The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-03-15 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN

this year, as compared with the last, to the amount of
516,8641. Its. 3d. Last year the Estimates voted amounted
to 4,480,4051. to which was to be added for Greenwich Hos-
pital, making a total of 5,790.4051. The Hon.
Member then stated that the whole amount of the Estimates]
this year, including the charge for old stores would 12111
3,373,3 a. This sum he thought would appear very mode=,
rate when it was considered that we had this year 4eoool
more seamen than in the last. He could confidently state,
that the Navy of Great Britain was never in a more efficient
condition than at present. The Honourable Member then
moved that a sum not exceeding 55.4341. be granted for the
as:Brits and contingent expenses of the Admiralty.
] Mr. HUME thought that two million might with pro-
]priety be taken from the expenditure of the Army, and
added to that of the Navy. He denied that the Navy
was now in a better state than it was three years ago.—
Having expressed his regret that the reductions at peseta
proposed mere not made eight yeat'e ago,he came to con-
sider the vote before. the Committee. The first item
to which he objected was the salary of 1,0001. to the
Paymaster of Marines. To six clerks under that Pay-
master, at salaries'amounting together to 1,7701. he also
objected. The next item was the salary of the Paymas-
ter of Widows' pensions, being WO!, and the sum of
sag. yearly to his clerk—all those together amounted to
the sum of 3,4501. Betides this, there was a snug of 2001.
a year more given to the Secretary of the Admiral 'y for
.lending to the correspondence with the Corporation
for the relief of Naval officers' widows. In the discus-
skin which took place on the subject last year, it was re-
eommended that some of those officers might be dis-
pensed with entirely, and that some might be united
with other officers. The Honourable Member then
idverted to a correspondence between the Treasury
and the Board of Admiralty( in which the former
recommended to the latter to take into their con-
sideradon whether the office of Perna ter to the
Nary might not be abolished, and 'the du'irs
done by the Treasurer to the Navy. That la commenda-
tilts was made ih 1811, and the Adinirithy took two years
to aeswer it. He was at a toss to know how a greet
number of offices should be deemed accessary for faciti-
tsting a business SO simple. He was of opinion that toe
Paymaster of Marines, and Paymaster of Widows' Pen-
sions, with the expense of both offices, as well as the
alUl. a year for inspecting the Correspondence on the
latter subject, might be easily done away With, and that
the business of those officers might he transferred to the
Paymaster and the Treasurer of the Navy. Feeling so,
he thought it his duty to propose that the grant pro-
posed might be reduced by the sato of 3,650/. Ile did
not see any necessity to give the Paymaster of B,lss)
Marines 1,00111. salary, when the Paymaster of the whole
Nave had but MM. He thought the whole business
could he better conducted before the Navy Board, and
for that reason, as well as for the saving, of the public
money, he trussed the Committee would support his
amendment.
The amendment being put from the Chair,
Sir 6. CLERK supported the original grant, and said
that no persons had greater labour or responsibility than
those officers, who were ,proposed to. he abolished. If
the &tires were to he ahobsbed, and the business trans-
ferred to the Trearurer of the Nevy, there would be no-
thing saved, beesase there would be in that case an addi-
tional number of clerk., and an increased establishment
proportioned to the increase of business. The payment
Of the Marines was butt a small part of the Paymaster's
dimities. He was also obliged to act as inspector. If
the Honourable Member was aware of the quantity
of correspmdenre from the omporte to the Paytuaster'a-
office, he would admit that six el-rks were necessary.—
On the grounds of economy even, he-opposed the amend-
ment.
Mr. HUNIE said tlat he requited the junction of offi
cars which were united bet'. ore. The 1 reasurer of the
Nary had formerly acted as Paymaster of Widows' Pen-
sions. What was once might be so again. The Army
and Ordnance Barracks were wider the same Board. He
could not see why the Navy and Marine business might
not be united.
Sir J. OSBORNE said, that when the Treasurer of time
Nary retell as Paymaster of Widow,' Pensions, those
pensions were nor tae-twen'ieth of what they were at
preen'.
] Sir J. YORKE suppneed the original grant, and
] contended that the Secretary to the Admiralty was
the fittest person for inspecting the correspondence
with the Corporation for the distribution of Widows'
Pensions.
Mr. CROKER complai fled that the lion. Member (Mr.
Hume) did not read the arguments in time correspond-
ence to winch he had alluded. He begged the attention
of the Committee to extracts from that correspondence,
]which hr read. The office of Paymaster of the Navy
was dependent on the Treasurer of the Navy • lie was his
deputy, and was liable to be tamest au at Navy;
pleasure.
The lieymaster 'if Marines was independent, had great
responsibility, and important duties to perform, and was
obliged to give security to the amount of 20,0001. The
present sys.em of carrying on th it business was by f.r
the cheapest, and that he would prove, if required, be-
fore a Committee up stirs. If the offices were to be
united, ansadditional number' of persons /Mould be em-
ployed. Nothing, therefore, could be gained in the way
of saving expense. But it was not on the ground of
economy alone lie sof.ported those establishments, hut'
for the saka of facilitating and expediting the public '
business.
Sir F. O'IMANEY defended the existing arrange-
ments of time Admir ttty, but contended that the widows
of Assistant Surgeons in the Navy ought to be included
among thole who had a claim to yellows' pensions.
He had taken the trouble to apply persohally on that
subject to the Secretary to time Admiralty, who an-
swered that greater men than Ime (Sir F. Ommaney)
had taken on themselves the trouble of considering that
subject. lie could not receive such a reply from a S.mre-
tary to the Admiralty. or any other Secretary; and un-
less lie should have a favonrahle communication on that
point from the Lords of the Admiralty, or their Secre-
tary, he would take an opportunity of moving an address
to his Majesty that Assistant Surgeons widows might be
included among those wk.) were entitled to witlows'pen-
ainns. Time Hon. Member, alter some more observations,
moved, that inete md of a reduction of 1,0001., more
'night he mot& Ito the grant.
The CHAIRMAN said the Hon. Member could not
make an amendment f:r adding !u tile sum already moved
in the Committee.
Sir F. OM MANEY contended that he had a right to
move a larger sum if he thought the sum first proposed
was tco small.
The f HAI KHAN again observed, that the Commit-
tee could not increase the. sum recommended by the
Crown ; bat they might diminish t me a nount of it.
Sir J. 'YORKE, asked wit Vier, it be thought time
money proposed was out i.-nt for b molding saipi and
ober expellees, lie bad ma a right to wove an increased
soul?
The CHAIRMAN. repeated his former opinion.
Mr. CHOKER spoke in explanation. .
Sir. F. OHMANEY contended that fire Lords of the
Admiralty were necessary fur conducting the business of
the Lk
. Mr. ELLICE hoped that no more delay than was abso-
lutely necessary, might be made in the passing of the
Navy Estimates.
sir ISAAC COFFIN said, that ever &ire he ha•l a
seat in Perliaiseht, attempts were emanstamtly wade to
grin-I the Navy down to dust,althoogh it must be known
W' all, that our Navy wee time couotry's oil-post at all
times, and particularly in time of war.
Sir J. YORKE was surprised to hear mit an expres-
sion from the gallant Admiral, at a time when it was
'proposed to add 4,0010 men W the Navy.

S..

Sir, CCOFFIN declared that the Nazi 'Oliver :Wes II
a more naked elate than at present.
The amendment was negatieed, and the original Reso-1
lotion was agreed to.
On the Vote for the sum of 324,360 f for the building,
*pair, and fitting of his Majesty's ships, Ike.
Sir .1. YORKE wished to know what was the condi-
tion of ships built under rover, as compared with those
which bad been built in the open air ?
Sir B. MARTIN said, they were all in excellent con-
dition. Indeed, at no period of our naval history could
England boast of such a fleet as she now possessed.—
(Hear!)
On the Resolution for the sum of 6,2271. fur the Royal
Naval College, and School of Naval Architecture,
Mr. HUME wished to know how it happened that so
many of the individuals educated in the School of Naval
Architecture were not employed the aervice. It ap-
peared that out of 27 who had been educated in that
School, only seven had been provided.
Mr. CROKER said, they were employed as often as a
vacancy occurred. In order to. remedy the inconvenience
alluded to by the HOB. Member, it war the intention of
the Admiralty to reduce the number of the individuals
educated to one-half.
Sir J. YORKE bore testimony to the talents of our
naval architecture. No country in the world could boast
oleo many able shipwrights as our own.
On the vote of 1,500/. bounty to Chaplains,
Mr. HUME complained of the practice of superan-
nuating naval chaplains, when they were disabled from
discharging their duties from any temporary cause, as in
a case to which he had alluded last session, instead of
placing them on the same footing as parish clergyuieti,
by appointing a curate to assist them.
Mr. CROKER said the Board of Admiralty had taken
the most effectual means of ascertaining the merits of
the case, alluded to by the lion. Member, by suspending
the pension of the indiriival in question, until it ap-
peared that the clergyman was prevented front discharg-
ing his duties by the greatest of all human calamities,
the occasional deprivation of intellect.
Sir J. YORKE said, that unless some provision were
made for naval chaplains in case of age or infirmity, no
respectable man could be found todcnounce the drinking
of grog in a gentleurse-like manlier.
7,000/. was then voted to make good the, charges to
Widows and Orphans on the Compassionate List.
100,000/. for the Wtdows' Charity.
300,900/. for Greenwich Hospital.
170,149/. for Superannu itions and Pensions ; and
29,0031. to defray the Building of Ships in the East
Indies.
On the last motion, Mr. HUME asked whether there
were any existing contract for the supply of foreign tim-
ber ? He had heard of a contract with sonic place in the
Adriatic'.
Sir B. MARTIN said there once was such a contract,
but there was none in existence at present.
Upon a motion that 124,000/. be graced towards the
improvement in the Dockyards,
Sir J. YORKE wished to know what was the state of
the harbour at Sheerness. He thought if the Gentlemen
of the north were to come south, the state of that harbour
would be a matter of importance.
Sir B. MARTIN replied that it was all finished but the
inverted arch and the entrance gates.
205,0001. was then voted for the Victualling, and
184.3001. for the Transport Department.
BNIIATISIIICD GRANTS.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then
moved that the sum of 59,1921. be granted to his Majes-
ty for the purpose of satisfying the deficiency of the
Consolidated Fund in Ireland since 1517, and for paying
the arrears due to prior Clergymen in Scotland.
The CHAIRMAN reported progress, and asked leave
to sit again.
The House resumed, and the Report was ordered to be
received on Monday.
NATION4a. DEBT BILL.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved,
the third reading of this Bill.
Mr. G. BENNiE wished it put off till Monday.
The CHANCLLLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought
most of the points had been discussed.
Lord A. li AMILTON wished to know whether the
Lottery was to form any part of the Ways aid Means,
as be meant to oppose it, and he thought acquiescing
in the present motion would afford an argument in favour
of the Lottery.
The third reading was deferred till Monday.
WATS AND 3IEANS.
The House having resolved itsvlf into a Committee of
Ways and Means,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved-
that 59,1921. granted for the purposes state.l in his mo.
tion in the former Committee, be raised out of the tins
appropriated balances of the Consolidated Fund. Thee
4,81K1,000/. •out of the sums received in 1823 from th
Trustees of Naval and Military Pensions, be applied t°
the ordinary supplies of the year.
Mr. HUME could not suffer this. They were voting
money ; and he believed the Commissioners had no money
in their hinds.
The CHANCELIAM of the EXCHEQUER.—TheI
motion before the Comuiitte t had nothing to do with
where the money was got. Ile then moved that the ha=
lance of unclaimed Dividends and Lottery prizes in the
Bank of England; all sinus which might be paid into
the Eaelieqner in 1523, in consequence of Exchequer
Rills advanced for public works ; and the estimated
amount of the unappropriated produce of the Consolidated
Puna, in the year ending sth April, 1824, beappfied to the
ordinary supplies of the year.
All these Resolutions were agreed to.
The House then resumed, and the Report was ordered
to be receive I on Monday.
The Irish Yeomanry Bill was read a third time and
passed.
Mr. HUME said, that hail it not been for the latenest
of the hour and the state of the house, he would have
proposed the introduction of a clause for making each
Yeoman, upon his entering the corps, declare that he was
' not a inoniher of any secret society.
The Marine Mutiny Bill was re-comrnitted.—The Re-
port to be received on Monday.
The Report of the Lime Toll Exemption Bill was
brought up and agreed to.--The third reading on
Monday.
A Bill for regulating the number of Apprentices on
board Merchant Ship, was brought in and read a first
and second time, and ordered to be committed on Wed-
nesday.
A return of the number of persons acquitted at the
several Assizes in Ireland, and also at the Quarter
Srasions during the last three years, was ordered.—
Adjourned.

There are many who are acqnainted with the shomin-
Ale trash that is.sob. (in many little shu,s) for tea, bu t
Lite nor,clves may be ignorant of the immense extent to
which the sywenrof adulteratiorrof this now almost ne-
cessary article of life is carried. A botanical coiner
pondent informs us, that he examined a portion of tea
purchas-d in this town, which he found composed of a
mixture of leaves, scarcely half a dozen of which agreed
in their botanical description to those of the tea sbrab.—
(Brighton Citron)
On Satursisy the Ist instant, a gentleman of Holbcach
receives' art anonymous letter, threatening to murdee bias
and set fire to his pretu:scs, and farther threatening.o
murder the overseer of the poor and four other princ.pal
parishion-rs. Bishop, the 114 w-street officer, has been
down to investittate the matter: B,M 100 pounds tcwaid
are offered for thy discovery of the aentler.