Star.
London, England, 1815-05-02 00:00:00

sion than •at any formelr period. He trusted the
lions, would not give a colour to the imputation,
by rejecting a petition evidently having for its object
to avert the calamities of war.
'Mr. Serjeant BEST said; that a petition couched
in 1 menage so disrespectful should not be received
from the City of London, or any other place. MI
knew that the charge of corruption ag tinst the House
was false and infamous. It was not decent in the
City of London to cast so gross an imputation. If
so gross a libel were permitted to pass from such a
rl ice as London, there would be no end to such
libels from ether places. I
S:r FRANCIS BURDETT said, the main and
declared object of the petition was a censure of the
conduct of Ministers, and to avert, if pos,ible, the
horrors of a war, both unjust and unpromising, into
which this country was on the eve of being precipi-
tated by its Government. He trusted the. House
would not countenatr:e the charge of corruption con-
veyed in the petition, by rejecting it from the table.
Mr. P. GRENFELL requested that the first pa-
ragraph of the petition should be read, which was
accordingly done. (It set forth in substance, that in
consequence of the corrupt state of the representa-
tion, a marked disregard had been shewn to petitions
front London and other places, and that dime was
no sympathy between the House of Commons and
the people.) He (Mr. P. Grenfell) should vote
against a petition which contained matter so grossly
untrue--(Thar, hear.)_
Mr. LYTTLEToN voted against it as a dan-
gerous precedent.
Mr. S. WORTLEY trusted the good sense of the
House would receive the petition.
Mr. LOCKHART was against it.
Mr. Alderman ATKINS said, the sentiments in
the petition were not those of the majority of the
Livery, but only of a few who had often before com-
municated their sentiments to the House. He shou1:1
therefore, though he totally dissented from it, not
object to its lying on the table. The Property. Tax
was but incidentally mentioned, and it was bei.eath
the dignity of the House to notice it.
Mr. Alderman C. SMYTH was against receiv-

ing it.
Mr. PRESTON said, it must be received as the
petition of the Livery, and voted for its lying upon
the table.
Mr. H. SUMNER objected to the petition, on tht-
ground that the first paragraph was false and scan-
dalous, not upon any point of formality. He vat-
tended that upon the great questions that had come
before the House during this Sessitm, the petitions
of the people had been respectfully attend;:d to.
Mr. W. SMITH thought the House was bound
on the present occasion, to follow established prece-
dents, and to make a new one to tu.'et the ere
b. tore them. All petitions for a Parliair.entary -
t•,rm must proceed, en the supposition tart the
of the representation was trot what it ourhtt to ;
and there'was a petition on the joarinilt:
he read an extract) expressed tit bo stronger lan-
guage than the one now before them, asserting tha;
the House were neither faithful Euardians, not tau:
refrescntatives of the people.
Mr. BARING stat!l, that the r.:,,urids originall:
urged against rcceivii•i2; the petition had now hem;
-abandoned, and the Erq words of it hasi hem to.'
holt,i ot. There wete ninumerable precedents on the
Journal; of petitions e::pressing the neces,,4y of a
ciiiini;e of the repretrraotion, and no objection hid
ever been urged to, :heir being received, r would
any objection have I.rolvlbly !wen started on t.tc pre-
sent occasion, had Lot the words been coupled with
a censure on Ministo F.
Mr. BATHU RS L' in a few words contended, that
the petition ought trot to be received.
A division took place, when the numbers were—
For receiving the Petition 59
Azainst it 10,1

NAPLES.
Upon our re-admission into the gallery, we found
Mr. HomyEß stating that he had given notice•of a
motion for to-morrow on the subject of the negotiation
that had been carried on with the present Sovereign
of Naples, and tvhich, as be regarded them concluckd,
were a fit subject for Parliamentary inquiry. Bat as
it was possible that the discussion might have been
resumed, or might still continue, he was desirous to
know if any inconvenience to the public servi.:_ would
arise from his motion, as he had no wish to enxbarras
his _►Majesty's Ministers.
Lord CASTLEREAGH saw no objection to the
motion bring brought forward, though he would not
pledge himself as to the line of conduct he might
deem it expedient to adapt.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS.
Mr. BENNETT wished to ask Ministers if any
successor had been appointed to the late Seijeant
Palmer, as he had been given to understand that
upwards of eighty persons were now detained in gaol
on account of no Judge having been appointed fur
the Insolvent Debtors Court.

I.Ord CASTLEREAGH was unable to answer
the question, but conceived the eel.ty to pioce2d.trom
the with to make a proper appointment.
Mr. WILIsERFORCE said, that the sooner the
appointment was made it would be the better for the

•
In 1692, an aid was s.tanted by l'acliament form-
tying on the war, similar in every respect to the Pro.
perty Tax, excepting only the Army and Navy. The
pay of a Lieutenant• Colonel was then 17s. per diem
die same as now, while Sir G. Shuckburgh had com-
puted that eight shillings in 170'3 were equivalent to
a pound sterling now; The pay of a Captain had
then been 1 Is. it was now 10s. 61 A stock purse
was also then divided among the Captains, of the
value of from 880 to £lOO, as £2O was then allowed
for evet y hundred men, and only now for six huu-
dred. With respect to the Colonial service, a dif-
ference of £5OO had been known to hive been given
on what was not worth more than £1500; and from
£5OO to 81000 had been given for an exchange horn
colonial service to any other. Civil officers in the
colonies were not liable to this tax, nor was the ad-
vmaennt aaete
allto equivalent
latter. Upon Governmentanesttaobltihfshreominheanrttdhsiifilt:loxofo:i:: men the
amount was only 8780 per annum, and upon ac
hundred battalions not more re5S,OOO. To an offi-
cer sent out to any of the colonies the price of a
cabin was £5O, whereas £2B only was received for
his expense, and the ,whole cost was nearly equal to
£lOO. On the subject of the Navy, an Honourable
Admiral, who sat near him, and was to second the
motion, would state the case far more accurately
than he could possibly pretend to do. He should
therefore move—" That it be an instruction to the
Committee to introduce a clause to exempt from the
operation of the Property Tax, Officers in the Arn/
and Navy actually mustered for foreign service., and
not otherwise."
Sir C. M. POLE seconded the motion, and stated,
that many of the observations of the g,,fhtit General
were equally applicable to the Navy as to the Ai my ;
he was, however, rather inclined to recommend an
increase of pay, and a reduction of expeu•c in some
departments, which might easily be effected, particu•
Italy in the case of superannuation. In the arro-
priation of half pay much liberality had been sliewn
by Government, though the half pay had been made
to come too near the full pay. In the case of pur-
sers, they were the same, and the difference was only
ad. on that of a Lieutenant. The present motion did
not go far enough. •
General GROSVENOR concurred most heartily
in the proposition of the gallant Mover.
General HARVEY also supported the motion ;
and bore testimony to the merits of the officers in the
military t Tvice.
lhe CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
expressed his readiness to do any thing which could
tend to the benefit of a class of persons to whom the
ration was so 11:11;031 indebted as the Officers of the
Navy and Army ; but he civic! not consent to the
motion. The Right Honourable Gentleman rained
to the difference of service at the time to which the
(:•2rieral alluded. at which the Officers did
not receive halfpay. He admitted, th it in r sprct
to COIOIIIII service, some allowances were granted.
The insufficiency of allowances to officers on their
passage lonne, was a fitter subject for the considera-
tion of the head of the Military Department than
Puritattient. He thought it would be placing Ceose
officers in an iuvitiious point of view to exempt
in preference to persons in other classes in society.—
lie tnigiit mention many professions who might
have eiaims, if the Army and Navy were selected.
iestance, the interior Clergy, whgse incomes were
tint so permanent. There were oilier professions'
equally precarious in respect so incomes with the in-
terior Cie ryy. The Right lon. Gentleman stated,
that move an instruction to Cie eommittee,
when this motion was disposed of, that the Property.
tax for the present year should be take', upon the
assessment of the last year. This ws a proposition
which had conic recommended to him iron many
Taarters. The Right Hon. Gentlemen then reverted
back to the immediate vont tnider diseussi and
admitted that the suggestion thrown out by the gal-
lant Admiral (Sir C. Pole) deserved eunsiderat
_too ;
but observed, that it uvula come more properly un-
der the view of Parliatnent Wilco, tile 'votes upon the
subject of the Army and Navy were undei discussion,
and nut when mixed with celiatetat and distinct
subjects.
Mr. Serjeant ONSLOW agreed in the statements
of the Hon. Mover, and was oi °plow i, that so me-
ritorious a class of persons as il,e Oilicers of the Navy
and Army were entitled to so:lie consideration. The
loss to the Public, in respect to exemption from the
tax, would be trifling ; and, therefore, he thought the
nation would h.: honoured, it Parliament adopted the
motion.
Lord PALMERSTON apprehended, that a mis-
t conception had gone forth in respect to Officers
serving abroad. They were better off than those
serving at home. They received vatious benefits on
foreign service which they were precluded tront at
home—such as quarters, forage:, and lodgings. nut,
on the subject to which the Honourable General
more particularly wished the attention of the House
to be drawn, he coincided with his Right Honourable
Friend in the statements which he had made. If a
distinction WAS to be made, Officers at home were
more entitled to consideration then those serving
abroad.
Mr. ABERCROMBIE was disposed to vote
against the motion, for the reasons stated by the last
Speaker, and on the ground of the Tax being of a
temporary nature.
Mr. FURBLS had known many instances of loud-
:hips suffered by some of the Naval Officers in India,
particularly in respect to their drawing Bills upon "
England, which placed them in the disagreeable pie-,
.6e-4:tient of obtaining not more than 1 If f their
pay. The Honourable Gentleman noticed the hard-• 1
ships of the Petty Officers iu taking up sl in Ie•
turn for their bibs.
Mr. RUSE expressed his readiness to lelid his .is.
sistance in redressing those hat dships, whit hi use
Hon. Gentleman complained.
Rilglogr.diiMonl.LGTtOntNknesi.,itsnhedtototicieallLt.hiredit",tht,eii;:tiouin of
m
,e,t,
:iiiinlialitgot:Or:edlingiatkheeisro‘nvi'elgaelsttf:orartsOlZisui iiitr.taut.ltti't!eh.end" tu
conditionPk thoY afg Sreuebdaltvieliatil °icer s
the gaitant General,
r''equireit some
Amendment : but he could na egree that those
iert4ce were in a worse situation than t!!ose at holm.,
who were often obliged to sit down in a country town,
sith a large family, upon seloo or • Jl/4 a
General GASCOYNE replied. year.
The motion was then put and regativ&l.

Mr. GR EWE LL proposed ae
isey
of it was to impose on she Commissioners for the
fairs of Taxes the same instructions as ate at pieseii:
riven to the Commissioners under the Act, i.spc‘t.
mg the vecrecy to be observed, 3tc.
The CHANCELLOR. of the EXCHEQUE!!
(thought the alteration would lead to ~,,reat
nience. They could not be restrained 'tom tenant:
wi& the different Courts; nor did he
in the course of the present year any one ease of
closure could occur to make it recess try to adopt tl
amendmeat of the Honour able (len:Leman. lief.:
not heard of any cases of abuse of in respect
that part of the provisions of the 1;11i to which o
Honourable Gentleman's clause referred.
Mt. BAKING denied that secrecy could at ail i:
convenience the operation of tl.e Act ; and t!..:
he wished the Right HonourableGentlemari t., c,
plain the matter. lie support
II
ai,ditthiegim:lfiitomn..
ht:
Mi. USKISSON opposed 11. e clause, or
samelle
..4g,wronuon dms
material
statediai grkvity is
to ari.e ii
~ c
pe,Mt of view, to.. lyer:lt;on
'fax ter one year.
Mr. ISENNLTT asked, whether
Gentleman had any oratit
of appeal as was granted to the al),.elltvits
Asst.sscci 'faxes ?
The CH.NNCEI.I.OR of the FXCHF.I4.I.
ohsei ca d, that tile would pandit; no: 4
as :11
the oply tor one year.
Mr. Will I'll lt D could not hear, ,
prio., the repeated answers the R ight
f ;ontleinau to all suggestit us of imp:kali, !nett, s
that.the,Tax was only for a year. The (haute:
Honourable Friend on;tlit to pass, to prevent
Conanksioners fron making an visidit,us
l~rie.lJ ranter they .iusw•er cJ rite Right 110)4. Co:utieir,
Was a mere tiChni,,ll. It was idle to sc Hose that t
'fax would not be renewed year at ter year. W
respect to dieclosure-, there were serious objeci
to such a naritle of conduct in dr.: Commissioneis,
lie should support the clause. He thought, with in
pruning, the tax might be rendered less objecti
particularly if the inquisitorial powers were aim iLht
Mr. GRENFELL stated the circumstances
induced him to propose the clause. A friend of
was travelling, in a common stage-coach, to Otto,
and a Commissioner of taxes pointed out to his hit
the house of a gentleman on the road, whose into,
he said, let:) considerably abridged.
The CHANCELLOR. of the EXCHEQL
observed, that the Commissioner alluded to was
last person who should have made any disclJs;
hut he believed he had explained the matter t.)
Honourable Gentleman.
Mr. GRENFELL said, the explanation was
from satistactory to him.
Mr. W. WYNNE supported the motion. lie
no idea of sparing the feelings of the Commissai:
when Magistrates were compelled to tal7e an on
secrecy.
Mr. LUSHINGTON suggested, that the mi
was unneeeso.r)., AS tite old attetstne,nt w..t.1
be
criterion tor th it of the present year, and no new
at.sure could he made.
Mr. LYTTLETUN supported the claive.
was surprised that any ci!iiection to it shou:d ;
after the case mad' out by his Hon. I tieuJ.
out it to the Rigsit Hot.. Gentlenoiii r., say, whit
this case, g.)!I:g forth to ti.e would
tart in;
them with an ilea, that Goveriiminit i.isheat
lion the bad co:seiuct of the Commissioner
thought he ought to be dismissed his maze.
The CHANCELLOIt of the LXCHEQ'
defended the conduct of the Conti-nit...loner ;
stated, that the conversation arose in respect to
proceedings in a Court of Law.
Toe CldeSe was agreed to.
Mr. PROTHEROE moved, that it be art
tion to the Committee to make tegulati
ontrnul the Inspectors in making vexattoui
charges.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCIIEQ'
said, aim, st all li.vectors would tie done
With ;a. consequatoiy, we evil ~uo
woulo he very niece. tai-eon shed. achrito:
there had been some cases ot grievous Imi:4:to
willed toe Honourable Get.tiemaa w 'uhf
his amendment, as tie intended to pro ,-,se aan
which he thought would do away these voi.
surcharges altogether.
Mr. BA RC: LAY thought, after what the
Hon. Gentleman had said, it was of little ii
ance whether the amendment was pressed or not
Inspectors were interested in the surcharges, 1:1
people had a tight to be relieved from them.
Mr. LOCK HART thought it absolutely net
that some check should be put on the surchai
these Inspectors. He wished to know the al
meat which the Chancellor of the Eschequi
[Laded to propose on this subject. lie con;
that those in the higher branches of commel
not pay a lair propos non tit taxes, which ma..ii
tall heavier on the middling tradesmen, for the
commetce of the country paid but three nail
the Property-Tax.
Lord MILTON thought the Right Him*
Gt.OI.ICMAII was practi,ing a delusion on the o
in saying that it was l.) be a telliptil.ir) nit:
only one year's duration. For his wit tie
doubt but that this Tax would be coiitit.ues
number of years.
Mr. KlSJlnan's plan°eNisaid,l'e understood
atth:
Honourable Gentleman's
Slitiklltl be charged more than he was last pr.
411,er some further conversetion between the
Cs LLt" of the ExcaLovent, Mr. W. N-miril,
at
IoYTTLEVINI Mr. 111t01116KOE witnalicev nts
Went.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEI
111-dyed, that it should be an instiucuini to 111
mittee, that the Assessments made, or to di
I.n- lb.: yt:nr the .itit ut .Apt ii,
basis of tilt Assioisinents tux the current year
the PropAty Tax.
Mr. J. :)..VIIT I cbjected m this "I'.,x oeinq
in all its ottormities, and witlt;iut one attune
The macron was then agrettl to.
to we C.:trusuo..-e to rnakt,, such amenoura.r.
Lord MILTON moved, tn.o it be as
A.N. as they itii6nt judge itece,,urV•
LW, noose Jctt—
Noes I:A—Majority to 7.
The Fioux then went e'lito COlUnliC!‘:?.