did not appear sooner in their places? for he was particularly anxious not to bring forward a measure so important to that part of the United Kingdom, whilst so many of its representatives were absent.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, he really hoped that Gentlemen would not press for any further delay It would be remembered, that the preamble of this measure was discussed last session; that distinct notice was then given by his Rt. Hon. Friend, that the present proposition would be brought forward in the present session. It was in the contemplation of his Rt. Hon. Friend to have brought it forward previous to the recess; but he abstained from it, on account of the absence of so many Members who represented the other part of the United Kingdom; but he then gave notice, that he would bring it forward at an early period after the Christmas recess, and since then his time had been oc cupied in consequence of his being upon an election committee. The committee would recollect, that the Irish duties would cease on the 25th of March; the necessity of dispatch must therefore be obvious. It would also be recollected, that it was merely the resolutions that were before the committee, that the sub

at the rate of one penny per lb. it had never been increased, and it was a trade which, like many others, was carried on upon a very smail scale in Ireland, and was spread generally over the face of the country; the consequence of which was, that in the distant parts of the kingdom many of the tanners paid little or nothing to the tax; and those who resided in or near great towns, could not bring their articles to market nearly so cheap as those who were enabled to evade the duty. Kiowing this to be the state of the trade, he had endeavoured to inform himself whether any plan could le adopted, which would secure the profits of the fair trader, and at the same time ensure the collection of the reve- | nue. From the information of a tanner, who had been in a considerable line of business, and who was enabled to give him complete information upon the subject, he (Mr. Corry) was able to form a system, which, in his opinion, would secure both these objects. He then called together a meeting of the trade in the city of Dublin; they were at first extremely hostile to the system he proposed; but, after repeated discussions upon the subject, every man remained perfectly satisfied with the tax; to prove which he would mention a circumstance (which of course he should not otherwise allude to), the corpora-ject would again come before the House in the tion of tanners voted him their thanks for his plan. The effect of this regulation was, that in the er suing year the tax amounted to cool whereas in the preceding year it was only 18,ocol. It was true, that in different parts of the country there were some murmurs upon the subject-he believed, in particular, from the city of Waterford. His Rt. Hon. Friend (Mr. Wickham) transmitted to him some information upon the subject, when he was on the point of embarking for Engand, which induced him to delay his voyage,¦lots, and that the public business should be nd to send down to that city to reque t that deputation from the trade there might be sent up to investigate the subject with him, which offer they, however, declined. With respect to what had been said by the Hon. Gent. upon the propriety of delaying the discussion upon this question, he wished to ubserve to them, that this subject divided itself into two different heads; that they were now considering the propriety of laying on the duties, and that the proper time for discussing [MILITIA TRAINING BILL.]—Lord Ho, the mode of collecting them would occur in BART moved the order of the day for the another stage of the business: as to any al- second reading of the militia exercise bill; teration which might be judged necessary in which being done, he observed he felt it un the mode of collecting the duties, if Gentle-necessary to take up the time of the House men thought a delay upon this subject was on the present occasion; the general subject, ncessary, he should have no hesitation in of which the bill formed a part, was well known concurring in it. But with respect to the du- to their Lordships, as it had undergone ample ties themselves, Gentlemen knew that they all and repeated di cussions in that House when expired on the 25th of March. It may be it was last regularly before them. He would asked, why he did not introduce this measure observe, that the bill now under consideration sooner? This question he would answer, by went merely to amend one clause in the gene asking another namely, why it was that Genral bill. It would be in their Lordships' re tlemen from that part of the United Kingdom collection, that by the last bill the militia was

shape of a bili, in the various stages of which Gentlemen might state any objections that occurred to them. When he recollected that the grants for the permanent charges of Ire land were voted from year to year, he was really astonished how the credit of that coun try had stood so high as it had done for the last two years. The necessity of avoiding any unnecessary delay was obvious from a va riety of considerations. Suppose the House should not be able to make the necessary bal

suspended for a few days, the consequence would be, that the whole revenue of Ireland would be in a state of abeyance. He therefore hoped that Gentlemen would feel the im propriety of proposing any unnecessary delay:

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Thursday, Mar. 3-(See Minutes, p. 343.)

was to be called out, for the purpose of train- the necessity of keeping up a much larger miing and exercising, for the term of twenty-one litary establishment than had ever been maindays; the bill in question was simply to ex- tained or judged requisite in any former petend that term to twenty-eight days. In the riod of our history. This, indeed, his Mafirst instance, the lesser interval was consi-esty's Ministers had felt in its proper extent; dered as adequate, and the longer term was regarded as objectionable, principally on the score of expense. However, on maturer deliberation, it was found expedient, and, upon the whole, deemed advisable to extend the term for the purposes. he had mentioned to the space of twenty-eight days; this being all the bill proposed to do, he should no longer detain the House, but merely move, "That the bill be now read a second time."

and, with the conviction of this necessity, they had proposed, and Parliament had voted, the support of a peace establishment much more extensive than had ever een previously maintained. While he contended for the ne cessity of this increased establishment, and the expediency of keeping up a large effective military force, it was not lecause he enter tained any dread of the ultimate consequence of any invasion which might be made on our coasts, wherever or at whatever period that invasion should take place; but it was essential that the country should be in that state of preparation, and should have such a disposable military force, as should enable us to meet in

might be where the landing was attempted. On this account he was anxious that some other plan for the training of the militia, more effectual than that now proposed by the bill, should be adopted. When he considered what proportion of the time allotted for training the militia was exhausted in marching to the places where the training was to take

The Duke of MONTROSE Considered the bill as one of the utmost importance, and highly worthy of their Lordships' serious consideration. It was not his intention to oppose the second reading, but he thought it neces-vasion at once, however remote the quarter sary not to allow the present opportunity to escape without submitting to their Lordships a few remarks which naturally suggested themselves on the motion for the second reading of a bill of the nature of that now before the House. In the present circumstances in which the country was placed, he could not help considering the proper training of the militia as a matter intimately connected with the pre-place, and how many days intervened when servation of our national freedom and inde- the training was necessarily discontinued, he pendence. It was impossible that the very could not help thinking the period proposed great change which had taken place in our by the bill was too short. For the correctsituation relative to foreign powers should ness of this opinion the Noble Duke appealed have escaped their Lordships' attention. A to those Noble Lords who were professionally nation, which for ages had been our constant attached to the army, as well as to such of rival, had received a prodigious accession of their Lordships as, from patriotic motives, strength from the acquisition of many popu- had taken an active share in the training of lous nations, united as a branch of its popu- the militia during the late war, whether the dation, or attached by the bonds of intimate period which the bill prescribed for the trainalliance. The military character of this rivaling of the militia henceforth to be raised, was power had acquired new vigour, and all its not inadequate to the purpose in view. He resources were under the direction of a bold had himself no particular plan to propose, and adventurous chief. Of the character of but he submitted to their Lordships whether this chief he had no intention at present par- the addition of twenty-eight days more, duticularly to speak; and while he adverted to ring which one third of the militia might be this subject, he wished Noble Lords to under-trained, would not be productive of the most stand that he was not arguing on the supposi- beneficial effects. Of the militia so trained, tion of a specdy rupture. He saw nothing in one third only would be occupied in rotation; the circumstances of the two countries which and by the adoption of this expedient, a large induced him particularly to anticipate such a proportion of the regular military force would rupture; but every dictate of policy and ex-be left applicable either to a sudden descent pediency required additional precautions in on an enemy's coast, or to the undertaking of the measures calculated to guard against any some expedition in a distant quarter of the unforeseen and unexpected renewal of hosti-world. These were points of very great imlities. He had already said that it was not portance, at no time to be neglected, but pehis intention particularly to descant on the culiarly necessary to be attended to in the character and views of the chief magistrate present situation of the country. Only these of France. At the same time he thought it rounds of objection occurred to him against fair to observe that he was known not to be the plan which he now suggested. It might particularly scrupulous in the choice of the be urged, that any farther extension of the means to which he resorted for the accom-time allotted to the training of the milita plishment of his views. When our situation was considered with reference to these circumstances, he conceived that there could not exist the smallest difference of opinion as to

would create a very large additional expense, would be productive of much inconvenience to the officers, and would withdraw a great proportion of active, laborious citizens from

aware of the important change which had taken place in the situation of this country relative to foreign powers; and so far as the question of the augmentation of a military disposable force was concerned, ample provi sion had been made during the last session by the vote of a peace establishment, of a nature adequate to protect us against any sudden danger. The militia during last war had been found of essential service, and it was with the view of rendering their services still more efficient than the present bill had been framed.

After a few words in explanation from the Duke of Montrose, the bill was then read a second time, and committed for next day.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

domestic occupations, at a time when their | so respectable a quarter. Ministers were fully services might be particularly wanted. To the first of these objections the answer appeared to him simple and satisfactory. When it was considered that the whole expense of the training of the militia at present did not exceed two hundred thousand pounds, and that if a third of them were trained for double the period, an expense of only sixty thousand pounds more would be incurred, he could not allow this consideration of expense to have any weight: as applicable to the expenditure of so great a nation as this was, it was perfectly trifling. The second objection he viewed as equally unworthy of attention: Gentlemen, acting as officers of the militia, would only have to submit to an additional attendance of twenty-eight days, and that would only happen once in three years. This surely was no very serious inconvenience; but even admitting it to be much greater than it Friday, Mar. 4-(See Minutes, p. 402.) really was, it would be paying Gentlemen a bad compliment, whose situation called on [PRINCE OF WALES'S ESTABLISHMENT.] them to act in the capacity of militia officers, Mr. CALCRAFT said, that before he entered to suppose that they would not, with the on the short statement with which he meant to greatest alacrity and cheerfulness, submit to preface the proposition he held in his hand, inconveniencies far greater, with the view of he thought it necessary to declare, as he had rendering so essential a service to their coun- done on a former night, that he never had any try. A sacrifice of this nature, and one of communication on the subject with the illusfar greater magnitude, was indeed what their trious personage to whom it alluded, nor with country had a right to demand. As to the any other person, save one. However deliobjection drawn from the inexpediency of cate the subject might be, he trusted that the withdrawing a large proportion of the labo- method he should adopt in bringing it forward rious classes from their ordinary occupations, was such as would not be objected to by any he admitted that it was entitled to considera- person of any party whatever. The message tion: but it applied, though in a less degree, which had lately been presented to the House to the extension of the period of training he considered as the language of the Minister, which the bill proposed. The Noble Duke though it was called the message of the repeated the observation with which he intro- Crown, and in that were involved matters duced his speech, that it was not by any means which he thought of the greatest consequence, his wish to oppose the second reading of the as they related to a subject so important, as bill, and it was the farthest from his view to that of keeping up the splendour and dignity embarrass any of the measures of Govern- attached to the high station of the Heir Appament. He placed the greatest confidence in rent of the monarchy of this country. Sorry Ministers, and for many of them he enter- he was, that what had been done in consetained the highest possible respect and esteem. quence of that message was not effectual, so What he had now taken the liberty of throw as to enable the illustrious personage alluded ing out had arisen from his anxious wish that to in it to resume that dignity and splendour every thing connected with the safety of the immediately, of which he had been so long country might be placed on the most respect- deprived. To enable him to do this, was his able footing; and if not at present, at least object in bringing forward the present produring the next session of Parliament, some position; and the mode he intended to pursue arrangement of the nature which he had sug-in doing so, was to move for a committee to gested would occupy the attention of Ministers. He was the less anxious at the present moment to press any measure on the accept ance of Government, as, from the vast number of militia which had been kept up during the war, a large disposable force could now, if circumstances required it, be easily procured.

Lord HOBART, on the part of Ministers, thanked the Noble Duke for the hints which he had thrown out for their consideration. They certainly were well deserving of attention, as indeed every thing was that fell from

inquire into the extent of those claims which at present embarrass his R. H. and prevent him from resuming that exalted rank and station which it was so much to be lamented he had ever been obliged to relinquish. He expressed the utmost confidence that the House would do every thing necessary towards so desirable a purpose; and when he considered his Majesty's message, he was certain that it went further than the mere voting such a sum as does not put the Prince one jot nearer to the resumption of his dignity than he was before. An Hon. Gent. (Mr. Erskine) had, on a for

mer night, on opening this business, said that | alluded, who, with so much honour to himhis R. H. was satisfied. He was at all times self, had, by the communication he had made willing to take that Hon. Member's assurance; to the House, candidly acknowledged, that but, as a Member of Parliament, he should notwithstanding his Majesty's paternal kind. not think himself justified in taking the as- ness, and the liberal disposition of the House, surance even of the illustrious personage to he could not resume the rank and splendour whom he alluded, in a case of so peculiar a attached to his dignified station, till certain delicacy and so unusual an importance as the debts which he thought himself bound in hopresent. Feeling, as he did, the pressing ne- nour to pay were discharged. As an indecessity of the Prince's resuming that state and pendent Member of Parliament, he thought dignity which belonged to his exalted situa- it his duty to appeal to the House to stand tion, it was much better the House should go forward at once, and extricate his R. H. from a step further than it had yet done, by adopt- those embarrassments, and thus enable him ing the proposition he had to offer, than suffer to resume immediately that splendour and dighis illustrious character to be liable to impunity which it was the evident wish of his Matations, which there were too many would be jesty's message he should do, and which he ready to throw on it, if, after the sum voted was certain it was also the wish of a great in consequence of the message, he still conti- majority of that House that he would do. nued in that state of privacy in which he had He should not therefore longer trespass on the already so long remained. If it should be time of the House than to read his motion, supposed there was any question of delicacy which he did to the following purport :in instituting an inquiry into the Prince's af-"That the House, anxiously desirous to give fairs, he was certain the Commissioners, in" full effect to the important objects contained 1795, went infinitely farther than he intended" in his Majesty's most gracious message of to do. There doubtless was no mode of com- "the 16th of February, do appoint a select pelling a disclosure of the state of his R. H.'s" committee to inquire into the embarrass affairs, but if the committee was appointed," ments of the Prince of Wales, and into the and any objection was made from that quarter," most effectual means of relieving them as he and the House would have the satisfaction to" speedily as possible, in order to enable his know, that they had gone as far as they could," R. H. to resume the splendour and dignity and done every thing in their power to expe- " attached to his exalted station.” dite the wishes of his Majesty to the fullest extent, and as early as possible. For his own Mr. ERSKINE said, the Hon. Gent. who part, he should not have undertaken the bu- had made the motion had adverted to what siness, but that he thought he saw an anxious he had said on a former night. On that night desire in the House on a former night to eman- he came into the House by accident, and on cipate his R. H. immediately from those em- his entrance he found an Hon. Member, who barrassments with which he was at present held an official situation under the Prince of surrounded. While Ministers were continu- Wales, reading in his place to the House the ally holding forth, and while the House re- communication which his R. H. had thought joiced to join them in congratulations to the it his duty to make to them. After that Hon. country on the flourishing state in which it Member had performed the duty imposed on now stands, the rank, the splendour, and him, the Hon. Gent. who had just sat down dignity of the Heir Apparent ought not to be gave notice of the motion he intended this overlooked. If we were to be splendid in day to bring forward; and he then, as a serour national establishment, if we prided our- vant of his R. H. thought it his duty to statė selves on the magnitude of our undertakings, to the House that the Prince had expressly and on the extent of our improvements in assured him he was perfectly satisfied, both arts, arms, manufactures, and commerce, is with the gracious intentions of his Royal Fathe Prince of Wales alone, said the Hon. ther, and the liberal proceedings of ParliaMember, to live in a parlour of his palace, ment, though he thought it a duty incumbent and be known to the people of this country on him to state to them, that he could not only as a dignified personage in private life? for some time resume that splendour and dig. He could not suppose the House would longer nity they were desirous he should do. At the endure such an idea. This was not a perso- same time he thought it necessary to add, nal question by any means. The public at that the motion, of which the Hon. Gent. had large was interested, and deeply interested, in given notice, was altogether unknown to the this illustrious personage, who is the Heir illustrious personage to whom it related; beApparent to the monarchy, being speedily cause, as that notice had been given so immerestored to that high rank and dignity in which diately after the communication from his R. it is their pride and glory to see him. In H. had been read, it might have been conbringing forward this measure, he could as-ceived by the public, had nothing been said sure the House that he did not mean the smallest disrespect to any human creature. He could not but feel for the situation of the illustrious personage to whom his proposition

of it, that it was made with the Prince's privity, and he would then have seemed to be at variance with that satisfaction which he expressed himself to have felt at the proceedings

was, that the Prince of Wales was entitled to the revenues of the dutchy of Cornwall from his birth. This doctrine had never been contradicted by any lawyer in that House, and had received the tacit assent of Lord Ellenborough, who was then Attorney-General. It was clear that the reason of that grant was for the sustentation and dignity of the Prince of Wales, independent of the King. With regard to the revenues of the dutchy of Cornwall, they had been received by his Majesty's Ministers, and it was no matter whether the amount was ascertained to be any particular sum: the fact was, that whether the public was indebted to the Prince or not, this was undeniable, that we have now a Prince of Wales, at the age of forty, who has been no burden on the public. The sum granted in consequence of the message was such as the House thought proper for any Prince of Wales. The Rt. Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer had, on a former occasion, stated that his Majesty's message had no connexion with the Prince's claims. The great object he had in view in troubling the House on the present occasion was, to remove all idea that the Prince has any concern or interest in the present motion; and he assured the House that he had no other anxiety on his mind than an ardent with that the public should not suppose that the Prince had received the bounty of the House, and not acted according to its intentions in granting it, by immediately resuming the dignity and splendour which were the immediate intention of the grant.

of Parliament. He made this declaration now, he said, to shew why he had acted as he did, in order that it might not be thought that he meant to discountenance the motion. Proud as he was, and ever should be, in possessing the confidence, and acting as the servant of the illustrious personage to whom the present motion alluded, he had still a higher character to support, that of a Member of Parliament; and as such he thought it necessary to give his reason why he had not spoken on the subject of his Majesty's message. His Majesty did not ask any specific sum, but left it to the House to decide for the interest and advantage of so near and dear a branch of the Royal Family. The Rt. Hon. Gent, who was the organ of the Crown, in bringing forward the measure, had acted with that moderation which did him the highest honour, as it shewed his desire to comply with the wishes of his Majesty, and at the same time to make the pressure on the people as light as possible. He did not think it proper to give any opinion at that time on the subject. It does, how ever, now distinctly appear, that what is done will not be effectual. The present motion was no censure on his Majesty's message, nor any criticism on the conduct of Ministers; if it had been either of these, he should think himself bound to vote against it. His Majesty says, by his message to the House, Enable me to give that which will restore dignity to the Prince of Wales; and the House assured his Majesty, by their address, that they were ready to do so. The sum, however, voted is not sufficient for the purpose, and the Hon. Member who makes the present motion is desirous to remedy the defect. This, therefore, Mr. FULLER said, he had no doubt but is not a preposition from Ministers, but from that our wise ancestors, in their wise instian independent Member of Parliament; and tutions, meant to make the Prince of Wales its design is to shew our desire to support the independent of his father. What does the monarchy. It is only to say, We desire to give Hon. Gent. who made the motion ask?your Majesty more than you ask; in order to only that the embarrassments of the Prince keep up the splendour of the Prince, we de- be inquired into by a committee of the House. sire to add to that sum which your Majesty's What had been the effect of the deductions Minister has asked and obtained from the libe- made by the Commissioners? They had rality of Parliament. Suppose the Rt. Hon. tended to accumulate the present debts, Gent. had asked any specific sum, perhaps it which the Prince thought himself bound in might have roused the recollection of some honour to pay. He was astonished to see Members, and induced them to revert to the any reluctance shewn to so fair a proposition expenses of the war, and other burdens, as that now under the consideration of the which certainly pressed on the people. He House. He was certain, had these items, rose thus early, in order to shew, that in the which had been struck off by the Commis present motion there was no hostility to the sioners, been submitted to a jury of the message. He was sure the Rt. Hon. Gent.'s country, they would have been universally disposition towards the Prince was not limited allowed. He begged pardon for having exby the proposition he had brought forward, pressed himself with considerable warmth; but that if Parliament chose to add to that his feelings would not allow him to speak sum, he would be as glad as any one to see otherwise, when he reflected that he was the Heir Apparent relieved from his embar-arguing in favour of the most elegant, manly, rassments. For his own part, he was happy and accomplished Prince in Europe. to think that this business would be finally settled, without the claims of the Prince having been brought forward. On this head, he had never said that those claims would amount to any specific sum, but what he had asserted

Sir ROBERT BUXTON said, that he should be extremely happy to see the Prince resume the splendour and dignity to which his rank in the state so fully entitled him; but he then spokę