The Sun.
London, England, 1802-06-03 00:00:00

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it became generally keow_n, tifighi he said there
was still another consideration-that might be al.
legedi that theloventor having Made the diictiverVl
could not conceal it, but here, though it might
have been difficult to conceal it entirely, yet
it
might have been so far concealed that it ccitild riot
have been applied by others; and therefore there was
a merit in Dr. Jenner in not ConCealing it. With
all these claims, he had no hesitation in saying, that
the disco Very was one which was entitled to reward,
and that a reward ought to be given, not only for
the sake of this, but to encourage others to turn
their minds towards discovery, and to encourage
ethers, when they had made. any useful discovery,
not to conceal it, but to impart it as speedily as
possible to the Public. With respect to the sum pro_
posed, he thought it was the least that cotild be
given for: such a discovery,. and, he had not the
smallest hesitation in s-upportingir: •
Sir JAMES SINCLAIR ERSKINE .ftillo'wed
on the same side. He said, he wished 'particularly
to advert to one point which had not yet been
touched upon, he meant the, admit expence which
Dr. Jenner had. been put to in completing this
discovery. This expence, he could, state from the
best authority, amounted at least to-60001. conse-
quently if the House voted only ro,oool. the real
remuneration to Dr. Jenner would be only 4.0001.
a sum neither adequate to the importance of the
discovery, nor worthy of the dignity of the House.
to bestow. If therefore thelarger sum of zo,oool.
were objetied to, •he should move for 15,0001. that
Dr. Jenner might at least receive 90001. free. In
addition to this he could state, that Dr. Jenner,
in order to render his discovery more extensively
useful, had left a practice of 6001. a year; and that
since his arrival in London his income had not paid
his house-rent. Any profits that he might have
derived from his discovery, had he kept the nattire
of it concealed, were taken away, by his making it
so plain that any one, even ladies, had been
enabled to put it in pradke with success. He
'therefore should certainly hope, that if the larger
sum appeared too much, at least 15,0°01 would be
granted.
Mr. M. A. TAYLOR thought that as Dr. Jenner's
expences had not been stated as a ground of the re-
solutions of the Committee, they did not at present
come regularly before the House. He therefore
thought, that if theSe were to be inquired into, the
Chairman ought to be instruded to report progress.
Mr. HOBHOUSE observed, that .the expellees
of Dr. Jenner might justly be stated: as. an' argument,
as the loSs he had sustained had• been stated to the.
Committee, as appeared from the Appendix (of
which he then read some extradsl, and the Com-
mittee in forming their Resolutions, had taken these
also into consideration.
• Mr. FULLER' observed, that as the 'discoverer
could exped no reward from the method of Patents,
which were not applicable in the present case, he
thought him entitled to the .larger sum.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said,
that whare'ver sum of money the Committee might
vote to Dr. Jenner, as a future reward for his Merit,
there was one thing clear, and that was, that .Dr.
Jenner had already received the .greatest reward
that any individual could receive, the apprObation,
unanimous approbation, of the House of Commons;
an. approbation most richly deserved, since it was
the result of the greatest, or one of the most im-
portant discoveries to human society that was made
since the creation of man;. and he doubted whether
the House of Cnninoos would ever be again called
on to decide on a paint of greater importance or
utility than that which was now before the Com-
mittee, Two Reports were- now upon the Table
of the House, and they were founded on two Pe-
titions from two individuals, who had each been
Most laudably and successfully employed in making
discoveries for the preservation of human life. One
saved human beings • from the perils
_of shipwreck,
the other from perils still greater. With regard to
the merit of Dr. Jenner, it was needless to say
much, there was no difference of opinion in the
Committee on that su.bjed. That he had Made_ the
important discovery for which the reward•was-asked,
that the value of the discovery was• without ex-
ample, and beyond all calculation, were points not
to be contested, for they were made out by con..
vincing evidence, and that he had precluded himself
from great emoluments by ihe generosity of his own
conduCt, was also most manifest; Wishing as he 'did
to see such a person rewarded, yet knowing as he
did that he had also a duty to discharge to-
wards the Public in voting away the public money,
lie must intreat the Committee to pause a lit-
tle 'before it adopted the Amendment now pro-
posed. One died of the discussion would be, to
confirm the general use of the pradice of this species
of inoculation; another effe& would be, to esta-
blish, for ever, the merit of Dr. Jenner ; at the same
time it could not be denied, that while •both the
pradice. and the fame of its author, became as
extensive.as possible, the vote of io,oool. by Par-
liament as a remuneration to Dr. Jenner, would
have the effect of enlarging the general pradice of
that learned physician in the way of his profession;
so that both the subjed itself, and the individual
who discovered it, would be still better known to
the world at large by this vote. He would ask
whether any Member of the Committee doubted
that Dr. Jenner's practice As a physician would not
be extended by a vote of io,oool. to hiM.by this
Committee ? Most undoubtedly that pradice would
be greatly extended by that vote, as well as by this
discuSsion. It he were called to say what remune:.
ration was to be given to Dr. Jenner, and that-he
was to be governed in the amount by the value of
the discovery, he really did not know the sum, be-
cause the value- of the discovery was above all calcu_
lotion ; but that was not the principle on which the
Committee professed to proceed, or on which it was
pradicable to proceed, the advantages being, bound.
less; whereas the remuneration must of necessity
have its limits ; and then the question would be,
what,, under all circumstances; was a reasonable
remuneration to the Author of this discovery ?
The difference between io,oool. and zo,oool. was
not the standard by which the Committee judged
of the. merit of Dr. Jenner; but the question upon
the sum was one which had a reference to the duty
which the Committee had to perform to the Public.
He admitted; indeed, with the Right Hon. Gentle_
man opposite to him (Mr. WiNDHAZA) that the

Hem se. ;:if Conimbits • were hot Guardians riieeely: -of'
the Public Purse, btit they were Guardi,ins alsd of
-
the IntereitS of the Public; and ,certainly AS Sikh,
would do well to encourage in ventiOiis for-the pie-
ServatiOn of the Public Health, whieli,formed a very
material part of the Public Interest, arid by that
consideration alone, he should be led to vote
the larger stint proposed ; hitt he eoriressed, that,
under all circumstances; lie did not think hirnsell
justified iii recommending.. it to the Cbnitnittee, as
a fit thing to vote this large suni. When he recol-
kited that the value of the invention wag- beyond all
calculation, and when he considered the extent of
the merit of Dr. jentiee, he confessed it was pain.
ful to him to oppose any Sum of money, however
laige it might: be but When he considered that
the Doctor must have other adVanutes besides
this vote,. that the praftice of the
.Doctor' would
necessarily be very much extended, then he-thought
the lesser sum was that to which the CoMmittee
ought to assent. What had been said On the sub.
jed of the loSsei of Dr. Danner; in the pursuit
of this discOveryi, he conceived to he inaccu.
rate, with referente to the RepOrt of the Committee.
He belieVed that losses had been confounded with
expences; it appeared that the Doctor- had been at
considerable expencesin this pursuit, biit there was
no evidence of his having sustained any 'losses: In
a word, if he did not think that Dr. Jenner would
gain other great advantages from this vote, beside
the vote itself, he should think himself called upon
to Vote for the larger sum; but being entirely con..
vinced that he would have Many other advantages,
and to a great extents he found him Self bound to
declare his opinion in favour of the lesser sum. • In
saying this, he was rather pursuing the sense he had
of his public duty, than his own feelings :.--Were
he to give way to his feelings, he might assent to any
sum, but that was not the course to be followed by
men in the discharge of their public duty. He had,
however, the satisfaction to reflect, that this dis-
cussion had given to Dr.' Jenner a reward that
would last for ever, and also that the comfort of his
family would be amply provided for, in his extend.
ed prattice, by means of the sanction of that House.
Mr. GREY said, that from the tenor of the
Right Hon. Gentleman's speech, from his owning
that this discovery conferred so many benefits on
Mankind, he hoped he would have concluded by con-
curring with the Amendment. The importance, of
the discovery no one could doubt : some difficul-
ty might indeed be made with regard to the extent
of the remuneration. We should not in this be too
much guided by a view to the expences incurred,
lest we should run the risk of rather giving an in-
demnification than a reward. He had heard no good
reason given for limiting the sum to I°,oool. He
conceived there was no fear of its becoming a dan-
gerous precedent, as such discoveries were not made
every day. The Right Honorable Gentleman
had said, that Dr. Jenner would find a reward
in .his own conscious benevolence. - This,• indeed,
might afford much gratification to - him, but
it ill became the House to diminish their reward
because his merit was of such a pa t*re as to yield
gratification to benevolent feelings. As to the
Vote of . the 'House increasing his praftiee, he saw
no reason to expect such a consequence, when every
thing attending the. Vaccine Inoculation had been
rendered so easy by-Dr. Jenner's
,generous Commu-
nications. All these circumstances considered, he
hOped the House would vote for ao,oooi. or at least
15,0001.
Admiral BERKELEY said that he had fixed Upon
the sum of r 0,0001., not from any idea of its being
adequate, ; 'and; therefore, as a larger sum had been
moved for, he should considet himself as quite at
liberty to vote for it.
Mr. WILBERFORCE stated that Dr, Jenner
had been engaged in completing this discovery up.
wards of twenty yeari; that to the prosecution of
it, he had devoted that time, and those talents which
he might haVe turned to greater emolument by ge-
neral practice.. He was not to be considered as an ad.;
venturer who might hope by this discovery to push
himself into praelice. He ha attained celebrity in
his profession, and an extensive pradice, which he
had sacrificed to completing this discovery: There
was riot a likelihood of his regaining wbat iiti this
way he had lost, as many others had from his corn-
munications acquired such a complete knowledge of
the vaccine inoculation as to be employed with equal
Confidence. Nor was it likely that ha would ac-
quire a general prattice, a§ many would-be led to
suppose that by his exclusive attention to vaccine
inoculation he had become less. skilful in other
parts of medicine. In every view he thought the
larger
.sum ought to be voted
Mr. COU RTEN 4Y. said; it appeared 40,000 men
were annually preServed to the State by Dr: Jen.
ner's discovery ; now, in former tune's every indi-
vidual was reckoned worth 4:os: a-year to the Re-
venue; if therefote we suppose the value of human
beings to keep pace with othei articles, we must
now suppose the value of each to be at least el. a,
year: By. this computation Dr. Jenner brought into
the Exchequer zoo,000l: alnnually, and it was hard
if out of that sum we did not allow him 20,0001.
it •
The Question was then put, that the words
' zo,000l." do stand pait of the Resolution, when
the Committee divided,
Ayes 59=—Noes 0-1-Majority 3. •
()rewing- re-admitted- to the Gallery, we found
Mr.' Btrathisr on his legs, explaining to the
committee the importance of Mr. Greathead's .dis-
covery of the Life-Boats. He said, that the re-
wards presented to him by Lloyd's and other- public
Institutions were not so great, as to preclude the
necessity, of the House also coming forward with
their bounty. The,sum which he intended to move.
for was zoocl. It mighty indeed, be thought too
little by many ; but he hoped, no one would consi-
der it as too much:
Sir M. W. RID,LEY said, that 'soo• valuable
Seamen had already betn saved by this discovery ;
So that, if ioool. was voted, it would be
members
4os.
a head for some of the most valuable
embers of,
the Community, which he could not but•lthink a-
very inadequate reward. He should therefore-move;
that instead of tooci. the wor& 70(:)0i. be inset-t•.
ed in the Resolution:, - •
Mr. GRIT and Mr. WILIERFO. f
. o eterTetl
who were alto forc: larger
Mr. ELLISON4kj:.:OI2. ;3 ;t, ag ha was a1,;41,..4t.

public moneyrespecially fbr' 'What iic
considered as local purprisei.
Dr. I /11R.EA'G',A sari,,that this disciver;
been greatly approved by the :trinity FlonSe,
was- Most.- capable df,appreciaring its The
oust in whicli.he Was accustomed to pradice; Was
often called upon to give rewards for saving fives.
arid goods ; arid_: he had often seen larger sums
than the largest It:present prof osect; given for savi. g
a sin leTShip arid live or six, of its treW„ lie shout
be ashamed not to vote for the larger eeward.
Mr. MARTIN and Mr. liiiwra:is BRCIWNR Were
of the same opinioit.
FRERE thoUght that itillilitt rewards; tie
rank of the person' to whotri they were to be gi
ought to be considered; and lie could nor but thing
the sum of toool. a proper remuneration to one in
Mr. Greathead's cireunistancesi,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
he was sorry that he found himself again obliged;
froth a sense of duty. to oppose the opinions' of thoSe
whom We highly-valued. did trot look .upon
objed as local its utility Was of, the most
live kind and a national benefh. At the same time
he thought some regard aught to be paid to the
rank and citcUtristances of ,the Petitioner, to the
ability; the attention, and elperience requisite CO
bring it to petfedion. In all these particulars; the
present question bore no proportion to the last.
He conceived that Mr. Greathead was a man In such
circumstances; that iOciol.' to set him tip as a bolit.
builder, would lie a great Matter to him Consider_
ing all these circumstarree, lie could only,give his.
assent to the lesser suit,:
it M. W. RIDLAY saict9 that the Petitionei.
was 'not in low circumstances, -bite a respedable
tradesthan ; that he; as well as Dr. Jenner;
had made communications of hiS diScotery to all
who requested it of him,
Mr. GREY' observed, that whatever talents niight '
be requisite to petfed this disco Very; it required
least time ; and he bad- never heard the simplicity
of any mathematical Work argtied against its ing,e.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER dis-
claimed the idea of wishing to under-rate the dis-
covery on account of its Simplicity.
Mr. 1171117-B RE AD observed, that the expences
which Mr: Greathead had inctirred in His stay in.,
London while prosecuting his Petition.; joined tp
Fees of Office; which alone atholinted was; as he was
credibly it-donned, to i. 601. Would be a Considera-
blededation froin ioool. He hoped then, t!4h: the ..
House would at least_ vdte the SOrii clear; if they
adhered to it. .
The CHANCELLOR of.the EXCHEQUER said

lat. the Hon; Gentlemati had beenmmisinformed9

hi the 'amount of the Pees.. They tnight in ,all
amount to tool. Mr. Greathead'S stay in London.
might, in some de
jgree';' be attribtited to himself
(Mr. ADDINGTUN), ih putting off the question
so long. However; the delay
.liad not been al.
together unprofitable to the PeiitiOnet, -as it had
been: the means of introducing hicii to several bo.
dieS who Might forward hini in the way of his pro;
fession. He had no objeelion; however; to the
sum being made rzoot Which Would cover the ex-
pences and fees;

After a 'few words from Mr. Vrll:ttEßtoßCE
and Mr. GREY; who wished to have. 'poi. sub.
stituted;

question
The was put; that " 12ocii." stand
part of the Resohitibn,' Which Was unanithously
agfeed to and the Report drdeted to be teceived
to,rnotroW:. ..

rt.
Oil the Motion of the CEtAc.g.tidit of the Ex.
CHEQUER, the Clergy Non-residence Bill; and the
consideration of the Sinking .Fund; Oeie piit off till
to-morrow.

Mr. ALEXANDER brought up the .reports of the
British Fishers' Bill, of the Alien fill, and of the
Police Bill, which were agreed to.
The repoit of the Committee respelling the ;n;
crease., of iJackney Coaches was brought up and
agreed to, and a Bill ordered to be brought in:
Mr: Oimssy moved, that the Ads.of the
.oth
and 4oth of Geo. III: in the'lrish Parlialnent,
speting the importation of Coffee be read—Ordered:
He then moved that the House should resolve
itself into a Committee to take the said Atts into'
consideration to-mortovn.Ordered.
Mr: ORMSBY moved to withdraw sane aceotinis
respeaing Irish Finance, which were inaccurate,' fot
the purpose of-presenting other accoonrs.—The ac
counts were. withdrawn, and Mr. Ciorrotst from
the TreaSuiy of Ireland, presented other accounts.
VAI4SITTART moved, that the' Rouse should
resolve itself into a Cominittee, to" take into.consi_
deration certain charges relative to. the. Postage
of Letters between. this Count ry, gra rice artaHolland.
: The House huiring reSolied itself lift° a Com_

mittee,
Mr. V ANS in' /MT said; he' wished to propose
certain ResolUtions •to the Cotnmittee relative to
the Postage 'of Letters' between this Country and
France and Holland. At present Letters going
from this Country to France paidonly sod, postage,
and Letter's coming-here paid sod.--It was now '
agreed that the Post'age in eitheY case should be the
same, viz, sod. In consequence of a very beneficial
arrangement between the two Countries, our Letters
to foreign Countries were to pass through France
at the same r.tte of ' Postage as before the Wai,
though. the rate' of Nitage had comiderably in-
ereased'in France since' that period. With resped
to thetarrangement between this Country and 401.:
land,, -Letters going from this Country paid ,rod.
and Letters coining to this Country paid r4d; It
wasfproposed. to equalize the. Postage by undkin& it
.ss.,in both. cases.--He should also propose that in.'
stead of two 'post days in the week, that a Mail
should go 0 thoSe Countries four dayi each week.
The last resolution he had to propose was to take-
pff the :duty _upon . the tonnaq of the Packets
imploy,.ed between Dover .and Valais. The French
Government had consented, in consequence of
their Pilckets being, exempted from the tonnage
dutyi' to exempt our Packets from a.inuch larger
tonnage duty in France. He then proceeded to move
.;
several Resolutions, Which were agreed to, and the
House being resumed, the Report was ordered to be
received to-morrow.
Theother Orders of the Day were then postponed,
and at'a qu.irter past _Eleven, the House adjoura4
trill To-poi-row,