sorted to for the purpose of crushing the liberties of the subject, and that this was a government not of the law, but of the sword. He believed that it would be almost universally felt, that the steps which government, or which the magistrates thought proper to pursue, were not for the purpose of crushing the liberties of the country, nor to make war with the people, and subdue them; but for the purpose of protecting the valuable lives and the valuable properties of his Majesty's subjects from rioters and incendiaries. These were the people whom the hon. baronet appeared now to have taken under his protection; and this mob of rioters and incendiaries were called by him, the people; and government was charged with making war upon the liberties of the people, because they would not allow a turbulent populace to destroy all the valuable accumulations of wealth, property and ingenuity in the realm. To preserve the peace of the districts so disturbed, government had been obliged to draw troops from different parts of the kingdom; and this was what the hon. baronet called making war upon the people and subverting their liberties. He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) could, without much difficulty, attribute the speech which the House had just heard to its true origin. The hon. baronet had no doubt strongly in his recollection the steps which government had been obliged to take to repel the tumultuary aid which had been offered to him in resisting the laws of the country. He might now confidently say, resisting the laws of the country; for the law had since been recognised and settled in the most formal manner in the tribunal, to which the hon. baronet chose to appeal,-a Trial by Jury. The hon. baronet doubtlessly meant that the constitution had been violated, and the liberties infringed some few months since, when government was compelled to send a military force to quell the multitude raised by him. Now he understood why the hon. baronet disliked the life-guards, and their barracks. It arose from some awkward impression that yet remained of an unsuccessful attempt to defy and defeat the law. There was nothing which ministers could do, that would go more immediately to destroying the constitution and the liberties of the country, than by permitting such tumultuary proceedings to go unchecked. He trusted, however, that the good sense of the public would perceive, that there was nothing in these statements of the hon. baronet, but mere declamatory nonsense; or, if there could be collected any sense from them, it would be only such as was calculated to do infinite mischief in the present agitated and disturbed state of many districts. He should pass over those topics without any further observation, and take it for granted, that no man could find out more danger to the constitution from the regiment of horse guards hav ing barracks in Mary-le-bone park, than if they continued in King-street; or in a detachment of the ordnance being stationed in the above park, instead of the whole park being at Woolwich. The right hon. gentleman then defended the estimate in detail, and conceived that he had given proper advice to the Prince Regent, when he advised his Royal Highness to surrender the 510 acres of ground which formed this new park, to the health and comforts of the inhabitants of this great metropolis, instead of making the greatest rent of it by covering it with buildings. As a barrack was wanted, he thought it much the most eligible plan to build it upon this land belonging to the crown. As to the expence formerly incurred in barrack estimates, it had nothing to do with the present question, as the contract was open to fair competition, and it was allowed that the expenditure was now watched over with the greatest vigilance. Mr. Huskisson condemned, in very strong and pointed language, the speech delivered by the hon. baronet, which he had heard with pain, though not with astonishment, recollecting the rooted aversion which the hon. baronet must naturally entertain to the life guards, who had restored order at a time when the hon. baronet was the first to set the laws at defiance. He maintained that the military, whenever they were called on to suppress disturbances, behaved with a moderation that was highly admirable, and which even the deluded wretches whom they quelled were the first to acknowledge. The hon. baronet had made allusions to the history of former periods, which by no means bore him out in his argument. In particular he had adverted for an instance of the reliance which a sovereign might place on his subjects to the reign of Elizabeth, who was known to be one of the greatest tyrants that ever existed.-Still, it was with sorrow he said it, he was compelled to concur with the hon. baronet in the vote he should give. He contended that the erection of 1151] HOUSE OF COMMONS, Petitions from Scarborough and Aberdeen Petitions from Scarborough and Aberdeen the barracks, in all the situations required, was inexpedient, and in some instances unnecessary. The estimate for them was also extremely excessive, the usual rate being only about 1201. for every man and horse of the cavalry, and only about 601. for every man of the infantry. The frontage of the barracks in Mary-le-bone was nearly one-third of a mile, and the wall to inclose it not less than a mile in circumference. Thinking that the postponement could not be injurious in any point of view, he should support the amendment. Mr. Barham said, that although he came down to the House to vote for the amendment, he had been induced to change his resolution by the address of the hon. baronet, and certainly the Chancellor of the Exchequer had in his comments been a little ungrateful, since no speech that had been delivered could have more benefited him. He was an enemy to barracks, but if any thing could convince him to think them necessary, it would be the prevalence of such doctrines as he had heard with disgust that night; and he trusted he should not often see persons in this country appeal from the laws to the mob. The House then divided In favour of the Amendment... 112 134 Majority.......... -22 The original Resolution was then carried. RENEWAL OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY'S CHARTER.] Mr. Ponsonby observed, that the right hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer had declared to the House that he should, in the course of this week, be able to lay upon the table some information respecting the renewal of the Charter of the East India Company. This was the last day of the week, and as he had not yet fulfilled his pledge, he was desirous of knowing whether it was the right hon. gentleman's intention to persevere in bringing the matter forward during the present session? The Chancellor of the Exchequer answered that since he had last addressed the House upon the subject, some difference of opinion had arisen between the directors of the East India Company and government, which rendered it much more unlikely, that the matter would be brought under discussion this session, than he had had reason to believe would have been the case. A court of proprietors was to be held that day, respecting the differences to which [1152 he alluded, the decision of which he should be able to lay before the House by Monday. He was led to apprehend, however, from some conversations he had held with gentlemen interested in the matter, that the question respecting the renewal of the Charter of the East India Company, could not be brought to a successful issue during the present session. HOUSE OF COMMONS. PETITIONS FROM SCARBOROUGH-AND ABERDEEN, RESPECTING COMMERCIAL LiCENCES.] A Petition of the owners of ships belonging to the port of Scarborough in the county of York, was presented and read; setting forth, "That the ships of the petitioners were formerly chiefly engaged in the coal and Baltic trades, but since the ports of the Baltic have been shut, their principal resource has been and now is in the coal trade, and in bringing timber from the British colonies in North America; and that the petitioners are deeply impressed with a sense of the magnitude and extent of the evils arising from the present system of granting licences to foreign vessels to import timber, deals, staves, and other kinds of wood into this country, to the manifest disadvantage of the British shipping interest, such importations not only interfering most fatally with our trade to the British American colonies, but being also highly injurious to the colonists themselves; and that the House is well aware of the confined trade and depressed state of the shipping interest, from the present unfortunate situation of Europe; but the encouragement given to foreign vessels, and even to those belonging to our enemies, by granting them licences to import wood into this country, has not only increased the depression, but is likely to annihilate the shipping trade to British North America; and if the present system of granting licences is continued, the petitioners are apprehensive it will become ruinous to them, and to the shipping interest at large; and that the petitioners have, with deep regret, foreseen for some time the baneful effect the granting of licences so extensively would produce upon the wise and venerable maritime laws of this country, upon the faith of which they embarked their capitals, in hopes of acquiring a maintenance by their honest exertions in their profession; and tually suspending that power which has hitherto contributed so essentially to her superiority as a nation; and that the petitioners further beg leave to state, that, as they are well aware of the difficult and critical circumstances of the times, and would most willingly submit to any privation for the general good of the British empire, yet they must, at the same time, most humbly request, that the House will be pleased carefully to investigate the great deviations which have lately been made upon the maritime laws of this kingdom, upon the foundation of which the stupendous fabric of our wealth and power has been erected, and upon which, in a great measure, the preservation of the British empire depends; and that the petitioners humbly presume that these valuable laws should not be departed from, particularly at a time when our inveterate and strong confederate enemies seem bent upon their destruction; and, therefore, most earnestly praying the House will be pleased to appoint a committee to take into consideration the infringement of the British navigation laws, and particularly to investigate into the necessity of granting licences to foreign vessels to import all sorts of wood into this country." they cannot behold with indifference the encouragement given to foreigners, by aid of British licences, to supply the place of British capital and British industry: besides the evil tendency of the licence system striking at the very root of our navigation laws, the petitioners most deeply deplore that it is the occasion of such systematic falshood, perjury, and depravity, as is highly reprehensible in a moral point of view, and may eventually prove the ruin of the general mercantile interests of the world; and that the petitioners beg leave to state, that the English merchants and ship-owners have made every effort in their power to support themselves in a trading competition with those licensed foreigners, by importing timber, deals, &c. from our colonies in America, but the foreigners, being fully employed in the Baltic and Norway trades, have shorter voyages to perform, and being navigated at a less expence than British ships, have such a decided advantage, that neither the English merchant or ship owner can contend against such unfavourable and unnatural circumstances; and that the petitioners most humbly submit to the House, that if necessity renders it indispensable that any part of the licence system should be tole rated, it ought to be confined exclusively to articles of the first necessity, and, in their humble opinion, should not be extended to such commodities as may be "That the ships belonging to the port procured from our own possessions, or of Aberdeen were heretofore mostly eneven from any foreign port to which Bri- gaged in the coal coasting and foreign tish ships can safely navigate; and that trades, but since they have been shut out the petitioners view with amazement and from the ports of the Baltic, their chief emconcern the extensive and flourishing ployment has been in bringing timber fram trade of the northern powers to this king- the British colonies in North America; dom, by the indulgence of licences; in and that the present unfortunate state of the almost every British port, the petitioners continent of Europe has tended, in a high see the Danes, Swedes, Russians, and degree, to confine the trade, and depress other northern states, display their flags the shipping interest of this kingdom; and in commercial prosperity, while the com- the encouragement which has been given mercial flag of Great Britain is never to foreign vessels, by granting them lishewn in their ports, except, indeed, when cences to import timber, deals, staves, and it is seen underneath the flag of a bellige- other kinds of wood into this country, has rent, to denote the triumph of capturing a greatly increased the evil, and will, if perBritish vessel: the rapid improvement insisted in, be attended with the most ruinthe appearance and skill of foreign seamen since the granting of those licences, is evident to the petitioners, and to all persons who are acquainted with nautical affairs; a hardy and able race of mariners is thus reared, and, whilst our enemies are putting forth all their strength, Great Britain, by the continuance of the system of which the petitioners complain, is vir(VOL. XXII.) A Petition of several merchants and ship owners of the port of Aberdeen, was also presented and read; setting forth, ous consequences to the British ship owners; and that the petitioners are fully sensible of the critical situation of the times, and are most willing to submit to any privations to which they may be exposed, by such regulations as are calcu lated for the general good; while, however, they entertain these sentiments, and are ready to admit the expediency of the (4 E) licence system, in regard to some articles which it may be difficult otherwise to obtain, they humbly conceive that it ought not by any means to be extended to timber or any other commodities which can be easily procured from our own possessions or from other ports which are open to the British flag; and praying the House to take the premises into serious consideration, and in particular enquire into the necessity or propriety of granting licences to import timber into this country in foreign vessels, and thereafter adopt such regulations on this important subject as may seem best calculated to afford protection and relief to the shipping interest of the United Kingdom, and at the same time be consistent with the general welfare." Ordered to lie upon the table. PETITIONS FROM WILTSHIRE and ABERDEEN RESPECTING THE RENEWAL Of the EAST INDIA COMPANY'S CHARTER.] A Petition of the woollen manufacturers of the county of Wilts, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented and read; setting forth, "That the petitioners beg leave to represent to the House, that, by various charters granted successively to the East India Company, and by the restrictions imposed on the merchants of this country from trading with the extensive possessions of the Company in India, as well as with the whole of the islands and territories in Asia and Africa eastward from the Cape of Good Hope, the petitioners conceive that they have, for a series of years, been prevented in a very great degree from supplying an immense population with woollen manufactures; and that, by the removal of such restrictions, the petitioners firmly believe they would annually obtain from our merchants orders infinitely beyond those which are now received from the East India Company; and that, as the petitioners are cut off in some measure at present from supplying the continent of Europe, they apprehend a free trade to India would furnish them with an indemnity for this loss; and that, reposing entire confidence in the wisdom and justice of the House, the petitioners humbly entreat they will be pleased to adopt such measures as may secure to the merchants of the United Kingdom the advantages of a free trade eastward beyond the Cape of Good Hope." facturers, ship owners and other inhabitants of the city of Aberdeen, was also presented and read; setting forth, "That the petitioners most humbly conceive, that they, in common with the rest of their fellow subjects, are justly entitled to participate in whatever trade or intercourse may be carried on with any part of the British empire, subject always to such restrictions as a due regard to the revenue of the country, and our political relations with foreign states, may render necessary; and that, impressed with these sentiments, and convinced as they are that the opening up of the trade with the countries situate to the eastward of the Cape of Good Hope would be attended with the most beneficial consequences to the commercial manufacturing and shipping interests of the kingdom, they humbly beg leave to express an opinion, that, if parliament shall, in its wisdom, see proper to grant an extension of the trade with those countries at the expiry of the present charter of the East India Company, such extension should not be confined to the port of London, but embrace every principal port in the kingdom; and praying, that the House will be pleased to take the premises into serious consideration, and in case it shall appear expedient to them to extend the privileges of the trade with India, to allow the port of Aberdeen, in common with others throughout the kingdom, to participate in such extension, under such regulations as to the House shall seem meet. " Ordered to lie upon the table. PETITION FROM THE WEAVERS, &c. of CHORLEY AGAINST SINECURE PLACES, &C.] Mr. Brougham presented a Petition from the weavers and other working manufacturers of the town of Chorley and the neighbourhood thereof, setting forth, "That the petitioners have been, for a long time, labouring under a state of the utmost distress, as the House will easily conceive, on being informed, that whereas the price of the necessaries of life has been nearly doubled since the commencement of hostilities with France in 1793, the wages of the petitioners are reduced two thirds; and that, in these afflicting circumstances, the feelings of the petitioners are greatly aggravated by their knowledge, that, whilst their utmost exertions in labour cannot save them from starving, vast sums of the public money are bestowed A Petition of several merchants, manu- upon individuals, as the salaries of sine creases the price of the necessaries of life, and to compel his Majesty's ministers to adopt a line of policy which, by conciliating neutral nations, may affect the revival of trade, which alone, by renewing the strength of the nation, can, under the Divine Providence, finally secure to it the blessing of an honourable and lasting peace. Ordered to be referred to the Committee on the Petitions against the Orders in Council. FRENCH SILKS, &C. IMPORTED FROM FRANCE.] Lord Cochrane gave notice of a motion for Monday, for an account of the quantity of French silks, laces, cambrics, &c. imported into this country under Licences, within the last two months, with the amounts of each to the latest period. Mr. Rose said there could be no objection to the motion. Lord Cochrane said, then, if agreeable to the House, he should make his motion now. It was a fact that French silks, shawls, laces, &c. were to be seen on sale in this country at the present moment, in quantities, to the great prejudice of our own manufactures. It had always been esteemed a wise policy in this country, to prevent the importation of French manu cure places, that is to say, of places, the holders of which receive wages without performing any work for the same; and that, in proof of their assertion, that vast sums of money are thus bestowed, selecting a few instances out of a great variety of the same nature, they beg leave to remind the House, that the right honourable George Rose holds the sinecure office of clerk of the parliament, with a salary of 3,2781. per annum; that the right hon. George lord Arden holds the sinecure offices of register of the high court of admiralty and of register of the high court of appeal for prizes, for which he receives, clear of deductions, 12,5541. per annum ; and that the earl Camden, and the marquis of Buckingham, hold the sinecure offices of tellers of the exchequer, for which offices they receive, the latter 23,0937. the former 23,117. per annum; and that the petitioners have, from time to time, been informed of large sums of money being paid out of the public purse to distressed foreigners, on which head, passing by the sums paid as subsidies to the Portuguese and Sicilian courts, to the duke and duchess of Brunswick, and divers other German refugees, they beg leave to call to the recollection of the House the sums paid to the exiled catholic clergy and laity of France, which amounted, in the year 1794, to 99,5487. 78. 6d. ; 1795, to 135,890l.;factured goods; and even to give to other 1796, to 199,890l.; 1797, to 177,4801. 9s. 7d.; 1798, to 161,333. 7s.; 1799, to 187,8861. 10s. 11d.; 1800, to 195,7131. 5s. 1d.; 1801, to 180,772l.; and that, though the petitioners presume to be of opinion that, in the season of their dis tress, they have as strong a claim upon the public purse of the nation as any foreigners whatsoever; and though they are apprized that the precedent of the special distribution in the year 1801 of 24,2261. to the parishes where the weaving of silk is carried on in London, would justify them in applying to the House for direct pecuniary relief, they deem it more becoming them as Englishmen, to declare to the House, that they would far prefer, to the receipt of any extraordinary assistance, a dependence upon their own unimpeded industry; and that they therefore do respectfully, but earnestly, cail upon the members of the House well to consider the premises, and by the powers by the constitution vested in the House, to check and restrain the extravagant expenditure of the public money, which, by occasioning the imposition of enormous taxes, in foreign goods an advantage over them. He understood, however, that there were, at this moment, to the amount of several hundred thousand pounds of French manufactured goods in the river; and the only clause in the licences, under which those goods were suffered to be imported, which went to secure any reciprocity whatever to this country, was one requiring that sugars or coffee, to the value of 51. per ton burden, should be exported in lieu of those rich manufactured goods. If this was the policy of our ministers at the present period of unexampled distress to our manufacturing interests, his lordship was not surprised, that the manufacturers were in a state of great dissatisfaction. If such measures were resorted to, for the purpose of the better recruiting our armies in Portugal, he hoped they would fail in producing that effect. He concluded by reading his motion. Mr. Rose said, that as the paper would be shortly before the House, the production of it would afford the best contradiction to the statement of the noble lord. There was one part, however, which he could not even |
