Star.
London, England, 1823-02-25 00:00:00

TUESDAY, FE BRUAItY
.1523. ,

supported in the same opinion by Lord Chief Justice Kenyon,
who held that, according to the intention of those who established
the Poor-rates, the inhabitants should always he rated in pro-
portion to the value of their property. Rut their Lordships said
that, in addition to the Poor-rates, there was also the expense
of maintaining the County Prisons, which were charged, and
very properly so, by the Judges at the Assizes:as inaimbent on
the Counties. What he now contended fur, when the property
of the County so much increased in other ways, was for equal
burdens as it referred to land. He hoped that he had done his
duty in presenting the Petition, which he had enclezvoured to
support by some arguments; and would conclude•by moving,
that it be read and laid upon the table.
The Earl of DARN LEY rose to say a few words in answer
to the observations of the Noble Earl. He considered the
pressure of taxation the cause of distress. His I.crciship saw,
by a vote on the table, it was interted to take off a considerable
part of the taxes this year. 'ilia effect would, dot:Mess, be be-
neficial, and a relief to all classes; but why was it not carried
further ? A larger portion of the taxes might betaken off.—
The Noble .Earl was persuaded, without relief, ruin must fall on
those who had taken their farms at high value. There was,
however, still a hope that Government would get them through
their difficulties. The Noble Lords in the Government would
do well to consider whether it would not be advantageous to the
Public at large, to give relief to the Agriculturists, rather than
add .C.:,U00,000 to the Sinking Fund.

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i.• • .
foreign Posters's. *He hoped the Noble Marquis would
excuse him from saying more, this being all the
,
explanation he .wits stble.to Five consistently with his
duty. When the proper time ettrie, he should feel
himself quite prepared-to enter more into the details.
The Alarquis of LA NSDOWN said, that he con •
sidered it impossible, when hopes existed here for the
preservation of peace, which was menaced by other :
States, not to have put some questions to the Noble,
Earl ; but he was contented to learn that a certain
silence, or abstinence fi om discussion, had tended to
preserve peace, and might promote it. This obser• i
vation would undoubtedly close his mouth upon the
subject of the threatened war between France and I
Spain; but there occurred to him one more question, i
which, if he were enabled to put it effectually to the I
Noble Earl, might give great satisfaction to the
country. It was simply this, whether in any of the
commonications between. his Majesty's Government
and rbirtJourts of France and Spain; we, by any
kind of understanJing, were obliged to act or other•
wise, should a contest take place? He wished to know
from the Noble Earl, whether, up to this moment, we
remained free and unshackled in the event of war?
The' Earl of LIVER POOL:was certain, that when
the Noble Marquis reflected on the questions now
put, lie would see how impossible it was to answer
them without first going into the question of the ge-
neral policy of the King's Government in relation to
the affairs of France and Spain. He wished, 4here•
fore, to abstain from a direct answer. But, at the
same time, he had no difficulty in declaring that this
country had entered into no obligation, which would
preclude the full exercise of the discretion of the
King's Government with regard to the interests and'
honour of the country at any time; or call for a re-
linquishment of those claims which either our interest
or honour might dictate. A more particular an.,wer
he could not give, and therefore he trusted it would
-be accredited by. the House.
Lord ELLENBOROUGH, in consequence of what
had fallen from Noble Lords, expressed his willing-
tless,to refrain from going more into the inquiry ;
.but he must observe, that after the Speech of the
Xing of France to the Chambers, he had considered
that all hopes of preventing war between France and
Spain were substantially at an end. With respect to
deprecating all discussion now, and subduing the
feeling of Parliament, he certainly must consider the
Noble Earl to be not correct in his views. Noble
Lords upon that side of the House felt as ardently as
Ministers for the preservation of peace, and such,
undoubtedly, was his desire and feeling. Ile lOuked
with anxiety to war; but he. wished no interference
on our part, even for the Spaniards, unless the latter
were- hearty in their -country's cause. If, on the
other hand, our influence should be proved•to have
induced the Spaniards to abandon their Constitution,
he must deprecate our mediation Ss much as the in-
fluence of the Congress oT Verona.
Adjourned till to-morrow. ..
• •-•
HOUSE OF COMMONS. : ..
Mr. wonnuousr: presented a Petition .aiainst the NO-
vent Debtors' Act, from the Mayor and Corporation of the
Borough of Marlborough.—Ordered to be printed.
' Mr. MUND A Y presented similar Petitions from Chesterfield
and Ashbourne.
Sir A. PELHAM presented a similar Petition from Gains-
borough.—Ordered to be printed.
Mr. CURTEIS presented a Petition from Bexley,' Sussex,
against the Hop Tax.—Ordered to be printed.
Mr. GOU LIM RN brought up a Return of the Circular sent
to the Colonels of Militia in Tr land.—Laid on the table.
Mr. GORDON presented a Petition from Aberdeen, com-
plaining of Agricultural Distress.—Ordered to be printed.
Sir THOMAS LETHBRIDGE gave notice that, on the
nth of March, he would bring before the House a series of
Resolutions explanatory of his views of Agricultural Distress.
The Hon. Baronet also presented a Petition from. Bathwick,
Somerset, praying for a Repeal of the Assessed Taxes.
LEATHER TAX.
Sir JOHN NEWPORT presented a Petition from the Tan-
nets of the City of Waterford, praying the repeal of the remain-
der of the Leather Tax. The Hon. Baronet strongly recom-
mended the adoption of this suggestion to the House.
Mr. CA Lcn AFT gave notice of his Intention to move that
the tax alluded to in the Petition should be repealed, in lieu of
the reduction of the Duty on Carriages, proposed by the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer; and also for the repeal of the Tallow
Duty, in place of the proposed reduction on Riding Horses.
Mr. Curren; and Mr. CCIIMEN expressed their opinion that
the removal of the Leather Duty would be beneficial to' the
Agricultural Interest. .
The Petition was read, and ordered to be printed.
REMISSION OF TAXES IN SCOTLAND.
Mr. CHARLES GRANT, seeing the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer in his place, took that opportunity of asking him whi-
ther it was intended to give the sante relief in the shape of taking
off taxes, to Scotland, as the Right Hon. Gentleman had pro-
posed in his late speech to administer to lieland?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQ,UsiR was happy In
the opportunity thus afforded him of apologizing to the Right
lion. Gentleman and his countrymen, for having omitted to
advert to the important topic to which the Right lion. Gen:te-
m:in had just called his attention, in the statement lie had had
the honour to submit to the House on a former evening. Had
he fulfilled on that occasion the intentions with which he cont-1
menced, he would not now have to make this conaninuicaziun.
In answer to the Right Hon. Gentlennuis queation, he had to
say that it was his Intention to propose to the House to extend
the same relief to Scotland as he had proposed toe Ireland. i
WINDOW TAX.
Mr. Min WEN wished to know whether the Chancellor of
the Exchequer would object te except from WindowT3l altoge-
ther,ehat class of houses curd at a. with six windows?
The CHANCELLOR. of the EXcIIF.QUER confessed it
did not enter into any pareof his Intentions to change the view
he bad originally taken on this subject—this was, to take of so
per cent. on the Window Tax in geperal, resetting ao specific
duty but that on the lower order of shop windows. -
Mr. HOttfIOUSE, in consequence of what had fallen from
the Right lion. Gentleman, gave notice that he should adhere
to the motion for the total abolition of this duty, which be had
already intimated to the Douse. _ .11;w1 t.. i

Mr. MU.N.IE pcogpisned, until Wednesday, a motion 44 *Web
he had given notice on a former day, re/alive ce the tialriay. or
Allowances of Olficers. retired [rum the Yeomanry of Ireland
and of England. •

. Mr. CALCH A FT, seeing the Right Boa. Gentleman, the.
Chanel or of the Lacheystir, in Ids place, repeated she notices
*Wall he had given. to mole for the Ilepeal of titte Tasto u
teatlvr and Caudle% in lieu of the redurdao of 50 per cent. ots
1-the 'fatea on Carriages and- 'Whig 'Horses.- " '••• .
.1 •'• • •
Mr► hi A BERLY to ,eta -the oittEtl for feetiiiiitig
' the Report of the Cotontitte4 of Wait xni.l Melo%
I Sir ltUlil]U•l' lIEItON took occ4sion to expresi

! ; SEI.'.F. •

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his opinion, that t?-e relief proposed to•be extended
to the country was totally inadequate; to its purpose:
It was with deep regret he found the agricultural in•
terest was to he sacrificed to the monied interest. He
was exceedingly unwilling to dwell upon these topicsi
because he was anxious to support, as far as his vote
could support, the policy pursued by his Majesty's
Ministers towards Ireland and Spain, which he COM.
sidered was upon free and constitutional principles;
such as he never before had known actuate Ministers;

. Sir JOHN NEWPORT itOt having been in the
House the tither night, had had no opportunity of
expre,sing his concurrenco In the sentiments of ap-
probation which so eenertlit Pkefailed towards the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, :for the consideration
he had bestowed on Ireland; He begged to say,
that in his.view additionalesatisfaction must be felt
by his countrymen, in conimumice of the mannaila
which the• Right Honourable Gentleman. had its
quitted himself of his task. With respett to the taxed
to be remitted, he -svished it to be borne in.mihd that
the collection of taxes generally was a considerable
source of vexation and expense in that country. He
hoped the Right Honourable Gentleman would con:
sent to the repeal of the Leather Tax, the collection
of which was telt as very grievous: He begged leave
again to say, that he cordially concurred in all the
sentiments of praise- which had been uttered for the
luminous and detailed statement, and the liberal and
enlightened views of the Right Honourable Gentle-
man's late financial speech. • .
Mr. GRENFELL wished to know if it was the
intention of the Honourable Member for Abingdon
(Mr. Maberly) to press upon the House the discuss
sion of those Resolutions read by him- the other
night, and which were in the hands of Honour.
able Members? As to the application of the surpliera
Revenue of the year, whether in part extinction of
the Debt or in remission of Taxes, he was ready to
admit it was a matter requiring great consideration:
but he must say, that the Resolutions of his Honouvi
able Friend, in his mind, had no sort of connexion
with the statements of the Chancellor of the Ex.
chequer—(Henn, hear). .
Mr. MABEItLY ccmplained of the Honourable
Gentleman asking him a question, and then going
into the discussion of the subject before waiting for
his answer. .He need- not then proceed with his ar-
gument to shew that he.had taken a most prejudiced
and most erroneous view of the matter. In answer
to hit:question, he had to say, that out of deference
to the Chancellor vf the Exchequer, who did not feel
prepared, after his late exertions, to enter into a
lengthened discussion, he had postponed his motion-
to Friday next. The Right Honourable Gentleman
had condescended to agree, 'that, with the approba-
tion of the House, .althbugh* an order day, his motion
should have precedence of any other business in
which he was concerned.•

The Report of the Committee w•as then read, and
the Resolutions agreed to.

. . soItEIGN ENLISTMENT BILL.
Sir ROBERT WILSON thought it his duty to the
Petitioners, trliOse Petition he was about to present, to
state that lie (Sir R.Wilson) had no connection whatever
with the .drawing of it up. It sprang.frotn their own
generous feelings and high spirit, in public Meeting,-
legally convened and assembled in the most °Healy
manner. It was from the inhabitants of St. John,
Sopthwark, and the prayer of it was the repeal of the
Foteign Enlistment Bill. From circumstances of 'a
family nature, he understood the motion of a Noble
Friend of his (Lord Althorp) for the repeal of this
Bill was riot likely to come on on Thursday next.;
but he could. not help remarking on the very favour-
able auspices under which it was brought forward.—
He alluded to the Order in Council relative to the
exportation of Sum' to Spain—(Hear, lear).—Most
gladly would he see this odious Act repealed. It
had been originally passed in violation of the usages
of our own and foreign countries., It was directed
against the rights of the world, and had been pro-
perly treated as the ally of tyranny. He could
no: conclude without congratulating the country and
his Majesty's Ministers upon the happy change in our
fot eign, policy which had lately evinceditselt in their
acts and langtrate—(Hear, hear).
Mr. HOBHOUSE seconded the prayer of the. Pe;
tition, and congratulated the House and the tountry
upon a revocation of the particular Order in Council
which had been alluded to. If his Majesty's Mini. .
stems persisted in this line of policy, they would soon
replace this country in the situation she formerly held
amongst nations, and which she would again as.
sume—(hear, /sear).—'He did think that by folldw.;- •
ing up this course with the Bourbons of France, wine. .
thing short of war would enable this Government to
attain the objects it seemed to have in view. By the
repeal of the Foleign Enlistment Bill, and the Alien
Bill, we should be restored to the situation we had
been in, and which we had lost, since our connection
with the Holy Alliance. The Bill, it had been stated
at the time, was for the protection of the interests of
Old Spain, and it by the same rule we were to listen
to the instigations upon which it was originally
pas,ed, it would now be repealed. He hoped the re.
-vocation of the Older in Council would teach the
&unions of France what they were to expect in case
of their not slackening in the
.implous. course they •
were nuw pursuing. Lie (Mr. Hobbouse). liad been
most cautious nor to utter 'a word on this sthjett
until war should pear to be inevitable, iseitg riot
desirous not in any way to hasten what Inuit be al.
ways considered as a calamity. But he would nun,
undertake to say, that if his Majesty's Moisten went
into this war, it would be bucked by the whole
People—(Hear, heat, hear).—He thought his Ma.
I jesty's Ministers had acted with extreme prudence
throughmt the whole of this matter, and if his praise
I.were worth having, he wonki tritely bestow it. He
I. was Iten,..hoWever, talking of
.tbe Zate.Mihisti, y,, b4,g •
;of the Ministry as it now existed; for he vs: s con-
vinced that it the lenguage that had been lately held
I at. Wroua 11.4%1 been earlier 1-poiseno our Hay Allies