993]

Committee of Supply.

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY.] In the Com

Crown lands, according to the precedent |
of the reward to the duke of Marlborough.mittee of Supply,
To that general a considerable grant of
lands was given, on the condition only of
presenting annually to the Crown a flag
embroidered with fleur-de-lis.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer rose to propose a grant for the amount of stores captured by the army under the duke of Wellington, during the whole series of campaigns in the Peninsula, to be distributed among the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, their widows and children. The right hon. gentleman stated, that the grant now proposed, was the fruit of twelve general battles, and five sieges; and formed also the value of the stores captured on a variety of other occasions. He stated, that this was not near the actual value of the captures, as a great portion had been delivered over to the auxiliary troops serving under the duke in the Peninsula.. The amount of the grant proposed was 800,000l. instead. of the exact valuation which had been laid before the House. The period of the grant comprised the whole period of the Peninsular war, from 1807 till 1814. After some detailed explanations respecting the nature of the stores, and the portions de

The Chancellor of the Exchequer thought, if a suitable mansion could be obtained at less expense than that which would be incurred by building one, not to adopt the former course, but to erect a palace, would be to sacrifice some of the comforts of the duke of Wellington to national splendour. Sir T. Acland could not but feel anxious to mark the sense of the nation on this victory in the most distinct manner; and he should be much disposed to favour the idea of building a palace, if he did not feel that any suitable mansion purchased for the duke of Wellington in consequence of a vote of that House, would bear the same character which would attach to a palace purposely erected for him. If he thought the effect would not be the same, he would willingly consent to a grant of half a million or a whole one to accomplish so desirable an object. The duke of Wel-livered over to the different Allied Powers, lington had greatly raised the military character of England. In India his conduct obtained for him the approbation of his country he had been praised as the saviour of Spain and Portugal. One thing only was wanting to complete his own glory and that of his country-a triumph over him who was said to have conquered every other general to whom he had been opposed. This object was gained. It was reserved for his last triumph, to supply all that was wanting to the consummation of his glory. Many had heretofore doubted what would be the result of a contest in which he and Buonaparté fought hand to hand; that doubt was gone for ever. We now saw renewed the splendid days of Cressy and Agincourt, and this we owed to the duke of Wellington, who had now gained the last triumph necessary for his own fame, or for that of his country. This he could wish to have recorded in their proceedings.

Mr. Whitbread thought, as the resolution of the House stated the victory to have been gained over the French army under the immediate command of Buonaparté, it would be unnecessary to add that the duke of Wellington had triumphed over the greatest captain of his age.

Mr. Ellison expressed his concurrence in the vote; after which the Resolution was agreed to, nem, con. (VOL. XXXI.)

he moved "That a sum, not exceeding 800,000l. be granted to his Majesty, to be distributed to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, serving in the British army under the duke of Wellington in Portugal, Spain, and France, during the years 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, and 1814, for captures taken from the enemy, and appropriated to the public service; and that the said sum be issued and paid without any fee or other deduction whatsoever."

Mr. Preston objected to the motion. He thought the right hon. gentleman had chosen a most injudicious time to bring it forward; besides which, he did not conceive there were precedents for such an application of the public money, and was averse from breaking in upon the practice If such distributions. of our ancestors. were fit to be a law of the land, an act ought to pass for them; and the army, would then be entitled to their regular benefit. It was a bad precedent for future times, and particularly for an army which had been paid as our army had been in the Peninsula.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer replied,. that so far from taking the House by surprise, in consequence of the auspicious news which had excited the most generous feelings, towards the army, he had given. notice of his intention to move this grant. i. (3 S)

995) HOUSE OF COMMONS,

many days ago, and before any intimation had been received of the late victory.

Lord Castlereagh conceived there could It be no danger in agreeing to the vote. Mr. Calcraft contended, that this was a would be deemed extremely unjust and vote of right, and saw no reason why the unfair to do less by an act of prerogative army should be deprived of it, any more in regard to the army than had been done than of stars and ornaments which were by an Act of Parliament in regard to the bestowed on them as designations of their navy. It had been a principle, from time bravery. He was sure that no man immemorial, to give to the navy the value But with would besitate to vote double the sum, of all the captures they made. though they might vote it with stronger respect to the army, Government did not feelings of their hearts on a day like this. buy from them the whole of the stores Mr. Rose observed that there was no- and property that they captured, but only thing new in the principle of the grant. what was serviceable and useful. Perhaps, It was thought fit to put the army on the if the particular stores in question, which same footing as the navy, in regard to included a vast quantity of provisions, bad prize-money, as the navy had, from time not been purchased at the time of their immemorial, been entitled by Act of capture, our army in the Peninsula might Parliament to the proceeds of their cap-have been in the utmost want of supplies. tures. This principle had long been acknowledged and acted upon.

General Gascoyne contended that the receipt of the value of captured stores had long been considered a matter of right with the army. It was usual for the army to estimate the amount of their prizemoney by attaching the value of twenty guineas to each gun that they captured.

Mr. R. Ward affirmed, that it was a vested right belonging to the army, and that so far as the Ordnance department was concerned, there was every year an item in the estimates of money for ordnance stores which were captured.

Mr. Forbes observed, that from what had been stated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, it appeared that the sum claimed by the army amounted to 900,0001. He confessed, he regretted, that instead of taking 100,000l. away from this sum, they had not added 100,000l. to it, and made it a neat million. He was anxious that the army should not be deprived of a single shilling of what was their due, and was inclined to move that instead of 800,000l. the grant be 900,000l. Mr. Bankes, adverting to the right of the disposal of captured property being vested in the Crown, and to the grant arising from an intimation of the Prince Regent to resign this right in favour of the army, wished to know when and how such an intimation had been given? The appropriation of the sum seemed altogether completely new. He should like to accede to what had been done on former occasions; but was not inclined to agree to any vote that should have the consequence of rendering the war we were now engaged in more expensive to the country than it otherwise would be.

The grace of the Crown allowed what was valuable to be purchased, and the remainder of the property was got rid of by the army how they could. The vote of the House ought, therefore, to make good the value of what the public bought from them.

A desultory conversation continued for some time on the subject, between Mr. Bankes, Mr. Rose, Mr. Calcraft, sir H. Montgomery, Mr. Lushington, and Mr. W. Smith, in the course of which the lastmentioned gentleman said it would be desirable to know what became of the money, supposing the Crown had not granted to the army the whole amount which the public had paid for captured stores, and to what fund it had been applied. The question for the grant, as proposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer was then put, and carried,

CIVIL LIST.] The Chancellor of the Erchequer next moved, "That a sum not exceeding 534,7131. be granted to his Majesty, to make good the deficiency of the Civil List on the 5th day of April 1814: and that the said sum be issued and paid without any fee or other deduction whatsoever." The right hon. gentleman observed, that this excess resolved itself into two branches,—the increase in the diplomatic arrangements resulting from the peculiar circumstances of the war, and the excess in the household. In regard to the latter, after allowing for the expenditure occasioned by the visit of the foreign Sovereigns to this country; and also for the charges incurred by his royal highness the Prince Regent on assuming the royal authority, it would be found that the Civil List had not exceeded

997]

care would be taken as possible to prevent
a recurrence of arrears.

Additional Grant to the Duke of Wellington. that proportion of excess which was estimated by the late Mr. Perceval in 1805. In 1812, there was an excess of expenditure beyond the former year of 124,000l.; but it must not be forgotten that a considerable charge was thrown upon the Civil List by the arrangements of that year. lity of Parliament to provide an increase of allowance, for the purpose of meeting the ordinary expenditure without any excess. At present, however, he should merely propose to the House to make good the arrears already incurred.

Mr. William Smith complained of the great excess in the Civil List during the three last years, and declared that be gave his vote for the sum with great reluctance. The money, however, must be It remained for the libera-paid, as the loss would otherwise fall on those who ought not to suffer. If the regulations and arrangements proposed by the select committee upon the Civil List should be adopted, the expense of the Crown would be kept within due limits, and future applications to Parliament for the liquidation of debts would be avoided. The Resolution was then agreed to,

Sir C. Burrell wished to be informed, why no reply had been given to the Ad. dress of the House, respecting the regu lation of the Household, and whether it was intended to defer the answer till the next session?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that the estimates had not yet been received; but he certainly concluded, that his Royal Highness would be recommended to give an answer to the Address before the rising of Parliament.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Monday, June 26.

ADDITIONAL GRANT TO THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON.] The Report of the Committee of Supply was brought up, and on reading the resolution for an additional grant of 200,000l. to the duke of Wellington,

Sir W. W. Wynn expressed his approMr. Barclay was of opinion, that some provision should be made for the liquida-bation of the vote; but suggested, with a tion of his Royal Highness's debts, and view to commemorate the glorious cause also that some arrangements should be of such a grant, that the same terms made respecting the other branches of the should be annexed to it as those upon which the duke of Marlborough held Royal family. Blenheim, namely, the annual presentation to his Majesty of a flag with a fleurde-lis.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that a specific provision had been made for the liquidation of those debts which were ascertained when his Royal Highness asA considerable sumed the Regency. portion had been discharged, and in no long time the remainder would be liquidated, when an appropriation of 50,000l. a year would be placed at the disposal of Parliament. As to the other branches of the Royal family, he did not think it proper for him to make any communication whatever to the House without the express direction of the Crown.

Mr. Bankes expressed his approbation of the sum proposed to be granted, and agreed in thinking that the farther consideration of the subject of the Civil List could be better discussed in the next session of Parliament than now. It might be proper to grant an increase of allowance, as the expenditure had progressively increased, in consequence of the price of all articles of consumption having rapidly advanced since the accession of his Majesty, and particularly in latter times; but he trusted, when this increase should be made, that as much

The hon. baronet also thought that some Crown lands should be appropriated to the duke of Wellington, upon which to erect the proposed mansion.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer concurred hon. baronet, that the perwith the formance of some honorary service would be a proper and becoming appendage to the proposed grant. But as to the obser vation respecting the Crown lands, it would be seen, upon a review of the commissioners appointed to inquire into the state of those lands, that no such grant could be made as the hon. baronet recommended; that, in fact, no adequate estate for the use of the duke of Wellington could be had from those lands.

Mr. Whitshed Keene thought that, comparing the services of the duke of Marlborough with those of the duke of Wellington, the grant to the latter was still insufficient: the sum voted to the duke of Wellington would not, in his opinion, purchase an estate of more than 14,000l. a year, while the sum of 25,000l. per annum was at least necessary to maintain

the dignity of this illustrious person's deavour to make themselves acquainted family.

with this account. But without going Mr. Wynn said, that an adequate estate into any discussion at present, he most for the duke of Wellington might be observe upon the impression produced ost made from the New Forest. He differed of doors in consequence of a strong asserfrom the last speaker, that the sum voted tion in that House, that by the arrange. on this occasion was insufficient; for itment of the Civil List his Majesty was a was to be considered, that in addition to loser, and the country a gainer, because the 700,000l. voted, which, including the the produce of the hereditary resene sum under discussion, would be granted would be truly more productive than the to this distinguished individual, his pro- revenue of the Civil List. This assertion, portion of the prize money to be voted for however, he directly denied; for he could stores captured on the peninsula would be nol suppose it was meant to include in the .no less than 100,0001.

Civil List the occasional grants made to - The Chancellor of the Erchequer stated, George 2, which grants ceased with tha: that the proportion alluded to would amount monarch's life. But he wished that geoonly to 50,0001.

tlemen on the other side would state wbut Mr. Wynn thought, that even with that they meant by the hereditary revenue ; addition, the amount of the remuneration and he hoped the right hon. gentleman would be quite sufficient, and worthy of would come forward with some distinct the munificence of the country-equally statement on the subject before the close honourable, indeed, to the giver and to of the session. the receiver.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer observed, Sir C. Burrell observed, that even if a that this vote was brought under the cor- suitable quantity of Crown lands could be sideration of the House as soon as it was oblained for the purpose under considera- practicable, quite as soon indeed as it tion, such ground would not be so much could have been if the Bill had beer for the benefit of the duke of Wellington, adopted, for which the right hon. gentle.

. as an estate in cultivation. He recom- man was an advocate, at an early period mended that the object be rather to lay of the session. For the accounts respect. out the sum voted in the purchase of a ing the Civil List were laid before the suitable estate, than in the erection of a House as soon as that Bill required, and large mansion, because the latter would these accounts were immediately referred be liable to decay, to fire, and to other to a committee, upon whose report the accidents-of course it could not be present was founded. He should not regarded as an imperishable monument of enter into the general discussion at prepational gratitude.

sent, as he did not mean to propose any The Resolution was agreed to.

legislative measure until the next session;

but he hoped that during the recess, ges Civil List.) Upon reading the Reso- tlemen would thoroughly examine the lution with regard to the Civil List, Report of the Commitee, and upon soch

Mr. Tierney took occasion to observe, examination he was persuaded they would that this subject was, as he had appre- come to a conclusion very different from hended long since, brought forward al too that stated by the right bon. gentlemas. late a period of the session to undergo any It would be seen, indeed, that this Report due dicussion. Such a discussion could made an accurate distinction between the not indeed take place, as the House koew hereditary and the temporary resemve of scarcely any thing of the items of the the Crown. The hereditary revenue was account to which this Resolution for in fact the grant made upon the abolition 534,7131. referred, in consequence of the of the feudal rights of the Crown, and be refusal to have the papers respecting it was fully prepared to maintain the assetprinted. He should not, however, oppose tion, that his Majesty was a loser by the the motion, as it was not, he understood, commutation of that revenue for the prothe intention of the right hon. gentleman duce of the Civil List. to propose any legislative measure upon Mr. Tierney contended, that the herethe subject this session ; but he should ditary revenue ought to have been disreserve himself for the occasion in the tinguished from the temporary. next session, when he trusted this business Lord Castlereagh said, that if the Crowa would be fully discussed, and he hoped had possessed an improvable revenue inthat by that time .gentlemen would en- stead of a fixed one, as was the case with

1001] Resolutions concerning the Bank of England. George 2, it would not only have been prevented from ever coming to Parliament to make good deficiencies, but it would have been left in possession of an aggregate sum of 6,000,0001. more than it ever had received since his present Majesty's .accession. His opinion, indeed, remained unchanged, that no income in the empire bad been so little increased, in proportion to the progressive increase of other incomes, as that of the Crown.

Mr. Tierney observed, that it did not require the Report of the Committee to prove what the noble lord had said.

Mr. Wynn denied that the hereditary revenue of the Crown was beyond the control of Parliament. If the amount of that hereditary revenue exceeded what Parliament might think necessary for the expenditure of the Civil List, the Crown was bound to apply the surplus towards the payment of the army, navy, or any other branch of expenditure which Parliament might propose; and he would instance, as a proof, the case of king Wilwas liam, whose hereditary revenue charged with an additional expense of The 100,000l. a year by Parliament. revenue of the Crown, whatever might be its nature, was the revenue of the people, and as such, subject to the control of Parliament.

Lord Binning vindicated the Report of the Committee, as being drawn up in the only way that could render its inquiries useful.

The Resolution was then agreed to, as were the other resolutions of the committee.

.

on about, amounting in the year ending 5th July 1792, to 98,8031. 12s. 5d. 219,596,000l. then so transferrable; and that by the Act 48 Geo. 3, cap. 4, the said allowance was reduced to the rate of 340l. per million on all sums not exceed ing 600 millions, and to 300l. per million sums exceeding that amount; on all whereby the Bank was entitled, in the year ending 5th April, 1815, to the sum of 241,97 11. 4s. 24d. on about 726,570,700% capital stock, and 7981. 3s. 7 d. on 2,347,5881. three per cents. transferred for life annuities; being an increase of 143,9657. 15s. 44d. for management, and an increase of about 509,322,000l. capital stock': also the Bank was allowed 1,000l. for taking in contributions, amounting to 812,500l. on a lottery in the year ending 5th July 1792; and 38,7981. 19s. 2d. for taking in contributions, amounting to 46,585,5337. 6s. 8d. on loans and lotteries in the year ending 5th April, 1815.

2. That it appears, that the Bank, in pursuance of the Act 46 Geo. 3, cap. 65, has, from the year 1806 to the present time, made the assessments of the duty on profits arising from property, on the proprietors of the whole of the Funded Debt, transferrable at the Bank of Eng land, and has deducted the said duty from each of the several dividend warrants, which in one year, ending 5th April 1815, amounted in number to 565,6001.; and that this part of the business has been done without any expense to, or charge on, the public.

That, in pursuance of the above-mentioned Act, the duties so deducted have from time to time been placed to the

Account of the Commissioners of the Treasury, on account of the said duties,' together with other sums received from the public by virtue of the said Act: part of this money is applied to the payment of certificates of allowances, and the remainder is paid into the Exchequer.

RESOLUTIONS PROPOSED BY MR. MELLISH CONCERNING THE BANK OF ENGLAND.] Mr. Mellish having moved his Resolutions concerning the Bank of England, a conversation ensued, in which Mr. Mellish, Mr. Tierney, Mr. Grenfell, and Mr. Manning participated. It was at length agreed, That by virtue of the said Act, the that the discussion on the Resolutions pro'posed by Mr. Grenfell and Mr. Mellish lords commissioners of the Treasury have should be adjourned to that day se'en-made annual allowances, at the rate of night. The following is a copy of the Resolutions proposed by Mr. Mellish :Resolutions proposed concerning the Bank of England.