[ 453 ] HISTORICAL CHRONICLE. PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS, April 22. April 25. Lord J. Russell brought forward his motion for a Reform in the Commons House of Parliament. His proposition was, "That the present state of the Representation of the people required the greatest consideration of the House." His Lordship argued that the interests and the wishes of the people are not now represented in the House of Commons; that the House was formerly more popular in its election, and that while the middle classes were daily increasing in intelligence and wealth, and ought therefore to possess increased influence, the House of Commons was becoming more and more the property. of the Aristocracy.-Mr. Canning was the chief opponent of his Lordship's motion; his speech was a masterly display of eloquence, and he was heard with the deepest attention. He maintained that it was not true that the House of Commons was defective, because it did not respond to every impression of the people. That if the House of Commons should feel that it was immediately deputed from the whole people, that it met to speak the will and not to consult for the benefit of the people, it must of necessity soon swallow up the whole power of the State; that a House of Commons freely chosen, if admirable in theory, was not the constitution under which we lived; that the House as at present brought together was perfectly competent to the discharge of its functions, and therefore that the mode of its election was of secondary importance. The House then divided-Ayes, 164-Noes, 269-Majority against the motion, 105. This result was received with loud and repeated cheering by the Opposition. Sir John Newport brought forward his motion for an Address to the Throne on the state of Ireland, in which it was proposed to express a hope, that the powers lately entrusted to the Irish Government, for the suppression of the disturbances which afflict that country, would be found to have been used with mildness as well as resolution; and declaring that the House now felt that the time was come to make an immediate inquiry into the state of Ireland, and the causes of the late acts of insubordination;. and assuring his Majesty, that the House would heartily co-operate both in exploring the causes of the evil, and in providing a remedy. The Hon. Baronet adverted to the evils of a non-resident gentry, an evil aggravated by the Union; to the oppressive amount of taxation; to the system of tythes; and the religious differences of the natives, as the leading causes of the present unhappy state of Ireland; and said that although it was not reasonable to suppose these evils could be suddenly removed, yet was there no reason for delaying to lay the foundation of a better system of society.-The Hon. Mover was answered by Mr. Goulburn, who deprecated so early a discussion of a subject involving the measures of a Government so recently established as three months since ; and whose attention was, of necessity, in the first instance called to measures for immediate repression of existing commotions. The Hon. Secretary did not deny the necessity of a deep inquiry and a solemn consideration; but the evils alluded to were the growth of centuries, and though the present Government could not be prepared with measures to remedy such deep-rooted grievances, yet he assured the House that they had the whole of the important topics alluded to under most anxious and attentive consideration, and that when they should have made up their minds, they would lay before the House the measures they should recommend. In the mean time he moved the previous question on the motion of the Hon. Baronet.Mr. Peel also said the Hon. Baronet could not expect more than so distinct a promise of the Government, that their attention was intensely turned to the situation of Ireland, and that some important measures would be proposed. As to the Catholic question, it was wisely excluded from the intended Address. He should think it his duty firmly to oppose the removal of the Catholic restrictions when his Honourable Friend in the next, Session should bring April 29. The Marquis of Londonderry brought forward a motion for the considera tion of the Agricultural Report. His Lordship went over, in considerable detail, the views he had before taken of this important subject; but declared that he saw no reason, from any information received, or any argu ments which he had heard since his former statement, to alter his opinion of the general outline he had before traced. He attri buted the prevalent distress to the state of agriculture, and that relief was not within the 454 Proceedings in the present Session of Parliament. the reach of legislative enactment. The reduction of taxation had been carried to a great extent, and he hoped before the end of the present Session, that the Chancellor of the Exchequer would propose a further reduction of 1,800,000l.; but on what specific articles he could not yet say, and it would be most unwise for persons out of doors to speculate on the subject. But God forbid, he added, that he should be instrumental in deluding the country that such reduction of taxation could remove the existing distress. It might be a benefit to the consumer, but to him only. His Lordship concluded by moving for an advance of 1,000,000l. of Exchequer Bills on corn, while wheat is under 60s.; a measure of very doubtful benefit; but as it would probably produce a small temporary effect, and the agriculturists desired it, it was well perhaps it should be tried. The other principal propositions of his Lordship were-The Owners of Foreign Corn now in warehouse to be permitted to grind it for the purpose of exportation. The Ports to be opened when the home price shall be 80s. and continue open until it be below 70s. While the price shall be between those sums a duty of 12s., and an additional 5s. for the first three months. A million of Exchequer Bills also to be advanced to Ireland. Country One Pound Notes to be permitted as at present till the expiration of the Bank Charter, which is to be extended ten years. The Army and Navy Pension List, now near 5,000,000l. to be contracted for, for 45 years certain, and thus to be immediately reduced by about 2,200,000l. The Sinking Fund to be retained at compound interest, at least for ten years.-Mr. Western said he expected some propositions in accordance with the Agricultural Committee; he was therefore disappointed; he augured no benefit from the advance of Exchequer Bills.-Mr. Ricardo said, that the present plan was an attack on the Sinking Fund, which might be considered to be now abandoned. He then in conformity with his known sentiments, argued for a free trade in corn; and proposed that the foreign corn now in bond may be taken out for home consumption when wheat shall exceed 65s., on payment of a duty of 15s. on wheat. Several other members spoke, but the discussion not having finished at half-past one o'clock, the House reported progress. April 30. Mr. Canning brought forward a motion for the bringing in a Bill to admit Catholic Peers into the House of Lords. In a most able and eloquent speech, he forcibly urged the justice and policy of this restoration of rights to some of the most noble and loyal families in the Empire; a right possessed by them for more than a century after the Reformation, and of which they had been deprived in the reign of [May, Charles the Second, in consequence of the alarm and indignation excited by the pretended Popish plot of Titus Oates and his confederates. He disclaimed any intention by this motion of affecting the general question of Catholic Emancipation, but desired that it might entirely stand on its own merits, as a measure of conciliation, devoid of danger, charitable before men, and just before God.-Mr. Peel contended that the doors of the House of Lords should not be opened to Catholic Peers while those of the Lower House were shut to the members of that communion. That if their exclusion took place, in a moment of heat and alarm, yet the Act of Union with Scotland, at a period of more temper, expressly disqualified all Scotch Roman Catholic Peers even from the power of nomination; a proof that the then Legislature recognized no intention of ever again admitting Catholics to legislate. But, however, as the whole question was to be brought on next Session, there could be no benefit from agreeing to this measure; and his principal motive in opposing this motion was not so much to exclude a few Catholic Peers, as to induce the House to postpone the consideration of their case till the general claims of the Catholics were considered, and proper securities given.Mr. Plunkett fearing, if he were silent, that it might be supposed he considered this motion of no importance, declared his full concurrence in it. The Catholic Peers were already admissible as Privy Councillors, from which no evil had arisen. This was merely calling on Parliament to reverse an act of attainder passed in a spirit of injustice. Mr, Canning's motion was carried by a majority of five, the numbers being 249 to 244. May 1. The Chancellor of the Exchequer gave a detailed account of the plan for equalizing the burden of the Superannuation and Army and Navy Pension List for a term of 45 years. Contractors, he said, were to be found to receive for the whole of that period a fixed sum annually, say 2,800,000L engaging to pay during the said 45 years the above list of pensions, amounting now to 5,000,000l. and gradually of course decreasing by deaths and casualties. - Mr. Huskisson explained, that by carrying to market from time to time portions of the stipulated sum of 2,800,000l. or Long Annuities for 45 years, as might be done with any other Stock, the Contractors would have nothing to advance, and their profit will be when hereafter the pensioners shall die off so fast, as to leave a portion of the stipulated 2,800,000l. not disposed of more than adequate to satisfy all the remaining pensioners. It was observed, that if any profit can be made by this plan, the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund would be the best contractors; for the Sinking Fund was not wanted in the market to keep up the Funds. 1822.] Proceedings in the present Session of Parliament. 455. "Dead Expenditure" arrangements, and the transactions with the Bank: in conclusion, he remarked upon the inconsistency of the former declarations of Ministers, that taxes were no burden, with their present professed anxiety for reduction.-The Earl of Liverpool replied by a defence of the measures impeached by Earl Grey. He said Government had never expected that any legislative measure could give complete relief to agriculture, but they had endeavoured to select the most efficient palliatives. Government taxation (as distinguished from parochial taxation), he said, affected the agricultural population less than any other class, and therefore little advantage could result to the agriculturalists from any practicable reductions of public taxes. To the taunt that Ministers were now acting inconsistently with former declarations, in defence of taxation, he replied by a denial of its truth. He himself had always expressed an opinion that taxes were an evil less only than a violation of the public faith. With respect to the Bank, he could only lament the monopoly which that Corporation en May 2. Lord Normanby brought forward a proposition for the abolition of one of the offices of Joint Postmasters General. His Lordship's motion in the present instance was for an Address to the Throne. The preservation of the office was strenuously contended for by the Marquis of Londonderry, who opposed the motion by such arguments as the case afforded. After some reasoning upon the convenience of having a second Postmaster, in the event of his colleague's sickness, the noble Marquis abandoned altogether the ground of the efficiency of the second Officer, which had, indeed, been rendered untenable by the fact, that Lord Clancarty held the office of Postmaster General during a three years' absence upon his diplomatic mission. The noble Marquis defended the office as an indirect mode of remunerating unpaid efficient public Officers. His Lordship avowed, with commendable candor, that the use and purpose of the office was to give the Crown an influence over the holders, from personal interest. The House then divided-Ayes, 216-Noes, 201-Majority against Ministers 15. The announcement of this Majo-joyed by its Charter; for as their right was rity was received with loud and prolonged cheering. May 3. A number of Petitions were presented upon the subject of the Agricultural question. Among others, one from the county of Sussex, in offering which to the House, Mr. Curteis made use of the remarkable expression, that "as Ministers had deserted the Agriculturalists, the Agriculturalists had no alternative but to desert Ministers." The Marquis of Londonderry presented at the bar his Majesty's Answer to the Address, moved on the preceding evening by Lord Normanby, promising the reduction of the office of the second Postmaster-General. The House then went into the consideration of the "Dead expenditure." This subject gave rise to some animated discussion, but no new argument was advanced on either side of the House, and the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer was carried by a large majority. Mr. Canning's Bill for admitting Catholic Peers to vote in Parliament was read the first time. HOUSE OF LORDS, May 6. Earl Grey took the opportunity to animadvert in terms of great severity upon the Report of the Agricultural Committee of the House of Commons, and to arraign all the late measures of Ministers; as well those which had received the sanction of Parliament, as those which are in progress. His Lordship particularly alluded to the scheme of pretended relief to the agricultural interest, which it was understood Ministers had borrowed from the Committee; to the indisputable, he could go no farther without the consent of the Proprietors, which they were not disposed to sell at a cheap rate. The Marquis of Lansdowne moved for some papers upon this last subject, the production of which was agreed to. In the HOUSE OF COMMONS the same day, after the presentation of some petitions, the Marquis of Londonderry moved that the House should go into a Committee upon the Agricultural Report.-Mr. Ellice opposed the motion in an elaborate speech, the main argument of which was, that any thing tending to raise the price of agricultural produce would be ruinous to the manufacturing and commercial interests; but though his reasoning went generally to the principle of the Report, the hon. member directed it specially against the clause under discussion-the first clause of the Reportwhich advises that an advance, by way of loan, of one million, shall be made to the agriculturalists in distress, upon the security of corn in warehouse, whenever the price of wheat shall be below 60s.-Mr. Benett (of Wilts) deprecated the invidious preference claimed for the manufacturing and commermercial interests. He said the landlords would be satisfied with the rents of 1792, with a proportionable reduction of taxation, which he considered the only effectual measure of relief. After two or three members had spoken shortly, the Marquis of Londonderry rose to defend the clause. He contended that the proposed measure (which was to be treated merely as a temporary expedient) would operate beneficially by equalizing the markets, and securing the small farmer against the necessity of selling at a disad vantage. 456 Proceedings in the present Session of Parliament. vantage. Mr. Curwen expressed his approbation of the first clause, and hinted something of the advantage of a permanent measure founded on similar principles.-Mr. Brougham nick-named the measure a pawnbroking scheme.-Mr. Huskisson opposed the clause, on the ground that if the markets rose, the proposed million would be useless; but if they fell, there would be a great scramble for it. Several other members spoke. Those in opposition opposing the clause very earnestly, and the countrygentlemen treating it rather coldly; when, at length, the Marquis of Londonderry confessed that he had opposed in the committee the clause which he had just been recommending to the House, and consented to its abandonment. HOUSE OF COMMONS, May 7. The House applied itself to the consideration of the Agricultural Committee Report. The propositions offered to the attention of the House were, upon the suggestion of the Marquis of Londonderry, marshalled in the following order:-1st. The proposition of Sir Thomas Lethbridge, recommending the highest rate of import duty (35s. per quarter).—2d. The proposition of Mr. Benet, recommending a duty of 24s. per quarter.-3d. Mr. Ricardo's proposition for a fixed duty of 10s. The discussion commenced with a disputation between Messrs. Atwood and Ricardo upon the question of currency.-The Marquis of Londonderry followed, rebuking the disputants for this ill-timed display of their proficiency in Political Economy; and expressing his disapprobation, more or less, of all the three propositions immediately before the House.-Sir Francis Burdett made an attack upon the system of Government for the last 30 years, and broadly recommended a reduction of the interest on the public debt. He was answered by Mr. Robinson, who, amidst the cheers of the House, challenged the Honourable Baronet to bring forward his proposition for a violation of the public faith in the form of a specific motion, but Sir Francis made no reply to the challenge.—Mr. Ricardo spoke in defence of his proposition, and thus concluded the debate of this night. May 8. The subject of the Agricultural Report was resumed, when Mr. Benett (of Wilts) opened the discussion by a long and able speech in recommendation of his plan. An almost unprecedented number of speakers followed, amongst whom Mr. Bankes and Lord Althorp argued at length, in favour of a protection to the agriculturalists. It was admitted on all hands that the restrictive import duty should be regulated by the minimum price at which foreign corn could be imported. But with respect to the [May, average price of grain în the foreign markets, and even its price at the present moment, all, including his Majesty's Ministers, seemed equally uncertain: opinions fluctuated between 20s. and 45s. probably according to the different markets with respect to which the speakers had been informed. In the end, Sir T. Lethbridge's proposition was rejected by a majority of 243 to 24. Previously to the resumption of the Agricultural Committee, Mr. Hyvil moved, as an amendment to the order of the day, a resolution, that the only effective mode of giving relief to the Agriculturalists would be by a reduction of taxation. This resolution he prefaced by a declaration, that the scale of reduction from which relief was to be expected, was not less than twenty millions annually. A proposition so outrageous, necessarily ensured the defeat of the particular motion. May 9. The consideration of the Agricultural Committee Report was resumed. After a few words from Mr. Denison, who professed his despair of relief to the suffering Agriculturalists from any other source but a reduction of taxes, Lord Althorp proposed an amendment to the resolution of Mr. Ricardo to the following effect; namely, that a fixed import duty of 20s. should be imposed upon foreign wheat, and a drawback or bounty of 188. allowed on exported foreign or British wheat. His Lordship expressed his confidence that such an arrangement would make Great Britain an exporting country. This proposition called up Mr. Ricardo, who entertained the House with a long and formal thesis upon the general question, which terminated in the conclusion, that 7s. would be a sufficient import duty to protect the British farmer, although in submission to public opinion, and to cover possible errors in his calculation (of the terms of which he said nothing) he had allowed ten shillings in his Resolution. Mr. Benett (of Wilts) called in vain for the terms of the Hon. Member's calculations, which determined 7s. as a sufficient protecting duty. The debate was continued by Mr. Curwen, the Marquis of Londonderry, Mr. Lockhart, and a number of other members. At length the question was put upon Lord Althorp's amendment, which was rejected by a majority of 220 to 24. The question was next put upon Mr. Ricardo's resolution for a duty of 20s. to be diminished 1s. aunually until it fell to 10s. at which sum it was to be fixed, with a bounty of 75. upon exportation. This Resolution was also rejected, the numbers being-Ayes, 25 Noes, 218. The Marquis of Londonderry then moved, "That the present duties do cease and determine." This motion was. carried by a majority of 218 to 36. His Lordship then proposed a Resolution in substance as follows, which was carried without a division-That the Ports shall not 1822.] Proceedings in the present Session of Parliament. not be opened until the home price of Wheat shall have reached 80s.; that when the home price shall have declined to 70s. the ports shall be closed; that for the first three months after the opening of the ports, foreign wheat shall pay a duty of 17s. and after that period a duty of 12s. May 10. The House of Commons was chiefly occupied with the debate upon the second reading of Mr. Canning's Bill for admitting Catholic Peers into Parliament. The Marquis of Londonderry, Mr. Canning, Mr. Peel, and Mr. Wetherell were the principal speakers; the motion for the second reading was carried by a majority of 235 to 223. May 13. The Report of the Committee of the House upon the Distresses of Agriculture was brought up. On the motion for bringing up the Report, Colonel Davies expressed his approbation of the Resolutions of the Marquis of Londonderry; but proposed to add a series of Resolutions to be These adopted concurrently with them. Resolutions were founded upon the principle that the Irish farmer possessed an advantage over his British competitor in an exemption from the Excise duties on Hides, Soap, Candles, and Salt; and they proposed that three-fourths of the duties on the three former articles, and the whole of the salt duty, should be repealed. As a measure necessary to impartiality, it was added, that the Irish Window and Leather Taxes should also be given up. After the Resolutions had been read, the Speaker interfered, and pronounced the discussion of them irregular in the present stage of the question. Colonel Davies was in consequence compelled to abandon his motion.-The House then took the Agricultural Report into consideration. Sir J. Sebright expressed his satisfaction at the Resolutions embodied in the Report, which Mr. Western, on the other hand, described as neither directly nor remotely serving the interests of agriculture. The Hon. Member affirmed, that the present prices of wheat and rye at Hamburgh were, the former from 26s. to 31s. per quarter, the latter from 13s. to 14s. He animadverted with great severity upon Mr. Peel's Bill, and alluded to his foriner intimation upon the subject of a return to a paper currency. Mr. John Smith, adverting to the proposition and speech of Mr. Wyvill upon a former evening, combated at some length the opinion, that the agricultural population would be benefited by the excessive reduction of taxation, suggested by the Member for York. The effect of such a measure Mr. Smith traced through the following chain of consequences-The reduction of dividends one half- -a corresponding fall in the price of Stock-an enormous rise in the Foreign Exchanges-a demand GENT. MAG. May, 1822. 457 for bullion from the Bank, which could not May 14. Mr. Hume proposed four Resolutions demanding inquiry into the state of the Government of the Ionian Islands. The Hon. Member introduced his motion by a long speech, in the course of which he alleged many charges of tyranny and oppression against the High Commissioner Sir T. Maitland. He was satisfactorily replied to by Mr. Wilmot, and the House rejected the motion by a majority of 152 to 67. May 15. tition from the county of Sligo, complaining of the exaction of the tithe of potatoes, to which by law, and, as it seems, by usage in three of the provinces, the Clergy are entitled, but which they have not hitherto claimed in Connaught. Mr. Cooper, Mr. Dennis Browne, Sir J. Newport, and the other great landholders, combated the claims of the Clergy. A discussion arose upon a pe The Mr. Lennard moved for a Select Committee to inquire into the diplomatic expences of the Government. He spoke at great length, comparing the expenditure of this country at present with the expenditure in 1792; and also with the present diplomatic expenditure of America. Hon. Member adverted particularly to the recent appointment of Mr. Wynn to the Swiss Cantons, with a salary of 4,000l. for the discharge of duties, which had been for seven years executed by another Gentleman for 250l. a year.r.-The Marquis of Londonderry defended the present diplomatic establishment upon the ground of the changes which have taken place in Europe. He contended for the important rank of Switzerland in the present European system; and in proof cited the fact, that at this moment one of the most distinguished statesmen of the Rus sian |