The merits of the peace under existing prosperity failed not to manifest them. circumstances would be subject to the selves, and continue to accumulate in examination of the House on a future day, every year), to profound peace. There He admitted it would then be for them was no man who could suppose, at the Lo consider whether a wiser peace, or one close of such a war, that some indications more advantageous for this country, and of calamity would not result from the for Europe in general, might not have changes consequent on the transition of been made after the successes which had the industry of the country from the war crowned the army of England in con- market to the peace market. But, look. junction with her allies, These were ing at this, he desired that an exaggerated points that would be open for discussion, view might not be taken of the evils to be and for these ministers stood responsible surmounted. It was fit that the country in their characters and in their situations; should look them in the face; to meet but still it would be seen, that agreeing them with success, it was necessary they to the present Address, the House ae. should know the extent of the difficulties ceded to the proposition, that there never with which they had to contend; but it had been a peace concluded for this or was not from taking an exaggerated view perhaps for any other country so advan- of them that parliament would be enabled tageous, so glorious in all respects, and so to supply the proper remedy. While he completely accomplishing the most san- admitted that the difficulties referred to guine expectations of the country. He existed to a certain degree, he felt he was not surprised at the gloomy apprehen- might even now congratulate the country sions expressed by some of the gentlemen on the situation in which it was found at who had spoken on the other side: re- the close of such a contesta situation membering, as he did, what were their very different, and gratifyingly different, feelings while we were engaged in the from that in which ic had been left at the prosecution of the war, it was not to be termination of every former war. If they expected that these would be at once looked back to the end of the American removed by the return of peace. Some war, would they find that it was possible difficulties were to be anticipated, for for the Chancellor of the Exchequer of he should be glad to know where a peace that day, while seeking for topics of con. had been made in any part of the world solation, to speak of the flourishing state which had left all the community for of the industry, commerce, or revenues of whom it was made without one grievance the country? Was there not a general to complain of. He, however, should be failure in each-a depression in all of glad to have this peace compared with them, arising out of the sacrifices caused any of those which had been pressed on by the war?

and was not that decay in the the attention of parliament during the prosperity of all classes to be lamented war, by their opponents, as models for which now only pressed upon the agriculthat which it would be desirable to gain, tural interests of the country, and he and he would confidently ask if among trusted would be shown on a future day these any one could be found at all to be when the subject came under the consi. compared with the present?

deration of the House to proceed from The attention of parliament must ne- temporary causes? It had been stated in cessarily be soon directed to the internal the Address that the manufactures, com, situation of the country. He wished the merce, and revenue, were in a flourishing question to be fairly looked at. They state. To these the word “ arts” bad ought not to turn aside either from the been prefixed by the hon. and learned view of the general policy or that of the gentleman (Mr. Brougham). But these internal state of the country; and with were not mentioned in the speech from respect to the latter, there was certainly the throne ; and, he presumed, had only much to be considered; but he wished to been introduced for the purpose of ampliknow what peace could have been made ficatiou. Assuredly, the circumstances of which would not have left much for con- the country warranted the assertion rep sideration, how best to conduct the coun- ferred to. He wished not to enter into try from one situation to a state so im- details at present; all he wished was, that mensely different, as that was to which we the country should look with a steady, were now coming, from that which we manly resolution at the difficulties with have so long known from prosperous which they had yet to contend, as they war (for even in the war the marks of had done during those they had to struggle (VOL. XXXII.)

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with during the war. Doing this they at it, as he trusted it would prove temwould have ministers ready to go band in porary. If the agricultural interest had hand with them, determined not to resort steadily prospered for a considerable to those false expedients which had for- number of years- (as it was well known it merly been suggested, and resolved to had), while other classes of the commupersevere in those solid measures, which, nity suffered severely, it was not a matter founded on sound principles, had finally of surprise that it should at length enbrought the war to a successful termina counter misfortune, and it ought not to tion. Though not disposed to go into occasion despondency, though a remedy details on this occasion, he thought it if practicable, ought to be supplied. If might be well that he should describe the parliament met the difficulties of the present state of the revenue, and by com- country fairly, and joined to sustain the paring the amount of British goods ex- credit of the country, this would be likely ported in the three-quarters of a year, to afford the agriculturist the most effecending October 10, 1814, with those of tual relief.-His right hon. friend, the the three-quarters, ending at the same Chancellor of the Exchequer, had an. period in the following year, it would be nounced his intention to propose the conseen that the passage in the Speech, which tinuation of the Property-tax at 5 per had been so much commented on, was cent. He should much rejoice if the cir. borne out by facts. The British manu- cumstances of the country were such that factures exported in the three-quarters of this tax could be altogether taken off; a year,'ending October 10, 1814, amount- but this could not, it appeared to ministers, ed to 37,167,2941. Those exported in be wisely done. That proposition, howthe three-quarters, ending October 10, ever, which his right hon. friend meant to 1615, amounted to 42,425,3571. This submit to the House on this subject, which was the amount of their real or declared was brought forward in the belief that it value; and from this comparison it would would prove of great importance, and be seen that the increase which had takep even a relief to the country, it would be place amounted to 5,258,063. This ad. for the House to decide upon as they dition to our external commerce he consi- should think proper hereafter. While the dered of the greatest importance. The in-hon. gentlemen opposite objected to the ternal state of the country was such that, Property-tax being continued at all, he deducting the amount of the Property-tax, hoped they would not undervalue the (which was nearly the same as in the pre- reduction in its amount which was conceding year), the taxes on the home con templated. Last year, it was asked by sumption, down to January 5, 1816, not the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to wind withstanding a falling off to the amount of up the expenses of the late war. It was, four or five hundred thousand pounds, in however, given up, and his right hon. the Customs, the increase in the revenue friend had been constrained to have reupon the whole amounted to a million and course to a most painful operation of a half. If there was a falling off in the finance, not to carry on the war, but to customs, he had the satisfaction to state, ) provide for the peace establishment which there was not only no falling off in the was to be kept up, and which could not Excise, but the excess under this head be dispensed with, but at the risk of subcovered the decrease which had occurred verting all the greatness, all the security, under the former. The War-taxes had and he would'add, even all the prosperity, kept steady: they did not vary more than of the country, in all its branches. An 200,000l. from what they were last year. hon. gentleman had said, the Chancellor There then was a vast increase of the of the Exchequer intended to propose that external commerce of the country; the this Tax should be permanent. He denied Excise was enormously increased, and the that he had advanced any thing to justify revenue was generally in a flourishing the assumption that such was his design. state, which proved, that the community Though for the credit, and as he had alpossessed, in as great a degree as for- ready said, even for the relief of the country, merly, the means of indulging those he was disposed to recommend the adoption tastes and dispositions which caused that of this measure at the present moment, he .consuinption from which this revenue hoped, when the Chancellor of the Exchearose. "Though he did not undervalue quer came to bring this question before the depression complained of by the agri- the House, it would be found there was cultural interest, he was not discouraged nothing in his plan which, when the funds should bear such a price as to make it cluded, and without any reference to party, practicable to raise the necessary supply he thought no man who felt as an Englishby other means, would preclude the House man, could do other than exult in those from doing so. But he begged the house triumphs which had placed the military would not be led away, to endeavour to character of this country on a pionacle benefit one particular or separate interest, which it had never before reached. He however dear, by taking any thing from could not, however, give the peace the the Sinking Fund for that purpose, if any unqualified approbation which the noble other way could be found of meeting the lord seemed to expect, till the Treaties difficulties with which we might have to were before the House. When these contend. Whenever this was resorted to, were examined into, he should be glad to he trusted it would be on other than arbi- find that the peace was really one which, trary principles, and that the greatest | while it gave other advantages, sustained care would be taken to guard against at the same time, the British character for unnecessarily trenching upon it. If they good faith. He had no doubt the noble look at the operation of it, and traced its lord thought it merited this praise; but effect on the Funds through the late war, from some rumours which had got abroad they must feel most anxious not to inter- in Europe, he should feel it to be his duty fere with that which had so greatly invi- to look closely into it, to satisfy himself gorated us in the arduous contest we had that in this the noble lord was right. just terminated. If they were to deviate With respect to the commerce and inter: from the plan laid down with respect to nal state of the country, he should reserve the Sinking Fund, by flying to it in order himself till the necessary papers were to relieve one class of the community from before the House, and these were subjects a tax which was found to press heavy on which he should be careful not to mix their industry; if they once broke down with the questions of peace and negociatheir system to assist one interest, they tion. He was aware the conclusion of a might soon be called upon to destroy it for war in every community, more especially the benefit of another. It would be for in one so complicated as that of England, Parliament to consider these things. He, must create some temporary distress, but however, deprecated that gloom and de- he was afraid, that which was now comspondency, to which some gentlemen plained of would be found to bear another appeared disposed to give themselves up. character, and that the remedy would not The Prince Regent's ministers, under all be easily supplied. He trusted the ministhe difficulties which might occur, would ter was not disposed to propose, or the continue to do their duty in peace, with House to adopt, any new departures from the same firmness and resolution which the principles of our ancient laws and pothey had displayed during the war, but licy. He was led to make this remark they would not do that which to them ap- from a suggestion thrown out by his hon. peared incompatible with the security, the and learned friend with regard to an alterpermanent interest, and the high situation ation of some of the existing laws. The of the country. He would be the last present amount of the taxes he believed man to make the government of England | io be the source of the evil complained of, a military government. The pre-eminence and this could never be remedied but by we had obtained might, he trusted, in going to the root of the present system of our insulated situation, be sustained by taxation. He agreed with the noble lord, the glory we had already won, leaving that whatever pressure might be comlittle for future exertion to achieve. plained of, it was desirable to leave

Mr. Horner said, that the noble lord the Sinking Fund unbroken and unimwho had just sat down had stated, that the paired. But if this was suffered to remain House in acceding to the proposed Address untouched, how were the public burthens would pledge themselves to approve of to be diminished? By economy alone. It the Peace as being more glorious than was not to be effected by economically any which had been obtained at the close taking off two or three hundreds from one of former wars. Against this proposition item, or two or three hundreds from ano. he must protest. He understood the ther, but by the introduction of the most Address to congratulate the Prince Regent rigid economy into all departments, and on the Peace, and on the unrivalled suc- by reducing, where it was practical, the cesses which had blessed his Majesty's military, civil, and financial departments. arms in the progress of the war just con- He hoped, in the course of the present

of the peace.

session, that ministers would not come to Mr. Tierney did not mean to detain Parliament to ask for an increase of emo. the House by many observations, but he lument for any of the public officers. He wished to guard against any misinterpretrusted they should not again hear of an tation of the assent which he was prepared addition to the salary of this Lord Advo-to give to the Address. He fully coincate of Scotland, or that commissioner of cided in the assertion, that greater glory Excise, nor an extended provision for had never been acquired, in the history of this or that branch of the royal family. I any age or country, than by the British He hoped, the House would be careful to army, and he hoped he might add, though make ministers attentive to economy, that that now-a-days was a topic somewhat by timely retrenchment the difficulties overlooked, by the British navy also. But complained of might be met, and that if the noble lord meant to apply the word the nation would never be forced to the “ glorious” to the other exertions of our last and most desperate expedient, that of countrymen, such as those of a pecuniary breaking its faith with the public creditor. or a diplomatic kind, there he must pause The hon. and learned gentleman con before he gave his assent. There was one cluded with declaring, that for the present part of the Prince Regent's Speech as he would give no opinion on the character delivered by the commissioners, which he .

rejoiced in most heartily: it was that in · Mr. Coke, of Norfolk, said, that it had which he recommended to the House all been already observed by an hon. gen. possible economy. His Royal Highness tleman in the course of the debate, that surely would not have given this advice to the barley farmers were those who suffered others, unless he meant to practice it himmost. From his own experience, in that self. [A laugh.] This part of the Speech part of Norfolk where a great deal of must belie all those reports that were in barley was raised, he could say the same circulation, of a new increase of debt on thing The noble lord opposite had inti- the Civil List; and he hoped that no new mated, that the alarm among the agriculo application would be made this session for tural interest was exaggerated; he hoped the payment of arrears in that quarter, the noble lord would be able to prove this, [Anod from the Chancellor of the though he greatly suspected it was beyond Exchequer.] He was happy to underhis power, particularly as he had been so stand, from the nod of the right hon. gen. long a time out of the country, and could tleman, that nothing of this kind was to not be accurately acquainted with its do- be expected. The noble lord opposite mestic concerns. There was not a doubt had poured out a tirade against his hon. that the country gentlemen and the farmers and learned friend, for what he called were extremely distressed ; what they indulging in invectives against Ferdinand wanted was a market and a fair price for 7. The noble lord was mistaken, howtheir grains. He said, he did not look ever, if he thought that any confederacy forward to the return of those great and of princes or ministers should control the extravagant prices which the country had members of that House in the free exwitnessed some years back. In the ma- pression of their sentiments as to the conDagement of his estates he, for one, had duct of sovereigns. As long as this connever looked to those prices, being con- federacy of princes existed, which, from vinced that, in the long run, a steady some late occurrences, seemed to have for remunerating price was more for the one of its objects to put down the liberty benefit both of the farmer and land of the press and all freedom of sentiment, holder. . He was sorry to hear from the he, for one, should protest against the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the atrocity of kings. (Hear, hear!] And he renewal of the Income Tax was to be begged that at the next diplomatic meetproposed. He, for one, would resist, to his ing which the noble lord might have with latest breath, the imposition of that tax, Princes Metternich and Hardenberg, be in whatever shape it was proposed, being would acquaint those personages that there convinced that, if once admitted in time was at least one assembly in Europe in of peace, the country would never again which men were determined to speak their get rid of it. He trusted also that the minds on such subjects. But, while he war tax on malt would be done away; thus approved of the Address generally, and if ministers showed no disposition to he thought that nothing could be more remove that burthen, he gave notice that fair than the amendment of his hon. friend. he would make a motion to that effect. He begged gentlemen to consider what a

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mockery it was to lay Treaties before the , at so late a period as the 1st of February, House for its discussion and sanction, and it was still more reprehensible thus to when those very Treaties had been car- shorten the session, when there never was ried into full operation for more than two one, perhaps, that had so much business months, and when the House could nei- before it. With respect to the necessity ther counteract nor controvert their ope- of economy, generally, he was happy to ration. He charged ministers with wil- find that, at last, all parts of the House fully placing Parliament in this ridiculous were agreed; and the Chancellor of tha situation ; and asserted that it never was Exchequer had promised that this eco. their intention that Parliament should nomy should extend into all the details of meet till the 1st of February. For this the public service. This he was the more he had no less a voucher than the pro- happy to hear, because, when a vote of clamation of the Prince Regent himself; ten millions for army extraordinaries was and such was the zeal of ministers to stave last year proposed in a lump, he himself off the meeting of Parliament, that they was scouted at for barely asking to go into adjourned it for ninety days instead of the details. He trusted also that if com. eighty, and thus were in danger of putting mittees were appointed to examine into an end to certain convenient privileges, the different branches of expenditure, they [a laugh,] till they were enabled by a would not be crippled by inadequate pew proclamation to correct their over- powers, but be enabled to sift matters to sight. He should have been sorry, then, the bottom. The noble lord had now if an amendment had not been proposed, confessed, very inconsistently with his directed against the principle of delaying former language, that the country had the opening of parliament under such cir- been bloated by a war expenditure, and cumstances. It involved a constitutional told us that at the return of peace the principle, and Parliament would not do circulation shrank in its dimensions, as their duty unless they mentioned it. If was to be expected. He did not despond the Chancellor of the Exchequer had, of the finances of the country, but he according to his own confession, passed could not help taking a most gloomy view a most unpleasant summer, the farmers of our affairs. The Chancellor of the had certainly done the same; and there-| Exchequer smiled as usual whenever defore it was of importance, that Parliament spondency was mentioned. It was to be should have met at an early period, as hoped, however, that the shock which our there was always a general sort of feel- financial system could not fail to receive ing in the country, that while it was would be broken by the union of all ranks sitting, something might be done to re- in the state, to bear the pressure of commedy any evil that might affect the mon difficulties, and in that respect this general interest. When the price of corn country had still the advantage over every was falling so rapidly as it had done in other. He was not one who wished for the course of last summer and autumn, the return of high prices, for he thought and a very numerous class of people was it most unnatural, that, in a state of peace, thrown into the greatest alarm, surely this this country should be so much insulated was a sufficient intimation that Parliament from all others that a guinea should not should be convoked at an early period. have gone farther here than a dollar in Accordingly, it should have met in No- other countries. But amidst this shrinkvember last ; but now we were told that ing of our circulating medium, there for some reason or other, best known to was great subject of alarm to the stockministers themselves, it was natural we holder; for if we lessened the pecuniary should not be here till the 1st of February. means, the circulating medium of the He would venture to explain the reason : country one half, how were we to pay the House was always sure to meet early, the taxes to the full amount necessary to if ministers were in want of money; but if meet the claims of the public creditor? not, it was equally sure to be postponed | The House was told that there was no as long as possible. He predicted last defalcation of the public revenue. True session, when the vote of credit of ten it was, the taxes might yet keep up for a millions was proposed, that it would enable time; but could the Chancellor of the them to stave off the meeting of Parlia- Exchequer expect that there would not ment till it suited their own convenience; soon be a marked defalcation? Private but he was not listened to. He had never families, some from pride, a wish to supknown an instance where Parliament met port appearances, and habit, were slow ia