The Sun.
London, England, 1845-02-14 00:00:00

et trb Utittion

SUN OFFICE* ;Woven o'Clock.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
(THIS EVENING.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Wooi
sack at Five o'Clock.

HEALTH OF TOWNS.
. The Marquis of NORMANBY said that he wished to
present a petition, of which he had given notice, agreed
to at a most respectable
_meeting in Exeter-hall, in the
-month of December last. The subject of the
health of towns was one of the most im-
portant that could be brought before their
Lordships, and the association, from whom the
petition emanated, would be most happy to co-operate
with the Government in any effort to benefit the people
of Ehsgland in this particular. Ile had looked over the
report laid before that House by the Health of Towns
Commission, and had extracted a considerable degree of
his information from the documents thereto appended.
The Noble Marquis referred to the demoralising effects
produced among the poorer classes by the system pur-
anti of giving opium, in the shape of cordials, to children
labouring under diseases induced by the noxious atmo-
sphere to which they were exposed in the crowded lanes
of towns and in the neighbourhood of churchyards.
He felt it his duty to present the petition, and he
would take the opportunity of asking the Noble
Lord, whether it was the intention of Government to
bring in a measure to ameliorate the evils he had com-
plained of, and to do away with burial clubs, which, as
at present managed, were another prolific source of evil?
If they did not do so, he certainly should take an oppor-
tunity of introducing such a Bill himself.
The Duke of BUCCLEUCH said that the Govern-
ment had taken the question into consideration, and it
was probable that some measure for the purpose of
attaining the advantages sought by the Noble Marquis
would be brought fury. a d.
Lord CAMPBELL said that no persons should be
allowed to insure in clubs such as those referred to by
the Noble Marquis, excepting such as were directly in-
terested in the safety of the person so insured.
The Marquis of NORNIANBY then gave notice that
he should move, on a future day, for a return of the order
appointing the Deputy-Inspector of Ireland, in the room
or the late Mayor of Galway.
*The House then adjournei till Monday.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The SPRIKER took his seat at the usual hoar.
A messenger presented himself at the Bar of the
House, with a message from the Lords; and also a
messenger from the Bank of England, with a communi-
cation trom that establishment.
Several petitions were then presented in reference to
private Bills.
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT BILL.
Col. SIBTHORP presented a petition from several
influential persons, and those engaged in trade in the
town of Lincoln, paying for certain alterations in the
Imprisonment for Debt Bill.
LAWS AGAINST BLASPHEMY.
Sir JOHN EASTHOPE presented a petition for the
abolition of all the laws against blasphemy.
MEDICAL REFORM BILL.
An liox. MEMBER presented a petition from Hull,
approving of some of the clauses, and disapproving of
others, of the proposed Medical Reform Bill.
THE NAVAL FORCE.
Mr. BRIGHT presented a petitio❑ from the Peace
Society against any further increase of the naval force.
BANGOR AND ST. ASAPIL
An HON. MEMBER, whose name we did not hear, pro.
sentel a letition against the union of the sees of
Bangor and St. Asaph.
TIMBER DUTIES.
Mr. G. CRAIG presented a petition from Edinburgh,
praying for a repeal of the timber duties.
AGRICULTURAL DISTRESS.

Mr. DARBY presented petitions numerously signed,
praying for an inquiry into the causes of the present
agricultural distress, with a view to its alleviation.
JEW ISII DISABILITIES.

• Mr. HUTT presented a petition praying for a re-.
moval of all civil (Visibilities pressing upon the Jews.
WINDOW-TA X.
Mr, T. DUNC6MBE presented a petition from Mid-
dlesex praying for a repeal of the window-tax.
INCOME AND PROPERTY-TAX.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petition praying for
a revision of the property and income-tax.
POST-OFFICE ESPIONAGE.
Mr. T. DUNCOMI3E presented a petition from Mr.
Joseph Mazzini, complaining that his letters had been
+Token open, and stating that, although the House of
Commons had appointed a Secret Committee to
inquire into the practice of espionage in the Post-
office of Great Britain, the Members of that Com-
mittee had been misinformed and imposed upon;
and he, on the part of himself and other foreigners,
wished to know whether they were in future to place
confidence in the honour of this country, or whether
their correspondence was to be transmitted to foreign
despots, by which they were in danger of imprison-
ment.
Several petitions for private Bills were presented by
Mr. Buck, Mr. Porter, Mr. Brotherton, and Mr. Ewart ;
and petitions against the oppressive and uneqnal influ-
ence of the income-tax, from surgeons, solicitors, and
other professional persons residing in several places in
the county of Lincoln ; a petition from the medical
practitioners of Bishopwearmouth, approving of the Me-
dical Reform Bill brought in last session, but praying
for some alterations therein ; and a petition from the
London and Coon rj Association of soap-makers, praying
for a repeal of the duty on soap.
WINDOW-TAX.

Mr. ROEBUCK presented a petition from the car-
penters of the City of London, praying for a repeal of the
window-tax.
NOTICES OF MOTION.—POST-OFFICE.:
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE gave notice that on Tuesday
next he should submit a motion to the House on the
subject of the Post-office. lie should move for a Select
Committee to inquire into the manner in which the
business of the Post-office was conducted, and he should
also move that the Report of the Secret Committee of
last year be referred to that Committee.
FIRE INSURANCES.

Colonel SIBTHORP gave notice, that after Easter, lie
should take the sense of the House on the subject of the
propriety of reducing the duties payable on Fire In-
aurances.—(Hear, hear.)
COMMERCIAL TREATY WITH TURKEY.
Dr. DOWRING, seeing the Right Hon. Baronet in
his place, would repeat the question which ho had
pig to hiln on a former evening, in reference to the com-
mercial treaty with the Ottoman empire. When that
commercial treaty was entered into with the Porte, an
additional duty had been imposed on the import and ex
port of goods, 'her Britannic Majesty's subjects, from the
Ottoman empire, and the quivalent which was given them
was the abolition of the monopolies of goods which left
the interior of the Turkish Empire. Under that treaty
an additional per eeatage was imposed on the imports
and the exports of goods. It appeared, however, that
the monopoly had not been abolished, although that
was -a subject on which he would not dilate
They were at that moment able to admit goods into the
British empire on the payment of three per cent. on im-
portation or on exportation, while British subjects,
under the terms of the treaty, were compelled to
pay 12 per cent. upon exports and five upon
imports. The question which he wished to put to
the Right Hon. Baronet was, whether any effective
measures had been taken to place British subjects of her
Ma.iesty, trading to the Levant, on a level with other
subjects trading to that part of the world?
Sir R. PEEL said the Government were not satisfied
with the manner in which the commercial treaty had
been carried into execution. There were subjects of
some countries which were entitled to privileges
that British subjects did not possess, although
there was an article in the treaty which pro-
vided that subjects of her Majesty in the Turkish empire
should be upon the footing of the most favoured nations.
Of course their appeal must be made to the Porte, and
at the present moment negotiations on the subject,
between the Porte and Russia, were pending.
ELECTION COMMITTEES.
The following Hon. Members were sworn in to serve
on Election Committees :—Lord Sandon, The O'Conor
Don, Sir George Grey, Lord G. Somerset, Mr. Wilson
Patten, and Mr. Locke.
THE OREGON TERRITORY.
Sir. R. PEEL moved the order of the day for a Com-
mittee of Ways and Means.
On the ques ien that the order of the day be read,
Mr. ROEBUCK. wished to give notice publicly, on
purpose that it might be wed known, that he should
take the earliest opportunity of asking the Right lion.
Gentleman opposite when he should be enabled to lay
on the table of the Ilouse the correspondence between
the American Government and our representative there
on the subject of the Oregon territory.
THE BUDGET.

The Order of the Day for going into Committee of
Ways and Means was then read, and the Speaker left
the Chair, which was taken by Mr. GREENE.
Sir ROBERT PEEL then rose. He said—Mr.
Greene, although, Sir, I have had considerable expe-
rience in the discharge of official duties, and although
I have frequently had occasion to address this House
upcc matters of great public concern, yet I cannot ap-
proach the discussion of the subject which I am now
called on to introduce without great anxiety, and
without a deep consciousness of how imperfect
and inadequate will be the explanation which
I shall be able to give with respect to it.
But though I rise under some disadvantages from the
period of the year at which the statement is made, yet,
after the announcement of the speech of her Majesty,
tiia it r% a; ii.t -nded to propose a continuance of the
income-tax for a further limited period, I felt
that I had no alternative whatever might
have been the precedent under ordinary circum-
stances—but to submit to the House and t'le
country, the go seral views of ht r Majesty's Government
with regard to our financial position and our cousmercivl
policy. Sir, it will be my duty to present
~tothe House
general view of the present financial position of thecou a
WS Pn-
A-try—to make an estimate of the probable revenue, and to
=discuss this great question—whether it be consistent
' he public interest that the present amount of
g. ure ihould be maintained, or whether it be Dot
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right that there should be, in respect of some important
branches of our public policy, an increase of both beyond
preceding years? If the House entertained that proposition
for the reasons which I shall adduce, it will then be incum-
bent on me to propose for the consideration of Parliament
whether it be fitting that that increased expenditure shall
be met from the ordinary sources of revenue, or whether
it be more advisable that that tax imposed in 1842, on
property and income, shall be continued for a further
period, for the double purpose of providing efficiently
fir the exigencies of the public service, and for
enabling Parliament to reduce and to relieve the
people from those taxes bearing more immediately
on the industry and commercial enterprise of the coun-
try.—(Hear, hear, from the Opposition.) Sir, I am
convinced that this House will fully appreciate the
magnitude of the task I have undertaken ; and that
whatever be the difficulties which may arise from my in-
adequacy to discharge that task, I am sure those
difficulties will not be aggravated by any want
of indulgence or attention on the part of the
House. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) I shall
attempt on this occasion to lay before the House as fully
and as comprehensively as I can all those considerations
which appear to me to form the elements of its future
determination. I will not enter into any state-
ments or make any observations connected with
past party considerations.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.")
Nothing shall fall from me that can prevent any gen-
tleman from exercising a dispassionate judgment unin •
fluenced by mere consideration of party. I know that I
must necessarily touch upon subjects which have
been and will be made the subjects of fierce
political contention, but I shall postpone these
subjects until some future period, and I shall
now attempt to lay before the House its present financial
position, and explain the views of her Majesty's Govern-
ment in respect of the course of policy they intend to
pursue. I will, in the first instance, begin by referring
to that estimate of finance and expenditure of the
country which was taken by my Right Hon. Friend the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he last brought the
subject under the consideration of the House. My Right
Hon. Friend, speaking at the latter end of April, 1844,
calculated that the revenue for the current year—that
is, the year ending the sth April, 1845—would amount
to the sum of 51,790,0001. My Right Honourable
Friend calculated the expenditure at 18,643,0001.,
leaving an estimated surplus of 3,147,0001 That
calculation, however, was disturbed on the one
hand by an estimated reduction of taxes to the
amount of 400,000/ I allude to the wool duties, and to
the duty on glass, which were removed at a subsequent
period of the session, but on the other hand credit was
taken, or a demand was made, for 400,0001.
On account of the China expenditure, which vote
it is not necessary to refer to, because that will
not affect the calculation of my Right Hon. Friend, be-
cause there is a saving on the one hand balancing the
reduction on the other. My Right Hon. Friend stated at
the same time, that in consequence of the postponement
of the payment of 700,000/. the surplus would be reduced,
and that the real surplus would be 2,373,000/. That
estimated surplus was, in point of fact, in making the
account of the sth of January last very considerably ex-
ceeded. It will appear by reference to the document of
the state of finance and expenditure of the sth of
January last there was a surplus of 3,357,000/.,
instead of 51,790,000 L, the sum calculated upon by my
Right Hon. Friend ; the amount of net receipts of
revenue on the sth July last, was 54,003,000/. The
increase of revenue arose chiefly from the in-
crease of receipts from the Customs. Instead of
21,500,000/. of Customs revenue, as estimated by my
Right Honourable Friend, the actual receipt was,
on the sth of January, 22,500,000/. The Excise, which
was taken by my Right lion. Friend, at 13,000,000/.,
produced on that day, 13,308,0001. There was
some money received under the treaty with China, amount •
ing to 385,0001., for which my Right Hon. Friend had not
taken credit, but the result was, on the sth January last,
an income of 54,000,0001, instead of the esti-
mated income of 51,795,000/ The expenditure on
the sth January, 1845, had been, on account of
Debt and Consolidated Fund, 32,862,000/, and on
account of the payment then made for the army and
navy and other public services, 17,784,0004, making a
total expenditure of 50,646,0001., and leaving a sur •
plus, as it appears on that account, amounting to
3,357,0001 —( Hear, hear, and cheers.) At the same
time, although that is the actual account, as ap -
pears on the sth January, yet the House will be
naturally anxious to have an estimate of the account
as it will probably appear on the sth of April next. For
the peried of which I am speaking, I am of course bound
in a matter of this kind to give au estimate rather than a
positive statement, but certainly I have every reason
to apprehend that the balance, comparing the actual re-
ceipts of revenue within the year on the sth of April
next, with the expenditure, will amount to a sum of
above 5,000,0001 for the year.--(Cheers.) The ac-
counts, to any one cursorily reading the papers
which had been presented to the House, might
appear rather confused, on account of the ar-
rangements which are necessary to be made in
different quarters for the payment of the public
creditor. At one period of the year, taking the year
ending on a particular day of one quarter, the charge
for the Debt will appear considerably more than the same
charge for another year terminating on the same day
of another quarter. I cannot trouble the House with
the accounts in detail on that point, but I think—taking
the estimates as they are ready to lay before the House
—I think the House may calculate upon our being in
possession, on the sth cf April next, of a surplus of
revenue received during that year, as compared with the
expenditure, of, at the very least,five
Now, I know my Right Hon. Friend states that that
will not appear on the face of the accounts. For in.
stance, 2,000,0004 of money have been applied to the pay-
ment ofExchequer-bills, on account of the opium compen-
sation. Ido not wish, however, to deal to night with
the intricacies of accounts. I wish to state to the House
what is our real practical position with respect to
finance severed from all questions of annual account ;
and I think that I am justified in stating that such has
been the improvement of the revenue, apart from the
property- tax, that the surplus which I have stated,
viz., a surplus of at least 5,000,0001, will be the surplus
of revenue this year as compared with the last.

(Hear, hear, and cheers.) A part of that receipt
of revenue is made up from temporary and
casual sources. I am now speaking of the actual re-
ceipt of revenue within that year. About 385,000 L will
have been received on account of China money ;
there are other small sums from the South Sea
Company ; and, taking them altogether, perhaps the
whole amount received from casual sources will be
500,0001., which we cannot rely on permanently. Of
course a portion, and a very considerable portion, of the
revenue is derived from the income-tax, which has produced
5,190,0001. If it had not been for the receipt of the
amounts from various casual sources, and for the receipt
on account of the income-tax, the revenue, which in that
case would be derived from ordinary permanent sources,
would not quite equal the expenditure. I think the
best course which I can now take is, to submit

to the House the estimate which has been pre-
pared by my Right Honourable Friend and my-
self, of the probable receipt of revenue in the
next year. I have no right to assume that this House
will sanction the continuance of the income-tax; and I
think, therefore, it will be better that I should, in the first
place, estimate the revenue, supposing the House should
determine not to continue the income-tax. We are
disposed to estimate the receipt from the Customs
in the year ending the sth of April, 1846.—1
will lay before you the best estimate I can form
of the probable receipt up to the sth of April nex
year, and I am now going to address myself to the
prospects of the coming year—that year which will
terminate on the sth of April, 1846, as I before
stated,— the receipt from the Customs in this year, on
the sth of April, may be taken at 22,500,000 L There has
been a very large receipt on account of the duty on the
import of foreign corn ; but, independently of that,
the revenue from the customs has been very large.
The experience of past years would induce us not to
calculate upon a succession of one prodnctive year after,
another. Looking, therefore, to the probability that

,he corn duties of the neat year would no

be equal to what they were last year, and

bearing in mind that last year was very pro-

ductive in the Customs' revenue, I am not inclined

to take the estimate of the Customs' revenue for

ho next year at more than 22,000,0001. ; and than the

Excise revenue, which was estimated at 13,000,000/. for
the past years, reached 13,300,0001. ; and, therefore, I feel

myself warranted in estimating that branch of revenue

for the next at thirteen millions and a half, because for
some time there has been a progressive increase in the
Excise revenue ; and we find, by experience, that the
Excise revenue recovers more slowly from depression
than any other branch. The Excise returns less rapidly
than the Customs after a period of depression. But ex-
perience leads us to believe, that where improvement
begins in the Excise, it goes on progressively ;
and I therefore feel that I am warranted
in estimating the Excise revenue for the year ending
the sth of April, 1846, at 13,500,000/. The stathp•duties
produced in the last year 7,100,000/. ; and the taxes—
that is to say the land-tax and the assessed taxes--
duced 4,200,000/. Then, with
pro respect to