The Statesman.
London, England, 1813-07-15 00:00:00

MR. PALMER'S GRANT BILL.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
moved the third reading of this Bill.
Mr. TIERNEY asked upon what ground the sum
of 50,0001. was selected as the amount of the pro-
posed grant to Mr. Palmer, particularly after Com-
mittees of that House had reported that this gentle-
man was entitled to 84,0001. in addition to his salary
from the Post Of

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
replied, that the sum alluded to by • the Hon. Gentle-
man was inserted in the Bill, because it was esti-
mated to be a fair reward for the ingenuity of Mr.
Palmer's invention, and he supposed that those
who thought that gentleman should have more,
would not object to the Bill, especially as Mr. Pal-
mer had expressed himself content with the proposed
grant.
Mr. TIERNEY differed from the Right Hon.
Gentleman's estimate of Mr. .Pattner's services.—
But he wished to know, whetherit' wag intended to
grant Mr. Palmer a clear sum of 56,0001. for if the
g ant were to include all, he really believed, that
from the expeoces incurred by that gentleman in pro-
secuting his claim, he would not have to receive above
35,0001. This diminished grant he was, however,
disposed to consider as a sacrifice to a party in the
Lords, who, although the privilege of granting
money belonged to the Commons,. had succeeded in
repeatedly defeating the declared sense of that.
House to do justice to Mr. Palmer—and this pro-
ceeding was taken without even requiring any con-
ference with the House of Lords, to ascertain the
reasons of such repeated rejection. Mr. Palmer
might be induced, under all the circumstances, to
express himself content with the proposed arrange-
ment—but as a Member of. Parliament and a friend
• to justice, he felt it his duty to oppose it.
• The CHANCELLOR of the • EXCHEQUER
said, that it was nothis intention to propose any fur-
illorgmnt than that specified in the Bill. As to the
expences incurred by that gentleman in prosecuting !
his claim, the public could not be fairly called upon
to indemnify him.
Mr. W. SMITH could easily conceive that
the spirit of Mr. Palmer, wearied out by repeated
disappointment, might consent to accept less than
the fair amount of his claim, but that could not re-
concile his mind to the proposition. However, as it
would be competent to any Member of that House,
notwithstanding this measure, to move next Session
for a further grant to Mr. Palmer, he should not in
that understanding oppose the motion.
Mr. ROSE vindicated the grounds upon which he •
had opposed the demand of Mr. Palmer ; and as to ,
the observation of the Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr.

Tierney), he could not conceive it any attack upon
the privileges of that House, because the Lords
baying a voice in the enactment of any legislative
measure* thought proper upon this occasion to differ
. from it.

After a few more observations from Messrs. Rose,
Tierney, and Smith, the motion was agreed to, and
the Bill passed.
On the motion of Mr. ARBUTHNOT, a new
writ was ordered for Oakhampton, in room of Lord
Graves, who has accepted the office of Lord of the
Bedchamber.

- Ordered, on the motion of the CHANCELLOR
pf the EXCHEQUER, that the House should, at
its rising, adjourn to Tuesday next.
On the motion of Mr. ROSE, it was ordered
.chat the several Reports made to the Privy Council,
. with respect to parochial registers under the autho-
rity of the Act of last Session, should be laid before
- the Howe.

The CHANCELLOR. of the EXCHEQUER,
after observing that he was about to submitametion,
• _which it was the intention of Mr. Percevil (had not
his lamentable catastrophe prevented it) to have
brought under the consideration of the House, pro-
posed that an advance should be made to the Ameri-
can Commissioners. These CommissionersAtad been
acting under the authority of that House or no less
than nine years, Without receiving any pay or allow-
ance, and were they to be paid only according to the
rate of ordinary Commissioners, they would be en-
titled to 4,5001. a-year, which would produce a de-
mand of 45,0001. Their demand amounted to
60,0001. but into the merits of this demand he did
not at present propose to enter. He could not, how-
ever, feel it fair towards those Gentlemen to allow
another Session to pass over without making them
some advance, and therefore he had to move an Ad-
dress to the Regent, praying that the sum of 25,0001.,
should be granted to the Commissioners alluded to,
and that the house would make good the same.
Mr. TIERNEY asked, whether these Commis-
'ironer; had been, since the period of their appoint-
ment, as actively and generally employed as other,
Parliamentary Commissioners usually were, as if so,
they were no doubt entitled each 15001. a year.
The CHANcELLOR, of the EXCHEQUER
answered in the acirmttive, stating, that these Corn-
miesioners were distinguished for their assiduity and',
intelligence, and that they had, by their investiga,'
tioas, reduced claims, originally amottuting to AV,
millions, to about 1,400,0001.
The motion was agreed to.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
then rooted a similar Address, for thegrant of 2,9001.
to defray the balance of the expences incurred in the
improvement of St. Margaret's Church, for the ac-
commodation of the House, observing, that the
amount of this claim, with the Several items, had
been investigated by a Committee of the House,
whOse Report was decisive in its favour.
Mr. TIERNEY thought, that a consideration of
- the Report of the Committee alluded to 'ought to pre-
. 'cede any vote upon this subject. This he.:said with-
- .out any view to impugn the Report, of which he
really knew nothing. But it appeared to him a very '
strange proceeding to, bring forward a proposition of
this nature on the lastday of the Session, and in is
thin attendauce„without at all catliog the attention
of the House to the Report upon which it professed'
"to blegteunded. He therefore felt it'his duty' toz
o:pewit, from .g• conviction that its adoptioi w td
form a very dangerous precedent. • •
cciUirr ENAy, stated, that
,t4)4peirt tlpon.
this subject would hevQ been much estilies.fresented
...to the House; if it were not for' the iseeident,
itappened, tp t o Chairman, of the cortioliktee,
16+ smn•rv.i :
After some further conversation between Maul.