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CALL OF THE HOUSE.] Mr. Bennet, in the absence of his right hon. friend (sir John Newport, who was prevented by illness from attending in his place), rose to move for a call of the House of which his right hon. friend had given notice. He said the present state of Europe, and the great number of important matters which claimed the attention of the House, and particularly the Bill for reviving the Property-tax, against which there had been more petitions than had ever been pre-made, when the call would take effect. sented against any measure that was to engage the attention of the House, required that all the members who were not prevented by illness, or other unavoidable misfortunes, should be present. Those numerous petitions, indeed, more than any other cause, rendered this motion the more necessary, because it would thereby enable the people to ascertain which of their representatives attended to their complaints, and which did not attend to them, but in direct opposition to their sentiments sup ported a measure that had been shown to be so universally odious and obnoxious to the whole mass of the people. He concluded by moving, "That this House be called over on Monday next.".

of the House justified,-a full attendance was desirable, on a variety of subjects. With respect to the Property-tax, he should not have thought the call necessary solely on account of that measure; but at the same time he thought it proper that the sense of the House should be fully taken on it in one of its stages. He proposed that it should be read a second time that day, committed on Friday, and that the report on the third reading should be

The motion for the Call of the House was then agreed to.

Lord Castlereagh agreed in thinking that in the present state of Europe, it was desirable that there should be the fullest attendance of the House. Adverting to several notices on the Order Book, if he might be permitted in his turn to put a question to an hon. and learned gentleman opposite, he wished to know whether he meant to bring forward the motion of which he had given notice, respecting Naples, on Tuesday next; and if he knew whether the motion of his hon. and learned friend respecting Genoa would come on upon Thursday next?

On the order of the day for the second reading of the Property-tax Bill, sir M. W. Ridley said he opposed the second reading, and would oppose the Bill in every stage. The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Friday.

ALIEN BILL.] On the order of the day for going into a Committee on the Bill being read,

Mr. Bennet wished to make an observation on the burried manner in which it was attempted to pass this Bill. The Bill was read a second time on Friday last; and the members did not receive their their copies of the Bill till after that stage. Although he lived near the House, he did not get his copy till Saturday morning. During the whole of the last century, in which there had been two civil wars, and a war with our colonies, no measure of the kind had ever been resorted to, till the time of the French Revolution. He was not one of those who thought it even then necessary; but would any man say that there was any resemblance between the present period and the period in question? It was a ridiculous dread that was entertained, or affected to be entertained by his Majesty's Government, of foreigners in this country. More information was derived from our newspapers respecting our affairs, than from all the spies put to

Mr. Horner assured the noble lord, that he would generally obtain a prompt answer from himself or his friends. His hon. and learned friend (sir James Mackintosh) meant, as he understood, to bring forward his motion on Thursday next; and he him-gether. But the measure vested the Goself should bring forward his motion respecting Naples on Tuesday next; and his motion respecting New Orleans the first open day.

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Mr. Bennet wished to know in what manner, as to time, it was proposed to carry the Property-tax through the House? He was anxious it should be discussed in a full House.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, under existing circumstances, thought the call

vernment with the power of sending out such foreigners as might render themselves obnoxious to them, or those persons whom they wished to favour. It was converted mto an engine of the most oppressive tyranny. He had heard of a meeting in Suffolk-street, of a few miserable Italians, assembled to celebrate the prospects which they thought were brightening up for their country, that had been lately dispersed by a familiar of the Alien office. What

to take measures for strengthening his forces by land and sea, they ought not to arm the Government with those civil powers which might make such exertions more effective. He hoped, therefore, the House would agree to go into the committee.

Lord Archibald Hamilton said, there was a great difference between the present period and that of 1792, because we were then at war with almost all Europe, and now we were in alliance with them all

were those unfortunate foreigners guilty of, that could warrant their being sent off from the country at a moment's notice? He understood that one of them had held a sort of correspondence with his Majesty's Government as agent of Murat; and it was possible that he might be in possession of some of the correspondence which had lately been published. All sorts of abuses had taken taken place under the Alien Act. Every one had heard of a Lord Chancellor's sending a foreigner out of the country because he conducted himself ill in a law-except France. He objected to granting suit; foreign clerks had been sent out of the country because they were in love with their masters daughters. It was a system more like the Inquisition of Madrid than any thing else. There were Alien-office familiars going about in every quarter, pursuing unfortunate foreigners. Those unfortunate exiles from the Spanish governments of Europe and South America, were in the greatest state of alarm lest they should be hurried out of the country. For these reasons he opposed the Speaker's leaving the chair.

Mr. Bathurst said, the hon. gentleman had complained that the Bill had not been printed before the second reading. The Bill, as he formerly stated, was almost a copy verbatim et literatim of the former Act; and, therefore, the printing of it had not been so necessary as if it were a new measure. It had, however, in point of fact, been printed before the second reading, though it had not got into what the hon. gentleman might call proper circulation. If the measure were at all proper, he thought it must be felt that it ought to be passed as soon as possible, and it would therefore have been improper to delay the second reading of it till a printed copy could be in the possession of every member. The influx of foreigners into this country was known to have been very great for some time past. Many of these, it was probable, came with hostile views, sent by the present French government. It was for the House to determine whether, under such circumstances, it would be improper to adopt a measure which was first brought forward as applicable to a state of war, the principle of which had been recognized in peace, resorted to a second time when the late war broke out, and again recognized last year in a state of peace. The House would determine, if such an act was not necessary in the present state of things, and if, having called upon the Prince Regent, in their Address, (VOL. XXX.)

such extensive powers, which had been abused in the case of Mr. De Berenger and others, and therefore should oppose the going into the committee.

Mr. Addington said, that he imagined the hon. gentlemen opposite were hardly aware of the immense influx of foreigners within the last few months. No less than 1600 had arrived since the landing of Budnaparté in France was known, and most of them with passports signed by Buonaparté's government. Was there no reasonable ground for apprehension, especially when it was known, that many of these persons had commissions to purchase arms for the adherents of the new government of France? He did not pretend to say, that this measure would enable ministers to discriminate between the innocent and the guilty, but it would do the next best thing-it would give power to detain them until inquiries were made into their characters and conduct. He had some apology to make to an hon. gentleman for having come into the House while he was speaking; and there was part of the hon. gentleman's speech respecting some Italians in Suffolk-street, which he was just concluding, and which he would be obliged to him to repeat.

Mr. Bennet said, he wished to know whether it was true, that about eighteen Italians who met in Suffolk-street, among whom was the Chevalier Stocco, the agent of the king of Naples, a person of the name of Petroni, and others, had been arrested by order of Government?

Mr. Addington replied, that he was altogether unacquainted with the circumstance.

The House then went into a Committee, the blanks in the Bill were filled up, and it was ordered that the Report should be brought up to-morrow.

NAVY ESTIMATES.] The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved, that the House (3 F)

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should resolve itself into a Committee of | felt confident no charge would be more Supply, and that the Navy Estimates, cheerfully voted than that which was intogether with the estimates for several tended to provide for the comfort of those miscellaneous services, be referred to the whose gallant exertions had borne us said Committee. The Speaker having left triumphantly through a long and arduous the chair, war. The next great head of expendiSir George Warrender rose. He said, he ture in these estimates, was for building thought it unnecessary for him in bringing and repairing ships; the extensive naval forward the Navy Estimates to go into any war in which we had been engaged, had great length of detail. Any explanation made it necessary, at the close of the conthat the Committee might require he would test, to have great naval repairs immeendeavour to afford. The sums expended diately commenced. This, with a view for the service of the Navy were divided to public economy, it was found proper to under two heads, the one consisting of commence without loss of time. This expenses connected with ships afloat, the had caused a considerable expense; but a other with the pay of the civil offices and great reduction, to the amount of 236,000%. all expenses connected with ships not had been effected by the arrangements afloat. A great reduction had been made made with respect to the King's-yards. in the general expenditure of the Navy, He congratulated the Committee on these by reducing the number of hands, and by arrangements, which would in future furplacing officers on half-pay. This, how-nish the country with an adequate supply ever, caused a very considerable excess of large ships. It was unnecessary for him to be created under the head of half-pay, to speak of the public works, which had amounting to 436,3961. This excess arose already been brought before the House. from three causes; from the increased He should not enter on these, unless infornumber of persons placed on half-paymation were called for. Great sums had from the increased amount of the half-pay been thus expended, and in particular on itself, and from the extensive naval pro- the Breakwater at Plymouth Sound, which motion which had taken place. The had cost 250,000l. These expenses, howHouse would recollect the plan which had ever, he trusted would be found to have been formed for better rewarding long and been wisely incurred, and the great work meritorious services. The inconveniencies he had just mentioned he had every reason which it was feared would attend it, he to hope would answer the purpose for had the pleasure to say, had not been ex- which it was to be constructed. The perienced; the happiest effects had been estimates he had explained, made together found to result from it, and it had given 3,405,400l. being 200,000l. less than the general satisfaction. The mode of reward- corresponding estimates of last year. He ing masters mates, and midshipmen, which had to propose an additional vote for had been preferred to giving them half- for 20,000 men. Last year 70,000 men pay, had been found more beneficial to were voted for the navy, to these, in the them, while the country was spared such present instance, he, as he had already an expense. An arrangement had been stated, meant to call for an addition of made, by which, in time of peace, they 20,000 men. The total expense of the would all have been employed; and, in navy from the papers produced last year, addition to this, an extensive promotion to had been 17,265,000l. The estimates bethe rank of lieutenant had taken place fore the House in the present year made from among the masters-mates and mid-it 12,526,7781. giving a difference of shipmen. This promotion, much to the honour of the noble lord at the head of the Admiralty, had been made in the best possible way; as those who had been promoted were selected on no grounds whatever but those of merit and service. Having briefly explained the causes of the excess which appeared for half-pay, he thought it unnecessary to enlarge on the subject, as the House had always been ready to bear testimony to the distinguished merit of those who were benefitted by it; and large as the sum was, he

4,739,000l. He was happy to say the navy was in as good a state as it had been in at any period of the war. It was in such a state of efficiency, that should the service of the country require a very large fleet, it could almost immediately be brought forward. It might be satisfactory to the Committee to learn, that all the public ship-building had been transferred from the merchants to the King's yards, from which a great future saving might be anticipated. He concluded, by moving for a supply for 25,000 men (including

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5,000 royal marines), for ten lunar months. Sir M. W. Ridley wished to put a few questions relative to some of the items in these accounts: for instance one of 5,000l. for parish duties, lamps, and other expenditures for public use; another was 14,000l. for disbursements of a similar description; and a third of 10,000l. There were other sweeping sums for the navy departments at Deptford and Portsmouth, upon which some explanation, beyond stating the round sums, was due. Whilst looking to unexplained large points, he could not but lament a reduction in one which ought to be liberally maintained -he meant the superannuated or compas sionate list. With reference to public works, he could not overlook the uncertain mode in which estimates were inserted; several of these were rated at uncertain sums. In proof of this, he adduced the sums expended upon Plymouth chapel; during the present year 5,400l. was voted for that purpose. The works thus indefinitely marked, amounted to 229,000l., 38,000l. of which had been thus expended. He had no doubt that the public service might require such appropriations; he only complained of the loose way in which they were stated.

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nature, he was only surprised that it was not more. To meet some of these roundlystated sums, according to Mr. Bankes's Bill, the fees of several offices were in part applied, and there were two audits for their regular examination. The amount of this branch was certainly smaller than it had been last year. The telegraph estimate stood over since last December, and was for actual service; the reason of its being deferred was, that it should have the benefit of discussion with the other parts of the public expenditure. The telegraphs had since been pulled down, but they were now in active preparation for renewal. The old stores disposal was in other hands than his for execution. He could only answer, that full and ample publicity was given before each sale, and it was competent for any person who had any complaint to make of this matter, to state such complaint to the Navy Board or the Admiralty. For his own part, he never heard that any malversation had been complained of.

Sir M. W. Ridley, though glad to hear of good regulations, thought there could be no objection on the other side, to produce or obtain general estimates of the public works in hand.

Sir G. Warrender observed, that the Mr. W. Smith thought the income of preparation of distinct general estimates 600l. per annum given to the paymaster had only been the practice since many of widows pensions, seemed more like a public works had been commenced. As provision for the person than the proper to the Dock-yard items, they were more pay of the office. He felt this the more, immediately within the department of his when he compared it with the small hon. friend, the Secretary to the Admi-income of the Astronomer-royal, a person ralty, who would doubtless give the necessary explanation.

Mr. Gordon solicited an explanation of the sums of 1,000l. 500l. &c. for Sheerness, and other contingencies; also 5,000l. for parish duties, lamps, &c. There was another expense of 500l. for the Inspector of Telegraphs; now this salary, he thought, should have expired with the duty for which it was given, for the Telegraph service must have ceased during the last year. The 526,000l. credit for old stores, recalled to his recollection the circumstance that great mismanagement prevailed in the mode of disposing of this species of public property this ought to be inquired into, and remedied.

Mr. Croker replied, that as to the 5,000l. for small items, the estimate was taken from the details of the last year, and exposed to two checks, which of course controlled it properly. It was reduced to the lowest possible sum, and, considering its

who must stand high in point of education and science, and who must hold an extensive correspondence in every quarter of Europe: his salary was but 2921. per ann. and 100!. for an assistant. To such an office he would be glad so see an augmentation. The chaplain-general of the fleet had 500l. to this he certainly did not object. He complained of the expense of the naval hospital at Yarmouth, which had cost 100,000l., besides 20,000l. for building an officer's house near it. The hospital was constructed to hold 500 patients, yet had never at one time-not even when the patients of other hospitals near had been carried to it, while they were being repaired-had more than 150 in it. The regular average was considerably under 100; he believed about 70. He did not know where the blame lay, but it appeared to him the sums laid out upon that building, were much greater than the advantages to be expected from it; and for

those actually derived from it, he thought the public paid ten to one more than they ought, and that the expense of the officer's house might have secured the whole of the benefits obtained from this expensive establishment to the navy.

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officers so employed, and that the office was sometimes a good one, and at other times the reverse, Now, upon inquiry, he found that the et ceteras in this case were no less personages than the duchess of Oldenburgh, the prince royal of Wirtemberg, prince Hardenberg, the Russian and Prussian ambassadors, generals Bulow, and Yorck, with their several suites.

Mr. Ponsonby rose to do justice to the feelings of captain King, who would be the last man in the service to take money for a duty which he did not perform, or to make a demand which was not strictly and honourably correct. Now, the fact was, that instead of his having made one trip from Dover to Calais with those illus trious personages, he had made four or five, and was actually out of pocket several hundred pounds, over and above what he had been allowed for that duty.

Mr. Croker said, that the circumstance of the item having been annexed to the name of marshal Blucher alone, might have arisen from his name being first on the list in the warrant, and that it was thought unnecessary to insert the whole.

Mr. Croker explained. He said the situation of paymaster of widows pensions was first regulated under a charter of George the 2nd. A great deal of trouble was involved in the duties annexed to it; for the parties were paid quarterly, and in their several places of residence. An alteration had lately been made in this office, and the present remuneration was agreed upon, in lieu of the emolument arising to the paymaster from the use of the public money which be occasionally held, and which left him a greater profit than his present income. The sum in the estimates was paid to the Astronomerroyal for a nautical almanack, and formed but a small part of his emoluments. The hospital at Yarmouth, if not much used now, before the expedition to Copenhagen, while the Dutch fleet was strong, and France had a formidable naval establishment at Antwerp, at that time as the eyes of Great Britain were anxiously fixed on the north, was likely to be of great importance. Had that state of things continued, it was likely that hos pital would have caused a great saving not merely of money but of human life; and any expense in forming this establishment was well incurred, to avoid having recourse to those wretched places formerly in use, he meant the temporary hospitals, Mr. Gordon would wish to know whether there was any diminution in the ex-lyne, who had a large private fortune; and penses of the inspection of telegraphs? There were twenty clerks employed in time of war, and surely so many could not be necessary in time of peace.

Mr. Bennet wished to know what was done to compensate captain Usher, or whether there was any measure in progress to do him justice.

Sir Charles Pole said, that captain Usher was an officer of the highest merit, and that his services and his wounds deserved from his country the greatest attention.

Lord Castlereagh said, that the business with regard to captain Usher was in a state of progress.

Mr. W. Smith took notice of the sum of 6021. paid to captain King, for carrying marshal Blucher, &c. &c. from Dover to Calais. He had heard there was a mode of average struck for the remuneration of

Mr. R. Ward said, that as to the emolu ments of the Astronomer-royal, they were derived from three sources-from the Admiralty to the amount mentioned in the estimate, from the Ordnance the sum paid was 100%, with coals and candles, and the Royal Society paid about as much; so that, in all, the salary amounted to 7 or 8001. a year, together with Flamstead House.

Mr. Giddy said, that the salary of the Astronomer-royal had very properly been increased since the death of Dr. Maske

be thought a still greater increase would be advisable. If the establishment at Flamstead-house was increased, so as to form in some sort a school of astronomy, the expense would be amply repied by the beneficial influence of such a measure upon astronomical science, as far as it was applicable to naval purposes.

Mr. Whitbread observed, that the minuteness of the estimates was truly laudable, and was carried to such an extent that 41. was inserted as the expense of catching rats-[A laugh]. He was no tsurprised at this item; but from the multitude of rats' in that department, he had expected to have found another item of 401, for burying those which had been taken. But, passing over to larger matters, he wished to point the attention of the Secretary of the Admiralty to the notorious fact,

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