The Sun.
London, England, 1833-05-08 00:00:00

THE CROWN LANDS.

On the motion of Lord A LTHORP, the order of the
day for taking into consideration the King's message rela-
tive to the better arrangement of the Woods and Forests,
and Land Revenues of the Crown, was read.
Lord ALTIIORP observed, that although there could
be no doubt that much exaggeration had taken place with
respect to the value of woods, forests, and land revenues,
belonging to the Crown ; yet that it was certainly desir-
able that an inquiry should be made into their state and
condition, with a view that they might he rendered as be-
❑eficial and productive as possible. The course which
he intended to pursue was, in the first place, to move
an address to his Majesty in answer to his Majesty's
most gracious message, and afterwards to propose the
appointment of a Select Committee on the sub-
ject. The Noble Lord concluded by moving that an
humble address be presented to his Majesty, assuring his
Majesty that the House would take the subject into
immediate consideration, with a view to the adoption of
the most effectual means for rendering the Woods, Forests,
and Land Revenues belonging to the Crown, as beneficial
and productive as possible.
Mr. D. W. HARVEY said, he had always thought
that the time of that House would be most economically
and usefully employed by attending to one subject at a
time. Very soon after he had become a Member of the
House, he had adverted to the subject of the Crown Lands ;
and four years ago had pressed the House to inquire into the
real state and condition of the property in question, respect-
ing which he had submitted to the House much information,
acquired by considerable inquiry and labour. He was very
glad to find that his Majesty's Government were now disposed
to take up the question. He was personally glad on the occa-
sion, because he had given notice of a motion on the subject
for next week; and he was happy that he should be saved
the trouble, and also that the time of the House would be
saved. All that surprised him was, when he called to
mind the surrender by his present Majesty, in the speech
which he made at the commencetnent of his reign, of his
interest in the hereditary revenues of the Crown, and of the
manner in which that surrender had been dwelt upon by
Ministers as a most liberal act, that two years and a half
had been allowed to elapse without any step having been
taken on the subject. It was, however, better late than
never. There could be no doubt whatever that considera-
ble advantage might be derived by the public from the in-
vestigation of the subject. The Noble Lord thought that
the value of this Crown property had been greatly exag-
gerated. It might be so. Where darkness was thrown
over objects, it was difficult to ascertain their exact dimen-
sions. But when he saw the magnificent establishment in
Whitehall-place—when he saw the distinguished persons
who presided over that department of the public service—
when he saw that even the hereditary Counsellors of the
Crown did not hesitate to become land-surveyors, and to
cast their eyes over the royal territory and domains, be
was compelled to believe that the matters to which such
persons directed their attention must be of considerable
importance. That the aristocracy of the country had
greatly diminished this property since it was surrendered
by the people to the Crown, in the reign of William 111.,
he was quite aware. Some great families possessed at the
present moment noble estates derived from it, for which
they had given very trifling consideration. In truth, a
very small part of the revenues of the crown lands came
into the Exchequer. From the year 1794 to the year

1804, 580,0001. had been received, of which only 10,8001.
had come into the Exchequer. From 1725 to 1826,
2,374,321/. had been received, of which only 8,7601. bad
come into the Exchequer. From the year 1826 to the year
1829, 1,500,000/. had been received, not a chilling of

which had been paid into the Exchequer. If, therefore,
there had been, as the Noble Lord supposed, some little ex-
aggeration in the value of these revenues,there was evidently
a foundation for extensive arm beneficial inquiry. When the
Noble Lord the other night had a difficulty to find five or six
millions which were cut from under his feet by the partial
rcpeal of the malt tax, and by th menaced repeal of the
house and window duties, he might have found in the
crown lands an ample fund for meeting the chasm in his
resources. He would only have had to go with the Act
of Parliament in his band into the money market, and he
might have raised five or six millions on this property.
There was another advantage to which this property was
applicable. Why not create ten or fifteen millions of
notes, to be called crown land notes, to be received and
Paid in taxes, but not to be convertible into gold at
all ?—(Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord was ab"ut t‘,
appoint a Committee. He would not find that sufficient.
Such a Committee would have to send individuals to make
inquiries in every county in England, and in many court-
ties io Ireland, and to call witnesses before them from all
quarters, which it would be impossible to dolwithout great
delay and serious expense. He had no doubt that it would
be found more expedient to appoint Commissions to go
into every county, and find out all about this property.
In the year 1756 several Commissions of this natur
composel of three or five persons each, were appointed,
and made some most valuable add important reports. If
those reports had been followed up, instead of the Crown
propert:, flaying been misapplied, it would now be worth
double its present valor.. What he suggested, therefore,
was, the appointment of a Commission. He had paid a
great deal of attention to the subject, and he was satisfied
that the Crown lands might be judiciously, gradually, con-
verted into a sum of money that would not fall stun,
Of fifteen millions. lie suggested, as the best mode of faci-