Star.
London, England, 1820-06-17 00:00:00

RELIEF TO IRELAND.

The CHANCELLOR oldie EXCHEQUER rose
and stated, that it was his intention to submit to the
House certain papers which he held in his hand for
the purpose of calling their attention to them in a
Committee of the whole Hense. These papers were
connected with the distressed state of Ireland, and
it was his intention to propose such a remedy for
that distress as Parliament could apply (Hear, hear).
When, upon a former evening, a question was put
to him with respect to the intentions of Government
towards Ireland, he replied that it was not then in
his power to make any proposition upon the subject.
But since that time, tiom inquiries uhich he had
made, and from the more urgent solicitations for re-
lief which had been forwarded to Government, he
did not think he ought any longer to delay.bringing
the case before Parliament. It was his duty to state,
that the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland had already ad-
vanced a sum to meet the immediate exigency of
the case, fully relying upon the nature of the cir-
cumstances as sufficient to warrant the expectation
that Parliament would sanction the measure he had
adopted. It would be recollected, that in 1817 a
Bill passed the House, authorising the Commissioners
of Public Works in Ireland to appropriate a sumvf
£250,000 to the execution of new public works, the
ultimate object of that 11 being to afford employ-'
ment 'to the lower classes, who were then exceed-
ingly distressed. Of that sum the half still remained
unexpended, and when application had been made
to the Lord Lieutenant for relief; under the severe
calamities which had recently occurred in the South
of Ireland, his Excellency, with the advice and ap-
probation of the Commissioners, agreed, upon re-
ceiving sufficient security, to order £lOO,OOO to be
issued for the support of the commercial credit of
the country. The object of his (the Chancellor of
the -Exchequer's) measure would be, not only to
sanction•that advance, but to authorize the Lord
Lieutenant to make such further advances as might
be found necessary, even to the extent of half a
million—(Hear,hear).—Whatever reluctance might
be felt, in the present state of the country, to In-
crease the amount of the year's supplies, still it was
necessary, if relief were to be administered at all,
that it should be as effectual as possible. He con-
cluded with moving, " That the • papers which he
now presented be referred to a Committee of the
whole House."—The question was put and carried.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then
moved, " That the House should resolve itself into
the said Committee to-morrow."

A short conversation took place across the table,
between Mr. TIERNEY and the CHANCELLOR of the
EXCHEQUER, the result of which was, that the Right
Hon. Gentleman altered bis motion, and moved,
" That the House do now resolve itself into the said
Committee."—The question was put and carried.
The SPEAICER having left the Chair, the CHANCEL-
Loa of .the EXCREQUta presented the papers to the
Chairman, and they were read by. the Clerk.
The fent paper was a letter signed Isaac Jones, dated Cork,

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1/4,lll9.4llooreaaddrsessa to his Eseelinaey,lite Lavti-liini.l
MOM et aria& It shortly stated -the Allure Of t*llt two
Deabriattbut City, and the nalamitous- comitsences tilt had
ffitiv
Oado naffirayed the atatotibn of the Cainstdttee to the Pe-
L..,
tildtbnlcompanied the letter. v
nilas,Tb""itaand'ipsinciPepraiwinahsabthitiabe Petklor Cotittlf the,
to the Lordrand
LkuCmr"-te-
nantheyt.welret stated,under thatenta twoswehmeennttino Enke
pubscs allutdoedtht: had failed,
X 580,000; that in consemience there was no- cieculating me-
dium in that part of &coot:wry ; that the losses which had been
generally incurred, and the total stoppage of the circulation,
amount of
would be attended with the deepest calamides to that part of.
Ireland, if some relief was not imtnediately administered ; that
private individuals were Unwilling or unable to afford that re-
lief, and that the only hope of the' Petitioners was reposed in
the Govivnnasit. They trusted that am* pecuniary idvauce
would be made, for which sufficient security would be given.
This, they concluded, was the only means by which confide:tee
could be restored, and commercial credit sustained,
The third paper was a letter from Mr. Gregory in reply to the
above, in which he stated, that his Excellency the Lord Lieu-
tenant had determined to comply with the prayer of the Peti-
tion, and, with the advice and approbation of the Commis-
sioners Of Public Works, had ordered the sum of £lOO,OOO to
be issued front the Treasury for the puripse mentioned.
The-CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER rose
and said, that as soon as these papers had been plaCed
in his hands, he thought it his duty to lose as little
time as possible in bringing them under the consi-
deration of Parliament. It was now his object to
make such a motion as would in the first place sanc-
tion the advance made by the Lord Lieutenant ; and
in the 4iext place, to place at his disposal such an
additilmal sum as would effectually promote the ob-
ject in view. There was a strong analogy between
themaasure which be now intended to propose, and
that which Lad been carried into effect by
.Nlr. Pitt
in 1793, in this country. The successive failures of
several Country Banks at that time, had so materi-
ally diminished the circulating medium in the inte-
rior of the country, that fears were justly entertained
that the number of failures would go on increasing
if some relief were not afforded. Mr. Pitt then ap-
plied to Parliament, and assistance to a considerable
amount was afforded, and with se much success was
the measure attended that the evil was completely
remedied. One of the consequences of the measure
Much was now about to be proposed, would be to
increase the circulation of the notes of the National
Bank. A guarantee would be given to the Commis-
sioners for the repayment of the money advanced,
with the usual interest, but before the measures should
be completed, it would be necessary to have a com-
munication with the Lord Lieutenant, which, he
feared, would be attended with some little delay.
—The immediate effect of the vote which he should
propose, would be to spew to those who wished to
alarm and agitate that country, that Parliament had
not lost sight of its real interests, and that the House
was prepared to pay every attention to those in.
terests when it had the power of relieving them—
(Hear). The Right Hon. Gentleman concluded,
amidst cheers from all sides of the House, with
moving-4, That whatever sum or sums, not exceed-
ing, on the whole, £500,000 have been, or may be
advanced by the Lord Lieutenant of-Ireland to such
firms as have given sufficient security for the repay-
ment of the same, at the usual interest of 5 per cent.
shall be -made good by the House."
Dr. LUSHINGTON recommended to the House,
and to the Right Honourable Gentleman, not to lose
sight of general principles in agreeing to a measure
of this nature. He thought the present measure was
distinguishable from that which had been carried
into effect by Mr. Fitt, in 1793. Assistance was af-
forded then, not because Banks had failed, but be-
cause many were in danger of failing, unless some
assistance was given them. The embarrassments
under which the Banks at that time laboured, arose
from causes which they could not have foreseen.
But in the-present case, the Right Honourable Gen-
tleman did not state what were the circumstances
that led to the failures in Ireland. He protested
against grants upon the mere general ground of dis-
tress; for if that were once admitted as a-sufficient
claim on the assistance of the House, they would soon
have numberless petitions for pecuniary relief from
Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, and other districts,
which suffered under the severest distress. The Right
Honourable Gentleman did not state any peculiarity
in this case which was to distinguish it from other
claims of a similar nature: The real fact was, that
the Banks which had failed had been induced to
overtrade--(Hear, hear!)—They extended their issues
beyond their capitals; their speculations were frus-
trated, and when the day of reckoning came, they
were found unable to answer their engagements—.
(Hear, hear!)—He would not, however, oppose the
grant; because, though little acquainted with the
state of Ireland, he knew enough of it to believe that
the most urgent distress prevailed among the lower
classes in that country, and that unless some assist-
ance was afforded, the most complete misery would
be the consequence. It was on this account that he
gave a reluctant consent to the motion.
Sir GEORGE HILL admitted that the present
distress ih Ireland was in some measure caused by
overtrading ; but even so, circumstances might occur
which might fairly entitle the persons embarrassed
to the attention of Parliament. But that was not the
only point to be considered : there were, in fact, many
solvent houses, which, on account of the sudden di-
minution in the circulating medium, were involved
in embarrassments, which they could ultimately sur-
mount, if they were assisted by the House.
- Lord ARCHIBALD HAMILTON said, that the
present calamities were caused by the system of pa-
per circulation, which, be contended, was_a_system
of false credit; and one in which the country could
not long persevere.
Mr. GRENFELL observed, that his Honourable
and Learned Friend had argued the question as if it
was the intention of the Right Honourable Gentle-
man to relieve the Bankers only. But, if he under-
stood the motion right, it Was meant to relieve not
the Bankers, but the whole country, which was now
suffering from the imprudence or misconduct of those
Bankers--(Hear, hear!)—He agreed with his Noble
Friend, in attributing the present crisis to that system
of paper currency wliicb wah established thirty years
ago; but it had its own cure within it, and he be-
lieved that it was hastening to its termination. He,
thought the Right Honourable Gentleman had stated
that some communication with the Lord. Lieutenant
would be necessary; before the measure intended
could be completed. For his part, he was strongly
inclined to wish that as'little delay should be inter-
posed as was possible, and he feared that the smallest
delay would do away the whole benefit of the mea-
iare--(ffaar, heat).--Itt object, after all, was only to

educe the Bank of Ireland to advance money, os
such security as they could -find eligible, and he
thought that any the smallest delay ought to be
avoiVed—(Hear, hear!)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in
explaitaiion, said, that the Honourable Member who
had just sat down had rightly explained the object of
his. motion, which was, to rel levy . the 'country, in its
present distress, from whatever cause it proceeded.
He also admitted that no delay ought to occur.
Mr. FOSTER said, that heaconceived tile object of
the motion'to be, to prevent the further progress of
the'eVil, WhiCh was now rapidly extending, and to
meet it is all its ramificatiOns. The case was
Several houses were in possession of property, which
they could not negotiate,. nor soon convert irto a
medium of circulation. The object of the motion'
was not to encourage over-speculation, but the con-
trary. He agreed that it was essential to the success
of the measure that no delay should occur in its nue--
ration. The effect t:pf the friiureof the Rank in D:11)-
lin would be, to bring down inevitablerain on man 7
establishment*, unless they Were upheld by Pa:'!ia,
ment. A run was made, in consequence of it, on
'several of the other Dublin-Banks; and though they
had stood that run, and would be able to stand any
run which might be made upon them, still it would
undoubtedly ocesion' them' much dAcxlty.
thought,
,every possibie_assistance ought to he af-
forded, and with all the expedition which the forms
of Parliament would permit.

Mr. C. GRANT said, that the motion of his Right
Hon. Friend was one which &set:seed to meet the
unanimous approbation of the Ffouse. The Honour-
able and Learned Gentleman opposite did not cor-
rectly state the object of the motion, which he de-
scribed as peing meant to relieve merely the 13ankci-s.
It was necessary to look to the extent of the mischief,
and to dread its diffusion, unless some means were
taken to prevent it. The distress t% hich was felt, the
that
great
try
it was
indeednthe ,
laonsdse smwohsitc
hhewa
retri el), it scd
iudr rheed
is%
he e
the
ePnatrstaff
Parliament to to aifflce4rdonilnyunieoddie, atehroeieevfetto ail
w
necessarily circuitous, and attended with delay. If it
ilienlrinciifuman legislation could afford that relief was c
was possible that the House could do it at once, he
was sure it would be voted by acclamation—(Hear,
hear).—Unhappily it was not in their power tb con-
sfAi or alleviate the miseries of those who were deeply
suffering. It was impossible for him to pass orzr
this question without adverting to the patience, the
temper, and tranquillity with which those calamities
were borne throughout the country—Wear, hear)._
Although the evils which had occurred pressed with
peculiar weight upon the lower classes of the people,
and though these evils were naturally to them the
source of indescribable misery, still no instance had
occurred where any improper means had .been re-
sorted to for the purpose of removing them—(ficar,
hear).—He trusted that this would be felt as an ad-
ditional ground for recommending them to the pro-
tection of Parliament—(f/ear, hear).—With fegard
to the delay _ which was feared by the Honourable
Gentleman opposite, he would remind the House,
that the one hundred thousand pounds which had
been advanced by the Lord Lieutenant was already
at work under the confident expectation that the
measure would receive the sanction of Parliament,
and therefore if .any delay were necessary, it could
not be so detrimental as had been thought.
Mr. VESEY FITZGERALD said, that great ad-
vantage would undoubtedly' be derived from the
money which was proposed to be advanced; hut he
expected a still more extensive and permanent benefit
from the moral effect which the grant of itself would
produce. When the country saw that such a measure
was approved of by Parliament, apprehensions would
be diminished, and that would immediately contri-
bute to the security of commercial credit—(Hear,
hear).—He would have been tempted to observe at
some length upon the arguments which-had induced
the Learned Gentleman opposite (Dr. Lushington) to
give only a reluctant consent to this motion, if those
arguments had not already been sufficiently answered.
He would say, however; that if drat Honourable and.
Learned Gentlemln had exhibited to his mind the
picture of the miseries which the. people of Ireland
were suffering, and of the Mild, patient, and forbear-
ing temper with which they bore up against all their
misfortunes, his consent to this motion Would neither
have been cold nor reluctant !—(Hear, hear).—Ha:
would only add, that if it were: possible, and consist-
ent with the duty of his Right Hon. Friend, he would
suggest the expediency of communicating the vote
of the House this night to the Lord Lieutenant with
as much eXpedition as he could use. It would pro-
duce a most useful moral effect in the country, if it
were known there that the House had agreed to
afford relief to the extent of half a million. He had
no doubt it would tend to prevint, in a very ger at
degree, the necessity for the application of those very
moans of assistance which were now proposed.
Mr. C. GRANT thought it right to inform the
House, that he had this day written to the Lord
Lieutenant, by post ; and he expressed hit confidence
that Parliament; upon a proposition being shade,
would take such measures as would effectually relieve
the distresses of the country:
Mr. W. PARNELL supported the Resolution.
Lord CASTLEREAGH was happy that this oc-
casion would furnish him with an opportunity of
congratulating his country on the feeling which its
distresses had raised in every part of the House—
Wear, hear).—Never was the participation of the
House, in the distresses of that country, so strongly
marked as on the present occasion—(Hear, hear).—
He had always ventured to assure his countrymen,
that if any question arose where the disposition of
the House could influence their decision, it would
be seen that that disposition was one of partiality ,o'
Ireland—(Hear, hear).—The House, by the manner
in which it received the proposition which was made
this evening, had given the strongest testimony of
its sympathy In her sufferings—(Hear, hear).—He
trusted that this measure would be found to be one
of great practical effect.
Mr. KIRKMAN FINLAY approved of the mea-
sure in the strongest terms, and referred to the year
1812, when similar assistancelatf been given to Scot-
land.—The question was then put andcarried with-
out a dissenting voice.- Thellonseresumed,.and the
Report was ordered to be received. to-Morrow.
COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY.
Upon the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the

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