The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-03-19 00:00:00

THE ST ALTESNA

TEE SLAVE TRADE.
Mr. Secretary CANNING laid on the table papers
which, be stated, contained the additional Articles to the
Treaties entered into by hie Majesty with some of the
Foreign Powers, and which were alluded to in his Ma-
jesty's Speech in the opening of the Session, for the more
effectually suppressing the Slave Trade. These were
two Articles between this country and the Netherlands ;
end he would shortly state the substance of them. In
the captures which were made by our cruizera of cargoes
tt different times, it found the whole oj object of
h capture had beenwas defeated,that in consequence of the
cargo being at one time relantled, at another time re-
shipped, an 4 son times, he was afraid, disposed of in a
manner too horrible to be stated, unless upon the ground
of actual proof, so as to leave no evidence against the
vessel, and, of course, impunity was the consequence.
She first Article between this country and the Nether-
lands, therefore, provided that the presence of a single
slave on board shouldt be considered as equivalent to a.
full cargo, in establishing the illegal act. To this Arti-
cle he was hippy to state that Spain had also agreed,
though the ratifications were not as yet exchanged be-
tween the two countries. The second Article was intend-
ed to supply a defect that would still have existed after
the first Article hail been agreed to. Cases might occur
where there would be wanting positive oral testimony of
a slave having been on board, and yet, in the fitting up
of the ship, such inrlications might present themselves as
would leave no moral doubt that it was intended for the
service of the Slave Trade, The second Article accord-
ingly provided, that the specific fitting up of a vessel for
tee purpose of carrying slaves shall be evidence of its
being egg tired in that illegal commerce. To this Arti-
cle the Government of the Netherlands had, ae he alrea-
dy stated, assented. The Spanish Government had not,
as yet, yielded their concurrence ; nor was he encouraged
to hope that it would be bestowed at present. He was
sorry to be compelled to add, tt•at to neither of these
Aticles a% yt, though no pains been spared ro-
curre it, did thee Portuguese Government give theirto sapnc-
tion—(ilear).
WAR DIITWEEN FRANCE AND SPAIN.
Rir J. MACINTOSH said that he could not forbear
taking etlysnt.ge of the first mo ment ,f
the re-appear-
ance of his Right Hun. Friend (Mr. Canning) in the
lions-, to make an inquiry upon a subject of the deepest
interest, the delay which had been recently allowed to
ta tie place in bringing forward this topic before thc
Mouse, having been partly occasioned by the unforta-,
nate indisposition of his Right Hon Friend; and no man;
in the country mitre sincerely lamented that it should
have visited him at such a moment; it would not bcoo-1,
deep-
estdercd, he hoped, as a proof of the absence of the
e anxiety. Neither that, h.: could assure the noose,
*or the long previous forb araoce even to total silence of
Nimrelf, and those friends with whom he was in the
habit of acting, arose from the want of the strongest
sensibility on the subject, but from an anxious solicitude
not to embarrass negociations which were canted on, i
under the weight of a greater burden of moral relson-1
sibility than it ever was the lot of any fornaw Ministers
to encontrer—negociations upon the issue of which de- II
pet ded the peace of Europe, and the averting of
that threatened danger to the dominions of Great firi-
tain. trusted that it would appear that this Govern.,
meat bad corducted those negociattons on the principle'
of national indet.endence—on the principle of the ba-
. lance of pooer. the best security of that independence—
on a religions regard to the faith of treaties—on a deter-
mination to give safety to these Allies %thou, we were
howl to assist—in a word, upon those good old maxims
ssf Englielt Government, which made the reign of Eliza-
heth illustrious, and the absence of which was so detri-
mental to the national interest and hor oar du ing the in-
glorious sway of the Stuarts. lie would t,IIM ask his
Right lion. 'Friers I, was there any r: assn to hope that
trtis Government would prevent, by negaciations, the
aggression cf France upon Spain. Stioald his Right
lion. Fri .nd answer in the negative, he should then ask
if he would have any objection to lay the
_papers con-
ne:•te,l with this negociation before the House, and
when the ti tall'" for laying those papers on the table,
lie hoped that sufficient time would be given for the fall
consideration of their contents; in order that a questioa
of so witch importance might not be injured by prejudice
or orecipitancy.
Air. Secretary CANNING rose and 'puke to the
and
fol-
lowing effect :—" I am fax from blaming my lion.
Learned Friend for having put a question of this nature
to me, which; rio doubt; *is id his competency, and that
of any Hon. Member in the House to do, toad v, hich bad

been forborne on a principle of good policy foe a con.
siderable period, and latterly, from a courtesy wlkiilt I 10
bound to acknowledge. I can have no hesitation in an-
swering the inquiry of my Hon. and Learned friend. As
to his preliminary observations with respect to the part
which our Government, has acted during these negocia-
tions, I have only to say, that when the conduct of Go-
vernment, during as awful and difficult a crisis, as my
Hon. Friend has truly observed, as ever any former Mi-
platers were engaged in, shall come to be decided upon,,
1 shall desire for myself, at least, that that conduct may
;be judged according to no other standard than that
which my Hon. Friend has laid down—by those prima7
ples which sanction the sacred independence of nations
—by the balance of power in Eyrope—by a reference
to the faith of treaties, and all the obligations both posi•
tive and constructive, which they impose ; and further,
by what, as a British Minister, I must say, ought to con-
stitute a paramount object in all British Councils—an
attention, not only to the interests, but the honour and
' sta,ion of this country.—(Cheers.) I proceed then to
'say, actuated by the same spirit of frankness, which I
.trust will be found to have marked the former cominnai-
cations of the Members of his Majesty's Government on
this subject—l say that 1 should most deeply deceive the
Mouse and the country, if I did not state, unequivocally,
'that the hopes or averting war between France and Spain,
by an amicable adjustment, if not totally extinguished,
are, at least, so far diminished, as to leave no longer any
reasonable expectation of peace. Under these circuor
'stances I was prepared to state, bad I not been calletfon
by the question of my Hon. and Learned Friend, that on
the first open day after the recess, unless something should I
interpose to vary entirely the views which we now enter-
I
lain of the state of affairs in Europe, it is our intention
to recommend to his Majesty, to communicate by Ines-age,
information respecting all the transactions which took
place during the late negociations. In reference to an-
other branch of my Hon, awl Learned Friend's inquiry,
1 have to add, that in laying these papers before the
House, it will be my duty to ask the concurrence of the
House, merely as a mater of form, to a statement of the
principles and policy of this Government, without going
to the extent of calling for any opinion. I cannot con-
clude my observations upon this subject, without stating,
that however we may despond about the practicability of
averting an appeal to arms on the part of the Govern-
ments of other countries amongst each other, we do not
see in present circumstances, any thing specific wh
heer-
ich
would invoke this country in hostilities. ((O c

log.)
Mr. BUXTON expressed Feat satisfaction at the rati-
fication of two such important articles as those now on
the table, for the suppression of the Slave Trade.
THE LATE EARL ET. VINCENT.
Lord ALTHORPE said that the question which he
had postponed on a former night at the request of his Rt.
Honourable Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. he
wished now to renew, and trusted that the answer would
Im„such as to giro general satisfaction. His inquiry had
immediate reference to the late Earl St. Vincent, whose
services and venerable character required no eulogy from
him to recommend them to the esteem of his cointrymen.
He wished then to know if it was intended, on the part of
Ministers, to propose that a monument should tis erected
to the memory of that illustrious officer. Lord Howe, Lord
Rodney, and Lord Collingwood had similar honours be-
stowed on them, though the memory of Lord Duncan was
still without that distinguished tribute.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
he had very singular pleasure in answering the questions
of his Noble Friend, in such a manger as he was sure would
give general gratification. One of the first thiags that
occurred to his mind after the death of that great man, was
the consideration whether or not. it would be advisable to
call on Parliament to agree to an address to his Majesty
for some mark of hohour to be conferred on his memory.—
He had no hesitation in expressing his readiness to sub-
mit such an Address, vent it would only be in conformity
with the course which had been adopted In the case of
Lord Rodney, Lord ilowe. and Lord Collingwood. It was
with shame and regret that he was obliged to giantess that
no such motion had yet been made for that Orin guished
officer, Lord Duncan, and he was sure it would he only
Conferring an honour on the name of Earl St. Vincent, if
. it were coupled with the name of that talented officr, in
tai th
ht
e
Address to the Throne. that at least tardy justice g
be done to the one, and that honour which the country ex-
pected conferred upon the other.
FOPLIEN ENLISTMENT BILL.
Sir R. WILSON wished to take that opportunity of
asking the Noble Lord (Althorpe) whether it was his in-
tention to persevere in the notice he had given of the re-
peal of the Foreign Enlistment Bill; and if so, on what
day he meant to bring it forward.
Lord ALTIIORPE said, that he had not abandoned his
intention to bring It forward. He would move for its re-
peal on the first open day after the recess.
The papers were then laid on the table.
Mr. HUME wished to learn, from the Right Honourable
Gentleman opposite, if it was his intention to bring for-
ward any measure relative to the regulation of Coustils.
Mr. ItUSKISSON said that, during the short timer e
had the honour of holding his situation, he had gin
every attention to the subject, in order to discover some
general regulation by which a fixed fund might be esta-
blished for the payment of Consuls. The Hon. Gentleman
was aware that this was a matter of some difficulty, and
he assured him that he should lose no time in placing be-
fore tke House a measure which he hoped would be satis-
factory.
Sir J. MACINTOSH presented a petition from Hugh
Campbell, sratine that he had a good cause of action in
one of the Courts of Weitininster against the Earl of
Belfast ; that the evidence of tso witnesses, Members of
that House (Dr. Phillilnore an! Mr. Peel) were necessary
to substantiate his case, but that, in the case of Cochrane
v. Johnstone, an order of the Kum was made, exempt-
ing Mtmbers of the House of Commons from the legal
consequences of not attending; and praying the House
that this order should be dispensed with, and the two
Members above mentioned b.: allowed to attend.—The
petition was laid ou the table.
INSOLVENT DEBTORS. ACT.
Mr. DENISON presented a petition from the Inhabit-
ants of Chester:on, cour ry of Surrey, against the Insod
vent Debtors' Act.
Mr. MONCK presented a similar petition from the
neighbourhood of Reading.
Mr. Herr:es appeared at the bar with several Accounts
from the Treasury Office.
Lord ALTHORPE gave notice that he would move for
a Repeal of the Foreign Enlistment Bill on Wednesday,
the 16th of April.
Mr. SY KES moved for a Return of the Amount of
Excise Duty paid on Tallow Candles, from 1519 up to
,522.—Agreed to.

THZ ROYAL DONATION.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
in submitting a motion to the House respecting that mu-
nificent gift which his Majesty lately made to the public,
be would not detain them long ; because it would only give
great prejudice to the grace and liberality of a tran•saction
Bich he was sure there was not one in the House_ or in
the country who would not consider it bat pith feelings
of the steepest interest. If there were any persons wilts
thought there was no connexion between the literature
nod well-being of a country, to them such Y gift, or the
possession of so valuable a library, would be productive
of little interest ; but by those who had taken a snore en-
larged view of the subject, and were prr.uAtied of the
grvat and close connexion which existed between the lite-
rature and morals of a country, and that thee was some-
thing congenial between the love of literature and ihelove
of liberty, such a gift would be viewed nut nithout feel-
ings of interest and pleasure. 'Theis library was collected
by the venerable father of his Majesty during a long life,
though at an early period he sus oppressed with cares
which precluded him from apply' rg himself to objects of
this kind. The public were Slier:fere deeply indebted to

Os Se Bletiesty, wbo, from the moment he ascended the
amine, tetbe:melatiqboly period at which heysas depriv-
*a of-the Means of pursuing any object for himself or the
gond of 1084000 e. was actuated by a sincere and. zealous
feeling in roaming the happiness of his subjects. If his
Ia le 11P,Ifftly, had apulied himself to the laudable pursuit,
it remained to his illustrious successor, with that acknow-
"Tidied taste and polished understanding which distiti-
, puished him, and with a munificence rarely met with,
when possessed of so valuable. a library, the acquisition of
so long a life, to apply himself in seeing bow his people
might derive the greatest benefit from it. If his Majesty
consulted thn gratification of,hie own taste or pleasure,
he would have kept so valuable a collection in his own
bawls, and have enriched and adorned his own palace and
that of his successors with it ; but his Majesty consulting
more the good of his people than hie own gratilicatiOn;
felt that he should confer more benefit on them, iLinstead
of keeping this library in his own possession, lie placed it
at their disposal.—(Hear, hear.) His Majesty therefore
proposed that it should be so far placed at the disposal of
the public, as to make it necessary for him to suggest the
best mode of appropriating it to that purpose. He (Mr.
K.) thought therefore that,- under all the circumstances,
there would be nothing better than to consign the custody
of so valuable a library to the British Museum. However,
there was another desirable object, and which had been
suggested by his Majesty himself, that the library should
be-kept distinct and tuseparate; indeed, it would be doing
an injustice both to the illustrious collector and the illus-
trious donor, if it were suffered to be mixed with any
other.—He thought that not only in a pecuniary view,
though that was the least consideration, but even in re-,
ference to the interests of literature, it was desirable; at
it should he placed under the roof of the Museu.—
Though it was not the most valuable library existing,'
yet he believed it wa a unquestionably the most valuable
ever collected by an indiridoal; and if to this were added
the collection already in the Museum, increased 'by the
splendid donstion of the late Sir Joseph Banks, it would
not be inferior to any collection in the world. The MO-
settm, enriched by both these libraries, would then pos-
sess a collection of which the country might be proud.—
Ile thought it was best to intrust it to the guardianship
of the. Museum, hut at the same time other suggestions
might occur, and some regular ons might be necessary
for its proper custody. Seth, however, as would be con-
sistent with a fair and liberal ailtuission of the public.—
He would not enter into the details, beratise they would
be better digested by referring them to a Committee,
and he should therefore move that the papers be re-
ferred to a Select Cominitme, to examine them and re-
port thereon.
Sir CHARLES LONG said, that in seconding the mo-
tion of his Right Hon. Friend, he would trouble the
House with a few words, and state that it was his opinion
that the collection of his late Majesty's isasthelmost com-
plete eer made. No expense or pains had been saved in
procurving every valuable work. A great part of the col-
lection was made tinder the direction of Dr. Johnson.
He laid &mu the plan, which was adhered to till the col-
lection was completed. Having hail the hononr of a
column niratiou with his Majesty. on this subject, he could
state that it was his Majesty's wish that the public should
have the freecst access ti it, and that every person should
have an opportunity of using it, limited only by whatever
regulations were necessary for its safety and preserve-
tion.—(llear, hear.) His Majesty had another Wish, as
was stated by his Right Honourable Friend, a natural
one, indeed, when it was considered the collection was
made by his venerable Father—that it should be kept dis-
tinct and separate. He could say there was never a more
,complete arrangement in any library. The catalogue
was so framed, that reference was made to every work.
This be mentioned, because it did great credit to 'those
individuals who placed it in that state. When united to
the library of the Museum, and that of the late Sir
seph Banks, small but perfect, it would form the finest
collection in Europe—such a one as this country ought'
to have. lie could also say, that it was the gracious in-
tention of his Majesty to add to ibis munificrut donation,
a splendid collection of medals, which hail also been col-
keted by his late Majesty. 'His Majesty was the ac-
knowledged patron of the tire arts, aim fry these splendid
donations, he has shown himself no less the patron. o li-
terature and science, and was therefore entitled tof the
gratitude of the House and country.
The motion was then agreed to.

ASSESSED TAXES.
Mr. MABERLY said, that although the Bill for ap-
propriating five millions to the Sinking Fond hail pass-
ed, yet it was admixed by the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer that it would not preclude him from beinging for-
ward his Resolutions. But even if the Chancellor of the
Excliever had not acquiesced in that, there was a clause
in the Bill which gave the power of altering or repeal-
ing. it. Assuming., for the sake of argument, that we
had a Sinking Fund appropriated to the redemption of
debt of 5,04)0,0001. he would suppose a further sum of
5,0(0,000/. obtained by the redemption of the Land Tax.
This, he was confident, might he accomplished, and then
taxes to the amount of 3,200,0001. might be repealed,
over and above the taxes now proposed to be taken off.
Frotn the reduction of the public burden in the manlier
he proposed, be anticipated, as the Right lion. Gentle-
man admitted the remission of taxation prodozed that
effect, an increase in the revenue to the amount of
400,0001. This would give at the end of the first year,
a total of 10,400,0001. applicable to the remission of
t ixes, or the liquidation of debt. Ile would then, as he
bad stated, repeal the Assessed Taxes, amounting to
3,200,0001.; and this done, 7,200,000/. would remain ap-
plicable to the reduction of the debt. He was convinced
that what he proposed would be easily effected, as the
land tax might be rendered so saleable, that in two
years the whole capital amounting to 41,100,11101. might
be redeemed. But calculating that only 5,000,000/.
should be redeemed in the first year, he had shown that
a balance of 7,200,0001. would remain after an additional
remission of taxation to the amount of 3,200,0001. Carry-
ing the balance of 7,200,0001. to the second year, and cal-
culating on an extra redemption of land tax to the amount
of 2,000,0001. he should derive from that source altogether
the sum of 7,000,0001. This wood! give him a surplus
revenue, which he expected would enable him to pay off
the Four per Cents., and thus an annual saving of
750,0001. would he effected. He proceeded to show
what he expected would be the operation of his plan in
the third, fourth, filth, and sixth years At the end of
the sixth year he calculated that 62,000,0001. of nominal
debt would be redeemed, while during that period and
for ever the country would- enjoy an additional relief
from taxation to the amount of 3,200,0001. This he con-
sidered world be a better measure for the support of pub.
lie credit, and the interests and honour of the country,
than the plan of the Right Hen. Gentleman. Ile Low
came to describe the taxes which he proposed to repeal.
The lirst was (supposing the Right lion. entlman's',
111'1 to have ples,ql), the nnrepealed WinGdowe Tax,
which he took at 1,i:10.),0001 He considered the Window
Tax to be in effect a Property 'fax. He believed the
duty on windows ainounted to twenty per cent. In one
p irish, he knew that the Window Tax and House Tax
together amounted to thirty-three per cent. This oper-
ated as a partial Property Tax. W hat, he should like to
know, would the landholder and the freeholder say, if a
similar impost were levied from their property. Hew:WA
not positively state from any document what was the ge-
neral per centage pair! on windows, but the Returns be-
fore the House enabled him to say the inhabited house
tax amounted to eleven and a half per cent. This was,
he thought, a very large sum, when it was considered that
the tax was a partial one, and this he should therefore
propose to repeal. The next tax which he desired to take
off Was that on male servants,including clerks awl shop-