which would, in his opinion operate against the whole principle and purpose of the Bill. in shewing, that such a bounty must tend to enable the farmer of this country to undersell foreigners-that the demand for his commodity must be thereby increased raise a greater quantity of grain than would otherwise be produced-and consequently, that in years of scarcity, by prohibiting exportation, this country may acquire a supply at a moment it is least likely to receive aid from importation, which cannot fail to prevent that occasional extreme rise in the value of subsistence, so destructive of the limited comforts of the poorer orders of the community. The Earl of Lauderdale objected to the words alluded to by his noble friends, be--that he must therefore be encouraged to cause, to use the language of a former chancellor, he thought they involved "an act of impertinence." For upon what principle could the House justify such a prescription to posterity? He had heard much of the respect due to the wisdom of our ancestors, but was no respect due to the wisdom of our posterity? The world must naturally improve as it advanced, and why by such a legislative enactment as that to which his noble friend referred, should we undertake so peremptorily to dictate to our posterity? But with these general observations upon the phrase of "at all times," he still could not agree to the amendment proposed by his noble friend. "From the experience of past times it is also evident, that this actually was the happy effect of a bounty on the exportation of grain; for, during the continuance of an efficient bounty from the year 1697 to the year 1757, this country was amply supplied with grain, even in years of scarcity, without foreign aid, by exportation having been three several times pro The amendment was rejected. Lord Lauderdale proposed an amendment, to leave out the words "repealing the boun-hibited, in 1699, 1709, and 1741, for the ties," but this amendment was negatived. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE'S PROTEST ON THE CORN EXPORTATION BILL.] The following Protest is entered on the Journals of the House of Lords, by the Earl of Lauderdale, on rejecting the motion he made, on the third reading of a Bill, entitled, "An Act to permit the Exportation of corn, grain, meal, malt and flour, from any part of the United Kingdom, without payment of duty, or receiving of bounty," to omit such part of that Bill, as repeals the bounties, which, for more than a century, have been given on the exportation of grain: 1st. "Because the abolition of all bounties on the exportation of grain, without any enquiry, at a moment when in compliance with the request of a numerous body of petitioners, a committee has actually been appointed to investigate the effects of our present system of legislation, both on the interests of the growers, and of the consumers of grain, appears to me to be an act of the grossest inconsistency. 2nd. "Because the system of granting bounties on the exportation of grain, thus incautiously abandoned, must be eminently advantageous in securing the important object of equalizing the price of that which forms the chief article of subsistence. "All sound principles of theory concur purpose of securing to the home consumer the extra produce which the bounty had created; and the price of wheat during the last 30 years of that period, whilst it never fell below 11. 2s. 1d. per quarter, at no time rose above 2l. 8s. 54d. per quarter. "It does therefore appear to me, that the premature declaration made by this Act, of the inexpediency of those bounties on the exportation of grain, which for more than a century have formed a conspicuous feature of the system we are about to investigate, must be regarded by the public as highly rash and injurious; and in this opinion I am confirmed by contemplating the great importation of grain, as well as the rise, and extreme fluctuation in the price of wheat, that has taken place during the last 30 years, when the alteration in the value of money had rendered the bounty inefficient; for the lowest price of wheat, during this term of years, being 21. 2s. 24d. is nearly equal to the highest price of wheat per quarter during the 30 years already alluded to, in which an efficient bounty was given: whilst, notwithstanding a great and constant foreign importation, the poor have suffered, from wheat occasionally rising to the unprecedented value of 61. 8s. per quarter. LAUDERDALE." HOUSE OF COMMONS. THE SPEAKER ACQUAINTS THE HOUSE OF THE DEATH OF MR. LEY, THE DEPUTY CLERK.] The Speaker, immediately upon taking the chair, acquainted the House, that he had with deep concern to signify to the House, that Mr. John Ley, their deputy clerk, had died that morning, and that Mr. John Henry Ley, the second clerk assistant, had requested leave of absence on account of the death of his near relation. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that the services of Mr. Ley had been so long and so faithful, that he was sure the House would agree with him in the propriety of placing on the records of the House some testimony of the merits of that much esteemed gentleman, as had been done in the case of other meritorious servants of the House. He then moved, "That this House entertains a just and high sense of the distinguished and exemplary manner in which John Ley, esq., late deputy clerk of this House, uniformly discharged the duties of his situation, during his long attendance at the table of this House for nearly 47 years." Mr. Rose seconded the motion, and concurred in the sentiments expressed by the right hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as to the merits and services of Mr. Ley. Mr. Bankes regretted the occasion of this motion, and gave his testimony to the merits of that long tried and worthy servant of the House. The motion was then agreed to, nem. con. Mr. Henry Gunnell was then ordered to attend and assist at the table. LORD COCHRANE AND MR. COCHRANE JOHNSTONE.] Mr. Broadhead rose and said, that in consequence of his having been informed that morning, that it had not been possible to make out the copy of the conviction of the persons concerned in the late fraud on the Stock Ex change, it was his wish to postpone his motion on that subject till to-morrow se'nnight. PRINCE REGENT'S MESSAGE RESPECTING RUSSIAN TROOPS.] The Chancellor of the Exchequer acquainted the House, that he had a Message from the Prince Regent to this House, signed by his Royal Highness, and he presented the same, and it was read as follows: "GEORGE P. R. "His royal highness the Prince Regent thinks proper to acquaint the House of Commons, that his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Russia, having applied to his Royal Highness to allow a body of Russian guards, part of the allied army lately employed in France, to be landed in the neighbourhood of Portsmouth, for the purpose of being re-embarked as early as possible on board the Russian fleet on their return to the dominions of the Emperor, his Royal Highness has consented to this request of his Imperial Majesty; and that the said guards are immediately expected to be landed accordingly; and that his Royal Highness has, in consequence, directed proper accommodations to be provided for them." The Chancellor of the Exchequer then moved the thanks of the House to his royal highness the Prince Regent for his gracious communication, which were accordingly voted. MR. LE MARCHANT.] Mr. A. Browne said, that in a conversation which took place on the Colonial Bill, he gave notice, that when he saw an hon. gentleman (Mr. Goulburn) in his place, he would put a question to him respecting Mr. Le Marchant, who had been appointed to an important situation in the colonies. He had then stated, that a letter had appeared in the public papers, which tended, if its contents were true, to reflect much discredit on Mr. Le Marchant, and pressed the necessity of his removal: in answer to this it was stated, that during the trial it would not be proper to take so decisive a step, and that the determination of government He saw the hon. gentleman (Mr. Goulwould depend on the issue of that trial. burn) at the trial; and if any thing more was necessary to satisfy him, and to prove the inexpediency of continuing the gentleman in the office to which he was appointed, it might have been found in what Mr. Le Marchant had said upon that trial; for he there confessed, that he was determined to withhold his testimony, if The demand he made was totally unthe terms proposed by him were accepted. worthy of him, and of the situation to which he was appointed. The situation was in the West India islands, and one of the greatest importance in all the internal system of their government. By this "In the name and on the behalf of his place the care of all the public records Majesty: affecting the property of individuals, de volved upon him, and also the secretaryship both of the governor and privy council. Considering the importance of such a place, and the secrets relating to the government which must be intrusted to the person who filled it, he hoped he might appeal to the right hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to know whether it was intended to continue Mr. Le Marchant in the situation. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, he could not answer officially, but he believed that government would be directed in their conduct by what appeared on the trial, and that the course pursued would be such as the House would approve of. THE BUDGET.] The House having resolved itself into a Committee of Ways and Means, The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that he rose for the purpose of submitting, for the consideration and approbation of the House, the terms of the loan which had been that day contracted for. From the unavoidable absence of many members of that House, it was his intention to postpone, to a future opportunity, a great part of what he intended to say on the subject of the supplies and the ways and means, generally known by the appellation of the Budget. He would, therefore, confine himself to a brief statement of the supplies. already granted, what remained to be voted, the ways and means to defray those charges, and the terms on which the loan had been contracted for. The House would recollect that many items still remained to be provided for, among which were the army estimates, and also the sums necesssary to defray the ordnance service, which would absorb a considerable portion of the ways and means of the year. The war taxes, amounting to 21,000,000l. might be considered as applicable to these two purposes-and he would state, in detail, the ways and means by which the remaining charges were to be met. By adopting this course of proceeding, he would bring under the consideration of the committee the supplies which had been granted, together with those that still might be wanting; and next, the ways and means, before they came to the consideration of the loan. The right hon. gentleman then proceeded to state the different heads of supply as follow: Navy (exclusive of ordnance sea service) which had been completely voted •£. 18,786,509 The sum voted for this, last year, was 20,575,011/.; there was therefore, a balance in favour of this year, 1,788,502/. Army (including Ireland), with barracks and commissariat, of which a part yet remained to be provided .... The vote of last year was 18,926,5377.; the balance in favour of this year was therefore 805,364/. Extraordinaries, England •£. 9,300,000 ? 200,000 $ Under this head, the vote of last year was for England, 9,500,000l.; for Ireland, 200,000l.: the difference in favour of this year, 300,000l. Extraordinaries unprovided for last year..... Ordnance (including Ireland) that had not been provided for ... The amount was short of the vote of last year 1,145,6361. Miscellaneous, which was equal to the vote of last year•••• Vote of Credit for Eng······£. 3,000,000 land ..... Ditto for Ireland 200,000 The sums voted on this Subsidies voted .... ..... ...... Bills of Credit already voted to pay the Bills issued according to agreement, by our Allies, and guaranteed by us The total amount of the joint charge therefore was The Separate Charges were: Loyalty, Loan 71,320 Interest on Exchequer Bills •1,900,000 Ditto on Debentures 49,780 Grant to Sinking Fund, in respect of Exchequer Bills unprovided ...... ...... For payment of Exchequer Bills 290,000 ......6,000,000 18,121,173 9,200,000 6,350,132 3,955,658 2,500,000 3,200,000 3,000,000 1,200,000 1,000,000 67,813,472 8,311,100 75,634,572 8,107,094 67,517,478 The Ways and Means which he would propose to meet this sum wereAnnual Duties $,000,000 20,500,000 200,000 3,000,000 1,265,000l. to 1,289,000l., an increase which, although trivial, yet proved the benefit which had arisen from the new measures that had been adopted. The assessed taxes, which included some of the taxes which had not been collected in 1812-in 1813, amounted to 5,880,000% and in 1814, to 6,339,000l. being an increase of half a million. The land tax 508,545 which was a fixed rate, in consequence of 22,000,000 the progress of its redemption was not 18,500,000 quite so productive as the former year; its amount in 1813, was 1,081,000l., and in the last year but 1,000,0591. The remaining branch of the taxes was the property tax, upon which there had also been a considerable increase. The produce for 1813, was 12,868,000l.; for 1814, 14,485,000l.; making a surplus of 1,517,000l. Making together the sum of 67,708,545 It would here occur to many gentlemen that he had not taken credit for the con. solidated fund; but the reason of this was, that it fell so far short in the last year from what might have been expected from it; and therefore he thought it wiser to permit its growing profits to accumulate for some future time, than to make any farther charge upon a fund which had disappointed their expecta tions. The right hon. gentleman then stated that in the Customs duties there had been a deficiency; but from the unfortunate fire which had happened at the Custom-house, he was not able to state on what articles the deficiencies had arisen. The amount of the Customs duties received was 9,818,000l. which was two millions short of the expectation that had been formed. In the Excise the produce had been considerably greater, and all the other branches had been comparatively flourishing. The stamp duties to the 5th of April, 1813, amounted to 22,957,000l. and for the last year 23,971,000l. which gave an increase of about a million. The beer was not quite equal to the last year. In 1813, it produced 2,699,000l., and in 1814, but 2,585,000l. The produce of malt, for 1813, was 4,440,000l., and for 1814, 4,875,000l. making an increase of about 430,000. The produce of British spirits for 1813, had been 2,632,000l. and for 1814, 2,969,000l. an increase of 300,000l. On Foreign spirits an increase had also taken place; in 1813, the produce was 2,325,000l., in 1814, 2,521,000l. being an increase of nearly 200,000l. Foreign wines, in consequence of the destruction of the vineyards in Portugal, had not been productive for many years, but there had been a rise in the last year from 947,000l. to 1,013,000l. Upon teas there had been an increase from 3,547,000l. to 3,652,000l.; and on the Post-office an increase from (VOL. XXVIII.) He had now stated the general produce of the revenue in detail, and this he thought the best mode of acting, as the House would be enabled to form a judgment on the produce of the different branches. The unfortunate event to which he had already alluded, namely, the fire at the Custom-house, prevented him from satisfying the House upon the increase of our trade, but he could with confidence state that our actual exports in the last year had exceeded in a most flourishing degree any other year which had preceded it. The last thing which he had to advert to, was the terms of the loan. He would, however, before he proceeded to make his statement on this subject, anticipate a question which his hon. friend opposite (Mr. Grenfell) would probably ask. He would perhaps enquire, whether any attempt had been made, in negociating the late loan, to carry into effect a clause contained in the Act of the 23d of his Majesty, for appropriating part of the growing produce of the sinking fund to the service of the year. In answer to this he had to observe, that all the parties who bid for the loan, with the exception of one gentleman, were averse to that proceeding. And looking to this general concurrence of opinion, it was thought that a better bargain could be procured by agreeing to the suggestion, than if any opposition were made to it: because, from the large amount of the loan, it was not probable that a great competition would have been produced, if, in negociating it, they had acted under the provision contained in the clause alluded to. Finding the opinion of the contractors generally hostile (F) to the proposition, and seeing there was no never before occurred, was the improve- Mr. Grenfell wished to know, whether he was to understand that the discussion was to be deferred to a future day, or was then to be proceeded in ? The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, he had no objection to hear any observations which his hon. friend might then think proper to make. When he first addressed the Committee, the House was so extremely thin, that he had suggested the propriety of postponing the discussion to some future opportunity, as a matter of convenience. A great number of members had since come in, and, if his hon. friend pleased to favour the Committee with his sentiments, he should be happy to hear them. Mr. Grenfell said he was willing to defer his observations until every subject connected with the budget was fairly before the House. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, if there was any particular point in his statement to which his hon. friend objected, he wished him to make his observations on it at that moment. If, for instance, he was hostile to the manner in which the negociation of the loan had been conducted, |