Star.
London, England, 1814-07-16 00:00:00

' he was only discharging his duty to the people oi
England.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
observed, that almost the whole excess on the Civil
List would be found in the political part of it : there
had been very little in the Household department.—
Ihe whole amount of excess was not above e 20,000
a-year. The excess in the political department he
conceived to be more properly the object of the scru-
tiny of Parliament ; and if the Right Honourable
Gentleman, or any other Member, wished for more
minute details upon that head, there was no disposi-
tion on the part of Government to withhold them.—
.I,lte principal excess related to our foreign Ministers
in Spain and Portugal, which arose from the peculia-
rity of their situation, from the exchange being against
us, and from the price of provisions, &c. which was
great beyond all precedent. The extraordinary ex-
penses of the last quaiter were such as would natu-
rally so ike the Right Honourable Gentleman ; but ,
that sort of extraordinary carnival which had just
elapsed, might have prepared the House for them.
The 822,000 in the Lea d Chamberlain's depart.
ment, were for the buildings, viz. the Drawing-
room, Conservatory, &c. at the back of Cadton-
House. With regard to the rotunda erected in the
gardens of Carlton-House, it partook in some degree
of the nature of a permanent building, as it could be
taken down and put up again at pleasure—(a laugh).
With regard to the £32,000, it should be remem-
bered that the apartments 6f the Duke of Cumberland
were completely prepared for the Emperor of Russia,
and in such a way as would not have been unworthy
of him, had he thought fit to take up his residence
there. Some preparations also were made for the
Emperor of Austria, and the Right Hon. Gentleman
was much misinformed, if he thought the furniture
in question had, or would become the perquisites of
any person. It was all secured to the Prince Regent,
to be applied by him in any way he thought proper,
either to decorate his own Palace, or for any other
purpose he might choose, except what was sent to
Portsmouth for the reception of the Royal Visitors
there, and which, by an old custom, was to be kept
there. A considerable sum was also necessarily ex-
pended in fitting up the yachts. With respect to the de-
partment of the Master of the Horse, the extraordinary
expenses connected with it were easily accounted for.
When the various journies of the late illustrious visi-
tors, not merely from Dover to London, but to Ox-
ford, to Portsmouth, &c. and when the number of
persons to be provided with suitable equipages
(though only a limited number of whom a list was
procured were so provided) were considered, the
Committee would, be was sure, be aware that the items
could be explained very much to their satisfaction.—
All persons who had resided in London during the
last six weeks must, indeed,have been aware that both
in carriages and in attendance, the wear ana tear of
the department of the Master of the Horse must have
been far beyond that of ordinary times. The Hon.
Gentleman had made his observations on the subject
in a very candid manner. He (the Chancellor of
the Exchequer) admitted that the Treasury was re-
sponsible, and he repeated his confession that for
some of the items there had not been, as in ordinary
periods, sufficient tinle for detaileu estimates. But as!
tar as circumstances would allow he cotild assure the '
Committee that there had been no reprehensible oe-
gligencc on their part.
Mr. TIERNEY, adverting to the declaralien on
the part of the Right Honourable Gentleman, that
the £32,000 worth of furniture was not to.be given
as a perquisite, but was to be retained as a st•lre, ob-
served, that his Royal Highness would thereby have
o mach more than be waited.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
said, that a great part of that furniture was of such a
nature, that it could not be expected that the uphol-
sterer would take it bAck.

Lord YARMOUTH declared, that the Lord
Chamberlain did nut know any thing cl the pep na-
tions in the Park, until he saw them ►n riding through
it—(Hear, hear, hear.)
Mr. TIERNEY congratulated the House and the
country on the manner in which this business had
been conducted !

Mr. WHITBREAD inquired who had given the
orders for the preparations ?
A pause mined, when Mr. WIIITBREAD repeated
his question.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
replitd, that he presumed, the proper officers.
Mr. IVIiITBREAD asked who they were ? Be-
fore he could agree to the vote, he must know that
fact.

Lord CASTLEREAGH uhccrved, that in a CAW
of this natiire, the pleasure of the Sovereign might be
considered a sufficient authority. The particular na-
ture of the circumstances did not admit a strict adhe-
rence to ordinary rules. But under these es;•eci.il cir-
cumstances, the proceeding, which was not very capa-
ble of estimate, might probably be permitted to pass,
without, however, allowirq it to be drawn into a pre-
cedent.

Mr. TIERNEY denied that there could be any ab-
solution of advice. Without meaning to attack the
Lord Chamberlain, he was unquestionably responsi-
ble. An estimate should have been framed by the
Lord Chamberlain and submitted to the Treasury.
Ile denied that the proceeding was incapable of esti-
mate.

Lord CASTLEREAGH denied that the Sove-
reign could not give a fete without asking advice. As
to estimates, the transactions of the Household would
not always allow a strict adherence to the forms of
pt oceedinlz.
Mr. TIERNEY allowed, that of a mere dinner
party no estimate could be expected ; but when 2000
persors were invited, it was the duty of the Lord
Chamberlain to prepare a proper estimate of the
expeEse.
Mr. \VYNNE remarked that the great officers of
die Crown held their appointments on the condition
of their responsibility.

Mr. NV If ITBREAI) again asked, who was the
person who communicated with the Treasury on this
subj-ct, and to whom the Treasury gave their sanc•
tion to can y the projected plans into effect ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
observed that a part of the irregularity had arisen
from there having been nn Surveyor-General, and the
business having necessarily been transacted by inferior
officers.
Mr. W. SMITH said that if it were proposed to
expend 2,3; or .6400,000 in the erection of a new