The National Register.
London, England, 1821-05-06 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER

nvertal Alatitaintnt.
!lOUS 11: OF LORDSf .
tuLsnav, NAY 1. •
The House met this day art.r the holidays.
Lord 110 LLA N I) presented a petition, signed by upwards
Of 20e0 persons, inhabitants of St. John's, Newfoundland,
complaining of a defective administration of the law in that
colony, The petitiou was then rend mid laid on the table.
land HOLLA N D presented a second petition from ano-
ther district in the Island of Newfoundland, having the
sanie "hie: t. Bit Loa' n!..ervcd, that the second peti-
tion he had prrsenlyd appeared defective, with respect 10
the 'signatures, and he therefore withdrew it. The House
adios rued.
WEDNE,OAY, MAY 2.
On the motion of the. Lail of LI V ERPOOL, the third
reading of the Bank Cash Pa., meats Bill was postponed to
Friday, in consequence of the tmavoidablei absence of a
Heide bird.
(hi the motion of the Earl of Shaftesbury the house ad-
jou' tied to Fa itlay.
FRIDAY, MAY 4.
Mr. Smith, from the Commissioners of Richmond Bridge,
presented an Account of the Receipts and Expenditure of that
concern.
M. Steward, from the Customs, presented an account of
English and Irish goods exported to Russia.
Mr. Walpole, from the 'treasury, presented an cacount of the
National Deioq made up ist6 to the present year.
Lord SIDAIOUI'II hid on the table papers relative to goods
exported froin the East Indies and China.
BANK CASII PAYMENTS.—The Earl of LIVERPOOL. in
moving the third reading of this Bill, said, he was induced to
state shortly the object of the measure. It would make no fur •
thee alteration in the law as it stood, than interrupting for one
year the arrangements which took place about two years since.
The lords were not aware that the previous arrangements referred
to several stages. First, when the Bank was prohibited from
paying cash payments ; secondly, when the Bank was permitted
to pay under certain regulations ; and thirdly, when restrictions
should altogether cease. With respect to the former hills, the
bank could have no power to issue specie before May, 1822, but
it' this bill was adopted, lie could state with pleasure that it was
the intention of the Bank to take measures for the immediate
resumption of cash payments, and to ray off first 1L notes. Such
was the state at the public markets, that great inconvenience
would arise from not giving to the bank the power of issuing
specie. It was a permissive bill, and could not fad to be ad-
vantageous to the public.
The Marquis of LANSDOWN did not rise to oppose the bill.
but the importance of the subject made it impossible to avoid
saying a few words. The bill would produce en alteration in the
public securities. If the bank had the power of issuing gold,
and the circulation was restricted within proper limits, the public
would no doubt receive benefit. The bank had in its coffers
sufficient gold for the public service, and all difficulties on that
subject had ceased during the last seven or eight months. The
Bank might with perfect safety return to cash payments- It was
as the noble earl stated, a permissive measure, and could not
interfere with the important question, whether a paper or me-
tallic currency was most convenient for the public. If it plainly
appeared that the provisions of the Bill would lessen forgeries,
Parliament would come to a decision at once ; but the more he
considered the question, the more he was doubtful on that point.
'l'lle noble marquis did not oppose the passing of the bill.
The Earl of LAUDERDALE was not prepared to say the
Bill would be generally beneficial. it was doubtful whether a
paper currency was not the best circulating medium. Adverting
to the subject of economy, which seemed connected with this
question, the noble earl expressed a wish to see some permanent
practicable system established.
Lord YIN (.$ said, he was persuaded Parliament might make a
sensible and useful reduction in the public expenditure. If the
House of Commons would say it was expedient to reduce five
trillions of taxes by affixing certain stipend, to certain offices,
the government would find all tholes offices iv reduced, would
be willingly formed. He supported the bill so far as it did not
interfere with the great question of an improved metalic cur.
rency.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL in reply, said, when this bill
passed, the bank would call :11 its 11. notes, which would take
six or seven millions of gold. The public would then come to a
metallic currency, and it' Parliament thought lit to return to
paper currency, much difficulty would arise. A noble earl had
expressed a doubt whether paper or metallic currency was most
economical. the (lord Liverpool was of opinion that paper cur-
rency was the most economical ; but they had to look at the in-
convenience. They had to look to forgeries. lie was certain
that in critical times more evil would arise from paper than me-
tallic currency. Some allusions having been made to taxation as
the cause of public distress, the flak earl was of opinion taxes
were not the cause of distress. As a proof he eited the state of
America, where the public were distressed equal to this country,
although that Government had repealed all the taxes. In this
country not less than sixteen minims rf taxes had been paid off
since the peace, yet distress was greater than during war. With
respect to a Sinking Fund, his opinion was, that a surplus of
five millions wits always necessary for the welfare of the country.
Any attempt to reduce the standard would be a disgrace to the
nation. The noble lord's plan was neither more nor less than a
depreciation of the coin of the realm. If the country was in a
situation that it could not pay its debts, the honest and manly
way was to avow the fact, not to depreciate the currency. With
respect to the amount of taxation, it was great, but why not con-
sider the immense charge. amounting to s,soo.eool. which the
country paid as half pay and pensions to the Military and Navy ?
That sum was a dead weight, incapable of being controuled or
reduced by any Govertimeid. Returning again to the object of
the bill, he said, if the noble lords were desirous of trying ex-
periments with the coinage, they could not ado better than adopt
) the measure then under consideration.
Earl DARNLEY expressed an opinion, that considerable re-
duction might be made in the great establishments of the country.
In the Ordnance alone much might be saved.
The Duke of WELLING'fON said, if the whole of the
Orddance Estimates were abolished, the reduction would nut
amount to one third of the tunny estimates.
The Bill was then read a third time and passed.
Adjourned to Monday.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
mostifiv, APRIL SO.
This hone resumed its labours; the speaker took the
chair b►fore four o'clock.
The Marquis ut• Londonderry took the oaths and his
scat, a, mcnilier for (Nord.
A prison room the Cilia Secretary's, Ireland, presented
accounts from the Is 1,11 t ustom,.
A new writ was milt ril fur Luggerslial, in the room
of Lord Curhampton, deceased.
Mr. P. 11100 HE pr.sruted a petition from guts and
pistol maimfaelits et, of Birmingham, praying that the
ministers might be tintivar bed.
A bill for lighting Barnstaple with gas was bro;ight in,
and trail a tit st time.
A writ was ordered fur the county of Stilling, in
the loom of Sit Chat 1,, E:lnionilstone,tleceitseil.
A velihon war ptr,t ntrd against the Ipswich gas light
bill.


A petition was presented front the Edinburgh Union
Canal Company, respecting the existing acts, &c. Refer-
red to a committee.
Mr. SMITH moved that the Right Hon. Geo. Canning
have leave of absence for six weeks, on account of urgent
private busiuess.—Ordered.
The Steam Engine hill was read a second time.
Mr. M. A. TAYLOR moved that it he committed.
Mr. D. GILBERT wished the day for the commitment
to be so distant as to afford time for consideration.
Mr. Alderman WOOD said, lie had consulted some well-
informed persons on the subject, and they thought that it
was impossible to carry the principle of the bill into exe-
cution as far as regarded the mines in Cornwall. All the
ntiners could not alter their engines according to the plan;
and yet if they did not they would be liable to prosecte.
thous.
Mr. M.. 4. TAYLOR observed, that the worthy Alder.
man's friends were Maimed about nothing—the alterations
desired to be made would cost 101. Malicious prosecu-
tions were guarded against by the hill—and a period of
four months at least would he given to make the required
alterations.
Sir %V. LEMON would not oppose the motion—but in
the committee he should propose to exempt the tire en-
gines in the wild parts of Cornwall.—Ordered to he coin.
mined on %Nudity.
Leave of absence was given to Lord F. Osborne on
account of severe indisposition.
The report of the Spoiled Stamps big was ordered to
be further considered on Friday next.
Au DIT OFVICE.—Mr. G. BENNETT comnlained of the
defective and garbled reports that had been laid before
the house respecting the audit. For instance, there was
the evidence of Sergeant Praed, which occupied three
entire da)s,w holly omitted. Several documents were not
only emitted, but they had been taken away even from the
clerk of parliament. By what authority such records of
parliament had been withdrawn, or what had become of
them, he did not know ; but such conduct threw great
suspicion on the whole business. He should move for the
several papers that had been omitted.
Mr. D. GILBERT, as chairman of the commission,
vindicated the conduct of the commissioners. Mnch of
the evidence was of an es parte character, and the cone.
n.issioners thought it would be unjust to adduce such es
parte statements, there not having been time to receive
explanations of them. They were suppressed from no
ether motive.
Mr. HUME hoped the bill would be postponed till the
inquiries could be completed—till the commission could
revise the whole system.
' Alter some remarks from Mr. Lushington and Mr. Tre-
mayne,
Mr. BENNETT expressed himself satisfied with many
of the explanations that had been made—but it did seem
that all the documents and evidence, excepting those laid
before the !Rinse, had been withdrawn.
Mr. DENMAN said, that there were near 40 public
bills stood fur discussion this week. fie lamented that
the business of the session was left to the latter end of it.
Most of the business was left till after Easter. He had
looked at the votes for the last six years, anal he found
that 191 bills were agreed to before Easter, and 124 n bills
after Easter, so that about one-seventh of the business
only was done before Easter.
The bill was afterwards ordered to be read a second
time on Tuesday next.
Mr. HUME presented a petition from law stationers,
complaining of the Spoiled Stamps bill. It purported to
be one of regulation—but, in reality, it would impose ad-
ditional ditties. He therefore hoped time would be granted
to consider the bill. It also proposed regulations respect-
ing stamp distributors, and that too while a committee
were on the subject.
Captain MA BERLY said, the bill was one of revenue,
and yet it was endeavoured to be smuggled through as
one of regulatiou.—Petition read, and ordered to lie out
the table.
REFORM.—Lord J. RUSSELL said, respecting the no.
lice that had been given by Mr. Bennett it. his absence,
that he should certainly bring forward, on the tilt of May,
his resolutions respecting county and borough reform.
SUPPLY.—The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
moved that the house resolve into a committee of supply.
Mr. CURWEN said, at last it appeared that some
sensation was made in the public department, alter all the
exertions made by lion. friends near Win. lie understoud
that circulars were sent to the several departments to as
certain what reductions could take place ; but he was
afraid they were about to begin at the wrong end—at the
tail instead of the head. Tim grants ail catty agreed to
would again come before them iu the shape of resolutions.
The house could then re-consider their votes. With this
view he should move, as an amendment, a resolution that
it was expedient to revise the salaries of some of the huge
officers in the army department, as the nation neither
ought, nor was it able to pay such large salaries.

Lord PALMERSTON said, be never beard a more
extraordinary proposition. It the government had not
proposed some inquiries aad efforts to make all possible
reduction. then this resolution might be proposed with
sonic show of propriety. Bat the resolution was regard-
ing what was not before the house. In a few days lime
matters must come before the house in the shape of yew-
lutions ; in the mean time, why WAS the house to stultify
itself
Mr. CURWEN replied, the: the noble lord could nut
have heard the resolutions lead. It was tu pledge the
house, when the sums came before it, again seriously to
consider the grants. Whatever the ili/lISC might vote or
ay, the country would agree aiilu hint that the clerks
were only to be sacrificed that the heads of the officers
were to be spared.
Sir C. LONG denied that any such intention existed, or
that any thing warranted the ream' k.
Mr. G. BENNErr approved of the resolution. It was
most proper. He wished the country to see what an un-
reformed !loose of Commons really was.
Mr. HUME said, the nohle lord was only called on to
pledge himself to do what he promised. He thought it
was a most proper motion, though, had he advised the
'etiolation, he should have pi opused it to be made on the
bringing lip of the report.

The Margiii6 of LONDONIMI.ItY did not see the
necessity of affirming e“.ry resolution that it might be
expedient hereafter to make.
Mr. C. H. itUTCHINSOIsi supported the resolution.
It was most proper, as preceding efforts had failed. It
wound show that the hone really felt for a suffering peo-
ple. But if there were no SIMMS of checking the extra-

-