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VOL. XXVII. No. 8.] LONDON, SATURDAY, FEB. 25, 1815.

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To the Knights Grand Crosses, Com 1 BULWARK man, seems to have been
manders and Companions of the Orders
of the BULWARK and the HEN-
RIADE, lately assembled in full
Chapter, at HERTFORD, in New
England.
GENTLEMEN,

Botley, 22 Feb. 1815.

applied to by this BULWARK Spaniard in preference to the Government here, though one would have thought, that he would fly to his old friends to be received with open arms. Mr. WHITBREAD has made several very eloquent speeches upon the subject; but, to say the truth, As your occupation appears to have they have produced but little effect upon been suddenly put an end to by the me, and this for two reasons: First, peace, which our Government has had these Bulwark men fought and wrote for the wisdom to make with yours, it may | Ferdinand; they called every one a trai amuse and please you to be informed how tor and a miscreant, who did not wish the glorious work of deliverance proceeds for the restoration of the ancient family, in Europe. I was highly delighted to the venerable institutions. In the course perceive, that you were very careful to of their proceedings, they levelled their avail yourselves of the aid of the Cossack swords and their pens against the lives Priesthood, during your late delibera- of all those, who wished not to be delitions. The long prayers, which it was vered; they drew forth the sweat and resolved those gentry should put up, two blood of their country against him who or three times a day, was not the least had put down the Monks and the Inquiinteresting part of your measures. It sition; they persecuted every man, who must glad your hearts to hear, that the acted as if he dreaded the deliverance Pope, the Jesuits, all the Monks (except of Spain. In their turn they are persein disorganized France) have been not cuted; they are sent to jails and galleys; only delivered, but fully re-established by and, you will please to observe, that they the efforts of the BULWARK; and that, suffer this from those for whom they had in Spain, the HOLY INQUISITION has fought, in whose behalf they had persebeen so completely delivered "from the cuted others, and are delivered up, too, "fell grasp," as Mr. RANDOLPH calls it, by an English Governor. I think, may of Napoleon; that it is now under the it please your Knighthoods, that this paternal sway of "Ferdinand the beloved," as suitable, as fit, as exemplary, as any in full vigor of operation for the support human occurrence can well be.-My of "Social Order, and of ancient and other reason for taking little interest in "venerable establishments." In this the fate of these men, is, that I feel more operation, it has laid hold of—who, think for persons in our English, Scotch, and you? Why of those men, who, for se- Irish jails. The patriot, who is sent to veral years, were fighting and writing the galleys, was charged with the crime for" Ferdinand the beloved:" that is to of LIBEL. He, it is acknowledged, say, for the BULWARK against the de- wrote a letter to the beloved Ferdinand, stroyer of venerable institutions. Some advising him to adopt a new government of these "Patriots," as they were called, in Spain; that is to say, to consent to a having taken refuge in our fortress of revolution, that horrid thing, which is so Gibraltar, have been given up by our contrary to those ancient and venerable Governor to the beloved Ferdinand, institutions, to restore which so much whose Government has sent one of them blood and money has been expanded; to work in the galleys for ten years. and for the restoration of which you have Another of them has escaped to England, so long and so fervently prayed through where his cause has been espoused by the nose, with your eyes turned up to Mr. WHITBREAD, who, though not awards the ceiling. Now, while there are

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so many men in our jails for writing li- favour of this law, tell us, or, rather, tell bels; while I recollect that so many Gen- the Parliament, that our farmers cannot tlemen were sent from Scotland to Botany sell so cheap as those who pay no tythes, Bay, on the charge of attempting a revo- poor-rates, and, comparatively, lution in our Government; and, while I little in taxes of any sort. What is this hear no word from Mr. WHITBREAD in but attacking tythes, one of the most their behalf, that gentleman must excuse ancient and venerable institutions in the me, if I am very little moved by his elo- whole world! and these are Bulwark quence, great as it is, in behalf of these men, too, who petition in these terms ! Spaniards. There is a Mr. LOVELL,who In France, they have not been able to has been in our jail of Newgate about restore tythes; or, in your language, to four years and a half. His offences deliver the country from the want of were, copying a short paragraph from a tythes. They have not been able to restore country paper relative to the operation of the gabelles, the corvées, the feudal the PROPERTY TAX, and publishing courts, laws and rights, nor have they another paragraph, or letter, relative to yet seen a Monk in France since the the conduct of the Transport Board to-days of Brissot. They have put up the wards French prisoners of war. He Bourbons; but, they have not put down might be in error in both instances; but, the code Napoleon. At the same time his affidavits shewed, that he was the I am reminded of an occurrence that will author of neither publication; that he give you both pleasure and pain: I mean copied one, inadvertently, from a country the attempt to assassinate Napoleon by newspaper, and that he did not examine the hand of some hired villain. It will the other with sufficient care. He was give you pleasure that a villain has been sentenced to eighteen months imprison- found to attempt the deed, and pain to ment for each, and was fined besides; know that it has not succeeded. Your and he is now in jail, where he has been manifesto has excited a great deal of for a year and a half, wanting ability to anger in our Bulwark newspapers, one of pay his fines. Mr. HOUSTON is suffering which observes, that it was hoped and two years imprisonment and fine for a" expected, that the Hertford Delegates book on religion. Away, then, with the "would have declared a separation of the complaints of Don Carrea and Don Puig- "union at once." On the other hand, you blanc and all the Dons in the universe, are held in the utmost contempt. You 'till Mr. Lovell and Mr. Houston and had courage to menace, but not enough to others find somebody to feel and to strike.-If any of you were, however, to speak for them.It will vex you very do here what you have astually done in much to know, that the French revolution America; that is, to endeavour to overawe has produced remarkably beneficial the King and Parliament, you would be consequences to the country. It is now hanged, have your bowels ripped out acknowledged, and even proclaimed, by and flung in your faces, have your bodies our Bulwark newspapers, that France cut in quarters, and the quarters placed has greatly improved in agriculture, at the king's disposal.--How foolish during what is called her state of that would make Henriade men look! disorganization, though we were told Yours to command, by these same newspapers, and by our insipid and hireling Mr. WALSH, that Napoleon had left none but old men, women, and children to cultivate the land. These poor, feeble creatures have got the land into such a fine state, that we are compelled to resort to a law to protect our farmers against their corn, in which article they undersell us in our own markets. The truth is, that, in addition to this great improvement in the state of France, the Bulwark war has left us a load of taxes, which the land cannot pay without high prices. The petitions, which have been presented in

WILLIAM COBBETT

THE BUDGET.

This is now a most interesting topic. I shall, therefore insert the Budget-Speech at full length, and when I have so done, I shall offer thereon such remarks as appear to me likely to be useful.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, is calling the attention of the Committee to the Financial measures of which he had given notice, stated that the House was aware that the Property Tax would ex

pire on the 5th of April next, and that several other war taxes would also expire three months afterwards, in July. It was an important consideration whether the renewal of those taxes should be contemplated, or the sums necessary to pay off the expences of the war should be levied in a different manner. It was not his intention as he had already stated on a former occasion, to propose the renewal of the Property Tax; not merely because that tax was to expire on the 5th of April next, or the war with America was terminate 1; for though it was a war impost, be did not consider the House precluded from again resorting to it, should circumstances render it expedient. He did not consider that the transactions of 1806 on this subject could bind future Parliaments against the interest of the country. He did not understand a compact between the Commous at large and Parliament. On this subject, whatever had been stated in the petitions laid before the House would have had no effect, had more powerful considerations, required the renewal of this impost. He recollected having heard Right Hon. Gentleman begging pardon of the House, for the part which he had taken in 1806, in the increase of the Property Tax. For himself, there was nothing which he considered with more satisfaction than the share which he had in maintaining that impost. He believed that the Property Tax had been the means of rescuing the land from its ditficulties, of supporting the exertions made in the cause of European independence, and effecting the delivery of nations. (Hear, hear, hear!)-It had saved the country a funded debt of 303 millions. It had produced in money 150 millions, and saved a capital of unfunded debt of 180 millions, and near nine millions of permanent taxes. Yet however productive it had been, and however useful it might have proved at a time when large sums would be wanted, he did not think proper te revive it, but considered it more expedient to preserve it as a resource, in case of the future renewal of war, to be resorted to enly in the greatest emergencies, as the firm basis of our public credit. (Hear, hear!) He had been told of the inquisitorial nature of this tax, and many complaints had been uttered in the House against the vexaions which it was said to occasion. Fer his own part,

he believed that the Commissioners employed in its collection had been actuated by the purest and most patriotic motives. They were not a set of men appointed and paid by the crown. They were the same gentlemen to whom the country was indebted for the preservation of peace, and whose attention and exertions in the gratuitous dispensation of justice did them the greatest honour. There were certainly many provisions in the Act about to expire, which should not be adopted at a future period without the deepest consideration. He could not refer to times when liberty was better understood than to those that followed the revolution.--Yet let the House look at the 1st of Queen Anne, second section, chapter fifty-three, enacted at the renewal of the French war, and they would find what duties were then imposed. Amongst others, there was one of four shillings in the pound, on pensions and annuities, and one of five shillings in the pound, on the produce of profes sions. The Commissioners, or the major part of them, were empowered to examine or inform upon oath, and all traders compelled to give returns, signed by themselves, of the whole quantity and value of their stock in trade. The Commissioners were besides authorised to enter their premises at any hour. With respect to the Property Tax, whenever it had been possible to make the assessment without personal injury it had been done. The property in the funds was assessed to its full amount, without any difficulty. That in land was also pretty clearly ascertained, but that engaged in trade was of a less tangible shape, and its assessment could not be very correct. If, on the revival of the tax, a new mode of assessment could be found in that particular branch, it would probably contribute to render it more productive. He then alluded to a clause included in the Act in 1803, for allowing private examinations, but which did not fully answer the end proposed. Having thus entered into a defence of the provisions of the Property Tax, to prevent that odium from being left, which had been expressed against it, and which it so little deserved, he would now proceed to state the reasons which induced him to think its renewal unadvisable; though in the present year, when large sums would be wanted to liquidate arrears, such a ma

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sure might have appeared to many pre-fication, the present system must have ferable to raising a loan, and on account been overthrown, and one more vexaof the advantages which it promised to tious established in its stead. As this yield, perfectly justifiable. At the Peace impost would, therefore, now encounter of Amiens, the Property Tax had been many difficulties in its operation, and pledged to make good a large sum of as it was not the intention of Parliament money, and charged for a period of nine that it should be employed except as a years. Though its renewal would there- war tax, he thought it was far better fore have heen authorised by present to lay it aside entirely, and to return to circumstances, he had considered that one of those resources which at all the immense fluctuation of price which times remained open to the country. He had taken place in almost every article was convinced, however, that in point of would have introduced so great a variety right, had it been expedient, it would as to make returns extremely difficuit. have been excusable to have preserved it The impost would have fallen, besides, for the purpose of diminishing the sum with particular weight on the class of which must be raised by loan. As to farmers, who would have found them- the amount of the expenses of the year, selves rated far beyond their real property. until the ratification of peace by AmeThe assessment had been calculated on rica should be received, it would be ima fair average, but when the fluctuation possible to ascertain it correctly. of prices became excessive, the average could not enter into any details on that could no longer be regarded as just. subject, as its reduction would in some Many ideas had been suggested to con- sort depend on the period at which this tinue that tax during the present year, intelligence should be received. What with various modifications. It might he should now propose would therefore have been done on three different prin- not be entirely on the footing of peace ciples. By exempting those classes, on expenditure. Large sums of money would whom its operation was considered as be required this year: sums, which likely to produce an unfair pressure, and even the renewal of the Property Tax including all fixed property. But the would not have covered. But since it chief ground on which this impost had was abandoned, the loan must be cousibeen cheerfully borne, was, that all were derably larger. In taking an enlarged included in it. When that should no view of our present situation, he would longer be the case, it would appear that net compare it with that of the country Government were encroaching on the when it was involved in difficulties at the good faith of their creditors. Another close of the American war, and our pubmode might have been adopted; persons lie credit was really giving way. He might have been charged in a proporti- would oppose it to the most flourishing onate ratio to their incomes; the rich period of our history, that which preceded might have been made to pay much, and the long and extraordinary warfare in the poor, little but this would have which we had been engaged. been impracticable. The act gave no insight into the whole income of any one; it charged every species of property, without enquiring about its proprietor. Any gentleman, for instance, might be a partner in a banking-house in London, might be one of a commercial partnership at Bristol, might hold a share in a manufactory at Manchester, and have 100,000l. in the funds (a laugh); for every one of these he would be assessed separately; he might gain on the one and lose on the other, and no one would know h's real income. There was no case in which the whole of a man's revenue was known, unless when he applied for an abatemeat to be made. To revive the Property Tax with this modi

In the year 1791, the produce of the consolidated
Fund was

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£13,472,000 11.321.000

The charges upon it--
which being deducted from it, left a sur-

plus of

To this was to be added, the produce of

Land and War Taxes

Forming together a total of

disposable for the service of the country. Our income to the 5th of January last, including the produce of the Consolidated Fund, amounted to

To this was to be added in War Taxes

Forming together a total of
The charges upon this were -

2,151,000

2.558,000

4,709,000

38,256,000 2.706,000

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40,962,000 35,450,009

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Charges on Imperial Loan

Ditto on Portuguese Loan -
Charges on Civil list and others
Making a total of.

37,544,000 Which being deducted from the above 40,962,000

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465.000 of the war. It must likewise be 'recollec57,000 ted, that after twenty years of actual 1,571,000 service, the state of our navy required very extensive repairs. Respecting the peace establishment, he did not think he should be able to bring it under 18 or 19 millions, including the Irish establishment. He should be happy to find another year, that a greater reduction should be practicable. The present calcu |lation would allow two millions for Ireland, and 17 for Great Britain. To meet the annual sum, he would take from the Annual Taxes and Consolidated Fund, nearly.

3,417,000

3,000,000

Which formed a total of6,417,000 left for the service of the State, so that at the cluse of the late extensive, long and expensive war, there emained a disposable surplus fund much larger han at its cominencement.

He would continue War Taxes to the

amount of

and would levy additional Taxes to

an amount of about

6,000,000

.6,500,000

5,000,000

17,500,000

The sinking fund, which now produced upwards of eleven millions, did not yield at that period more than 1,300,000l. It was true that we now had a debt of 650 millions, and that it only amounted to Making in all 250, at the time of the breaking out of There would then only remain two milthe revolutionary war. We had in addi- lions to be provided for Ireland. The tion an unfunded debt that must be pro- expense of the Loan for the present year vided for. But to meet that expense, we and the charge of the unfunded debt, had 20,000,000 of war taxes. If it were would also still be to be defrayed. If it possible to reduce our expenditure to were possible to reduce the amount of what it was at the commencement of the the peace establishment to 13,000,0001. war, then we should have ample means which was at this moment utterly imin our power to encounter it: but it must practicable, still the taxes which he had be evident to every one, that such a re-mentioned would be necessary. He duction was impracticable, and that ex- thought them preferable to making an ertions must be made to meet what could application to the sinking fund.not be avoided. The expense of the Every gentleman in the house must be peace establishment would depend upon aware of the expenses which a long war the wisdom of Parliament; he wished entailed upon a nation. These it required its most deliberate attention should be time to liquidate. After the contest with given to the subject. But it would be America was closed, it was not until unfair to look merely at what the peace 1786 that Parliment took the Peace Estaestablishment cost formerly, and not to blishment seriously into consideration, take into consideration what was now and even as late as 1791 the Committee really wanted. An augmentation of ex-reported expenses incurred on the account pense was rendered unavoidable at pre-of the war. Therefore he thought he spoke sent, by many circumstances connected within compass, when he said that it with the prosperity and greatness of the would scarcely be practicable to wind up empire. We must of necessity augment the Peace establishment in less than four our Military Establishment, on account years from the present time. Until 1819, of the increase of our Colonies. Malta, therefore, it would be necessary to have the Cape of Good Hope, several impor-resort to funding Exchequer Bills, or tant islands in the East and West Indies had been added to our dominions; and a great extent of services had been provided by Parliament, which it did not depend on Government to reduce. Amongst these might be mentioned the expence of the half-pay allowance, and the widows' pensions, which alone would not fall much short of the whole amount of our military establishment at the beginning

Loans; and, to meet the charges which those would occasion' with new taxes. In this he had the example of Mr. Pitt, who as early as the year 1784, proposed by anticipation to form a fund to liquidate the debt then funding. There was also the unfunded debt, the charge for which was also to be provided for, as well as for that which was funded. The first resource to meet this expenditure might have beer

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