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as minister, had made the pledges before alluded to.

General Gascoyne said, that he should suffer no opportunity to pass without pressing upon the House the injustice of the regulations said to be connected with the renewal of the charter. Those regulations were injurious to the out-ports, and directly contrary to the articles of the Union with Ireland. He never could conceive that it could enter into the contemplation of government to make all ships coming from Asia discharge their return cargoes in the port of London. To-morrow he should make a motion, founded on the papers made public in another quarter. He should, however, previously move, that those papers be laid before the House. Mr. Howarth complained of the delay which had taken place in the negociations between the Board of Controul and the Directors. From the 13th of February, 1809, for two years and ten months, it appeared that no communication had been had between them.

Mr. Wallace could not give an official answer to the question of the last speaker. He, however, proceeded to explain that which had been noticed, and was understood to say, that though he did not know that any official correspondence had taken place within the period alluded to, yet there had been communications and discussions on the subject. Some delay had occurred in consequence of its being thought desirable to wait for the Report of the Committee on the Finances of the East India Company. With respect to what had been said by the noble lord of the concessions which had been made by his right hon. friend, he thought they were answered by those very proceedings on the report on which he had founded his statement, as it had there been stated, that all was conceded on the part of the company, while nothing was secured in return. The papers for which the hon. general intended to move, were papers to the production of which he did not know that any objection would be made, but he thought the motion at present might be premature.

The Petition was then presented and read; containing the like allegations as the last preceding Petition; and praying, "That leave may be given to bring in a Bill or Bills for continuing the possession, government, and management of the territorial acquisitions in the East Indies in the Petitioners, subject to regulation, and

for altering the appropriations of the profits arising from the Indian revenues, and for enabling the Petitioners to raise such sums of money, or to contract such pecuniary obligations, as their affairs may require, in respect of the payment in this country of debts originally contracted in India, and for settling the trade to the East Indies and China, and other places, from the cape of Bona Esperanza to the streights of Magellan, or that the Petitioners may have such other relief as their case may require."

Mr. Creevey begged to ask, what course it was intended to follow on this occasion. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that the Petition would be referred to a Committee of the whole House, and that certain Resolutions would be proposed to the Committee.

General Gascoyne moved for Copies of all Correspondence which had taken place between the Board of Controul and the Directors of the East India Company, respecting their present charter.

Mr. Wallace had no objection to the production of the papers.

The Papers were ordered accordingly, and will be found in the APPENDIX to this Volume.

SCARCITY OF PROVISIONS IN IRELAND.] Sir John Newport, after adverting to the scarcity of grain and other provisions which existed in many districts of Ireland, and to the necessity of preventing the distillation from grain in that country, moved for a general return of all the grain, malt, meal, and flour exported from Ireland, from the beginning of the present year to the latest period at which the same could be made out.

Mr. Wellesley Pole did not rise to oppose the motion, but to state that he had not altered the opinion he had already expressed on this subject. He was convinced that there was no real scarcity of provisions throughout Ireland. The apparent deficiency was merely local, and arose from exports; but, at the same time, he allowed that it was the duty of government to allay the fears, however unfounded, which the people of Ireland entertained. With this view he intended to move, tomorrow, for leave to bring in a Bill to prevent the exportation abroad of Irish made spirits; and he also intended to move in the Committee of Ways and Means, for an additional duty on those spirits imported to any part of the em

pire. The right hon. gentleman then went | over the comparative price of potatoes, and other articles of first necessity, in various counties from the 14th of January to the 8th of March, and concluded with asserting, that the advance in price had been but trifling.

Mr. Latouche was of opinion, that it would be expedient to take into consideration the policy of putting a temporary stop to the distilleries.

Sir J. Newport said he had been informed, that the distillers had sent to Mr. Pole exaggerated accounts of their stocks of grain, and in confirmation of which he read part of a letter.

Mr. Shaw of Dublin said, that the alarming price of provisions in Dublin had excited a strong sensation, so much so, as to induce the magistrates to make representations on the subject to the lord lieutenant, with a view to the adoption of some measure of relief. He agreed that the stopping of the distilleries now would be unjust, but thought they might be prevented from commencing again, as usual, in September, and that they ought to be obliged to suspend their work until the January following. Such a measure would, in his opinion, be sufficient to relieve the apprehension of scarcity.

Mr. Parnell, from all the information which he had been able to procure, was not of opinion that any sound apprehension could be entertained of a scarcity. It had been stated to him, that in many parts potatoes were still sold at 4d. per stone, which certainly could not be called dear. The fact, he believed, was, that the deficiencies were local, and fully compensated by the abundance of other parts of the kingdom. The evil, he conceived, was one that would naturally remedy itself, unless this effect should be counteracted by the activity of magistrates, or the government.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, the subject was of the highest importance, and if there was really a prospect of scarcity in Ireland, it deserved their immediate consideration. He hoped the House would keep in mind, that the information they were possessed of was at present very defective. It appeared that in many parts there was great abundance, and the mischief chiefly arose from the difficulty of transporting provisions from one part to another. The House would therefore be cautious how they stopt the exportation of provisions from Ireland to England. As to the stoppage of the distilleries in

Ireland, it was to be considered, that if we stopt them where they were legal, we gave advantage to those which were illegal; which, while it would be no saving of the quantity of human food, would in a very material degree injure the revenue.

Mr. Pole, in answer to the observations of Mr. Shaw, stated, that the Irish government had received no information which could lead them to think there was a general scarcity. On the contrary, his opinion was, that there was plenty of grain, and that the increase of price and consequent alarm was owing to certain outrages and speculations which had taken place. If there was any apprehension of a general scarcity, he could assure the hon. gentleman that government would take any step which might be necessary, even were it the total stoppage of the distilleries; but as that was not the case, he thought they should not proceed to do what must injure the revenue, and the agriculture of the country.

The motion was then agreed to.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Wednesday, April 8.

PEASANTRY OF IRELAND.] Earl Stanhope adverted to the situation of the peasantry of Ireland, who, he stated, were by the operation of the tythe laws (as was also sometimes the case in this country) compelled to pay rent two, three or four times over. For the purpose of relieving them from this distressing situation he had prepared a Bill, which he proposed to present to their lordships tomorrow se'nnight; and therefore moved, that the lords be summoned for that day.-Or|dered.

TOLERATION.] Earl Stanhope also observed, that he wished to call their lordships' attention to another very important subject. With respect to persons holding certain religious tenets, there were two opinions, the one that they should be admitted to hold civil offices, and the other that they should be disqualified from holding offices; but both parties were agreed in the justice of toleration. Upon this latter point, however, in consequence of some recent circumstances, many Protestant Dissenters, and even some members of the established Church, were liable to much oppression, to relieve them from which, he had also prepared a Bill, but thought it better not to name a day for

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presenting it until after the discussion on the claims of his Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects in Ireland.

EAST INDIA COMPANY'S CHARTER.] The Earl of Liverpool presented a petition from the magistrates and council of Paisley, praying for the opening of the East India trade, which was ordered to lie on the table.

The Earl of Lauderdale gave notice of a motion for to-morrow, for the Correspondence between the Directors of the East India Company and government respecting the renewal of the Charter, and also for certain papers respecting the transfer of the troops of the East India Company to government in 1794.

BANK OF ENGLAND.] The Earl of Lauderdale, after adverting to the Bill now in progress in the House of Commons, relative to Bank notes, also gave notice of his intention to move for information which he considered of the utmost importance with a view to that Bill, in order to ascertain the profits made by the Bank of England since 1797, by those measures which had brought distress on the rest of the country. His object was to have an account of the price of Bank Stock in 1797, and the average price in every half year since; the increase of dividends to the proprietors of Bank Stock during the same period; and the amount of bonusses grant ed to the same proprietors, during the same period. He believed it would be found, that the Bank of England had derived an additional profit of 15 or 16 millions by these measures, by the operation of which the rest of the country had been so much distressed.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Wednesday, April 8.

PETITIONS FROM PAISLEY, SWANSEA AND BIRMINGHAM RESPECTING THE RENEWAL OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY'S CHARTER.] A Petition of the manufacturers merchants traders and other inhabitants of the town of Paisley, was presented and read; setting forth,

"That, as the Charter of the East India Company will expire in the course of two years, the Petitioners most respectfully presume to express their sentiments on a subject peculiarly interesting to that populous and manufacturing district of the country, and to the nation in general;

and that, in the present depressed state of the manufactures and commerce of that part of the United Kingdom, every measure of assistance that the House can afford ought, in the Petitioners' humble, apprehension, to be manifested and exerted; and they rely, with confidence, that no considerations of a partial nature will be permitted to sacrifice and set aside their most serious and important interests; and that, in order to render such assistance effectual, it is the Petitioners' firm opinion that it is necessary and expedient to discontinue the commercial monopoly of the East India Company, on the expiration of their existing Charter, as thereby new and extensive markets will be opened for reception of British manufactures, which will render this country more independent of all commercial relations with the continent of Europe, and contribute to the increase of the financial resources of the empire; and that the present monopoly of the East India Company affords renewed evidence of the injurious consequences attendant upon exclusive traffic; the capital of the country, which might be beneficially embarked in trade to the East, is locked up, and thousands, who find no employment under the present narrowed system, might be actively engaged in a free and unfettered commerce: the exist ing monopoly too is attended with this singular and unaccountable peculiarity, that privileges are conceded to, and lucratively enjoyed by, neutral nations, which are absolutely denied to, and rigorously withheld from, the merchants of the British empire; and that the example afforded by the citizens of the United States of America must remove any doubt which can be entertained regarding the competency of British individuals to carry on an extensive commerce to the East Indies, China, and the other countries comprehended in the Charter of the East India Company; and that every port of the United Kingdom ought to be allowed the advantages of foreign trade; and that it would be unjust to confine in future the commerce of the East to the port of London; and praying the House to adopt measures for the abolition of the commercial monopoly of the East India Company, at the expiration of their present Charter."

A Petition of the merchants, manufacturers, and other inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood of Swansea, was also presented and read;. setting forth,

[238 "That the Petitioners are sensibly im- them and for themselves every measure pressed with the conviction that extensive of assistance that the House can give; and perpetual monopolies, such as have and that, as an efficient measure of this been for a long time enjoyed by the East nature, the Petitioners are of opinion, that India Company, are unjust in their princi- it is expedient to discontinue the commerples, and mischievous in their effects; and cial monopoly of the East India Company that the Petitioners feel, at this time, when at the expiration of their present charter; they are nearly precluded from any trade and the Petitioners firmly believe that, by with the continent of Europe, that it be the abolition of the East India monopoly, comes essentially necessary that the mer-new and extensive markets will necessa chants and manufacturers of this kingdom rily be opened for British manufactures, should look to new sources for a vent for which will render this country more intheir respective commodities; and it ap-dependent of all commercial relations with pears to the Petitioners that no country holds out such an extensive market as India and the various other regions now shut to the nation at large by the East India Charter, although foreign nations, in amity with Great Britain, are permitted to trade with them; and that, by throwing open the trade of those countries, now monopolized by the East India Company, the Petitioners hope and expect they may be able essentially to increase the manufacture of copper, which, for a long time past, has been the great source of the prosperity of the town of Swansea and its neighbourhood; and that the Petitioners look up, with confidence, to the House, as their representatives and natural protectors; and they indulge a most sanguine hope that the House will not suffer their serious and weighty interests to be sacrificed to any partial considerations, but will adopt the necessary measures for the total abolition of the commercial monopoly of the East India Company at the expiration of their present Charter."

the continent of Europe than it has hitherto been, and cannot fail materially to increase the naval strength and financial resources of the empire; and that the Petitioners are of opinion that this abolition is not more called for by the distresses of the merchants and manufacturers of the United Kingdom than it is by justice and reason, and the general interest of the whole body of the British people; and that the Petitioners forbear to enlarge upon the decrease of the trade of the East India Company, notwithstanding the great increase of their territorial possessions; they forbear also to enlarge upon the increase which has taken place in the trade carried on by foreign individuals, who have engrossed into their hands so great a proportion of the whole commerce of the East, knowing, as the Petitioners do, that all these facts are before the House, and not doubting that they will give to them that deliberate consideration which their great importance demands; and that the Petitioners look up, with confidence, to the House, as their representatives and An Address and Petition of the mer-natural protectors; and they do indulge a chants, manufacturers, and other inhabitants of the town of Birmingham, was also presented and read; setting forth,

"That the Petitioners contemplate, with deep concern, the present state of the manufactures and commerce of the United Kingdom, which, whilst it grievously afflicts the merchants and manufacturers, threatens to spread general discontent throughout the country; and that, whilst the Petitioners are determined to bear every burthen, and to make every sacrifice, rather than compromise the security or honour of their country, yet they feel it is their duty to inform the House of the distressed situation of the great body of the labouring mechanics, particularly in that important manufacturing district of which the town of Birmingham may be considered the centre, and to claim for

most confident hope, that the House will not suffer their serious and weighty interests to be sacrificed to any partial considerations; and praying, that the House will adopt the necessary measures for the total abolition of the commercial monopoly of the East India Company at the expiration of their present Charter; but in the event of the House seeing reasons to continue, in some degree, a commercial monopoly to the East India Company, the Petitioners do then most earnestly implore that they will not suffer it to deprive British subjects of any privileges which are allowed to neutral nations, and that the Charter may be made subject to such modifications and conditions as may best promote the commerce and manufactures of the United Kingdom, leaving open to the capital the enterprize and the industry of British mer

chants, all the islands of the Indian ocean, together with such parts of the continents of Asia and Africa, as to the wisdom of the House may seem expedient." Ordered to lie upon the table.

CAPTURE OF CIUDAD RODRIGO.] The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that since the Vote of Thanks had been passed in that House to the officers and men who assisted at the capture of Ciudad Rodrigo, he had learned that the names of major-general Henry Frederick Campbell, major-general the hon. Charles William Stewart, majorgeneral Baron Low, major-general James Kemmis, major-general William Borthwick, and colonel William Maundy Harvey, brigadier-general in the Portuguese service, were omitted in the said motion; he therefore moved the like thanks to them; which was agreed to.

EXPORTATION OF IRISH SPIRITS.] The House having gone into a committee of the whole House, to consider of the Exportation of Spirits from Ireland,

Mr. Wellesley Pole said, that he rose for the purpose of moving a Resolution to prevent the exportation of spirits made from grain in Ireland, for a time to be limited. The object of the Resolution was to prevent the exportation of Irish made spirits to foreign markets, in consequence of the high price of provisions in Ireland at the present period. In considering the situation of that country, there were but four measures which suggested themselves for adoption. The first was, to prevent the intercourse between this country and Ireland; the second, to stop the distillation from grain in Ireland; the third, to stop the export of grain from Ireland for the supply of our armies; and the fourth was that, which he felt it his duty to recommend to the committee, as there were many objections to each of the others, which he was persuaded, many gentlemen would concur in thinking sufficient to prevent their being resorted to. The measure now submitted to the committee was unquestionably a smaller evil than any other, and was nothing more than stopping the exuberant grain of the country from being converted into spirits, in order to be sent abroad-he was aware, at the same time, that it would create a considerable disappointment to many meritorious persons in Ireland-he meant those distillers, who. by their exertions, had established a beneficial trade to Portugal

and other places, but he trusted that their good sense would show them that this measure was resorted to, to beat down the high price of provisions, and to prevent the distress which arose from that circumstance. He hoped, therefore, that this proposition would be found effectual when coupled with some others which he would have to propose, but if he should be disappointed, it then would be time enough to adopt some other mode of proceeding. The time to which he proposed to limit the operation of the Bill which he proposed to bring in, was the 31st of December, and it would be modelled in the same manner as the Bill for prohibiting distillation from grain in England, but it would vest in the Lord Lieutenant a power to permit the exportation of grain after the 1st of October, if he should deem it expedient, or to continue the provisions of the Bill for 40 days after the opening of the next session of parliament. It was also his purpose that the measure should commence from this day, as otherwise large quantities of corn might be sent out of the country before the Bill could take effect, but care would be taken to prevent any injury being sustained by any individual, as he proposed to empower the commissioners of the revenue in Ireland to hear any case and grant such redress as they might think just. He concluded by moving, "That it is expedient to suspend, from and after the 8th day of April 1812, for a time to be limited, the exportation from Ireland to parts beyond the seas, spirits made or distilled in that part of the United Kingdom from corn or grain."

Mr. Stewart said, that the object in view would, in his opinion, be better promoted, by the stoppage of distillation from grain altogether, and it would, besides, mark the attention of the Irish government to the wants of the people.

Mr. Curwen thought it surprising that government did not go into a general consideration of the resources of the country with respect to its supplies of corn, after the quantity that was annually imported, He thought that a rise on the price of grain would insure a constant supply, and two bushels more on the acre through the country would give an abundance. Ministers should have a more accurate view of the whole agriculture of the country, and would by that means have it in their power to adopt some general measure instead of those temporary expedients now resorted to. He wished to God, for the

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