5th 1784, of 12,717,000%; and with the ave- | rage to Jan. 5th 1793, of 5,722,000l. 15. That the total value of British manufactures exported from Great Britain, in the year ending the 5th Jan. 1784,was 10,409,7137. and on an average of six years, ending 5th Jan. 1784, was 8,616,660.; that the total value of British manufactures, exported from Great Britain in the year ending the 5th Jan. 1798, was 18,336,8514.; and on an average of six years, ending the 5th Jan. 1793, was 14,771,019. that the total value of British manufactures exported from Great Britain, in the year ending the 5th Jan. 1800, was 24,081,000l., making an increase, as compared with 1783, of 13,674,375., and with 1792, of 5,748,000l. and on an average of six years, ending the 5th Jan. 1800, was 18,804,000, making an increase as compared with the average to Jan. 5th 1784, of 10,188,000/., and with the average to Jan. 5th 1793 of 4,033,000l. 16. That the total amount of foreign mer chandize exported from Great Britain, in the year ending the 5th Jan. 1784, was 4,332,9091. and on an average of six years, ending the 5th of Jan. 1784, was 4,263,930l.-That the total value of foreign merchandize exported from Great Britain in the year ending the 5th of Jan. 1793, was, 6,568,000l. and on an average of six years ending the 5th Jan. 1793, was, 5,468,014/.: that the total value of fo reign merchandise exported from Great Britain, in the year ending the 5th Jan. 1800 was 11,906,000l., making an increase, as compared with 1783, of 7,574,000l., and, with 1792, of 5,338,000l.; and on an average of six years, ending 5th of Jan. 1800, was 11,677,000l., making an increase, as compared with the average to Jan. 5th 1784, of 7,414,000l., and, with the average to Jan. 5th 1793, of 6,209,000l. 17. That the total sum to be raised in Great Britain in the year 1800, may be estimated as follows: viz. Interest of Public Funded Debt, Charges of Management, and Sinking Fund, on the 5th Jan. 1800, after deducting interest payable by Ireland.... Interest, &c. to be incurred and paid between 5th Jan. 1800 and 5th Jan. 1801, on stock created by loans in the present session to the amount of 19,307,000 962,000 Interest on Exchequer Bills, estimated to be the same as paid in the year to 5th Jan. 1800...... 1,021,626 The Civil List... 898,000 Other charges on Consolidated Fund, estimated to be the same as incurred in the year ending 5th Jan. 1800.... 239,297 Civil government of Scotland, estimated as before Pensions on Hereditary Revenue, ditto....... Militia and Deserters Warrants, ditto Bounties for promoting Fisheries, Linen Manufactures, &c. estimated as before.... 647,183 Charges of Management of the Revenue, estimated as before, includ ing the expense of collecting the Income Tax 1,757,543 Making the Total Permanent Charges to be defrayed out of the Gross Receipt of Permanent Revenue 24,832,649 Supplies voted for 1800, exclusive of 1,914,000l. to defray Vote of Credit 35,686,552 1799... 18. That the gross receipt of the Permanent Revenue (after deducting re-payments for Over Entries, Drawbacks, and bounties, in the nature of Drawbacks) amounted, in the year ending the 5th July 1800 to That further sums are applicable to the service of the year 1800 as follows: Surplus of Consolidated Fund, after completing Grants to 5th April 1800,...... Re-payments from Grenada, Imprests, and Lottery That the Tax on Income is estimated to produce, for the year 1800... 7,000,000 1,250,000 597,000 826,000 18,500,000 And a Loan for Ireland of 2,000,000 And that the remainder of the Supply for the year 1800 is provided for by a Loan, on account of Great Britain of $,000,000 3,000,000 And expected Additional Produce of taxes, 1800 Making in the whole the sum of 240,000 64,637,000 19. That estimating the gross receipt of the permanent revenue to continue the same as in the year ending the 5th July 1800, and adding thereto the additional expected produce of the permanent taxes imposed in this session of parliament, the total amount to be raised by permanent and temporary taxes, for the service of the year 1800, may be computed at the sum of 36,714,000l. 20, That it appears, by a report of a Committee of this House in 1791, that the .... And that the expense of the year 1792 amounted nearly to that sum. That the additional permanent charge incurred by the debt created since 1793, exclusive of interest payable by Ireland is That the additional charge to be incurred for increased amount of Exchequer Bills outstanding is ..... .... Interest on money for satisfying increased Navy Debt at 5 per cent at.. And that the future peace establishment (exclusive of any charges to be incurred .... 21. That the produce of the tax on Income, in the year ending the 5th of April 1800, appears to be ....... Voluntary Contribution Duty on Exports and Imports may be calculated at.. 16,816,985 15,969,178 8,582,395 55,000 150,000 131,650 200,000 700,000 25,788,223 5,801,624 And that the produce of the permanent taxes imposed previous to the 5th Jan. 1793, has, in the year ending the 5th July 1800, exceeded by nearly 2,000,000l. the sum estimated by the committee in 1791, as necessary for the peace establishment. 22. That, during the continuance of the tax on income, after the conclusion of the war, if the produce in future years should amount to 7,000,000l., the total annual expenditure may be estimated at about 33,000,000l., including therein the said sum of 7,000,000l. applicable annually (over and above all other sums in the hands of the commissioners) to the reduction of debt. 23. That the amount of 3 per cent stock, created in the years 1798, 1799, and 1800, and of which the interest is to be defrayed, and the principal to be redeemed by the tax on income is 56,445,000l. 24. That, supposing the war to end with the year 1800, the 3per cent stock, to remain on an average of three years after peace at 80%. and the tax on income to produce 7,000,000l. per annum, the capital stock of of 56,445,000l., together with the interest payable thereon would be redeemed in the year 1808. The Speaker's Speech to the King on presenting the Money Bills.] July 29. His Majesty came this day in state to the House of Peers, when the gentleman usher of the Black Rod, was sent to command the immediate attendance of the House of Commons, who soon after appeared at the bar. Mr. Speaker Addington then addressed his Majesty as follows: "Most Gracious Sovereign; "Your faithful Commons humbly attend your majesty with the bill by which their grants are completed for the public service of the year. "In supplying the various demands of this important conjuncture, your Commons conceive that they have discharged an indispensable duty to your majesty, and their country, by manifesting their unshaken determination to combine the maintenance and support of public credit, with such ample means of exertion as may best tend to bring the contest in which we are engaged to a just and honourable conclusion. "To your Commons it has been highly gratifying to observe, that, amidst the vicissitudes and difficulties which have attended this arduous struggle, the security of the British empire has, in many respects, been materially strengthened, its power consolidated, and its resources increased. The splendid and decisive success to which the late hostilities in India were conducted by the blessing of Providence, upon the joint exertions of wisdom and vigour in council, and of skill and gallantry in the field, has necessarily led to new and extensive regulations. The measure, which has been accordingly adopted, your Commons earnestly hope will have the effect of affording to this country all the advantages which can be derived from those valuable possessions, and of insuring to the native inhabitants the full benefit of British superintendence and protection. "But to no proceedings, by which their attention has been engaged, can your Commons recur with stronger sentiments of satisfaction and confidence, than to those which have contributed to the great and important arrangement, by which your majesty's subjects in Great Britain and Ireland will henceforth constitute one people, actuated by the same views, connected by the same interests, and governed by the same laws. In contemplating this measure, and the prospect which it happily presents, your Commons cannot fail to be animated by a wellfounded hope, the most congenial to your majesty's benevolent mind that the united kingdom may ever present to the world the example of a free and powerful people, desirous and determined to employ their combined strength and resources for no other purposes than those which are connected with their own honour and security, and to prove, by the moderation and justice of their counsels and conduct, that they are not altogether unworthy of the blessings they may enjoy." The King's Speech at the Close of the Session.] After the royal assent had been given to sundry bills, his Majesty delivered the following Speech to both Houses: "My lords and gentlemen; "In putting an end to this laborious session of parliament, I must express the just sense I entertain of the diligence and perseverance with which you have applied yourselves to the various objects of public concern which came under your deliberation. It is with peculiar satisfaction I congratulate you on the success of the steps which you have taken for effecting an entire union between my kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland. "This great measure, on which my wishes have been long earnestly bent, I shall ever consider as the happiest event of my reign, being persuaded that nothing could so effectually contribute to extend to my Irish subjects the full participation of the blessings derived from the British constitution, and to establish, on the most solid foundation, the strength, prosperity, and power of the whole empire. "I have witnessed, with great concern, the severe pressure on my people, from the continued scarcity of the season; but I trust that, under the blessing of Providence, there is now every reason to expect that the approaching harvest will afford a speedy and effectual relief. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons; "I return you my particular thanks for the zeal and liberality with which you have provided for the various exigencies of the public service. I regret deeply the necessity of these repeated sacrifices on the part of my subjects; but they have been requisite for the preservation of our dearest interests; and it is a great consolation to observe, that, notwithstanding the continuance of unusual burthens, the revenue, commerce, and resources of the country have flourished beyond all former example, and are still in a state of progressive augmentation. "My lords and gentlemen ; "The course of the campaign upon the continent has, by a sudden reverse, disappointed the sanguine hopes which the situation of affairs at its commencement appeared fully to justify, and has unhappily again exposed a considerable part of Europe to those calamities and dangers, from which it had recently been rescued by the brilliant success of my allies. "Much as these events are to be regretted, it will always be matter of just satisfaction to me to reflect, that, in the course of this important contest, my efforts, and those of my parliament, have been unremittingly employed for the maintenance of our own rights and interests, and for animating and supporting the exertions of other powers in defending the liberties of Europe. "Notwithstanding the vicissitudes of war, your constancy and firmness have been productive of the most important and lasting advantages in the general situation of affairs; and the determination manifested in your recent declarations and conduct must afford me the best means of promoting, in conjunction with my allies, the general interests, and of providing, under every circumstance, for the honour of my crown, for the happiness of my subjects, and for the security and welfare of every part of the British empire." The lord chancellor then, by his majesty's command, prorogued the parliament to the 7th of October. It was afterwards farther prorogued to the 11th of November. FIFTH SESSION OF THE EIGHTEENTH PARLIAMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN. "Such a supply, aided by the examples which you have set on former occasions of attention to economy and frugality in the consumption of corn, is most likely to contribute to a reduction in the present high price, and to insure, at the same time, the means of meeting the demands for the necessary consumption of the year. "The present circumstances will also, I am persuaded, render the state of the laws respecting the commerce in the various articles of provision the object of your serious deliberation. "If on the result of that deliberation it shall appear to you that the evil necessarily arising from unfavourable seasons has been increased by any undue combinations or fraudulent practices for the sake of adding unfairly to the price, you will feel an earnest desire of effectually preventing such abuses; but you will, I am sure, be careful to distinguish any practices of this nature from that regular and long established course of trade which experience has shown to be indispensable, in the present state of society, for the supply of the markets, and for the subsistence of my people. "You will have seen with concern the temporary disturbances which have taken place in some parts of the kingdom. Those malicious and disaffected persons The King's Speech on Opening the Ses-who cruelly take advantage of the present sion.] November 11, 1800. His Majesty opened the session with the following Speech to both Houses: "My lords and gentlemen; "My tender concern for the welfare of my subjects, and the sense of the difficulties with which the poorer classes particularly have to struggle, from the present high price of provisions, have induced me to call you together at an earlier period than I had otherwise intended. No object can be nearer my heart, than that, by your care and wisdom, all such mea. sures may be adopted, as may, upon full consideration, appear best calculated to alleviate this severe pressure, and to prevent the danger of its recurrence, by promoting, as far as possible, the permanent extension and improvement of our agriculture. "For the object of immediate relief, your attention will naturally be directed, in the first instance, to the best mode of affording the earliest and the most ample encouragement for the importation of all descriptions of grain from abroad. difficulties to excite any of my subjects to acts in violation of the laws and of the public peace, are in the present circumstances doubly criminal, as such proceedings must necessarily and immediately tend to increase, in the highest degree, the evil complained of, while they, at the same time, endanger the permanent tran. quillity of the country; on which the wellbeing of the industrious classes of the community must always principally de pend. "The voluntary exertions which have on this occasion been made for the immediate repression of these outrages, and in support of the laws and public peace, are therefore entitled to my highest praise. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons; "Under the circumstances of the present meeting, I am desirous of asking of you such supplies only as may be necessary for carrying on the public service, till the parliament of the united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland may conve niently be assembled. The estimates for that purpose will be laid before you; and I have no doubt of your readiness to make such provision as the public interests may appear to require. "My lords and gentlemen ; "I have directed copies to be laid before you, of those communications which have recently passed between me and the French government, respecting the commencement of negotiations for peace. You will see in them fresh and striking proofs of my earnest desire to contribute to the re-establishment of general tranquility. That desire on my part has hitherto been unhappily frustrated, by the determination of the enemy to enter only on a separate negotiation, in which it was impossible for me to engage, consistently, either with public faith, or with a due regard to the permanent security of Europe. "My anxiety for the speedy restoration of peace remains unaltered, and there will be no obstacle nor delay on my part to the adoption of such measures as may best tend to promote and accelerate that desirable end, consistently with the honour of this country and the true interests of my people: but if the disposition of our enemies should continue to render this great object of all my wishes unattainable, without the sacrifice of these essential considerations, on the maintenance of which all its advantages must depend, you will, I am confident, persevere in affording me the same loyal and steady support, which I have experienced through the whole of this important contest, and which has, under the blessing of Providence, enabled me, during a period of such unexampled difficulty and calamity to all the surrounding nations, to maintain unimpaired the security and honour of these kingdoms." His majesty then withdrew. Debate in the Lords on the Address of Thanks.] His Majesty's Speech being read, The Duke of Somerset rose and said: My lords; in having undertaken to move an address in answer to such a speech as that which we have just heard from the throne, I think myself, in one sense, fortunate, as I do not conceive that any thing has been said which is not consonant to the wishes of every one who has an interest in the welfare of this country. In another sense I may be deemed unfortunate, in endeavouring to enforce, by argument, that which, without argument, must command the assent of every one who [VOL. XXXV.] hears and understands it. In doing this, my lords, I am afraid that any arguments which I can advance will be little better than truisms; that having neither to convince nor persuade, I shall only fatigue the attention of those who hear me. To tell your lordships that the country sensibly feels the effects of a dearth, and that there are many persons who are inclined to attribute those effects to a want of legislative regulation, would be only reminding you of what you all know in common with myself. That, when such opinions are held, it becomes necessary to inquire into the foundation of them, is almost too obvious to require any comment. The extreme importance of the subject, and the very great difference between the opinions which are held concerning it, render it necessary for parliament profoundly to investigate the real causes of the scarcity to ascertain, and to explain to the nation, whether it arises from the defect of the seasons, or from those unfair and improper dealings to which it is frequently attributed. To review those laws which either directly or indirectly affect the production and the vending of corn, and, if necessary, to repeal, amend, and improve, those parts of them which may be any ways defective, might be at any time a useful, but is now become a necessary duty; and it will be scarcely less necessary, if any mistakes should have arisen in the public mind with respect to the conduct of those who deal in this article of subsistence, to show, by incontrovertible evidence, that this conduct has been misunderstood, and is not so blameable as may have been supposed.-My lords, I have heard it said that the legislature should let trade take its course, and not endeavour to improve that which always succeeds best if left entirely to the management of those individuals who are immediately interested in its success. There might, perhaps, be some foundation for this remark, had the legislature been always indifferent, and consequently impartial, to the concerns of agriculture and commerce. But, where much has been done, something more must frequently be done, to render what is already done effectual: where medicine has been administered, it must frequently be continued. The numerous regulations established in this country with regard to agriculture and commerce, require the frequent attention of the legislature, either to enforce those regulations, or to rescind, [2K] |