Star.
London, England, 1811-05-15 00:00:00

had no doubt if the measure were left to 'itself, it
would be adopted to a considerable extent. One ef-
fect, however, it the measure was carried, must be
expected from it, namely. that _all Gentlemen of
landed property would in a short time withdraw them-
selves from the Militia. The Hon. Gentleman, how-
ever, declared himself not hostile to the measure,
though he should closely observe, in the progress of
the Bill, the regulations as respected the Catholic sol-
dier attending his religious worship.
Sir J. NEWPORT thought the circumstance last
alluded to by his Hon. Friend (Mr. Whitbread),
should be defined clearly, previous to passing the Bill.
General TA RLETON supported the measure, as
did Colonel BASTA RD.
The question was then put and agreed to, and Mr.
Secretary R YDER, &c. were ordered to prepare and
bring in a Bill accordingly.
Mr. MAR RYA TT moved for sundry papers, re-
lative to the present form of Government and Admi
nistration of Justice in the Island of Trinidad.—
Ordered.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
said, he had not opposed the production of the papers
just moved for, though lie considered the motion as
impolitic ; it would be necessary, however, that ano-
ther document should be before the House, namely,
the Petition of the Free Inhabitants of Colour on the
Island, against the extension of the Laws of this
Country to that Island. He would move for that
document, and when the Hon. Gentleman had com-
pared it with those he had already moved ter, it would
be for him to determine whether he would bring his
proposed motion forward—The paper moved for was
then ordered.
Mr. MARRYAT moved for several Papers rela-
tive to the Island of Trinidad ; the object of which
was to shew that the British Constitution had not been
extended to that Island. Ordered.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
said, he felt it necessary to move for other papers,
that should contradict the documents moved for by
the Hon. Gentleman. These were the petitions from
the inhabitants of colour against any plan of altering
the ancient Constitution of that island. Ordered.
Mr. LUSHINGTON brought up the Report of
the Committee on the Bullion Report ; and, on the
euestion for agreeing to the Resolutions voted on the
preceding day,
Mr. G. JOHNSTONE observed, that in pointing
out the great depreciation of paper, Gentlemen had
not taken notice of the great quantity of country bank
notes in circulation. He believed the amount of the
country circulation for some years past was between
20 and 30 millions. These notes must have added
to the general currency of the kingdom, so that the
whole effective currency of the kingdom was not far
short of .50 millions. The amount ought, on a fair
calculation, to be taken at 43 millions, and this was a
sum far greater than what the calculation had been
some years ago. He was perfectly confident that the
depreciation of our currency was die result of an over
isiue, and not of any circumstances arising out of our
trade. Therefore, something was necessary to be
done. But he knew that it was impossible to fix on
any time for the resumption of payments in cash.
He thought some measure might be adopted which
might diminish the Bank circulation, and thus dimi-
nish the country circulation. It was evident that
paper could never be a substitute for gold,and silver.
The history of the world proved that whenever, in
any country, a substitute was adopted for gold and
silver circulation, a depreciation went on gradually,
until at last the nation became bankrupt. The boasted
stability of the Bank of England could not be an ex-
ception to this general observation ' • because the Bank
of England was identified with the Government ; and
its currency must, to all intents and purposes, be con-
sidered as government currency. In opposition to
those who said that the present system was necessary
to enable us to carry on the war, he would contend
that it tended every year to weaken our resources, and
diminish our means of contending against the enemy.
Mr. FULLER—" Sir, in my opinion there has not
been a greater humbug brought under the consideration
of Parliament, since the celebrated affair relating to
the Duke of York, than the business now before you.
There is no such thing, Sir, as a depreciation of paper
currency ; and the idea has been brought forward by
a malignant set, who take a pleasure in undervaluing
the resources of the country. I say there is no depre-
ciation ; for no man who is to receive a debt of £5O
will refuse to take £5O worth of notes in payment.—
The gold has risen in price—.let the price of the guinea
be raised in proportion, and then the Bank-note will
have its true value, and then the hoarders of guineas
will soon bolt them out—(Aloud laugh)—and all com-
plaints will be removed. As to the people of the coun-
try, they are fully satisfied with the system as it now
exists—they will take paper; they will take any thing;
aye, they will take tallow candle: (a laugh) in lieu of
gold. I am sorry I do not now see in his place a Right
Hon. Geatlernan (Mr. Sheridan) who, on former oc-
easions, distinguished himself by his opposition to fac-
tious and mischievous designs against the safety of the
untre ; whose spirited and patriotic conduct at the
time when a mutiny prevailed through our fleet, contri.
buted to put a stop to it : lam sorry he is nothere now,
for if he was, I am sure he would nobly and manfully
oppose this d.uk and underhand attack that has been
made against the credit of the country. As to the
present system of credit, there is no fear of it. It will
go on, and it shall go on. We will shew our ene-
mies that we can circulate any thing, and that if we
e!tuse we may make oyster-shells pass for money !
(A loud laugh.) It is by keeping up such a system
as now exists in the country, that we shall be able to
keep Bonaparte at bay, and very soon put him under
Oar lett. I ion sorry that so many nights have been
waste] here in debating on, the business ; that there
has been such haranguing, such struggling and meat.
Nsi all to nu put pose. I hope it will now be put an
eld to, and that it at last may turn out to be no more
Ca the nonsensical quarrel which took place last
year, Sir, between you and myself !"
Mr. C. ADAMS argued against the conclusions
Contained in the Report of the Committee ; and ex-
pressed himself hostile to the Resolutions originally
proposed by Mr. Homer.
Mr. Ti-iONIPSON thought there was nothing ex-
traordinary that the rate of exchange should be Against
us, or that the Bullion should leave the country, con-
sidering the extraordinary and unnatural state of the
affairs of the Continent. But any man pleased with
toe successes which our arms have lately met with
ataJa.l, must expect th4t this unatural state of things

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