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London, England, 1806-05-09 00:00:00

which, however, he understood to contain matters
well worthy of attention, gave notice, that he sh mid
to.morrow move for all these petitions being re-
ferred to a Committee.
IRISH BUDGET.
Mr. Alexander brought up the Report of the
Committee of Ways and Means, which being read,
when the Clerk came to the regulation for imposing
an additional Duty on Sugar,
Mr. ROSE remarked on the singularity of pro-
viding for a loan, by a tax which could only be
temporary, instead of permanent. When the Aa
passed, by which this country gave Ireland a par-
ticipation in its colonial trade, it was provided, that
4never this country repealed any duty upon co.
Icitual produce, Ireland should do the same. The
tax was quite unprodudive in England. and not
worth keeping, and then what would become of
that part of the provision for the loan, or was it to
fall upon the finances of this country ? That must
ultimately be thecase, if the Irish debt were suffered
to go on increasing, and no greater portion of the
supplies raised within the year.
Sir J. NEWPORT referred to what he stated
last night, that measures were in preparation for a
great improvement in the produce of the revenue
in Ireland. At present he was young in office, and
had not long the advantage of that official infor-
mation, which his predecessor possessed, in making
new arrangements. Why did not Mr. Rose call on
that gentleman last year, to provide taxes for the
year ? He had taken the amount of the different
taxes designedly at considerably less than most of
them were likely to produce, in order that if any
defalcation should occur in one, it might be made
up by the others. If the case should occur, which
the Right Honourable Gentleman stated, there
would be no great difficulty to propose another in
its stead.
Mr. FOSTER said, that in one year he had pro-
posed taxes to the amount of half the former per-
manent revenue of Ireland. Any one acquainted
with Irish loans must know, that the two millions
borrowed this year would never go to Ireland, but
must remain here, to pay the interest of the annual
debt. In the ratio that the system went on now, a
very few years, not more than three or tour, would
bring the debt of the two countries to that point, at
which, by the Aft of Union, they were to be con-
solidated, and then a great part of the onus must
necessarily fall upon the finances of Great Britain.
Sir J. NEWPORT replied, that the Loan made
this year did not exceed that made last year by
Mr. Foster, whose taxes in the former year fell
greatly short of the amount at which he took them.
He added, that the plan he had in view for assimi-
lating the colletion of the duties in Ireland, with
the prasflic• used in England, and making some
other improvements, would raise the revenue of
that country one-third more, if not the half of its
amount at t resent.
Mr. FOSTER contended, that the produce of
the taxes imposed by him, had added nearly
1,200,0001. t the revenues of the country.
Mr. CORRY said, the increase now spoken of
could not be made out, except in comparison with
one or two former years, when the revenue was
very unproduflive. The Right Hon. Gentleman
had no right to press his own example as an argu-
ment for raising great taxes within the year, as he
himself abandoned that plan last year, and had r?..
course to a loan. As to what was said by Mr. Rose,
with regard to the obligation of the colony com-
pact, he could not be silent and bear such an argu-
ment advanced. It wig' verj truei,that Ireland eves,
as long as she had a Parliament, bound by that
agreement ; but he must contend, that all such obli-
gations were completely merged in the Union, which
made the people sovereigns or the colonies as well
as the people of England.
Mr. ROSE admitted, that the Union destroyed
the letter of the agreement; but that was no reason
why Ireland should be allowed, in making loans, an
advantage over this country.
Lord De BLAQUIERE spoke in favour of the
plans of his Right Hon. Friend (Mr. Foster), and
said, they would have been much more productive,
if they had not been thwarted in their operation in
Ireland.
Sir J. NEWPORT protested against the produce
of the present year being taken as the criterion of
what it would have been under the regulations of
Mr. Foster, for though be meant to adopt the great-
est part of them, be also intended to superadd many
andimportant new ones.
Mr. LEE referred to some documents in his
hand, which would, he said, chew, that there was a
considerable defalcation last year in the produce
both of the Excise and Customs, though the Stamps
produced mote than they did before. He con-
tended. therefore, that instead of an increase of
1,200,0001. which Mr. Foster took to himself the me-
rit of having made in the Revenue, compared with
some formes years, it would not exceed 500,0001.
Mr. FOSTER said, there prevailed in Ireland
a strong disposition to resist the colleBiun of the
Revenue • he wished for the concurrence of all the
Gentlemen ben acquainted with the subjea, in de-

• • 4 V
snit to the necessary means of rendering the:n
The resolution was then agreed o. Oa coming
to the next resolution, relating to the distilleries,
Mr. CORRY said, he only rose in order to avail
himself of that opportunity to give notice, that on
Monday next he should move for some papers re-
lating to the revenues of Ireland. •
Mr. FOSTER wished to state, that the reason
why he did nut discontinue the bounty of el. per
cent. on Large stills, was to encourage the distillers
to embark capitals in large stills, and discourage
the small ones, by which the duties were so much
evaded.
Sir J. NEWPORT observed, that oa all stills of
less than SOD gallons, the bounty became no longer
necessary.
The several resolutions went then agreed us, and
fiille mimed on them.

Mr. IiIISIE:SSON moved fora copy oF as much
of the Order of Council. of the 10th of January,
1794$ as related to encouraging the importation of
Swedish herrings. The reason was. he said, that
Messrs. Chalmers and Cowie had sustained i con-
siderable loss by it, which he thought should be
remunerated br the public, as was ander 'he con-
sideratioe a the late IJiard of l'reasury. The mo-
twat was agreed t 3.

REPORT OF THE MILITARY CONIMISSI,JNT RS.

Lord HENRY PE iTY said, he rose in "•ve a
general notice. The report of the Military Com.
missioners which lay upon the table, had disclosed
abuses to which it would be right not to lose any
time in proposing aremedy. t ie therefore gave ti,tice,
that it was his intention before the close of Cc pre-
sent session, to lay before the House a general eiirn.
prehensive system of regulations, for putting an end
to all such abuses, in every department conneCtedlt
with the application, receipt, or expenditure of the
public money, and which should meet all the sug-
gestions made in the report of the Military Commis-
sioners. At the same time, he wished also to state,
that not a moment had been lost, ifs taking the most
efeftual measures for recovering for the public all
defalcations that had hitherto been deteded.
CHARGES AGAINST MARQUIS WE.I.I.FSLET.
Mr. PAUL rose, and after shortly observing,
that the papers he had moved for, relative to the
charge against the Marquis Wellesley, would at no
very distant period be in the possession of the Mem.
hers, moved, " that there should be laid before the

, .
House a list of the various new taxes, and of the
revival of old imposts, including the mint and post
office duties, which took place in India doling the
government of the M •rquis Wellesley."
Mr. BANKS wished to call the attention of the
House particularly to the subjed brought before •
them by this Motion. H. thought it very neces-
sary, when papers were moved for, in order to
substantiate - a seriotts charge, that they should be
granted, and he, therefore, did not intend to oppose
their produ4lion. But, by the papers already before
the House, every man newt see. that the charges,
which branched out into different departments, were
all fora serious misappEcation of the public money.
The mode proposed to try the validity of these
charges was by Impeachmeat. Now, he hoped the
House would see from experience, that this was the
very worst mode that could be adopted. By it, the
most guilty, on account of the delay, and fur va-
rious other reasons, had a chance of escaping, and
the most innocent, even if he did escape, would
be overcome by the expense. There were other
modes, he said, appointed by the Legislature, to
prosecute charges of this nature; and if he
could point out one, he hoped the House would
agree with him, that it should be adopted. . The
Hon. Gentleman then desired, that the act of the
24th of the King, intituled the East-India Judicature
Ad, should be read; which being done, he said the
charge exhibited by the Hon. Member (Mr. Paul)
applied to crimes, for the trial and punishment of
which, a court and form were co-stituted by that
law. He then referred to the charge. which, as it
related to the exper.iittre of the puhlic money, 1*
thought should be tried helm, this tribunal. The
Judges of the Court were composed of a certain
number of Peers, some Commoners, and three
Judges of the Land; one of whom was always to
be present, and to preside. The lion. Gentleman
thought they should, it possible, ovoid sxerci.ing
their judicial fuodions, as the mode of brip-tch-
mem was an inconvenient prsaier, and put a stop
to all kinds of business. For these reason's, he
thought the charge should he preferred in the Co .tt
of King's Bench, in the manner provided by the
all, and he hoped, at some fu...e period. eh. H use
would take the matter into serious consideration.
Mr. FOX thought, that if such a law vs re in a-
istence, as was stated by the Hononiatae Gentle. -
man, it would be peciallatly a,.pl ...tole to hit' Lhis
charge to the Court constituted by it. Such was
hir present °plain:v.4 this part of rhe I-In •ou able
Gentleman's speech; bat while he was up, he would
say a few words with resped to another part of his
speech, lest it should be thought that he coincided
with him in opinion, that the judicial fuo_tio - of
the House of Commons were not of • a moon co t-
sequence as the other. For his part, he thought
nothing ten trd so much to insure the liberty of the
people ; it was the corner-stone that supp..lLati the
constitution, and it should riot be distui bed In
modern times, he allowed, the precedents ef 'im-
peachments were unfortur ate, but on this eccoret
he did not conceive the country should be allowed
to think that the privilege of the Commons was
given up.
Lord DOUGLAS coincided in opinion with his
Right Hon. Friend. He by no means thought it
improper for the House to institute an imFeach-
ment ; and as this was a motion for papers to ens .le
them to come to a determination on that point, he
would not oppose it.
Sir ARTHUR WELLES LF_Y felt himself en-
tirely unprepared to give a decided opinion on the
proposition made to the House ; hut certainly that
mode which would enab:e his Noble relation to
come speedily and finally to his defence, would be
most acceptable. With resped to the chintzes, and
the papers moved for, several being now berme the
House, /.e did not see how they could give them
up, without first examining into them, and seeing
whether or not any of the charges were likely to be
substantiated.
Mr. FRANCIS said, he did net hear the whole
of the Honourable Gentleman's (Mt. Banks) gam-
ismt...lasu what he didhear, ijosioloas the greaten
concern. With resped to the court constituttd by
the at, it never was intended that high crimes or
misdemeanours should be tried by it, but merely
petty offences, which were not worth the interference
of Parliatutny. Such were the charges against the
Marquis Wellesley. that if they were male oat to
the satisfaaion of this liduse, he could not be tried
in any other manner but by Impeachment. By this
mode, she country had put Lord Melville on his
trial ; and as, for every 10001. he was charged to he
a defaulter, a million was charged to the Marquis
Wellesley, it was impossible he could be uilid is
any other manner.
Mr '

FOX explained.
Mr. H. ADDINGTON was of opinion. that 2s
they had part of the evidence before them. they'
should, before they came to any determination. see
whether there were suLtent grounds for the charge.
Doane LAWRENCE said. tl.e How.e was com-
petent to do what they please i,when the evidence tvis
before them; bit at present he did not think it p-c-
-per to suggest this made, as it would only nava the
effedt of wrung the attention of the House front
the investigatimi of the charger He was in tivour
of proceeding by impeachment; but as that was not
sow the question. he would vote for the pr
sin of the paws.
•er. SA.NKS avid D S.AWREN: E rapt