calculated at $10,000l. a year. The latter would not produce so large a sum, the estimate was about 148,000l. The impost on caniges, at a rate of alout 75 per cent. would produce, it was thought, 300,000l. That on the horses of picasure, for he should refrain from taxing those for husbandry, would bring at the rate of 89 per cent. about €32,5007. The new duty on trade horses the continuance of the war taxes, which (of 3s. 6d. per window. This assessment would have expired last Christmas, bad would not yet admit of very accurate they not then been renewed till next cstimate; but it was calculated it July. There were some that had since would produce 50,000l. a year.expired, such as those on the Export of The next tax should affect the rates of British Manufactures, and on goods inhabited houses in a scale of augcarried coastways. These he did not in- mentation, forming an increase of thirty tend to renew, and if he did, their per cent. on the present taxes. The rents amount would not have been consider of warehouses should be subjected to able. Neither did he propose to continue the same impost. The produce of the the duty on cotton wool, if imported in tax upon houses was estimated at British ships. This provision, he thought, 396,5007. aud, that on warehouses at was but a fair encouragement to our 150,000l. The next would be laid on planters, and no one could contemplate servants and carriages, and would be a it with any regret. He would not read more considerable and progressive inover the list of taxes; they were familiar to crease of 80 to 90 per cent. If any Genevery one; he would state their total tleman should object to such an augamount, which for the year finishing in mentation, be begged of him to recollect January 1815, consisted of 9,857,000l. what proportion it bore to the Property From this were to be deducted 2,750,000l. | Tax. The produce of this tax on serand 630,000l. for taxes which had al- vants, exclusive of those in trade, was ready expired. He should propose to continue only out of the rest to the amount ef 6,513,000/-He should now proceed to the new taxes which he had in view. He thought he should gratify the curiosity of the House if he did not bring them forward in the usual erder, but come at ence to the Assessed Taxes, on which the attention of most people seemed to be fixed. He should not propose any addition to the duty on windows in inha-would caly be 40 per cent, and would bited houses. He knew it was a tax most produce 55,5067. That on degs, at 30 inconvenient fo the middling classes, per cent, would yield 105,5607., and that whom it was his most sincere wish to on game certificates, 42,6007, Bacherelieve as effectually as possible. But helors had hitherto paid an additional duty would lay a duty on new objects, to be included in the denomination of windows he meant green-houses, hot-houses, and conservatories, which had hitherto paid no duties. The assessment would be made on a superficial measure of glass, of 48 feet, which should be deemed equal to a window. The rate would not be progessive, but would not exceed 3s. 6d. per window. Thus an extent of glass, Lo fect broad by 12 in height, would pay poa the whole 37. 78. 6d. No one, he trusted, would consider such a tax objectionable.--(Bear, hear !) Considering the g eat advantages which traders would drive from the opening of the European pers, and the revival of peace and compound paid to the excise, which wer mercial relations throughout the world, he thought they might fairly be brought 10 contribute more than they had done to the pui lic service. He should therefore propose, that shops and warehouses should pay the same propertionate duty en servants only: they should now pay an increase of 50 per cent. both on scivants and carriages and horses. The produce of this tax was expected to amount to 120,0007, and the total of the new Assessed Taxes to 2,500,00cl. Hẹ should now proceed to the additions he intended to make to theWar Taxes which were to be retained. He should propose an additional duty en tobacco, on the ground that the peace with America would necessarily render the price of that article very low, and enable it to bear a fresh duty of nearly 9d. in the pound, at the rate of 24. three-farthings per pound paid to the customs, and 6d. per jointly produce 300,000l. The excise duties on wine should also experience an increase of 261. per tun, which would yield a revenue of 600,6×#!, annually. The next tax would rat perhaps be unobjectionable. It might press hard upon the persons whom it however, would be a subsequent consi deration. The total essimated amount of the new measures which he has already concerned, but it was an object which had scarcely experienced any increase during the whole of the late protracted proposed, was 3,728,0001. RATE. PRODUCE. ... Customs-Tobacco, 24d. per lb. . . . 150,000 ASSESSED TAXES, viz. cent. 596,000 308,500 Progressive Servants' Tax, 80 for hire, various 148,000 Carriages, about 75 per cent. 365,000 per cent. Trade Horses, about 40 per cent. Dogs, about 30 per cent. 632,500 85,500 105,500 42,000 950,000 war. He meant licences to dealers in For the better information of the Comexcisable articles. A duty of fifty permittee, he would repeat in a more concent. progressive upon these would nected form the statements which he had produce 300,000l. It would certainly made, enumerating the various articles, be unequal in its pressure, but by a describing the rate of duty, and the proreference to the 43d of the King, c. 65, bable produce, viz. it would be found that what he proposed was moderate. The whole of the new taxes under the head of the Excise would yield to the country 950,0007. a year. He would now proceed to imposts of a different description. The first would not be very considerable, and this was not the first time that it had been thought of, though it had never yet been entirely adopted. As early as 1788, it was proposed that one penny should be paid on every newspaper sent by post. This had been carried into effect with respect to papers forwarded by the Two-penny post, but not by the General: for it was supposed that any thing that would check the circulation of papers would have an injurious tendency. But he was certain that no one who indulged in the luxury of reading a London Paper, a luxury with which all were well acquainted, would deprive himself of that enjoyment for the sake of saving one penny. He should apprehend, however, that Members of Parliament would contrive to receive their newspapers free of postage. (Here a general cry of No, no, arose, and Mr. Whitbread said across the table, 66 Tax "Members.") As it eappeared to be the universal sense ofh th House not to avail themselves of their prerogatives on this occasion, be would make no exception in their favour in this duty, which was calculated to produce 50,000l. a year. It was not his intention to propose any further vote with respect to the Post Office that night; but other measures were in contemplation, which he should hereafter submit to the judgment of Parliament. These, however, would not affect the inland revenue. They would refer to the etsablishment of a regular conveynnce of letters to the East Indies, and to an imrovement in the measures adopted last session with respect to foreign and other ship letters, from which he expected that the revenue would defive an augmentation of 75,000l. This, it was expected that an additional reve- sum for the purpose of liquidating the nãe of 7 or 800,0001. would be derived; immediate and pressing expences of the but, as the Committee must be well aware, winding up of the war. He now, however, a new Schedule on a subject so compli- thought that it would be more beneficial cated, could not be prepared without to allow the Sinking Fund to increase for considerable delay.-Supposing that this four years at compound interest, withnew proposition would be productive out any reserve or deduction whatever; to the amount which he had described, in which case it would produce there would remain about 600,000l. still 150,000,0007. a sum that would be to be raised; and he trusted, that in re- capable of redeeming the whole funded viewing the existing system of bounties debt (if it were thought advisable wholly and drawbacks, Parliament might find to redeem it) in 45 years; which would the means of obtaining this sum. In the be within the limits prescribed by article of printed cottons for instance, Mr. Pitt's act. It was peculiarly desirathe bounties were rendered unnecessary ble, so recently after the cessation of by the prosperity of the manufacture. hostilities, to avoid trenching on so The bounties demanded, were in some important a resource, and one which cases só extensive, that although he was could be converted into the means of reluctant to suspect the existence of enabling us to meet an unforeseen and fraud, there was reason for circumspec- sudden contingency. The ferment into tion and enquiry. (The Right Honoura- which Europe had been, thrown was ble Gentleman made some further obser- scarcely calmed; the military ardour vations on this subject, and on the draw- which had been so prevalent was scarcely backs on sugar, &c. but in a tone of voice abated. In this point of view the lapse so low as to prevent us from accurately of a little time might be of the greatest ollecting his meaning.) He came now importance. Every year, every month, to say a few words on an article of very rendered stronger the probability of a extensive consumption in this country continuance of peace. At the expira he meant beer. A few years ago a great tion of four years-having prudently reincrease took place in the price of beer. served to ourselves during that period The public were convinced that the pre- the power of answering any unexpected sent price was greater than it ought to but imperious demand--we should then, be; and that if it were continued, the in greater security, have an opportunity to country had a fair title to participate in consider of the best mode of availing the advantages which must consequently ourselves of all the resources which we accrue. He was very unwilling, how-possessed for lightening the burthens ever, to appear to increase the charge of the country. The committee and the of an article of so great necessity; and he would much rather, by the hint which he had thrown out, be the means of diminishing the existing price. He was aware that in cases of this nature it was a delicate matter for Government to interfere between the producer and the consuther; but having been a party 10 the former increase of price, and ha-our power, so on the other we should ving uo difficulty in saying that in his lay a foundation for the attainment of a opinion the present price was exorbitaut, force that was best calculated to preserve he did not wish to be considered respon us in undisturbed tranquillity. That sible for it.--He was now about to sub- very night would, deliver the country mit to the Committee his suggestion's with | from an annual taxation of nine respect to the provision for the charges millions; of the Loan, and of the unfaaded debt, Adverting to the sum if the hands of the Commissioners for the reduction the National Debt, he observed that he had on a former occasion stated that it might be advisable on the restoration of peace, to reserve a portion of that country must be well aware, that the best security for peace was to shew that we were perfectly prepared for war. By a continuance of the Property Tax, and by an abstinence from the Sinking Fund, we should every year strengthen our hands; and as on the one hand he trusted we should exhibit a moderation equal to and not only would the relief be directly advantageous to those by whom it would be felt, but in the expenditure of the money thus saved by the people, a large portion of it would circuitously, but yet certainly, find ite way into the public Treasury, and thus contribute to the strength of the State' of near The gradual but steady increase of the Tar,which Mr. PORTALL, at the Hamprevenue was also a subject of gratifying shine Meeting, called a highwayman's-tax, contemplation. On the 5th of April, but which Mr. VANSITTART said, it had 1814, the total amount of the revenue cuabled us to effect the deliverance of for the year, (exclusive of the Property Europe. What would this deliverance | Tax) was 48,436,000l. In the preceding appear to be, if Mr. Portall's definition year the revenue (with the same exclusi- were taken into account? It is very true, on) did not amount to 37,000,000l. ? so however, that the Pope has been dethat in that year there was an increase livered, that the Jesuits have been deof about 1,800'0007. At Christmas livered, that the Dominicans have been last the revenue for the year (ex- delivered (except in France), that the clusive of the Property Tax) was 51,- Holy Inquisition has been delivered, that 211,000l. being an increase Genoa has been delivered up, that Italy 3,000,000l. This progress of the public has shared the same fate, that Saxony and revenue would tend materially to re- Poland and Belgium are all likely to unlieve the public burthens; and here he dergo the same kind of deliverance. The could not refrain from congratulating Bourbons, two have been delivered; but the committee and the country on having the people of France do not seem to have achived the great object of the arduous been delivered of their means of surpassing struggle in which they had been engaged, us in agricultural produce, nor of their with the resources of the country in a means of carrying on manufactories state of such strength and hope. He upon an extensive scale. They are not well recollected that at the first dinner yet delivered of the Code Naplecu, nor which Mr. Pitt gave after the commenceof their sufferings from the want of tythes. ment of the contest, Mr. Burke filled a monks, gabelles, corvées, and feudal glass of wine and drank "Success to this tenures and vassalage, It is, however, long war!" The Company in general very good to hear, that the successes of were not prepared for this expression, the war are to be attributed to our taxes, "long," conceiving that the war would though it may not be so palatable to the soon be terminated; and some of them heroes who have been personally engaged having expressed their surprise, Mr. in that war. It may vex them to hear it Burke continued-"I say this long and asserted, that we owe our victories to the sanguinary war; for such it must be, purse; and the assersion does indeed, Durate, et vosmet rebus servate secundis. seem to justify the plaintive allusion, in Let' durate, be your motto," The per- the Hampshire Petition, to the new severance which that great inan recom- Knights of the Beth; for, really, if our mended had been undeviating adopted; warlike successes be to be attributed to and never had the efforts of any state our purse, is seems but just, that those been crowned with more complete tri- who filled that purse, should share umph. The Right Hon. Gentleman conin the honours which are the reward of cluded by moving his first Resolution. I those victories. The Order of Taxation, seems, therefore, to be fully justified ou There was nothing in the debate worthy the assertion of these gentlemen, and why of the smallest notice. No one objected should we not have it?-Of the fact, to the proposed taxes, as being the means however, I have not the least doubt. of supporting a standing army in time of have always been of opinion, that peace; no one found fault of the intention the taxes of England won the victo keep up, in time of peace, all the war tories; and, indeed, SO have the taxes except the property-tax; no one, French always said. They, to do them in short, nor any single word, at all injustice, acknowledged, from the comferesting to any man, who has a regard mencement of the war with us, that it was for the principles of our ancient laws and our money that beat them. They used to government. There was nothing but ca- call it "l'or de Pitt," Pitts gold; and til; nothing at all, that came to any in- our present doctrine seems fully to tally teresting point. Therefore, I shall only with that assertion. Yes, it certainly was have to remark on the Budget-speech it- the English taxes that overthrew Napoself--The Chancellor of the Exchequer leon, and that restored Ferdinand the began by an eulogium on the Property-beloved, and the Pope. Talk of the Cox sacks indeed! They, to be sure, carried the lances, and the javelins; but what urged them? The taxes of England. Let this always be clearly understood. It was the English money that did the thing in Europe, and that would have done the thing in America, if the Hertford Knights could have had their wish. In that hemisphere, however, it certainly has not been so potent, though, as we are told, the taxes of last year were greater than ever. In spite of all our paying, we have certainly been defeated in our attempts on the other side of the Atlantic. To the exceeding mortification of every one who really feels for the naval renown of England, there is now as much boasting about the capture of one American Frigate by two English Fri- | gates as there used to be about our capturing of a whole fleet, by a force of two thirds of that of any enemy, Ch, shame! It is very natural for us to be glad, that one of those terrible Frigates has been taken and added to our navy; but, to make a boast of it? This is the vexatious fact. To boast, that two of our frigates, followed closely by others of our ships, have taken one American frigate, is past all bearing. One would think, that the very frame of our minds must have undergone a great change. The most material part of the speech is that, in which Mr. Vansittart speaks of being ready for a new war. He does not seem to imagine, that other nations will be ready to go to war as well as we; and he seems to forget, that, if we go to war again, there will be no Jacobin cry to urge us on; and that if we attempt our blockades, and impressments, and orders in council, however just, (for I will have no dispute about that) we shall have America with, perhaps, a hundred public ships of war, of all sizes, against us. The Chancellor seems to have forgotten this fact; yet, a fact it is, and a very important one too. This danger, the greatest that England ever knew, we owe to the American war; a war which I laboured so hard to prevent, and which I said would create an American navy. It has done that deed, and has thereby rendered it necessary for us to keep a much larger naval force in constant readiness; and, of course has entailed upon us an enormous expence.- -We are, it seems, to have loans in time of peace. I said we should. My propositions were these: The War Taxes must all be continued, The freeholders must go unpaid, The army must be disbanded, and the navy reduced to the state of 1786, There must be new taxes equal in amount to the war taxes, OR, There must be loans in time of peace. Ser A middle course has been pursued, Part of the war taxes are to be continued, and we are to have loans in time of peace, a thing quite unprecedented in our history. But, this is, in fact, of no consequence at all to the people. It is the employment of the taxes; the power they give to those who rule us; the effect they have in debasing the spirit and morals of the people; their terrible effect upon public liberty; this is the only light, in which it is worth the while of any rational man to view the taxes.The addition to the assessed taxes will produce very little, if the symptoms I have seen are to be judged by. Those who kept two horses, will, in one half of the cases, keep but one. vants and Dogs will be turned out of doors very fast, and chariots and gigs will fall in abundance. I do not think, that, upon these articles, any addition will be raised. The taxes upon hot houses will weigh against the tax upon glass; which will also be diminished by a further closing up of windows.-The tax upon newspapers will make each paper cost in tax fourpence halfpenny, and payment to the news-man, three pence. But, this will produce little, though it is so heavy on the article; for if one paper out of every seven, is laid down in consequence of it, the gain to the treasury is nothing at all; and there will be a corresponding falling off in the paper tax. Out of the sixpence halfpenny, which the news-man now receives, the Government has already received, in stamp duty, about 4-pence. This was pretty well; but, in fact, it is no matter. Mr. VANSITTART hinted at the dearness of BEER. Will he say, that the Government does not now receive 3d, three-farthings out of the Gd. for which a pot of beer is sold? My ale is not loaded with beer duty, and yet, in every quart of it that I drink, I drink about two pence halfpenny in tax. |