The Statesman.
London, England, 1813-03-04 00:00:00

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114 TRIAL PAR

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HOUSE OF COMMONS, Miaca t
A new writ was moved for Wanton Basset, in the room of
Mr. Kibb!orbit', who had accepted the Chiltern Hundreds.
The Irish Road Hill was read a seaond time.
Mr. MELLISH brought in a Bill for building a new Parish
Church in the Parish of St. Pancras, which was read a first
dose.
Mr. PEE LE gave notice that he should move for a Committee
1111 Wednesday next, to considercertain Petitions which he had
pnineatel concerning the Royal Canal Company hi Ireland.
Mr J. C. HIPPISI.EY signified that he should not persevere
ba his Motion respecting the employment of the Militia in dif.
ferret parts, in consequence of a wish expressed by a Noble
Lord opposite, who had no ohjection to l*yinE the returns upon
the Table, but who thought the publicity of ihem might be in-
jartom. Concurring in that sentiment, he withdrew his Mo-
tion. The lion. Rart, then adverted to some misrepresentation
which had taken place ill some Paper watch be did not name.
respecting what had fallen from bum with regard is the oath of
1791, taken by the Catholics.
The CIiIAI(CELLOR of the EXCHEQUER mired far cer-
tain returns respecting the various amount of stock actually
standing in the name of the Commissioners of the National
Debt. op to March, 187:3: also similar returns respecting the
Land Tax, kc.
HER ROYAL HWIINESS THE PRINCESS OF
• • WALES.
Mr. WHITBREAD, perceiving an Hon. Mem-
ber in his place, begged to enquire of that lion.
Member, whether, under the circumstances that had
occurred of her Royal Highness's Letter to the
Speaker, he still intended to bring forward his
Motion ? •
The lion. COCIIRANE JOHNSTONE replied;
that he had seen nothing which could induce him to
alter his intention, and that, tbeiefore, he should
certainly bring forward his Motion to-morrow (this
evening).

' COMMITTEE ON THE FINANCES OF THE
Co UNTItY.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
timed, previously to going into the Committee, that
the resolution which the House had come to in May,
NM should be read, and that the Accounts respect-
ing the National Debt, War Taxes, and Consoli-
dated Fund, should be referred to the said Commit-
tee.

The House having then gone into a Committee,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
stated, that after the laborious attention which they
had so recently bestowed upon the Catholic Ques-
tion, he should have forborne craving their attention
now to the consideration of the Finances of the coun-
try, did not the subject rsquire immediate and seri-
ous discussion; and he had no doubt the House
would approve of his following a course similar to
what had been adopted in 1802 and 1807. He trust-
ed also that they would agree with him in another
respect, that it was highly necessary any proposition
affecting the general Finances of the country should
be submitted to them and the public, before any pe-
cuniary arrangements were entered into by the Go-
vernment, in order that all those persons who may
transact such pecuniary arrangements with the Go-
vernment, might know exactly the terms upon which
they would b performed, and might have no just
ground of complaint against them or the Govern-
ment, in case any fluctuation of any kind should take
place in the public securities. The House would re-
collect that a short time befor the prorogation of the
last Parliament, a sort of conversation took place
respecting the Finances of the country, and it then
kppeared to be a general feeling, thit further mea-
sures must be adopted in support of the public credit.
Since that time he had considered seriously, atten-
tively, and laboriously, the suggestions thrown out,
and had endeavoured to combine them into one sys-
tem, together with such other circumstances as ap-
peared to be deserving the attention of Parliament.—
He had stated at the time alluded to, that it would
be necessary, for the support of public credit, to
adopt some efficient measures for the restoration of
the finances, and to provide some addition to the
Sinking Fund for the redemption of the National
Viebt. But whatever, and how great soever, may
have been the necessity of such measures at that time,
he was happy to say that the necessity had consider-
ably diminished since, by the issue of the most ex-
traordinary and eventful campaign that history had
recorded. It was to be hoped, however, not for-
getting the dreadful waste of human life, which he
deeply deplored, that the struggle between insatiate,
remorseless, and infuriate ambition on the one hand,
opposed, as It had been, by hardy, stubborn patriotism
on the other, would ultimately do good, though the de-
mons of devastation had been let loose, and their pro-
gress had been marked by the most calamitous excesses.
In recalling the attention of the House to the mea-
sures which he wished to propose, he should first
notice the plan he intended to submit for promoting
and furthering the redemption of the Land Tax.—
He had attentively considered that subject during the
summer, and he had been greatly assisted by the la-
borious exertions of the Commissioners for the Re-
demption of the Ecclesiastical Land Tax, whose Re-
ports he bad laid before the House. The principal
point which lie wished to change was in simplifying
the arrangement, as he was persuaded, the* if the

difficulties arising from delay were removed, and
certain formalities dispensed with, the measure would
be more productive than it now was. For that pur-
pose he meant to propose; that upon a simele notice
to the Collectors of the Land Tax, from the party
misting to redeem his Laud Tax, a proportional as-
sessment should he laid on, double or treble, as cir-
camstances might occur, for a certain !mintier of
years, and which should operate the redemption of
the /And Tax. To that plan, he apprehended, no
opposition would be made. Another measure he
meant to propose was, that for every additional loan
f(br each year, a sum equal to half the interest of that
loan should be raised by additional permanent taxes.
-oposition he had to make related to Ex-
Is. A great number of these were con-
.rculation, and unprovided for. He in-
submit that for all such Exchequer Bills as
dation on the sth of January in every
inprovidkd for, a Sinking Fund of -one
lould be provided. To those measures
tlter to propose of mo-a consequene, end
respected the change which had been made iii the
of the Sinking Fund in 1802. His in-
to propose a repeal of that part of the
provided that the Sinking Fund should
at 'compound interest till the whole of
Debt discharged amounted to live hun-
llions. That would create an additional an-
on the nation of 870,0001. and which
tto provide for by additional pernia-
These were the principal points 404

which he intended _
House, and he hoped
had been attentive
lic Credit in this
Sinking Fund as now
that,bad.it mitered injp
extensive a war would
greet man would hive
meat, and one better
stance of such protracted
1798, above ten hundred
war taxes; and had
alacrity by the public,
must have been an '
that amount. This
substitute successive
the whole of the
establishment of the
deemed. There was
• in the hands of the
Isum it would be difficui
lation of property ; ,
would not be the case,
linerease to the large '
arrite at. Accordii
during the first yea
creased instead of
subsequent diroinua
• was known, must,
nished. He now came
sults of the,Rlas, which,
not be Iktened to,
faith. The effect of
vernment a present _
the taxes to be imposed
would be added to
of reverting to the ,
of 1802, no new burdens
years. He proposed
the exigencies of the
be defrayed by cat..
standing in the names
It was, in fact, red
this could be no
must be done at
dient would also increase
ation, as, during four
tional taxes, which
be saved. After reca,
his measure, the Chancel]
that lie felt the hea,
pressed on him, in )ringing ph
portance ; but he had no hesitation in doing it, as
the benefits which might result to the country, if it
should be found successful, would be most impor-
tant. Many gallant and worthy melt had laid down
their lives to attain a much less important object
than that of providing for the exigencies of the State,
during the period of four years. lie wished them
to take the subject into their most serious conside-
ration ; to consult those who were well acquainted
with the subject, and the valuable mass of informs.
tion en the table of their House. If, after this, the
House considered the subject with anxious desire to
forma correct estimate of its true merits, he should
trust to their•decision with confidence; and, if his
plan should be rotted 19 bear explanation, .he should
derive the most sincere pleasure from the appro-
bation of that House. The flight Honourable Gen-
tleman then concluded by reading the substance of
his resolutions.

Mr. HUSKISSON said, that not haying adequate
means of judging of the writs of the plan proposed,
1 he should postpone the declaration of any opinion
on the proposed measure ; and, with this view, he
; approved of the postponement. Yet he must ex-
press, that if he understood the statement of his
Right lion. Friend (and any misunderstanding of it
could not arise from the manner in which his Right
; Hon. Friend bad stated it), it appeared to him the
most important change in our financial system, Aar-
; in*. this long and eventful war. lie should look at
the plan with the anxious With that he might find it
consistent with public credit; and if he again trou-
bled the House on the subject, it would be after hay-
ing looked into all the details.
Mr. TIERNEY, after shying that he fully con-
curred with the Right Honourable Gentleman who
last addressed the Committee, wished to state what
occurred to him on the imperfect view he had of the
plan, wishing to be understood that he pledged him-
' self to no opposition to the plan, but to express his
present impression. The grand plan of the Right
Honourable Gentleman seemed to be merely to ring
changes on the old financial expedient, and to undo
what had been done by his predecessors. It was to
undo the bargain of 1802—e bargain which he (Mr.
Tierney) disapproved at the time, as he stated to
Lord Sidmouth, on the ground that when the dilli-
; eulties to which it might give rise came on; public
faith would stand in the way of arrangement. The
plan of 1802 professed to give to the Stock-holder
grtetteredvantagerthan he had possesSeriaiiat tin&
of Mr. Pitt, and now when the public faith was
pledged to this arrangenient—now when the prospect
of tine acenmulation of this large fund had been a
part of the premium to the purchas,.rs of stock, that
the %tilting Fund should he set afloat in this manner
without any kind of permanent arrangement, as the
Parliament was, from year to year, to find what
should be done. The broad principle of the 'perma-
nence was done away, and the Chancellor of the
, Exchequer was to come to the House every year
with his estimates on this as on any other subject.—
As to the one per cent. Sinking Fund on the Ex-
chequer Bil!s, wasit to be voted annually ? [Yes,
from the eisttcellor of the Exchequer.]—This would
be at the d;scretion of Parliamoat, and would, when
voted, be a yro [onto augmentation of the loan of
the year. What occurred to him (Mr. Tierney)
was, that the affair would be then left in uncertainty,
•which, as to the transactions of the country with its
creditors, nag the worst imagiunble situation. As
the Sinking Fund, to the amount of any turptus
loan, if it was provided by the permanent taxes, he
should have no objection to it. [The Chancellor of the
Exchequer said, across the table, it was to be pro-
vided by permanent taxes, artless the state of the
Sinking Fund should render it unnecessary.)—This
constituted an objection to it—it introduced uncer-
tainty. Hy the plan of the Chancellor; the Sirskins
Fund was altogether broken down, and, Instead,
840 thousand pounds were to be given to it. To say
that the Sinking Fund forined and bore the proporg
tioq of oqe to forty-four to, the :Wiese' • debts

_.geqi .oped
might be no necessity for postponement, as the sub-
ject was, or appeared to him to be, so plain, that he
thought that Gentlemen might in a few days make
themselves masters of it. He was reminded, by what
had been said, of one omission in his statement : he
should propose, as a part of his plan, that in time of
peace one hundred millions should be kept as a trea-
sure in the hands of the Commissioners, applicable to
maintain the dignities of the State. This sum, for-
midable in any hands, might, if wisely used, be most
beneficial, and as it would not be to be touched but
by Act of Parliament, would not be liable to the
objections to treasure disposable by the Crown?. As
to the Consolidated Fond, it could not be by billplan
possibly diminished, sod might and would be aug.
mented.

went :

_
" Montague-house, Blackheath, March 1, Hilt
" The Princess of Wales informs Mr. Speaker [the Lord
Chancellor] that she bas received from the Lord V isct. Sidtaouth
a Copy of a Report aside to his Royal Highness the Prince Rc.
gent, by a certain number of the Members of his Majesty's
Privy Council, to whom it appears, that his Royal Highness
had been advised to refer the consideration of documents, and
other evidence, respecting her character and conduct.
" The Report is of such a nature, that her Royal Highness
feels persuaded no person can read it without cmsiderin4 it as
conveying aspersions upon her; and although their vagnenem
renders it impossible to discover precisely what is meant, or even
what sloe hes been charged with l yet, as the Princess feels con-
scious ofao offence whatever, she thinks it due to herself, to the
illustrious Houses with which shell consected by blond sod by
marriage, and to the people, tunas whom she bolds so distin-
guished a rank, not to acquiesce fora moment in any Imputation

Mr. BARING thought it hardly fair to go into Infecting her hal/ewe'
the plan at present, though he could not help feel- I " The Priscees of Wales has not been permitted to know
! upon what evidence the Members of the Privy Council pro-
ing alarmed at its progress. Though there might •
I ceded, still less to be heard in her defence. She knew only by
come a time when it would be necessary to interfere, I common rumour of the enquiries which they have been carrying
there was a difference between an interference which 1 on, until the result of those enquiries was eommuaicated to her,
would strengthen, and one which would weaken or and she has no means now of knowing whether the Members
break down the fund. It was a consolation, how.' acted as a body to which she can appeal for redress, at least-for
ever, that the shock to public credit (whatever the , a haring, or only in their individual capacities, as persons is.
•
effect might be two or three years hence), was not pecked to make: Report upon her conduct.
immediate,. He acknowledged, that the plan now 1 " The Princtss Is therefore compelled to throw herself upon
Justice of Parliament, and to desire that the
suggested could not affect public credit immediately, ftlitiellwilad.mn and.
itohteestigiatiodo: maheryrebeid institiuted
tb. of her t whole conduct
and he hoped that no delusion upon the subject ! duresin.'
would prevail ; if, however, viy danger of that kind .. The i
Princessr fears no seer7teloyn hi:::::, rYstri. strict, provided
should present itself, it would be the duty of Par. she may be tried by impartial Judges,' known to the Constitu-
liament, as the guardian of the public, to take care tion, and in the fair and open manner which the law of the land
to prevent any injurious operation. `prescribes.
Lord CASTLFAEA Gil expressed his satisfiation, " Her only desire is, that she may either be treated as taco-
that the Honourable Gentleman, whose views upon cent, or pioved to be guilty.
all subjects were so liberal and enlightened,had given "The Princess of-Wales desires Mr. Speaker [the Lord Chan-
his authority for asserting that no injury to the pub. cello!) to communicate this letter to the House of Commons."
lic credit could result from this measure. At present 'This was transmitted both to the SPEAKER and the
many Gentlemen might feel objections, but he re. Lotto Caswell-Loa, early on Monday evening. The
quested that they might keep their minds open to Lotto CRAXCELLOR has not yet laid it before the
conviction. The proposition was complicated, but Lords, having, as is said, considered that his duty
after the clearteplanation that had been gisen, and prevented him. We understand he sent it back to
the perusal of i
ate documents that would he supplied,
he had no doubt it would be very comprehensible not the Princess, after the example of higher powers.
only to the house but to the public, and would While the reports were in circulation that the Se-
meet with the approbation and support of the lent Councillors meant to proceed to some resolu-
country. lie hoped that no unfounded prejudices i tion, it is said that the Princess of Waxes at length
would exist upon the subject previous to its delibe-
rate discussion. . •
againstsuchproceedings; I protested
Sir J. NEWPORTadverted to the advantages de- 'the Report was by that time finished. She, how-
rived from
.peekosieg.. !navies like Alia -pressen in ewe "I Apt appeal Se' Pa44lasalsee "HI she had de.
tirniebtfee, where every Gentlemen could suggest ! cloyed her willingness to have her conduct enquired
what appeared to him beneficial. Before the debate ! intd, even by the Judges chosen by those who etc•
upon the question on Monday xe'nnight, fluctuations : cased her.
of public opinion might occur which would affect' • Since the Letter to the PRINCE R EOM' wan made
the price of stocks, but they would only be tem- :
porary.
: public, the Princess has not been allowed to see the
Mr. 11. THORNTON noticed two objections. 1. 1 Princess CnxemoTTe et all. The latter has been ill
That by this plan the amount of the Sinking Fune during great part of the time, and her Mother has
•ould eventually be diminished, and the fen's con- ;
been refused all access to her.
sequently reduced. 2. That the proposed alteration i
Mr. CoritttAxE JOUNITO
was inconsistent with the public faith pledged in • ' NE, it appears, b re-.
1792. solved to make his motion, and has refused to wive
The CHANCELLOR, of the EXCHEQUER 1 was it, orlet it stand over, notwithstanding the new and
happy to be able to remove both the objections of-the . material circumstances of the Report, and the Prin.
lion. Gentleman. On an inspection of the tables cess's application to Parliament, which have occur-
end other documents supplied, containing caleula- ' red since he gave his notice. It is d ted un ers o o
tions of Interest and Compound Interest, it would be however, to be a measure of his own, and quite un-
found that the Sinking Fond would not lie at all
the breach of public faith, it would he re-
duced. As to ! connected with any party in Parliament, or with
this any of the illustrious personages chiefly concerned.
apparent, on enquiry, that the public would by
Plan be placed in a more advantageous situation than 1
by the Bill of 1702. The total amount of debt would i The annual Meeting of the Noblemen and Gentio.
be more speedily liquidated by the new than by the men educated at Westminster School, was held sit
old system. It should bwremembered that the per- Willis's Rooms, on Saturday last, and numerously
sons most affected by taxation weratitose who derived attended. Amongst the company were the Arch-
% fixed income from the funds, and if by the scheme bishop of York, Bishops of London and Oxford"
i,w suggested no new birdens would be imposed the Chief Baron, and many otber distinguished per-
open. them for four years, the blessings of thousands sons. Several appropriate toasts were drank. When
of widows •and orphatt• would attend,--not him- the Daan of Westminster's health was proposes' from
sail fitr sweetie; it, imit th• House for adopt- the Chair, It was received with cordial applause,
lug it. , i which continued several minutes. The evening ..1.4
Some conversation then took place across the sprat with the utmost conviviality, end about dove
talde•is to goo repetition mew of the argument sins . the company separated.

Tie next pro
chequer Bills
Moistly in cirt
- tended to sub
i,
were in circa'
Sear, and ut
11 per cent. she
be had anoth
that respecter
arrangement
Lon was t
( Act which pr
accumulate a
the National
tired millions
nual charge t
he intended'
petit Wes,
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gIiATESMAI4II‘ 0 . • . ',' . . ' , rvv-,.!f(
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~ . beta beak meat to vendee Me food plopped on the question of the Making Fend in teei
• ,as even bearing this ProPere 1 The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER*
11 calling the at •.„,,, *:-.•!'et .
!toped it would --7 _ 'AA: I ' ' "Ile
ire 4o the state Iltifilin ',Ainfiii the Peke of sleek was lower than whoa lbsj mitted that the stockholder, after a lapse of lath.
country. With regard' to the 'fund bet, tett* &hi the proportion Ant ! I years, would be benefited, bat until that period se;
• t Honourable • rived his condition would be worse after the adop:ion
ow coestituted, he felt perseeded,
hiya tar. kitt:s calculatioit that so !(Me. • • 7. i
I He k • *
~..4
~, •etigh
, . - cheiracteriazi:,l4m Ile Odds plea than beforett.
• ,
,ukt muse as bad prevailed, hat deli' 11114 "-tse was 'that dol s, 11. *lel Mr. TIERNEY lamented that he should not lire
-.) to him (WKlllirDef ), tollodh iloPlade. Go to enjoy any of the fruits of thisemble scheme, since the
hive adopted a differei* arrange 1 .
ter calculated to meet the circems i WOO hippy thattuarauld not be called. on to de- advantages were postponed to so remote a period.—
otmcted hostility. Since the year ,tide oti.the/4114
lifeeday seeeishirmad shield , The Right Hon. Gentleman might be content with
,neared millions had been raistrl by have wished for fettlter delay, had not the Right ; this distant view of the promlied lead, but, for his
,t 1 those taxes not been borne with i 'tonnetable thitherto) put it out of his own power part, he had'rather experience sofas Immediate he,
blic; and provided by them there :to grant it, by each the funding of the EXChellwrinefitt. il.• --,.....,A, ~„, . . '
EL increase of the National Debt to ' Hills lf tabli'diple 7"( tad not been hoPliallhint he 1 The CHANC LOR of the EXCHEQUER re.
is was peculiarly she Moment to should have wished eke state of the Finentea to be I Nerved to the, leconienience that aught result f
oon
re and simultaneous reduction, as • referred to a /meet Committee ; and among-hts Oa- paying off the Whole of the National Debt: it would
debt incurred anteriorly to the sons for this wish, was the state of therConsolidated be little better than a national bankruptcy; and he
the Sinking Fund, had been re- Fund. 'This fund was in a decreasing state, and illustteted it by referring to the case of the Elector
Fes at present shout 840 millions ' had it not been strengthened for seven or eight _of Saxony, who hattbeen petitioned by a vast num.
which enormous . years, though, It must be recollected, that in time her of persons to continue to them the public secs-
teraCcuomitinto Commissioners which
without a Ructu- • of peace, this fund and the Anneal Taxes, would , tity for money they could not-otherwise dispose of.
; but this may now be dine, which be then one, resource. On this fund they bad Dow ! After a few inaudible remarks from Mr. Babington
case, if that sum wire.sugered to : turned their back. After remarking that much dies- and a short reply by the Chancellor of the Exche-
ge amount which it must, in time, , gust might be low to the people, by the interfor- ' quer, the Chairman reported progress (the House
ling to the plan he should propose, once of Parliament with public credit, as to cease : being resumed), and it was ordered that the Report be
tr, the Sinking Fund would be In- ; assistance to fail wheott wet most wanted, and remarks taken into further consideration on Monday se'u.
I diminished ; neither' would the , lug that they had no papers on the subject, the Right night (March 18).
Ition be much felt, asthe fund, it i lion. Gent. concluded by saying, that this wee the The House, on the motion of Mr. FITZGE.
at some time or other; be dims-'. broad outline of what was Impressed on his mind by BALD, went Into a Committee to amend the Act
came to consider the benellcill re- I his canary slaw af limpiplani- bat that be would give -reseed last year relating to the Irish Butter Trade.
which, however flatterltrej. iboeld it &nitwit delibeifte eletsideration, and come to the' The Cornish Miners' Bin Awe% read a second time.
if they compromised) the public ; decision on it with the utmost impartiality. - I 'Sir J."'NEWPORT mated for certain papers re.
of it would be, to glee to the Go-, Mr. D. GIDDY remarked on the beneficial mesa! ; lating to the Light Houses about to be erected.
t subsidy of 120 millions.—Except , effects which had been produced by the Sinking! Sir S. RObIILLY moved the second reading of
nosed to provide fei the sum which I Fund, in keeping up the price of' the Stocks, and , the Bill on Criminal Law.
the Sinking Fund, in consequence `was convinced that it would be better than to break in! The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said, that he
system established before the Act on this Fond to augment the taxes, which augment:. • should not oppose the Bill in this stage of it, but re.
lurdens need be imposed for roar ! tion the people would, when they saw the necessity, ' serve his objections to the general principle till the
,sed to raise the sums required for .willingly submit to. '-third reading.
he State, by loans, which would The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER : A Committee of the whole House was appointed
mncelling portions of the stock ; briefly replied to the objections which had been 'to take the subject into consideration on Friday se'n.
lames of the Commissioners.— I urged against his Resolutions. The present effect night.
reducing the• Sinking Fund; but .on the Sinking Fund would be beneficial, as; A Petition from the Proprietors of the Oxford
D objection, as it necessarily ! 870,0001. per annum would be given to it, and all , Canal against the North Wiltshire Canal was pre-
one time or other. This expe- ;it would lose was the prospect of a distant advan- , sented, and ordered to lie upon the table.
ncrease the facilities of future tax. i tage. The uncertainty to the stock-holders, he' Adjourned till to-morrow.
'our years, seven millions of eddc- ; contended, was not increased, as they would know, .
h must otherwise be levied, would ! from year to year, as before, the amount of the THE. PRINCESS OF WALES.
recapitulating' the several heads oft Loans, and of the sums applied to the Sinking Fund. --eo---
7,bancellor of the Exchequer said, ilia thought the Right Honourable Gentleman had The following is a correct Copy of the Princess
ivy weight of responsibility which ; spoken too fully on the plan in its present stage.—
of WALES'S Communication to the Houses of Parlia.
1 bringing on a plan of such im-1 lie (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) hoped there ;
---, .
I