The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-06-03 00:00:00

which, while it greatly diminished the public ex-
pense, deepened also the bed of the river. The
va.t im►prowemeuts now carrying on at Sheerness.
• end the extent of which could not be duly
ststi-
meted except by ocular inspection, bad baffled all
attempts at an adequate estimate before hand, from
the difficulties interposed by the nature of the
in the progreas of the work. The expendi-
ture under this head was now under revision in oil
its braocheii, and lie had no doubt would in future
be carefully examined iti detail. Ile had now, lie
thought, touched upon the principal points re-
specting which the Hun. Baronet solicited 'Rubino*.
bon.
Sir M. W. RIDLEY thanked the lion. Genet.-
'man for his answers. Hes only uhj.ct
.was to ob-
tain information, which he admitted he had recets-
ed.— (Kear.)
The next Resolution woo—
s, That a suns sot exceeding SSs,t3ll. lie greeted for the
Transport Service of the year 1819."

Sir M. W. RIDLEY begged to take this oppor-
tunity of again calling the attention of Government
to the state of the miemploted pursers of the navy,
and their present situation, us contrasted with their
previous rank and emoluments. Of clerks who
had passed seven years' service, and also passed
their examination as acting pursers. there were, he
believed, about 2.5 or :26 excluded frum their allow-
:wee by the regulstion of the Orders in Council of
1814 ; and when it was considered that 14 or
1.3001. would give u sort of pittance to such per-
sons, he ►trongly urged that the Prince Regent
should be advised to rescind this Order as affecting
them. He barely threw out Vito suggestion, the
adoption of which would prevent him from making
it on a future the subject of a specific motion.
Sir GEOLGE LOCILDUEN lamented that he could
not concur in airy recurninendation which would
tend to augment the half-pay list; nor could he
consent to any addition whatever to the list, except
in asses of vacancies.

Mr. Caoxxa said that the Hon. Baronet's ap-
peal was part mixed up in his compassion for the
situation of some of these individuals, ■nd part in
his idea of the justice of their claims. %%'W) respect
to the compassionate part of the appeal, he could
assure the Hon. Baronet, that he (Mr. C.) lamented
us much as any man that lie could not, with a due
sense of economy, give the sought-for relief. The
justice of the claim he was sat so easily prepared
to admit. The state of the case was this—accord.
ing to the old plait, there were exactly as many
pursers as there were ships in commission; and
when u ship was lost or broken up, uo new parser
was appointed until another ship was built or put
in commission. This was considered very hard

upon the pursers thrown out of employmeutin this
manner, and a custom grew up of bearing pursers
on what was called the cheque of the yard, with an
allowance of Is. 2d. or Is. 3d. each per day, until
the new ship was put in commission. During the
late war, an alteration in this plan took place, and
so rapid, from a variety of causes, was the appoint-
ment of pursers, that there were at one time
uctually one thousand pursers, though there
were only 500 ships in commission. lu the year
1814 the Board of Admiralty regulated the num-
ber. and adopted the system of balf-pay ; and it
was then resolved, that no snore pursers should be
appointed until the number existing was reduced
to the Humber of ships in commission. The ex-
pense of the old plan was 33,8001.—0 f the new plan
64,8001.—a.► that bv the latter the pursers were
gsitirrs of upwards of 40,000/.
The Resolution was then agreed to.
ORDNANCE ESTIMATES.

Mr. ROBERT W•RD then, in pursuance of his
notice, brought on the Ordnance Estimates. lie
commenced by giving • brief statement of the
amount of the Ordnance expenditure. according to
the Estimates for the current year. From the
necessity which had arisen of waking retiring pro-
visions in a number of cases after the peace, there
bad been a considerable excess in the half•pay and
superannuated branch of this department of the
expenditure, which amounted to about 43,0001.—
but in every other branch of the department the
utmost retrenchment was adopted, and the saving
this year amounted to .60,0001. 2s. 9d. The re-
duction in !Joint of numbers since the peace amount-
ed to 1,814 Officers and men in the Sappers and
Miners Corps. The numberof men in this branch
was, last year, 9.759—it was this year 7,939. And
the Board of Ordnance. acting wtrictly isip to the
recommendations of the Committee of Finance, hild
reduced their expenditure front four millions and
upwards to about 1,100,0001. The Hon. Member
concluded by proposing a Resolution—
., That a sum not exceeding 386,2211. 3s. 1 Id. be granted
to defray the unprovided charges of the Laud Service of the
Ordnance Department fur the year 18I8."

Mr. 111.111 IE thought dark some important saving
might be effected iu this department, by a reduc-
tion of the expensive manufactory of gunpowder,
which was still carried on. Instead of selling the
munufectured stock of gunpowder, when it greatly
accumulated or became damaged, would it not be
a better coarse to stop the manufactory itself ?
Why incur a large expense for manufacturing air
article which was not in dem•ud ? Why pay
10.500/. for the mere manufacture of gunpowder
at Evealiam still Waltham Abbey, to keep up a.
tirehas stuck ? There wee soother item on which
lie required explanation—that was respecting the
manner iu wind, the vacancies on the Artillery Staff
were to befitted up. Was it true, as he bad heard
(aid heard with satisfaction). that sonic arrangement
was made., by which vacancies in this corps were iu
future to be filled up alternately by cadets from
Woolwich and officers from the half-pry list? To
give away cominiwions to persons who had never
seen service, ar had fieeu the practice, inflicted a
double injustice—first to the country, for it was
preserving a half-pay expenditure winch might be
avoided by tilling up the new 'commissions From the
Italf•pay list; and doing an injustice to the 'old
officer who had served his country, by keeping him
upon • reduced allowance, when an opportunity
Iwo occurred of renew iug his full pay. There were
several novel items en this year's list. it ought to
fir tocollected, that the Finance Committee had
strongly recommended that in future the foreign
attitinotious of this :country should he made to
maisitain their own wetahlitiliasents, mid yet this year
there were several heeds of expenditure fur Ceylon,
Maui itius, the C•pr,Corfu, and the lonian Islands.
umounting to it 1.306/. and to MOW. more is u se•
partite shape. This was chute when the Colonic* al

fllreat Butaiu ought 16 be made made to itypert
thetneeives, and therel►y effect a savisis raisrp• of
not lees than hall a minion a-year.
Mr. R. WARD obsertett. that with ►espeet to the
'manufactureof gunpowder, it must he evident that a
great and an economical alteration must Wye taken
place, when the manufacture for the use of (invent-
went was seduced from 30.04)0 barrels annually to
1,000. It was, however, essential to preserve the ex-
isteoce of a manufactory which had, beyond all
doubt, carried tt.e article it p_rtyliiced to such e de-
gree or perfection, as to ex►ee►l, in point of extel-
leti-e, that snide in any tither tout ol ,lie world.
Besides, the continuance of the setantaii7.uie its the
reduced rate tit which the Work was gowg mi. kept
in employment those old servants who should other.
wise lie provided for by pensions. As to the Staff
Artillery, he presumed the II 000000 urahle Member
tueant to allude to the Artillery Corps (for they hail
no staff 114 he seemed to suppose), the regulation
was as he had heta►d it. anti he fed (lettered at the
manner in which the Hon. Member had expressed
his opinion of it.
The Resolution was then agreed to.
The next Resolution wits," 'Dist a sow not ex.
ceed►sig 100.0941. be granted to defray the usipro-
'tided expellee of she Lend Service of the °Mantic,
of Crest Britain fur the year 1519." •
In 3111swer to a ipiestion from
Rtui.xv,
Mr. it. WARD said, that this vote Will made out
in the usual way.
Thia Reitolunon was agreed to.
The next was. " That a suns not exceeding
10,0001. lie granted for defraying the expense* of
the reduction of the Ordnance Military Corps."

Mr. HUME, In alluaiuu In what had liven said
where lie spoke of the manufacture of gunpowder,
mentioned, that he had always understood the gun-
powder maaufactured by private companies in this
country excelled the Government article. At all
events, he thought 7,5001. a-year for the payment
of mere labour in the manufacture too much for
the country to be called upon to pay. De their
complained of the delay of tronsmittirig fur exami-
nation the accounts in the Ordnance Department,
some of which, though so far back as 1814, remain-
ed yet unexamined.
Mr. It. W•tin lamented that, from the nature
of the service, there bring a few men scattered all
over the world, in the different garrisons, the ac-
counts of the several expenses of those small divi-
sions were riot transmitted with the regularity which
they ought, and many officers were now under dis-
pleasure, and some under prosecution, for their
neglect.
The Resolution was then agreed to.
The next was " 275,67 W. fur the charges of su-
perannuated and retired officers fur 1819."
A4reed to.
!lien " 6,0221. for the half-pay of civil officers of
the Ordinince.and for pensions for their widows and
children."—Agreed to.
Their, " 34,484/. for several pensions of superan-
nuated officers."—Agreed In.
Mr. LisittrisTr inquired whether it was true that
the !ate blaster-General of the Ordnance had retired
upoir full pay?
Mr. ROBERT W•RO said, that this rumour was
not only not true, but in every respect utterly des-
tittlee of any foutirlittioir.—(Hear.)
The following Resolutions acre then agreed to :

101.e00/. for the Irish Ordoasice servire,
12,000. to pay the retired officers of the Irish Ai tillery,
sad 4,6001 fur the retired civil officers of the Irish Depart-
ment.

Sir J. NEWPORT inquired what was done with
the Bolincolig r•tablislinient, near Cork ?
Mr. K. WARS replied, that it was reduced, and
the greater part of the land let to as mm4l advau-
loge us was passible.

EXCIIEQUER BILLS.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER TOW to
bring on his motion for the repayment of outstand-
ing Irish Treasury Hills, 'unprovided Exchequer
Bill., and to prmole a Sinking Fund for Exchequer
Bills. The Right Noss. Gentleman, in enplane-
' tion of his molten, said it few words in so low a tone
of voice as to be inaudible in the gallery. Ile con-
cluded by moving—
“ That ti,599,6004. be granted to pay of Exchequer Hills
Aired on she Supplies of the year 1819, sad which are
uutstauding and unprovided fur."
Mr. Ga►:NFet.r., in rising to make some observa-
tions upon the course pur►ued by the Right Host.
Gentleman, disclaimed any wish to revive the dis-
CUII*IOO 00 the Sinking Fund, which had been die.
posed of three or fear weeks ago, us the country
was now Cu the eve of a loan, and it was right to
look back a little at the situation of the country.—
He held in his hands a paper, which proved beyond
all doubt, that if the system which had been so
often recommended, of applying ;tart of the Sink-
ing Fund towards the boasts-7f that system had
beets adopted for the four last loans, namely, the
loan of twenty-seven millions, in June 1813—of
twenty-two millions in the November following—
of tweittp.four millions in September 1814—and
the enormous loan of thirty-six millionsin 1815—
the practical effect of the Right Honourable Gen-
tleman's (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) sitting
on this phu►, would have been at saving to the
Commissioners of the Sinking Fund—that is, a
saving to the public 01110 less a sum than «ix mil-
lions, producing an annuity to the public of
g 68.000/. a sum snore than equivalent to that must
odious stud demoralizing tan, the Lottery. The
present Sinking Fund was 15 or 16 millions, and if
what he !stnd this day wits trite, that the Right
Iloti.(iesitlentuo was about to contract fur a loan of
90 millions, he would lope that the Rt. lion.
Gentleman would apply slie Stet:lag Fund to the
luau. Ile entreated the Rt. lion. Geittleinan not
to commit himself with loan contractors', so as to
prevent
would arise from applying tht Sinking Fund to-
wards the loau. lie would uow 'shortly udiert to a
rumour which was very generally afloat tins day—a
rumour sithicli dee believed was • gross calumny,
directed against the Right Hon. Gentlematt. The
report was this—that the Right lion. Gentleman
had a commituicaiieu with certain loan contractors,
to whose, anal to whom only, lie had cornmeal-
cased the aiwowut awl particulars of the ;wended
• loan. This; be would repeat, he believed to be a
calamity est else Right Hun. Gentleman—he would
continue to think so until 'he heard she contrary
avowed by the Right Non. Genticmait himself;
But if it were true. it must be evidvut to the House
the •he has giro) those person* with whom hr WI

romintthicaled an enormous, undue, and tali,' 441.
rootage over the stockholders in gsineral. arid lac/
the public. At all events, the lit. limit Gear. if ha
thought fit to communicate on this stillect with 4
few private person., he should have iiitorourd ti,„
public at large with his intentions ; he should have
stated, in Ins place, to the House, on Tharsd,l
last, before the recess. the nature of the town min*
it was his indention to make, instead of making 4
patrtiel communicati is to private 14111005:Itut
%spits he would repeat lila hope, that the report -.1,44
no unfounded calumny.
The CHANCELtort of the EXCHEQI'r2
that, with respect to the application to. the Sioktug
Fund, no etigagenient was Indite with ail persons
to prevent the public from having every ;••Ir,
that could present itself from that sourer ; sad Om
Treasury relied on that fond as a certain protert.
lion to the public and to themselves •Igniiist every
pcsvible imposition. As to another pow', the Hon,
Gentleman, he sail, Ulna be aware 1:,,t 1,, (th,
Chancellor of the Exchequer) [oust thaincut
cosminunicatrons with regard to titiaikcial I:sr•l•uttel
but certiouly no secret was disclosed,
vate commumeatiou was made to any vile, uf *hick
advantage might be taken.
1111 r. RICARDO said, that he had heard the
amount of the loan ittetitioned winch it was in
the coateuipholon of the Government to not for,
No cogpiamuicatiosi en Ilse 'object %.,s tw.kl.• ou 111,.

establishment of which he was a invi:hier, slid it .a
cutninunication of the kiwi was I,,wAirly mailr in
any individuals, it must give 111,111 s 11141tilrs4 sad
decided 'Advantage over all others. 11'lkolwr sui
a coinutuniuttion was made or nor, he vorlid not
decide--hut lie certainly beard the
tinned with such precisiou, as would induce a he.
lief that something fad ben' done.
r. GRENIFELL said, he now had no doubt who.
ever on his mind, that the Right lion.
bad dune that which lie (Mr. Gretifell) had tre.n..l
till now as a most iii!;unous and unfounded
lumity. The Riglrt Hun. Geidletnati slated, 11,4
be did makes coluninviication of his tinuticial
aid therefore no doubt remained on Ins mind at
to the truth of the reports which floated aroma,
every quarter of the City in the course of this
day. Another fact lie was equally ronviiired of, on,
so much from what the Right Hrio. Gentlenirri
-had said, as from what he had nut said. He sus
-now quite satisfied that the Right Hon. Gentle.
man did not intend to apply any part of thir
Sinking Fund in aid of the intended loan. The
Right Honourable Gentleman had that
Treasury hod to their hands the !sower ol prrvriit_
iiig any combination against the public iiileress;
but lie 01r. (irenfell) wished to see loin ih‘t
power—lie wished to see the public have that it.
vantage which was intended to be 'Mown into the
hands of contractors. What simple coiritritor
could grapple with so large • loan as thirty cut.
lions ? But if that loan were reduced to linen'
millions, one, two, or three contractors vtossid be
found to grapple with it. He asked, did nut the
Right Hon. Gentlemen, by the course he irellftil
to trace takin, give to 'owe perms an onfair sod
a decided advantage over the public ? lie would
tacitly ask the Right Hon. Gentleiniii, was he new
prepared la give to the public the intiwmation
which lie gave to the loan contrarturs?—he wvorri
ask, whether the Right lion. Gentleman would
deem it tight to state to Parliament what he had
previously conunuuicated to those person*?
The CHANCELLOR of the I',XCHEyURR said. he
would shortly state to the'House all that lie lint
said in comutunication to others. Ile had cualulteil
with certain persons-all-then it would have be,:, of
advantage to the public to provide in oats luau for
the inesrut and the neat year, so that there
be no loan' required fur the next year ; or 1111 the
other hand, whether it would be more advisable is
have a small loan, or whether any, and what put
of the Sinking Fund should he applied.
Mr. BARNETT said. the House should be cau-
tious of interfering.
Lord MlL•rom said, that the Right lion. Gen-
tleman had admitted that he lard made a cousniu-
ideation. It was hot (said the N..ble Lord), so
much to be complained of that an unfair advantage
might hare been given to one set of contracuns
above the other, but it was that it deprived the pull.
he of the advantage that would necessarily be
detivtd from a fair competition.
The. CHANCELLOR of the ExcitEratir.• said, the
nest Resolution was—

" That a sum of three mifliona oterting be granted to
Blajesty, fur payment of the interest of Exebeciura Bats Ulll-
- fur the year NUL".

. -
Alter snow eouve•rrntion between Mr. GREN-
FELL, Sir JOHN NEWPORT, and the CHANCELLoR
of the EXCHEQUER, the Resolution was agreed to,
The Hest Resolution proposed was—
" That a sum of 1,670,000/. be gratits.l to his hisjcsiy,
for interest of Duhequer Bills, ia►ytd fur the service wf
Ireland."

Sir J. NEWPORT raid, that whatever benefit w:is
proposed to have followed from the issue of Excite,
quer bills for Ireland, was completely
by the manner in which Treasury hill. welt! '.sue...
He paid, that having had occ.,sion to purchase
Irish Treasury bill for a friend of h:s
he was obliged to wait far more than three wed,.
before he could iwocure it. They were, he said,
entirely absorbed by one bank in that country, boa
another in England.
The CHANCELLOR of the Flcurount
that the inconvenience stated by the
Baronet was occasioned by the uncertainty ‘.l
Irish market, but he would be anxious to
it in env way that might be pointed out.
The Resolution was then agreed to.
The next Resolution proposed wits—
" That a Fuels of 4,400,0401 should he eranteit •-
jesly, fur Hut payusent orate Treasury Bilis of Inland.
Agreed to.
The neat Resolution was—
" That • sues of 1,400,0410/. he ranted to mr• t r.r
talus Exchequer Villa issued in the last yeac"—Agiced
'f he next Resolution was—
" That •stues of 1,8181. he granted to his Majesty fir the
Seitibb Uuseaot."—Agreed to.
The House then retained, and the Committee
got terve to sit ag•iin on IMolotoy next.
The CHANCELS ft of the EXCHEQUER gave
quince, that he *OO.l to-morrow sulunit a ,niet.,:i
to the House on the utshlect of the a,tessrd tear-,
IRISH COURTS OF JIJSTICf.
Mr. C. GRANT rase to move for Lave to la' mg its
Gill for regnleting the Feta of Ilse Court Of 4.3lPats:
eery of Ireland. It was, lie *aid, a the
. •
grelltegt importance to that,goontry. Cctnintssicne!s