The National Register.
London, England, 1816-02-19 00:00:00

TED. 19.

the Report of the Finance Committee In 17b6, three years after
the conclusion of the American war, they would find that Clay
suitlee declaring a certain part of the war taxes still neceeesty,
and that they probably %%until be su till the year 1790, seven
sears after the cuuclusion of the war. The sole of seamen foe
the present year would be 33,000; the. peace establishment
would probably be 23,000; the expense would be two millions.
Its 1790, our seamen amounted to 20,000. The additional
expenses of the navy, almost the whole of which required
most expensive repairs, iti consequence of the lung course
of service in which it had been engaged, would raise that
item of supply to 7,000,0001. For the army no vote would
at present lie required. The number of infantry and cavalry
tOr Grem Britaiu, including Jersey and Guernsey, would
be 9:000, and fur Ireland the same. (Hear, hear, from the
espposition.) The time would arrive when this proposition
might be taken in detail. The number of troops t'or foreign
garrisons would be 3,000 ; the army in France 50,000 ; Gib-
raltar, Malta, and the garrisons in the Mediterranean, 11,000 ;
the garrisons in British America, 10,000 ; the West India Is-
lands, 13,000, of which 4,000 were in Jamaica; the Cape of
Good Hope and Africa, 3,000; Ceylon, 3,000. With respect to
these last, the Right Hon. Gent. said, they were formed partly
of colonial and partly of British troops. The House would see
bow desirable it was that a force to serve in these Islands, and
unhealthy climates, should be fornted, as much as possible, to
cuneist of natives, even though we were under the necessity of
keeping up a larger establishment, as we should therefore save
a considerable number of valuable British lives. The garrison
of St. Helena would consist of 1,200 ; these, together with :f,OOlO
which would be kept afloat, would snake up a force of 99,000
men, independent of those in France. Many of these regiments,
however, would be skeleton regiments; and, owing to this cir-
cumstance dad casualties, they could not be taken, though no-
minally 99,000, at more, in reality, than S 3 or 90,000 at most.
Besides these, there would be a force of 20,000 for the East
India Company ; but for these, or for those troops in France,
•no call would be made on this country. The French contribu-
tion was equal to the pay of these troops, and hitherto that con-
tribution lied been regularly paid ; 700,0001. had already been
paid. He understood that legally these contributions belonged
to the Crown as droits. His Royal Highness the Prince Re-
gent, however, had bcornetl•to take as such what had been ac-
(Eldred with such bravery by his army. I- Hear, hear.) Out of
the contributions. 30 millions of livres were to be given to the
British and Prussian army ; the rest, amounting to four millions,
Would be applied to the payment of the .troops. The total
amount of the charge for the army would be 9.300,0001. ex-
clusive of extraurtlinaries. The Commissariat would be
ti eO,OOOl. ; the Barrack Department 258,0001.; and the Extra-
ordinaries of the Army would be two millions; making a total
of 11,233,0001. for the entire of the army. The Miscellaneous
would be 2,500,0001.; this would be better discnssed when the
different items came before the House. There was another
item still to mention, and that was, payment of a sum to the '
I.- :.-.. India Company, fur money advanced by them for the pub-
lic servii.., in the Last Indies. According to the best opinion
which could at present be formed, their demand would amount
to two millions, and they had already had 600,0001., and it was
ptoposed now to advance them one million more. This would
mike the total of supply required 24,338,0001.: besides this,
Vivre was a separate charge for Great Britain, making the
otal of Great Britain and Ireland 29,393,0001. The Ways. and
earn to meet this suss were—The surplus still unappropriated
of 'three millions of last year's grant; the surplus of the Coii-
lc
selidated Fund, say 2,300,0001. ; the ordinary anneal taxes,
Ikea millions ' - the war taxes, which he would now take ut
only six milliois; the sive.isgr cent. Jittionerty-tax, which he
would' also take at six millions; the Lotter', 200,11001.-, Ex-
chequer 11111 s, six millions ; and lastly, six millions from the Bank,
by way of Loan : these sums would altogether make a total of
1.6,700,0001. to meet that part of the expenditure belonging to
Great Britain, amounting to 26 millions. Here the Right Hou.
lent. entered into a detail of the neguciation with the Batik,
ti
kith, he observed, bad been brought to a conclusion Un terms
ghly advantageous to the public, the whole sum having been
orrowed at au interest of nu mote than four per cent. lie
hoped, notwithstanding the Loan of Exchequer Bills now con-
templated, and this advance on the part of the Batik, when the
Ecounts should he made up to the end of the year, there would
found to be no increase in the unfunded debt of the coon-
y. He would now detain the House no longer ; but merely
again add, that the establishment, the outline of which he had
jest submitted, ought by no wane to be taken as the intended
'Peace Establishment, but as one founded on the wants and
lisersessities of the present year. He was happy in being able,
'at the conclusion of such a dire conflict, to make the statement
he ' ' now done—(hear, hears—and was convinced, in eon-
to the many gloomy prophecies of Gentlemen on the
of the House of the ruinous state of the country,
wishing, and that our expenses were
3. Gent. concluded by inuving for
_ - applied to the payment of Esehe.
sat down amidst loud cheering from all quer-

THE- NA'

tanned at that per ceatage, with the exception of houses which
might lie insured, and of course furnished a sort of delicate. In
the count' y, farming stock, held out no such temptation,
and therefore the borrower was obliged to obtain his loan in
the shape of annuity at S per cent, which, with an additional
2 per cent. on life-iusurance, made the dutireur 10 per cent.
Even so high as La per cent. was sometimes charged. The
Usury LAY/ being in full force, he could not conceive how the
Right Hon. Gentleman could think that 13 millions would, in
the event of leaving the Sinking Fund untouched, go from the
individual to the lauilliolder, at the rate of 5 percent. though he
was ready to admit that, to a certain degree, it would tend to
decrease the rate of interest. He therefore begged the Right
Hon. Gentleman would not, on any such speculation, abandon
the thought of abolishing the Usury Acts. The Hon. Gentle-
man observed, that lie had also thrown out sonic suggestions
respecting the restriction on the exportation of wool. The
present was a fair opportunity of giving relief, when the foreign
markets were open. He trusted the Right Hon. Gentleman
would not be so childish as not to direct his attention to this
subject. It was also necessary to give relief to the landed in-
terest by 71 more equal levying of the Poor Rates. At present
they fell exclusively on the landlord, contrary to the meaning
of the statutes. The inanutlictories were filled with spinning
jennies, the owners of which paid to the poor rates in the pro-
portion of 3 or 4001. a year, while the laud-owner paid at the
rate of 15 or 20,0001. thus making the former person the ma-
nufacturer of paupers. The poor rates, therefore, did not go
to the support of the poor, butlo the diminution of labour.
Another subject which was worthy of attention was that of'
Tithes. He did not know whether any thing had been done;
but he trusted, that Ministers would devise some meats of re•
medying the es il. The next point was the Military Establish-
ment, which had given him much cause of regret at bearing
that called a Peace Establishment, which, at any other time,
would have been called a grievous war one. The Right Ho-
nourable Gentleman, atter shewing the different dispositions
of the force to be kept up, which he mode amount to 119,000,
had stated that 40 or 50,000 more would be in the pay of this
' country.
Mr. Varierrraer here explained, that besides the establish-
' went of 99,000, there were to be ambled from 40 to 50,000 which
were in a state of reduction.
Air. lisouenam proceeded, and observed, that the expense
of the establishment, nearly 30 millions, was a most intolerable
burthen on the country. What prospect, he wished to ask,
was there of any greater diminution next year, with the ex-
ception of the last item, which might reduce it to 23 millions.
.1 great deal bad been said about the peace—that it was the
best peace which the country bad known, and yet this best
peace left the country loaded with a large nsilitury establish-
ment at home and in the colonies, and a force of 30,000 to be
kept up in France, according to Treaty, if we chose to ratify
it. The Right Hon. Gentleman bad talked of the East India
Company paying their troops ; it was a mockery to say they
would pay, when year after year they were earning to this
House for loans. He condemned the large amount of the
force in the different islands, particularly that in the lonian
Islands. Why were seven or eight thousand men to be sta-
tioned in these islands, which were rich in nothing but patron-
age and currants? lthy was it necessary to keep so many
islands ? What did the country gain by them, especially the
Dutch Colonies? With respect to the military establishment,
why, lie would ask, was it necessary to keep so large a standing
tinny iu Ireland as 25,000 men iu time of peace? Would it hot
.hiave been better to calm the minds of the people in Ireland by
Sallelhorstigll W..eodiaion of the Catholics ; and by sense sr-
duagernent of the grievousburthan If tithes? this would be a
more practical saving. There was So abuses of disaffection
now, nor of foreign assistance. east, however, retrenchment
was necessary, and that was best accomplished by diminishing
some of the useless offices. For instance, why, he would ask, in
times of peace, were so many Lords and Secretaries to the Ad-
miralty? If seven Lords were necessary in war, surely now the
cunntry could dispense with the service of four, when there
were only 201) ships afloat. In war, according -to comparison,
seventy instead of seven would not have been enough to direct
the Naval Trident. lu looking at the peace establishment of
1792, he found the estimate was five millions. France was now
reduced below her strength at that epoch. All Europe leagued
against her; our own power greater than at any turner period
—nu enemy to contend with; then what was to be feared? A
peace concluded, to be preferred beyond any other—even that
of Utrecht; and the result of it all is—a load on the country of
from 25 to 30,000 auuually. If the prices of every article had
been doubled since 1792, that would not call for more than
10 millions. The Hon. Gentleman, after some farther obser-
vations on the necessity of affording relief to the landed in-
terest, as the relief now proposed, in his opinion, was ineffica-
cious, suggested the propriety of taking off the tam upon leather,
which would give material relief. He.observed, that nothing
had been said about the War Malt Tat; he hoped this would
meet the attention of Government. Itut the greatest burthen
of all was the Property Tax, wbl4ll he had no doubt the
country would rise up against, and come to the House and de-
sire the Right Hon. Gentleman to ask for a small loan, and
lute-

where property wee already diminished,
toe must be daily more and more diminished.
Sir R. He RON said, that when the intelligence of that night was
circulated in the country the people must feel universal gloom.
They would then see that the system of economy recommended
in the Regent's Speech was to be found no where but in that
document. The retrenchment should begin in the Regents
expenditure. They had been told of the imposing situation
this country had assumed in Europe ; but he wished that we had
taken advantage of our insular situation, and kept out of all
foreign wars. What consolation would it be for the starving.
tailor and shoemaker, to be told that they had put the country
in an imposing state ; that the army was covered with glory I
that they were governed by a Prince of such good taste, that
he could not endure the same furniture for two years together s
and who expended more in the erection of a thatched cottage,
than other Sovereigns did in building a palace.
Mr. GRENFELL entered his protest against the massure of
accepting from the Bank the loan of the money of the country
at 4 per rent.
Mr. F. Lewis wished any man to contrast our present situa-
tion with the establishment required by the greatest Minister
this country produced at the close of the American war, when
all the money required by him fur the Army, the Navy, the
Ordnance, and the Civil List Establishments, amounted to two
millions and a half. If the Income-tax was continued, it must
become a tax upon iOl,l, and not on profit. For he believed
that it could be proved at the Bar of the House, if necessary,
that 23 millions were removed from the circulation of the coun-
try during the last two years. It was not for bin to propose a
remedy ; bat he would say that the House ought to think of
same remedy for this state of things; Wit whatever that might
be, he hoped it would not be the Property•tax.
Mr. Ban MG allowed that sonic relief was necessary for the
landed interest; but what that should he would require great
consideration. He considered the baits of the tenantry tax,
and the tax on farm horses being reduced, as intended by the
Chancellor of the Exchequer to induce the country gentlemen
to acquiesce in the Income-tax being continued, notwith-
standing the hatred of the nation against that tax.
Mr. nRAND said, that when he heard from the Treasury
Bench that we were now entered into a state of profound
peace, he could not help asking, in the name of the country,
why such a tremendous peace establishment was to be kept
up e The Chancellor of the Exchequer ought to recollect that
the faith of Parliament was pledged to the abolition of every
one of the War-taxes ' • instead of that, he bad only offered to
relieve the people of five per cent, on the Property-tax. lu
his opinion, the people ought to protest against the continuance
of this system of taxation, which they had borne so long and
so gloriously.
Mr. YORKE contended, that the establishment proposed by
the Chancellor of the Exchequer was only intended for the
current year, and not as a permanent establishment. He hoped
we shonld have no more war ; but the best way to prevent it
was to be prepared for it.
Lord Nuoeser was of opinion, that the military establish-
ment of the country could not be too early discussed, consider-
ing that it was to he kept up to a most unconstitutional extent.
Mr..loces contended, that the lauded proprietor or his te-
nant could sapport the Property-tax no longer.
Mr. Alderman ATKINS said, that the difficulties of the coun-
try did not fall merely on the agricultural interest of the emus.
try, but pressed equiills on all classes in the nation. He hoped
• that the Chancellor of the Exchequer would give up the Pro.
perty-tax.
Lord CASTLEREAGH said, it was impossible. in a short time,
to reduce such a force as our's, so spread over the world, to a
' regular Peace Establishment. He compared the estims'e of
the last and present year, to !thew, that every possible reduc-
tion had taken place in our naval and military expenditure,
even to the amount of eight or nine millions. He deprecated
:so false a step as that. proposed of suddenly letting down the
force of this country, while 'all the other nations of Europe
were still in an armed state.
The Resolutions were then agreed to, and the Report ordered
to be received to-morrow.
Atter some conversation between Lord Comm/Asti, Mr.
PONSON2V, and Sir G. U. ARKEROKR the discussion of the
Navy Estimates was postponed a taw days.—Adjourned at ele-
ven o'clock.
Tuesnav, Fee. 13.
Petitions were presented from certain inhabitanti of Tiver-
: ton, in Devonshire, praying a repeal of the Insolvent Debtor?
Act.
Gen. Thornton gave tunic; that he would on Tnesday neat
move for leave to brief in a Bill to render the Property in oar
Funds, belonging to foreigners residing out of the kingdom,
liable to a full proportiun of Taxation.
Mr. Brand presented a Petition from the Farmers and Corn-
growers of Hertfordshire, praying relief from the heavy load of
taxation with which they were barthened.—Ordered to He
on the table.
PROPERTY TAX.
The Sheriffs of London presented a Petition from the Lord
Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, of the City of Lois-
' Piroperty-tax • and Bed it
modification whatever;

the continuance of