1071.

Repairs of King's Bench during 1814, 4,4194

Repairs of the Rolls' House Chapel, 2,1107.

Repairs of the two Houses of Parliament and the Speaker's house, 6,5902. Penitentiary House at Millbank, 60,000l. Roads and Bridges, Highlands of Scotland, 20,000!.

Inland navigation, from Inverness to Fort William, 50,0007.

Salary of a Superannuated Clerk in the Lottery, 2351.

Late Assistant to the Mint, 60%. Late Paymaster of the Exchequer. 2661. 13s 4d.

Superannuated Clerks of Public Accounts, 1,2001.

Printing the Journals of the House,

Printing papers, for present year for the House, 1,000l.

Reprint of Journals and Reports, 6,000%,
Printing votes of present session, 2,5001,
Deficiency of printing papers for the
Lords, in present session, 2,6584.

Printing Acts of both Houses, 21,0007,
Stationery for both Houses, S,5004,
Officers in both Houses, 1,8801.
Incidental expences, 4,2007.
French Refugee Laity, 4,7881.

Protestant Dissenting Ministers in Ireland, 7537. 12s. 6d.

The same in England, 1,6152.
American Loyalists, 18,000l.
Charitable allowances, St. Martin's in
the Fields, 1,166).

National Vaccine Establishment, S,0001.
Superintendance of Aliens, 7,9581.
Convicts on board Prison ships, 77,4831.
Offices of Bow-street, 14,000l.
Prosecutions for coining, 5,0001.

Fees of Passing the Public Accounts, 4,0001.

Royal Navy Asylum, 25,000

HOUSE OF LORDS.

March 20.-After a debate, the Cora Bill was read a third time, and passed. On a division, for the Bill, 128.-Against

it, 21.

March 21.-The Bank Restriction Bill read a third time and passed.

In the House of Commons an extensive discussion on the State of France: Mr. Whitbread moved for information on the state of affairs at the Congress of Vienna. Lord Castlereagh replied at great length; observing, that, if Buonaparte should be established on the throne of France, neither England nor Europe could expect a moment's secure and settled peace.

Lord Cochrane arrested in the House of Commons, before the Speaker came, or the sitting began. A letter from the Marshal of the King's Bench, informing the Speaker, was read to the House; referred to the Committee of Privileges; who afterwards reported, that there was no cause for further proceedings.

April 4. Motion for leave to repeal the Assize of Bread: since 1797, the price of bread has been fixed by the price of flour, formerly, by the price of wheat: whence much evil was supposed to arise to the City of London.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—April 7.

Royal Message.

Lord Liverpool entered into an explanation of the Declaration of the Allies, made at Paris, in March, 1814, expressing the resolution of the Allies not to treat with Napoleon.-At that time he had an

army of 30,000: also, in the South, 50,000, under Soult: also, in Italy, a formidable army, much superior to that opposed to it-in addition, all the fortified places, of France, Italy, Hollaud, and the Rhine. Had the Allies refused to treat with him, the struggle must have been continued. Under these considerations the principal treaties were made, particularly that of Fontainebleau. Having accepted that treaty, Buonaparte was bound to observe it. It had not been broken by the Allies. The supposed breach of it, by non-payment of the revenue it stipulated, was a falsity: the time for payment was not come: the debts of the party too, left unpaid, were very great. If it had been broken, he ought to have called on the Allies, by which it was guaranteed, before he invaded, or troubled, France. To say truth, in his first Proclamation on landing in France, he does not profess to come in consequence of any breach of the Treaty; but to resume his Power. But, the Treaty stipulated his abdication of that Power. He acted in defiance of the Treaty. The French nation was a party to that Treaty: that nation did not recall him.

was, whether we should be prepared to meet all consequences? He, therefore, moved an address, &c.

Sir F. Burdett said, the people of France were hostile to the Bourbons-had recalied Buonaparte, &c. &c.

Mr. Fonsonby, opposed the Baronet. Better terms had been granted to the people of France on condition they should be governed by the Bourbous, rather than by Buonaparte; if then France recalls Buonaparte, she vacates those terms, and the treaty which sanctioned them. The Allies, then, are justived in resuming every right which they possessed previous to such treaty. We do not piedge ourselves to re store the Bourbons; but to be prepared for events. The proceeding is perfectly wise and proper.

Mr. Whitbread, differed from Mr. Pon sonby: the ministers had declared war without authority of the Crown. The challenge was to a war of extermination. The Allies had proposed Assassination, to employ the arm of the murderer: their declaration places a man out of the protec tion of civil society. The fortune of the Bourbons was irretrievable; the war was It is impossible to conceal the dangers a war of aggression against France. All that surround us: we have only the choice France would rally round the person of of a state of armed preparation; or of ac-Buonaparte. He moved an amendment→→→ tive war. It is not wholly a British ques- to continue the blessings of peace. Against tion, but a European question, that is be- the amendment 220, for it 37. fore us. We have no disposition to drive our Allies to war, or wariike measures; we act with them.-His Lordship moved an Address concurring in the deep interest felt by H. R. H. in the events which had occurred in France, in contravention of treaties &c.

Lord Grenville gave his full assent to the Address.

Committee of Supply.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated several items; among them an advance of 200,000l. to the King of France, He mentioned the Extraordinaries of the army, navy, &c. The various sums were closely examined and voted.

April 11.--The American Treaty was taHe wished to impress not ouken into consideration. Mr. Davis moved the nation only, but ou all Europe, the nean address approving it. Mr. Ponsonby cessity of close union and alliance: on this complained of its delay. For the motion depended the common happiness-the very 128. Against it 37. existence of Europe.

Marquis Wellesley and Earl Grey, were anxious to avoid precipitating this country tuto evils from which no man could foresee the deliverance. Motion agreed to: nem. dis.

The same subject was introduced in the House of Commons, by Lord Castlereagh, who observed-This has been effected in France by artifice and treachery; by the army, which is interested in establishing a military despotism: it does not grow out of the sentiments of the French people. It was not au act of the French nation against the King of France; but, of the French army, against the peace of the world. There could now be no peace, that could main tain the character of peace; the question

|

April 26.—Mr. Grenfell moved for Papers to shew that the Bank of Engiand was unduly favoured in the profits it made by the public, and the share it bore in the public burthens. The circulation of Bank uotes had been $1,300,000: it was now 27,000,000. The profits, together with those arising from management of the pubfic debt, were 2,376,000l. per Ann. it was too great.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer thought sufficient allowance had not been made for expences, in that calculation. Motious assented to.

Several Petitions were about this time presented from various towns, &c. against the continuation of the Property Tax: among others one from the City of Lon

don, couched in terms the house could not receive. On a division; for receiving the Petition 50. Against it 107.

The City of Westminster petitioned, &c. in the same style.

The Property Tax Bill was proposed. Mr. Grenfell moved that it be an instruction to the Committee, to bind the Commissioners to secrecy. The Chancellor of the Exchequer objected; but Mr. G. relating an instance of indiscretion attended. with great mischief, the clause was carried. Ireland.

April 28-In a Committee of Ways and Means, Mr. V. Fitzgerald proposed, 1st, to equalize the Assessed Taxes of Ireland to those of Great Britain; and, 2dly, to equalize the daty on malt in both countries. The increase in the revenue from the addition to Assessed Taxes, he estimated at 250,0001. but should take it at 200,000l.; the Malt Duty increase would probably be 260,0001. but he should take that also at 200,0001.

Mr. Whitbread introduced a motion for preserving peace with Buonaparte..

|

and devastation over the whole surface of Europe. He trusted the common feeling of the House would be no longer outraged by advising any other relations with such a man than those of force and war. The object of the war was to destroy the power of the disturber of the whole world; and whilst the allies stood by each other in this righteous cause, he trusted they never would be abandoned by the English Government and the English people.

Mr. Ponsonby advised to peace: he had supported a former motion; but did not know that war was declared.

Mr. Wilberforce saw great difficulties on both sides of the question. Buonaparte was no changeling: he wou'd, as always laugh at contracts and paper engagements. After a discussion of great length, the motion was negatived: 275 to 72.

May 2.-Mr. H. Addington obtained leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Militia Laws.

gotiations with Murat, Lord Castlereagh On a question for papers to elucidate neinsisted that good faith had been kept with that person. Mr. Whitbread insisted on the contrary: a serious altercation ensued; which was fortunately terminated by the interference of the Speaker, and mutual apologies.

Lord Castlereagh in answer, observed; give him but the time to recognize his means, and you will see Buonaparte grasp ing at his former power with his former avidity. In fact, the character-the bad faith of the man was peculiar to himself. He would state in proof of this the conMay 5.-The Property tax bill, was tents of a document relating to the negoci-cultural interest. The Chancellor of the censured as highly injurious to the agritions at Chatillon, which had fallen into

his hands since that period; it was a let

Exchequer replied, that it was impossible to say, that the interests of the farmer had A motion for reading the bill this day not been lately sufficiently attended to. three months, was negatived 162 against

29.

tain proceedings to be had, respecting the May 8.-Mr. Tierney moved for cerCivil List, and its arrears. The sums were of such magnitude as required thorough investigation. Lord Castlereagh denied the sums exceeded what Parliament had

voted.

The House divided; for the motion 119 against it 175.

ter of instruction from the Duke of Bassano to M. de Caulincourt, the French negociator, dated March 19, before the negociations had closed. An order that it should be burned was indorsed upon this letter. It was written at the time that Buonaparte made his hazardous movement from Arcis sur Aube, and directed M. de Caulincourt, to conclude a treaty upon their own terms, but to manage it so, that even after the ratification, the Emperor might be enabled to delay the execution of three specified points. The Emperor was, according to the result of the movement he was then making, to execute the treaty, or violate it even after it was ratified. But what were the three objects? why the delivery of the three great Keys of France. Antwerpwas this the key of France or of Great Britain? Mayence was this the key of France or of Germany? Alexandria-was this the key of France or of the kingdom of Italy? What more decisive-what more flagrant Lord Castlereagh said the system now proof than this could be given of the bad carrying on in France was one of falsififaith of the man? These were the three cation, and duplicity. Murat had bapoints through which Buonaparte was de-lanced between the Allies and Buonaparte, termined again to pour a deluge of war and intended to adhere to the strongest.

May 18.-The Catholic question was introduced by Sir H. Parnell; but, after some explanation, the motion was withdrawn.

May 19.-Conversation on a proclamation attributed to the Duke of Wellington, Government had no reason to think it genuine. It was a French forgery.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

May 23. The question of peace or war was this day solemnly argued on a message from the Prince Regent. Lord Liverpool entered at great length into the subject, and justified the immediate commencement of hostilities The object of of the Allies was to establish a settled government in France: no assumption of power to dictate to France was intended; but to prevent a Government dangerous to the peace and welfare of surrounding States. His Lordship moved an address accordingly.

A

Lord Grey opposed the motion,

Lord Grenville considered the Person now at the head of the French Government as the common enemy of Europe. Too much time had formerly been lost in attempting to negotiate with him. The moment the treaty of Fontainbleau was broken, that moment we had just right of war against France. He considered the paper that Caulaincourt called a proposal of peace, as the most insulting in the annals of diplomacy. The crime of Louis, in the eyes of his army, was his keeping his treaties and peace with his neighbours. For the Address, 156. Against it 44.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

May 25,-Lord Castlereagh introduced the same subject, and stated much the same views of it, as Lord Liverpool in the upper House. He wished the House to support the Treaty of Paris. What could be expected from such a character as Buonaparte? in vain had kingdom after kingdom, state after state been annexed to his Empire: he was still insatiable: his restJess mind could not be quiet. In Elba too, he was planning new schemes of subjugation. The whole of Europe felt-it was a moral feeling, that there could be no peace with Buonaparte.

by so great a majority. The Allies had broken as many treaties as Buonaparte. France had been described as exhausted many years ago; but, what was the fact ? The Allies had violated every engagement with this Sovereign Prince; the war was pregnant with danger; it was unjust; it was an unwarrantable attempt to interfere with the choice of a country in its Government.

Mr. C. W. Wyune defended the interfering with Governments when they were of a nature to disturb all the world. No treaty could bind this man. He was now forty-six; but so was the Duke of Wellington: that was no age at which the human powers were enfeebled.

Mr. Ponsonby was against the motion; as was also Mr. Tierney.

Lord Milton supported the Ad·ress. On a division: for the Address 831. Against it 92.

May 26.-The Subsidiary Treaty with the Allies was taken into consideration. H. R. H. had undertaken to pay 5,000,000 to the three principal Powers of the Continent:—each was to keep 150,000 men in the field. This Country was to support a like number, or to pay for each horseman 301. for infantry 201. each. Austria had 300,000 in motion: Russia had already 225,000 in the ranks; another 150,000 were following; Prussia had 264,000. All these forces were in motion. Beside these were Wirtemberg,, Holland, Saxony, &e. in the whole 1,011,000 men.

The minor States were paid at the rate of £11 2s. 9d. per man. The subsidy with Sweden had cost 401. per man: that with Prussia in 1794 had cost 301. per man: at home, a man cost 70 to 801. All the strong places, too, were in the hands of the allies. I exerting herself consistently with her means, this country was contri

Would it be wise to bank this feeling?buting her proper share. to suffer the Allies to seperate? to take the consequences of Buonaparte's establishing himself? Surely not. We now had all the powers combined: every thing led to the hope that we should come out of the war with honour and advantage.

After opposition by Mr. Tierney, Mr. Whitbread, Sir J. Newport, &c. the House divided for the subsidy treaty, 169.Agaiust it, 17.

Lord G, Cavendish and Mr. Smith, opposed the motion.

Mr. Grattan supported it. He shewed the falsehood of Buonaparte's mind: he traced his resources-no money-no credit -no cavalry, He was not recalled by France; but by the Jacobius: he thought England had a right to say France should not use her strength to conquer Europe.

Sir F. Burdett insisted that Buonaparte was chosen by the French nation: no ruJer in any country, had ever been chosen

:

June 2. In a Committee of Supply, Lord Palmerston explained the reduction in the land forces, since the Treaty of Paris (exclusive of the militia) was 47,000 men. He moved for 190,252, men, exclusive of those employed in India: the estimate was £4,674,000. Agreed.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved the Army Extraordinaries, taken 12,000,000.

at

Mr. Tierney said the Army expences for the year would amount to 80 millions How could this country support such ruin ous expenditure ?

In the House of Commons-the same

subject was introduced by Lord Castlethe British, were a green army:-the Dutch, reagh, who observed that the Allies, except Belgians, Hanoverians, and troops of Nassall, were chiefly young soldiers. Deducting the absent corps, 25,000, and others distributed along the line, the number in action was but 64,000 men, to sustain the

attack of the whole French army. Our loss was great but the relatives had the consolation of knowing that their friends fell in the most just war that was ever waged for the maintenance of public right 9,805 and principle. His Lordship moved thanks, as in the other House.

Grant to the Duke of Wellington. In a Committee of Supply, the Chan16,854,102 cellor of the Exchequer moved a resolu