Star.
London, England, 1822-03-22 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Mr. MONCK presented a Petition from certain Tallow-
Chandlers of Manchester, praying for the Repeal of the Duty
on Tallow Candles. A similar Petition wag presented by the
same Hon. Member from Salford.—Both Petitions were or-
dered to lie on the table.

Sir W. LEMON presented a Petition from certain Unitarians,
complaining that the Marriage Ceremony, as by law established,
was inconsistent with their religious belief, and praying that they
might be relieved from the difficulty under which they laboured,
as they were compelled to forego the Marriage Contract, or
submit to a ceremony of which they disapproved.—Ordered to
lie on the table.

Mr. CALVERT moved for a Return of all proceedings issued
from the Borough Court of Southwark in the last year; and an
Account of the number of persons sent to prison on those pro-
ceedings.—Ordered.
Mr. CALVEUT gave notice, that on Friday, the 29th of
Matta, he should move for have to bring in a Bill for regu-
lating the Price and Sale of Bread within the Metropolis.
Jr. WILMOT presented certain Papers from the Cblonial
Department, respecting the exercise of the right of search fur the
purpose of abolishing the Slave Trade.—Ordered to be printed.
On the motion of Sir Wit.ti.sst Cuerts, the second reading of
the London Bridge Water-works Bill was postponed to the Lids
of April.
Lord W. BENTINCK presented a Petition from certain
Owners and Occupiers of Land in Nottinginunshire, complain-

.

The Repot
Cents. Rill was brought up, and agreed to.
The Report ofthe Supply Committee on the Eng.
lish Five per Cent. Bill was brought up and agreed to.
Colonel DAVIES said, there was a Fund attached
to the Customs, called the Benevolent Fund, for the
Benefit of the Widows and Orphans of Officers. A
Patent Office was connected with the Fund, which he
thought was productive of profits that ought to come
under the consideration of the House. He therefore
moved for a Return of the Emoluments received
through the Office in question.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said,
that as the motion was made for a laudable purpose,'
he should not oppose it. If the gallant Officer could
suggest anything to the Treasury for the advantage
of the Fund, it would meet with every attention.
The motion was agreed to.
COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY.
The Report of the Committee of Supply, of the Ist
of March, was brought up and read.
Mr. HUME called the attention of the House to
certain Returns for which he had moved, and which
had not been laid before the House. Ile thought the
sums called for ought not to be voted until every in:
formation had been given to the House.
TheCHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said,
that the Hon. Member, by allowing the items to pass,
would not lose any opportunity he had of bringing
the subject in question before the. House.
After a few words from Mr. CROKER and Mr.

HUMS, the vote was agreed to.
Mr. HUME noticed the vote for the Dock-yard at
DeptfOrd. He thought the whole charge for the
Dock-yards was excessive. In 1792 the whole ex-
pense was but 25,000/. in 1813 it was 203,0001. The
amount of the estimates for this year was not more
than 400/. less than that for the year 1813 ; he could
see no reason why a Commissioner should recei.re
the same salary he received during the war. The la-
bourers and subordinate clerks were considerably re-
duced. He admitted that there was a reduction in
the expense of this year compared with that of the
last; but the general expense was excessive. He
thought a very large reduction ought to have been
made long ere this ; and he hoped it would be made.
On the vote for the Foreign Yards,
Mr. lIUME wished to know whether the salary of
the Commissioners would be reduced ?
Sir B. MARTIN answered in the negative.
Sir I. COFFIN thought they ought to be reduced.
The vote was then, agreed to, after a few words
from Sir J. COCKBORN and Mr. Hume.

On the vote for the Royal Naval College,
Mr. HUME expressed his conviction, that the sa-
lary of the Governor ought to be reduced. The whole
establishment had considerably increased. He did not
think a Governor and Lieutenants were necessary for
the regulation of a school.
Mr. CROKER said, the increase of expellee was
not great. The half-pay of the Governor had merged
in his salary. -
Sir ISAAC COFFIN thought the situation of Go-
vernor a very important one. The school of West-
minster would be indifferently conducted without the
Head-master; and he thought the College might be
analogized to this school.
The vote %Vas agreed to, as were several others.
On the Victualling Vote,
Mr. HUNIE said, that the Coast Blockade, being
for a Revenue service, ought to have been the subject
of a distinct Estimate, if possible. When the present
vote was before the Committee, he noticed the re-
moval of the Admiral from India, which he consi-
dered an injudicious instance of economy. He wi•hed
to know what was the difference of expense between
the Leith and the India station ? He thought the
Admiral might have been withdrawn from the former
with more advantage than from the latter. He ob-
jected also to the seven principal Officers of the Ma-
rifles receiving £7700 for doing nothing. He always
preferred a regular pension to a sinecure as a reward
for public services. But the marines were, he thought,
the most neglected persons in the public service.—
Promotion was very slow unless it was influenced by
private interest. Fi om June 1814 to 1820 there were
but four Lieutenant-Colonels promoted to the rank
of Colonels. At the Coronation there were but eight'
promotions. It was distressing to see so deserving a
corps neglected ; but they had little influence in that
House, and he could account for the neglect from no
other cause. A memorial on the subject had been
presented to the Admiralty, and the answer given
was, that the marines not being in present service,
there was no ground for promoting the members of
it. The patronage of the Army and Navy had in-
creased beyond all bounds. He regretted that the
present was not an opportunity on which he could
take the sense of the House respecting the allowance
to the seven Officers.
Sir GEORGE COCKBURN shortly answered the
observations of the Hon. Member. It should be re-,
collected that, during the war, the only merchant-
ships sailing in safety were those of England ; a safety
caused entirely by the exertions of our Navy. The
reduction of some of the Admirals would cause a
saving of only one pound a day from each. Naval
Officers were now always placed at the head of the
Marines, who were amalgamated with the other ser-
vice as much as possible. He was himself proud of
the rank of General of that body, and admired them
as much as the Hon. Member. He, for one, preferred
that which had been called a sinecure to a iension.
He trusted the House would never take away, the
connection which bound the two services tegether.—
An Officer of the Marines did not purchase his. corn-
' mission, and the promotion was regulated by seniority.
It was not to be.inferred that he had nothing to do,
because he did not live at the Barracks.
Sir ISAAC COFFIN said, the Hon. Member fcr'
Aberdeen had, on a former occasion, complained that
Government were turning the Navy into an Army,
by their regulations respecting the Marines.
After a tew words from Mr; Mosck, the vote was
agreed to..—The other Resolutions were then put
and agreed to.
On the motion of Mr. Ilustx, an Account of the different
Ships which cleared out for North. America and New South
Wales, with the number of Passengers and Convicts front the
United Kingdom, for the last year, and distinguishing the num-
ber from each country, was ordered to be lead vu the table of
the Iluute.—AajourticAl at Six o'Clock.

►its.

. the Proprietors of
purpose of considering

After some discussion, the question that a dividend
of Five per Cent. for the Half-year's Stock should be
given, was carried in the affirmative;
Mr. it. JACKSON then rose, and, after adverting to
a statement Which had appeared in the public papers
in the repoit • of. the P'arliamentary proceedings,
where.a •megociation was talked of as having talrea
place between the Government and the Sauk, for as
advance of a certain sum of money, at three percent.
to be applied ,by the Government to the Five pee
Cents. asked whether it was the fact that such a no;
gociation had ta,- place or been entered into?
The CHAIRMAN deJined giving any answer tothe
question, as It would be, most 'improper to do Id
during a negotiation which might not have beat
completed.
A Proprietor rose to complain of the one-pound
notes being entirely withdrawn from the circulation•
and also his surprise at the cCutse which had been
adopted, of offering to send sovereigns into different
parts of the country free of expense.
The CHAIRMAN said, that in sending forth sore.
reigns, and in resolving not to issue any more one-
pound notes, the Conrt of Directors guarded them-
selves by the reservation, that if anything of an extra-
ordinary or urgent nature sholld take place, they
should have recourse to former measures, and return
to their former system, under such modifications a;
circumstances might direct. It was true that it had
hitherto been the practice to make the payments of
gold only at that house ; but as in one large and opu-
lent county Bank-notes were the only circulating me-
dium, it had been thought proper to step out of the
usual course, for the accommodation of the nume-
rous manufacturers who resided in that quarter. It
was done for the purl ose of rineeti-g the wishes of
the country at large, and he trusted that it would
meet with the entire approbation of the Propi ietors.
The Proprietor complainingf said he considered
that it was an unnecessary and very improper ‘s aste
of money, in paying the expenses of the cariage.
A Proprietor, who stated himself to be a country
banker, said, that in that capacity he considered, and
had found the measure to be a very great and liberal
accommodation, well worthy of the source—(Cries 9/
Hear, hear!)—He contended that it was of a nature
to benefit the Propi ietois, by creating a most favour-
able impression as to their spirit and liberality.
Mr. It. IscKsow followed, and expressed his plea.
sure at the effectual check which had been given by
the issue of gold, and by the withdrawing the note,
the temptation offered by which to imitate was ionnd
too strong to be withstood, to the crime of forgery.
The diminution of charges of forgery was ge„eral
throughout the country, and they would be spared
the pain of witnessing those periodical immolations
with which they had been so long shocked.
The CHAIRMAN, in reply, congratulated the Court
that at the last Assizes there were only five ca,e, of
forgery in the metropolis, and-nine over all England.
RATE OF DISCOCNT.

Mr. Yo: a Proprietor, alluding to the report
that the Bank mean: to reduce the rate of &scoria
to four per cent. called upon the Chairman top ibe
himself, on the part of the Directors. to make al-
teration in the rate of discount with,tir first consult-
ing the Court of Proprietors, for this was the only
mode to prevent unfair speculations.
The CHAIRMAN answered, that any opinion ex-
pressed by him would only tend to increase, and not
diminish, the disposition to speculate; but of course
the Court "of Directors would not take any step in so
important a measure without due deliberation.
Mr. BANBRIDGE then rose, for the purpose of
moving the thanks of the Court to the Governor, De-
puty-Governor, and Court of Du ectors, for their con-
stant attention to the interests Lf the Proprietors, and
to their duties for a-series of years, and by which the
nation had been raised to the present un:ivaatid
height of prosperity and character.
A Proprietor rose, and warmly objectei to the
motion, as emanating from the Court of Dir.c.ors.
Mr. BANBRIDGE pledged his honour that the mo-
tion was ma.'e without the slightest communication
with the Court of Directors ; and altered it to tl:e
shape of a vote of thanks to the Governor, Deputy-
Governor, and Court of Directors, for their constant
attention to the interests of the Proprietors and to
their duties.
Alderman HETGATE felt himself obliged to dissent
from the motion, even as it now stood, although he
had the highest opinion and respect for the honour-
able individuals personally. All human institutions
were liable to error, and he felt it too much to he
called upon to declare his approbation of all their
acts during the period of their services. For him-
self, he thought them mistaken in narrowing the
currency of the country, by calling in the sm'tll
notes, and also in suffering so large a quantity of
gold, as it now appeared they had,:to lay isle in their
coffers. By narrowing the circulating medium, they
had depressed, he considered, most alarmingly the
prices of agricultural and other produce, and pro-
duced the mast prejudicial consequences to a large
porldn of the community.
The CHAIRMAN thought it necessary to reply to
the point where the Bank was charged with havir.;
narrowed the circulating nledium. lie said that dim
issues on March the 1822, exceeded thoe of
March, 18'21, by no less a sum than ,859,0001. and
those of March, 1820, by 3,4-44,0001.--(Hcar, hear).
A lung discuSsien ensued, in the course of which
several points of tinanee were agitated.
The Cumnsilar said, the Court of Directors were
placed in a most delicate situation, and, after the flat-
tering terms in which they had been spoken of per
sonaily, they would be gratified rather in seeing the
motion withdrawn, and would take the compliment
without the form of a vote.
Alderman HEYGATB begged to be understood, that
he did' not object w the thanks to the Hon Director)
for their attention to their duties.
The mover did not consent to withdraw the arntion,
which was put and carried.—"fhe Court adjourned.

The amount or the Solicitor's bill fir-Excise pro-
secutions in the year 1 b 2 I, Amounted to about 3 lOW/.
and the amount paid to Counsclio respect of sAms!
rrosv‘ utions amounted to '2,5001.

of ApWSW *dress, and praying beis6o6-4.6.111114".'N, MEETINb OF BANK PROPRIZTo,
ea the OW
Mr. BRIGHT efesented ~don Reareariain
Bedminstr, in Somenetsbire;ln foveae oi Mr. Henry Ilan* Yesterday a General Court of the Proprii
formal defect in the Pedtioa was nodes& by Sir J. Ostrom, a.
B t k Stock was held, for the purpose of con
id Mr. Bright withdrew it.
The Report of the Comtnitteeon the Irish Five per
Aof (taridend crone discussion. the tuestion that a c
a div.