The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1820-05-17 00:00:00

of the 16th August at Manehole% Agricultural
people were is general scattered over • large surface,
114 they rarely met together except at a fair. The
ronsequence of the greater proportion of capital
twilig invested in manufacturing pursuits us., that
All locator increased beyond their reasonable
rind natural limits; and at length the foreign
market was shut against them, And the re-
vulsion wag dreadfully felt by it large portion of
the community. Nothing could be in its nature
tome fluctuating thou this branch of trade—n
I. lege or fashion may, and often did, expose it to
:-.•great diminution; whereas, the lonise trade never
could suffer such vice-oiturlee. In h•rei;:or trade
but little dependence could be placed the ports
abroad may be shut against it, not alone by war,
soy inrinteipal regulation would effect it. The
Noble Errl brat said, that the distresses which the
country laboured under front this iureoltuent of
large capita in mausafecturiug speculation., had
been fast approaching before the elute of the
late war, sod at that period lie knew that • very
extensive manufacturer at Mancheater complained
heartily of the state of things he then experienced.
Toot complaint was made, too, at a period of great
Krileral encouragement for trade, when the Govern-
ment demands were immense, and the foreign mar-
kets ruouopolised. Such was the indiscriminate
rage for commercial speculations that resulted from
the extent of manufacturing interest'', that large
quantities of coffee and of warming pails had been
bind, out at one time from this country to South
America. The Noble Earl then glanced at the
awe of trade during the fairs of late years •t
Loyale, and deeply deplored the measures pur-
sued towards the King of Saxony, whose poli-
tical conduct was the consequence of the pee
ctibar situation in which he was placed, and
who was beloved and venerated by all his subjects.
litre the relief could only be derived from foreign
commerce. But how was the country to insure I
that ? The extensive territory of the neighbouring
country, her resources, population, and her com-
mercial views (he meant France). prevented, he
feared, any such intercourse. But if nor, and
l'eance in a commercial course took less of English
manufactures than England used of French pro.
duce, it would be a lugs to the country, sad only
heighten the distress. It was generally known,
that the continental system was popular through.
out the Contineut, where it was forced ; and indeed
since the peace all its segtilations had been
continued in their fullest rigour 'plumy of the states
of Europe. Now there were only two system.
which could reasonably be-pursued—reciprocity or
retaliatiou. The misfortune Was. that England
pursued neither decisively. She 'hewed no more
favour to Simony, who received all her commerce
without impost or obstacle, than she did to the Aus-
trian empire. where ber goods were prohibited, and
she could nut send in even 0 pound of snuff. He
strongly disapproved of the encouragement which
was givers to commerce almost exclusively ; it
was profitless, like the nurture of • tender
exotic, too weak to fructify. There was great
danger in depending on the casual resources of fo-
reign commerce for the means of support for a great
population. The policy of the Dutch was prefer-
able ; they were great trader., but not great manu-
facturers. It was not • legitimate basis for the
prosperity of a country for it to depend upon sup-
plying the wants of other countries. He came to
the chief object of hie motion, which was to find
employment for the labouring poor, and especially
those who had been dislodged from their pursuits
by die increase of machinery and the improvement
of steaut.esigisies. He wished find to say a few
winds ors the agricultural classes and resources„which
more than any others had coutributed to the sup.
pint of the national powers ; the labourers in agri.
co:rural employment having proved themselves
inure attached to the religious and government of the
country than others, and were now sorrel' more dis-
tressed than any chess in the State. Ile felt himself
celled upon to defend the Corn Laws from the de-
lusive clamour which had misled the public mind
on that subject. He denied, wise as those laws
were, and mice that they were adopted as •
benefit fur agriculture alone. He denied what had
bees, stated in a foul and scandalous hawk, the read-
nig of which had made him shudder. that these
lows were merely iuteoded to enable the landloi Is
to raise their rents, which could be great only in
proportion to the confetti value of tuouey. The
use of those laws was to save the country from the
danger of absolute starvation. He next considered
the poor rates, which were among the chief cause.
of the depression of the people, and particularly
weighed down agriculture. Thew rates were
now half as much again as the whole
peace establishment of 1792. If they were
allowed to go on without reduction or check, the
landed interest would be extinguivired by them—
Nublemen might hold the title deeds ratio it estates,
but they would only be held for others, under some
plan of Speneran division. Here was a terrible
*mkt increasing evil, for which as yet there was no
remedy even proposed. God furbish that he should
enteitein any unjust or cruel 110110111 with regard
to the sights or enjoyments of the poor ; he would
not adopt the measures proposed by Mr. Malthus
for checking the increase of their numbers. He'
admitted the principle of Mr. Malibu'', but he bad
conceived a proposition, which at no distant period
lie would submit to the House, which would ope-
rate to the same beneficial effect, without any of the
liguur of Mr. Malthus'. remedies. He was obliged
to notice, as one of the great leading causes of public
distress, the immeuse weight of taxation which the
country bad to bear. Merl Mho were sot landed pro.
erietors paid lisil of their whole income in taxes; j
landed proprietor, paid more then half their in-
come to takes. Ile was aware that under such
• burden of motion, it was almost impossible for
the count'', to enjoy prosperity. It was the duty ;
of Clovernment to grant every relief in this way that
it possibly. could. Ile was aware with what great
reluctance Munsters were obliged to lay oil an 'ad-
dition of three millions annually for the support
of public credit, of the importance of which he
was alto aware. But he thought that taxation,
under the circumstances the country was then in,
was generally odious, and tiny thing odious must
have tended to impair public credit, and make it
odious to . the country. He wished Ministers
bad sought relief fret.: a system exactly• the
reverse, by diminishing the burdens already
existing to the same amoorst. Taxation had re-
quired an additional and most grierioucweight also

frame,* return to psylisititi in hilllieee U the des
preciatissit was such as stated. the hteedve of vas.
stiosseteuet have inert...ill in prop ortion',the coons
try returned to a sound and healthful currency. Ile
admitted the ',eternity for an doing, but he ques.
timed the opportunity in which it was *Hemmed.
He wished not to excite despondency ; but the
crisis was most urgeratoond the wisdom and vigour
of their measures should correspond with its im-
portauce. He 11111 V came to the consideration of
those memo which he had to propose for the em-
ployment and support of the poor on a permanent
plan of occupation. Hi* next object was to foe esish
them with sustenance use an iiideiwnelent for ~,
without Need of parochial or other relief. Many
ingenious individuals had proposed pions for this
purpose. One of these (Mr. Salisbury) had esta-
blished a plan with considerthle success in towline,
which was applicable to workhouses. large In mu.
factories, and other places of numerous 110111111.•
He preferred nos own plan. however ;
lie 'should reserve minute detail,. The first pro.
position of his .last would he the cultivation
of waste lands. Such was the skill of an officer
of that House. the Usher of the Black Rod,
that he had rich and valuable produce from a place
(Dartmoor) which was lately one of the most barren
wastes in the country. If this could he done in one
instance. what hindered it in others ? Ile did not
believe the truth of the argument that waste lends
were not cultivated because they were not worth
the expense. His next proposition would be the
encouragement of spode husbandry. He was
aware of the ridicule which this subject gene.
rally excited ; but he appealed to facts. In
his part of the country, spade husbandry was
not dearer than that by the plough.. Because
waste lands had not answered where a market was
weening for the produce, it did not follow that it
would not be profitable when the
.growers would
consume the produce on the spot. Next he would
have cottages built upon three holds. He would
also have the benefit of the scheme extended
to crown lands, and those of gentlemen's estates
which ere not profitable under the plough.—
lie was'of opinion that the relief and improvement
of the r ondit of the poor would tend more
than any thing to prevent the indiscreet marriages
of the poor. and do away with that cereleseness of
their consequences which al present prevailed. The
children would grow op tinder n sense of their err.
ditabte situations, and the danger of losing them
by too early indulgence. sod here would he the
west moral check to increase which was required.
To cite the case of Ireland as a proof of the con-
trary effects which the division of land into small
portions produced, would be unfair. The miseries
of Ireland were owing to the system of mischievous
folly by which she had always been ruled. and
indeed without the advantage of these small spots,
the population could not he maintained. The abo-
lition of poor-rste, had followed in the few places
where this mode of partition had taken place
in England. It would have the effect, if
adopted, of restoring the almost extinguished
class of small farmers; it would give the poor man
ens interest in the soil; it would giveself.impurtance
seed respect. As to the argument which would
perhaps be offered in reply to tlin, of the increase
of population, he could not allow ii ; the moral re-
straints of such society would he quite enough to
prevent such all evil. He next came to the, con.
sideration of another source for providing smite.
nuance for the poor population. An excellent de-
parted individual had, about 30 years ago, pro.
posed a plasm for supplying the poor with fish, by
which it could be carried into the interior 120
miler, sled delivered for two-pence per lb. This
would employ a great many persons on the coast,
and in the carriage of it; a cheap supply of food
would be thus secured ; the implement, were mit
costly, nor the capital requisite very large. He
would not sry more at present. If the House
granted the Committee for which he would move,
lie would then state how those and other 'plans were
to be carried into effect. lie next commented on
the baneful influence which the great improve-
ments in machinery had n the employment of the
poor, sod their means of support. It was stated by
'Jamison the table, that a part of the distress was
owing to this cause. The first victims of thin ma-
chinery were the agriculturists. In Devonshire the
wages of husbandry were. in 17-28. 6s. per week ;
in 1814 they were 7s. Let thew Lordships take
into the account the value of inni.ey at these (fit=
ferent periods. and they would be able to judge
what must be the depression of that chase. But this
was not the worst. In 1728 the wife was able to
ram as much as the hollsated. at 'penning; thus
making the wages of ■ family twelve shillings
in 1728. and seven shillings at present. Such were
the evils introduced by manufactures and machines,
which were now returned like poison to their own
lips, that the pay of a Lancashire tuanolarturer
never exceeded 10s. per week. and that for labour
which he could not follow without shortening the
time of his existence. He retnarked on the pre-
vailing error which had been acted on is. manufac.
tures, of supposing that the demand could be made
to equal an indefinite supply. He was of opinion
that machines should only be allowed on the
condition that the proprietor should provide far
all those thrown out of *ark by his ineredion,
as it was most unjust to leave them to be main.
tained by those who remained on the limit,
after withdrawing their means of support. He
pointed out the desiger of these machines benne
rivalled by foreigners, who, if they were less perfect
in making them than the English, had the *dean.
ter of much cheaper labour to compensate. He
insisted on the necessity of imposing restrictions oft
the increase sod use of machinery. %Without ye.
atrictions it would be in vain for him to propose memos
fur supporting and employing thousands upon thou.
sands of the unoccupied poor. Ile had stated his
views upon this most impotent subject. which he
left tothe consideration of their Lordships. ere nest ly
imploring them to support his motion. His Lord-
ship then moved, " That a Select Committee
should be appointed to consider of the best means
of employing and supporting the labouring poor,
especially those in the manufacturing districts."
Lord LIVERPOOL did mot rise to rester into me
of the many important considetations involved in
his Noble Friend's steech. If he did 90, it would
lead him into an examination of all the first prin.
ciples of political economy. and every thing con-
nected with the trade, manufactures, and cost.
WM( of the commie That subject would come

• !•44 1. • .4%4
4.4
.- •
onsrs reeiloSty_ before the HAN liete•ftara. Adiplingb 'falsely finagining ode foram saiperity
thanked lasi Noble Friend
stating his object gs once ;y it eembled high
foe his mindotri .its arm derived from He (Mr. Fink))
Ctieteed that our alsolialsieg these restrictietts Might
the more promptly in say
.1114 be could soot- Mot ses be dependant so the ersiteeency of foreign
support the motion in any one of its particulars roontries adopting such s step of liberality.
as detailed by Iris Noble Friend. The object, wa., he would corticoid, tlw duty and the iliterrat'or
if effected, would be to clemge the whole coo. I Otis emaotry to set them die exeisside. These lies
atitution of the country ; it would be to politic M 060401111 were not, lie acksowledged,
longer the same country. The inotiou involved an Co be charged to this Adinioistration, or the
attempt to separate the agriculture and commerce hut. or any recent ones hut the Petitioners row"
of the country, and give the former the superiority. gland shut opport 000000 les of aboliahisig them had
Iu his mind the interests or one Iwhinged to both. been lost, which ought to have been laid
Commerce had enriched the country. and raised it hold of. It lad beers said that these petitions
ho the highest pitch of power and imporissice. pointed to no solvaotage, but if the history of the
There was no fortune made In commerce which did I conintsicr of the tomtit, exhibited but one can-
not, after two generations at the ut 000000 t. become I tamed error. the esteblishitiesit Or a *stem on pro-
seated in land ; and as to soy complaint of cone- per Owlish., was certainly in the highest degree
coerce being favoured by prohibusom, was not alesinible. It would be of the greatest adveiniage if
agriculture as well protected ? Could any one it were 'mown to Ow country that the Huts•easf
import crude. sheep, or wool free ? Oise sob- Commons would fel its fce against the cootioussice
ject had been mentioned which lie might ad- of all millers...my restrictions. It woold be recut.
mot to be worth consideration—he meant the pre. !retell that when the lisdis trade was partially open.
paring of fish for the sustenance of the poor. If ed. it was doom' with neederousreatrictions, while
any Noble Lord could convince him that a cheap the America's isierchaut was under no such fetters.
supply of that fond would be received and find These regulssiona were. in face. the very best• that
consutners„lse would not object to inquiry into the could have beets oh-vows' for promoting Anierfcan
subject. But he doubted the possibility of doing C44llllarfCC, and depressing the Britiih. He would
this after so mashy able men load failed in it. As put the case, that advice. were received iu lists
to the cultivstion of waste lands, he doubted the country of inch a some of the markets in India, ,as
expediency of diverting capital into their enclosure. would, its the opinion of the inerchaht here mottle.
It was always best to lercapital find its own bed. In. rive his making a shipment of goods. Thai Attie-
dividual interest would best. secure she general sad- rican merchant in this coutstry receives the whims
fare. But the evil to be complained of wits, that at the same time. It was well human that the two
there were too many waste lands cultivated. in con- most essential principles of success in all mercies»
sequence of the high price of grain during the war, tile specolations were seeresy and dispatch. l'he
Too much money had beeu laid out in breakittg up American merchant went instantly, and engaged •
wastes, which would lave been far more profitably small vessel of 150 tons, and in the cour.e of a
lad out in improving the cultivation of old lands, week he could dispatch her ; but the British riser-
He ridiculed the plans of the Government trading, chant must first go to the Ent India Company
at the public expense, in the husbandry of waste for a license. from thence he might be sent to the
lands, which were not considered worth caltitatiug Board of Control; and so. after disclosing all Iris
by individuals. Let their Lordships consider what Irian% and losing a rupiah or six reeks, he might
was die profit of a gentleman farmer—what were then undertake his advetame ; but not then in airy
their own profits when they pursued agriculture.— vessel wider 300 tons burden. It was very true. Unit
He himself sought health and amusement tot it some. ss the East India Company hail had such exclusive
!noes ; but that Noble Lord would learn a parotid privileges granted, the leave of the Company was
lesson who expected to profit by it. ile defended Ilse net-rotary, and he would be the lust man Ur the
use of mschisiery. which had lire,' the chief source world so desire to touch them without their cocsent.
of the national eremite/6s. which had been said to I But there was the trade to countries not under
give arms and legs to the poor, and eyes to the their control. arid there was also the circuitous trade.
blind. What were the advantages of soil and cli- I with both of whirls Parliament might undoubtedly
Mate compared to this .uperiority in England deal. It hail been .aid that the bonding su stein
Other countries in Europe were before this in cli. ought not to be touched. He was friendly to the
mate and fertility. But Watts, sod Arkwright, and principles on which that system was established,
Bolton had raised the country to superior grandeur said that point, us well as the abandonment of the
and importatice. Ile was afraid the present &stress duties ou she raw material, be would sot now touch
was the necessary concomitant of the greet riches of upou. There. however, were points which might
this country. The present poverty and suffering were ho gone into without attacking the rights or privi-
the reaction of great en:reprise and success. Would leers of any persons 40 body whatever. An lion.
Noble Lords wish the counity non accousit of that Friend of his had its the last Session brought for.
suffering to be without the advantages of that ward the subject of Extents Ist Aid. and he did
enterprise ? Would they have the country retro. think this was a subject very tit for the interference
grade in civilisation, and go back to the rudeness of Goverument, and he thought the Ministers might
of barbarism ? If not, they would oppose the take shame to themselves for twit having already
motion. Ha Lordship concluded by movisig the attended to it, aid lie hoped that if they did not
previous question. bring it forward, his Honourable Friend would
Earl STANHOPE briefly replied. He could not again, before the Session ended. submit the subject
feel so much alarmed at the expense likely to be to the collar:fermiers of the House. Again, there
incurred by the adoptiou of his motion, when he saw were the Usury Laws, than which there could
calm:181;one lilted out at a vast expense and for no trot exist a greater impediment to the wealth
useful purpose to sail to the North Pole, which ex- and prosperity of the Indian, mud in regard to them
pedotions would be stiff more frequeutly repeated, he hoped to see the removal of all restrictions whist.
if they were not wholly iiiisucceislul. soever. The stale of the bankrupt law was also a
The motion was thee regatived.—Adjourned subject for consideration. as be believed all would
at eight o'clock. agree with him it was soot what it ought to be. He
would observe, iU c lusion. that soinethilig ought
to be done, if only by way of experiment. With re-
gar., to other branches lie must speak only doubt-
ingly, but of the wino 11111111164 torero lie could
positively assert. that :bey would accept lis • boon
the removal of all restrictions. There were also the
articles of hardware sod crockery; throe might be
trier!, and could du no harm, mid would serve as ins
example to foreign nations. He did not take so
desponding a view of the subject as the Honoura-
ble Member for Tomato', who had addressed ilbriLl
14 few nights ago. He still thought we might be
able in several great branches of manufactuies to
compete successfully with, foreign natione, though
undoubtedly he never reverted to see the country
in the state it was in yews ago.
Mr. BASING said. that the Home must ou doubt
have heard, with considerable Weiser., the slate-
norms of the Hon. Gentleman respecting the
revisal or there manufactures which more ',wilco-
lady came within his unit observation. At the
same time, however, he entirely concurred with Iris
tins,. Friecd in thisiking that the country could trot
agar', expect that high state of prosperity which it
had experienced during the cuntisiussuce of the
war; we had now returned under a (titterer,* state
of things. and therefore whets his Hun. Farm'
spoke of the advantages which we enjoy, he ought
also to remember. that ar these advantages were
principally derived Ir our extent of capital, and
our having the start of all the rest of the world,
they might all be lost if the Coutiiient should re.
snails iti a stale of grace.—(Hear, Gear.)—lit Cull*
firmation of what had brill said, that the contrail-
cod and trading interests are not hostile to the
geocrial wishes of the country respectitig • free
trade, lie the eaiirificiion to state. that at
a very respectable and Huguenots meeting or the
body of Siiip-awmrs. held this (lay to die city of
L lon. the ptiariples of e free trade were en.
her ly agreed in, with only the exception, that the
removal of dailies slywild not extend to Colonial or
'f
i lt ap
rilhailall objection
cen
to tine
as
Europe ; and it gave I pleasure to state this, as
a proof that retry little difference of ()plosion in
reality existed gat persom. who at first might
seem to hold very, very darters' v.ews of the sub-
ject.—(Hour, /war.)
The Pr soon was then brought rips ordered to
lie upon the table, and to he printed.
CORN LAWS.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, TUESDAY, MAY 141.

On the motion of Mr. U. GILIMPIT, leave was given to
bring ii a Rill to 'amble Mr. Touskiws to dispose of his Pic-
tures by way of Lottery.
AGRICULTURAL PETITIONS.
Lord TEMPLIC presented a Petition slimed by upwards of
400 preemie, Orrupirrs and Owners of lased la Beets, coon-
plaiesing of the depression of Agriculture. A similar Pe-
tition was presented from Newport Miguel.
Lord At. presented several Petitions from Owners
sod Occupiers of Lund in Northaniptensabire complainiog of
tbe distressed Wale of Agriculture._

Mr. GRICIIII.Lt preseiitill a similar Petition from Owners
sad Occupiers of laud in Itiiks.
A Petition use preached from the Miters aced Occupiers
of Litchi ice Bedford, complaining of the distressed state of
agriculture.

Mr. BEAUMONT presvnied several Peiiiioror hula tlw
Owners and Oecepiers of Land iii Durlsain,cuasplaiuiug uf
the depressed state of agriculture.

WOOL TAX.

Mr. PTUAIRT WORTLEY preseated • Petition from Halifas,
prayioi • repeal of the Wool Tax.
A Pailion Was presealeal from Gloucester fur the repeal
cf the Wuni T.x.

Lord Sitinxvit pi esented a Petition of Merchants and Ma.
sofactorent, praying fur lite repeal of the Tax on Wool.
Mr. BLACIIIIOIIIII prenesied a similar Petition twin the
Woollen Maisofacturers of Lancaster.

A l'elifarn was preaeuted from the Marche/ordeal aid
arveral lahabitsaistri Si. Mary,Newitegtom,agaivat the New
Church Bill.

The Norwich Gas Light Bill was read a second time sad
cornositted.

Mr. D. W. HARVEY Ease notice that he wooki ow Friday
wove for the somber of Wits of Error issued by the Curei-
tor during the lass three years.
On the mottos of Mr. D. GII.IIIRT, a Cutaoittee was a.p.
imitated to Hooke into the state of the Turnpike Roads to
Ea(lewd. . .

Mr. SCOTT presented certain papers front the Chamber.
Wiles °Meer of the (1 urtunitur.
Mr. M. A. TAYLOR INtoted au additional clause to he
added by way of rider to the Singe Coact rs Bill, atter which
the Bill ass read a third time mud pained.
Mr. UTTLETON gave notice that on lb. 3.1 of June be
should move Cur leave to bring in a Bill to rrgulate the pay-
meat wt. Labourers Wages in Ire. Faeuwirs.

A Petition was pr.-twisted front erttaiu Malister' and
Brewers, fur alteriug the owiedeuf Collecting the Dirties.
Sin J. riltorroitt gave notice of n mutton reflecting the
Tonotion of Costs in Ireland.

0a the 1111.1111/N Or Mr. tAisitistwrom, the House weal lista
a tomatime ea the CPSWIaII, Regulation of Suede, sad
Oaths Bill.
The House haslet resumed, Mr. LUSHINGTOX brought
up the Rill, which was read a first time.
Mr. BntwDl■ brought up the Rrport on the Customs
Duties, Sac. Acts.

Mr. Bitoimitastp;:se ;rerla Petition from the
Inhabitants of several tillages in Su-sex, statisig the
disadvantages • Inch they experienced from she ins.
portation of Foreign Curia, and f Stir pressu►e
of taxation ■sad the iiterrue of Pour's Rates. lie.
fore lie read the Petition. he shoulal my that he was
by Ho means disposed to agree with the specsfie
remedy which, the Petitioner, cal!.•d for, namely.
the repeal of the mining laws tespettisig the ins.
!variation of command the imposition of u new duty
1,11 all imported corn. What they complained of
was, that the mode of taki•ig the aser.sge at piling

,t. '•
adopted, Made The ditty on imported corn different
from wind the horse intended that it should he.
The Petition was then brought up, read, sod
ordered to lie upon the table.
_ otrff or Wool-
Lord MILTON, on presenting • Petition, pray.
hog for • removal of *a Duties or Foreign Wool,
said, thst he would take that opportunity to fix a
day for his intended inotion to repeal the Tax on
Foreign Wool.
After a few words converratios with Lord CAS.
TLIIIMAGH. It was agreed that 'wet Friday se'u.
night should be the day appointed tar that purpose.
Mr. lELLtte, in presenting a Petition
the Tim on Wool front certain Woollros
torero to Scotland, said that he was induced to tar
a few words respecting the prayer of the Petition.,;.
They prayed relief generally from the reetrietion,
laid osi trade—relief from a state of thing. trial'
could not continue much longer to exist without in.
etilving every thing in the country in a common
ruin: /Hair, hear.)--Such was the portal
prayer, but the Petitioners ..ought for relief I bbbbb Ci•
pally by • repeal of the reftriCtloll. on wool, rape-
seed, and COlll. -

Tha•Petition was then brought up, read, anti
ordered to lie upon the table.
• CATHOLIC QUESTION.
Sir H. Partaau. laid, that he had received in.
*tractions from Ireland to withdraw the outlive re-
'meeting the Cethulics altogether, as a Meeting of
the Catholic Body was this day to hr held in
Dublin, and it was supposed that revolutionewould
be, entered into at that Meeting which would its a
rest measure determine the precise time at whit hit
would be most advisable to bring the subject of
their claims before Parliament.
Leave was givers to withdrei the notice of motion.
BRITISH MUSEUM.
Mr. BAIIIMI promoted a Petition from the True.
tees of the 13!jrisli Museum, praying fora coctiou-
Blimp of the usual annual grant iu support of that
Institution, which bring read, it was movi•d and
ordered, that there be laid before the Iloose an ay.
count of the expenses of the Institution for ,hr Ltsl
year, and elm an estimate of the Paine fur the nest
year.
MILITARY EiPENDITURE OF TIIE COUNTRY.
Colonel DAVIES said, that be rose farad the ar.
tention of the [lou►e to s subj.Ct iittt rt,ttil at ,it
times, but more especially so node► flair oreeent
circumstances of the country. Ile felt that be Id.
homed under peculiar disadvantaers tit luiligiog
forward this question at the present tier, ttecan•te
however great the disposition to economy tuieht be,
many might feel alarmed and ono ilbog to Fedore.
our establishments, iu consequence of recent evrut.•
He hoped, however, that as his motion call. d oti,e
fur inquiry, he would find many di-posed to agree
with him in thinking that there existed at lea.'
grounds for instituting such an inquiry os should
determine whether any, and if so, what reductions
might be made in our military expenditure, c.in.
sistently with the peeve and interest of the
country at large. He thought that every man
should come forward and endeavour to avert the
calamities which, in whatever shape they slight
appear, of suspended commerce, depressed amt.
culture, or impoverished oraitufaclurta, in effect
depended upon the oppressive load of taxation
which, like a mill-stone, hong upon end weighed
down the energies of every brooch of the commit.
silty. —( Hear, hew.)—But how were the difficui.
ties of sine country to be removed ? Oily by pie.
mote% a reduction of useless expenditure no t eery
department. With this view he had &reeled 1114
attention to the military department, to which hie ";
profess and experiroce seemed wore istetiliatly
to adapt him. It would be iiiipossityle fur the lb/tare
to come to a just conclusion on Ana etiliject, except
by appointing s Select Committee to inquire intulim
state generally of our twittery eatabliatiusentr, aid
although he was aware of the ihffiedllars width
might be raised to smell a mode of procerdiog, yet
he defied anyilon. Member to point out any other
persona to whom an examination of the subject
could with propriety be intrusted. If any proof
were wanted of the extravagance which was to be
found connected with our military expenditure, he
would say that it was amply to be futiod 111 the tir,t
ilistauce in the appointment of a Goveroor for Gib.
falter. If they were to seek the whole mond of
siitecures, they would not find one which caned
more loudly for retrenchment or suppression 0.111
the office which he had just mentioned. Stil, hos.
ever, so great was the unwillinguesr of Ministeis to
take a single step towards relieving the d,rtrrs•es
of the country. that scarcely bad the iilusttions
Prince who last filled that office ceased to live,
when they sent out information of his death to Gib-
raltar, and at the same time an account of the ap.
pomtment of Lord•Chatham to the vacant office—
of Lord Chatham, that Noble Lo►d whose military
achievements are filled up by saying that lie was
the Commander of the memorable Walcheren tape.
ditiett!—(Heur, hear, hear.)--Before lie prover Litt I
fuithe► he-Weald say that he ►hould conclude by
moving for a Select Committee to inquire into the
military expenditure of the country with a view to
its retrenchment, and if he succeeded in irapi•ing -
some doubt iuto their minds that the present mitt.
tory establishments ere not alt perfect, he *instil
succeed in probing the necessity for such an in.
qUify as that which it was the object of his motion
to cause to be instituted.—(Hear, hear.)--lii
the year 1787 our force, independeat
its India, amounted to peen; :if
it amounted to 94586. Ile could not comer.•.` '
that there was soy thing in the circumstance• of
the country at present so different from *hat they
ioulwelondwudrihante forceiri.
.1..6
(Lora a.k.rektehiwat more
were ion die year 1787, as to require MO common all
it Ism!
.litN.l:ll:llllll,ethlde:rotielicxbut
re he PteinantYhjeusetsttgarr7rutesildfsorelktrisleyeisar'.
comp.ired with the last. The estimate, of the sone
service for last year mourned to about 6,582,0001.
for this year there would be au increase uu
the enure of at least 400.000/. above the pre.
ceding year. What wits there to warrant that
no:reuse He was aware that it would be said
that the state of the country had caused this
increase; hot the same cause which but made
the people dioconteuted. namely. the distress of
• the country, sow called for ►eductton id the
Chancellorex-
tiresheaobougvhetrie
fauettuusof
rielheatoErbez :dal;
penditure. When the stew taxes were first pro-
' u'lFdrrplheutihideoeßillifiiigithibeet

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