The National Register.
London, England, 1816-03-31 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

count of their late victory, the measures of the Ministers
most be guided by superior prudence told caution. The very
tread and look of the Minister are now watched with a
lynx's eve ; every guinea taken from the treasury is to
use a contmcn phrase, required to be looked ut twice, he-
ti= it is spent, and a correct occonnt must be rendered of
the purpose, to which it was applied. In these endea-
vours to establish an extensive system of retrenchment
and economy in every dep.xtment of the state, we sin-
cerely hope, that the partizans of the g;txxl cause will not
suffer their zeal to carry them too fltr. Much have the
present Ministers yet to do, and when we consider the per;
, tinacity with which they have clung to the support of the
present Military Establishment, there is a sometlijwg
which presents itself' to our mind, which we think
has not had its due weight of serious consideration.
The secrets of the cabinet are to us impenetrable, but al-
though we ure virtually in a state of Peace, are the Mi-
nisters impressed with the full conviction, that such astute
be of longduration, and have they not, from a general
survey of the present state of Europe, and the ambitious
views of certain potentates, some strong forelxxling, that
England will soon have again to draw the sword—per-
haps in defence of legitimate mouorcky ? We hope the
contrary, but we see something in the Army Estimates
beyond a mere advance of general expenditure. In the
mean time, Ministers feel themselves obliged to yield to
the voice of the nation, and the Army Estimates have
been withdrawn fiir the purpose of effixtin., those re-
trenchments which have been sa strenuously insisted
upon. The country's welfare has been, and we believe
still is the object of the aim of the present Ministers; we
have been borne by them victoriously through the con-
flicting elements of an unpiiralleled war, we are promised
and assured beyond dispute, that retrenchment and
economy shall be adhered to in every depaitment ; in
such promises, we are not too sanguine when we say,
they will be performed.

The distress of the Agricultural state of the country at-
tracts at presmt the attention of the legislature. It is
indeed a question worthy of the most ;nature and serious
consideration, fur on its decision will depend the future
prosperity of the country. As the subject is to be again
debuted on Tuesday next, we shall not now enter into a full
detail of the various measures which were proposed as a
relief to the agricultural interest under its present severe
depression. The remedy of Mr. Western, ache has
taken the lead on the occasion, is either the export of
corn, or the prevention of the importation of foreign
corn, and the removal of the duties on spirits. Different
remedies were also proposed, such as a duty upon foreign
wool or foreign cloth, the augmentation of the duties on
spirits, and the advance of a large sum of money to the
agricultural interest. Mr. F. Lewis proposed two resolu-
tions, one to encourage the exportation of our own wool,
and the other to permit the growth of tobacco within the
United Kingdom. In the course of the debate, it was
announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that a
drawback would be allowed on the malt used in brewing
from the period ;;t whieli the new malt is brought in, to
the period, when the war duties on malt are to cease,
vie, July.

The French and German papers, have been regularly
received in the course of the week, but the severe re-
strictions, which are imposed upon the French press, pre-
vent us gleaning any further particulars as to the inter-
nal state of the country.—The French funds have been
rapidly declining,.
The Committee have made their report to the Cham-
ber of Deputies respecting the establishment of the Duke
of Berri. Instead of the proposed million of francs a year,
being reduced, tier five years to halt' that sum—the Com-
mittee in a paroxysm of loyalty, recommend the whole,
and also that the million of francs proposed as an outfit
should be increased to a million and a half.
The same l'apers contain a long ordonnance of the
King, re-constituting the national institute.' It is to be
divided into fipur classes, called academies, these principal
chimer are again. subdivided into minor branches. The
trial of General Debelle on a charge of treason, has
terminated, and the Council of War has passed semen e
of death upon the prisoner, but recommended him to
the clemency of the King. The General, after hearing
the sentence, turned without the least emotion towards
the soldiers, and said. "My &attires are not altered, for
my conscience is pure. If the mercy of the King should
still be extended to a subject, who was only led into au
error, my whole life shall be employed in repairing my
tailraces. If that can be expiated only by my death, I
am ready to die, five le Rai. _

It is supposed that his punishment will be commuted.'
to ten years imprisonment.
Paris Papers of Wednesday last have been received,
bat they are wholly destitute of interest.
We learn, from a German Paper, that the present Go-
vernment of Poland holds out great encouragenhnt to
foreigners to settle in that country. By a decree of the
Viceroy, issued on the 2d of March, all artisans, maim-
titeturers, and agriculturists, settling in Poland, will
be exempted Irma all taxes for six years; to the latter,
portions of the crown lands will be given. These tb-
mignas and their suns are exempted Iran military service,
and can at any time receive passports film the. Govern-
ment, oti wi.ating to return to their native country.

11. ARCH SL

The introduction of their cattle and other effl.ets over tlh
confines into Poland is toll free. Foreign Jews are;
however, excepted from the benefits of this Decree.

We give the followingas an extract of a letter from Paris,
without imposing on our renders an implicit credence of
its contents ; we must however r:.nark, that the motions
of Austria have been for some re.:inlet' with a sus-
pieitnis eye. We do most firmly idieve that that Power
is nourishing the indirideal, who will one ti;:y overthrow
tlic dynasty of the Bourbons.
P.tiits, )tut t 1 2.. —1 shot:lit think I wits i;etioient in my
duty towards you, were I nut to apprise you, that 'annulus of'
an alarming iintiire are now (ntent. in societies which, from
their upportimity of correct iairirmation, rarely leave room for
suppositions intelligence. It is Oriented that the Austt ian ar-
mies passed the frontiers of the French kimplom on the 13th
instant, and that a declaration of their views was published at
Embroil, in natiphiny, on the 15th. -Various arc the conice.
tures here un the molls es of this invasion; some pat:trod that
It is eon eeted with the rethsal ul this power to rrsture (ialli-
chi to [Viand, which was considered as au indemnity for the
aggrandisement of the Austrian territories in Italy. A Matti-
lest() of the Enipecor ot• Russia against Austria was said to
have been recei%ed yesterday, complaining of this country's
want of faith in the accomplishment of its treaties. On the
other hand Austria ruler. into 1..1111114., as it is affirmed. !miler
pretence of e‘uctimr an indemnity Mr the Es,-Empress .1.0
but willing to sound the public Mind. 1111111 shuuhl cir-
cumstances prove propitious, after estakishing the lietfeticy
of Alarm Louisa, to form an intrunsige an•l 111.1.11:11illl. ailctnee
with France, and set at tietianee Bavaria, Prussia, and
1 rot:num:irate to WI this intelligence, without lore:ending to
ascertain the of credibility it is entitled to, whrflu r it
he the exaggerated description of some previously wulrr•tou;l
art•augcua•nt, or whether it be the pure invention of tins and., .
eious and disaffected.

The rumour of a total change in AdminkratNt has
subsided. If there is any change, it will be merely par-
tial. As the Prince Regent has conic to town, whatever
change is to take place will be iimmsliately settled. Mr.
Peel is still mentioned as successor to the. present Clan-
cellar of the Exchequer.
The dispatches received over-land from the East Indies
are stated to relate to measures now pending b;:iwecn
the Govenor-General and the Mabrntt►, who refuse tip
receive and maintain the body of sulbidiary troop:: idtcnd-
ed to be forced upon them ; the result muy lead to •
general war in India. Sir David Ochterlony is appointed
to the chief command of the forces in the field.

The following particulars of the Woolwich smuggling
have been transmitted to us:—On the voyage home, a
carpenter employed in securing the packages discovered
the secret. Immediately on arrival he gave inthrmation
at the Custom House, but it was ten days after before the
ship was inspected; in the mean time much of the smug..
bled goods for certain persona were got away, and mils
those were left for men of less note. There were to the
amount of 70001. for one man, packed hp as.--return
Congreve rockets. There were many rare things which
were got out of the way. In the mortars were lace,
gloves, cambrics, &e. and in the tumbril:4 were claret,
champaign, &c. Many people have long supplied them-
selves and friends with wine in this way, and their wives
with finery. This is only a vessel which has been detect-
ed, but the trade has long and suceesively been carried
on to a great extent. The man who infonned got about
10001. Why not call him before Parliament?

Au account of the number of oases in which process had
bzen issued from the Court of Exchequer, since the Ist
dny of January, 1813, fir the recovery of debts due to the
Crown fin- taxes, or arrears of taxes, distinguishing each
year, and the number of eases of processes issued fin- sums
under five pounds:— . _

Assessed Taxes. Property Tax.
Year. Above Under Above Onder.
Xs .1:5 £5 £5
From lrtJan.lBl3, to Ist 1
Jan. 1814 - 223 322 262 886
From I‘t Jan. 1814, to Ist 1
Jan. ISIS - ;;9 508 310 853
From Ist Jan. Isis, to Ist t
Jan. 1816 • ) 441 821 37! 824

Total 1089 101 9t4 1343
appears, by the returns of Sheriffs, that one-filih,
and upwards of the smaller sums has not been levied,
but has been certified rodla bona; and the same are re-
presented to have been subsequently dischar*ed from the
ass:•:&sments by the district Commissioners, umber the pro-
visions of the Acts.

By the repeal, of the war duty on Malt (which we be-
lieve, is nis i4a. per qr.) the brewers will be enabled to
red tter the price of their beer one penny per pot.
•The remains of the Duke d'Enghien have been fott,!.
The spot where they were buried was pointed out by un
old peasant, who dug the Prince's grave. The body hail
been thrown into it without any coffin. A boot was first
finnul, then the whole skeleton. The back-h. uc WiLi per-
forated by two halls, and a large stone lay upon the skulk
His watch, his seal, a gold ring, and eighty docats in a
purse, were fimnd with the remains of the body, which
were taken to the castle and buried with due ceremony.
MARSHAL SOULT CASED.—" As Marshal Sonit wry
proceeding along one of the public walks, an old Ham-
burgh merchant, who had suffered severely by Daeous,,cants
boldly up to hint, and said, Is thy name &th ?—I last
thou brought back to us any of our bank money?' Reeds-.
ing no answer to his queries, he struck him a blow, and
then caned him most soundly. The Marshal made off
and with difficulty reached his hotel st•th the mob at his
heels. Post horses wt.re ordered i:irectiv and Le ;:e• wrfor
.
Lis ulterior (loan:a:en,"

111A'

1-1 31.

POLITICAL DISQUISITION.

la ATE OF THE COUNTRY AND TILE POOR IRATFS•

WHILE there are certain topics of so conflicting and
heating a nature, that they cannot be agitated without
kindling- the flame of discordant opinion, there arc others.
Cie broaching of which seems at once to operate like the
spremling of oil upon the surface of the stormy sea. They
posse m this effect by chiefly addrcoing themselves to sen-
timents and feelings in which no one would be thought
deficient, and about which there cannot be any disagree-
ment. We arc afraid that sufficient attention is not paid
to the true and full meaning of the signs of the times.
The exhibition that our country at this moment presents,
is a most extraordinary one ; there never was an example
under any fiishion of political institution at any firmer
period, of so mutli public opposition, embarrassment, and
distress, existing without harard, either in reality or be-
lief to the frame-work of the Government; without
leading to an apprehension of a convulsion, without
exciting any deadly symptoms of hatred, or distracting
people from their regular duties, or dividing them
form their natural and social connexions. Yet, there
no want of earnestmas, and there is unfortunately a great
deal of suffering. There is much positive assertion and
much bitter debating; the measures of the Rulers of
the Country are angrily criticised by its men of rank,
prperty, and talent—great popular meetings are convok-
ed, and there it is told to the lower classes by their su-
periors, that the few who are in authority are squander-
ing the national means and oppressing its ability ; the
whole land is in a linnent, and the power of Govern-
ment is opposed to the distrest feelings and excited
opinions of the people. Nevertheless, every man is con-
vinced that be is secure in the duration of public order,
and every man knows that a public danger would be
instantly met by a promptunion of the public mind and
strength.
The country is at preseot in a state of exultation at the
abandonment of the Income Tux, but we fc ar thatsome
evils may arise, which in the ardour of petitioning was
not foreseen. The fall of the Property Tax may place
the rich and the poor on the same lava. The additional
pressure which the failure of the Tax may cause upon
par-rates, may be of no ordinary nature. If the pro-
legion of a man be such as to require a house for
the pursuits of his business, in extent equal to that
occupied by a man worth 4,0001. a year, he will be
necessarily compelled to pay a ratio of taxation, ad-
equate to that paid by the man of fortune, or de-
cline following his business. This will be a certain
toncoinitant, and whether the tradesman's profits from
precarious calling be sufficient to defray the amount
of his assessments, or not, he will be forced to bear this
unequal burthen: these operations may crowd our poor
houses, increase our poor-rates, and perhaps infuse in-
digence throughout this kingdom. We may state that
the annual amount of poor-rates is 6,000,0001.; the prin-
riiial port of this sum is 'paid by persons whose means of
livelihood are very precarious, anti who are in continual
dread of becoming applicants, sooner or later, fur the
charitable means to which they now contribute. We
should ba very erroneous in our calculations, if we
were to say, that iu the majority of counties, towns, 'vil-
lages, and hamlets in this kingdom, the inhabitants more,
virtually than nominally termed poor, pay a quantum of
poor-rates, in the aggregate, equal t,.) the whole amount
paid by money-men, (many of 10,0001. a year forming
port) to the Property-tax, Land-tax, and Assses.sed-taxes.
The contradictory views which have been imbibed,
with respect to the Property-tax, have unffirtunately,
by some strange infatuation, passed current with the
poor, though they are the only individuals who are
oppressed by burdens of near affinity to taxation.—
The Property_tax ut five per cent., which was intended
by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, would have pro-
duced 7,100,0001. only 1,000,0001. more than the poor-
rates at preaent prodoce. The former would have been
mostly furnished by the rich—the latter (6,000,0001-
a:id probably more) must partly be furnished by the poor.
These rates, greet as they are, fall infinitely short of ef-
fecting what they ought, the claimants to charity being
both great and increasing.

Cannot means then be deviled for the alsdition of the
poor-rates, or for their modilication, so that they luny be
proportionably borne by almost every class of peonk._
The attention of Parliament should be directed to this,
and to die moms of amcliorativ, the dediressed condition
the poor 91 the Law!.

THE NATIONAL REOSTEIt.

ABUSES IN TTIE• LONDON FISHOLIRKET.

TO THE RIGHT HON. TILE LORD itiAvoß.

My Loan,
PERMIT me, through the medium of this Paper, to
call your Intention to the present state of the Billings_
gate Market. lam well aware, that an abuse existing
within the limits of• your jurisdiction, requires only to be
known, to be suppressed; but, notwithstanding the supe-
rior cctivir• mid vigilance which have been displayed dur-
ing your Mayoralty, in discovering and enulleating many
of the glaring abuses which have long disfigured the
Metwpolis, yet the augean stable is not yet fully cleansed,
its completion may indeed be called an herculean task,
but I.aGor rincit amnia.

Whatever tends to encourage a monopoly of the ne-
cessaries of life, becomes dangerous to the general inte-
rests of society; it is in vain that un enlightened Legisla-
ture or our patriotic Institutions otter their premiums fin
the greater quantity of any article of general consump-
tion which may be brought to market, if those laudable
designs be defeated, by u grasping spirit of monopoly,
which deprives the community of those advantages which
would be the concomitant result of the providential cure
of the Government.

Your Lordship, I am convinced, is not ignorant of
the existence of a char :ter in the BiBMA-Ave Market,
which in the techniral phraseology of the place, is called
a Bost ass.. It is against the existence of this charac-
ter that I now presume to address your Lordship. Of
what avail is a regular and tunple supply of fish for the
London market, and which, were competition equal,
would be dealt out to the public at a comparatively cheap
rate, it' the monoptlizing Bomarce steps in, purchases the
whole stock which may be brought to market, mud deals
it out to the retailers according to the particular quantity
of fish which he determines shall on that day appear at
market, and which is in close unison with the rapacity
of his own avaricious dispeition.—The supply of the
market is not in proportion to the quantity which is
brought by the fishermen, for hence a cheapness would
arise, hiimieul to the interests of the &unarm ; on the
contrary he purchases the whole cargoes : if a glut pre-
sents itself, thereby presenting a cheap and nutritious
food to the poorer classes, this great advanta;,te is imme-
diately lost to the community by the Bontures:s, who
hoard the fish in their warehouses, and rather than an
article shall be sold at a cheap rate, will throw the sur-
plus stock into the river. This is the cause of the quan-
tity of lxiil fish, for which Billingsgate is now prover-
bial ; the fish which appears on the stalls, is not the fish
of to-day nor of yeFterday, as landed from the boats,
but it is brought from the stinking hoards of the Boma-
rees, who having glutted themselves with the profits aris-
ing front the first day's sale, empty their ahnost putrid
stock into the baskets of the hawkers. At the instiga-
tion of these Bomarces, the fishing-boats arc often kept
at anchor in Lng-reach, until their stock on hand is dis-
poserl of, and they will bring up these boats singly to
market, rather than the public shall profit by a full and
abumbint supply.
The limits to which I must prescribe myself, deter me
at present Simi entering more fully into this important
question, bat I trust the few hints which I have ad-
vanced will excite the attention of your Lordship, and
that some steps will, I hope, be in consequence taken to-
wards abolishing the practices of the Bomarees, whose
very existence is an anomaly in political economy, and
which calls fiw the iannediate interference of that Power,
by which only its suppression can be effected.
I subscribe myself,
Your Lordship's most obedient Servant,
Merck es, dsl 6. R. H.

By Ilavannah Diaries of the beginning of February, we
find that the horrible system of the Slave Trade, emninu-
ed to be carried on between the Island of ('ul:a and the coast
of Africa. Two vessels had arrived, one laden with: )0
slaves, and the other with 141. It appears that this in-
human trafic was about to be vigonmsly pursued, as all
fast sailing roads had been taken up f,:r that pnrpose.
Bosun or AORICULTURE.—The following annual
Elections have taken place :—.The Earl of Macclesfield,
President, vice the Earl of Hardwicke, resigned; the
Duke of Bcdtbrd, the Earl of Bradford, Sir Robert
Vaughan, Dart. Sir flumphrey Davy, and J. Atkvns
Wright, Esq. Ordinary Members. Arthur Young, Esq.
and Ccorge Smith, Esq. have been re-elected Secretary
cool Treasurer.—A vote of Thanks was unanimously
passed to the Earl of Hardwkke, expressive of the high
sense which the Board entertained cf the essential services
derived from the able and zealous discharge of its duties
through the course of his Lordship's Presidency, and that
' the Secretary do tramatit a copy of this Resolution to the
Noble Earl, now resident in Paris.

The tidlowilt; is a striking in.stime2 of the depr:ssed
Stye of Agrieuiture:—Tn February, 1813, 73 acres of
meadow land in North Cadbury, Somersm, were let for
oar year fir 2021.; on the 9th of March, 1811 i, the tune
lands were again put up, when the sums bid for them
amoirited to no more than 991. 10s.lking a difference of
10:41. 10s.—At the same time in 1815, a piece of arable
land (flair acres) was let at 19.1. 10s. and was again put
sip to ata:•in on the 9th of Mardi, 1816, when no mere
than 81. were bid, being a difference ofl,lll. 10s.

b i

DILI-VATIC REGISTE

DRURY-LAN E.

M 1 SSINGER.4 Drama of the Duke of Milan was an-
nounced for representation at this theatre on Tuesday
night ; but the company, whom the desire of witnessing.
Mr. KlEMtni perffirmance of the character of •Vbr.:a haul
attracted to the House, were fitted to encounter a severe
disappointment. The audience having waited for some
time beyond the period when the curtain is usually
drawn up, began to exhibit symptoms of impatience,
which soon assumed a very formidable appearance. At
length, Mr. Hat, the stag: manager, :Acted forward to
appease the uproar. He stated, that the delay was oc-
casioned by the non-appearance of Mr. Kr ‘N, who ha&
neither been seen nor heard of by any of his brother per-
formers since the morning. In this situation of affairs,
he proposed that the tragedy of Douglas should be sub-
stituted for the piece announced in the bills. This pro-.
position was received with the most violent expression of
dissatisffiction, and, when silence was obtained, it was
intimated to Mr. Rata by nr.my of the audience, that
they would wait for some time longer in the hope of
Mr. Kr. s's arrival. They remained, not in patient ex.
pect at ion of his comin,r, for the house rang with a variety
at' discords, until half-past seven o'clock, when Mr. RAE
again mule forward, and proposed, as the expectation of
Mr. K E N's arrival was hopeless, that two feces, For-
tune's Frolic, and Wayv and Means. should be perffirmed
instead of the Duke of Milan. This was acceded to.
after some trifling clamour, and the pieces were pertimned
without opposition. Nothing further was heard of Mr.
K N during the night. It has since been learnt, that
about half-past twelve on Tuesday, he left his own chaise
in East Smithfield, and took a boat to go to Greenwich
by water, but finding the waterman slow, and fearing he
should nut be in time, he was landed on the Kent side,.
and hired a one-hone chaise, with which he prove:del to
Greenwich, and dined with a tee friends. He was re-
turning between four and five o'clock, to be at the thea-
tre by sir:, and bad reached Deptford, when his stranvge
horse took fright at some geese on the road, and he wag -
overturned, by which he dislocated hit shoulder, and was
carried, totally insensible, into the Oxford-Arms, where
he was unknown, and it was not till late in the evea-
ing that he was sufficiently relieved to be able to inform
the people who he MIS. I/ Vednesday morning Mrs. KEAN,
Mr. liar, Mr. PEN LEV, and several others went dowa to
him ; they found that his shoulder had been re-set, and,
in the atierrumn he was brought to town, to iris house.
in Clarges-Street.
In the Farce of The two Misers about to be revived et-
this Theatte, Mrs. lficaosaa, who is quite recovered from/
her hue severe illness, will perffirm a character.

The public will be glad to hear that Mr. Kean was sa •
fur reeorere.l front the paiaful effects of his late accident,
as to induce a hope that he will be able to resume his pro.:-
fe.tsional duties to-Hu-wrote, ac expressed by himself in tbs..
C.llowing letter to the Munagou of Drury-Latta.
Theatre :

"-Mantes Street, 12, Friday.
" GENII. EM EN?-1 beg von to accept, anti coney to the
Sub-Committee, an sincere tlcitiks tin the interest so kindly-
expressed for my recovery, untl tint- the liberality a iHi %%Inch
am tlesiced not to hasten the resumption of thy duties benne
my health is perfectly re-established. lam authorized by my
Surgeon to entertain hopes of being able to appear helmc the
politic on Monday, if it be not in a ritaracter tug too grt
exertion. With that viva I• take the liberty of suggest-
ing that of Sky/ork.
" I beg to assure you, that I feel triinv lured that anxiety ant
impatience of conemement will temd more to delay toy ',edicts
reaoyet y front act•itlent than any ill that may result front.
[(Pithily Cht2i7OUS.--I am, Gentlemen, pour obedient Svwvatit,
" E. ."

Among t'ar.,, phenomena of the present day, mar jthstlr
he included George Bidder, a Devonshire bu.'::,.ituder ten.
years of :tge, whose power* of vdeulation equal those cat
,Tedediah Buxton, or the American boy. George Bidder
was ycsterdaF asked if the Ministers had succeedcd in
carrying the Income Tux (twelve in one !mutat,
notes, how many miles would it have covered a road
feet wide, each nolo beim: 8. inches by 4 and a half he
directly answered IS miles 1653 yards‘und 1 foot.

IIIADEat/Ist:tut G assEarst.--'lle aseenaien in a hclor
lc'on, and the dent in a. parachute, of Nlademciselle
Caruerin so often announced, and often detitrred, took
place oa Sunday, 14th init. in the Camp tie Mars. 'ChM
air was cold and the anttostphere cloudy, and this eireantr-
titmice indirect' a belief that. the experiment would be pat
oil. At half rust three. however, Mademoiselle tlitincrin
entered a very unc:niticent Car, a!;ilCd by a ripe tiv,:uta
feet lout to a parachute, above which wits the balloon.
The whole tim ruse majestically in u western directing.
',Then about the height of Htio feet, the lady cut tins
tore, the parachute untidded and the tist.-ent took
place slowly, and without the least ctrrruss uu. Matl.ttr-
laniSelle Garnerin alightetl new the Barrier of Grosp
Callon, and quite Ruse to the River. The youtr4 latty
went through the business with great sa,sll-froid, awl re-
; ccived tile testimonies of satisfaction at the trumerony
spectators assembled.. A great mtntbor of lientleitrn cot
horseback precoded the young aeronaut on her. return to
Paris, and among them the Duke of Wellington.

Lord Grenville is to receive a rent of )1. R veer
Camellia:li Home, (to a lease for years ; with a, klaube of
turender at the caauf ascii Qr 1-1 y'e:js.