concluded his statement with regard to
the revenue and expenditure of the year. Ile did not profess to be
a prophet, and felt it was foolish to deal in predictions, without
stating the precise grounds on which his anticipations were founded,
but 14 he had the glatifying duty of coming down, and within the
last three years proposing the repeal of eight millions of taxes, it
was not asking of the House too much, when he called upon it to
believe that, when the proper occasion offered, lie would not be slow
in carrying the system more extensively into erect. (Cheers.)
There was another subject to which be should saw call the ettett.
tion of the House. He had endeavoured to slaw the grounds upon
which he calculated that the revenue for the present yoir would not
only meet all demands, but that a small surplus revenue remained,
which he propertied to apply, as before tieweribeele .ta an. ads
vantageous retriesion of duty. But there was another point
connected with the finance of the country whith it twos ne-
emery the House should be aware of. Gentlemen had learned,
'during the late disewissions concerning the Bank of England,
that the Bank at different periods had made advances to
Government, and much was Said by lion. Gentlemen as to
the great increase of the advances of the Bank of liegland. Now
although lie (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) bad defended the
Government in calling upon the Bank for advances, and had con-
tended that the conduct of the Government with respect to the un-
funded debt wax governed by wisdom and propriety, yet he had
never contended that it was not desirable to effect a diminution of
the advances and of the unfunded debt. This he was always ready
to admit, nitliough he could rot DHOW that Government was justly
chargeable with blame for not carrying into effect a system of re.
(Medan which circumstances would not permit. Ile repeated, how-
ever, that he wits always ready to admit that a reilue ion of the
advances made by the Bank was most desirable. 'I he amount o'
the advance* made by the Bark of England he should shortiy
state. On the sth of January, 1826, the Exchequer bills held by
the Dank amounted to six millions. These were in the shape Of
advances to Government, and not purchased in the market. Thi•
was the amount of Exchequer bills held by the Bank at the com-
mencement of the present your, but it was well known that in
February last the Bank consented to purchase two millions of Ex-
chequer Bills that wore outstanding, which the Government
thought n most desirable measure, as it was calculated to relieve
the pressure which then existed by the diffusion of money. But
the Bank could only undertake to purchase upon being assured by
the Government that the amount of their purchases maid be re-
paid in the course of the present year. The period tixeh on for
repayment was the month of June. At a period subsequent, how-
ever, to the purchase of Exchequer bills, as was very generally
known, the Bank agreed to make advances on goods to a limited
, amount, in order to meet the exigencies of the commercial comely.
nity. • It therefore became mere desirable that means should be
placed in the hands of the Government and of the Bank, In ostler