The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-02-22 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN.

further on similar pelielples. He had merely notieed
it for the purpose of showing hoverer the amount of re
venue was influenced by it.—filear, hear.) The next
polo to which be soled the attention of the Committee
was the ground on which be estimated the produce of
the revenue for, the present year, lie calculated—be
thought he might do so under all the circumstances, al.
lowing for the diminution of taxes in the last year—that
the revenue would not be inferior to that of last year, in
any branch, from the belief, tbat the source of revenue
in the present year would not, at least, fall short of those
of last. He would, therefore, estimate the customs at
10,500,0001. The customs for last year were 10,662,0001.
He bad to deduct from the above estimate all the loss
that would fall upon the Customs from the tonnage
duty being repealed, from time sth July. As no part of
those dues would be receivable this year, he might be
entitled to a higher rate than he had estimated on half
the difference, amounting to 80,0001. He calculated then
the Customs at 10,500.0001. The Excise produced last
year 27,271,6081.; but from this should be deducted the
loss arising from the repeal of taxes, partially on Mal.,
Leather, and Salt, which were lessened to a certain
ee, at the-ciose of last year, from the demand naturally
bebing decreased in expectation of buying cheaper. He
deducted from that estimate all the remainder of the loss
produced by the repeal of the duties on those articles,
and he thought he might take
The Excise at .

.
•

. £26,000.000
600,000

The Stamp Duties he took at . . .
the Revenue of the Post Office at somewhat
lower than last year . . • • 1•+00•
The Assessed Taxes and-the Land Tax. last year, came to
7,217,901. It should be observed with regard to that
branch, that the Hearth and Window Tax were abolished
ID 'lreland, and a consequent reduction of revenue took
piece, which would come into the present year. He took,
then, the Assessed Taxes for this year at £t7,100,000
Mg the various miscellaneous items . 600,000

The result of all these branches would give
from the Customs . . . . .£10,400,000
Excise
• Stamps
Post Office 1,400,000
Assessed Taxes . . . . . 7.100,000
I!Miscellaneous items . . • 600,000

Total

1:52,200 OtiO

which was the result of the ordinary revenue of the
country, independent of the contributions paid by the
Controtssioners of half-pay and pensions. The lion.
gentleman proceeded. lie ventured to form his caltu-
lations under the impression that the different sources
of the revenue would prove as productive in the present
as they were last year. It was very true that the re-
ceipts of last year exceeded the receaptof any antecedent
year; but when the Committee looked ith hint at the
improvement which had taken place within the last year,
and observed the continuance of the same causes in the
present, they could justify him in the anticipation that
there would be no falling off. Indeed, be was justified
in anticipating not only a continuance of the revenue,
but a progressive inc eeeee , when he looked at all the fo-
reign relations which were opening new sources to the I
commercial enterprise of the country. When lie saw
the general conviction of the utility of. more enlarged
principles of trade, and the daily abandonment of anti-
quated restrictions which had so long'. encumbered it,
not only in this, but in other nations—it was utterly
impossible to carry those liberal principles into effect.
withnnt creating squid commercial benefits to other
countries, and without extending the demand for their
produce as well as for our own. (Hear, hear, hear)—
The advaa'ages were not shoot-ter at one side, but •
equally beneficial, when lie observed in every brauch of
foreign export, as well as of domestic manufacture, an
increased consumption, and consequently of Revenue.
Upon them he thought that he was not saying too much,
in anticipating to the Committee the gradual extension
(and if gradual, the safer and the better) of the corn-
inercial transactions of the nation to other parts of the
world.—(Hear, hear.) He could not advert to that part
of the subject, without bearing testimony to the valua-
ble services of his la'e Hon. Colleague in office (31r.
Wallace), to whose abilities for the apace of ten years
in that particular department he country was so materi-
ally indebted—in whose mind he (the Chancellor) found
the readiness to assist him in all plans of liberality, and
who effected great and important changes by his own
personal exertions—changes in the commercial system
productive of inestimable benefits to the country.—(Load
cheers.) When be (the Chancellor) looked at the great
results arising from these extended principles, his mind
expanded. lie saw the commercial enterprise of the
country directed to every quarter of the (tube. fertilizing
and productive, and would exclaim—
The wide. the unbounded prospect lies before me.
But lie could not add with the poet—
Bat shadows, clouds, and darkness, rest upen it.
On the contrary, they had seen a bright dawn, and a still
brighter teeridian.—((heers ) If after this favourable
state of the foreign commerce, he adverted to
the state of the borne consumption of manufacture.
and of articles available to the Revenue through
the Excise, the picture was equally satisfactut)'.
It appeared from the last return of the Excise, that to
all the great and important branches of domestic con-
sumption there has been a considerable increase above
the average of the last three years. lie would not tres-
pass on the attention of the Committee by going into de-
tailed state.nent, but on all the main articles, such as
bricks, enroll.' s, glass, soap, piper, printed goods, British
and forign spirits, tea, tobacco, articles which constitute
so great a put- ion of the consumption of the great classes
of the community, there bast been a very considerable in-
cr. ate. If, therefore, he saw a great addition in all these
ankles, was he too sanguine in assuming that there
herd every probability of a cot tinuance 6f the revenue
in the two great sources stouts and Excise? As
in feet the prosp-rity of branches muss by the
operation of necessary et alio the smaller
sources of revenue, he no ticipatean improve-
ment in all. Lot. • mass of the peoplili
it was with satisfac t their condition o
been essentialy improve . e no longer existed that
distress, inquietude, and sedition, on which that house
was a f w years uo called to legislate. The very cir-
cumstances which distinguished the character of the two
periods were to him the source of the purest consolation
because they afforded the most convincing proof, that
whatever were the difficulties under which the people of
this country laboured—to whatever temporary excesses
they might be driven—however unceasing the efforts ,to
excitement, still at bottom the great body of the popula-
tion was sound—(hear, hear!), and steadfast in our pa-
triotic attachment to the collatitution of their country.—
(Ilear.heer.) He dwelt with the more increased satis-
faction on tuts ties of the present improved condition of
the people, because, under the circumstanees of former
disttesses aid popular agitation, no man lamented
mare sincerely toan he did that he was compelle I by
duty to support in that House mmtsures of severity.—
(Hear, hear.) If the Cotumitte, directed their attention
to another circumstance, which oily when compared with
greater interests could he deemed unimportant, they would
at once find a demonstrative proof of ttie improved condi-
tion of the great mass of Cie community. lie meant the
state of the Saving Help whether considered as to the
number of contributors, o the total ninount of the deposits.
it might be said that tiukobject of these Banks had been in
some instances pervert */ : and that a description of persons
evaded themselves of them, not comprehended within tee
view of the institution. It might be so in some instances;
but torn every inquiry he hod made from I e..sor,s con,ers-
ant with these banks, he bel.eted the great body of cot:-

trlbutors were of the humblest part of the society. The
creation of tech an inetitution he considered one of the
greatest b!eseings ce..ferred upon the c:untry, and their,
'needs an unequivocal proof of the inerealhig ease and
comfort of the people.--(llear, hear!)—Independently of
the eirentnstanees which had pedually improved the reve-
nue, there were other views which affected what he ne:ght
designate as its gross proportion. lie alluded to its col
lection. In many important items, a very great reduction
had already taken place, as it woold to evident, were it
possible for him to have provided himself with the past ac-
counts. The Committee were aware of such ditheulti.s.
and he should therefore apply himself to the comFerison of
the amount of the expense on the collection of the Customs
of the year 1821 with antecedent years. The Committee
would ohverve that the aceouiatv of the last year were not
yet completed.—ln the year 1818, the amouht of the ex
pause of collectiug was £1.327,8 21
ISI9
IS2O I 097.774
1821

Here, then, was a cirri ution in four yeses on the ex-
pense of collection, from 1,327,6211. to 1,069,2821. It
ells true that other (lentlnnen might entertain an opi-
nion that this reduction aght have been carried still fur-
ther. Those who held that opinion may feel confident
in their own deductions, butt be had a right to contend
' that such are ducion was a prima fade proof that the
Oovernenent was not neglectful of its dunes. For that
reduction the country o as maitely indebted to the labours
of his Hight Honourable Friend near him (we presume,
Mr. Husbisson.) , But the Committee must be aware,
that these reduceons could not be carried into effect at
once—that some tune must elapse to allow the developt-
client of such arrangemsnts. It never could be contem-
plated, that persons who had claims from the long per-
tonnage. of duties, shonli he at once dispossessed, but
that a progressive aninution of expense would arise
from deaths or removal to other offices. It was at all
evens obvious that public benefit was the effect of these
important changes, and he had no he-itation in saying
much more would he effected when he looked to the col-

lection of the revenue in Ireland—(Cheers from all parts
of the house.) He look rd forward to that result the snore
sanguinely Dom the conviction that so much might be
done, and he would add, with the persuasion that so
much would be done.—(Hear, hear.)—And here It was
impossible not to oder. t to the exertions of that Coin-
mission respecting the collec•ion of the revenue in Ire-
land, to whose appo:ntment it was true, no member at
the time objecteo ; though tl.ere existed, on the part of
others, a disposition to undervalue its efficiency. But
what had the result proved ? There never was a Corn.
mission, which in despite ()revery difficulty, politic al or
otherwise, had more efficiently discharged *its many and
important duties to the benefit of the public.—(Hear, from
all sides.)—lf thesefeelings operated so fully on the Mem-
bers of that commission,he would take the credit of observ-
ing that his Majesty's Government was not back.
ward in the expressed determination of acting upon their
suggestions (hear, bear.) The first Minister of the
Crown had declared in his place in Parliament that it
was his determination to give every support to the Re-
ports of that Commission. In that determination he (the
Chancellor of Exchequer) most fully concurred ; end
hen the Bills were on the table they should have his
cordial and decided support, or if not introduced by any
other Hon. Member, he should nowt certainly feel it his
duty to originate them (hear.) In the pursuit of that ob.
jeer, he should not only reduce expenditure but patroc-
age. He was aware that he was supposed to be friendly
to patronage (a laugh); but he could assure the Com-
mittee he bed n r disposition to uphold it under the cir-
cumstances, as they applied to !Mend (hear.) And he
must be allowed still farther to observe that his presumed
partiality was, after all, but an imputation (bear, hear.)
The next topic to which he should advert was the expen-
diture of the present year. Ile had stated before that he
took the sum to:41 at 10,530,0001., or that the surplus of,
income above the expenditure was 3,232,000. Looking
at the state of these estimates, as conyrered with former
years, he must contend that his Majesty's Government
had fulfilled every pledge that it had made of economy;
It was a charge against all Administrations, and he be-
lieved all future administrations must lay their account
with tha same imputation, that they were indisposed to
diminish expenditure. Still, on a fair review ut the esti-
mates of the preceding years, he would contend that
his Majesty's Government had given every proof of their
sincerity. It was impossible that all men's views could
coincide in every practicable reduction. Ministers were
liable to be taunted with not having effected this or ,
-the other individual reduction ; but he would ask,
was no discretion in the application of the principle
of economy to be left to the responsible servants of the
Crown ? (hear) Was it not a mere begging of the
question, in such a great system as ours, to argue that
because, according to individual opinion, particular re-
ductions did not take place, therefore it was to Ire con-
cluded that Government disregarded all disposition to
economy. (bear, hear,) There could be nothing snore
perfectly unjust than to imply, that because the Achni•
nistration did not yield to every partial suggestion of re-;
duction in this instance or the other, that they were de-
termined to uphold a great expenditure. He would not
trespass on the time of the Committee by stating the
items of reduction in the estimates; bat lie would ap-i
peal to those estimates to prove what the animus of the
Government was as to every possible reduction consistent ;
with the security of the country. The Committee would i
then see that the estimates of the present year were, in-
dependently of the three millions for the navy, reduced
below those of the preceding year by the sum of 470,0001.
giving a reduction on the three preceding years of
1.956,0001. In 1820 the amount was 2.971.000.; in
19, 2,156,000/.; in IS, 2,449/.—Even taking the antda-
pared estimate of the Finance Committee in 1817, which
excluded some very important items, it gave a reducion
over that of 1,235,0001. It was therefore with the fullest
confidence he, ppealed to the Committee, thiat..houtver
condemned and reprobated the conduct of Government
might appear in the opinions of some persons, yet that
such a statement of itself indicated most undeniably the
intentions of Administration.—(Hear, hear,) Were not
Ministers to be allowed some discretion? Was there to
ho confidence in the grievous—grievous, he would
tot say—but in the awful responsibility which attached
to those who conducted the concerns of this mighty em-1
pire ?—(Hear, hear.) What evils might not follow, if,
contented with looking at the surface, they overlooked
the real grounds of that security for which they pledged
their responsibility? And how unjustly traduced have
been, not alone the Government, but the House of Com-
MOll4, because it gave its support to what some were
pleased to call a prodigal and profligate Administration.
the next point to which he should call the attention of
the Committee, was to the disposition of the surplus of
the Revenue, consisting of 7,000,M0/. He had said be-
fore that, iu conformity with the principle recognised by
Parliament, 5,000,000/. was to be applied to the extinc-
tion of the debt, and the difference to the remission of
f elation. When a country possessed such a surplus,
there were three modes of its application: the first, was
to abolish it altogether by a remission of Taxes to the
amount; the second, was to apply the whole to an ex-
tinction of a correspondent part of the debt • and the
third, was a combination of toe two former modes. The
last was the course which his Majesty's Ministers had
determinei to ad 'pt. If he was correct in these views
of its application, he saw nothing that could countenance
a departure from that system, as to the Sinking Fund,
which bad been so repro! edly sanctioned by the derision
of the Legislature. Who would venture to say, if that
departure once took place, where the evil would termi-
nate! Who would take upon himself to state what the
circumstances of this cvinery may demand? What

claims sire may possibly have to weak-. on that
paired credit, which under every vicissi.u.le had ena-
bled her to sustain her prowl attitude in the mew,
an 1 the destruction of which, I e would fearlessly as.
sert, would he the destruction of the country itself,
(Lona cheers.) Well, he would ask, would n it that credit
be materially effected by any di psrture from that pledere
swarm whim recognized a sort Ins of revenue applicable
to a correspondent reduction of the debt ? Let an i tread
he.once made on that arrangement, and no man coal., sly
to whet an extent the deviation front the system cold! be
eventually carried (hear, hear!). If Parliament vice ad-
mitted the principle that in time of peace r.o part of the
debt must be pad off, was it rot a certain cnrisequelve
that thecredit of the country must be impaired ? In the
event of war, under what disadvantag,s would new loans,
if r ecessary to the public honour and security, lie neer,-
ciat-d, whet Parliament 6a t given reasons to the public
creditor to b lieve, not that in time of price a porno of
the debt would be redeemed—bnt that it woithl no (hear,
hear 1.); that it was tit go on unchecked by re leetio.). to
aggrava.e that pressure which necessarily weighed do.rn
the energies of the country. If ever there was a time to
uphold a contrary couiluet, and to s'iow to the world the
determination of Great Britain to up hid I its unimpaired
and unsullied credit, it was the prose.. t, when eve ry effort
was tried to make a els-s of the conimuni y. whose inter.
eats were tempormily (iciness-a, look f,r reli fin the
robbery of the public creditor (et ee s from all sides.)—
of robbery, he would repeat, and edit, that by dieerung
from its course that surplus which was a legitimre, aati
practiceble, and •pledeed application to the reduction of
the debt. Parliament itself would give a countenance
and encouragement to that contempt it'd spoliation (hear,
bear, hear!) Could any man doubt that such a course
would not give an additional sliunlus to those who recom-
in• nded a breach of the national engagements ? Would
they not feel renewe 1 strength fro a toe declaration that
the fund applied to i's redemption was diverted from its
purposes by the legislative decision? Th- more he con-
sidered the subject, the mare decide I was his conviction
that there existed at the present moment, a combinatitm
of circumstances whicii imperetively !brand the P.irlianwnt
and the country faithfully to abide by its own ple.yed
enactinents. Still, though the principle of the apphea-
lion should, in his opinion, be preservrd entire, it old bra
no means follow tuat the whole of the surplus tea:*
to be applied to the reduction of lira deity (hear, bear,
hear!) lie Was one of those wit, thougot that a:
rAuction of debt might be carried to too pea: extent;
that, however, under present eirtemstenees, uas not en
apprehension likely to be realised. Ilia present object
was to limit the application of the principle, and to give
the surplus in the remission of taxation. On that p in.
ciple the lioue acted last. year. Doubts have and will bs
entertained as to the effect of taxation by different in n
but for his own pill he would not disguise from ode
house his conviction that the remiss ion of Taxes last
year was the most advantageous. It has indeed been
said that a Chanel for of the Exchequer was so necessati.
ly enamoured of Taxation, that it was impossible to pre-
vail with him to part with one of t hem. lie tt a in this in_
stance an exception, confessing as he di I that to rend -
sion of taxes he was friendly, and that he considered ti.e
repeal of lest year a wise measure. Upoa the same
principle it was that he cow proposed to apply the hal-
once of two millions to a further reduction (near, hear').

[The Right Honoursble was seize I at this moment
with sudden indisposition. He appeared to the Reporter
to bleed from the nose. The feelings of all ci !es of the
house were evidently excited.]
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER returned
—lie felt he had gone beyond his strength (hear, hear!).
It was his intention to apply the repeal to the Assessed
Taxes! As to the mode of applicaioit, it was in part ab-
solute, and partly by per tentage. He was anxious to
reduce that portion of the'Assessed Taxes, which, in the
Repeal, would afford the grei.test amount of relief wells
Itemore distressed part of the community—he meant the
Agricultural branch. With that feeling, he Ailed
leave the house tax to remain as at preen'. He
might appeal to both sites of the house, and to all the
various interests of the country to bear him out as to the
nature of the pressure arising from that part of :he A..
sessed Taxes (hear, hear!). With respect to the tither
portions of these 'faxes, he was dives. d to abolish all
those which were vexatious in other ways besides the di-
rect pressen e—vexatious in the surcharges and in the col-
, lection; and, therefore, productive of a double 'neon-
, venience. he should propose, therefore, to abolish alt.:
gether the Tax on Male servants, occasionally employed
io husbandry and trade. That remission would amount
to 37,2001, There was another industrious claws compre-
hended within the present -avation, which hen islied to re-
lieve, adescription of persons, unsai table to the opera:ion of
direet taxation, lie meant occasional gardeners fletre was
another class of individuals to wham a reduction of the ssses-
sed taxes was peculiarly appicable; and he was Orsueile.i.
11 the house would agree with him on that point—he meal
the class of persons called occasional gardeners. At Kee
sent if any individual were employed for a single week
as a gardener the employer became liable to tie amnial
tax, and although the anoint was not very great, being
only 10s.. yet it operated very injuriously, for be was
1 free to confess that it was unpleasant to be compelled,
for so sheet a service, to fill up an aedition II lie e in that
1 paper which lie could not deny no man very each I lied
to see enter his house (a lanzh.) The consequence was,
that many poor persons who from motives perhaps of
charity would be otherwise c iip'oyed as occasional g tr-
tletters, were not so enspluyed ; ant he had peculiar plea-
sure therefore in proposing the repeal of this tax ; the
amount of which was 19.7001. The next reduction
which he meant to propose was the tax on the lower class
of taxed carts. A petition bad been presented to the
house against this tax, and he believed the ilon. Mem-
ber for Aberdeen load a notice standing for Mummy of a
motion for accounts respecting it ; of which notice he
would advise the lionourahle Member to avail h'inself,
as it would probably be the last time he wonlil have tle
opportunity of calling the attention of the house to tip.,
subject (a laugh). The amount of this reduction woold be
9,3001. There was another dety very etiimport ant as to its
amount but which he could see na reason tinier elicp-essrit
circumstances to continue; he meant the die; of the
shillings on ponies uuhr t'iirteen boons 1.1.. it . When
the country was in want of every shilling th tit couldi
eoPect n the shape of Taxaion, there might be ex):1
reason for the imposition of this Tax; hut now that re-
ductions of our Taxation were gradually taking place,
he really could see no navel' why these poor little ponies.
should not be relieved from the burden, however trifling,
which had been laid upon them. The amount of this re-
duction would be 4,4b01. The amount of the last reduc-
tion of this nature which he should propose, was 6,3 M.
It was the duty of tbrie sloti:euga on horses employed by
small farmers who were also engaged in ir The per-
sons on wbom that duty was at present leek!, most ne-
cessarily be poor; and although the Tax was not very
heavy, it might be inconvenient to a cl use ef indivi mats.
whose intesest every one must he desirous to convder
(hear, hear!). Having stated thus much, he would pro-
ceed to a reduction of Fifty per Cent. on the rem
Assessed. Taxes on Horses. Carriages, rend Servants It
certainly could not be denied that this part of the AFStS•
sed sees operated with the greatest severity on I shies
of individuals generally considered as the lest eto
bear it. Still,howeser, he considered himself justilieh:e
in the proposition ; a• d that it 'meld not he WA- derai-
-1 able on him that he was dispos od to aptly tom eduction
of Taxation to the rich rather than to tile par i altileugh
it was a principle pretty wt II estahlis led, ilea the reduc-
tion of Taxation, salt dtever class it immediately h.
neiitred, soon became missile advantageous as f.r a it
went, to the whets cournueitv. Tee reduction :Alla"