[REPORT OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY never rose with more satisfaction in BUDGET] Mr. Alexander brought up the the whole course of his life," than at this report of the committee of ways and means. present moment, in being the instrument The several resolutions with respect to the of presenting the Irish Catholic Petition new taxes were read, and when the clerk to that house of parliament. Whatever came to that relating to the proposed tax might be the discussion which the subject upon auctions, of this petition was likely to give rise to Lord Henry Petty rose, and after admit he was convinced it would afford a most ting that the other taxes proposed, were satisfactory proof to every feeling mind, as unobjectionable as under the circumstan- that the great body of Catholics in Ireland ces could be well expected, animadverted had to complain of numerous grievances, on the tax just referred to as likely to bear and that they meant to adopt the most with peculiar hardship upon a very dis- respectful manner of procuring redress, 'by tressed part of the people, and therefore this humble application to parliament. irreconcileable with the principle which the He did not think that the present would right hon. the chancellor of the exchequer be à proper time to make any further obLad himself laid down on a former even-servations upon the subject, and he should ing. The noble lord pressed upon the therefore only move for leave to bring up consideration of the house, that auctions the petition. He then stated shortly the were already subject to a tax of from 10 substance of the petition; and leave being to 12 per cent. and that small traders, who generally disposed of their goods in that way, and distressed persons who were often obliged to have recourse to it, would be much affected by the proposed addition. He recommended an exemption in favour of such persons, on the same principle on which an exemption was granted under the property and other taxes.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that he should not at present enter into a discussion of the merits of this proposition. He should only observe, that, if the noble lord's argument were adopted, it would be impossible to bring forward a tax that should be received; for no tax, however generally good, could be free from some particular objections. The objections, however, stated by the noble lord were not applicable to the general principle of this tax. Upon the resolution being read relating to the tax on cider and perry,

given to bring it up, Mr. Fox appeared at the bar, and brought up the petition, which was then read by the clerk (see p. 97). After it was read, Mr. Fox moved that the petition do lie on the table. On this motion being put from the chair,

Mr. Cartwright rose. He said it was not his intention on that occasion to enter into the merits of the question, but he could not help expressing his regret, that the subject of the petition was likely to be brought to a discussion under the present circumstances of the country. Much as he lamented what did pass upon the subject not long since, and much as he lamented the importance attached at that time to the immediate concession of the privileges withheld from the Catholics, he was in hopes no further steps would have been taken to accomplish that object, till at least there was some reason to suppose no insurmountable dificulties stood Mr. Bastard stated, that, according to in the way of its attainment; and he could information which he had received this not help expressing his surprize, that the day, cider was, in consequence of an al-advocates for these concessions should be teration made by the excise in the course so anxious for a discussion, knowing as the of the last year, raised from the nominal do all the circumstances of the case, and duty of 20s. to 24s. per hogshead. With the certainty of no success. He could not the proposed addition, therefore, it would comprehend the policy or patriotism of be subject to 36s. per hogshead. He hoped, however, that the new duty would Bot attach to the stock on hand. If it should be so proposed, he declared his intention to oppose it.-The resolution was agreed to, as were the others, and bills ordered accordingly.

[ROMAN CATHOLIC PETITION.] Mr. Fox, previous to bringing up this Petition, addressed the house, and said, that he

creating a discussion, if not likely to go further, and of thus unseasonably agitating a subject of such general expectation and importance, on which the feelings of the inhabitants of Ireland were so unhappily alive, and which may lead to no small terz mentation and disturbance in that country.

Mr. For said, that the hon. member had alluded to an insurmountable obstacle; but what that obstacle was, the hon~gent?

had not mentioned. He should wait to ing the rates of subsistence to be paid to hear, upon the discussion of the measure innkeepers and others for quartering troops, to which the petition referred, what the &c.-Mr. Huskisson brought up the addinature of that obstacle was, and then he tional Import Duty bill, and the additional should take occasion to state his opinion Excise Duty bill, which were read a respecting it. At present he should only first time.-Col. Stanley presented a pesay, that it was his intention to appoint a tition, praying that another Petition from day for the discussion of a proposition the Duke of Athol, relative to the imfounded on the petition. From informa-provements in the Isle of Man, might be tion received, he understood that the Irish brought up. The cause of its being so members were for the most part at present long delayed was, that as it applied for a in Ireland, upon the business of the as- grant of public money, it was necessary to sizes, and that they could not conveni- obtain his majesty's consent to it. ently return for some time. It was his was given, the Petition was brought up, wish to fix upon as early a day as possi-read, and referred to a committee.-On ble; he should mention the 9th of May, but in the course of the ensuing week he should be able to state the precise day. Dr. Duigenan urged the propriety of ascertaining with precision the day on which the motion of the hon. gent. would be brought forward, and hoped he would positively fix on the 9th of May for that

purpose.

Mr. For had no objection whatever to that day himself, but until he had consulted those who were more immediately interested, he did not feel entitled to say that that should certainly be the day on which he would make his motion.-Adjourned.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Leave

the motion of Col. Stanley, the Report of the Committee of Enquiry in 1792 on the state of the Isle of Man, and all accounts of the revenue of the Island were ordered to be referred to the same committee. It was likewise ordered, on the motion of the hon. Col. that an Address be presented to his majesty, requesting that he would be graciously pleased to cause to be laid before the house a copy of the report of the Privy Council, dated 21 July, 1804, on the former Petition of the Duke of Athol.

[MILITIA ENLISTING BILL.] The order of the day being read for the 2d reading of the Militia Enlisting Bill,

Mr. Hughes rose and delivered his maiden speech in parliament. He said he was not in the habit of offering himself to the attenTuesday, March 26. tion of the house, but the strong call of [MINUTES.] Their lordships proceeded duty constrained him to overcome his na* further in the Appeal, Rocheid, esq. against tural reluctance. He admitted the preKinloch, bart. Mr. H. Erskine concluded sent bill was less objectionable than that his reply. After which the further con- which had been adopted in 1799, from the sideration was postponed till Tuesday modifications it had received; but as he next. Mr. Alexander brought up the Le- must resist the principle of it, those varigacy Duty bill, and two private bills; ations could not reconcile him to the meawhich were severally read a first time. sure. The bill was brought forward withMr. Worsley, from the London Flour Company, presented the annual accounts of the Company; which were ordered to lie on the table.-Adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Tuesday, March 26.

out any ground being laid for its introduction. When the former one was submitted to the attention of the house, a case of remarkable urgency was made out, although not such a case as, in his mind, vindicated the expedient. What was the situation at that time? In the year 1799, we had a prodigious defensive force: the [MINUTES.] Mr. Rose brought up the Militia exceeded 100,000 men, and we American Neutral Trade bill, which was had a numerous body of Fencibles. On read a first time.-Mr. Rose brought up the contrary, the regular army was wasted the bill granting to aliens abroad the same by a protracted war; and it was under privileges in the disposal of prizes as were these peculiar circumstances that it was now possessed by the natives of the United permitted to recruit out of the Fenci Kingdom. Read a first time.-The Secre-bles and out of the Militia, under the tary at War obtained leave to bring in a authority of parliament. In this instance bill similar to that of last year, for increas- the same scheme was recommended, when

the motive was gone. We were told by he conceived the general principle was the right hon. the Chancellor of the Ex-right, and ought to be adopted. The adchequer that the regular army had greatly vantages were so obvious, that they seemincreased; that the recruiting was active ed to require no comment: the accession and effectual; and that his favourite act of 15 or 16,000 men to the disposeable for the augmentation of the disposeable force, in these times, could by no gentleforce, was soon to be brought into com- man be considered as unimportant. If he plete operation. Why then should we re- were disposed to criticise upon any thing sort to this odious and obnoxious method? with severity, it would be, that the meaIf the quota of 17,000 would not enter as sure was not before proposed. The bill volunteers, would the right hon. gent. directed, that the men should be permitted, disband the national Militia? Did he, from the militia regiments, to a certain after all his expressions of doubt and alarm, extent, to enlist in the regular forces. begin now to consider the garrison of the He did think the terms were too general, country as too strong? Had the fears of the and that they should not be allowed to ennation been absurd and nugatory? Were the list into the Foot-Guards, because these fleets of the enemy destroyed? Were his ar- were not disposable in the same sense as mies disbanded? Was his ambition annihi- the troops of the line of every other delated? Did the invasion of this country scription. He had no objection to their no longer tempt his appetite for universal joining the royal marines, and he thought dominion? But there were constitutional the artillery ought to have its share. The objections to the measure. Every stand-marines were entitled to great credit. ing army in Europe, which menaced or They were at this moment in want of a destroyed the liberties of the soil by considerable recruit, and 5 or 6000 men which it was supported, we were told, had would be to them a very valuable acquiits origin in a harmless militia; we ought, sition. Before he could resign the benefits then, never to lose sight of that precaution, this measure promised, he must be conwe ought never to abandon that jealousy, vinced of its impolicy on some constituwhich would prevent such dangerous en- tional principles; but, perhaps, if he discroachments. The best officers in the mi-cerned that the militia was likely to suffer litia had been disgusted by the former re- any permanent injury from the project, he gulation, and had retired from the service; should, from his affection for it, be conbut it was promised no such plan would strained to oppose the bill. It was on be revived. Now insult and flattery were these constitutional grounds the hon. gent. combined, and it was vainly expected endeavoured to meet it. The term congentlemen would submit to such illusions, stitutional, it was true, was often used withand patiently bear with repeated mortifi- out any regard to its legitimate meaning: cations. Whenever the act of 1799 had it was sometimes employed merely to exbeen mentioned in that house, and it ne- press the interests of individuals, not the ver was mentioned unaccompanied by great scheme of national good. Whatcensure, it had been defended by ministers ever was consistent with the interests on the ground of the necessity of the times, of some persons, was to them perfectly and a solemn pledge had been given never constitutional; whatever opposed these to recur to the same mode of proceeding interests, was the reverse, and from the After this open breach of faith, how could obscurity consequent on this personal aviwe depend on any future pledge? how dity, they often entirely lost sight of could we assure ourselves that when it was the constitution. He by no means indeemed convenient, government might not once more return to the charge and propose a further recruiting out of the 40,000 that were now allowed to exist? Under all these circumstances he should give his decided negative to the motion.

tended to apply these observations to the hon. gent.; but he would explain what he understood by the constitution, as it applied to the present question. It was explained by the common and written law of the land. This law directed every man to Mr. Yorke said, he was somewhat con- stand forward in defence of his country, cerned, that several militia officers, com- when called upon by proper authority; rades of his, had expressed themselves in and it was said, that a respectable military such strong terms against the bill. He force is necessary to the defence of the however agreed with those gentlemen, that realm. As to the number or proportion some of the details were objectionable, yet from the militia which might join the reVOL. IV.

I

gular force, there was not a syllable on the ments had taken place which were once subject in the catalogue of English law. expected, if what was called a broad com So far was he from thinking it was prejudi-prehensive administration had been formcial, that one should combine occasionallyed, most of these gentlemen would have with the other, that he would recommend, been of a very different opinion. He that it should be annually proposed to the trusted, therefore, that as their objections temporary to unite with the permanent were not purely sentimental, but mixed establishment, to a certain limited extent. with political feelings, the effects produced It might be asked, why he did not suggest by the bill would not be so considerable as this when he had the honour to bear a part had been predicted. He did not think in his majesty's councils? The opinion of this plan would impose any burthen upon administration then was, that it was more the landed proprietors; he thought, at adviseable to adhere to former plans thau | least, if any were endured, it would be to resort to new ones; and such a scheme relieved by the provisions of the Additional at that particular moment, might have ren-Force bill, the contents of which, however, dered it impossible to have raised the mi- he would not affect very accurately to com litia to the numbers required. He would prehend. One benefit, however, to the broadly contend, the militia could suffer counties, was perfectly clear; they would no detriment whatever; the whole was be exonerated from maintaining the favoluntary, and compulsory measures could milies of those men who abandoned the alone be injurious. But it was said, that militia service. On the Additional Force the feelings of the militia officers would bill he might be permitted to say, that as be wounded. He could only judge of the far as he understood it, it was unreasonable feelings of other gentlemen by his own; and impolitic; he thought so before, and and he acknowledged, that as far as his he continued in the same sentiment; but own comfort and honour were concerned in the expedient having been resorted to, he the regiment be commanded, he should be judged it prudent to give it a fair trial. happy to see that the individuals who com- But whatever objection he might have to posed it, were anxious to offer themselves the general tendency of that bill, he had to a more enlarged service, where their no difficulty in concurring with that part of discipline and gallantry would be more be- it which respected the reduction of the neficial to their country. The scheme in militia; not because this force was too 1799 had been alluded to; that must be great, but because the relative proportions acknowledged not only to have been a wise between the temporary and permanent but a prosperous measure. At that time establishments were not duly preserved. 500 men from the regiment in which he The opposition to this bill was the more served joined the army, and most of them unaccountable, because parliament had alentered the 20th regiment, which had been ready decided, that the disposable force peculiarly distinguished for the services ought to be increased, and the most easy they have rendered their country. So and natural means was to carry over the much he would say for feeling, and he surplus of the militia to the regular force. would add, that any thing that would hurt Having advanced various other arguments the generous sensibilities of the officers of in favour of the bill, he said, he heartily the militia, he should himself be the last hoped it would succeed; he should give it man to endure. He could not but lament, the best support he could. He disapproved as much as any one, if officers of merit of that clause which allowed the commandand courage were to leave the ranks in dis-ing officer to cut his regiment in halves, and gust on account of this bill; but it was say, government should have one half, what he could not believe they would do, while he kept the other. The probability until he had the misfortune to know it in such case was, the commander of the from his own observation. He held in his militia regiment would take the grenadiers hand a circular letter, signed by 32 field and light infantry, and give government officers of militia regiments, expressive of the remainder. Possibly the grenadiers their disapprobation of the bill before the and light infantry, impelled by their valour house. Much as he respected them, he and the desire of gaining renown, might could not help observing, that of this num- be anxious to join the regulars, in order. ber 18 were distinguished for their oppo-to go to Paris to pull down the emperor of sition to government, and he could not France and king of Italy. The commandavoid thinking, that if certain arrange-ing officer would, by the operation of the

that it should not be recurred to any more. Besides, at that time, the militia officers had only the proposition made to them of using their influence with the meu to enlist for limited service in Europe, whereas now they were to be induced to

clause to which he referred, have it in his power to repress their ardour, and for bid their enlisting. He hoped the house would not, by rejecting the measure, run the risk of losing the means of obtaining an honourable and secure peace, and, till its attainment, a sure defence for the king-enlist for life, and for a smaller bounty

dom.

than before. He could not account for Mr. Bastard had always imagined that the motives which could lead the right hon. parents were ready to spring to the defence gent. (Mr. Yorke) in time of peace, to of their offspring, when attacked by any augment the militia to 60,000 men; and danger; but the present instance contra- now, in time of war, and threats of indicted his experience on this subject, for vasion, to vote for their reduction to 40,000. although the augmented state of the militia He did not, it seemed, feel any constituwas the child of the hon. gentleman who tional objection to the measure; but he had just sat down, he seemed to stand up should have recollected that the militia as its most determined enemy, and to be was raised as a constitutional force, and bent on its destruction. The effect of for the specific object, on the faith of parthe bill would, he much feared, be to drive liament, that they should only be employed men of property and consequence out of at home for the defence of the country, the militia service. Should an invasion without being under the control, or totake place, he had not the slightest doubt tally at the disposal of the crown. The that they would cordially unite to fight militia was quite a separate establishment, pro aris et focis, but he was apprehensive and when the crown neglected it, the lords that nothing but the actual landing of an lieutenants of counties were invested, after enemy could restore that harmony that was a certain lapse of time, with the power of so desirable. For his own part, he con- appointing officers. It was not raised at fessed he was one of those who would the expence of the crown, and was always be contented to see the militia remain paid by land-owners and farmers, who to defend their homes, and not detach- were at the expence of providing substied on any such Quixotic expedition as tutes. It was in vain to say, that the men the dethroning of a King of Lombardy. by this measure had the option of enlistIf, for the mighty sum of ten guineas, for ing or remaining, as they might think the honour and glory of being a private proper; because every one knew that if soldier, and for the pleasure of pulling their companions volunteered, those who down the King of Lombardy, men would refused to do the same would be looked be found willing to quit the officers under whom they had served so long, he owned that, for the credit of his country, he wished such a want of attachment should be exposed as little as possible.

upon as wanting in military spirit. It was, indeed, voluntary in the name, but, in fact, it was the contrary. He was one of those oppositionists, who, as a militia colonel, signed the circular paper alluded to by the right hon. gent. (Mr. Yorke); but as he was drawn into the scrape by the example of his right hon. relation on a former occasion, and he hoped, that gentleman would not refuse to take his share in the blame of it. In saying, that if an administration had been formed on a broad and

Earl Temple said, he did not know that he should have been induced to say any thing upon the bill in the present stage of it, had it not been for the speech of the right hon. gent. (Mr. Yorke), who found so strange a method of reconciling duties so very contrary to each other, as those of a secretary at war, and of a militia co-comprehensive scale, the same measure. lonel. The only argument for this bill, namely, that of getting a great accession to the regular army, was used by his right hon, relation (Mr. Pitt), in support of his ineffective Defence bill, which met The Marquis of Douglas conceived the with the decided opposition of the right bill to be unjust in its principle, and injuhon. gent. When this measure was re-rious in its operation. The right hon. gent. sorted to in 1799, there was a better (Mr. Yorke) had said it was not unconstituground for it than now, as a distinct objecttional; he did not contend it was c, but was then stated for it, and a pledge given as far as respected the constitution of the

would have been pursued, and no objection made to it, the right hon. gent. only assumed a fact, which he did not allow him entitled to do.