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THIRD EDITION.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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HOUSE OF COMMONS . ( Concluded from our sixth page . ) found that the same oppressive proceedings were in jobs ; instances chargeable on the cultivators of the soiL—iheai , hear . ) He would read to the House a statement -which appeared two er three weeks ago in the public neirapapew . Tb * proofing to which it referred , took place in a county magistrates' office on Monday , Feb . 1 * . trhen there were present Messrs . H . S . Olivier , W- Hnghes , and T . H . Grubbe . The Hon . member then read the foIlovrtBJt paragraph from the Wiltshire Independent : — " JeSy Dowse , a labouring man , was charged ¦ with damaging a maiden oak tree , the property of the trustees of the late Mi . Watson Taylor , at Urchfont . A policeman stated that he raw the dtf ^ ndast go from his
bouse to & tree , into which he climbed asd cat wood with a billhook , fie then west to him acd stopped fcim , and took away the hook . This was before six o ' clock in the morning . It was bright moonlight . Mr . yew said that the damage was la . Bows * , in his defence , aid , 'I was driven to do this by distress , to get soniegung to make a fire to wash clothes for my family . I ' ve a wife and five child en ; and no week this winter have I earned more than 7 * . Last week I only earned 6 s . 3 d . ; and out of that I paid Is . 10 Jd . rent , and 9 d . for firirjg , and what was left ( 3 s . 7 | oL > was all we had to keep seven persons One of the Magistrates—You need not hare married ; besides your distressed condition did not authorise yon to steal . Dowse—No , Sir ; but distress drives one to do what you would net do at another time- If I go to prison , I shall have some victuals to e » t , that's one comfort A Magistrate—You haTe an
honest fice ; it is a pityyou should do such things . Yon look honest . lA more respectable-looking labouring man we have seldom seen . ) In answer to one of the magistrates , Dowse said thst he had been digging for Mr . John Snook , and before that for Mr . Weeks . Fined 10 s . ineluding costs Dowse—I could nt < tpay 104 , much less 10 s . I must go to prison , I snppoBe . Hewas committed for fourteen days . " If the House would set about devising a remedy for such a state of things they must look to the povwty which overspread the people both in the rural and manufacturing district * . "Whilst this poverty existed they must txpect to have such complaints urged upon them again and again ; and , however discreditable to the Souse and the country the statements might be which had been made by the Hon . Member for En&resboroagh , he was glad they had been brought forward , and he hoped the Hon . Member would insist on their feeing fuUy investigated .
Mr . Lajtbtos , as the representative o ! a northern constituency in some degree affected by the statements of the Hon . Member for Knaresborongh , f-xpressed a hope that he would move for a Committee forthwith . Mr . Feb&asd said he had brought forward these charges in reply to Hon . Gentlemen opposite . The Hon . Member for Wolvexhampton told him a few nights ago that the matter should sot be allowed to rest where it was , and he thought the Hon . Member would instantly have moved fer a Select Committee to enable bfan to prove the charges he had made . He was prepared that instant to produce his authorities to the House , or before a Select Committee , whenever it should be appointed ; and he had made up his mind himself to move before Easter for a Committee to investigate the whole matter , nnless some other Hon . Member should do so before Friday nerL
Mr . Viujebs said he had not allowed the matter to rest , having proinced to the House the names of upwards of 100 manufacturers who broadly and moat nn :-qwvc-cally denied the charge . After some sentences from Captain Pechell , Mr . O'COSSELL , in moving fer a return of the persons who had registered arms in the county of Downe , imputed a recent murder in that county to the spirit of Oxangeism . Lord Eliot gave some explanations , and expressed the regret of the Government . He believed , however , that the offence had begun upon the Roman Catholic aide . The production of the rsturn was agreed to . The Speaker having left the chair ,
Sir H . Hxedibge brought forward the Army Estimates , proposing an addition of 1 , 44 ? men to the force voted in the last esamite . making a total of 95 , 628 men , exclusively of the troops employed in India . He explained the necessity of reliefs for some regiments which had for many consecutive years been kept abroad ; and observed th&t efficiency was the trne&t economy . Lord Howick was understood to express his approbation of Sir H . Hardinge's statement . Lord Arthcb Lessox thought that in the present siate of our reitions with America and Francs , a larger force should have been proposed . He wished , too , that more of encouragement should be bestowed upon the service , in order to induce good men to ' join it Mr . Macaux * y said a few words .
Sir H . Haedisge , in mating some additional obser vations , declared that her Majesty kad now six batta-Ikms in the completes * order , ready at any moment to be seat to any quarts of the globe . Sons conversation about the depot rystam took place between Sir H . Hxrdikge and Lord Johx Kttssell , in the course of which Lord John expressed his general f flTn ^ rrypTTfy . in tijg vote . Mr . Williasss thought that the statement of the Ways and Means ought to have preceded the discussion of the Estimates . The revenue fell short of the
expenditure in the last year ; and the expenditure in this yetr was greater then in the last- The deficiency was 2 ^ millions in last year , and in this year it would be more . He saw no occasion for so large a force , and would move a reduction . He objected also to the smomt of the half-pay and retired allowances ; to the late brevet , which be said that the army had not Merited by any recent services : and to the pensions aDewed to widows . He proceeded in a similar vein of criticism through Tarieus other items of military expenditure .
£ > ir HO-K-A 2 D Douglas was not surprised that the late Ministers did not resist the now proposed provision ; it waa only what they themselves ought to have reeoumieBded . Tfes reliefs of the army had hithejto beea very insufficient , as was also the force now employed in India . He insisted on the impoitance to the troops of religions instruction , of libraries , and of ssvings ' -banks . Captain Latakd wished iaat the soldiers' pensions should be increased , and that , after ten years , a soldier should be entitled to a free discharge .
Sir H . Habdikge inclined to concur in the opinion that tie period of service entitling s soldier to his discharge inight be usefully shortened . As to the increase of pensions , the difficulty was chiefly a financial one . Wnh ieq > eci to Mr . WHIiams ' s observations , he stated , that seven battalions of the proposed force were required for the war in Ckina ; and that the half-pay list had been nmeh diminished , but could not be fnr-2 a reduced , except by death , the officers being now , foi the mort part , too old to be recalled into active Rrvice . As the number of officers diminished by dsaih , the number of pensions to their widowB had unavoidably augmented . The service abroad was- so KT « e , that the reliefs must absolutely be increased ; £ Bd this required an increase in the total force . Mr . Williams said , that after the explanation given as to the exigencies of the Chinese war , he would forbear from dividing the House .
Mr . O'CO 5 Sell said a few words , and the vote was sffinned . On the second vote , for the sum required to maintain these forces , Mr . "Williams proposed to cut eff the erces s of pay received by the Household troops beyond what was received by other regiments . SirH . Hasdisge defended this extra pay , on the Pwmd of the peculiar character of these troops , ^ d the greater expense of living in the metropolis . Colonel Rawdox confirmed this view . Mr . WiLLiAiis , persevered in dividing the House , asd was defeated by a majority of lii ' against 12 . Mr . Williams , nothing daunted , took another oiTirion upon the vote for the volunteers , and was again defeated . The Committee then passed the remainder of the Army Estimates , and proceeded to those of the Ksvy .
Mr . CXTKiEis raised another discussion upon the ose of Elton , defending some parts of his conduct . Captain Beekelet gave a sketch of Mr . Elton ' s B » val life , impeaching him of habitual insnbordinitaon . Captain Hors vindicated the court-martial , and disapproved the clemency of the Admiralty in rexiittirig P * rt of the sentence . Some conversation followed about the effects to be erPected from the Merchant Seaman ' s Registry Act , 5 th and 6 th William IV ., c . 19 , which Sir a Napier considered a measure of great benefct te the any . The Committee then proceeded with the other Totes , * od the House adjourned .
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IMPE RIAL PARLIAMENT . —Tuesday . The Lords were occupied with the consideration or two Bills for Legal Improvement ; and the Commons -with various matters of little import to the People .
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HOUSE OF COiiMONS , Wednbsdat , Mabch 10 . The second reading of Sir Robert Peel ' s New Corn ¦ Dili led to a long debate , of not muoa interest , after the many long-winded speeches , pro acd con , already irren to the public Lord Ebnngton , Mr . Blackstone , Lord Howick , Mr . Shiel , Lord John Russell , Lord Worsley , and Sir C . Napier opposed the meagre while CoL Wood , Mr . Buck , Mr . Fakinton , «> a E . KcatehbulL , and Mr . Gladstone spoke in fa-Ton * of it . Sir R . Peel replied at « reat lpagth . The House then divided For the second reading ... ... 284 Against it ... 176 Majority ... ... 108 The Bill was then read a second time , and ordered to m committed ; a * we understood ) on Friday .
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Northern Star-Office , Saturday Morning , Twelve o'Clock . The Budget is at length out . We give below at great length , the speech of Sir Robert Peel He is a bold man . He tells the country plainly that he will not reduce the public expenditure ; he admits honestly that ihe poor are robbed already as much as they well can be ; and he proposes to take , directly , from the pockets of the Moneyocracy the sum of £ 3 , 755 , 0 * 0 for meeting the deficit of the revenue , in the shape of an Income Tax . In this measure he says , that his colleagues
unanimously concur . We Bhall see what effect this proposal will prodnce upon the monied classes . There ¦ will be a precious stir ! we calculate upon having Chartists springing up like mushrooms ! Let not the people however be fooled by all this . Whoever pays the Three Millions directly , they will have it all to pat is the long ecx . Sir RoBEBr will make no reductions . The whole dead weight must still hang upon our necks , and will do so while we consent to carry it . Is is not in faction to relieve the people honestly ! _
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HOUSE OF COMMONS , Fbidat , Mabch 11 th . In answer to a question from Mr . J . S Wortley , the fearful accounts from India were confirmed by Sir R . Peel . Some other business of less coneeqnence transpired , after which the Right Hon . bart . brought forward his
BUDGET . The Order of the Day for the House resolving itself info a" Committee o £ Ways and Means having been read , and the Speaker having left the chair , Sir ROBERT PEEL rose , and addressed the Hon ? e as follows : —Sir , —As the House has consented to vote those estimates which her Majesty's Government have considered it their dnty to propose for the chief military establishments of the country , I rise for the purpose of redeeming the pledge which I . gave , that I would avail myself of the earliest possible opportunity , consistently with Parliamentary usage and public interest , to develope the views of her Majesty ' s Government in reference to the financial and commercial policy of the country .
Sir , no man can feel more deeply than I do the magnitude and extent of the duties that devolve upon me—no man can feel more conscious than I do , how disproportionate are my intellectual powers to the proper parformance of these duties . Bat I should be unworthy of the trust committed to me—I should be unfit co attend in this place , in which Ministers of the British Crown have stood , if I could frel disheartened or disturbed—if I conid abate anything of that composure and contentedcess of mind , or of that bnoyancy of spirit , which ought to sustain every public man when he enters on the fearless and faithful discharge of a great public dnty , and when he is conscious that he is actuated by no motives t' at are " not honourable and worthy , and when he feels a
deep and intimate conviction , according to the best calculations which his imperfect and fallible judgment can enable him to form , that that which he is aboat to propose is conducive to the welfare—he might almost Bay essential to the weJl-being of this great country . Sir , from seme of the embarrassments which accompany an official statement I am relieved . It is sometimes necessary to maintain great reserve—to speak with great caution ; a due regard for the publio interests may require—may impose ca you the duty of making partial disclosures of important facts ; bat , Sir , I am embarrassed by no fetters whatever—( cheers . ) I mean to lay before you the truth , the unexageer&ted truth ; and I do this because I think that in
great financial difficulties the first step towards improvement is to look them boldly in the face —( hear , hear . ) What is true of individuals—is true of nations —( hear , hear , heaT . ) There is no hope of improvement or recovery , if once you consent to conceal from yourself the real difficulties with which you have to contend . Sir , I have another motive for making a full and unreserved disclosure . It is my intention , oa the part of her Majesty's Government , to undertake the responsibility of proposing that which we think essential to the interests of the country . With you will rest the responsibility of adopting or rejecting the measures which we propose ; and it is therefor © fitting , in order that you may be able to discharge that duty , that you should have before you
every information—every element which is necessary toenable yon to form a InD and impartial judgment . Sir , 1 have two requests to naako to the House . The first is , that you will bear in mind that from the period when I bring forward this statement , I am left under comparative disadvantages—( hear . ) 1 speak particularly with reference to the estimates which I have formed from the probable revenue of the country . I have deemed it my duty not to delay the voting " of the supplies until thefiuancial accounts of the year shall be closed . If , after my estimates have been formed , with every desire that they should be just and accurate , I should prove to be mistaken , I trust the House will bear in mind that I labour under disadvantages with which otherB have not had
to contend . The other request I have to offer to the House is , that you would have the goodness to postpone your judgment until 1 have laid before you my whole plan , and that you will not judge hastily , by a partial development of my views , nor denounce me as proposing something unreasonable and insuit ' ng to ihe people . I earnestly hope that every man , giving to the consideration of this question a full sense of the reel , bnt not insuperable difficalties , will postpone his judgment until he has before him the whole of the plans of the Government— ( bear , hear , hear . ) 1 shall now proceed , Sir , in the ordinary manner , to state the facts with respect to the finances and expenditure of the cenntry , and I will , in the first instance , refer te the estimate which
vras formed by the R'ght Hon . Gentleman the late Chancellor of the Exchequer with respect to the probable revenue and expenditure of the country , on the 5 ih of April , 3842 . Events have proved that that Right Hon . Gentleman ' s estimate was as nearly correct as it is possible for an estimate to be . ( Hear , hear ) I think the Right Hon . Genfleman calculated that the income of the country might be expected to realise the sum of £ 48 , 310 , 000 . He calculated the expenditure fur the same period , that is . for she year ending the 5 th of April , 1842 , at £ 50 731 , 000 . There were some slight variations in tne votes which , of courie , the Right Hod . Gentleman icould not foresee at the time when he was speaking . There was , I think , a vote for the
Ordinance Estimates , -which wa 3 made in the first session of the present Parliament , and another for the Caledonian Canal , which were omitted in his calculation ; but the amount was so small , tbat it was hardly worth mentioning . The deficit was £ 2 . 467 , 000 . Of course it is impossible to say whether the Right Hon . Gentleman's estimate were perfectly accurate or not , because the proportion for ens quarter is not given . The actual produce , however , of ihe Revenue , from oih April , 1841 , to the ' 26 th of February , 1842 , was £ 43 . 733 . 000 : If you estimate that the receipt for the current quarter of the present year -will be equal to the receipt of the current quarter of the last year , you must add to the actual receipt , the sum of £ 4 , 323 . 000 : consequently the revenue would amount
on the ota of April to £ 48 , 053 , 000 , being less than the amount estimated by the R'ghi Honourable Gentleman by £ 160 , 000 . On the other hand , the expenditure will cot probably be so great as he estimated . The actual amount of deficit may probably be taken at £ 2 324 , 000 . As I said before however , I speak to the estimates , independent of the last quarter . 1 am giving the best estimate which I can form . I now proceed to estimate the income for the year ending the o ' . h of April , 1843 The Customs for the ensuing year I estimate at £ 22 v 5 ( J 0 . 000 . The Excise , on acconut of the unfa vonrable season formaltinglcalcolate a' £ 13 , 450 . 000 Of course , as a fayonrable harvest has a tendency to increase the excise revenae . it also has a t . ndc-ncy
to diminish the amount of revenue . from ths izn portaiion of foreign corn . On the other hand , if there be an unfavourable harvest , and _ your Excise revenue is in consequence diminished in amount , then there is son : ecomj . ersition to be expeetei from the revenue which : s renved from the import of foreign com . I s-hall the ^ take the Customs for the year , ending the oth < f ApriJ , 1843 , at £ 22 , 500 , 000 ; Exc-se , £ 13 , 450 , 000 ; Stamp ? , £ 9 , 100 , 000 ; Po . toffice , £ 500 , 000 ; Crown Land ? , £ 150 , 000 ; Miscellaneous Items of revenue £ 250 , 000 , making a total ettimateJ revenue for the year eading the 5 th of April , 1 S-J 3 . of £ 48 , 350 , 000- ( hear . ) 1 he expenditure , now that the Houre has fcanctioned thsWes for the Army and Navy can be e tuna ted with greater accuracy- The interest on the < -e ' : t will te £ 24 , 627 , 000 ; terminable annn : ticF , £ 4 , 076 , 000 ; interest on Exchequer Bills £ 722 , 000 ; making the
total charge on account cf the debt £ 29 , 425 , 000 . The charges on the Consolidated J ? nnU , including tha ( SYfl Litt , I tike at £ 390 , 800 . The iteas under this head axe so numerous that , 1 suppose , the Honse will not require me to go through them all . I shall then tike ihe whele cf them at £ 2 , 368 , 000 , making a total charge on the Consolidated Fund of £ 31 J 95 . 000 . The votes for the Army if ultimately sanctioned . will not amount to more t han £ 6 , 617 , 000 ; navy , £ 6 , 639 , 008 ; ordnance , £ 2 , 084 , 000 ; miBCeUaoies chargeable upon the annual grant of Parliament , £ 2 , 800 , 000 . The vote for Canada , including clothing for volunteers , and" other particulars , £ 108 , 010 . It was formerly understood that a corresponding amount would be expended on fortifications ia that country . The expenditure for Chin * I take at £ « 75 , 00 O for the present year . The vote for China consists of two parts , £ 175 , 000 to defray the arrears of expenditure fof the present year , The other vote is £ 0 * 0 , 000 , to
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meet the charges which are nesessary to provide for the actual expence during the year ending the 5 th of April , 1843 . The total amount of the estimated expenees of the country wUl thereby be £ 50 , 819 , 000 . The general expenditure of the country , for the year ending the 5 th of April , 1843 , 1 take to be £ 50 , 819 , 000 , the income at £ 48 350 , 000 , and the probable deficiency £ 2 , 569 , 000 ; but this deficiency is on the vote for the year , and the expenditure which it will be necetsary to provide within the year . To that deficiency ought to be added the charge which may be unavoidably incurred on account of Chinese hostilities . I do not contemplate any necessity to provide within the year for more than £ 5 W , § 00 ; but he would form a very inadequate estimate , indeed , of
the probable cost of the expedition , who should think that the whole expence would be limited to £ 500 , 000 —( hear . ) Sir , the expence of our expedition to China stands thus : —The arrears of sums due te the East India Company , to April 30 , 1841 . amounted to £ 708 , 000 . A grant was made in the session of 1840 of £ 172 , 000 . This left the arrears of former years to be provided for in 1341 , £ 535 , 000 . The estimate of the expenditure to the 1 st April , 1842 , was £ 658 , 000 , makiug the total charge to April , 1842 , nearly £ 1 , 200 . 000 , or exactly £ 1 , 119 , 000 . There was applied to that charge a grant of Parliament in the Session of 1841 ' -amounting to £ 400 , 000 , and there was also applied in India TOon » y out of the ransom of Canton amounting to £ 618 . 000 . You therefore have
to settle for the cost of 1841 thus : to be entered against the charge of £ 1 , 193 , 000 , a set-off of actual payment of the amount of £ 1 , 018 . 000 , and the arrears now amount to £ 175 . 000 . Looking to the extent of the preparations which haye been made for the continuance , I trust for the completion , of the Chinese war , I think you cannot safely estimate the cost for the year ending 5 th April , 1843 , at much less than £ 1 , 400 , 000 . We make provision in the present year for £ 500 , 000 ; but let us take the cost at . £ 130 , 000 , which is the lowest at which it can be fairly taken , there will be a deficiency tome time or other to be provided for of not less than £ 800 , 000 . Therefore to my estimated deficiency on the vote of £ 257 , 000 . yon must not lose
sight of a probable demand of £ 700 . , or £ 800 , 000 ; There may be votaa in addition to these ^—there may be votes on account of Australia , and other Colonies , "which are not included in the sums I have already stated . I do not take into account a charge whica it will not probably be necessary for us to incur—it is not exactly a charge ; but there are engagements into which it is necessary we should enter in aid of the credit of Canada for a loan to that colony of £ 1 , 500 , 000 . Bat that , I apprehend , will be independent of any actual charge , and the grant will merely be passed on the part of the country in aid of the credit of Canada . At the same time it is fitting that the whole state of our financial affairs should be fairly brought before the House . Now , in addition
to all this , those facts of which we have recently become cognizant , which have taken place in Afghanistan , may as far as I can form a judgment , imposed , upon her Majesty's Government the necessity of calling upon Parliament to sanction perhaps a considerable increase to the Army Estimates for the present year . I do not think it advisable that we should come to any hasty decision upon that subject , in the absence of official information ; but I have already received decisive proofs that this House , the representative of a great people , will be ready to make every effort which can be shown to be necessary for the purpose of repairing occasional or partial disasters , and vindicating the authority of her Majesty in India . Bear in mind , that in addition to any
estimate ot an actual deficiency of £ 2 , 570 , 000 , in addition to my estimate of the deficiency which must some time or another be provided for on account of the possible expenses in China , you must add that probable demand which I may ha ^ e : o make for an increase of the military or naval establishments of this country , iu consequence of the state of our affairs in India . Sir , for the purpo'e . as I said before of bringing before the House » full and complete , view of our financial position , I feel it my duty to refer to a subject which has of late occupied little of the attention of the House , but which , I think , might with great advantage , have attracted more of their consideration . I refer to the state of our Indian finance , a subject which , in former days , used to be
thought not unworthy of the consideration of Parliament . Sir , I am quite aware that there may appear to be no direct and immediate connection between tbe finances of India and the finances of this country ; but that would be a superficial view of the state , of our relations with India . Depend upon it , if the credit of India should become disordered—if some great exertion should become necessary on the part of the Indian Government —then the credit of England will be made to suffer , and the collateral and indirect effect of disorder in Indian finances will be instantly felt in this country . I am sorry to say that the Indian finances offer no favourable prospect * at the present moment , for the i-tata of the finances of this cur . try
I believe the Indian accounts are made up one mobth . later than the accounts in this country . With regard to the account , I have every reason ti look on it as a correct account of the position of the revenue of India . This account gives a statement of the gross revenue ia India , the charges paid ; and there are ttvo columns containing au account of the surplus . In the year ending April , 1836 , tatre was a surplus amounting to £ 1 , 550 , 000 : In tno year ending 5 ta of April , 1837 , tiere was a surplus of £ 1 , 100 , 000 . On the 5 th April , 1838 , it was reduced to £ 650 , 000 . On the 5 th of April , 1839 , there was a surplus ot £ 280 , 000 , and on the 5 th April , 1840 , so far from there being any surplus , there was a deficiency of £ 2 , 414 . 000 . I cannot calculate the
deficiency for the year 1841 at much less than £ 2 , 340 , 01 ) 0 . The House , then , will bear in mind that in the fulfilment of the duty which I have undertaken , ! present to them a deficit in the finance of this country for the current year to the amount of £ 2 570 , 000 . How shall that deficiency be supplied ? Shall we persevere in the system which we have acted upon for the last twenty-five years ! Shall we , in time of peace , have resort to continual loans ? Shall we try the issuing of Exchequer-bills i Shall we resort to the savings' banks 1 Shall we have recourse to any of these expedients which ( call them whatever you please ) are nv more nor less than a permanent addition to the debt of the country .- ?—( " hear , " and cheers . ) Here we have a deficiency of nearly £ 5 , 000 , 000 in two years ; and now I will ask what prospect , we have of a reduction in OUT expenditure ? Do you calculate , looking , without entering into detaile , looking at the condition of the whole of
our extended empire , aud the demands which are made upon us for the protection of trade , and bearing in mind also the intelligence which has lately reached us ; looking , I say , at all these things , do you calculate that with regard to the due honour and safety of the Crown and the country , that there is any prospect of a reduction in our expenditure ? 1 am bound to say I cannot . Is this the occasion of a casual deficiency in the revenue ! Ia it a deficiency arising cut of extraordinary circumstances ? Is it a deficiency for the last two years ? Sir , it is no such thiDg . It is a deficiency which has been gaining on us for the last seven or ei ^ ht years . The deficiency in the revenue on the 5 th April , 1838 , was £ 1 , 428 , 000 5 th April , 1839 , £ 430 , 000 5 th April , 1840 , £ 1 . 459 , 000 5 ih April , 3841 , £ 1 851 , 060 5 : h April , 1842 , £ 2 , 334 , 000
Thus Bhowing a deficiency in these four years of £ 7 , 502 . 000 . In addition to this there was the anticipated deficiency of the year 1843 , which he estimated at £ 2 , 570 , 000 ; thus , adding this te the deficiency already mentioned , there was a total deficiency for the six years , iu reund numbers ,-of £ 10 , 070 000 —( hear , hear . ) I hare here made a full and unieserv « d statement to the extent of the deficiencies which Parliament has to meet . I do so , in order that the House may ba made acquainted with the exact slate which the country is in , and in the full confidence that the resources of this great community are equal to the demand to be made upon them , and ia the belief that the energy and wisdom of Parliament will be ready to direct these resources
in a manner suitable to the occasion —( hear , hear . ) Well , with this proof of tho deficitnoy before you , will yoa have recourse to the miseiable expedient of a loan ? 1 certainly shall not be a party to such a course , ( hear , hear . ) With these facts before my eyfcF , I would not disgrace the situa-iion which I have the honour to occupy by such expedients ; and 1 hardly think that Parliament will adopt a course which is bo extremely objectionable ( hear . ) 1 hardly think tbat you , who have reduced the charges connected with the postage of the country , and who have in the preamble of the bill in relation to that subject , pledgee yourselves to redeem any logs arising from the reduction which has taken place ia consequence of that reduction—you will not have recourse to the
expedient to which I have referfed . I therefore call on you to redeem the pledge which you have given , and which I warned you not to give , ( hear , hear ) ; but having given it , I call on you now to redeem it . If , however , you are not bound by fie pledges of your predecessors , you are bound at all events by the engagements you have made ; for almost tee firit Tote you gave after your election was the adoption of & resoluton to the effect , that it was impossible any longer to permit the stats of things which existed , and which pre-Bemed nothing bot a continual deficiency of the reteaue
, * . nd that you would appl y yourselves without delay to the consideration bf the financial state of tin oouDtry , with the view of adopting gome means for equalising it * revenue and expenditure —( hear , hear ) . I apprehend , therefore , that with the universal consent of this Housp , and of the country fceaerally , I may abandon tbe consideration of any scheme ihat would propose to supply the deficiency by any such miserable devices , ( cheers . ) If I must have recourse to taxation , shall I then levy it on what is called articles of sufctenance—on those articles which may appesr to some as superfluities , but which are known to constitute aiticles of necessary consumption ? No ; for my part I cannot consent to a system of taxation which can possibly have this effect ; and I say , moreover , that I think I have given you conclusive proof that we have already ar-
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med at theutmoft lim-ta of this description of taxation—( cheers ) . I am speaking here of articles of luxury , which appear not to con ? t ' tat ? th » avtioles of oonsumption ^ moiigst the labouring olasseB-tfiear . ) Tbo Kight Hon . Gentleman opposite attempted to redeem the pledge which had been given by Parliament to repair the deficiency in the revenue caused by the defalcation in the Pot Office ; and he accordingly Proposed , in the year 1840 , that fire jpir cent . duty should be levied on attieJes of customs and excise , and ten per eent . oh the *« sessed taxes . The nett produce of the cuBtomsr and . ' excite , ending the 5 th of January , 1840 , Wai £ 37 , 911 , 000 . I wish now to carry y « nr judgments with me , for I am about to show you that the means are exhausted bv which men
thins tney could possibly find a remedy for the deficiencies that exist . ( Hear , hear . ) Now the -estimated ., -produce ' :, of . the inpre 3 ' = e of 5 per cent , on articles of consumption was f 39 , 872 , 000 ; the actual in reai l . ¦* " {] £ 38 , 182 , 000 ; the actual addition *^? > onnn to be - ' Sained by auob . 5 per ceut . was £ 1 , 833 , 000 ; instead of that sum the aotual increase wpt £ 262 , 000 ( hear , hear ;) that is , instead ot producjng 5 percent , additional , it has been little more thana £ per cent . —( hear , hear . ) On the other hand , the estimated result of the ( increaLo of the ten percent , on the Assessed Taxes ha been fully realiced ; Making an abatement for the depression of trade , I think none can resist the conclusion that the fire per cent , upon Customs and Excise will end in nothing but failurehear
—( , hear . ) I will then discard the notion orsupplying the deficiency by ircurring fresh debt ; and I have attempted to carry your conviction with me that we cannot look to increased taxation on artiolea of consumption . It is possible to resort to another means . Shall I reviveold taxes that have been long abolished 1 Shall I look to the Post-office as a possible mode of increasing the revenue ? I will not say that the Po 3 t-office ought not to be a source of revenue ; but I will say that the measure has not had complete and fair trial .: I am so sensible : of the many advantages that result from that measure , that 1 6 hould not consider myself justified in recommending any change for tb » present year—( bear , \ and cheers . )
Shall I , then , revive the toxen that were laid upon the great articles of consumption , and which were very productive \ Shall 1 revive the taxes upon salt , upon leather , and upon wool ? I don ' t know that with reapept to some—as regards leather , for instance—I don ' t know that the reduciioh took place with fairness- ( cheers . ) Sir , I am very much afra-. d that the full amount of the benefit in that direction w ? t not carried to the account of the consumer—( cheera . ) I' believe that you omitted to adopt the measure which , you ought to have adopted contemporaneously with the reduction of the duty upon leather , namely , the reduction of the duty upon the import of foreign hides—( hear . ) Sir ; X fear you reduced the duty but to promote a monopoly at
home . But , Sir , the question is not now whether wo shall reduce the existing duties—the question is , whether W 9 shall revive a duty , that has been abolished , and upon the faith of the abolition of which varioU 3 contracts and commercial and manufacturing arrangements have been made . I do not think I need argue against the revival of the duty upon salt , leather , or wool . Sir , shall I , then , resort to locomotion—( a laugh ) ?—shall I increase the tax upon railways ? I confess that nothing but hard necessity should induce me to derive revenue from them . Well , then , Sir , I have gas —( laughter . ) I should be also most unwilling to place a tax upon gas , and therefore I range the taxes upon locomotion and upon gas light in the same category as the taxes upon salt
and leather . Shall I hope for an incroase of revenue from diminished taxation—( loud cheers ) 1 Before I apply myself to this , let me remind you of the extent of your difficulties . I have confirmed confidence that there is a buoyancy in the cons'imptive power of this country to realise ultimately an increased revenue from decreased taxation ; but it requires a long process before that end can be attained . I have the firmest belief that any such plan as that proposed by the latie Government , or any other plan for raising the revenue by diminishing taxation , will not afford any immediate relief for the supply of any present deficiency . I have looked with considerable
attention to the effect produced by the reduction of taxation on articles of great consumption . I do not find in many cases that elasticity , which gives you , after a lapse of time , increased revenue ; but 1 do find in almost every case , if not in every casd without exception , that the interval of time which elapses before the same amount of revenue is received , is very considerable . On that ground , then , Sir ; 1 am led to believe that with the present deficiency , which is is necessary to provide for , you caunot look xo supply that deficiency by a mere reduction on articles of consumption , it ' you resort to that as the onlv means of supplying it —( hear , hear . )
THE NEW TAXES . I will now state what is the measure which I propose , —( bear , hear , )—Which I propose lihder the sense of public duty and under a deep conviction that it ia necessary for the public good . I shall make ah earnest appeal to the possessors of property . ( Cheers . ) Sir ; I propose for a time , and I never had occasion to mako a proposition with a more thorough conviction that it is one which the public interests of ( tho country require—I . propose that , for-a time to be limited , the Income of thfs country should be called upon to contribute a p re tain Bum for the purpose of remedying theso mighty and growing evils . I propose that the income o ! this country should bear a charge not exceeding 7 d .
in the pound , —( hear , )—hot amounting to 3 per cent ., being a charge of £ 2 18 a 4 d . per £ 100 , for the purpose of not only supplying tbe deficiency ia the revenue , but of enabling me with confidence and satisfaction to propose great commercial reforms , which will afford a reasonable hope of reviving our commerce , and making that improvement in our manufactures , which will soon react upon every other interestin the country ; and which > in apecuuiary point of view , wjll , by the diminished cose of articles of consumption , and by tho" diminished cost of living , be a compensation almost to every one for the pecuniary charge , but which by relieving you from the continuance of this mighty evil will more than compensate you for the amount . 1 propose that the
land occupied by tenants shall be estimated and taxed at half the rent . I also propose , for I see no reason why it should be otherwise ^ that all funded property , whether it bo the property of natives of the country or of foreigners , should participate in the charge , and be subject to the same burden . This is the nature of the proposition which it is my intjctiont ^ make ; wh i ch I make with the full , the unanimous concurrence of iny colleagues—( hear)—and with the decpe .-t convict'oh on tiieir minds , as on mine , that it is wise and necessary to imposo this tax . [ The Right Hon . Baronet , here entered iiito a long lUt of calculations as to-tho estimated amount of this tax , which he gave at about £ 3 , 775 , 000 , and which he thought should coritinuo
for five years ; but he would for the present limit the duration so as to give Parliamerit the opportunity to sanction the further continuation of the tax , at the end of tiree years . He felt some difficulty in applying this tix to Ireland , because there existed in that country no machinery for it $ collection . He thought , however , that Ireland should pay her quota ; but if ether means of raising it could be devised , he should prefer them . } I propose , therefore , tj levy a duty of If . a / jalloii upon lrith spiiits , and I firmly believe tnat ta Irish dittHIe'u , and to Ireland itself , considerable revenue may be derived , not oi / ly Without inconvenience , but wit : i po ; -it ; ve advantaged I hope ti realise from this £ 250000 . The other sources from which I wish to
derive some income , making with the former an equivalent for that I might have hoped to have received fiom apropeity t > x , are perfectly- ' legitimate ,- and their effect in operation will fall upon property . I propose , in respect tj the great mass of articles , particularly in respect to all tliose conniectid witiiproperryj to equalise the stamp dut es in Ireland with those in this country . Iexpect £ 160 , 000 on account of tie equalisation of stamp duties . And this to the . £ 250 , 000 to be derived from spirits , and I obtiin from Ireland £ 410 , 000 , and I have the most perfect conviction tbat this wero better , under existing circumstances , than if I had advised a new duty , and imposed a direct tax upon property . Then with respect to the Absentees—( hear , hoar , hear ) , I
propose that they should contribute to the property duty . By returning to their native country , and spending their incomes upon their estates , they may es . ape the levy which I mean to propose ; but by residing in this country , without any call of public duty , I think they ought / to be subject to a tax—( cheers . ) Sir , there is one other duty which I propose to impose . At present there is a duty imposed by the law of 4 s . per ton on coal exported in foreign ships . At the time that was imposed the policy of the law was of course to require revenue , but there is no duty imposed upon coal exported in British ships . The operation of the reciprocity treaty has beea to ^ exempt foreign ships from the payment of the duty , whioh was originally contemplated to be levied upon the expoit of coal ; . and I must say , that I cannot conceive that there is any more legitimate object oh which to impose a duty than upon coal exported to foreign countries-- ( hear , hear . ) I speak of a reasonable impost ; and upon
an article produced in this coui ; t .-y , the element of manufactures , necessary for the manufacture , contributing by its export to excite competition with the home market . If I can raise a reasonable amount of duty from a tax upon British coal exported to foreign countries , I think it a legitimate source of revenue . The sum derivable from it may be estimated as amounting to about £ 200 , 000 ; an amount which will be no inconsiderable increase to the revenue , and which will operate as few taxes do , to the eflcoarage * ment of native industry and domestic manufacture . Now having 6 tated to the House all the taxea ' . I mean to propose , perhaps it'may be convenient that I should show the total amount which I expect to derive from them . I apeak of the produce of them from the 5 th of April , 1842 . I propose that the new taxes should haye operation from the 5 th of April , 1842 . I calculate on obtaininj ? from these soorcea a total amount of £ 4 , 310 , 000—( here an obsexyatiotv was made by Lord John RusselU which did not reach the gallery . ) Yes , that will be altogether ,
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£ 480 , 000 . 1 deduct aow from that sum of £ 4 , 380 Q 00 the estimated deficiency , for which I must provide . ' That deficiency is £ 2 , 57 fc 00 p , which will leave a surplus of jei , 80 O , O 0 O . The House inu 3 t recollect that the deficiency was on the votes of the year . * I bate to add to that the excess of the expenditure in China , an excess which cannot be eitimated at leiss than . £ 800 , 000 . The expeBdituro that will probably arise from the ^ position of our isffairs iu India , may be calculated tt ) require also a very considerablededuction to he ^ made . frpm our estimate of surplus ; but reserving : these mattersi ' . I ^ calculate oh ft Burplus of £ 1 . 800 , 000 . The question then , is , how am I to deal with that surplus in a manner which I consider the most conducive to : the interests of ihe community . the most consoiiant to public feeling , » nd the best calculated to effect a great improvemtnt in our commercial relations—( hear . )
PROPOSED REDACTIONS . Sir , I look to the tariff , and I find that it comprises not less than 200 different articles which are Bubjcct to various rates of duty ; and during the interval which I have been in office I can only say , that each individual article of that tariff has been the subject of careful consideration by tho Government—( hear , hear ;) In the case of each article we tave attempted , ae well as we-could , to detei'Biine what is the proportion borne by the duty in each case to the average price of the articles , for the purpose of ascertaining to what extent it may be desirable to make reductions in the various duties—( bear , hear , : . h < - - ar . ) Sir , the measures which we propose , will include in their general principles a
complete revision of tho duties affecting those articles , and a general alteration of our commercial tariff—( cheera . ) The measures which we ^ ropbsej will proceed upon those principles for the complete revision ; of our tariff , which upon mature consideration , we have thought necessary—( hear , hoar . ) The general principle upon which we will proceed will be , first , the removal and the relaxa' ion ; of duties of a prohibitory nature ( hear , hear , and loud cheers ); and secondly ^ a reduction of the duties upon the raw materials for manufactures to a very considerable excent ( renewed cheering from the opposition ) . In some cases I propose to rotain merely a nominal duty , for the purpose of affording statistical iuformatibn ; and in no case , er in scarcely any case ^ will We
propose to lay a duty upon raw materials fur manu factures exceeding 5 per cent ; and as I said before , in many oases the duty will be merely a nominal one ( hear ) . With reipect to the duty upon articles which are pa rtly manufactured , I also propo s e a co . 'isiderabJe reduction , in no case to exceed 12 per cent . I don't mean that this 12 per cent , should be applied , but that is the general principle and naxiuaum of duty which I shall reserve , with the exception of certain articles to which I shall call the attention of the house by and bye . Now the course winch I shall pursue will be to have the whole of the tariff orr ranged under twenty different heads . For lii ^ tince , under the first head we shall have included live animals- ; -, aud provisions oi' all kinds ; under the second ; head spices ; under the third all ; descriptiou of seeds ; under the 4 sh wood for furniture : arid
under the 5 th pieB and minerals ; and in order to relieve myself from the neccsehy of going through the whole mass , I will propose the amended scheme of the tariff ( loud cheers and counter cheers ) , as clearly as possible under twenty different heads , classing , as nearly as in ay ; be , articles of ike same description and character . Eaoh of these schedules will contain five columas In the first column will be the name of the article ; in the second , the rate of duty ; in the third , the amount of duty aotially received ; iu the fourth , the proposed rate of duty to be levied on the article on its importatun from foreign countriea ; and in the fifth , the proposed rate of duty on the imports from British colonial possessions . Now it appeals that I cannot lay tho
scheme before the House in any clearer way at present ; for to attempt to go through the whole at present would be only to add to the great labour of the duty I am discharging , and fatigue the House . But hero is the whole of the tariff uader the : e different heads , and on Monday morning next the schedule will be laid upon the table for tho information of the commercial world . Of 1 , 200 articles of consamption , I propose to reduce the duty on 750 of them . These latter articles have relation to manufactured articles . With t ©* pect to the 450 aiticies 1 do not propose to reduce the duty . I am influenceG in this view of the matter iu consequeiice of the very trifling difference between the duty aud the actual coat of the article . But with
respect to the other 750 . ' . - / . articles , I do propose to reduce the duty most mate rially . There are some important reductions which I iutend to make iu these article . " , partly from consideration in reference t <^ i reyenue , and partly frdm this motive . There veere several treaties entered into by this country with other countriee , which are still pending . There was the treaty which had been entered into by the Noble Lord opposite ( Lord Palmerston ) , with Portugal , and which would have been cpmpleted but for the troubles which have taken place there . . We have also opened a negotiation with Spain , with respect to commercial matters , and we have strongly urged upon Spain the beneficial advantages that would result from such a treaty bfting
carried out . All I can say is , that the pro ^ ositioii has beon most favourably received . Similar negociations were also pending with South America , and we have intimated to irauce that wo should be happy to resume negociations in relation to the commercial treaty which had been proposed by the Noble Lord . I should be glad of the treaty being carried out , for it would fltreiigihen the ties of aniity and of friendly consideratiou between this country and France . I believe that France Would be a gainer , both morally and commercially , and tho industry of both countries would be benefitted , if those duties which interfere with trade were relaxed . This at all events would be the result , that the beneiii obtained by one commuaity will react upon the other
I say nothing of any probable period at which the treaty with France may be signed . I can only gay that it is my ultimate hope and conviction that the public mind of France will support the government in Buch a measure . Now while these treaties are pending , there are several articles which would be included ia the negotiations in respect of which it would be impossible to advise the Hjuso to make an vmtnediate reduction . I think when w « make relaxatiOKS , we OU ^ ht also to make the country to bebenefitted by it graut to us cotreapondeut advantages . I therefore think , to ensure this end , that it would not be wise to reduce the amount of duty on those articles which must form the basis of ne ^ ociation . Therefore I do not propose a redaction on
rhe amount of duty on brandy and wme , cherishing the hope that the duty may be relaxed when oerresponding relaxations are made , by foreign countries to be benefitted by the relaxation . Again , wiih respect to the various fruits on which i am most anxious torelax the duty , but which form the basib of negociation v l propose for tba , t purpes ^ to retain it ; notj . ' I say , with reference to revonue . but simply to facilitate negociation . I do not think that it is necessary for me to specify th 8 other articles which will appear in thei schedule . Now , theso various reduotions , the removal of prohibitions , the reyisal of prohibitory duties , the reduction of the duiesoii artlclda suchs a oils and ores , having a tendency to remove the burdens on commerce . ; theso various
reductions may , m my opinion , be tho medo or confemng great advaiitages on tho matiufacturescf this country , without incurring the risk of greaser loss to the revenue than about £ 270 , 000 . Having thus gpoken of articles used in mansfaotures , I- . new apply myself to tho consideration of the reduction oi ? duties on great articles of corisumption ; The chief articles Of consumption to which I shall aivert are sugar ,, coffee , and timber . With respect to sugar , T wish it weroin my power to state that her Majesty ' s ministers deemed it consisteut with their duty to say thtit they could advise any alteration of the / duties on that article . [ The Right Hon . Baronet then went at length into the reusons of his Government for proposing not to disturb the eixisting duty on sugar . ] With repect
to coffee , I am sorry to say that during the last year there has been a reduction in the cousumption . Thtre has been au inorease in the consumption of su ^ ar , but a decrease in that of coffee . I suppose I need scarcely inform the House what the present amount cf duty on coffee is . On foreign coffee the duty ia now Isi 3 d . per lb . ; on coffee from the British colonies 6 d . j while on coffee impoited from BritiBh possessions within the limits of the East India Company ' s Charter the duty is 9 d ;; the efftct of" this is , tha , t a considerable quantity of coff « e , the growth , of foreigh countries ^ come s into competition wirh our own protluceVex < 5 mPt from t'hs duty ef ls . 3 d . It is sent from Brazil and Hay ti to the Cape of Good Hope : and tho mere fact of its having bctn there ,
intifcles it to come in at the duty of Od . —rtheaiv , hear ) . 11 may cost them Id . per lb . for freight , &c , but even then it comes into com £ etUion with the produce of our own colonies at a duty of 10 d . I propose to reduce the duty on ceffee the produce of British possessions to ;; .-4 d . per pound , and on coffco tbe produce of all foreign countries to 8 d . Assuming that there will be no increase in the consumption , the loss from this reduction may be taken at i . 237 , 000 ; but , assuming an increase in the consumption to the amount of ten per cent :, the lbss ^ in such case , would then be £ 171 , 000 . Now add this amount to the loss which I have already estimated , the total amouuv will be £ 270 , 008 . I now oorae to the duty on timber-In respect to this question we are embarrassed v ; th
the consideration of the etate of the interests of our Canadian colonies . Tno present rate of duty on foreign timber is 553 . a load ; but the duty on timber is now levied in a complicated and unfair way . And in taking the average amount of duty on foreign tita ber , includiflg tho duty on deals , staves , aad laths ; taking the whole together , the aggregate ; amount will not exceed 41 s . a load . The duty on colenial timber is 10 s . a load , and here also the average duty may be taken at 83 . or 9 s . a load . ( Hear . ) In the year ending April 1844 , I propose that the duty on foreign timber should be reduced to 25 s . I propose also , that in the year ending April , 1844 , the duty on deals should be reduced from 30 s ., which is the proposition , with regard to its immediate operation , that it should be reduced to ' 20 i ., and in like manner , that on tbat jear the dut y on lath wood
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Bhouid be reduced to 20 s . I propose that toduty upon colonial timber BhpuW be reduced to ls . a load ; that the duty upon deals should be to reduced 2 s aload ; and that the duty on lath timber shall be reduced to 3 a . a , load . I estimate the total loss m this respect at hot less than £ 60 « , 600 a-year . I propose to remit altogether the duties on the export of Britishmanufeotures (" hear , hear" and cheer *) , which I find . Trill incur a loss to the revenue of £ 102 , 0001 . a-yeari 1 will call your attention to the duty upon stage coaches { and in dealing with this question you must consider the amount of competition which the proprietors of these stage coaches have to contend against , especially ori : those ^^ iines of road ^ where railways have ^ been established ; ¦ I propose , with
regard to stage coaches , an uniform mileage ; of ! £ d . ; and to take off altogether the assessed taxes —( cheers . ) This proposition , if assented to by the House , will lead to a loss of revenue amounting to £ 61 , 000 ; bnt it is a loss which I feel can be vindicated on the ground of strict and impartial justice —( cheers . ) I also propose to take off the duty imposed uppu persons who are in the habit of letting job carriages , and which will lead to a loss in the revenue of £ 9 . 000 , making a total loss in this department of the revenue of £ 70 , 000 . And now I will shortly review , at this stage of tay statements , : the wheld of the financial ari'ahgements . I calculate that the deficiency iu th * revenue up
to the 5 th of April , 1843 , wfll be £ 2 , 57 Q , Q 00 . The reduction on artielos ' df tariff will not entail a loss of moro than £ 270 , 000 . The loss on ootton £ 170 ^ 000 , the loss on timber « £ epi ) , 00 O , the loss arising from the repeal of the export duty on British macufactures £ i 00 , 00 & , and the loss irom st » ge coaches ^ 70 , 000 . The total loss to the community in conseqnehce of the reductions Which I propose WiJl / be . £ 3 . 708 , 000 . Against this I-lave to place the arapunt of the increased revenue which I expect to receive from the new taxation which is calculated at £ 4 . 800 , 000 ^ jChere will , therefore , be a eurplua in favour of the country of " £ 520 , 000 , to meet the inof ea ? cd ohat-Res of the country , arising from the state of . our relationa in . China , and in consequence of what may arise out of
pur stui pending commercial treaties with other couut tries . I have now laid before you , without reserve , the whole of the plaa of her Ms jest j * a Goverument . I have given you a full and explicit , but I believe an unexaggeiated , statement of ihe financial difficulties of the country . We havethought it our duty to give our cpuneel to tha Legislature , freely and unre ^ servedly- ^ -td give the best advice we could , leaving with the Legislature the responsibility of adopting or refusing the advico we thus give . I , on the part of the Governineutj have now performed that duty—( hear ^ hear . ) I , with the weight and authority of the Government , have brought forward what we deem requisite for the presinfe state of our ' finances- — ( hear , hear . ) And I now conclude , devolving on
the Parliament the duty of maturing our p ' a a if they approve of them ; at all eventB the responsibility of adopting or rejecting them . You wiU bear in mind that this isno ordinary period . You will bear in mind that there are indieations among all the upper classes of society of iucraased cdnafdrt and enjoyment ; of increased prosperity and Wealth ; and that , concurrently with these indications ; there exists a mighty evil that has been growing for many years—( leud cheers . ) You are now called on to relieve tbat evil . If you have for--titude and constancy , ao I firmly beiieve you have , you will not consent , With folded arms , to allow tha annual growth of this great evil . You will not reconcile ii , to your consciences to hope for relief from a diminution of taxation . You will not permit this evil to gain such gigantic Btrength that it will be fax its ' If
beyond your power to check " - progress . you do not take this course ; If you do permiti the evil to continue , you must expeet severe , - . but just judgment . My confideut hope and belief is , . that when 1 devpive the responsibility upon you , you will prove yourselves woi thy of your mission—of the mission and functions of the representatives of » m ^ htypeople ; that you will not tarnish the name that it is your duty to vkerish as your glorious iBheriiauce ; that you will not impair the character for fortitude ^ for good faith , which , in proportion as the empire of opinion supersedes and preponderates over the empire 6 f physical force , constitutes a free people , but , above alij the people of England , and gives them the power / of reputation and character . Thit will make the country powerful , bo as to repel : hostilo aggression , and maintiin an extended empire . ( f ho Right Hon . Baronet sat down amidfct loud and long-oor . tinued applause . ) ¦ .. . ;'
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CONFIRMATION OF THE WORST ACCOUNTS FROM INDIA BY THE GOVERNMENT ORGAN . We fear that there is now little hope of any mitigation of the deplorable accounts from Affghahistan . At a late hour yesterday wo ascertained that the intelligence received : at the office of the Board of Cpntrbul more than confirmed the worit statements in circulation ; but , as it appeared that these accounts merely echoed theimpresRious of the Indian Government , formed without official or authentic iuforniatidn , we adhered to the hope that the local authorities had been misinformed . Aiany private Jetters caused us to abandon that hope , which , though wanting an orBoialcharacter , aretraceable to certain
arid trustworthysources , agree ingiving the followiog outline of the sad disaster . On the 55 h of January , the British force to the number of about 4000 men . quitted tho entrenehed camp of Cabool under a convention agreed upon by Major Pottinger and Mahomed Ukhbar . The terins of the convention are not described further than tliat these terms guaranteed the unmolested retreat of the British to Jellalabad ,. w . Hh some equivalent advantage to be given to the iiis ' urgents , for the assurance of which advantage six British officers— the names of only three of whom we knew ( Messrs . Webb . Walsh , andConolly ) —were retained as hostages . The convention , however , as must have been apparent to every one acquainted with the perfidious character of the
Affghans , was made only to be violated ; for the British had- scarcely appeared outside of their entrenohmerts , when they were attacked by the whole Aff-han force , probably ten times their number j they fought their way , however , through-a , Jong and dangerous defile , to the point at ; whicn It narrows most , at the Konfd esbeol Pass , about ten or twelve miles from Cabool , Here tbeir position becoming utterlydesperate , they dismissed the v ^ omen in their company , surrendering them to an Aff ^ han escort , who carried them back to the city . At Tezeen , a little in advance of the pass , General Elphinstone and Colonel Shelton were made pvi&oners . This loss of their chief officers , and the severe defeat which probably caucediti was naturally followed by rest of
the disorganization of the army ; and the the attempted retreat was reduced to a series of desperate and desultory struggles , in which the immense tuperiorityin numbers of the enemy , and their occupation of ail the strong positions , enabkd them to destroy the whole army in detail—& few stragglers aloue escaped , almost by miracle , to Jellalabad . Among these was Dr . Brydon , who reached the last named placo in an exhausted and almost dying state , on the I 8 ih » a : fortnight ' after the commeuceiuent of the fatal unreal . ' . It was Dt . Brydort ' s misfortune to witnesa the fall of ^ even of hif brother officers , among whom are liamed-- / Brigadier Anquetil , Major Ewart , and Lieutenant Sturt . He also witnessed the capture of General Elpbinstone and CoL Shelton ( proof that the first had not died , as' was reported ! , and the
disorganisation of the army . We have not seen any particulars ' .-of-his ' " own escape . Such is the latest and most complete , and , we believe the most accurate , account of this melancholy aff ' u ' r , so deplorable in itself , and so uni ' ortuhato in its poatical .. influence , By this time the honour of the British arms has no doubt been 'fully vindicated , * but at what expense ? At the cost of rendering theoccupants otthe gatp of India for ever the implacable enemies of the British name . The murder Of Byrnes and M'Naghtenmns t be avenged , the Ireachery and cruelty of Mahommed Ukhbar inust be punished , or the whole of our Indian infiiience will be shaken to its centre . But how can this be made appear otherwise than unjust and tyrannical to the wantonly invaded Affghans i Such are / ever the retributive consequences of the first deviation from the ri&ht patn .- —Standard ; Friday . : ' . ,.. -. ' , /¦' .-. "¦ - . ' .. , ' . ' ' _ " ¦"''•'¦' . .
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NOMINATIONS TO TflE GENERAL COUNCIL / '¦;¦ LAMBETH TEETOTALLERS . . Mr . Edward Blackmbor , baker , 185 , Blackfriars' - road . ' - ¦ / -. '' : / .. ' - - -- '; ' : ¦¦¦ '"¦'¦ ¦ ¦ ' ¦ : " .. - - '' . : / ; - •;/¦' . - Mr . Charles Graham , smith , 24 , York-street , Yorkroad . . - ' " . ¦ ¦ '¦¦/ - . / :. - . - ¦ ¦ . - . '¦ •• ¦ . " ' . ¦' .: ¦¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' - ' . " . ¦ : . - ;¦ ¦ '• ¦ ¦ - Mr . Stephen Mackey , shoemaker , 14 , Herbert ' sbuildine 8 . "¦ ¦ ¦ . '¦ . ¦ - ' /' : .- : ¦'• ¦'' ¦ ' ¦' ' ' - ' -. ¦ ' - ¦ ' - . ' ¦¦ - - - - . . Mr . Richard HamblynjShpemakerjSZjCross-streefc , Blackfriars ' -road . Mr . James Baker , stonemason , 7 , Church-street , Waterloo-road . / / ' . ;" . '¦ ' :- . ;¦¦ - / .. '¦ ' : ¦ : Mr . Wm . Lyons , hatter , 53 , George-BtTeet , Blackfriars ' -road , sub-Treasurer . Mr . John Mawman , tailor , 3 , Berry -street , sub-Secretary . ' ¦;¦' : / .: ¦ /¦; .- / .. . •;/ : ¦ .. . '¦' , '¦ . ' ' ' " ' ' : / : / " . /¦ ¦' . " ; ¦ : ; - ¦ . ; soimiAMProJf . // . ¦/ .- / : ' / . - ¦ : " /'¦ " ¦¦ Mr . ( S . Goodman , ohairmaker , Bock of the Walls . Mr . J , HilU cordwainer , 8 , Sparroad . Mr . frajneU , brushmaker , Cnarldtte-sireet . Mr . Russell i cprdwainer , Russell-Court . Mr . Palmer , cordwainer Mo unt-street : .- / ' " . ¦ ; ¦ ; . ; / ' / . ' - - /¦ ; . HANLEY . ; / - ¦ ' ¦ : "; / -r- ¦ .- ¦ " - ' : - - - . ' Mr , Josaph Heath , china potter , Slack-lanei Mr . Moses Simpson , cordwuK ^ 9 | jM | jfBj § v §^ ton j sub-Secretary , : ' cL \^ - JL- ^ S ^*^ ' ' ¦
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. ¦ . T _ HE NORTHERN STAR , ¦ . ¦¦/¦ . " . i / -: /;/ - ,. /¦ - ' -, ' ; ¦• -. ; - - ; . : V ¦ -- ¦ : . ; , ; .: / " y ^ M ^ ^
Third Edition.
THIRD EDITION .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 12, 1842, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct421/page/7/
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