The Statesman.
London, England, 1818-02-12 00:00:00

COMMITTEE OP SUPPLY,

On the molion of Lord CASTLEREAGH, the
House then went into a Committee of Supply, Mr.
Brogden in the Chair. _ _ _

Lord CASTLEREAGH rose end said, that after
the very full discussion which the subject had under-
gone on n former evening, he would not wish to
trouble the House again upon the question. If, how -
ewer, there were any points which were not distinctly
understood, he should be willing to explain them
after the proposition which he had to mike was be.
fore the Committee. He then mowed that the sum of
400,0001. be granted to his Majesty, to carry into
execution the Treaty entered into with his Must Cs.
Majesty, for the Abolition of the Slate Trade.
_ _

Mr. LYTTELTON had no inteittion whatever to
disturb the unanimity which marked this question on
the late discussion, and it was with groat reluctance
that he said any thing which bore an appearance of
his being opposed to the measure upon its general
merits ; but if he had been sufficiently instructed,
there were likely to be very considerable evils attcod.
ant on the measure, as it was at present framed. Ile
should, therefore, take the opportunity which the
agitation of the question afforded him of asking a
question of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and
of the Noble Grad, touching the commercial rola:
tines of this country with Spain, He frosted, that
after the grant of 400,0001. a Treaty of some kind
would be framed, which would lead to a good under-
standing with the Spanish Government, beyond the
common relation of bate peace. The state a trade
was far from being on a cordial footing, and of this
the Committee would be convinced, if they were to
esemirte a case which had been pulinto his hands by
a Blitish merchant,- who was suffering from the se.
verity of the Spanish Government. 'rt.e policy of that
Government was extremely inimical to the untetesta
of thisceentry ; cottons were entirely prohibited,
bet it might be said, in reply to this, that no person
was deceived, and although the prohibition was to ler
lamented, still that every Government wasentitled t,l
make such regulations as might be demised expedient.
To this doctrine be did not mean to cutter any pro-
test, but he could not help observing, after. what 1106
country bad done, that by making the proper re-
monstrieces the present hostile proceedings, if not.
done awry with entirely, might be considerably sofa
tened. Woollens and linens too, the staple mane-
factures of this country, were most heavily fated.
but sill those articles were less heavily berthenid
than iron, which was subject to an ad valorem duty
of not less than 110 per cent. The commerce of
this country was repeatedly suffering from cepa:,
' and prohibitory edicts, of which no sufficient notice
was given of the intended changes, so as to enati• the
merchant to know what he was about. in former
'times, it was customary to give sus mouths notice
Ivey alteratioa in the law of importation, which al•
lowed the merchant to adept his trade to the market
which he was supplying; but now duties were laid as;
soddenly, and Om article which before would hate
yielded profit became sebject to a certain loss.--w
This afforded grossed for great complaint, and was a
grievaemi which affected tits very MOMS of 4411114

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