The Sun.
London, England, 1841-03-06 00:00:00

. -
had been formerly allotted to them. It had, therefore,
been thought proper to make such an addition to the
contingent allowances as might enable them to meet,
their increased expences. The consequence was that
there was a small increase in almost every battalion in
one service. The next charge to which he wished to
cagethie attention of the House was in the item entitled
the proportion of men wanted to be completed. Last
year the sum amounted to 40,000/., and in the present
Car I• • 't would only amount to 20,0001. The reason
3
was that the number of effectives this year approached
more nearly to the establishment than on any former oc-
casion ; and he bad some doubt whether he might notbave
made a further reduction on that head. He would next
come to the good conduct pay, on which he was sure
every one would be glad to know there was an in-
crease. The fact was, however, that that system for
which the service was indebted to the Noble Lord who.
preceded bun (Mr. Macaulay), would not be fully
developed until the year 1843, as it would not come
sooner into full effect. Every soldier who had enlisted
since 1836 was entitled for the present to have an op-
ton between pay awe' toe good conduct pay. Toe
charge fait
.tear for the good conduct pay amounted to
near 3,000/., and it was this year 9,312/., showing an
increase of more than 1,300/. Under the head of fo-
raging, and the money allowances and centingent ex-
penses of regimental officers abroad, there was a con- •
skier able increase. Tne item amounted last year to
245.000/., and it would be raised this year to 270,0001.
Ho should observe, that the estimates which he was
pre, nting for the year which elapsed, between the 31st
of March, 1841, ar I the 31st of March, 1842, were
founded on the ae:eal expenditure of the year which
had elapsed, between the 31st of March, 1839, and the
31st of March, 1845'. During that year the expendi-
ture had been cee • h -ably increased, particularly in
Canada, in Nova Scotia, the Australian Colonies,
and the Cape of Good Hope. That increase had been
caused in Canada and Nova Scotia by a considerable
auementstion of forces. In Australia and the Cape of
Good Hope it had originated is a great rise in provi-
sions. In Australia prices were such as could only be
produced by a scarcity. It hail, therefore, been neces-
sary ti incur additional expenses in these possessions ;
but the House would observe with pleasure that there
had been a reduction under the head of Jamaica.
They would learn with still greater pleasure, that the
reduction arose from a restoration of good feeling, which
Lad induced that Colony to pay the expenses of its Go
verument from its own resources.—( Hear, hear.) Last
year he had been obliged to defray his expenses out of
the Army Estimates of this country. Toe next charge
to which he wis!-.ed to called the attention of Parlia-
ment i.rose from an innovation, but an innovation which
he :vas inclined to consider very valuable—it was the
cha-ge for Savings Banks. In all the cases which had
come under the Authorities at the War-office, it ap-
peared that the formation of these banks had been et
tended with the most beneficial effects. The system had
bean introduced by his Noble Friend the late Secretary
at Wa-, who on thet, as on every other subject, had
shown himself a friend to the service. He ha •1 to pro-
pose i vote of 5001. for the interest on deposits. In this
country such a system would net henceforward be much
required, for there were everywhere banks established
of which soldiers could argil themselves as well as any
other iliss. Neither would they be required for such
Colonies as Australia, where the syste.n of Savings'
Banks was also fully established, and where the interest
on money was very high. But these backs would be
found a most valuable resource for that part of our army
who were scattered over different distant possessions,
where simitar institutions did not exist, and in which
the soldiers would be induced, without them, to rquander
their money in frivolous pursuits. They could now
lay up their money in those countries in a manner
useful to themselves and beneficial to the service.
Under the bead of regimental contingencies there was no
increase, but rather a slight decrease. In the charge
for the transport of regiments, in the United Kingdom,
there was an increase of 4,00 W. or 5,0001., which was
almost entirely to be attributed to the use of railways
on such occasions ; and he was sure that the increase
would not be reretted, as it was accompanied with a
saving of time which in military movements was more
than an equivalent for a saving of money. The next
charge which presented any novelty was for a sum of
ewe.." 3951. to the Westminster Ophthalmic Hospital. That
sum would not be annually required. It was intended
that the ainwil grant should be only 501., which would
be alionel for rent ; and the f. 2 :11 now required would
be for arrears under that head since the Ist of July, 1833.
The Hospital had been found to he a most useful insti-
tution, as ;t stood on ground which belonged to the Crown,
the of tiers wished that a grant of it might be made to
t.he members of the service. The Government thought
A advisable not to accede to that request, but they
offered a yearly grant of 50/. as an equivalent. In the
recruiting department there was a diminution in the
present estimates. The charge under that head
a-nountel to 119,0001. ; add it would this year amount
only to 103,000/. The reasons for the reduction were
that the army had been largely recruited list year, and
that there was an omission of 8,137/. since last year,
for the maintenance of recruits and their marching
expenses, until they should have joined their regiments. ,
Oe closer inspection, it had been found that the charge
was univarrantabl e and that the recruits received pay •
from the moment they
_we.r.eicri;..7enipi
1:--Ovidgendi fO7-,
_ .
had no claim to any additioral grant. He would next
cense to the vote for the battalion in Canada. 10,000/.
Lad been voted last year under that head, and 1
of that sum nothing had as yet been exrencled. (
He proposed an additional sum for that pile 1
peso of 15,000/. which, with the previous 10,000/.
vreuld enable him to meet the whole charge.
The object of that battalion was to form in -Canada a I
corps of risen so si noted, and of so high a chira-...ter,
that no differences of the high wages and other tempta-
Cons cfrered by tire United Stater, and the facilities
pre s -nted of passing the border, should induce them to
desert. Tho whole force was t, be composed of na-
tional troops, who hal seen fourteen years' service.
Ten years' service in the Royal Canadian Regiment was
to entitle a man to a pension ; and he had the strongest
reason for belieting that they wool! be easily able to
fill up the battalion on those terms. Tile only addi-
tional charge to the country, would be one penny per
day tc. ea It soldier. They would each receive fifteen
pence a day, as all would be entitled to additional pay
for length of service ; for that (mei' man would be ea-
titled to one and ti,vope ice a day. Every man, :ank and
file of that battalion, would receive 15d. a day, so that
one penny a day per man would be the only additional
char, e! to the country. Tne whcla of that, however,
would not be an additional burthen to the coot t-y, far
they would save the expense of having t 9 transfer a
battalion every three years from the West Indies to
Canada ; and of having every three years to transfer a
hattslion from Canada to this country. He belies ed
they were forming a corps, which, for resrecfebility of
character amid of station, %scull be quite unequalled ;
every private soldier in which would wear two badges
for good conduct, and would be in the receipt of 15d.
a day. Great pritileges would also he allowed this
corps in respett of wives and children. Twelve women
for every 100 men would be allowed rations, instead of
sec, as was the case with other regiments ; and he
thought, when they considered the respectability of the
corps, and the great advantages which it would enjoy,
that there would be no reason to apprehend desei tams
from it. lie had given the subject his most anxious con-
side:atioc. He was aware that objections might be
urged against the plan, but he believed that on
the whole it would ha found to be the best system that
could Le devised. He was again under thenecessity
of proposing a sum 15,0001. for the servize atS t. He-
lena. They were not to imagine that lie had been
inattentive to the subject since last year, but the House
must be aware that Care had been reasons for his in-
action. Shortly after the matter had been brought
forward in that House last year a frigate commanded
by a Fi each Prince of the Blood, had visited that
island on an impartial mission, and of course-the House
must be aware that it would have boetisexccelingly
improper to withdraw any portion of the regular troops
during his visit. Since that time other circumstances
had occurred to which it would be needless fur him to
advert, which bad rendered it unde
sirable thatany
diminution should take place in the military
of the
establish-
ment of that island. It was the Intention
into
Government, however, t take the subject
their most serious consideration,
and Le trusted
that next year he might be ahletoannteaseteed
e
that a reduction had been made. Tne total sum re-
quired for the effective service last year was 4,503,000/. ;
on this year the amount would be reduced to
4,443,000/. from which 932,0001., borne by the
East India Company, was to be deducted ; so that the
act:3A amount would be reduced to 3,110,774/. for this
year. I. a t year the sum requited amounted
3,111,8701., showing a decn ase this year of nearly
10,000/i The next item to which be should draw thwir
attention was the Staff Pay and Allowances, for which
he should this year propose a veto of 51,153/. The
vote last year had amounted to 59,958/., so that
this year there was a reduction in that item of 1,800/.
In the article of staff contingenc'ea there was an M-
ere:se this s ea: of 3,000/. Last ye .r the vote had Lem
for 53,000/, and this year it amounted to 56,000/.
Teis ire' ease was owing to precisely the same causes
which had occasioned an increase in the regimental
contingena s. It had taken place in the same colo-
nies, arid was attributable to precisely analogous causes.
The estimates under that head vi ere made up for the next
year from the accounts of the last year. There was
an increase on the staff charges of the present year, oc-
casiosed by the increased advantages given to medical
officerwitu accordance with the recommendations of the
Naval and Military Commission. Had it not been for
that alteration, the staff charges of this year, as com-
pared with those of last year,u we Id bare exhibited a
slight diminution- • The
vote for the expenses of the
Public Departments amounted this year to 79,714/. ;
last year it had amounted only to 60,1461. This in.
e abolition
crease was owing partly to th
bolwitiitohn
ittili-
tary commissions, in accordance
dation of the Naval
and Military Commission,
and in which recommendation tohieferees coomn
yreceived
de
from
mrdiatlitlyis cosonacruere.
red. The suns former!

plan had been devised which completely obviated all
objections and was calcul sted to satisfy persons of every
religious persuasion, and he must take that opportunity
of acknowledging the valuable assistance he had re.
ceived from the Bishop of London, who had devoted
considerable attention to the subject, and had drawn up
a resolution modifying the rule in such a manner as to
remove the scruples of all, and yet to preserve the dis-
cipline of the Asylum, as connected with the Established
Church, so that now Catholics and Dissenters could
conscientiously receive the benefits of an institution
which was, as it ought to be, open to the children
of all alike, who had shed their blood in dc fence of
their country. The next item was the volunteer
corps ; the Government last year had, fortunately,
had no occasion for calling on that corps to render as.
sist ince to the civil power. Last year, thevote for the
volunteer corps had amounted to 92,9331. This year,
it was only 88,2661., showing a diminution of 10,000/.
The total effective estimate last year had amounted to
3,855,000/. ; and this year it amounted to 3,846,000/.,
showing an increase of 9,0001. He now came to the
noneffective estimate, in which Gentlemen generally
expected to find some reduction. Under the first head,
rewards for distinguished service, the estimate would
not be found to differ very materially from the one of
last year. In Jamaica, the Government had had ap-
peintments, amounting to 3681., placed at their disposal
during the last year. Of that sum 2211. bad been ap•
plied to the awarding of pensions for distinguished ser-
tiees. Altogether 9861. had been pieced at the dis-
posal of her Majesty for rewarding distinguishel mili.
tit), services. In the garrison offices in the colonies
last year, a sum of 15 8151. had been voted ; this
year he should propose a sum of 15,838/. He would
mention that under this head was included the
1 salary of the General Quartermaster at Malta,
amounting to 136/. 17s. 6d. That item had formerly ap-
peared in the Staff Estimates, but as that officer had really
no duty to perform, it had been thought better to remove
it into the present estimate. The charge for the pay
of retired general officers had, as might have been ex-
pected, gone on regularly decreasing. Last year the
number of these officers amounted to 198, and the
charge was 92,0001. This year the number amounted
to 183, aid the charge was 85,000/. ; showing a saving
of 7,0001. The next charge was for officers and vete-
rans retired on full pay. There was an increase under
this head in consequence of the recommendations of
the Naval and M loary Commisssion. It had before
been considered expedient that no additions should take
place under this bead until the whole expense should
have been reduced to 38,000/. ; but the Naval and
Military Commission had recommended that the t e'e-
ran corps should be immediately filled up but that no
the expense had been reduced to 38,000/. Last year
the estimates had been 57,3001. ; this year he should
propose a vote for 67,500/. This would go on regu-
larly decreasing until it was reduced to 33,000/ ;
and it was never afterwards to exceed that sum. In the
article of half-pay a saving had been effected, although
20 Lieutienant-Color: els had received :00/. a year
each, in addition to them helf•pay. Tile vote last ee m
had been for 505,5001.—this year it was 497,500/. For
pensions for wounds last year the vote was 142,9841.
this year it was 141,048/. For pensions for widows
I.lst year the vote was 127,300/, and this year it was
124,000/., showing a decrease of 350/. For out pen-
sioners for Chi Lea Hospital he had last year proposed
a vote of 3,300/. ; he should this year propose
to increase that vote to 10,000/., making 13,3001.
It La I been for some time past in the
contemplation of the Government to make a change in
the manner of paying the Chelsea pensioners, which
would, he trusted, be of great advantage to the pen-
sioners themselves, end to the well-being of society and
of the country. Several communications had taken ph:co
with the Chebea Board, and he believed the plan would
very soon be adjusted, and as in that case funds would
be wantel to set it in motion, he felt justified in asking
an additional great for that purpose, but he did not be-
lieve that it wool I lead to any permanent addition to the
public charges. The vote for superannuation amounted
last year to 42,000/., this year it would amount to 43,000/.
This increase was caused by tee reiular course of things,
and one half of it had been owing to the return of Sir
'lnward Douglas to this country, as during the time
that that Gallant Officer was Governor of the lonian
Islands he did not receive his superannuation. In
bringing forward these estimates he trusted he had clone
so as briefly and as succinctly as possible.—(Hear,
hear, hear.) He had purposely abstained from all
exciting topics, for he believed that gentl-man
on both sides the House, in discussing the Army Esti-
mates, were aetuated only by a desire to place the esta-
blishments of the kingdom on that footing which might
most conduce to the well-being of the country.
Mr. HUME would merely draw the attention of the
House to the pledges of peace and economy which the
present Government had given on taking office, and
yet, notwithstanding these pledges the a-my was in-
creased by 43,000 men to what it was in 1822. lie would
submit, that if economy was one of the pledges given
by the Government, it was a pledge that had not been
kept. He said this with no hostile feeling to them,
only he protested against imposing on the country a war
establishment in time of peace. The necessity for
this had been occasioned by their misgovernment of
Canada, and by their folly in going to fight windmills
in Syria. That had been followed by the alienation of
the French nation, and the consequent endangerment
of the peace of Europe. He regarded that alienation
as ominous in the highest degree to the future peace of
Europe, for as long as the French and English nation
agreed the peace of Europe could not be endangered.
They might have reduced their establishment to the
1 awest possible ebb consistent with a case of emer-
gency, and they might have kept it upon thet scale.
It remained, therefore, to be seen whether the Govern-
meat were justified in following the policy they had
adopted. He regretted to see that Englishmen, borne
down as they were by taxation, were obliged to keep
up se large a military establishment. In the last
five years, the army, navy, and ordnance had in-
creased three million; and a half; and he believed their
establishments this year
.wdo.uldn iaBm36ountrrtoh.four millions
and a half more than it did
daytan
oc ef
reckoning i
the
r alianodis weasoesf tathhimsi
nahgte:
waster ofsu
re, seriousthat
the poorer classes, because
misery they were inflicting
~
was not far distant. Ministers ought to reflect on the
importance
and the man of fortune felt i
of the country was taxed,
satisfied until a property
the fact was that under the presort system the industry
not. The country would not be
their in•
t. c
poor.
tax was imposed, by which the wealthy would
of would be cons
pelted to contribute as large a proportion
come towards the burthens of the country as h
ilaicercraesgerda; ehle ticalasdeeh
ot
pheedmtihliattarybeefsotracbthhsilaanteiointes smo
would have been settled between this country an
amt tulcr'dhs
America, but every thing seemed to have given nay to
the Syrian question, and in consequence of this they
had been unable to withdras the large force they had in
America. He was sorry to see that matters did not
look very peaceably between that country and England,
but be believed that had resulted from the policy
adopted in this country, which would have the effect of
obliging the country to keep up a large military estab-
lishment at the expense of four or five millions a-year.
Sir H. HARDINGE had listened with great atten-
tion to the speech of the Hon. Member for Kilkenny,
and he agreed with him that if the expenditure of the
country was to be in proportion to its difficulties in re-
spect to its foreign relations, it must be considerably
increased. He regretted that there had been an in-
crease of expenditure since the Duke of Wellington
and his Right Hon. Friend left office in 1830, but the

' House bad to consider whether the expenditure was
necessary or not. He was sorry to differ from the
Hoe. Member for Kilkenny with respect to; the Army
Estimates, bet he thought those estimates this year
did not go far enough, because the pressure
upon the army in the colonies had been so
very great, that if relief was not given, they
would not be able to carry on any relief at all.
Considering the situation in which the troops were
placed in the Colonies, he was in hopes of seeing a
larger estimate for the purpose of relieving them. Now
what was the state of the army ? Why, including the
troops on passage, the number of battalions abroad was
84, at home 19 ; and how, therefore, was it possible
for 19 battalions at home to afford relief for 84 batta-
lions abroad ? That, however, was not all, for out of
the 19 battalions at home, eight of them had only re-
turned from the Colonies in 1840 ; and the consequence
was that out of the 19 only 11 were in a mili-
tary state of organisation ? Was that a state
of things in which the army ought to be
placed ? And, added to this, out of the 19
battalions there was not one that had beet at home
four years. The Batt Ilion that had been just sent out,
had been tea years in Jamaica, ten years in Mauritius,
and twenty years in India, and now it was on its return
to leda again, after being in this country only about
three years. Ought such a state of things to exist in
the British army ? were the regiments of the line to be
condemned to almost perpetual banishment ? In fact,
the state of the army was such at present, that unle;s
some remedy was applied, a severe blow t, ould be in-
flicted upon the discipline of the army. He did not
state this to encourage the Government to in
creased expenditure, but be stated it for the
purpose of showing the defects of the system.
They must, if they wished to have the army effective,
establish a system by which the troops could return
to this country, after they had had a sufficient quantity
of service abroad. In 1837, when the rebellion broke
cut in Canada, the peace establishment there was
nine battalions, and ten more were very properly sent
out upon that occasion. In India the establishrreet
was 20 battalions, and now it was 23 battalions. In
the Mediterranean there was an augmentation of two
battalions, so that there was an excess of 13 battalions
rendered necessary, in consequence of the foreign i ell-
tions of this country ; and if they went to any of the
colen'es, they would find it impossible to make any
alteration in their establishments. (Hrar, hear.)
If they looked to the state of our aff.drs in India it was im.
possible to say that there could be any rAuction ; and,
considering the hostile feelings which prevailed on the
frontiers of the United States, so far from a reduction,
there should, if the Government meant to act with vigour,
be as addition to the free in Canada. He di I not wish
to imitate the conduct of the Members of Congress in
making ugly speeches.—( Hear, hear.) It was tho less
necessary to do so, because the claims of this country were
supported by our Minister, Mr. Fox, in the most manly
and v;garous manrer.—( Hear.) But he thought all par-
ties must admit that it would be highly imprudent under
present circumstances to reduce our force in that county.
—(H.. ar, hear.) It was not possible, with the present
pt ice, that the relies should be properly carried on. For
the last four years the ar ny had been so situate 1 as to
re nler that impossible. What was the number abroad and
the number at home ? The number abroad this year—
(be spoke, of course, of the infantry of the tile, for by
them it was that the pressure was felt, and not by the
caval,y, including the troops on their passage)—was
60,000 ; the number at home was 26,400. The estimate
only gave an increase of nine men ; but, f.r all
the purposes of Great Britain and the Colonies,
there was a diminution of 1,420 men. He was convinced
that if the Noble Lord were to come f .raari and propose
a supplemental vote of 5,000 men, no doubt that proposal
would give great satisfaction to the army. He trusted the
observations which, as a military man, be had thought it
his duty to make, would induce the Noble Lord to take
some early step towards remedying the evil of which he
bad complained.

Lord J. RUSSELL raid the objections made to this
estima•e by the Hon. Member for Kilkenny aad his Hon.
Friend were certainly of a very different nature: one com-
plaining that it was too small, and the other that it was
unnecessarily large. He did not agree with either of those
objections. The Hon. Member for Kilkenny complained
of the increase since 1830, and he asked why it had been
made. Without entering into any defence of the fereign
policy of this country, he (Lord John Russell) thought
the state of our foreign relations, and especially the state of
Canada, was a sufficient justification of the increase. The
Flon. Member for Kilkenny had rather a short way of de-
ciding these question?. He said that they had engaged
in a war in Canada because they did not choose to
yield the demands of those who were disaffected ;
that they required an increase, because they were,
through their own misconduct, on bad terms with Ame-
rica and France. The Hon. Gentleman always presumed
that the Government of his own country must be in the
wrong—namely, as compared with the French Govern-
ment, the United States Government, or with Messrs.
Pepineau and Mackenzie.—( Hear, hear.) He ( Lord J.
Russell) could not accede to this short way of disposing
of the question. On a proper occasion he would bo
prepared to show that the Government had throughout
their transactions received the sanction of Parliament,
and were justified therefore in asking fur the increase.
The Hon. G_ntl_•man had stated that there were now, in.
claiiag the army, navy, and ordnance, 130,000 men be-
longing to the regulmr forces of this country, which was
an increase above the e tirnale of 1822 of 43 000, and of
25,000 above that cf 1830. With regard to the estimate
SVOt with
s'ances of the country at that titre. The circumstances of
the country since that period, especially during the last
three or four year?, had undergone a great change. Per-
sons were in the habit of saying that it was very extraor-
dinary that after 25 years of peace it should be thought
necessary to have such large establishments. His ( Lord
John Russell's) observation, looking to •he state of the
worl 1, and to the establishments proposed in other
countries, was that that very long duration of peace was
the very circumstance which made men estimate too highly
and apprehend too little, the great and almost incalculable
evils of war.—(Hear, hear.) Those who had seen war
wcre best able to estimate the invaluable blessings of
peace. After twenty-five years of peace it was far more
difficult to preserve peace than it was at the termination of
the:war.—( Hear, hear.) In a neighbouring country there
had been lately an immense increase of war establishments.
Orie item only, the construction of naval and military
works, amounted to twelve millions sterling, whilst the
speeches made at public meetings, and even is the
Sonata of the United States', called upon the Government
of this country to be on the alert. He might safely rest
the proposed increase upon the state of our relations with
Foreign Powers. But the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite
complained, chiefly on the ground of the unfre quency of
relief, that the pri posed increase was not large enough.
He ( Lord J. Russell) could not be supposed to undervalue
the services of the feritish army. He believed there raa
no a -my in the world which made such exertions, not only
when they were accompanied by the splendi I triamphs of
war and the glory of victory, but such conti wed, perce-
wiring, and perpetual exertions in time of peace, to merit
the approbation of their Sovereign and their country, under-
gciag the fat'gue of distant voyages, and suffering too
often from unhealthy climate; and long absence from home.
But the country often required those sacrificer end exea-
t ons ; and in such cases they were made without the
least murmuring.—( Hear, hear.) The number of men
employed fir home and colonial service, in 1830, was
81,164; in 1841-42 it was 91,363, being an iaeraaie
of 10,000 men.—( Hear.) Since the year 1830 extra-
ordinary services had been performed by the army. Fr,m
!even to eight thousand men had been sent to Canada in
consequence of the ciiaturtancese It must be remembered
that the climate of Canada was by no nee ins unhealthy.
It was impossible, as the Hon. Gentleman had said, to
reduce the force stationed at the Mater ti is. An addi-
tional battalion had been rent to Bermuda and two addi-
tional regiments to the Meeiterraaean ; but he t-usted that
it would net be necessary to keep that additional force in
those stations. With respect to India it should be re-
marked that the regiments which in the common course of
events would have been ordered to return Some bad not
been sent in consequence of the expedition to China.
The general establishment for India was not altered, it
st 11 consisted of twenty regiments cf the hoe. He
believed there was no necessity for making an alte-
ration its the present system in India. When there
were such demands as there bad been of late, there
were, as the Hot. Gentleman said, a very small number
of regiments at home ; the majority were abroad. But
whilst there were six companies abroad, there were four
at home; and for six ufficera abroad, four romaine I at
horn,.. The proportion of men was GOO to 200, and of
cffiotra six to four. It was net true, theref re, that the
whole regiment was abroad. If they wished to have a
dr eti
be, 1
ieri
would
ea, kt
Commander-in-Chief,
Noble cbsnr
ncl teauho
requirent
per
Commander-in-Chief
d. depotsmegFarair.nvnii
endai.eumdcr: c:
7.
Loi
,oirninaariee.dinfiwfci:rprthehargiionncoeupduhffeomtnas
the
oescedqbmrr
Government
eaaleflii
pselntlerteaeredndg ui
umt
ohhefeeebo:number.tnitoschw pot
e:eannsa:
and.thusn
more frequent relief, the better plan would seem is be to
ureu
yke I
es
whicht t r
the
ably e
of
Welliagtin. The military reasons which were given by
such men as Lord Hill and the Duke of Wellington led
him to adopt the system which they recommended. But
one of the consequences was, that there was greater hard-
ship in reality, and much greater hardship in appearance
-with respect to the number of regiments abroad and of reei
meats at home, and the frequency or infrequency of relief.
Upon the whole, with the exception of Canada, there was no
v ry peculiar or extraordinary demand upon the troops of
this country. There always had been a very great de-
mand—a greater demand than there was upon the t-oops
that decreed and of thant one
of the consequences of
armies of other countries, when in
vuts, that while the
of any other country. But
ccihnaartaietiteesri aniline ofg our armies that they
campaizn, and ergagel
ainrmeiaesr: hitad,asallthteLe
other
of war. —( Hear. )
were as e fficient in time of peas ‘as in teat and disciplined
medewersosmething like a
Toe system adopted in Prussia and
few
countries was to
have the men in active service for a
allow them to *go home. That for
believed it
years, and then
body of mltia, but the discipline was,
incomplete. Their service was, en the ec=alYvery,
distin-
guished by its permanency and severity, and he
would be found in the end the most advantageous system.
There was one other point, namely the increase of five
thousand men which had been voted last year, but that
vote was not on the ground solely of disturbances at home,
but to relieve some of the regiments on foreign service,
and that was why no reduction of that number had been
was 81,000. men, in 1832 and
Of late years the number certainly bad been
proposed.
89,000, and then there was a re-
ductiontie 88,000, in 1840 it was 92,000, and in 1841-2 it was
Oat that there had been
ilincreased,
ai
stewdiosr fBsoBor,moioenoy andelaBr3sotoit 80,000. In 1839, it amounted
91,300. It would be seen from
v►ould agree to the vote of his
therefore, the Committee woulw
no great increase for the last three years, and be trusted,
Right Hon. Friend. iT:roDvoingh(t_aedy