Page images
PDF
EPUB

orders in council has added a duty of 8d. per gallon. In some instances it may be exported duty free. This trade has enjoyed these advantages only since the introduction of the warehousing system; as, before that period, rum alone could be exported without duty; the consequence is, that rum must have lost what the other spirit gained in the export trade.--The most obvious mode of preventing the importation and use of foreign spirits, would be by a law of direct prohibition. Mr. Frewin states, that the difficulty of preventing smuggling would not be rendered greater than at present, even by a total prohibition of the trade; and Mr. Jackson thinks that the contraband trade might be more effectually checked under a change of system, than by adhering to the present mode of granting licences and imposing high duties. But in case it should be deemed more expedient to adopt the mode of laying on a high additional duty, the revenue might receive its compensation for the diminished consumption of foreign spirits, in part by the increased consumption of British made or colonial spirits, which at a lower price would more than replace the quantity of that diminished importation, and in part by the increased amount of the duty on that reduced quantity of foreign spirits, which would even under these circumstances continue to be consumed. Actuated by these considerations, your committee recommend, either that the importation and use of foreiga spirits should be prohibited during the war, or that the duties of customs and excise on all such spirits imported should be greatly increased; and in the latter case, they also submit that it would be highly expedient to lay a heavy duty on their re-exportation to any part of the world.--Your cominittee conceiving that the greatest encouragement which could be given to the consumption of rum, would be to equalize the duties on that article and British spirits, examined several witnesses with a view to ascertain the probable effects of such a measure. The evidence shews, that very great relief would thus be afforded to the planter; but it is objected, on the part of the distillers, that they could not stand the competition, and that material injury, if not entire ruin to their trade, would be the consequence. If so, permanent injury would also be done to the market for grain, which is now afforded by the distilleries. Your committee therefore refrain from recommending the equalization of the duties on rum and British spirits, to the consideration of the house.-Your committee are proceeding in the examination of other matters, which they conceive to be in

cluded in the order of the house, and hope to be enabled shortly to lay a third report on your table. They are induced to present this report separately, not only because it relates to a separate and distinct object, but also, that no time may be lost in acting upon the recommendation contained in it.

NEW ANNUITY PLAN.

The following are the Resolutions moved. by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the 13th of May last, when he opened his Plan for granting Annuities :—

1. That it would tend to a more speedy and efficient reduction of the national debt, and would at the same time be of material accommodation and convenience to the public, if every proprietor of three per cent. consolidated or reduced bank annuities were at liberty to exchange, with the commissioners for the reduction of the national debt, such bank annuities for a life annuity during the continuance of a single life, to be named by such proprietor; or for a life aunuity during the continuance of the lives of two persons to be named by such proprietor, and of the life of the longer liver of such two nominees.-2. That, in order to give effect to the aforegoing resolution, every proprietor of 3 per cent. consolidated or reduced bank annuities, who shall be desirous of exchanging any such bank annuities for a life annuity on the continuance of a single life, shall, on transferring to the commissioners for the reduction of the national debt any such bank annuities, be entitled, during the continuance of bis or her life, o of the life of some other person to be named by him or her, to receive (under such regulations as Parliament may deem it expedient to adopt) for every 100 of such bank annuities, and so in propordon for any greater sum than £100 of such annuities, transferred to the said commissioners, a life annuity of such annual amount, according to the age of the nominee, and the average price of such bank annuities on the nearest open day preceding the day of the transfer thereof, as is specified in the following table. [This table is printing.]-3. That, in order to give further effect to the aforegoing resolu tion, every proprietor of £3 per cent. consolidated or reduced bank annuities, who shall be desirous of exchanging any such bank annuities for a life annuity in the con tinuance of the lives of two persons, to be named by auch proprietor (of whom such proprietor may be one) and the life of the longer liver of them, shall on transferring to the commissioners for the reduction of the. national debt any such bank annuities, be

rence to the redemption of the public debt,
a separate account shall be kept half yearly,
by the commissioners for the reduction of
the national debt of all bank annuities which
shall have been transferred to them for the
purchase of any life annuities, and of the
dividends receivable by them in respect
thereof, up to the period of such account;
distinguishing therein so much of the said
bank annuities as shall have been transferred
in the course of the next immediately pre
ceding half-year.-Also, a half yearly ac--
count of the amount of all the life annuities
granted by them up to the period of such
account, distinguishing therein the amount
of the life annuities which shall have been
granted in the course of the next imme-
diately preceding half-year; and also of the
amount of all the annual sums which, up
to the period of the said account, shall by
reason of the deaths of nominees have re-

entitled, during the continuance of such two lives, and of the life of the longer liver of them, to receive (under such regulations as parliament may deem it expedient to adopt) for every 100 of such bank annuities, and so in proportion for any greater sum than 100 of such annuities, transferred to the said commissioners, a life annuity of such annual amount, according to the respective ages of such two nominees and the average price of such bank annuities on the nearest open day preceding the day of the transfer thereof, as is specified in the following tables. These tables are printing.] -4. That no person shall be admitted to be a nominee, either for the grant of an annuity for the continuance of a single life, or for the grant of an annuity for the continuance of two lives and of the longer liver of them, who shall be under the age of thirty-five years.-5. That the dividends payable in respect of the bank annuities,verted to the funds, applicable to the redac

which shall be transferred to the commissioners for the reduction of the national debt, in exchange for fe annuities, shall be received by the said commissioners, and shall constitute a part of the funds applicable to the reduction of the national debt; and that out of the said funds applicable to the reduction of the national debt, the said commissioners shall pay the respective life annuities granted in exchange for such bank annuities during the continuance of the respective lives for which the same shall be payable; and that the said respective life annuities shall be payable half yearly at the bank of England, on the same days on which the dividends on the stock transferred for the purchase thereof, may be payable in every year; and the first payment of every annuity shall commence on the same day on which the first dividend on the bank annuities so transferred shall be payable to the said commissioners; and that upon the death of any single nominee, or of the survivor of any two joint nominees, a sum equal to one-fourth part of the annuity dependant upon his or her life shall be paid to the persons entitled to such annuity, or his or her executors or administrators, as the case may be, provided the same shall be claimed within two years after the death of such single or surviving nominee; and that the annual sum payable for every such life. annuity so ceasing as aforesaid, shall thenceforth revert to and constitute part of the funds applicable to the reduction of the national debt.-6. That for the purpose of ascertaining the effect of the measure proposed in the aforegoing resolutions, with refe

[ocr errors]

tion of the national debt, distinguishing therein the amount of such annual sums as shall have so reverted in the course of the next immediately preceding half-year, together with an account of the amount of life annuities then payable; and that in every such account shall be specified the excess in the whole amount of all the life annuities then before granted above the amount of the dividends receivable in respect of all the bank annuities then before transferred for the purchase of life annuities; and also the excess (if any) in the amount of the life annuities then payable above the amount of such *dividends. And thata separate account shall also be kept half yearly of the capital stock, which, upto the period of such account, shall have been redeemed by the application of the annual sums which shall from time to time have so reverted to the said funds by rea son of the death of nominees, and by the application of the accumulated dividends of the capital stock redeemed thereby.→ Also, an account of the whole amount of 13 per cent capital stock, which, up to the period of such account would have been redeemed by the excesses in the amount of the life annuities from time to time payable by the said commissioners above the amount of the dividends from time to time receivable by them, in respect to the Bank annuities transferred for the pur.../2 chase of such life annuities, in case such excesses had been intermediately applied in the redemption of £3 percent stock in the manner prescribed by the laws now in force for the reduction of the national debt.

[ocr errors]

OFFICIAL PAPERS.

dated

SWEDEN. The King of Sweden's Proclamation, touching the Levy-en masse, Stockholm, 14th of March, 1809. We, Gustavus Adolphus, make known, that as the eastern frontiers of the kingdom are already attacked by the enemy, and those in the west and north are likewise threatened, we feel ourselves called upon to make the utmost exertions for the defence of our invaded country. For this purpose, and in order that we may be able to raise a sufficient force to attack the enemy, it is our will that all young men from is to 25 years, both inclusive, of whatever rank or condition they may be, who have not enlisted in the regular army of militia, or navy, shall hold themselves in readiness to take up arms for the defence of our native land, and assemble at such places as shall be pointed out to them at a moment's notice.

REVOLUTION IN SPAIN. From the French official paper the Moniteur. The article wherein the Moniteur announces this important intelligence, is dated Bayonne, May 11, 1808, and is as follows:

[ocr errors]

By a treaty concluded between the emperor Napoleon and king Charles, and which has been acceded to by the prince of the Asturias, and the infants don Carlos, don Francisco, and don Antonio, who compose the whole of the members of the house of Spain, all the existing differences have been adjusted. We are still ignorant of the conditions of the treaty. According to the constitution of our government, it cannot be made public till it has been communicated to the senate, But we perceive by the proclamation of the king of Spain, and that of the prince of Asturias, that the emperor Napoleon is clothed with all the rights of the house of Spain. King Charles, queen Louisa Maria, queen Maria Louisa, and the infant don Francisco, dine to-day, with the emperor, and set off tomorrow for Bourdeaux. They will make this journey in four days, and will repair to Fontainbleau, whence they will go to Compiegne. It is believed that this residence has been destined by his majesty to king Charles, that he may spend the remainder of his days there. The prince of Asturias, the infant don Carlos, and the infaut don Antonio, spent the evening yesterday with their majesties the emperor and empress. They will spend two days at Bourdeaux, and will afterwards proceed to Valency, whence it is probable they will go to Navarre. It is believed that his majesty has ceded to them

that superb domain, and the forest "appertaining to it. It is said that many Spaniards of distinction are on the road to Bayonne, where, it appears that the emperor is about to hold a general junta. It is presumed, that he will be occupied, not only in regulating the succession to the throne, but also in fixing certain ameliorations which all good Spaniards call for. Every thing is entirely tranquil in Spain. Things are on the best footing there."

To the above article were joined, a mandate from king Charles to the junta of the government, announcing the nomination of the grand duke of Berg, lieut. gen. of the kingdom, and a proclamation addressed to the Spaniards, both, dated on the 4th of May; a proclamation of the 5th of May, from the junta to the inhabitants of Madrid ; a circular (proclamation) sent on the 6th by the inquisition to all the tribunals of the kingdom; and, finally, a letter from the king to the supreme council of Castile, and to the council of the inquisition. The first three of these pieces are to the tenor following:

To the Supreme Junta of the Government. -Having judged it expedient to give the same direction to all the forces of our king-> dom, in order to maintain security of property and public tranquillity against enemies, as well exterior as interior, we have thought it fit to nominate our cousin, the grand duke. of Berg, lieutenant-general of the kingdom, who, at the same time, commands the troops of our ally, the emperor of the French. We command the council of Castile, and the captains-general and govern ors of our provinces, to obey his orders. In: the same quality he shall preside over the junta of the government. Given at Bayonne, at the imperial palace, stiled the palace of the government, May 4, 1809. (Signed) I, THE KING.

Proclamation. Spaniards! My beloved subjects, perfidious men seek to mislead you. They would put arms into your hands against. the French troops; they seek alike to arm you against the French, and the French against you. The sacking of all Spain, calamities. of every kind, would be the result. The sa spirit of faction, the sad effects of which E have already felt, is stili in motion: In the midst of these important and critical circumstances, I am occupied in concerting with my ally, the emperor of the French, all that i concerns your welfare. Beware of listening. to the enemies of it. All those, who speak. to you against France, thirst for your blood; they are either the enemies. of your nation

agents of England, who are busily avail

ing themselves of circumstances, and whose intrigues would involve the loss of your colonies, the separation of your provinces, or a series of years of trouble and calamity for your country. Spaniards! trust to my experience, and obey that authority which I hold from God and my fathers; follow my example, and think that in the position in which you stand, there is no prosperity and safety for Spaniards, but in the friendship of the great emperor, our ally. Given at Bayonne, from the imperial palace, stiled palace of the government, May 4, 1, THE KING.

The Supreme Junta to the Inhabitants of Modrid-Inhabitants of Madrid, your tranquillity will be from henceforth unalierable. You will owe it to the loyalty of your own character; but it will be still more assured to you by the confidence, which is inspired by the laws, and by the prudence of zealous magistrates, to whom their execution is committed. It is in this conviction that the supreme junta of government proclaims, that in obedience to the dictate of humanity, the allied army has suppressed the military commission, established only for one day, as a necessary, though severe measure, which would not have been established, but for the perverseness of some individuals; that from henceforth every inhabitant, whatsoever may be his rank, who shall have given cause for being seized by the French troops, provided he has not borne arms against them, shall be immediately given over to his proper judges, and tried by them. And even in the only excepted case, viz. that of having borne arms against the French troops, a judge nominated by the competent tribunal of the nation shall always assist in regulating the whole of the process against the accused, till the sentence is pronounced. countryman domiciliated in the town, or stranger shall be molested on account of the peculiarity of his dress; and still les the ecclesiastics. The carriers employed in bringing provisions to the town, shall henceforward be subject to no vexation, or detention of their carriages or mules. Every individual who shall have just complaints to make, on addressing himself to the judge of police, may rest assured, that he will, on the same day, obtain full justice and reparation, for whatever damage he may have susfained. As to the muleteers, who are likewise employed in bringing provisions to town, and who generally stay there a few days, only one half of their cattle shall in future be put in requisition, even under the

No

most urgent necessity, and in no case shall they be detained longer than three or four days, for which they shall be paid at the prices, already given out. Orders shall be given at those gates of the town, where carriors have suffered arbitrary detentions, in order to be searched and stripped of their arms, that this abuse be in future prevented. But it is also necessary to repeat the order against introducing fire-arms, or other prohibited weapons into the city; they ought always to be deposited at the gate. Given at the palace, by order of the supreme junta of government, May 5, 1808. The Conte CASA VALENCIA, secretary.

ROME-Circular Letter addressed by the Pope, through his Secretary of State. Dated April, 1808.

His holiness, our master, has commanded his secretary of state, cardinal Doria Pamsili, to make known to your eminence, that his heart has been penetrated with the most poignant grief, on being informed of the order given by the French general to so many members of the sacred college, to quit Rome within three days. His holiness, who clearly sees that this measure tends to overthrow the empire of the church, since those members are removed from his person who are necessary to the direction of his affairs, and at last his minister, his vicar, cannot in conscience permit this departure. He prohibits, therefore, every one upon his, oath of obedience to remove from Rome, unless absolutely compelled by force, and his holiness foreseeing this case, that after having torn your eminence from his bosom, you might be left at a certain distance from Rome, is of opinion that you should not continue your journey, unless compulsion should be used, to the place designated to you, in order that it may be a matter of public notoriety that your removal from the head of the church has not been voluntarily, but from compulsion. The virtues of all the individuals who have received the order to depart, alone support the afflicted soul of his holiness, and are a pledge to him, that, according to his example, they will support these persecutions with patience, and that the sentiments of the sacred college far from being weakened, will be strengthened.

(Though this piece had been sent to the Cardinals before their departure, it did not prevent some of them from going volun tarily to the places pointed out to them)

Printed by Cox and Baylis, No. 75, Great Queen Street, and published by R. Bagshaw, Brydges Strech Covent Garden, where former Numbers may be had, sold also by J. Budd, Crown and Mitre, Pall Mall.

VOL. XIII. No. 24.]

LONDON, SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1808.

[PRICE 10D. "Nothing concedeti to America by Great Britain can be imputed to fear. She will only rise in dignity by "the mildness and moderation of her councils."A. B.'s letters in the M. Chronicle, Dec. 1807.

Was there ever any thing so impudent as this! It must be imputed to fear, because it could be imputed to nothing else." Register, Vol. XII, p 909. "Nothing can be obtained from the British government, upon any point, which is not extorted by neces*sity."Mr. Munroe's letter to Mr. Madison. See below.

897]

SUMMARY OF POLITICS. AMERICAN STATES.If ever vanity received a wholesome check, such a check has been experienced by this vainest of all vain nations. Of late, little has been said here about the dispute with America. The subject, with much party effort, and much stir amongst the merchants immediately interested in the American trade, was kept alive, and tolerably active, for about a month; but, since that, it has died away, by degrees, 'till, at last, the people in general hardly know, whether the dispute be terminated or not; while, at the very same time, the people of América are, by this dispute, thrown into a state of confusion, and almost of revolution. I wish it were possible to enable the people of America to see and observe us, at this time. It would certainly cure them of their vanity, if any thing could. They are all in a bustle and an uproar about the embargo and the other measures adopted to punish England; while the people here, in general, do not know any thing of the nature of those measures, and, indeed, do not know that any measures of the kind have been adopted. The Americans are counting the days and the hours 'till they hear the result of their extraordinary embassies; we seem not to expect any news from America, and not to pay any attention to it when it comes. The newspapers of the two countries present the contrast in the most striking light. Those of America are filled, almost wholly filled, with publications respecting the dispute with England; with discussions upon this or that point connected with it; with vehement attacks upon England, on the one side, and with a defence of her, on the other ide; with speeches of members of parliament, relating to the dispute; with extracts of pamphlets, and even with extracts from English newspapers. There is nothing of all this in our newspapers, who scarcely afford a column a month to American affairs, and who, eyen upon the return of Mr. Rose, have not thought it worth while to make the subject a prominent one; a certain proof, that the nation in general feel great indifference as to

[899

[merged small][ocr errors]

you consider, that the population of the "United States is now equal to that of Eng"land and Wales?" Very likely; but, as Voltaire is made to say to the friar: "Yes:

[ocr errors]

we are all men, my friend; but there are "different sorts of men." America is, at this moment, acting the part of the goat that knocked his brains out against the horns of the bull, without being able to disturb the grazing of the latter.In another part of this double number I have inserted, as far as I had room (and shall insert the remainder as soon as possible), the official papers, rela ting to the dispute with America; that is to say, since that dispute was made to assume a new shape, in consequence of the attack upon the Chesapeake frigate.These documents begin with the first Letter from Mr. Madison (the American Secretary of State) to Mr. Munroe, then their envoy in England; then comes the Correspondence between Mr. Munroe and Mr. Canning, interspersed with the Letters, in which Mr. Munroe, from time to time, gave his government an account of what was doing in England, and how the negociation was going on. Next come the Letters, which passed between Mr. Rose and Mr. Madison; and, last of all, a letter from Mr. Erskine to Mr. Madison, informing him officially of the Orders in Council, which had been issued in England.These Papers will speak for themselves, of course; but, as I am not by any means, certain, that they will be generally read, and, as I have no where seen any brief history of the dispute, I will here attempt to give it, submitting a remark here and there, as I proceed.An account of the attack upon the American frigate, the Chesapeake, will be found in the Register, Vol. XII. p. 181. The attack took place late in June, 1807, and, as will be seen by the papers now inserted, Mr. Munroe rcceived the first intelligence of it from Mr. Canning, late in the month of July. The latter, foreseeing that advantage would be

2 F

« PreviousContinue »