Star.
London, England, 1815-05-06 00:00:00

PROPERTY TAX.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
baying moved that the Property Tar Revival Bill be
read a third time,

Mr. DiCKI/sION stated, that in consequence of
many applications made to him, which Chewed that
a far greater proportion of farmers were confined in
jail for debt, in consequence of the mode of assess-
ment under the Pi operiy Tax than previous to its en-
actment, he should think it proper to introduce an
amendment into the Bill, by which farmers would be
placed on the same footing as merchants.
Mr. Alderman SIMITII was understood to express
his intention of opposill such an amendment.
Mr. HORNER considered such an amendment of
the greatest impartai:ce. Agriculture was the basis
Of all financial operations, and the fountain head of
the prosperity of the country. He objected to take
the rent as the criterion on which the assessment w.ts
founded. He wished farmers to have the same relief
under the tax as other persons deriving profits from
their employments, and that, should they prove that
they had mae no profits, they should be relieved on
that she wing.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
thought that it was not the time to complain that
sufficient attention had not been paid to the landed
interest during the course of this session. He sindi-
;wed the mode of assessment as the only one that
it was possible to carry into effect. An average
rent was.established as a criterion; but if the tenant
felt aggrieved, he would apply to his landlord for a
Teductio4 of rent, which would at the same time pro,
duce a proportionate relief from the operation of the
Tax.
Mr, FRAXTICLAND LZWIS wal mimed that

from the Ant enaetmertt of the Property Tax, the
profits of farmers never justified the heavy charges
made upon them. He thought their situation called
imperiously for such an *alteration as the intended
amendment proposed. •
Mr. CALCRAFT supported the Tax as he had
' done in 1806, because he knew of no other that
would equally answer the emergencies of the State.
To give relief to one class of individuals would be
to et cite a great deal of dissatisfaction in others.
Mr. DAVIES GIDDY supported the Tax, merely
as a temporary measure, limited to one year.
After a few words from the CHANCELLOR of the
EXCHEQUER, Mr. GOENFELL, and' Mr. D. GIDDY,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
replied to a question of the latter Gentleman, that
both landlord and tenant were entitled to an abate.
meet of their assessment, in consequence of every I
bone dc,!: reduction of rent for one year only.
S.r bl. W. RIDLEY considered the Property Tax
as a war measure : he objected to the war as untie.
cessary, and was unwilling to arm Ministers with tt,e
means (4 carrying it on. Even if it were intended
as a peace measure, or during an armed truce, he
thought other taxes might be devised that would press
less heavily upon the people, especially whew be re-
collected that a peace establishment of 19 million;
was proposed without having recourse to tint Tax.
He complained, that under the pretence of avoiding
future wars, the country should be hurried into a
new contest. Better would it be.

" To bear the ills we have,
" Than fly to others that we know not of."
He concluded by moving, as en amendment,
that
the third reading of the liill should take place this
day six months.
Mr. LOCKHART was understood to wish that
the Tax should be modified.
Sir JOHN NEWPORT opposed it, both as a war
tax, and as imposing greater burdens than any other

impost.
Mr. STURGES BOURNE asked the Honourable
Baronet whether he disapproved of the mode of rai-
sing supplies within the year, and wished to recur to
the funding system, which gave much greater faci-
lities for carrying on the war, as it threw its burthens
on posterity. The Honourable Baronet had not only
already voted fer it, when he agreed to the ad-
dress to the Prince Regent, but at a previous period,
when he held a high official situation himself, and
supported the increase of that Tax.
Sir JOHN NEWPORT stated, that when he had
voted for the Address, he lwd done it under a decep-
tion practised upon him.
Mr. PLUNKETT could not oppose the third
reading of the Bill. He had concurred in the Ad-
dress to the Prince Regent, and how was the pledge
then given to be redeemed if this Bill were not passed ?
Di 3 the Hon. B tronet think that the Administration
of the country should be disarmed in the present cit-
coin:stances ? Whether we entered upon an offensive
or defensive war, or remit:el in a state of peace, he.
thought the measure necessary. He did not consider
that any thlusion had been practised upon him when
he voted in fivcor of the Address.
Sir WILLIAM SMITH said that a tax of :wally
the same uat•lr7 63d lowers Ind been
enacted in the time of Queen Anne, but could not
be carried intoetfect. The greatest recommendation of
the p:esent was, that it was to last only (or one year.
Alta a few words from Mr. Rose, Mr. William
Smith, Mr. J. P. Grant, and Mr. William Wynne,
the House divided, when there appeared,
ror the third reading of the Bill 160—Against it
29—Majority 131.
The Bill was then read a third time and passed.

FOREIGN SLAVE TRAMS
The Howe went into a Committee on the Foreign
Slave Trade Biil.
Mr. BARING objected to the chose of penalty,
as not allowing those in places at a distance Hine to
hear of the enactment of the Bill before the penalty
might be incurred.
Mr. BARIIAM would wish that the present stage
of the Bill should not be disturbed, and in future
stages every objection could be discussed.
Mr. BARING thought the present the fittest op-

portunity.
After some further conversationbetween Mr. Forbes,
Sir John Newport, Mr. B iring, Mr. Barham, Mr.
Finlay, Mr. Douglas, Mr. ‘V idiom Smith, inul Lord
Milton, an amendment, allowing three months to
persons in Africa and the West Indies, and sit months
to persons beyond the Cape of Good Hope, and
Cape Horn, and in all other parts of the world, was
agreed to. •
Mr. BARING objected to the clause making it
penal for a British subject to lend money on security
to persons in the colonies cf any countries that bad
not abolished the Slave Trade. There was much
other trade beside the Slave Trade ca: iied on in the
colonies of foreign countries, and he thought it hard
that the English capitalist could not lend 114 money
for such 'lade.- He was a most firm friend to the
Abolition of the Slave Trade, but this clause was not
an abolition of that trade, but an abolition of almost
all intercourse with the Colonies of those countries
that have not abolialied the Slave Trade. If his Ho-
nourable Friend would modiffthe clause to those wAo
should lend money to carry on the Slave Trade, he
should gladly support it.
Mr. W. WYNNE said, that it became this corm=
try to do every thing in her power to shew the since.
rity of her intention totally to abolish the vile traffic in
Slaves.
Mr. BA RHAM said, hii Honourable Friend com-
plained it would cut off much beneficial trade from'
this country. But if he could shew that without this
clause, the Bill would be wholly nugatory, and that
even on the score of policy the clause would be use-
ful, he was sure his Honourable Friend would with-
draw his objection. The object of the Bill was to
prevent British capital from assisting in any manner
to this abominable trade. But if British capital
brought a greater interest to the lender by being em-
ployed in the Slave Trade by the colonies of other
countries, than it would in any other way, it would
be lent for that purpose, if not restrained by being
made criminal. Now in our own colonies capital
would bring but 10 per cent. but in the colonies of
countries that bad not abolished the Slave Trade, it
would bring 40 per cent. in. that trade. The bor-
rower could then aord 20 pet cent. to the lender,
and of course English capital would flow in that,
till prohibited by. being made criminal. As for its.
being made trim gal to lend money for the Slave
. Tsse eelys it woultl be idle? es ikg person Petit oty

it was for the Slave Trade. The borrower would
mortgagelis property, and would say nothing as to
what' business be borrowed the money for, though
he would of course embark it in the business which
woulJ bring him the gleatest profit. British capital
had always a tendency to flow into that channel,—
The gratest part of the Spanish Slave Trade was
carried on by British capital ; and so was a great part
of the Danish. There were, eleven millions sunk in
Demerara in this trade. Then in a political point of
view it was injurious to be lending our capital to
foreign countries. In peace it was withdrawing
means from our industry ; in war it furnished the
power of many useful enterprises. If the clause was
parted with, it would be exhibiting ourselves to the
world as insincere in our desire to abolish the Trade.
If it was retained, all the trade of Cuba and i'ortn
Rico would be carried on by British capital before

eight years.
Sojeant ONSLOW said, that the Bill would be
but a solemn mockery without the clause. Ile would
rather abandon all our trade, it it were necessary,

ttiah omit-the clause.
Mr. MARRYATT said that the claim! would be
a great restriction on fair and inancent traders. It
woulit in fact be prohibiting all trade with the coin-
nies of all commies that had not abolished the Slave
Trade. Oar exports to the Colonies were 17 millions
per annum. Those to our West India Colonies are
only seven millions. Were we then prepared to give
up the remaining ten millions ? Was not a trade of
that amount necessary to support our naval superio-
rity ? Ile supported the amendment.
Sir J. MACKINTOSH said, that when we were
inviting all other countries to abolish this infamoos
, trade, we ought to take care to leave no room for a
suspicion of our insincerity. He did not know a' to
what should be the exact degree of punishment; but
assisting in any way towards the trade, should be
made a substantive crime.
Mr. MARRYATT explained.
Mr. DOUGLAS was of opinion that the means
*proposed by the Hon. Gentleman were not necessary
fer the complete abolition of the Slave Trade.
Mr. BARING replied, and contended that the
clause would not prevent the purchase of a single
slave. Tile trade would be carried on by others, as
lonq as all other countries were not pin out of the
pale of general traffic. As the clause 110 W stood, no
r in could lend any money even rn a bale, of sugar ;
and thus even the fair commerce of the country
would be interdicted, as it would prevent our nit.r-
chants from lending money on security under any
circumstances. •
Sir S. ROMILLY was of opinion that it would
he better to omit the clause altogether, than to suffer
it Po be thus amended, as ere planter had no object
in mortgaging his estates, but for the purpose of pro-
Slaves. Yet there were considerable objet.
tui3 to making this offence a felony. It ought to
be randdered as a high crime and misdemeanour,
and riniiidled accordingly. The punishment might
be that isf fine and imprisonment, but not that of
transportation, and the common informer might be
encouraged to bring qui law actions, which would
produce all the effect that could be desired.
Mr. W. SMITiI wrs in favour of the original
elan .e, as the greatest part of the goods sent out
item this country were disposed of witha view to an
immediate fano.
Mr. Nj AR R ATT repeated his opinion, that the
claii.c would abolish all ntercantile trade.
Mr. FOR BES was of a similar opinion.
Sir .1. NE WPOICV was against the amendment,
but thought, that as we had made great sacrifices
to abolish the Trade, floating property ought to Ic
protected.
Mr. BARHAM then consented to make his clause
extend only to those who lend money on " lands,
buildings, slaves, and growing crops." •
Mr. FINLAY thought the clause altogether un-
important for its object; he would therefore vote tor
the amendment.
Mr. WILBERFORCE was sure that some such
security as this niost be adapted to prevent the
traffic.
Atter a conversation between Mr. Wit nenronea,
Mr. FORBES, Sir SASllirl. Itterita.v, and Mr. BARING/
the I louse divided—Fur the Amendment 7—Against
it .52—Nfajoiity 45.
Mr. BA RHANI then proposed his amendment -al
the original Clause, to winch—
Mr. BARING objected, and propo,.c.l to amend
the Amendment, by leaving out t• glowing crops
and buildings."
Sir .1. MACKINTOSH was convinced that the
whole object of the Clause would be defeated if this
last Amendment were adopted.
Mr. MARRYATT supported it. If the measure
were carried without it, it would by none be so soon
and so seriously lamented as by Ministers.
Mr. BARHANI contended, that by his Amend-
ment he had met all the objections to the clause that
had been previously stated.
Mr. BARING then proposed to omit the word
" buildings," and leave that of " growing crops,"
which would be a great convenience to the commer-
cial interests, and not at all interfere ssith the object
of the clause.
After a few words from Mr. Serjeant ONSLOW and
Mr. FINLAY, the House divided on Mr. Bannta's
Amendment—
For it 11—Against it 49—Majority 38.

Sir J. MACKINTOSH moved an amendment to
the clause, providing that persons offending against
the Act should he treated as felons, which went to
enact that they should be punished by fine and im-
prisonment ; the fine in all cases to be three times
the amount cf the sum lent ; a moiety of it to go to
the King, and the other moiety to the informer, pro.
vided the information should be given within three
years after the commission of the offence.
On this clause a discussion took place, in which
Mr. BARING, Mr. Bartivitsr, and Mr. Serjeant ON.
now, participated it was finally agreed to.
On the clause respecting the mode in which offen.
dens under the Act were to be tried, being read—
Mr. BARING opposed it, as tending to endanger
the liberty of the subject, and as being at variance
with the principles of BT iti sh jurisprudence.
The Committee divided—For the Clause 33
Against. it 14—Majority W.
The House resumed, and the Report of the Bill
Was ordered to be received on Tuesday.
The other Orders of the Day were disposed of,
and the How adjourned.

INTERCEPTED LETTERS.

READ BY LORDCASTLEREAGII IN THE MUSE CIAINI1N:
(CONTINUED PROM OUR CAPER or vtartunat).
YEW! FJUCHE TO LONAPATITP.;
" Lucca, Fehrvoy IS, 1814.
" Siat —T have roceived the letter from the Minister at War.
transmitting to me the instructions of your Majesty hone, Trail,,;
the evacuation of the Roman States and of Too-toy. lantneAs.
ately after the receipt of that letter, I set out for Bologna, where
the King of Naples was. I experienced no (tactility 20. :„
Florence, hut, upon my arrival in that ti en, the new Auth..o.
ties signified to me that I could neither continue my roue,
remain at Florence, and that I trust go back a. tar as Prato, r,. to
to await the Answer of the King. I die.patchel a Cotirier
Prince, and am returned to Lucca, w:e.re I am in greater
than at Prato, winch is in a state of insurrection. I n ivr
what the King will he a!luwed to answer. The Ans,t:.•!: 1%.4
English Ministers rtyruach him with bring Frooch, a:: 1 ; .1'
hirly with tiring tot, althea at:ached to goer Mai•ote. rt. 4.
lotionists, who govern Florence just row, ast,vrt loath; .; tl•
King of Naples Ita, an tnrierstaudirs with ter Fruit:, a. . t• ,•
he deceives the Italians. llizy attribute to te... :its it,
actiou of thy N. iisoTttaii troops, which the Al: e, ;
march the Vice-Roy .it the 1,10:11vitt ~•.
being attacked by Genera'. Bell,eartic. r •
grief. He now thoroughly feels ve ohs? a ri: or IN .
It it diffezul: lor me to make my Ark,. •••• .• al.s. I; t:
were as much hnnness in his character L :••,.: aalitier
heart, be would be sti (sager in Italy than the
(c "I he 11-ite u: co •
EXTRACT FROM rtr.: coinnitsroNnuNcn or alit. c0...A.A„,
KINGDOM 01; ITALY.
LETTER FROA TilE CaNittil. AT ANCONA (;% DviL
AND sUI'P.4,ED TO EE 1•it(J1
" The Creosol had occasion to set. the --
count of his passports. The 1:41owl.:an is tae
convertattua he had with him. Nec,,,ity '
has °hiked tne to unite with ; the t:••
coats ut my kinzalora esposed t!!i in . , • t
WA. '1 heir morainie soerieth, A...: their :.at • ;
known. Who se..old lvtve ..leboad..d nay king.l•on, i• .: I c.tra
my army beyond ti.e I'o' 4t woo:3 1. t
able for sae to make it leave the Mug !UM. U•:::
my people were di• c-ntent i.i can ere:race 0: t:..: • :
commerce, which Free:its:l dent iron% ,
Of the ;it wouti been /.31 for the ,: r .
duced them, to the sole de•trin. owe,. f „• ,
" On the other hand, Pli 8•.. 1411 VV04.8.).1 blV•• I) .7:
had I not acceele :to the pro} a as %Lick tit: /Ail.. • .1
indemnifying myself oar I'y the couoi •
Po, w!oeti his Majesty the ••f I
to renouace by to, terse of
intention., were so mu•-th the purer o:. • 1.-
that his army war never to f.,,,h• : it •
recollect constantly that lie war I • '.."
be would not forget all he n‘\ e.I to h.- 111.0,11,,.
He desired the Consul t', re ~•
functions, assuring him th in •:. •
sitter he was not at war with I 1:o. . ,
that it tai for him to make any e;•*;e;:".:..
" On their arrival at Ancona, the N.
all the Lalian arms taken dasveti. The 148113 cl ::..:ite,
the Con,urs house, were ft34ICCtC4I."
EU LIEN E TO N A rot. clx.
Fula, F bruary r. 3 181 t
" Star—t have the honour to adlress to your V..ojoay i!.
e' The King of Naples, who appeared inchn to match
turn of your army of Italy up to the 18:11 of Ths 411.„0.
against us, and to yield to the solteitat•oto of the Austr Aas,
patt,ed as 110011 El he became acquainted will y tar NI ojeioy's ore
victories of the 10th, 11th. and 12th. He ha 4 not y, t r.
the ratification of Ws Treaty the evening before arse. I t.., r-horc
hope that he will not add to the wrongs of which :ac h ' (C 3
guilty towards your Majesty, by firing upon your troops.
with respect, Sire, &c. (`lzned) " zeroes NAPOLI
TO TIIE KiNti OP MAPLE!.
" I say nothing to you of my displeasure at yt.4r ennduc•
has been diarnioncolly opposite to your duty. 1 bat wt-vi r
hogs to the weakne4s of your naive. You aft a geocivaldier
the field of battle, but, excepting there, you have no vig• ur, aLd
no character. fake advantage of an act of treachery, which
only attribute to fear, in order to serve me by good nter.igerece.
I rely upon you, upon your contrition, upon
.irier prentias.—
If it ware re her wise, recollect that you would halm to repent i:.
I suppese that you are not one of those who imagine that the
Lien Is dead, and that be :nay be upon peen test lai 'kisser
ank,). If such are your calculations, they are false. I defeated
the Austria!!s yes:or•tay. and I am in pursuit of the remnant of
their columns. Anether suds victory, and you will see that my
atFa ri are not so desperate as you have been led to bel.eve
" Ye:: have done me all the harm that you could since yol-
ilawr ure from %Vilna, but we eta! ray uo more about it the
title of King hummed your brain. It you wbb to preserve it.
behave well, and ie.-, per wore
TO THE /CNC OF NAPLES. " Marc% 1%
"'Silt, MT 8R0T111R..4 have already communicated to y,t
my opinion of your conduct. Y:irr situation had se: you bus.!.
yourself—my reverses have conipletely turned your limn. Vi
have called around you men who lave Franee,god who des's. •
ruin you. l formaly gave you usefia warnings. What you wri.e
to me it at variance with your actions. I shall, hawever, see
yaur manner of acting at Ancona if your heart 1* still French,
and it if is to necessity alone that you yirll. I write to my W:.
Minister, fu order to set him at ease with rezard to your cor.-
duct. Recollect that your kingdom, which his cast so slack
blood and trouble to France, 'is yorrs only for the berefi: at
those who gave ft you.' It Is needless to send me an ane.v.o
less you have something important to conimonicate. itenvouVr
that I made you a King solely for th: intcrest of my system. to
nut deceive yourself. If you should cc ase to he a Frenchrml
you would he nothing to me. Continue to correipond with at.
Viceroy , taking care that your letters be not intercepted.

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