The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1810-05-18 00:00:00

REVERSION BILL.

Upon the Order of the Da) being read,
Earl Gaosvamott observed, that he rose with
great pain and anxiety to move the second reading
of this Bill. which was to prevent the evils arising
from the grant of places in reversion. lie felt this
solicitude on account of the public expectation,
which ought, in the present times. to be attended
to, when the dissatisfaction in the politic mind was
greet, wbetherwe ascribed it to those who ware well
affected to the Government, but were dissatisfied
with the abuses of the State. or to those who were
disaffected. apd took every means of it, iming the
public mind. He trusted the Bill before them.
freed from the former objections of informality,
would. in respect to the wishes of the people and
the Douse of Commons, next with the concur-
reace of their Lordships. There was na necessity
for his urging those arguments, whirl) had
been so often stated, and so feebly atiswered ;
nor would he trouble the House much at length on
Ibis occasion. There acre one or two points, hoe.
ever, to'which he directed their attention. It would
become their Lordships, as the gleirdissis of the
Constitution, to look to the consequenees, and pre-
terit abuse, of graistriig places in reversion. Some
Might be of opinion that little harm could arise
from the rant of Kemal offices in. this way. At
the same time it would be recollected, there were
offices gloated at present, not as the reward of ser-
vices, either for the Crows or for the people, but
Resided to Members of the Legislature, fur their
conduct in another place. Such were tumny of
tie se grants made io the silent sad secret cis:m-
iters of the Treasury. This formed a more se-
rious consi leration, when we reflected on it as
R 10tRAA f supporting a tottering Admioiatratiou—
an iitration, who, to say the least, obtained
melt sums in an uncouotiulional manner, and who
were drt en afterwards, for their maintenance in
ores. to vie uucorwattuttotoal al of " No Popery."
tile linage would only take this view of the sub-
ject. that t se grant of nffires in reversion was a
mats of ret•ining in their places an Ad kali/UW.66a

so incompetent to hold the reins of' Government, it
was highly lucumbent to abolish this power, which
in alter brads had been grossly abused. Another
point, particularly worthy of the attention of Par-
liatneut, was, that it would convince the people
they were notenemies to economy in the' public
expenditure. For,although the saving to the public
had been represented to be tntlings it would appear,
from a moderate calculation, taking the estimates
of grants at compound interest, from the begin-
niog of His Majesty's reign, there would have been
a saving of twenty millions. It was certain, there
was great discontent its the public mind, and they
had great burdens to bear; amid, certainly, such were
not times to refuse paying attention to the reason-
able wishes of the people. He conjured their
Lordship. seriously to think what they were doing,
and nut to irritate, by their conduct, the public
grievances. He was anxious to know what would
be the line which Ministers would pursue on the
present occasion. It was their duty to avow their
sentiments as to the principle of the bill, hut it was
impossible to foresee their conduct, trout what had
fallen from the Noble Secretary, on a former day.
After describing the alterations which had been in-
troduced into the Bill, for the purpose of answering
the objections made to former measures of the
same kind, and lamenting that it was likely to be
opposed by the Heads of the Church and the Heads
or the Law, he concluded by moving, " That the
Bill bb rend a second time."
The Loan Cris %ICE stoa said, he could aot omit
the present opportunaj of exprestieng his opinion
of II e bill now befoie them. It was a bill so far
from being the aline with. those which had been ins
trodoced on former occasions, that it was com-
pletely different from all which he had ever deer, on
the subject. The principle of the last bill and that
of the present were widely different. With respect
toll e Spiritual Lords, they we toot included in the
present, and, therefore, it might be questionable
how far they would oppose, (a Ithsgh;) but it being
in tided in the former, they were certainly in at-
tendance to give it their opposition —(A laugh.)
The difference of principle wis this, that the for-
mer fill did propose to abolish the granting of
°lite' in reversioa • whereas, the present tended
only to alter the mode of making those grants ; for
it ti ok away the right from the Crown, where it
had immemorially rested, and transferred it to both,
or either House of Parliernent. It limited the
grant of places in reversion, except when both. or
either House chose to address the King for that
purpose. Nothing could, therefore. be inure ob-
jectionable, nothing more unconstitutional, than to
place in the hands of Parliament a branch of the
prerogative ; for in all times the Sovereign wet ever
deemed the fit patron of rewords and offices.—
There was also a chiller, which drew a distinction,
where he could not comprehend the ctiffereliets It
distinguished between a grant to two par: oils io re-
version, Lead one to two for their lola lives, with
benefit of survieorship. The Noble Nasal had
pressed this subject uonti their consideration, as a
means of overturning the present Achninietration ;
but us well might an infant attempt to pull down it,
mountain with its little fingers. as the Noble Earl
atteilipt to subvert the Felicia Ministers by such
trifling titearures.—(4 &met.) Considerable im-
portance had been also placed to the discontents of
the people—but were they to act in compliance
with the a isles of the ebvereite..ted ? To the
reasonable wishes of the people. he trusted,
Parliament would always psy attrition ; on the
one hand they would beat emisiilt the public good,
bV inaintaittiug the privilege and independence
of Parliament, and, on the other band, they would
best defend the rights of Parliament, by sup-
porting the rights of 1::e people. Still, when he
alluded to the dissatisfaction In the public mind,
he must soy, Gotta the extwrrence of sixteen years
in his polities! Ile, he clearly perceived the lan-
guage of the dirt:effected was changed, bat their
object and end were the mine. Many years ago
their cry was " No king, no monarchy PI fur they
well knew, that if the monarchy were once throw,.
down, the two Houses of Parlisinent must perish in
the runts. The disaffected of the present day feigned
a veneration for the Sovereign, and profeseed their
enmity to the rights of the two Houses of the Le-
gislature. But their object was similar to that of
the disaffected in former days; they equally medic
listed the destruction of the Constitution. It was
the duty of every limn, who regarded the interests
of the people, strenuously to maintain the dignity,
the power, and the privilege, of the House of Coin-
-mono, as well as what belonged to the other branches
of the. Legislature.
Viscount MELVILLS could never permit what
belonged to the Sovereign, the ensigns and budges
of royalty, to be taken away. and transferred to the
'two Moises of the Legislature. It would create a
scramble between them when they attempted to
outrun euch other to the door of the Palace—(4
lamgh.)—lie did not perceive the economy it would
produce, and he ridiculed the idea of this Bill alle-
viating the public burdens. The retrenchment of
public expense had been the profession of every
Administration, far • great number of pease. suet
they bad gone to the extreme in restricting the in.
fluence of the Crown. Even if attention in the
grant of reversions was introduced, he agreed with
his Noble and Le wiled Friend that great delibera-
tion was necessary. But the present Bill, in every
respect, appeared to him intidequate to the re-
moval of any grievauce ; and it most meet, in its
present state, his most decided opposition.
Earl Gaze was not prepared to say what would
be the amount of the saving to the public by letting
the present Bill pass into a law, or that it would
tend to tranquillize the discontent of the public
mind, which existed to a very serious degree ; but
the question for their consideration was, whether or
out it was fit to adopt the principle of the measure,
and abolish the power of granting offices in rever-
sion T From all which he had learned on the sub-
ject, he was inclined to believe, that it would be bet-
ter for the public goad that the Crsivrii should not
possess the power of granting offices in reversion.
A circumstance stated by the Noble and Learned
Lord on the iVelobuck, was sufficient testimony of
the evils resulting fruit, suet, a power ; fur, on a (cr.
tner occasion, he had informed the Hume that
all those nutnerotts 'daces in the gift of the office
he fills had been Iliopmwd of by the Chantellors
preceding Lord Thtirlow ; and time sabseerseut
rd Chancellor hart been anti, seated in almost
(very grant, to the disappointtneat of the strongest

claims upon their patronage. Much had been said
of the trifling saving it would make to the public ;
but still, however small, as many itcuis composed
the aggregate, it became theta to attend to every
economy which could be introduced into the pub-
lie expenditure. They would thers by convince the
people, they were not indifferent to the burdens
ender which they laboured. The conduct of the
present Administration was certainly most extraor-
dinary : they had sat sitcnt on this question for
three years, and had net yet determined what they
should do, with regard to the grants of places in
reversion. But they generally appeared indifferent
to every thing around them, and entertained no
wish to remove those complaints which at this
time filled the minds of the people. Far
was it from him to act in epprehens on of ally
public clamour ; but there was certainly, through-
out this couutiy, a discontent prevailing, to a
greater degree drat) probably was estimated, and
it chiefly arose from the weight and Iturilen of a
heavy taxation. The Sovereign hail been men-
tioned by the Noble Viscount, and, with as much
reverence to the monarch, as any man, ha had to
regret that so many places had been granted in re-
, version, by the advice of evil counsellors, whereby
services were not rewarded, but those who supported
the administration.—(Hear! hear I)—Thus it was
the public:Mild became dissatisfied, and goaded into
discontent, and from the dislike of the people to
abuse. such would be the danger of their disgust,
that they would be induced to sweep away every
thing valuable and useful in the Constitution, with
what might deserve justly their correction. Ile slid
nut approve of the Bill in its prerent state, for he
never could assent, that, to take from the Crown the
grant of offices in reversion, and to transfer it to
Parliament, would Increase the public good; on
the contrary, he thought it would have a different
tendency. Besides, it was uncoustitutionut ; be-
castle the Crown must be allowed to possess the
patronage of offices and rewards. But for the
principle of the Bill, he was an advocate. and
would vote fur the second reading, on account of its
being capable of the necessary alterations in a
Committee.

Viscount Stomoom agreed with many of the
observations made by his Noble Friend (Grey);
but grtut exaggeration and delusion had been
exercised on this subject, relative to the grant-
ing of places in terersion ; exaggeration •as to
its endangering the prerogative of the Crown,.
and delusive as to its relieviog the burdens ot the
people. He lisl,eved it would do neither; and that
the saving to the public would be so little that it
would almost amount to nothing. Such were hie
opinions : at the same time he had so high a re-
spect for the rentilient•of the public,' that be con—
sidered no blessing so great as when he found
.his
own conduct meeting the public approbation. He
'et-vainly approved of the principle of this measure,
and would gladly see it carried into 4.0; yet, al.
though he came down to the House with the pur-
pose of giving this bill his aupport, from a pe-
rusal of its contents, and the observations of his
Noble and Learned Friend on the Woolsack, he
was persiiaded it would not answer the end of re-
moving the abuse. Under the preernt circa mstuaces,
he would recommend that a Bill be introduced
to suspend the grant of offices in reversion ; and as
the prevent Session was so far advanced, let the
House take full time, in the commencement of the
next, to consider the grant of what offices in rever-
sion it would be expedient to abolish.

The Earl of Ltvearoot, was surprised that the
Noble Earl (Grey) should have thought the pre-
sent Bill could be remedied in a Committee ; for,
if it should go there for amendment, be well per-
seeded it would not come out with one word
almost eirnilir to its present suite. He adverted
to the public dissatisfaction, and observed, what-
ever attacks were made upon him and his col.
leagues, when that question came to be discussed,
he should be very ready to defend himself from
such charges. 'l'hc Noble Earl (Grey) had attri-
buted thegeneral discontent to thevxcessive tsxation.
But lie would ask, was not that taxation necessary?
Mast not our army and navy be extended in these
times, when all Europe, under the dominion of one
man, are arrayed in anus against us ? Besides,
were we not to take into consideration, the in-
creased commerce and riches of the country ? If
we were, to proportion the burden mud expense
now, to the riches and commerce of the country at
the seine pesiod, and thou compare them with a
similar calculation made tee King William's reign,
lie would venture to esv, the people now' were
richer and abler to beer the burdens than they were
in the reign he had mentioned. Ile wished that
Parliament would state, of what offices they meant
to abolish the reversion, and hove far they intended
to carry this nrea.nre ; and then he and others
might form a decided opinion of its propriety. He
concluded, by expressing his opposition to the pre-
sent Bill.

The Earl of Catirsemer agreed with the Noble
Secretary of State, that the last clause was one
that could not be maintsined by their Lordships,
but ought to be rejected. It was not only an in-
fringement of the prerogative of the Crown, but
also of that of the Parliament. Ills Lordship en-
tered into the merits of the Bill. and contended
there was nothing in it to satisfy the discontents of
the people ; he allowed they were much depressed
by taxes. but he agreed with the Noble Earl
(Liverpool) that the dire necessity of the times
made them necessary. Under there considerations
he would oppose the Bill.
Lord REDESDALA hoped the Neble Earl, Who
moved fur the second reading of the BM, would
net press their Lordships to a division. lie would
not enter largely into the merits of the Bill, as lie
opposed it on the grounds that their Lordships
should not for a moment maintain its principle, or
give it countenance, by allowing it to pass a single
stage.
The Loan CHANCELLOR then put the question,
that the Bill should be teal a second time, which
was negatived without ► diiiswo.
Earl Garr postponed hi, motion relative to the
state of the nation. from ‘Vednesday next, to Fri-
day, the Ist of June.
The other orders of the lily were then disposed
of, .and their Lordships adjourned at trine o'clock.
His Royal Highness the Doke of Cumberland
was present.

•
'gait ovommoNs.
.111
Ms. Mx is Bowfin Ditty presglitag • Petition fromßafiaa taaholica of the comit of Galstsga. int Ireland, w L rbr
:,.6
ordeteg) tg, lie, ea the table.:
Mr. Wiss agog iitived fora new writ for the ftornuelt
ofSeiCrerntaires, iu the room of the Rua. Quarles York.. ba
bad allCepted-lhe (maw elms .Censuussiouer of th AJun ratty .—gderositerl • ': ; • •••
On the muclog of. Mr. Mgcttsg, the Mile-End KW Bill
was read • tjase,aad panned.
The HolloWay*Witer-works Bill was read • third time and
rased.
Mr. Wg ***** moved fur lease lei being in a Bill Gir ea-
lending the bugetannastiara of Odlan. of Excise to St inlaid.
—Greeted.
The Hawker's audralar's regulation Bilrwas read a third
time sad passed.
The Foieign Salt Bill was read a tint time, and ordered
to be read a second time twasorrow.
Mr. W.* brought in a Bill for Con.olidating the.
Costume of the Isle of Mau, which was read a first Cum and
ordered fur a second readjug to-morrow.
Mr. WIL11111411•11 BOOTIA moved for leave to bring is
• Bill fur altering and ameudiug so much of the elk and
gth of William the 'Mud, as relates to the bralgiug of
Patipers.
Mr. G . postponed the farther consideration of
Report !moo the Ma'am lusataace Bill.

Sfr. Wit...est.ex POLL brought in a Bill for ravioli as 4
lighting Kirtland•ayuara, in Qublin ; which was mad a ant
time, and ordered to be read a aveuud tuoe, tostawroe. 14
also moved for leave to bring io a Hill to regular the fees
and Haiolantente of metals Law Court, iu imuud, after the
*untie' grants bad expired. Leave 'U given ; the g 4;
brought in, and read a inn time; aad ordered t be lead a
seemed time, oahltiailay amt.

The Flax Expiring air Bill "rent highs Committee,
iu which it tan resolved, that the Bill relating to the *au.
facture of Flax in Ireland should be reneired.—The Repot
was ordered to be reaked tu•swwrow.

Sir CH A OLIO POLL .Hord for so ouch of the Examaise•
tion of %Vitae/6 epos s certain Couthatttee, W related to th,
fit arise Pay Office---Grauted.
Copies of certain Letters from the Greirrsor of Fort St.
George to the Secret Ciastaittirer were pretested, turd orderid
to lie on the table.

Mr. DUcoat pre artier, that he would we, to VW.
raw, for leave to bring la a Bill fur Reeraitiug the Form 41
the kast I udia Campion, and the better regalatiou of Coati.
Martial.

A Sewage feces •be Lards oestosinted the Moe, that
tbeir Lerdabips lead stead to the Sneak, Judges' halaret,
and 'wend pn►ate
. _ _

Mr. %%u presented ma Estimate of the Expeaus sf
the Royal Navy Asylum; which was ordered to be primed.
Mr. Founts brought is the frt.'s. Wareboasiag Bid ;
whirl we, read a firste, time, and ordered fur a secy.! I r3.1..1.;
tomorrow.also brought 14 a Dill to excuorage flu• m,r
of Malt Liquor it. Ireland ; which was read a first tour, and
ordered to be read a metaled time to-morrow.
The Ciao woaLtsist of the Exceutigulll eared fur hue
to Wog in a Retiree reptatiag the utiles of Registrar of Übe
Court of Admiralty and of the Prize Coartu
stir CH• mate Pots rhaelght. the if the earatier of Re.
gistrare was jut-reseed, that of the Proctors abuse be is.
croescd oleo.

The Cot MICELUOIIisf tie fl*cassailige said, that if there
seam * defieienry to the nitsaiser of erectors, they woulJ tK
increased of arse; bud at prosaal ha was sit aware of amy
suds . . .

Leave teen given to bring in tint Bill.
Tito Scotch Highland Bolsi Billion toad it second tint,
and ordered to be etenntitoott toonurote.

Mr. Luseezbottem breesla ap tie lisped of the Fatly,'
Gimes Bale rilkieb•wea eitgefi,Ne. He also bruagitt up the
Repurt of the Conowittee of Ways sad Mesas, the.
tetras of which wire *peed to, amid the Bills slatted to be
limped m.
Mr. isimeir Comma premeted am Recount of the es-
peeditere of thiOrdieeitee far the lest year.