The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1817-04-14


Of the country. But surely ii was some
consolation 10 be informed, that no,Dew
taxes were TO be imposed; and when
gentlemen talked oil the necessity OF
removing some Of those tina: existed.
they should recollect, that TO tske of
taxes was not always to relieve, as had
been proved last wear, when i7SCco,o eco
were removed. This lie would say, and
boldly, that, at the present moment, Tie.
country neither labored under dcbtnor
taxation, (hear, hear, hrar j. for The
true causes OF distress are far different
On the whole view Of affairs, he was
convinced, that the result would be
happy recovery from all our calamities,
and that at an earlier period than ever
the most snIguine dared TO hope.
Mr.. Brousha said, that speech
more calculated to misiead, to blind the
eyes of the people, and to llatier them
with warn Illusions of all kinds, than that
just delivered, had never been heard In
parliament, even from ministers them
selves.
1t was sai3, that lie transition fror,
war to peace, vas the source of the na-
lional miseiies, and that The transition
was equally injurious after the Ameri-
can war. 1t was true, at thar period
there was considerable depression, par
ucularly of the agricultural interests
but when examined, the facts supplied
even contrast 10 our present situation.
These disasters began before The Ter
mination ofihe American war, and were
gradually allevated by the peace, and
In the third year after its establishment
(the period parallel with our presentsi-
tuation) the sovereign used these con-
solatory eApressions--that his majesty
heartily congratulated the country up
on The extension Of its commerce, the
iiourIshipg state of It's manufactures,
and the amount oil its revenues, (hear,
hear Could any such language now
be employed? Instead of taking off
100000 of taxes, new ones were inn
posed; and the first year after the
peace, the country was able to pay near,
ly 100000 more than had been raised
during any year of the war. No new
taxes were now necessary, but not only
1t would not be necessary TO impose
new taxes, but it would not be possible
TO raise them. There was one point
upon which ministers could not touch.
one pale within which they dared not
tread, and that was additional taxation;
for The people had now paid to their ut.
most farthing, and were eqally desti.
tute of money and ofhope. Hear, hear.
During the American war the whole
amountof taxes did not exceed four
millions, while, during the last war,
the permanent taxes were more than
thirty i've millions annually, and war
taxes besides imposed to the amount of
no less than twenty six millions year.
Was not this frightful con,rastl And
was not any man guilty of a gross, Of a
wicked deIusion, who told The grooming
people they were not burdened, that
the national debt was nothing that
taxation was nothing that the pressure
was merely temporary, and that relief
would be more speedy than even the
most sanguine dared to hope? The
hon. gentleman who spoke last, was
much iniayor of the committee 10 be
elected by ministers, against which he
(Mr. Brougham) protested most firmly.
Mini sters had nothing TO do but TO
choose their old tried friends and near
the end OF the session to produce re-
port, which there was no lime either to
examine or debate. Ii was the duty of
the house 20 proceed with the utmost
despatch: for, while it was delay ing,
the nation was suffering. In order, at
all events, TO prevent procrastination, he
should suggest, that on the very day
when the committee had come TO a de-
cesion upon single point, ii should be
reported to the house for consideration
4 Hear A committee, 50 constituted,
might he productive of benefit.
Mr.. Canning, for himself and his COLI
leagues, put in his claim not to be deem
ed less alive TO the distTesses * the.pe-
rils Of the country,than the hon gentle
man on the other side of the house.
The question now was, whether the
honsc should or should not lay at the
foot of the throne unanimous express
sion ola determination to stand by it,
and TO use every ezertion in its support
-(heaT, hear What was it that pre-
vented this uDanimiiy All the differ
ence was, hat the address, in the words
OF the speech, promised 10 institute an
enquiry into the income and expenditure
OF the country, while the hon. gentleman
thought 1t better that ii should be nam
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