The National Register.
London, England, 1814-11-20 00:00:00

NOV. 20.

WEDNESDAY, NOY. 16.
The Earl of Itvant.ont. presented Copies of the Convention entered
Into at Chaumont betwtrti his Mojesty and his Allies, on the 10,11 of
Jose last. relative to the maintaining of a body of troops on the Con-
tiuent.—Adjourned to Friday.

Film %v. Nov. 18.
SEAMEN'S BILL.

Mr. Cab Ea bronelat up from the Counnims the Bill e.I to eqcnume
and reward petty ofttcers, seamen, and marines, for long and faithful
setvices." Read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time
an Monday, to which day the house adimirned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

MONDAY. NOIIEMBCR 14.

New writs were orde►ei for the Borough of Newport, in the isle
of Wight, in the room 'of Sir R. W. Holme. Esq. deceased ; for
the Borough of Aylesbury, in the room of I'. lio,sey,Esq who has
aceepteil the Chiltern Hundreds ; ansl for Gliuorganshire, in the
room of T. Wyndham, Esq. deceased.
Mr. V:insittart laid on the table the substance of the'Trcaty of
Chaumont.

Cul. Palmer postponed to Thursday his motion relative to the
recent Court•:llartial on Col. (;n►•ntin.

The tion•e being
.resolved into a Commit tt e of Supply, Sir
GnisRGE WA It ftEN DER moved, that 70,000 seanum and marines be
employed tOr 1815, and that 1,615.1501. he granted for the wages of
the game.

Mr. PoNsoNET sail, that be.. could not willingly vote the sum
moved li►r, until sonic efficial ext.lana thins were givcli of !he nature
°lour tinanci.l , ititatioli. The recent conduct of the Ministt rs to
the merchants, leelniring puynients of duties on the goods under
bAnl, evidently #hewed the, dist►CS4 of the Treasury.

The CHANCkI.I.OII of the EXCHEQUFft said, thk was not a time
to enter into a general statement of the finances of the country, but
he had no objection to state the measures he hod in view at present.
In the first place, it war! not bis intention to propose any loan, any
founding of Exchequer Bilk, or any measures of a similar nature.
All that he should move for would be. the grants usual at the early
part of the Session—the ordinary votes—the annual taxes—and a
grant of Exchequer Bills to renew the Exchequer Bills which
it would be necessary to pay off He should al,o propose
that of two SUMS of Exchequer Bills, amounting together. to
tifteeu millions and a. half, which were • :muttony renewlikl
from )ear to year, twelve millions anti a halt should he provided for.
thus considerably diminishin! the unfituded debt. Lastly, he should
propose the renewal of the vote for several years past. providing for
outstanding Exchequer Bilk. The Right Hon. Gentleman very
satisfactorily explained the recent conduct of Government to the
merchants who have goods under bond ; he stated, that from the
time of passing; the General Warehousing Act in 1303, indolgenees
had been Auccesstiilly granted, in extending the period of allowing
goods to remain miler bond, in consequence of the hostile measures
of Ihionaparte against our commerce. After the glorious successes
of the Allies, had occasioned marry of the Continential ports to be
()petrel, the Lorda of the Treasury considered it adviseable to
diminish the irregularities which this indulgence necessarily occa-
sioned, and which threatened the revenue with considerable danger;
this had been done with every tenderness possible to the merchants;
the whole arrears required to be paid up did not exceed- 300,0001.
He was friendly to the warehousing system, and was even prepared
to propose certain iudidgences not granted hy the existing Art.
Mr.Banr NG spoke at.some length, declaring his opinion that the
merchants had been hat dly dealt by.
Mr. PROTHER OE expressed a contrary opinion.
Mr. TIERNEY, 111 an aide speech on the finances of the country,
saitl their state must be deeply probed, for not a moment was to be
lost. A Copimittee ought to be appointed to investigate, not par-
tially but fully, the state of our income and expenditure. The re-
sult of their inquiries would he, not that of economy merely. for
economy was tint a word sufficiently large for the occasion, but that
some new and extraordinary measure must be adopted toerrable the
country, even with a peace establishment, to bear the burdens with
which it was oppressed. The Right Hon. Gentleman had put info
the Regent's speech, that the revenues of the country were in a
most flourishing condition. Now he would venture to '-say, that so
tar from this being true, they were. in a most miserable condition.
Ile had calculated that when the accounts came Co be made up to
January next, the whole ofthe income of the permanent and annual
taxes, would be found 41,591,0001 and not a farthing more. That.
was all the income of the country. N•ow the charges against this

767

income (ircluding the interest of the national debt, wbivh tiva
55,6:30,0001.) amounted to 40,934.,0001. leaving a stn plus of :evtocie
to meet the expenses of the country of only 657,0001. If Ireland
was taken NW the eatimate, the estimate would be le,ss AIM, name-
ly, 0n1y.63,0001. It peace could- be established by the Ist of Jamt-
aty next. not one moment ought to be lost betor- the House enusi.-
tiered how they were to meet the expenses of a peace establishment..
Mr. Tierney then adverted to the plan of raising money last year
through the Sinking Fund, which he still disapproved of, aid said
all that could he derived this year from that and other soot ces, was
a million and a half. What were then the resources of the Rieht
Hon. Gentleman? He might say he looked to contemporary dif-
ferent war taxes. But of the war taxes, besides the property tax,
which were not permanent, not more. than four millions could he
made available. There would thus remain to the Right Hen. Gee-
tleman five millions and a half. Did he think this sum fully equal
to all the wants of a • peace establisment? Now this was the
tate of things if the conetry left off tear by the- period he had fixed
on. If the war rent on then, things would he melt wcr-e, and
considerable addition; %veldd have to be made to the black side of
the account. Perhaps What was lurking in his mind as an available
resell; et, was the Preperty Tax (Hear!) ; if that tax were to be
continued, it would be one of (lie strongest and grossest violations
of public filth by a Lerialature to the people over %shorn they pre-
sided, which hail ever been made. He had no difficulty in 'lathe', •
if steal was the Hon. Gentleman s intention, that velitions would
pour in from all parts of the country against it
The CHANCEI eon of the ExelieQum said, nothing ma- more
true than that our difficulties 'mnst be met by tetrenchtee is and
additional taxes. All that Ministers could mean by sareg in the
Speech from the Throne, that the fina..ces of the country wer- in a
good sitwatiou :tea, that the revenue was increasing; which tie hail
provel to the House beyond all means of contradietioo. The flight
Hon. Gentleman had entered into a long detail of accennts, in or-
der to shcw that the Consolidated Fund and annual taxes Alollld not
much exceed the permanent charges of the country. Undoubtedly
that fact was true ! ( Hear, hear!) He expected the pe.rmaneet
revenue tOinerease, but the fact was, that it could not much exceed
the charges. But let the House consider the present situation of
the country, with reference to its situation on any former occasion
of a similar nature. At the conclusion of the Anierican war, the
Consolidated Fund scarcely extended to tie interests of the natiolatt
debt. What•gloomr predictions had on that occasion been mad.?
And in how few years, under Mr. Pitt's admioistratime did the
country regain a fluurishing situation. This atfor. ed a hope that
the tioaaces of the emmiry Would now also soon he relieved from '
difficulties. With respect to the period refs. real the taxes cm.-
responding with the Consolidated Fund were then the soh- resources
of the nation. But at present we had more than twebv aournkils
hoes of war taxes. Supposing therefore we added somethial* ito
our burdens, we had this twenty-four Millions, front which a efintimt-
lion would still be effected. With (es-pect to the Propert'y Tax, '
whether it expired next year or not, was a pubject on which he was
not clear, and he would refer it to wiser heath than his own.. That
Act, as well as the Bank Restriction Act, would be considered after
the Christmas recess.
Mr. Potreo/env 'was—ashamed to hear any man, who filled the
office of the Right Hon. Gentleman, hold such a langnage,:as, tint
he had not made up his mind whether the Property Tax expire d
next year or not. There never was an act clearer in its enactment..
After some further remarks front several Meinliers, chiefly on
American affairs, in which Sir Joseph Yorke spewed a little itri:a-
bility towards Mr. Whitbread, on account of some remarks by hin
on the conduct of the Naval Administration. the resolutioe
w.
agreed to.—The sum of 2.365.0001. was then voted fir victualfir,,
the navy; also 1,936,9001. for wear and tear of ships; and a vote of
318,0001. tOr. the Ordnance of the !Navy.
GENERAL ROSS.
The CHANCELLOR of the Ellett EQU en having described the tiles .
titorions-seivice4el the late General Roess• and delivered a %satin
eulogy on his character and virtues, moved an aft ress to the P rdirr.
gegvilt praying him to make .some provision for his famil3, anti
promising that the House wonld' melee good the same.—The Ad-
.
dress was voted.unanimously.—Adjourned.

• TUESDAY. Nov. 15. •
Mr. RARING moved, that the copy of any aureement entered
into betweenssir Henry Wellesley and the Spanish Government rm.
payment of a subsidy to Spain., or any other purposes, finee Ili(
treaty of Paris, be laid before the Hnii,e. 'Dila subject required
minute investigation,• for lie thought it would appear• that mom
bid been paid 'to the Court of Spain, subbequent to the treaty t.

~r4

p , thr restoration e't' Ferdinand ; whereas Spain, in
1.04, ()AAAd to tins eountr,y a very I“rge sum. Hi; object, therefore,
wa. to aseertnin tLis fact, and to know in what manner the money
ticms apptieii.—A long conversation ensued on this motion,
pri,ripielly between Mr. Bating, Mr. Whitbread, and Mr. Tierney,
et, t.it_ one side, and Mi. Wellesley Pule, Mr Robinson, Mt- Van-
kit ;t t, Mr. Batlium, and Mr. Ward on the other; the former
'thniCO. that our money, instead of bting sent to the Spanish
arai:k I—tinning from Toulowie, wldeli was its proper destination,
had been applicd to the at under General • Filo, which marched
upo, MadriA to extinguish the last spark of libeily that had been
in the country, and by which means the patriots bad been
thrown Hl° dungeons. to the eternal disgrace of a base, ungrateful
•

Sovereign.
The 'Ministerial speakers did not deny that the money rr,i let have
been so adpropriated, but they positively contradicted the idea of
its beilie done with their knowledge; the subsidy had been paid in
eonfe-mity to the treaty between the two countries. The
em.eart of Sir James Duff, resident at Cadiz, and General Smith, at
tiii;:ealtir, in causing two Spaniards, who had taken refuge at the
latter ;Ortress. to be delivered up to Ferdinand, was also much re-
ro.,a te•l the Opiu
air. rA•ritcosT said, General Smith had been censured for so
act: by 'Lord flathurst.—ln conclusion, the papers moved for
cr e agreed to be laid on the table. •
Mr TIERN ay moved for papers relative to the expenditure of the
givii List, w :lid, he stated to he in arrearno less than 2e0.0001. - -
Mr. NU nimitcau and • Mr. Pnttisosiny supported the motion
making Minty auimativersioNs on the expeuce of Mr :Canning's
mis:4,:n to Lisbon, which they considered a gross waste of the public
mens.y.
CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER and Mr. HUSKIS'ON
de ended thepropriely of Mr.' Cowling's appointment and salary,
and oppwed the motion for papers, on the ground that the accounts
vi eft' toot .up to the sili of April in each year,. and that. would be
the proper time for disco:sing theohjecr.,-
Mr BANK FS complained of the inconvenience of having the ac-
t-omits so late in the season, and suggested that they be ,closed and
Lid on the table on the sth et' January in future.
Mr. TIERNEY. hoping that Ministors would adopt this proposition,
'withdrew his motion. ~
A new writ was ordered for Bleehingly, in the room of Mr. Ken-
ridc. who . lean accepted the office of Wwatti of the Chiltern
Hundreds.—Adjourned. •
WEDNESDAY) NOV. 16.
On the motion of Mr. ManINGTON, it•ave was given to bring in
a Nil to enable his Majesty's Government to apply the.' residuary
estate pt Anna. Maria Reynolds to the. purposes for, which she be-
queathed it, vizi the. Sinking. Fund. , . .
The House we a Conunitteedf Ways and Means, and voted
swim's stuns, for the service of the. emits* year. • .
, Mr. Wnerunn.ito sAid,,he should be glad to know from the Chan
calor of the p.ehequer, whether:he:had yet any doubt. reniaiuiug
that the Property Tax .expiredon the sth of April next ? ,
The CITA h CELLOR of the EXCHEQUER acknowledged that it most
(thy iongly !tore. the.egllstittelegtl which the Honoutable Gentleman
vat uq 4—(Hear !)—Adjuarnment.

. , ..

• IF /F,'

THURSDAY, NOV. 18.
Mr. WHITBREAD ptl sei,ted a petition fp bm the proprietors of the
AirctioN. Al art, con3plaitting. that...the , Property. 'rax Conthlissionvis
had as§essed them in ,a.sunt autounting to 15 gercent. ott.their pro-
perty„aini•praying' relief..--7Adyerting. to the Property Tax Act,
*hicir will expire on the sth of April next, Mr. Whitbread request.
ed to hnow:lf it were:the intention of .Poverotnent to prolOng The
sn ea, trre ? , • : :. r- • • • -
Mr,YANSITTART stated that he should keel it his duty not to
shrink f,r,qul,reoposltig a iohtingan4 f/f Ike Act, shook! ,the battle jus-
tice arecosity- which originally called it forth, require its prO-
lotwation. ,
. . .
• Mr, liAllts;G and lily. WESTERN strongly deprecated any renewal
of it, as a gross violatl.on cif publifaith.-.7-Theptlition was ordered
,u lie on the titbit!. ..:• : • , : . . . • ,
>fOURT-M 411TIAL ON COLONEL QUENTIN.
Col. PALMER rose and made •Itis protni6e4iirtotioty respecting the
sentence ;of the Court-Martipl.on;Colonel.:Onentin.,: The.prineipal
ci rctuns,tance, Which, he „said, hun:to.intrirde upon the house on
the previa occasion,. arose out 0 opinion of the
Cowl, which accrunpar4ett,th,cir (eciiiqp . • . . e.,..
i"l'iie Court, however eauttot coneWe thekpiticeedings, without
.4 3 ing their, we to
.that; , there, apikei‘rs to .It4vg existed.PV:ll.3

. , ;L..: S S)

NOV. 20.

want of co-operation among the Officers nt the-regiment,•as to render
the duties of u.o commanding Officer much mote arduous than they
otherwise would have been." •
This aspersion he (Col. P.) could assert was not founded in 'fact,
and was therefore peculiarly severe, as it may have led to the sub.
bequent censure and punishment the Officers had received. To
prove there had been un want of cooperation on the pat t of the
Officers, the I-fon. Colonel alluded particularly to that part of the
evidence give') by Lord Combermere, in 'winch that Officer de-
scribed the eharaciee and conduct of the Officers of 'the 10th Hus-
sars, in the foliowing terms :—" He never met men better disposed,
or more zealous-, and fur that reason he attributed the wont of ais..
cipline irt the reeiment not to them, but to the want of. energy. oft
the part of the Commanding Officer." Lord E. Somerset's
nion of the Officers.given on the, Court Martial, also was, that they
were zealous and attentive to their duty. Fur himself he had to savt
that- he hattsupported Col. Quentin in his,command every way.
in his power, althongli Colonel Quentin treated him in the must ag-
gravating maener, «itlt an intention of driving him from the regi.
meat ; he harl, in fact, dune every thing to annoy him short of per-
sonal instill, which he knew better than to oder. Colonel Palmer
then entered geuerally into the whole of the evidence, and con-
tended thaf the misconduct and want of zeal of Colonel Quentin
had been proved in the most abundant 'limier. He ilefended the
Officers in bringing forward the charges, and saitt it was publicly
known, that the character of 11w regiment bad been very generally
questioned since its retau front the Continent. This was partici'.
lariy the ease at Ipswich—and' w here the Officers at mess were liable
daily to hear their Commanding Officer characterized as a coward,
were they not in duty bound, by calling for inquiry, to give that
officer an opportunity of defending himself? For himself he bad
only to say, that he did not come • forward voluntarily as the prose-
cutor of Colonel Quentin. •He not only received the commands of
the Commander in. Chief, bnt of his Roya!- Highness the Prince Re.:
gent, to undertake that task. Why, therefore, he should have
been selected.as an object of punishment, he was at a loss to coil.
(wive. • After a very able speech urging the House to take the
matter into consideration. he . conchnled by moving an, Address to
the niece Regent, praying him to order the Minutes of the Court
Martial to be laid before the House.
Mr. MANNERS SUTTON, .the Judge Advocate, opposed the mo-
tion, and contended there was not the least foundation for it, miles*
it was intended to attack the integrity of the Members of the Court-
Martial. He justified the tlecisien come to by them, and the sub.
sequent proceedings of the Prince. Regent, and said there could be
no further proof required of scant oc co-operation on the part of the
Officers, than the admission of the Hon. Colonel? who acknowledged
he-was at variance with Col. Quentin, -and that- the Officers had
declined reporting cases of: insubordination to him,. because they
considered it. useless. There was no doubt but that the discipline
of the regiment was in a very bad state under Col. Quentin's corn.
mand, and that under the previous-cot mand of Col. Roberts, and of
the Hon. Mover, its discipline was excellent, but this was known to
the Duke of Wellington, and by his censure on the Colonel he had
applied the proper remedy, ...and what he considered a sufficient
pnnishineut. -With respect to the sentence on the Officers, it was
mild in the extreme 1 he believed there was not on record aim in.
stance of a tiimilar case, in which the junior Officers, under such
circumstances, had not.beeu dismissed the service. Theyhad acted
in a most unmilitary manner, and however honourable their feelings
might be in wishing for an investigation of the circumstances which
atfeeted the character of their Commanding Officer; yet the con.
duct they had pursued was subversive of all discipline. The Honse,
in acceding to the motion,-would erect itself into a Court of Appeal,
'and would he laying a precedent dangerous to the military service.
He, thereforelshould-oppose it. • ,
Mr. TiEnNtf.y made an animated speech in support of the motion.
He had no intention' of 'impeaching the integrity or the Court-Mar-
tial, but to do jnstiee to the, Members of .any future Court, who, it
any furourac was attacked, may bnplaced in an ivikamard- situation.
With respect to theeotaluct of Officers being an act of bisubor-
dimition, %how camp it, Mr. Tierney retorted,. that Col. Quentin's
adherenta illutninated their. barracks, when they heard the result
.of'
the Covert-Martial,?. And was it net a fact; -that a paper was nove'
handed abopt the regiment, by *ilia the privates bound themselves
te-sinicribe fer agord:.to presented, to .Col. Oilman) ? - This
was thegood of t .:aervier-,to .diamios the best Officers..:iir :the
-enriss;.and to heiViOkethar;as a proper nucleus; on which' to raise a
netsregimdnt,,a`tiellf. linstiuOns ioldiera, headed b; a man not fit to
•
cOMMans, any thing. . • . • , • . •
Mr. W. Potr..opposed the motion. The prosecution of Colonel
• Oafshly, he ;whiffed to UT.; erigibated in a couspiivoy..-e(Order.
.. •• IN