The Sun.
London, England, 1834-03-25 00:00:00

prone d with the English bill first, that wh•lt was rule in
the one instance, might, if possible, be so in the other.
Mr. O'CONNELL—The more the bills are like each
other, the better they will be.
Colonel EVANS expiessed a hope that the information
which it was understood the Government had been col-
lecting on this subject would be laid upon the table.
Colonel IsIABERLEY then brought up the report of
the Ordnance Estimates, the different items of which were
read and agreed to, till the clerk came to the vote for
works, &c., abroad, when
Major BEAUCLERK should move that the sums of
10,000/. for works at Kingston, of 8,0001. for works at
the Mauritius, and of 10,000/. for works in Nova Scotia,
be deducted from the Estimates.
Mr. HUTT seconded the amendment.
Mr. STANLEY would state that so far back as 1828
- he proposed an amendment which bad for its object the
saving of the public money. 30.0001. was then demanded
for works on the line of fortification, and it was conceded
that no works should be undertaken without the express
,and decided sanction of Parliament. The works of Hali-
fax and Kingston were accordingly permitted to proceed,
and the bon. member for Taunton gave his full approval
of the grant. Well, then, Parliament sanctioned the
works; it had had the full amount of the outlay laid
before it ; it had declared the expense should be met by
annual instalments; 50,0001. bad been already expended;
the entire cost would not be much more than 80,000/.
Was that, then, the period for them to pause? Would
such be pursuing the most economical course ?
( (fear, hear, bear.) The works at Halifax wet e
necessary for the defence of the harbour and the
protection of the shipping, and called for if they re-
spected the great and rising importance of its commerce.
They would be finished in 1837, if no interruption similar
to that then proposed was permitted to take place.
300,0001. had been wasted in consequence of the want
of the very improvements which hon. members were now
desirous to stop. The economy desired he (Mr. Stanley)
would say was a bad economy ; it was an economy that
had not reason to plead for its justification, and certainly
not usefulness for its end. With respect to Kingston, the
works there were of the utmost moment for the protection
of the Rideau Canal, as the town was accessible to attack
from that side. Next to Quebec the station was the most
important of our possessions in North America. The
possession of the Mauritius gave England an influence and
protection for its commerce in that part of the globe,
which it was unnecessary for hint at the moment to dilate
on. The losses during the war, in consequence of its
being without due accommodation for shipping, were im-
mense; the works then in progress were demanded, if the
reports of the most able and scientific officers were to be
relied upon ; they were going forward rapidly and most
euccessfully. In fine, the house was not called upon to
vote away money for the undertaking of new works, but
for the completion of these siready commenced under ti,e
au:hnrity and express dirt ctions of Parliament.—(Hear.)
Mr. SINCLAIR was anxious to learn the likely ex•
pense to which the country would be further put to.
Mr. STANLEY—With the exception of Halifax, the
sums required would not be greater than those, originally
sought for, and even in respect to the ,capital of Nova
Scotia, they would not be found to have mach increased.
Colonel EVANS had no objection to the improvements
of the harbour, as they would tend to materially benefit the
commerce of the
Mr. COBBETT—The money then called for to be
voted away was not for the purpose of being spent in for-
tifying the harbour of Halifax, but for an outlay on the
citadel of that town. To be sure, thirty-four years ago
that fortress was thought to be as perfect as it could be well
made. He had seen it. The Duke of Kent and his two
niche-de-camp were at its inspection, and had been incessant
in their attendance during the progress of its improve-
ments. They saw it rise to completion with evident sa-
tisfaction, but at an enormous charge to the country. I
had, indeed, been called the Duke of Kent's Folly.—
(L iughter.) Half a million of money had been expended
on a little island in the harbour of Halifax.
Colonel MABERLEY—No, no.
Mr. COBBETT—WeII, a peninsula ; that did net
much alter the case ; and 124,0001. was now asked for to
lay out on Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia ! What was Nova
Semi' ? A bundle of rocks, worth nothing. if the
whole province was put up by auction he questioned whe-
ther it would bring 100,000/. in any, even the most spe-
culative market.—(Laughter.) What did they want of
fortifications? While it was under the direction of the
tight hon. baronet opposite they bad nothing to fear.—
(Laughter.) Ihe fleet would be a bridle on America an

the West Indies, and not the paltry citadels and fortifira
tines. Could Halifax be attacked when this triumphant
fleet was cruizine in its toads ? No, it could not ; and

without such a fleet Halifix would be but of little benefit

to th, m. But gent!einen thought otherwise from reading
books, who had never been there, and who knew nothing
of war except on paper. England had been called a great
cottony, and truly so, for great indeed she must have
been to have borne the enormous sums thus yearly dragged
from her ; but let it ever be remembered, taken from her
when numbers of her people were in a state of deep and
deplorable misery.
Col. MABERLEY said the situation of his Majesty's
ministers stood thus:—When they came into office they
found such and suet, ks proceeding, and proceeding,
too, under the sanction of the house, expressed by a ma-

jortty of 75 ; immense sums of money were disbursed;
and the question which they so!emnly put to themselve.
was to the effect, were these sums to be thrown away?
They considered they ought not; they felt what had been
commenced ought to be completed. Tie hon. member
fur Oldham was of a different opinion, and would have
parliament rescind its former resolutions. Halifax had
undergone many changes since the period when that hon.
. .

member visited lie (Colonel 11Iairerley). who had bten
also there, rut at a more recent period, was surprised at
the remarks he bad just beard. The bon. member was
ignorant of its great and fertile sources of wealth. If he
knew the value of its land, he would be most desirous to
possess an estate there. Toe soil was rich, and the most

valuable mines abounded in the province. The harbour
. _

projected from the land, and the citadel was necessary for
its protection on the land side.

Mr. G. F. YOUNG said, unless it were proved the
works were unnecessary, the house would completely stul-

,tify itself by voting contrary to its former resolutions.
4lr. TENNYSON would detain the house only a few
moments in stating the reasons for his present vote. The
citadel of Halifax had already cost 84,0001. ; and he
•.tgretd, with ti e right hon. the Colot:ial Secretary, that it
;would be the worst economy to lose that sum, by not fol-
lowing up the original grant. When he had held the
nice which the lion, and gallant member then filled, he
bad given Rauch of his a te-ntion to the subject, and was

gonvinced—always baying borne in mind that a collision
with the United Sautes of America was possible—that if

they were anxious to retain their provinces, they should
put them in the best possible state of defence. In that
view he was lo,,rne out by the concurrent opinion of the

most experienced officers in the service.—(Hear, hear:)
Having said this much, he should, before he sat down,

put it to the consideration of the right hon. gentleman
the Colonial Secretary, whether some plan ought not to
be adopted, by which the colonies would be made to
maintain themselves. It was full time something should
be done.

Mr. C. BULLER considered the colonies ought to
maintain themselves, and shoul f, therefore, vote for the

amendment.

Mr. BRISCOE regretted the fortifications had been
undertaken, but, having Leen commenced, he would vo.e

for tl.eir completion.
Slr. AGLIONBY would support the amendment. Why
give 245,000/. to COlopltte that which ought never to have

been eatilanenced

Lord JOHN RUSSELL said, that in 1828, during the
administration of the Duke of Wellington, 2,000,0001.

were demanded to be expended in the fortifications of
Canida. Those with whom he then acted oppo&ed voting

away so large a sum, and successfully too. A new com-
mittee was appointed, and it was intimated, that if those
who opposed the former proposition would consent to the
then works going on, the vote for the 2,000,0001. would
pot be pressed. Fifty thousand pounds had been already
Maid out on Kingston, and it was then proposed that to
rihu.,t sum 10,0001, should he added for the next three years,
winch, it was considered, would be sufficient for the full
completion of the works.

rihe gallery was then cleared for a division, when the
numbers were—

A yet

Noes
Majority for the original vote
The report was then agreed to.
EXCHEQUER OF RECEIPT BILL.
The Escli.iiirr of Receipt Bill pas•ed through a corn-
mittre,and w.(4,1,e,1 to he real a third time to-morrow.
BRIBERY AT ELECTIONS BILL.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL movid that the house resolve
itself into a committee on this W:1.

-54

Sir SAMUEL WHALLEY i,egged to ask the noble
lord whether it was the intention of government that the

House Tax Repeal Bill should be read before the Eis er

recess?— No answer was giv:n.

Af,er a few words froth Mr. C. WYNN and Lord Joiirr
RUSSELL, the house went into committee on the Bril), ry

at Eectiona Bill.

Air, WYNN gogge,ttci that a opec;oo of double tri ,u' al