alone, and not in a number of huge volumes by themselves, they produce an effect on the public mind. On the other hand, there does not seem to be any other method of securing that impartiality and fidelity which Mr. Wallace and Mr. Wortley, and no doubt the other members, so naturally wished to be established. But, again, if strangers should be excluded from the sittings of parliament, which is scarcely, after so long a connivance, to be thought of by the members, and certainly not to be approved of by the public, the popular part of the Constitution would receive a deep, and, too probably, a fatal wound. It is the liberty of the press, and particularly that of publishing what passes in Parliament, that forms the grand counterpoise to the influence of the Crown, increased and still increasing, (not to say any thing of growing luxury and corruption) through the greatness and prosperity of the empire.-It is observed, by an eminent French writer," that examples never go out in the same way by which they came." When the House of Commons first connived at the introduction of booksellers, or their reporters, into the gallery, they were little aware of the consequences that were to follow this indulgence. The whole of these consequences have not, by any means, become apparent a kind of satellites have fastened themselves on parliament, whom it is irksome and grievous to endure, but whom it would be dangerous, in different respects, altogether to exclude. exclude. It is a case of great embarrassment; and in all likelihood will be more and more felt to be so. The whole result of this new order, or power in the state, is by no means yet unfolded. CHAP. VII. Finance.-Ways and Means of the Year for Great Britain and for Ireland.-Affairs of the East India Company.-Offices in Reversion Bill. -Passed in the House of Commons, but thrown out of the House of Lords.-Third Report of the Committee of Finance.-Motion by Mr. Martin respecting Public Economy.-Resolutions on this Subject moved by Mr. Banks-respecting Sinecure Places and exorbitant Salaries.or Emoluments.-Offices in Reversion Bill.-Resolutions moved by Mr. Horner, and agreed to respecting Bullion and Foreign Coins, Bank Notes, c. &c.- Bullion Committee appointed-Their ReportTwelfth Report of the Commissioners of Military Inquiry.—Expulsion of Mr. Hunt, for Peculation, from the House of Commons. As S the various matters contained in the last chapter are closely linked together, in the order of cause and effect, and, as the whole arose out of the inquiry into the unfortunate expedition to the Scheldt, it has not been thought proper to interrupt that order in our narrative by the introduction of other debates and proceedings in Parliament, though prior in the order of time. We now proceed from views of past transactions, and debates, and occurrences to which these gave birth, to business of a prospective nature; and, first of all, to the important business of Finance. 1 House of Commons, Wednesday, May 16.--The House having resolved itself into a committee of ways and means, for examining the account of the public debt, and the other public accounts, usually referred to that committee preparatory to the budget, the Chancel lor of the Exchequer rose to sub. mit to the consideration of the committee a general statement of the supplies and ways and means of the year. These, he said, would not only afford the best means of forming a correct judgment how far the country was able to support its present burthens, but be the best answer to those who were accustomed to take gloomy views of the financial situation of the country. It would be highly satisfactory to know, that such had been the produce of our revenue in that very year, when men of great weight and authority in that house anticipated a failure, that instead of the deficit they apprehended, there actually had been a very considerable increase. He should therefore, without farther preliminary observation, proceed to state the supplies already voted, and also the ways and means by which he proposed to lower them. SUPPLIES, Sicily... 400,000 Portugal.. 980,000 The like amount to be issued 1809........ 3,000,000 ply of the year 5,311,600 The total of the Ways and Means would afford a surplus of Joint Charge.. £ 50,566,000 141,2021. above the total amount SEPARATE CHARGES. 1,618,776 Total Supplies... 52,185,000 England.. 46,079,000 Irish proportion & other charges 170,000 6,106,000 of the Supplies. Mr. Perceval then stated minutely the grounds on which he conceived himself to be warranted in taking the different items in the Ways and Means at the amount above stated. As to the loan, he had contracted for it that morning, on terms much more favourable to the public than had ever been known at any former period. The amount of interest on the money borrowed was but 41. 15s. 3d. per cent.; which was fifteen shillings per cent. below the rate of legal interest.; and on the same terms he had contracted for four millions for Ireland. From a brief survey of the manufactures and commerce of the country, the comparative amount of the exports and imports at different periods, the great public works which were undertaken throughout the country, the great 19,500,000 roads, canals, and extensive docks 350,000 which were every where establish To meet these Supplies, the Ways and Means were as follows: WAYS AND MEANS. £.. 3,000,000 2,661,602 '4,400,000 I 3 ing, ing, with as much spirit and activity as in a time of the most profound and prosperous peace, he inferred that the state of the industry and enterprize of the country was such as to enable the nation to support the burthens it had to bear, and that there could be no reason to consider this as a falling or failing country. It was not only in our internal resources, but in our external means and strength, that the progressive prosperity of this nation was to be traced. This too had, happily, been made out to the conviction of our enemy. It was but a few years since that all he wanted was ships, colonies, an commerce. If the attainment of such objects was his wish, what progress had he made towards their accomplishment? It was only by acquisitions from this country that he was to realize any one of them; and yet all the commerce that belonged to his empire, and all the colonies, he had lost; and the few ships he had remaining, were pent up in ports, without ever daring to put to sea. Mr. Perceval concluded with moving, that the terms on which the Joan had been contracted for should be approved by that committee; which was agreed to. Resolutions corresponding to the other financial statements of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, were also agreed to, and ordered to be reported. House of Commons, May 30. Mr. Foster rose and said, that it was his duty on that day to submit to the consideration of the * The Orders in Council had the effect of reducing the customs of France from 2,500,000l. to 500,000l. being a diminution of 4-5ths of their whole amount. But 2,476,000 £.811,000 He now came to the expenses of the year, which would be found in these The two loans, Mr. Foster said, were unquestionably of such an extent, that he could most sin cerely have wished they could have been avoided. But as Ireland had but a small capital, and was increasing in her manufac tures, such a measure, by withdrawing capital from the operations of industry, might have the effect of repressing the enter prising spirit which led to the imof manufactures in Ireland. It provement and growing progress was with great satisfaction he had to state, that though the charge upon the revenue had increased, yet the revenue had increased in a higher proportion. The real value of the exports in 1800 was five millions; in 1902, a year of peace, eight millions and a quar ter; and on the average of 1808 and 1809, twelve millions. The real value of British exports in the same years were, in 1800, forty millions, in 1802, forty-eight millions; and in 1809, forty-five millions; being an increase of 1-9th only, while the exports of Ireland had increased full 7-15ths. The exports of corn from Ireland 00,000 had never been so large as last year; and the quantity of ground tilled in the present year, afforded, 4,330,000 in the event of a favourable season, a prospect of a most abun. dant crop; a source of wealth to 1,516,000 that country, and a necessary supply to this. Mr. Foster proceeded to state to the committee the ways and means, with his reasons for having recourse to them, by which he proposed to provide for the charge of the loan of the present year, which, including management, interest, and sinking fund, 11,120,000 The Ways and Means then to cover the charges already specified, were Annual Revenue..... 911,000 Loan of four millions four 11,129,000 31,000 |