tism, and checked the career of the con- expression of the determination of the queror. Alone and unsupported, England House to enter into a speedy inquiry into had, for years, been the rallying point of le- the cause of this evil, with a view of regitimate government–the champion of ra- moving any pressure to which the comtional liberty and the defender of national mercial and agricultural interests were exindependance. But if any there were who posed, it would have completely obviated entertained different sentiments as to the the necessity of proposing any addition to necessary sacrifices we had made for the at- the terms of the Address. This omission tainment of these important objects, let was, however, too important in its charac them at least recollect the dangers we had ter to be passed over without an attempt passed, the difficulties we had surmounted, at least to supply the deficiency, and to and contrast the situation we now hold show the nation that parliament had not with that in which we might have been allowed the first day of its meeting to placed, had our deadliest foe prevailed in elapse without pledging itself to an inthe contest. The hon. gentleman con- quiry so vitally essential to the interests cluded by recommending unanimity in of the people. There was another topic supporting administration through the dif- to which the hon. baronet did not allude; ficulties with which, after such a strug- he probably overlooked it in his energy of gle, they must necessarily have to contend. exultation feelings that he held in comHe trusted that government would do all mon with the whole community-at the in its power to alleviate the distresses un- downfall of military tyranny on the contiavoidably consequent on such a contest as nent, and the re-establishment of the peace we had been engaged in; that the public of Europe. The topic to which he alluded resources would be husbanded with the was, the unusual length of the adjournment strictest economy; and he had no doubt of parliament at a crisis so important. that agriculture would shortly recover This delay was a serious ground of comfrom that depression under which it la plaint; for during this protracted recess, boured at present ; a depression, occasi- it became a matter of public notoriety, oned by circumstances which no human that treaties and conventions of vast imforesight could have anticipated or pre- portance to the interests of mankind, had vented; but while we deplored the evils been entered upon and decided by his that to a certain extent unfortunately did Majesty's ministers, who, notwithstanding prevail, he trusted we should turn a' deaf the paramount necessity of the case, had, ear to those who would teach us to des during the long discussion attendant upon pond, and heed not the warnings of such such proceedings, wholly neglected to call gloomy prophets. upon the Commons of England for their Mr. Brand rose to move an amendment, necessary advice and co-operation. This and prefaced his speech by an apology for was disrespect to the people, as well as to the nearly inaudible manner in which a their representatives in parliament. It severe hoarsness compelled him to address was impossible not to feel a more than orthe House. Exclusively of this indisposi- dinary anxiety on this subject, when it was tion he had to encounter the difficulty of understood that treaties had been confollowing an hon. baronet, who had opened cluded, raising doubtful questions of pubthe debate in a manner at once so credit- lic law and of constitutional principle; that able to his own talents, and so moderate provision had been made for maintaining in his review of the subject. The Speech a large foreign military establishment, of the Prince Regent was also remarkable which must necessarily require a large for its moderation ; and here he begged domestic military establishment, for its to be understood as not rising to give it support. The subject involved not mere. his opposition, but for the mere purpose ly legal and constitutional, but finanof saying that if the hon. baronei could cial considerations, all of which were overhave put such sentiments into the royal looked in the Address of the hon. baronet; Speech as those he had so appropriately and although it would not be proper to go introduced in his own, he would not have deeply into them at present, he trusted trespassed on the attention of the House he should hereafter be able successfulwith his present appeal. The hon. baronet ly to contend that they ought to have had very properly and feelingly alluded to directed whatever might be the terms and the distresses of the country, and had he provisions of those treaties. What he followed up this sensible expression of his chiefly regretted, however, in the able opinion, by embodying in the Address an speech of the hon. baronet, was, the slight and insufficient manner in which be had ment. In most former instances, Treaties touched upon the actual distresses of the of Peace had been communicated to both country. 'He wished the House to pledge Houses within a month after they were itself distinctly that they would inquire concluded, and that of 1783 had been and administer speedy relief, because he communicated within a few days. Yet, was convinced, that by a steady application a Treaty by which we were to keep up an of our resources, and by a strict economy, army unexampled in magnitude, and in the burthens and distresses of the people consequence of which the country was to might be relieved. The country looked be burthened with a tax most oppressive to them for some pledge that the existing and unconstitutional in its nature, had system of partial and oppressive taxation not been brought before parliament until should be revised, and he implored his months had elapsed. The contents of the Majesty's ministers and the House not to Treaty they knew, as it were, by report, disappoint it in so just and natural an ex- but the distresses of the country they had pectation. He did not make these obser- all witnessed. Yet, notwithstanding all vations in a spirit of hostility to his Ma- this, the noble lord opposite had not jesty's government, but because he consi- thought proper to meet the House till dered the cause he recommended to be that late period. This, however, would the constitutional duty of that House. The appear less strange to those who had read hon. baronet, as he conceived, improperly the dispatches of the noble lord; when committed this to the discretion of minis- they saw in those documents, how his ters; whereas he wished to confide it to the lordship reprimanded some sovereigns for representatives of the people. He well misconduct, and nations for misbehaviour knew that the body of the people, with an to their sovereigns, it might be a matter anxiety which those only could judge of of wonder how the noble lord had condeswho had observed their distresses, languish- cended to meet the House at all (a laugh). ed for the opinions of the well-informed as It was strange, that in a speech which to the possibility of lessening the public gave them an account of the affairs of burthens. Without anticipating, therefore, Candy and Nepaul, that there was no alany opposition to so moderate an amend- lusion to the cause of the present disment, he should conclude by moving that tresses. This was the more unaccount. the following words be added to the Ad- able, because during many years, when it dress :-" And also to represent to his was represented that the effect of such unRoyal Highness, that it was the duty of bounded taxation would be in the end of his Majesty's ministers to have advised ruinous, the answer uniformly given had his Royal Highness with the least possible been a reference to the flourishing state of delay, to have convened parliament for the the country. But now, after glory on purpose of communicating those impor- glory, and victory on victory, all this prostant treaties with the allies and with perity had vanished. The farmer could France, which after having been acted not pay his rent-the landlord could not upon for several months, are now about to pay his taxes—and from the lowest labe laid before this House; and that the bourer of the land, to the who stood length of the late prorogation was the next the throne, all felt that our prospemore extraordinary at a time when the rity was gone, except indeed, those who unexampled domestic embarrassments, as were paid out of the public purse. The well as the important foreign relations of country was not quite satisfied with its the country required an early meeting of trophies, and began to consider whether parliament ; and to assure his Royal High- the situation which we had attained was ness, that this House will speedily under- worth all the past expenditure, and whetake a careful revisal of our civil and mili- ther the object which it was the duty of tary establishments according to the prin- every English minister to seek had been ciples of the most rigid economy and a obtained, namely, the reduction of France due regard to the public interests; and to such a state, that it could never again also at an early period take into its most be formidable to this country. It was to serious consideration the present state of be remarked now, that after all our victothe country. ries, France remained in the possession of Lord John Russell seconded the amend- as much territory as she had at the time ment, and animadverted on the unprece- when William 3 thought it necessary to dented delay which had taken place in unite all Europe against her. But our communicating the late Treaties to parlia-situation at home was truly dreadful, for peer the reported intentions of ministers left said, he had a particular reason to rejoice, the people no hope of being relieved from that the same opinion had not prevailed their burthens. It was reported that mi. a century ago-his own family in that nisters intended very shortly to propose event must have stolen into obscurity, to continue a great part of the Income- branded as traitors, and stripped of all the tax. He feared, however, that when they honours with which the crown had laden came to milk the cow, they would find her them. But to take a wide view, what dry. He would say, that there could be would have become of the family on the no more dreadful calamity for this country throne? Why, our gracious Sovereign, than the continuance of the tax in question. instead of an imperial throne, would have There was one point touched on by the hon. been the possessor of a petty electorate in baronet, undoubtedly the most plausible, Germany; instead of wielding mighty arbut that which perhaps could least bear mies and holding the balance of Europe, investigation. The ministers were eulo- he would have been at the head of a few gised for the abolition of the slave trade companies of grenadiers in some paltry as if it had been obtained by their sole ex- Gerinanic squabble. Such would have ertions. No one could rejoice more than | been the case, if the regular succession to he did at the completion of that great ob- the throne had not been disturbed by act ject, on which the sense of this country of parliament. The praise of the principle was expressed so warmly; but when the of legitimacy paramount and irresistible, praises of ministers were sounded respect- could not fail to be as offensive to the ears ing it, it was impossible to forget the con- of the Prince, as it was to every friend to duct of the noble lord opposite (lord Cas- British liberty and our admirable constitlereagh), who evinced the greatest ten- tution. derness for the feelings of the French on The Chancellor of the Erchegner said, the subject, and spoke of the impropriety that having listened to the very eloquent of forcing moral doctrines down men's and able speeches of the hon. mover and mouths with the bayonet. That trade seconder, it was impossible to avoid ex. . was now abolished ; and how had this pressing the gratification he felt on the happened? Had the benevolent Louis general impression they had made on succeeded in persuading his subjects that the House, an impression which had inthey were in the wrong? No. A man duced the gentlemen opposite to declare, who was loaded by abuse by all parties- that they were not disposed to disapprove and who no doubt deserved it all had of any part of the Address, but that they abolished by a stroke of his pen this infa- approved of it merely proposing an amend. mous traffic-and it did not seem to have ment, regretting that parliament had not made him a bit the more unpopular. He met earlier, and pledging the House to a should be slow, however, to allow either our rigid inquiry into the means of reducing government, or Louis, any praise on this the public expenditure. Thus they must head; they had looked blank and had ac- be understood as willing to give full credit quiesced--but the good was done by their to Ministers for that firmness which had enemy. Another point at which he was produced the desired success. Gratified astonished in the speech of the hon. as he must be with this unanimity, he mover was, the expression of the estab- only found it necessary to answer one or lished faith of the Bourbops! The sin- two observations for the information of gular good faith of the Bourbons! (Hear the House. In the first place, the hon. liear!). How many eloquent speeches had gentleman who had put himself in the been delivered in that House against the front of the battle, had urged as a combad faith of that very family! It might plaint against ministers, the long prorobe said, they had learnt morality in ad- gation. But if they had taken the trouble versity; but in the very last year the bad to pay attention to the dates of events faith of Louis 18 in the non-payment which must have come under the notice of Napoleon's pension, was the pretext of every individual, they would have found! though not the cause of his fall. The that the Treaty of Peace about to be laid hon. seconder had made use of an ex. before the House, was only signed on the pression still more unjustifiable-he had 20th of November, and it was nearly two said, he was glad this country had become months longer before the ratifications were the rallying point of legitimacy. Luckily, exchanged. These did not take place it was but of late years that this country till the 20th of January, so that there was had assumed that title. The noble lord only a lapse of ten days between the time (VOL. XXXII.) (D) that ministers had it in their power to example, a very considerable difference make the communication to parliament arose in all commercial transactions, as and the assembling of them together. soon as the general intercourse was reThis was the only cause of the great delay newed with the continent, which had complained of, and the ten days formed been interrupted by the war; this caused the whole of the time that had been suf- a reduction in the prices of all articles fered to elapse before parliament was in similar to those which were allowed to be formed of what had taken place. Out of imported, and particularly in those which this short period must also be deducted formed the necessaries of life. On looking whatever time was necessary for the back to the year 1801, it would be recol. transmission of the Treaty from Paris to lected that apprehensions were entertain- London, as well as that required for the ed of a great deficiency in the supply printing of the Papers for the convenience of bread-corn, the produce of our own of members. They were now in such a country; and these alarms at an approastate of forwardness, that when they came ching scarcity, were continued for several to be laid on the table, and when it would years following: thus the prices of corn be seen that their number, either as and every necessary of life rose rapidly, Treaties, Conventions, or Proclamations, and continued at a high rate ; but when, amounted to between sixty and seventy, by the restoration of peace, channels of every gentleman must be convinced, that commerce were re-opened, the prices nenot an hour had been lost. This was the cessarily found their level, and wheat, in sole cause of the delay. Respecting the particular, was reduced to the price it internal situation of the country, he could formerly bore. Another cause was the assure the hon. gentleman who had moved scarcity of money, occasioned by the conthe amendment, that ministers had paid tinental wars, now so gloriously conthe most anxious and unremitting atten- cluded. Very large sums had been drawn tion to it; and however laboriously and from the capital of this country by the honourably some of his colleagues had great loans of the last and the preceding been employed abroad, he could say for year. In the last three years the immense himself, that he had never passed a sum- sum of 142 millions had been granted for mer with less relaxation or more anxiety the expenses of the war in Portugal, in his life. He could not but think that Spain, &c.; of which about 42 millions the speech which had been read contained only were in paper. The abstraction of every pledge which the House could rea- so large a sum from the ordinary channels sonably desire on the subject in question. of industry of the country must necesIt gave the strongest declaration from the sarily have produced a great stagnation. Crown that all possible measures for pro- But when the Papers that were preparing • ducing general economy in the state on this subject should be laid before the should be taken that were consistent with | House, the whole matter would be clearly the safety of the country; and this was a seen into; and all that was requisite would point which ministers and the House be for gentlemen not to consider them in would never cease to keep in view. He the gross, but scrupulously to examine the believed, indeed, that if we could be items, and, after an attentive investigation, brought back to the state we were in be- to form their opinion as to what parts of fore the war began, and on one side were the public expenditure can be property placed all the dangers and difficulties dispensed with, as well as how those wants which we had undergone, and the expense are to be met which are most necessary which we had incurred, and on the other to the welfare of the country. In answer - the high station which we had attained, to the question of the noble lord opposite, there was no British heart so base as not he had no hesitation to avow the intention to choose our present glorious eminence, of ministers to continue the Income Tax, notwithstanding all it had cost us. As so on the modified scale of 5 per cent.many opportunities would soon occur for (Loud cries of Hear, hear!) ' He should the House maturely to consider what be able, at the proper time, to show, that could be done to improve the state of the of all modes that could be thought of, country, he should touch but slightly on none would be equally advantageous and any thing relating to that topic. It must economical, or less oppressive and burbe evident, that several circumstances thensome to the community at large. He contributed to produce this stagnation, was aware he should be told, that he could which could not possibly be avoided. For borrow a large sum of money to supersede $ the necessity of this tax ; but he should with debts on which not one per cent. and if the reason were asked, it was said |