sumed, the chairman reported progress, and, I be heard by their counsel against the bill on

having obtained leave to sit again the next day, the house adjourned at one o'clock.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

the 2d reading that day. A long conversation ensued respecting the propriety of hearing counsel, the result of which was that counsel were ordered to be heard, it being understood that, according to the rule of the Wednesday, May 7. house, only two counsel were to be heard on all the petitions against the bill.-The earl of [MINUTES.]-In the committee of privi- Westmoreland presented a petition from leges new resolutions were passed respecting certain merchants trading to South Carolina claims to the Roos peerage, in order to shew and Georgia against the bill, on which counthe derivation of the claimants, through the sel were also ordered to be heard.-Counsel Manners family, from the family of Roos, were then called in; Mr. Adam appeared and also to save the claim of the Duke of for the Bahama islands, and Mr. Scarlet for Rutland to any barony of that name. The the island of Jamaica; petitions from the co-heirs in whom the barony is declared to agents for both which islands were presented be in abeyance were placed in the resolutions on Monday. These gentlemen were heard in the following order, sir T. W. Hunloke, against the principles and provisions of the the Earl of Essex, and lady Henry Fitzge-bill, the operation of which, they stated, rald.--Strangers were for some time ex-would be injurious both to the Bahamas and cluded, during which, we understand, a Mr. Jamaica, particularly so to the former.Broadhurst, clerk to Mr. Baron Graham, at- Counsel having withdrawn, tended at the bar, in pursuance of the order Lord Grenville rose to move the 24 readof the house, to answer to the charge of in- ing of the bill. Nothing he had heard, he sulting Mr. Dyke, one of the door-keepers said, had tended to convince him that the of the house of lords, while our duty in the principle of the bill was erroneous or impo-, high court of parliament in Westminster-litic; on the contrary, he still believed it to hall. He was ordered to be reprimanded, and was accordingly reprimanded by the jord chancellor and discharged, paying his fees-Upon our re-admission we found the earl of Romney addressing the house respecting a petition he had presented from the respondents in an appeal from the court of chancery, wherein Mrs: Fitzherbert is the appellant, relative to the guardianship of Miss Seymour, daughter of lord Hugh Seymour, now under the protection of that lady, praying that an early day might be appointed for hearing the appeal. After a few words from lord Grantley, the petition was read. The lord chancellor thought that, from the state of the business before the house, it was impossible to make any order Tespecting the case then. He suggested as the only mode they could adopt, that the petition should lie on the table, and a day be appointed for its consideration.-Lord Eldon concurred in this suggestion, and moved that the petition should be taken into consideration on Monday fortnight. This motion, after a few words from the earl of Romney, was agreed to.

[SLAVE IMPORTATION BILL.] The Duke of Clarence presented a petition from certain merchants and ship-owners of the port of London, against the Slave Importation bill, and moved that the petitioners should

be a measure which was called for by every dictate of sound policy. The islands in the West-Indies were now nearly all of them in the possession of this country, or of our enemies; and, if it was a clear and obvious policy that we should not give advantages to our enemies, it was surely equally clear that we should not supply their colonies with slaves, thereby affording them additional means of cultivation; contributing to increase, the produce of their islands, and thus enabling them to meet us in the market upon equal terms of competition, or perhaps to undersell us. This appeared to him so obvious, that he thought it unnecessary to argue it. The first object of the bill, therefore, was to prevent British subjects from, supplying foreign colonies with slaves. The same principle was also applicable to the supply of colonies captured from the enemy, and only held until peace. In the islands captured last war, and which were given up at the peace, British capital was employed to so great an extent, that the exports from those islands equalled the exports from Jamaica. All this went to benefit and enrich the enemy, and to encrease their means of rivality. Another object of the bill, therefore, was to enforce the order of council, issued to restrain this species of trade, enaeting, at the same time; additional regula

vernment. It certainly was a most flattering circumstance that the Loan negotiated in Ireland should be on more favourable terms than the Loan negotiated in this country, and he believed that no Loan had been contracted on such favourable terms since the

moved, that the house should resolve itself into a committee of Ways and Means, and that the several Accounts presented, relative to the Revenue of Ireland, should be referred to the said Committee. The house having resolved itself into the said committee, the hon. baronet said, that if in attempt-year1790. In the Loan agreed for in Ireing to lay before the committee the statement land the 3 per cent, stock was taken at 711. of the Revenue of Ireland, he was possess- 19s. and it was observable, that on the 19th ed of the abilities and eloquence of his no- of April, before the terms were sent over ble friend near him (lord H. Petty), he from this country, that stock was at 711. and should not feel at all embarrassed at the task two days before the Loan was negotiated, he had to perform, because he should, in that is on the last day that the stocks were open that case, feel a confidence in his own before the contract was made, they were at powers, and by a luminous and perspicuous 71; so that in fact the Loan was taken at arrangement of the subject he had to state, 19s. per cent. more than the market price arrest and engage the attention of the com- of the stocks on that day; and there was mittee; but as he was not possessed of those this further advantage, that the Loan being powers, he could only promise to lay before contracted in the 34 per cents. there was not the committee, in simple and unadorned so much stock created as if it had been in language, the Supplies and Ways and Means the 3 per cents. He was sure that the comfor the service of Ireland for the present year.mittee would consider that as a good criterion Although in some respect he could not con- of the growing prosperity of that country, gratulate the committee on the state of Ire- and of confidence in the government. In and, yet he was bound to attribute the de- making this Loan, it was singular that two. ficiency which existed in the revenue of that lists should, without any previous commucountry to the want of arrangement which nication whatever, contain exactly the same prevailed in the collection of its revenues. offer for the Loan. The third list being 41. It must be the wish, as it certainly was the higher, the two parties who had offered the duty, of the government of Ireland, to same terms agreed to take the Loan between adopt as soon as possible the same excellent them. He would now proceed to state to mode and plan for the collection of the re- the Committee the Supply for Ireland for the venues that existed in this country. He felt, service of the present year. The joint however, great satisfaction in stating, that in Charge upon Ireland being two 17ths of the spite of many obstructions which the trade general expenditure of the Empire amountof Ireland had experienced, and still expe- ed in Irish money to 5,738,9881. the separate rienced, that country displayed powers of Charge as it stood on the 5th Jan. 1806. for energy and resource which, under regular interest of the Debt, &c. &c. was 2,922,3461. and proper management, must render it a He begged leave to state, that he should not source of strength, instead of tending, as he have found it necessary to propose to the was afraid it did in some instances, to the Committee so large a sum by way of Loan weakness of the empire. The exports of Ire- if the taxes imposed last year had in their and amounted last year to above 5,200,000l. produce fulfilled the flattering expectations official value, that is above 30,000l. more which had been held out; but that certainly than the preceding year. The exports of had not been the case, and he could in many linen had also increased last year. It was respects account for the deficiency which 5,500,000 yards and the Import of Flax- had taken place. The charge on the Loan seed 1677 hogsheads. In fact, the Exports for the present year was 313,3661. including of Ireland were greater last year than any the discount and management. This was year since 1792. Another proof of the in- the whole of the Supply, and amounted in creased state of the Exports of Ireland Irish Money to 8,975,1941. The Ways and might be drawn from the state of the course Means by which he proposed to raise these supof exchange, which without any extraneous plies were as follows: there remained of the assistance, had been lower, and more fix- Loan last year in England 192,3391. which ed, for the last four months than it had had not been drawn for, which of course been for several years. But the terms of was applicable to the service of the present the Loan lately contracted in Ireland afford- year. There was a sum of 140,000l. aded a still stronger proof of the growing vanced in the Autumn of 1805, by the Treaprosperity of that country, and of the in- sury of Ireland, for Ordnance Services, and creased confidence of the people in the Go- since repaid. One third of the three Lotte

ries for the service of the year, 205,000l. mittre would perceive that British Iron was Two seventeenths of the Prizes which His left free, and as that was convertible to all Majesty had been graciously pleased to grant agricultural purposes, he hoped that the preto relieve the burthens of the People 127,4501. sent duty would not be severely felt; he esThere was due from G. Britain to re-timated its produce at 15,000l. The next artiland a sum of 50,000l. for seamen's wages.cle upon which he had to propose a duty was The Loan for the service of Ireland, con- Tea. This duty was intended principally for tracted for in England, amounted to two mil- the purpose of regulation, and to prevent lions British, or in Irish money to 2,160,0001. evasion. The duty he proposed to lay on The Loan negotiated in Ireland was two mil-was 20 per cent, upon tea under 2s. 6d. per lions, and he proposed. to raise the sum of pound, and he estimated the produce at 500,000l. by Treasury bills. The Revenues about 2000!. He came next to the article of of Ireland for the present year, including Stamps. He meant to propose an entirely the new duties which he should propose, he new modification of the Stamp Duties of estimated at 3,800,000l. These various articles Ireland, and he should propose to repeal the of Ways and Means amounted altogether to existing Stamp Duties, for the purpose of 9,181,4551. The Supply as he had before substituting a new act, in which all the dustated, was 8,975,1941. consequently there ties should be brought into one point of was a surplus of the Ways and Means above view. He expected as much from the effect the supply of 206,2611. He had taken the of the new regulations which he meant to Revenues for the year at 3,800,000l. and he adopt as from the increase of the duties. would state shortly to the committee his This great object was to prevent the evasions reason for so doing: the produce of the which were constantly practised. The stamp Revenue up to the 5th of January was duties were in a considerable degree affected 3,354,000l. and he had reason to ap- by attornies, who, in cases where the proceedprehend there remained about 160,000l. notings did not go beyond the second stage, did collected; and these two sums, added to the not issue the process upon stamps, though duties which he proposed to lay on for the they were charged to the client. Now it present year amounted to rather more than certainly was right that whatever was paid by 3,800,000l. In proposing the new Taxes to the public should be received by the treasury. defray the interest of the Loan, he had en- There were several other regulations to prodeavoured to press as lightly as possible upon vent evasions and frauds. The other stamp the necessaries of life, or upon those articles duties were upon leases, upon bonds (which which might press severely upon the lower for small sums was very inconsiderable, and order of the people. The first tax which increased asccording to the amount of the he had to propose was an augmentation of bond; but in all cases it was considerably the duty on Sugar, of 3s. 6d. per cwt. This lower than the duty on bonds in G. Brita.n), duty was the same in every respect as that deeds of sale, awards, agreements, and relaid en G. Britain in the last and in the pre-ceipts for legacies. A small duty of 10 per sent session, but was to be consolidated with cent. was proposed upon legacies to chilthe present Irish Duties. He estimated the dren, where the sum exceeded 5001.; and amount at 60,000l. He also proposed that upon the licences for Attornies who had not the duty upon East India Sugar should be car-practised three years 11.; and 21. upon those ried rateably, as it was at present upon the who had practised longer. The various rebrown sugars, The next tax he had to pro-gulations and additions to the Stamp Duties, pose was one which he should have been exclusive of the duties upon entries, he esglad to have avoided if possible; but when timated at 80,000l. The duties upon entries it was considered how small a duty the arti- inwards, beginning with Duties amounting de bore at present, and that there was an to 51. and carrying them on proportionably, additional duty laid on it this session in G. and doubling them on bills or view and Britain, he trusted the Committee would store, except on coffee and tobacco, he econcur with him, that a smail additional du-timated at 20,000l.-He now came to the ty was unobjectionable. The article to which he alluded was Iron. The duty he meant to propose was 28. per cwt. which was not above half a farthing a pound. It was to attach apon Russian and other Foreign Iron, slit, hammered into rods, or drawn less than three quarters of an inch square. The com

subject of the Distilleries. He had to state to the house, that previous to the last session, stills of 200 gallons might legally be worked, and during that time, in order to encourage large stills, which could not so easily defraud the revenue, because they could be more easily watched, a bocury, was

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of former years, which had been collected; so that the real increase was above 50,0001. If they were to continue to increase at the same rate, they would absorb the whole revenue. He had repeatedly stated in that house, his opinion, that a considerable por tion of this money was recoverable, and he now felt himself warranted, after a correct examination, in repeating that assertion. Upon investigating, which he had done minutely, the returns made by the solicitors employed for the recovery of these balances, he found that proper means had not been resorted to to enforce payment; that in many instances insufficient sureties had been resorted to where good ones existed; that men of opulence, who were able to pay had been let to pass free, while poor men had been sued. He had felt it his duty to state his opinion upon every article of these returns, and he had sent over directions for the adoption of effectual measures for enforcing payment; and he certainly would persevere in his attempts to accomplish that object. He was aware that many of these balances were not recoverable; some were due almost a century; but he was convinced, as he had already stated, that a considerable part of them were recoverable-not less, in his opinion, than 130,000l. If it were due to him, he was sure he could recover it; and with the facilities which the law afforded for collecting the debts of the crown, there could be very little doubt upon the sub

allowed on stills of 500 gallons of 81. and 161. on those of a 1000 gallons. But in the last session all stills under 500 gallons were prohibited, but the bounty upon 500 gallon stills continued; so that, in fact, there was a bounty given to the distiller for working a still which the law directed him to work in. The consequence of this was, a considerable reduction of the revenue, for the distillers reduced their stills to that standard which was more advantageous to them because, from the facility of working them more liquor could be distilled in two stills of 500 gallons than in one of 1000 gallons. This bounty, therefore, acted in a direct inverse ratio to the original întention of government, because it encouraged the small stills. He therefore proposed to take away the bounty upon stills of 500 gallons, to reduce the bounty upon stills of 1000 gallons one half, viz. to 81. and to grant the bounty of 16 per cent. upon stills of 1500 gallons and upwards. This alteration he calculated would produce 70,000l.-The next proposition he had to make was to put the malt houses in the country on the same footing as those in Dublin and other towns. This regulation he calculated would produce 60,000l. He did not mean to propose any additional duty upon Hats, Auctions, or Paper, but merely some regulations in the collection of the present duty, which would produce about 5000l. There was a small sum paid to Captains of Ships, as portage, which the commissioners of Inquiry recom-ject. He really should not have felt warmended to be abolished, because almost all of it went into the pockets of the agents of the Captains. This amounted to 5000l. These were the several duties and regulations which he meant to propose for raising the necessary supplies for the service of the year. The amount of them acccording to the estimate he had made would be 317,8001.; from this sum was to be deducted on account of old Duties given, 10,1451., viz. for wool licences 1451. and for the 3s. house tax 10,000l. There would then remain 307,6551. It might be asked why he had not looked to a fund which he had pointed out last year as a resource; he meant the balances of deceased and dismissed collectors. He could assure the committee that from the time he came into office he had not been inattentive to this subject, and he was sorry to say, that in the last year a very considerable augmentation of those balances had taken place. In 1804 they amounted to 188,000l. and last year they were 220,000l. which was an increase of $2,0031, besides 19,0001. balance

ranted in asking for new taxes if he had not been able to state the means which had been used for recovering this money due to the public, and he sincerely hoped that the committee would continue their inquiries every year, and that they would take care that every part of these balances which were recoverable might be recovered, and the remainder done away for ever. There was upon the table a report from the commissioners of Imprest Accounts with respect to the Linen Board; it stated a deficiency to a considerable amount. It was not intended that this report should remain a dead letter. Directions had been given to the Law officers of the Crown to take the most active steps for the recovery of the money, and if any delinquency should occur, that the ne cessary measures should be taken for punishing it; because it appeared to him that where any delinquency existed, the bare recovery of the money was not sufficient: for if persons could keep public money for many years, and then when the circumstance