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tion, spoke the sentiments of the Dis- hoped that his example would still be usesenters at large, had that very day entered ful to his country,—that the mens divinior into the following resolution : “ The which accompanied him through his United Committee of Dissenters, acting on splendid career, had shed a light on our their own best judgment, and under the foreign and domestic policy, which would recommendation of many of their parlia- serve to guide those by whom he had been mentary friends, have come to the resolu- succeeded. Although, by the death of tion, that it is not expedient for the Dis- that lamented individual, the main strength senters to unite their applications to par- of the existing administration was withliament with those of the Roman Catho-drawn, it should have had his feeble suplics ; but they distinctly disavow the port ; but he was sorry to say that it had inference, that their acting separately, and not proceeded with the vigour which independently, proceeds from any hostility might have been expected, and that it to the claims of that numerous and re- suffered itself to be dissolved, untouched spectable body.” He could say, from his by any hostile collision. He now came to own knowledge, that there never was a the period when, called on by the monarch, more scandalous calumny than the state- the present cabinet was formed by the ment which had been so frequently made, noble duke who was placed at its head. that the Dissenters, as a body, were ad- For that illustrious individual, no man verse to the claims of the Roman Catho- could entertain a higher feeling of admiralics.

tion. He had been the saviour of his Ordered to lie on the table.

country in the most arduous crisis that

she had ever experienced. By his admirable COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY--CHANGE OP conduct in the field, he had given peace ADMINISTRATION.) Lord Palmerston to desolated Europe, and had justly earned moved the order of the day, for going into the gratitude of his country. But, in spite a Committee of Supply.

of that noble duke's unquestionable Mr. Liddell said, that as it was one of abilities, he could not view his translation the most important rights which a member from the post of commander-in-chief of of that House possessed, to deliver his the army, to that of first lord of the Treaopinions on such an occasion as the sury with satisfaction. His original part present, he trusted that no apology was was so well cast, his value to the army necessary, when he stood up to express, in was so well known, that the public opinion as few words as possible, his sentiments was united on this point, that he could on the situation in which the government not be placed in a more proper situation was placed, and to declare the grounds on than that which, as a military man, he which alone he could give it is humble ably and advantageously filled. He theresupport. If any such apology were neces- fore regretted, as he believed the country sary, it was, he conceived, to be found in in general did, that the change had taken the fact, that in the last twelve months place. The duke of Wellington himself the country had seen various important must have felt some repugnance at the changes in the ministry: that during that situation in which he had been placed. It period there had been no fewer than four was reported, and the report had not been different prime ministers. Twelve months denied that Mr. Canning had written to had not gone over their heads since the the duke, and had pointed out the incomgreat struggle took place between Mr. patibility of his holding the two offices Canning and the powerful party by whom which he had subsequently filled. In the he was opposed, and who, though then propriety of the sentiments contained in defeated, had again gained the ascendancy. that letter, the noble duke was said to have Many of those who stood by Mr. Canning agreed. In the House of Lords last in that time of trial had ceased to have session, the noble duke had himself deany connexion with the ministry : a few of clared, that he could not, with prothem still remained in authority. For priety, fill the two situations. This was himself, he could truly say, that no man upon record ; * and he trusted that the was a more ardent admirer, no man a more noble duke would not act differently in cordial supporter, of Mr. Canning. It was the present year from the sentiments which true that that great man was no more : he had uttered in the last. Highly as he they no longer had the benefit of his experience and his talents; but it was to be

See vol. xvii. VOL. XVIII,

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thought of the noble duke's abilities, and The House having resolved itself into of his firm character, still he could not the committee, lord Palmerston moved, bring himself to believe that he possessed “That a Supply be granted to his Mathose Atlean shoulders, which would jesty." enable him to support the whole weight of Mr. Hume hoped that, before any money the administration, together with the was asked for on account of the supply, duties of the War-office. The noble duke the whole of the estimates for the year had gained fame and credit for the British would be laid before the House. Nothing army, he had added honour and renown could be more disadvantageous than the to his country as a warrior, but it did not practice of calling for money, and obtaintherefore follow that his talents were ing it, by dribblets, while the House was adapted to the situation which he now in ignorance of what the extent of the held. There was another gentleman con- demand would be. He should certainly nected with the present administration, oppose any grant, until all the charges for relative to whom he wished to say a word the year were on the table. or two. He alluded to the Secretary of Lord Palmerston said, that the estimates State for the Home Department. The for the more considerable sources of exreturn of that right hon. gentleman to pense, the army, navy, and ordnance, office was hailed with satisfaction by a would be upon the table before any vote large portion of the public, but, upon one was proposed; but some of the less imimportant question, he held sentiments portant accounts, it was impossible to have exceedingly different from those held by ready until a later period in the session. that right hon. gentleman. He was aware Mr. Hume saw nothing impossible in that it was precisely on account of the line the case, and thought it absolutely necesof conduct pursued by him in reference to sary that the miscellaneous estimates that topic, that the right hon. gentleman should be produced before any money was was looked upon by very many loyal and voted. These last accounts generally well-meaning subjects as one of the main amounted to two or three millions. If pillars of the state. But he must say,

ever there was a time when it was necesihat if the right hon. gentleman's claims sary to adopt a clear mode of proceeding to the confidence of the country were with regard to the finances, founded upon no other grounds than his was that moment. policy upon that question, what appeared Mr. Maberly said, that the miscellaneto others to constitute him a pillar of the ous estimates had, of late years, arisen to state, operated as a barrier of exclusion to an alarming height. He therefore hoped, thousands, nay millions, of their fellow- that as the country had got a new ministry, subjects, who had for years been waiting every facility would be afforded the House at the threshold of the constitution, im- for watching the

for watching the progress of these expenses. . ploring to be admitted beneath its roof. He would oppose every grant, until the He hoped that the principles of free trade whole of the estimates for the year should would not be abandoned. He was desirous be known. to see those principles acted upon, with Lord Palmerston said, that the army, judicious modifications. With regard to navy, and ordnance estimates, being Ireland, something, he felt, must be done founded upon the cost of existing estafor that distracted country. Concession blishments, were capable of being furnishought to be resorted to, not coercion, Ifed early. The miscellaneous estimates, any measures of a coercive nature were as there was more information necessary brought forward before concession was to calculate them, could not be produced tried to its fullest extent, such measures so soon in the session. should have his reprobation. It was time Sir. J. Sebright hoped that the House for them to shape their course anew--to would vote no money until the whole of choose between peace and war, loyalty and the estimates were before them. rebellion, tranquillity and convulsion. The now necessary to look to the expenditure, course which he had described was the not only of every million, but of every shil only one which he could support, with ling of the public money. He pressed justice to his own character, and to the this point the more, because he underdesire which he should always entertain stood that large expenses had been of preserving the confidence of his con- cently incurred for which there was no stituents.

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sums which had been laid out in the re- by a sedulous restriction of the expendipairs at Windsor, and in the improvement ture of the country, as far as was conof the parks. He had not opposed the sistent, the noble duke would become as vote for the repairs of Windsor castle ; but popular a minister, as he already was a that vote had been limited to a specific general. sum. He had heard, that that sum had Sir M. W. Ridley said, that the repairs been

very far exceeded ; and he thought of Windsor Castle had undoubtedly exit fit that the House should know upon ceeded the estimate ; but that excess had what authority the expense in question had not arisen out of change in the original been undertaken, and to what length it plan, but from the state of the general had extended. He trusted that the House building; which had been found in a conwould try the possibility of producing the dition which could not be foreseen when miscellaneous accounts by refusing to vote the estimate was framed. He believed it any money until they were upon the table. would be fully proved, that no

blame Mr. G. Dawson said, he was satisfied, rested upon the commissioners, or upon that there was no disposition to withhold the architect. from the House any estimates; and that Sir Joseph Yorke said, it was so much the whole would be furnished with all pos- the object of the hon. member for Abersible expedition.

deen to object to a supply being granted Sir J. Sebright expressed his satisfaction as to have the means of squaring the g

geneat the assurances thus given. A new ad- ral expenditure of the country with its ministration was now commencing its ope- income. No doubt it was necessary to rations, and it could not do any thing that support the army and the navy; and there would be more satisfactory to the public, were some extras which it was equally than by promoting inquiry into these sub- necessary to support; but he hoped the new jects. He had not risen with any feeling government would set to work, and take of enmity towards the present administra- care, while they supported what was right, tion. It had never been his practice to to lop off what was superfluous and extraenter the ranks of opposition to a govern- vagant. He could not agree with the hon. ment; and, on the other hand, he had baronet who was so pleased that they had never ranged himself as a supporter of any, got a military man to reign over them. except that of the late Mr. Canning. He had rather it had been some one else. Then, indeed, he had thought it his duty It was quite a choaker to him. He had to support, as far as he could, an adminis- no doubt as to the noble duke's decision tration which he considered likely to be so of character, and that he would be able to beneficial to the country. But it did not keep the cabinet in good order [a laugh]; follow that the new administration should and he wished his noble relation had had find an opponent in him. Many persons a little of the same sort of spunk. Still objected to the duke of Wellington as he did not feel the military school the best

rime minister. So far as that appoint- school for a statesman. Nevertheless, if inent went it had his warmest approba- the noble duke laid by his habits of the tion. One of the objections urged against sword a little he might make a good and a the noble duke's fitness for that office was, popular minister. As for his not being in that he had passed a great portion of his the habit of making long speeches, he conlife in military service. So far from look- sidered that circumstance a particularly ing upon that as a disqualifying circum- fortunate one; two thirds of that which stance, he was of opinion that the noble was called eloquence only tended to duke could not have been brought up in a blink the question at issue. better school. He had always had great The motion was agreed to. objects before him to decide upon, and great interests to consider; and those Roman CATHOLIC LAND-TAX BILL.] habits of command would qualify him bet- Mr. George Bankes said, that he rose to ask ter for the leader of an administration, leave to bring in a bill, to which he could anthan a mere acquaintance with the routine ticipate no objection. The question had been of office. In the noble duke the country brought before the legislature thirty years would at least find habits of decision; ago, with the intention of remedying the which was a point of first-rate considera- defect to which his motion now had retion in the character of every minister; ference. Last session he had had the and he (sir J. Sebright) doubted not, that honour of introducing a similar bill to the

House; and had it not been for the abrupt | had been inclosed, no relief at all was ermination of the session, he had no doubt afforded; and instances had actually octhat it would have met with the same suc- curred, where, a Catholic being possessed cess in the other House as it had done of the whole hundred, it was impossible But whether or no such would that the arrangement could be of any n that. nave been the case, he had at least a right benefit to him, as there was none but his to anticipate that there was a feeling in own land on which he might throw it. This its favour. He was aware that there were act had continued in operation through some difficulties in the way of the mea- 1795 and 1796, until the year 1797, when sure, but he did not anticipate that they the Land Tax Redemption act was inwould be sufficient to negative the bill; troduced; and in that a clause had been and he trusted that, by the attention of inserted, which, it was supposed, would be parliament, those difficulties might be re- adequate to the difficulty: but it had again moved. It was not on his own suggestion, been found inefficient. In cases where but of others, that he offered this bill to the hundreds were charged at more than the notice of the House; and he requested 4s. in the pound, it was competent to to call their attention to the petition which certain commissioners to reduce the had been presented from the Roman amount; but this was no benefit to Catholics, complaining of the disadvantages the Catholics, for there were very few under which they laboured on that ac- places in the kingdom where the rate was count; and he did so the rather, as the so high as 4s. The total sum raised in petition was not only numerously signed, king William's time was about two millions; but likewise by persons of consideration and as only the same amount was collected and consequence, amongst whom were the now, it was clear that there was no names of lords Shrewsbury, Dormer, necessity for so high a rate as then, as the Stafford, sir T. Stanley, sir R. Bedding-value of lands since those times had infield, and others. The law respecting the creased prodigiously; and, consequently, land-tax had been passed in the 4th of a rate of from one to two shillings was on William and Mary, in the year 1692; the average sufficient to cover the amount and the rate imposed by it was 4s. in the required. This was the outline of the grievpound on all landed estates throughout ance of which the Roman Catholics comthe kingdom, but those who should refuse plained; and he could not but suppose to take certain oaths; so that, by this ar- that it was a real grievance, as he did not rangement, the Catholics were burthened, conceive that so many noblemen and without any relief being afforded to the gentlemen would petition parliament against Protestants. The law continued in this an imaginary evil; and if the House, as he state till the year 1794; when it was first did, believed it to be true, he had no doubt proposed to exempt the Catholics from that it would join with him most cordially this very unjust penalty. But the legisla- in endeavouring to do away with the inture, had not rightly considered the origin justice. Perhaps it would be said, that of the act; and, therefore, they had not the land-tax was unequally raised throughadopted the proper method of affording out the country-that in some places a relief. It was not fair that what was rate of one penny or two-pence was retaken off the Catholics should be thrown quired, and in others a rate of two shillings upon the rest of the kingdom; and for from Protestants: he did not deny that that reason, as the land-tax had never this was the case; but how it had origibeen raised generally on the whole king-nated it was not easy to decide. It was dom, but on divisions of hundreds, which were made in the time of William, and were continued to the present day, the parliament had found itself placed in a difficulty. The consequence had been, that it was expressly provided by that act, that the deficiency should not be thrown upon the public at large, but confined to the division in which the reduction took place. This, however, had been found by experience to be so embarrassing, that except in those divisions where fresh lands

alleged by some, that their ancestors, when the tax was first proposed, were so loyal and well-affected towards king William, that they consented to pay a higher rate than they need to have done, and felt pride in contributing more than was necessary; though, perhaps, the reason might be more fairly found in the fact, that those counties where the land-tax was most heavy, were the home counties; which in those days were richer and better able to pay than the midland and more northern

counties, which, compared with what they much of it had been redeemed; that any are now, were very poor. But, whether attempt to spread the burthen of the the inequality arose from these or any double tax upon other parts of the same other causes, he could not think that, be- district, would be found impossible. Now cause the Protestants were not equally that the evil was known, and that it was assessed, the Catholics were entitled to no evident no remedy existed, the House relief. The principle of the measure he must see the propriety of acceding to the was about to propose had already been motion. avowed by parliament; and if it could find Mr. Hurst said, he had acted in the any way of getting rid of the grievance, capacity of a commissioner, and had been he was persuaded the House would do so. enabled to relieve some families who had That it was practicable he firmly believed; been assessed for the double tax from the and he wished it to be understood, that he time of king William. Great difficulties only proposed to relieve those cases where at first occurred in throwing the sum upon a specific grievance could be proved: but any other property; but after a laborious it would not answer the purpose of those investigation, the commissioners discovered whose cause he was then advocating, to lands which had never been taxed at all; be put back as they had been in 1794; for, and upon them they imposed the burthen although that bill had proposed to afford from which they relieved those who sought them relief, it had done no such thing. It relief under the act. But he apprehended was not until the subject had been re- that great difficulties must attend such peatedly pressed upon his notice, that he experiments elsewhere ; and as the whole consented to undertake the task, but he amount of this double tax was small, he felt himself bound to say, that he did so apprehended there could be no objection with unqualified pleasure. The hon. gentle-to grant the relief proposed by the bill. man then moved, “ That leave be given to Mr. Curteis said, there had been a bring in a bill to relieve Roman Catholics manifest disposition on the part of the from double assessments to the Land Tax.” legislature to relieve the Catholics from

Mr. Hume, in seconding the motion, this double assessment. The manner in said, he had heard that the payments of which a similar measure was suffered to the family of only one Catholic gentleman, pass last session, was extremely indecorous. sir Richard Beddingfield, had amounted, The House was not aware of the extent of under this double assessment, to 50,0001. the sacrifice which this bill required. If, The act under which the Catholics were as he believed, relief was to be had under supposed to receive relief in these cases the act at present existing, and without any empowered the commissioners to apportion sacrifice of revenue, he saw no reason why the sum thus taken off the lands of the they should assent to the proposed bill. Catholics, upon the property of other per- Mr. Baring thought, that, if there was sons in the same township or district. That any case in which economical consideracourse had been successfully followed by tions should be disregarded, it was that the commissioners, of which an hon, which involved in its execution an act friend near him (Mr. Hurst) was one, in of positive cruelty and injustice. The the district of Horsham, and he believed House was not only called upon to grant without any inconvenience or complaint ; the boon required upon every principle of but, in other parts of the country, from justice, but in accordance with a prinwhence the complaints now came, he had ciple recognized by a previous act of heard it was impossible to give such relief parliament. They were not now called under any act which had been passed upon upon to grant a relief which ought not be the subject. The late secretary to the withheld; but they were required to carry Treasury, had distinctly declared, when into effect a measure of relief, the necessity the government were applied to on the sub- of which has been admitted, and sanctionject, that no relief could be afforded to the ed by act of parliament. The hon. memCatholics which would not produce a loss ber for Sussex had said, that those who to the Treasury to the full amount of that advised this measure had not looked into double land-tax from which the Catholic the case of the sufferers, and asserted that might be exempted. So many changes the act gave relief in every case where the had taken place, since 1798, in the state Land-tax exceeded 4s. in the pound; of the property subject to the land-tax; but the fact was, that in many cases the tax so much of it had changed possessors; so I did not amount even to half of that sum,

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