PROCEEDINGS OF PARLIAMENT. success. season. Tuesday, 28th January.-The Prince lation to believe, that you will find it pracRegent came to the House of Lords with ticable to provide for the public service the usual state at three o'clock, and opened of the year, without making any addition the Session of Parliament with the following to the burdens of the people, and without speech from the throne : adopting any measure injurious to that sysMy Lords and Gentlemen, tem, by which the public credit of the coun, It is with the deepest regret that I am try has been hitherto sustained. again obliged to announce to you, that no My Lords and Gentlemen, alteration has occurred in the state of his I have the satisfaction of informing you, Majesty's lamented indisposition. that the arrangements which were made in I continue to receive from Foreign Powers the last Session of Parliament, with a view the strongest assurances of their friendly to a new silver coinage, have been completed disposition towards this country, and of with unprecedented expedition. their earnest desire to maintain the general I have given directions for the immediate tranquillity. issue of the new coin, and I trust that this The hostilities to which I was compelled measure will be productive of considerable to resort, in vindication of the honour of the advantages to the trade and internal trans. country, against the government of Algiers, actions of the country. have been attended with the most complete The distresses consequent upon the ter mination of a war of such unusual extent The splendid achievement of his Majesty's and duration, have been felt, with greater fleet, in conjunction with a squadron of the or less severity, throughout all the nations King of the Netherlands, under the gallant of Europe, and have been considerably agand able conduct of Admiral Viscount Ex. gravated by the unfavourable state of the mouth, led to the immediate and uncondi. tional liberation of all Christian captives Deeply as I lament the pressure of these then within the territory of Algiers, and to evils upon this country, I am sensible that the renunciation by its government of the they are of a nature not to admit of an impractice of Christian slavery. mediate remedy ; but whilst I observe with I am persuaded, that you will be duly sen- peculiar satisfaction the fortitude with which sible of the importance of an arrangement so many privations have been borne, and so interesting to humanity, and reflecting, the active benevolence which has been em. from the manner in which it has been ac- ployed to mitigate them, I am persuaded complished, such signal honour on the that the great sources of our national proBritish nation. sperity are essentially unimpaired, and I en. In India, the refusal of the Government tertain a confident expectation, that the na. of Nepaul to ratify a treaty of peace which tive energy of the country will at no distant had been signed by its Plenipotentiaries period surmount all the difficulties in which occasioned a renewal of military operations. we are involved. The judicious arrangements of the Go- In considering our internal situation, you vernor-general, seconded by the bravery and will, I doubt not, feel a just indignation at perseverance of his Majesty's forces, and of the attempts which have been made to take those of the East India Company, brought advantage of the distresses of the country, the campaign to a speedy and successful for the purpose of exciting a spirit of sedi. issue ; and peace has been finally establish- tion and violence. ed, upon the just and honourable terms of I am too well convinced of the loyalty the original treaty: and good sense of the great body of his Gentlemen of the House of Commons, Majesty's subjects, to believe them capable I have directed the estimates of the cur- of being perverted by the arts which are rent year to be laid before you. employed to seduce them ; but I am deterThey have been formed upon a full con- mined to omit no precautions for preserving sideration of all the present circumstances the public peace, and for counteracting the of the country, with an anxious desire to designs of the disaffected : and I rely with make every reduction in our establishments the utmost confidence on your cordial supwhich the safety of the empire and sound port and co-operation, in upholding a syspolicy allow. tem of law and government, from which we I recommend the state of the public in- have derived inestimable advantages, which come and expenditure to your early and se- has enabled us to conclude, with unexam. rious attention. pled glory, a contest whereon depended the I regret to be under the necessity of in- best interests of mankind, and which has forming you, that there has been a deficien- been hitherto felt by ourselves, as it is accy in the produce of the revenue in the last knowledged by other nations, to be the most year ; but I trust that it is to be ascribed perfect that has ever fallen to the lot of any to temporary causes ; and I have the conso. people. ܪ NEPAUL WAR. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF SECRECY. Lord SID MOUTH, after strangers had ings, and recommend that nothing should withdrawn, informed the House, that as the be said or done until the report of the ComPrince Regent was returning from the mittee should be laid before the House. The House and the carriage was passing in the atrocious outrage lately committed against Park, at the back of the garden of Carleton the Prince Regent was certainly regarded House, the glass of the carriage window with the utmost horror and reprobation by had been broken by a stone, as some repre- an overwhelming majority of the nation ; sented it, or by two balls fired from an air- and he felt it his duty to state, that the gun, as others stated it, which appeared to present communication was not at all conbe aimed at his Royal Highness. nected with that outrage. Both Houses examined witnesses on this After some general remarks by Lord communication, and presented addresses to Grosvenor, Lord Holland, the Earl of the Prince Regent. Liverpool, Earl Grey, and the Marquis of The address on the speech from the Buckingham, the address was agreed to, Throne was moved and seconded by the and the papers on the table were ordered to Earl of DARTMOUTH and Lord ROTHES be referred to-morrow to a committee of in the House of Lords; and in the House Secrecy, consisting of eleven Lords, to be of Commons by Lord VALLETORT and then chosen by ballot. Mr Dawson. Earl GREY moved an amendment in the Lords, which was nega Feb. 6.-The Earl of LIVERPOOL took tived without a division; and the original a review of the cause of this war, and of the address was carried in the House of Com- operations which led to its successful termimons, in opposition to an amendment mov- nation, and moved that the thanks of the ed by Mr PonsoNBY, by a majority of House be given to the Most Noble the 152. Marquis of Hastings, for the able and ju. dicious arrangements by which the war in HOUSE OF LORDS. Nepaul had been brought to a successful conclusion. The motion was agreed to; Monday, Feb. 3.-Lord SIDMOUTH after which, thanks were voted to Sir David presented the following message, which was Ochterlony, and the troops under his comread by the Lord Chancellor : “ His Royal mand. Highness the Prince Regent, acting in the name and on the behalf of his Majesty, has thought proper to order to be laid before Feb. 18.- The Earl of HARROWBY prethe House of Lords, papers containing an sented the report of the Secret Committee account of certain meetings and combina- appointed to inquire into certain meetings tions held in different parts of the country, and combinations endangering the public tending to the disturbance of the public tranquillity, which was laid on the table, tranquillity, the alienation of the affections and ordered to be taken into consideration of the people from his Majesty's person and on Friday, and that the House be summongovernment, and to the overthrow of the ed for that day, whole frame and system of the laws and SUSPENSION OF THE HABEAS CORPUS constitution ; and his Royal Highness recommends these papers to the immediate Feb. 21.-Lord ȘIDMOUTH introduced and serious consideration of the House." a bill, under the title of “A bill to enable THANKS TO LORD EXMOUTH. his Majesty to seoure, and detain in custody, Lord MELVILLE, after taking a review such persons as his Majesty shall suspect of of the cause, the mode, and the effects of the treasonable intentions against his Majesty's expedition to Algiers, and paying a well- person and government. His Lordship inmerited tribute of applause to the promp- timated, that it was thought most convenie titude, skill, and gallantry, displayed in ent for their Lordships to discuss the printhat memorable achievement, moved the ciple of the measure on the second reading thanks of the House to Lord Exmouth, Sir of the bill, which he intended to propose David Milne, and the officers, seamen, and should take place on Monday next. Read marines; and also to Admiral Capellen, a first time, and ordered to be read a second and the officers and crews under his com. time on Monday. mand; which motions were unanimously Feb. 24. Lord SiDMOUTH, after move agreed to. ing the order of the day for the second read. PRINCE REGENT'S MESSAGE. ing of the bill, observed, that whatever Feb 4-Lord SiDMOUTH rose to pro- differences of opinion might exist as to this pose to their Lordships, an answer to the and other measures in contemplation, he message which he had last night laid before was confident that no Noble Lord could them from the Prince Regent. Their Lord. have read and reflected upon the report of ships would, he had no doubt, concur in the Committee upon the table, without the the address which he should have the hon- deepest regret, calculated as it was to shock our to propose, as would pledge their every feeling of loyalty to the Throne, and Lordships to nothing except to an exami- of affection for the illustrious individual es. nation of the evidence. He would refrain ercising its functions, and to cast a loatł from all reference to any ulterior proceed some stigma upon the character and dispe • ACT. TIONS. sition of the country. His Lordship then HOUSE OF COMMONS. at great length commented on the leading points of the report ; urged the necessity of PARLIAMENTARY REFORM-RULES TO BE OBSERVED IN PRESENTING PETI. the measure for the preservation of the con. stitution and the salvation of the country ; and concluded with moving, that the bill be Friday, Jan. 31.-Sir FRANCIS BURnow read a second time. DETT, having some petitions to present, After an animated debate, protracted till praying for a Řeform in the Representation past two in the morning, the House divid of that House, acknowledged that he had ed. Contents 150 ; non-contents 35. The not felt it his duty to read them throughout; bill was then committed, reported, read a but declared that he had read their prayer. third time, passed, and ordered to be sent The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER to the Commons. referred to the Speaker to know whether the PROTEST. Hon. Baronet had read the petition he was Dissentient Because it does not appear about to present, when to us that, in the report of the Secret Com- The SPEAKER said, there were two clear mittee, there has been stated such a case of points on this subject ; the first was, that it imminent and pressing danger as may not was the duty of a Member to state the subbe sufficiently provided against by the powers stance of the petition he was about to preof the Executive Government under the ex. sent ; secondly, it was the Member's duty isting laws, and as requires the suspension to know if it was couched in respectful lanof the most important security of the liberty guage ; if not, he departed from the line of of the country. his duty in offering it. This was the estabAUGUSTUS FREDERICK, BEDFORD, lished practice of the House. ALBEMARLE, FOLEY, SUNDRIDGE, Monday, Feb. 3.-Lord CASTLEREAGH On the motion of Lord CASTLEREAGH, OFFICE'S CONTRIBUTION BILL. votes of thanks, similar to those voted in the House of Lords, were agreed to. Feb. 28.—The House having gone into COMMITTEE OF SECRECY. a Committee on the Malt Duty, and Offices' Feb. 5.On the motion of Lord CasContribution Bill, Lord REDESDALE rose, TLEREAGH, the House proceeded to ballot pursuant to notice, to propose an amend. for the Committee of Secrecy, and after the ment. The bill contained a clause of a very prescribed forms were gone through, peculiar description, stating, That whereas Mr BRODGEN appeared at the Bar with his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and the report of the Committee appointed to many persons holding public offices, were scrutinize the lists given in for composing desirous of contributing a certain portion of the Committee of Secrecy, when, the report the incomes derived from these offices to having been read, twenty-one gentlemen wards the public service, it was enacted, were named of the Committee. that it should be lawful to give the proper SAVING BANKS. instructions to the officers of the Exchequer Mr Rose moved to bring in a Bill for to receive such contributions, &c. The regulating Provident Institutions or Saving contributions were to be voluntary; but then Banks. In reply to some remarks from Mr they would be voluntary only in the sense Curwen, respecting the increasing burden of in which the contribution for beer-money the poor-rates, Mr Rose said that he felt was formerly raised among their Lordships' great anxiety that it should not go forth to When a new servant made his the public that the poor-rates would be conappearance for the first time, he was called siderably diminished by the measure he now upon to pay this beer-money ; and if he re- proposed. He merely wished it to be unfused, the process of hooting was resorted derstood, that as far as it went, it would to, and they continued to hoot him until he tend to afford very great relief, not only by paid the money. But he would not consent diminishing the wants and distresses of the to be hooted out of his money, and he trust- labouring poor, but also by teaching them ed that others would not be induced to be to rely in future on themselves for happiness taxed in this way, under pretence of a vo- and independence. luntary contribution. His Lordship then NEPAUL WAR. proceeded at some length to contend, that Feb. 6.-Mr CANNING gave a history of men who held official situations frequently the rise and extending power of the Goorkinjured their private fortunes by the ex- has, with an account of the war, and its penses which they felt it necessary to incur, close ; and concluded with moving votes of and to which their salaries were in many thanks similar to those agreed to in the instances inadequate. His Lordship there. House of Lords. fore disapproved of the whole clause ; but COMMITTEE OF WAYS AND MEANS. his amendment was negatived without a di. Feb. 7.-The CHANCELLOR of the Ex. vision. CHEQUER having moved the order of the servants. to. day for the House resolving itself into the Europe ; he praised the generous sympathy said Committee, observed, that he intended which bound all classes of society together in to propose only such votes as would go to this happy land, and those spontaneous efthe renewal of certain usual annual taxes, forts made to lighten the burdens of the des. and a grant of Exchequer Bills to replace titute, by sharing them. In the highest those which were now out. The several quarter, in the head of the government of duties on malt, sugar, &c. were then moy- this country, the same feelings and sympaed; as also that £24,000,000 be raised by thies were shared that actuated his people. Exchequer Bills for the service of the year He not only sympathized with their distress, 1817. but was prepared to share their privations ; After observations by Sir C. Monck and, from the spontaneous movement of his and Mr Calcraft, the resolutions were agreed own mind, had expressed his determination to abstain from receiving, in the present state FINANCES AND REDUCTIONS. of distress, so much of the civil list as he Feb. 7._Lord CASTLEREAGH (the could refuse, consistently with maintaining House being in a Committee on that part the dignity of his station, without doing of the Regent's Speech which related to the what Parliament would disapprove of in. Finances), in an elaborate speech of great curring.– (General Cheering.) His Royal length, and embracing a variety of views of Highness had given his commands to inform the state of the country-past, present, and the House, that he meant to give up for the prospective,--did not disguise or extenuate' public service a fifth part of the fourth class the present distress, but still maintained, of the civil list, which, it ought to be obthat with the characteristic vigour and served, was the only branch connected with energy of the British character, and an the personal expenses, or the royal state of economy pervading every department of the the Sovereign ; for all the other heads of public service, we should soon be restored charge included in the civil list, except the to our high situation among the nations. privy purse, were as much for paying pubHe then entered into a detail of the reduc- lic services as the sums included in the es. tions of the national expenditure which were timates he had this night mentioned contemplated, making a total annual dimi- (Hear, hcar!) That branch of the civil nution, in all the different branches, of six list amounted to £209,000; and his Royal millions and a half, and thereby reduc- Highness offered, out of this and the privy ing the current expenses of this year to purse, £50,000—(Hear, hear ! )—for the £18,373,000; and that there might be a fur- public service. His Royal Highness had ther saving of above a million anticipated in directed and applauded the exertions of his the next year, which would bring the expendi- people, he had shared in their glories, and ture down to £17,300,000 ; and that of this now generously sympathized in their suffer. sum there was not more than £13,000,000 ings, and determined to share their privaapplicable to current services, for there were tions.-(Hear !) The servants of the Crown now paid in pensions, and half-pay tớ the had resolved to follow the example of their officers and men in the army, navy, and Royal Master, and to surrender that part of ordnance departments, who had contributed their salaries which had accrued to them to bring the war to so glorious' a termina. since the abolition of the property tax. tion, upwards of four millions. A certain (Hear, hear !) His Lordship came then to proportion of the pensions would annually the last branch of the subject, the formabe available for the public service by the tion of a Committee, for the purpose of in. decease of those who enjoyed them. A quiring into the income and expenditure of hundred thousand men were now in the re- the country, on the mode of choosing which, ceipt of pensions and half-pay. He had and on the duties they were to perform, his made inquiries as to what, upon ordinary Lord expatiated for some time, and then calculations, might be expected to accrue concluded with proposing the appointment annually from the falling in of their allow- of a Committee, to consist of 21 members, ances. By assuming the medium age of “ for the purpose of inquiring into the reve40, one half of the whole would cease to nue and expenditure of the country for the exist in the course of 20 years, making 2,500 years ending the 5th January 1815, the 5th annually; and, as the allowances are four January 1816 and 1817, and also for the millions, the sum becoming available every years ending the 5th January 1818 and year for the public service, in the reduction 1819, with a view to the investigation of of the public burdens, would be £100,000. measures for affording relief to the country, In making up the estimates, a sketch of without detriment to the public service; and which he (Lord C.) had submitted to the to report thereon, from time to time, their House, Ministers were actuated by the most opinions to the house." Before he sat anxious desire to effect every possible re- down, it would be right to mention, that he duction ; to carry into effect every plan of proposed the committee should be invested economy that was consistent with our situa- with full powers to send for persons, papers, tion and security ; and to bring the expendi- and records, ( Hear, hear!) that they should ture of the nation as much as possible within possess all the means of pursuing their inits means His Lordship took a review of quiries to the bottom. the general distress that prevailed all over The noble Lord concluded with reading VOL. I. Q the following list: Lord Castlereagh, Chan. which have lately been presented to this cellor of the Exchequer, Mr Ponsonby, Mr House. (Hcar, hear, hear !) Sir, I would Bankes, Mr Long, Mr Tierney, Lord Bin- not be a party in telling the people, (monning, Sir J. Newport, Mr Peel, Mr C. W. strous assertion !) that twelve hundred years Wynne, Mr Arbuthnot, Mr Frankland ago this country enjoyed a free and perfect Lewis, Mr Huskisson, Mr N. Calvert, Mr constitution. (Hear, hear, hear!) This, Davies Gilbert, Mr Cartwright, Mr Hol- sir, is a specimen of the historical knowford, Mr Edward Littleton, Lord Clive, Mr ledge of the antiquarian research, --of the Gooch, and Sir T. Ackland. acquaintance with constitutional law of these Mr TIERNEY, and many other members, wiseacres out of doors, who, after poring delivered their sentiments at great length, for days and nights, and brooding over their both against and for this nomination, after wild and mischievous schemes, rise up with which the House divided. For the Com- their little nostrums and big blunders to amittee 210; against it 117. mend the British Constitution ! (Laughter Two other divisions took place, on a mo. and loud cheers.) And then, sir, we are : tion to substitute other names in the room pronounced ignorant and daring who refuse of Lord Binning and Mr Huskisson, but to subscribe to the creed of these true rethe majority decided that they were to stand formers, who know accurately what hapas part of the Committee. pened in this country five hundred years beSINECURES. fore authenticated history begins ! (Hear !) Tuesday, Feb.11.-Lord CASTLEREAGH, and we are told, that he who will not believe in reply to General Ferguson, stated that the self-evident propositions of these genthe Noble Marquis (Cambden) alluded to tlemen, which it is said are so reasonable as had resigned all the emoluments and pro not to admit of the least controversy, are fits of the office he held (Tellership of the dishonest as well as ignorant and daring. Exchequer, and only retained the regulated The people of England have presented hun. salary of £2500. (Cheering.) The Noble dreds of petitions to this House. I believe Marquis had been for some time desirous above a million of people have declared to of making this sacrifice, but as his office was this House some opinion or other on the in the nature of a vested right, and as he question of reform. These persons have been did not know what effect this surrender collected together at meetings, to which they might have on others in a similar situation, flocked simply because they felt severe dishe delayed till the meeting of Parliament. tress. They knew from their own experience, Seeing, however, the example of retrench- and from the nature of their sufferings, that ment and sacrifice set in the highest quar- they in a great measure originated in the ter, he no longer hesitated, and offered now mal-administration of public affairs. There all the emoluments of his appointment. is one conclusion, sir, which we ought to (Hear, hear!) draw from all these considerations ; namely, PARLIAMENTARY REFORM. that severe distress is the real cause of this Feb. 14.-A great many petitions have popular agitation ; and that as far as the ing been presented praying for a Reform people call upon us for great retrenchments in Parliament, most of them claiming uni- and some reform, the call is well founded, versal suffrage and annual elections, as the and must be heard. I heartily hope that it ancient constitution of the kingdom, Mr may be heard before it is too late, and that BROUGHAM spoke to the following effect : the people may by that means be taken and “ Sir, I have in all cases gone as far as it kept out of the hands of those who would was possible for me to go, to assist in opening betray them into misery a hundred fold the door of this House to the people's com. greater than that which they at present enplaints : and I have done all that I could dure." (Hear, hear !) and not less than the Noble Lord (Cochrane) COMMITTEE OF SECRECY, to discountenance, as far as my little influ- Wednesday, Feb.19.--Mr B.BATHURST ence would allow me, any proposition which appeared at the bar with the report of the appeared to me to be calculated to impede, Committee of Secrecy, to whom certain cramp, and hamper, the exercise of popular papers, laid before the House by command rights.-( Hear, hear, hear !) I therefore of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, put myself on my country, in competition had been referred. Ordered to be printed, with the Noble Lord, as to which of us has and taken into consideration on Monday shewn himself to be the greater friend of next. the people of England. (Hear, heur, hear!). But, Sir, I will not shew my friendship for Feb. 21.-Mr CURWEN, in a clear and the people, by telling them falsehoods. argumentative speech, took a wide and com(Hear, hear, hear!) I will not be a party prehensive view of the Poor Laws, in their in practising delusion on the people. ( Hear, origin, progress, and present oppressive hear, hear ) I will not take advantage of magnitude. We can only give a few the warmth of popular meetings,—a great detached passages. The great evils were proportion of the individuals constituting increasing still, and would increase much which are necessarily ignorant of the nicer more, unless some remedy were applied points of history and antiquity, to induce to bring things back to their original the people to sign such petitions as those state. We had, it was to be recollected, POOR LAWS. a |