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cessary for the service of every such year (which, according to the plan now adopted, will be to be raised on the credit of the tax on income) will be gradually decreasing during the whole of the period, in proportion as the sums applicable in each year to the reduction of debt increase; and that the period for which the tax on income must afterwards continue in time of peace, on account of each year of war, will decrease in like manner.

30. That fon the suppositions before stated) taxes equal to the amount of the charge created during each year of the present war will be successively set free, from the year 1853 to 1840 inclusive, to the amount in the whole, of about 8,500,000l. That taxes to the amount of nearly 2,000,000l. will also be set free from the year 1833 to 1846 inclusive; and farther taxes to the amount of 4,200,000l. (being the sum applicable from 1808 to the reduction of debt existing previous to 1793) will be set free about 1846, when the whole of the said debt is estimated to be redeemed; making, in the whole (together with the taxes before stated to be set free from 1808 to 1833), near 19,000,000l. of taxes set free up to 1846.

which universally prevail, may justly be considered as indications, the most encouraging and decisive, of the abundant and unimpaired resources of the British empire, and of the unshaken firmness of your faithful people. To your Commons, it is a subject of pride and satisfaction to reflect, that in providing for the exigency of the present conjuncture, they have been enabled to adopt a measure which, though attended with sacrifices unprecedented in their amount, is eminently cal. culated to administer effectual support to public credit; upon the depreciation and expected failure of which, the enemy have long been induced to found the vain hope of destroying the liberties and independence of these kingdoms.

"The conduct, however, of your Commons has not been influenced by a limited and partial view of the situation and circumstances of this country, and of the causes which operate upon its welfare and security. They know that its interests 31. That, supposing the same number of are closely connected with those of other years of war to 1846, at the same rate of ex- states; and they have accordingly conpense, the sums necessary to be raised by loans formed to the principles of a sound and for defraying the same (if the system for rais- enlarged policy, for affording to your maing a portion of the supplies within the year, jesty the most ample means of promoting as stated, should not be adopted) would and assisting the exertions of those amount in each year of the war, to about 25,000,000l. the whole to about 450,000,000l. powers, who justly estimating the danger sterling; which (supposing the price of 3 per with which they are threatened, are concents to be 50l. on an average of war) would vinced that a fatal aggravation of it would amount to 900,000,000l. capital stock, and be the probable consequence of comprothe interest and charges of 1 per cent to mise and supineness; and that to be suc36,000,000l. per annum; which, after deduct-cessfully repelled, it must be opposed by ing about 19,000,000l. taxes, estimated to be set free within the same period, would require an increase of 17,000,000l. of permanent taxes beyond those now existing.

such efforts as will be sufficient to prove to the enemy that their system of ambition and conquest is equally nefarious and extravagant, and that its objects are un

The said Resolutions were agreed to by attainable. the House.

The Speaker's Speech to the King on presenting the Money Bills.] July 12. The King came this day to the House of Peers. His Majesty being seated on the throne, Mr. Speaker Addington addressed his Majesty as follows:

"Most gracious Sovereign; "In the name of the Commons of Great Britain, in parliament assembled, it is my duty humbly to tender to your majesty the bills by which their grants are completed for the public service of the year.

"The magnitude of the supply, and the cheerfulness with which it has been given, combined with the flourishing state of commerce and of the revenue, and with the manifestations of zeal and public spirit

"Your Commons, Sire, are deeply 'sensible of the importance of the stake for which your majesty is still unavoidably contending, and of the duties which they are bound to discharge. It is, they are persuaded, upon the wisdom and fortitude of the British parliament, that under the favour of Divine Providence, must chiefly depend the preservation of whatever is truly valuable in civil society, and of all that constitutes the happiness of private life. Actuated by these sentiments, and relying with perfect confidence upon the justice and moderation of your majesty's views, your Commons have not hesitated to continue to your majesty that cordial and decided support in the prosecution of the contest, which can alone justify the hope of concluding it by a safe and durable peace."

The King's Speech at the Close of the Session.] After the royal assent had been given to the said bills, his Majesty delivered the following most gracious Speech:

"My Lords and Gentlemen;

"The favourable appearances which I announced to you, at the commencement of the present session, have since been followed by successes beyond my most sanguine expectations.

"By the progress of the imperial arms, under the command of the Archduke Charles of Austria, a great part of Switzerland has already recovered its ancient religion, laws, and liberties; and the uninterrupted and brilliant victories of the combined armies, under the command of field-marshal Suwarroff, have, in the short period which has elapsed since the opening of the campaign, nearly accomplished the deliverance of Italy from the degrading yoke of the French Republic.

The decision and energy which distinguish the councils of my ally the em peror of Russia, and the intimate union and concert happily established between us, will enable me to employ, to the greatest advantage, the powerful means which you have entrusted to me, for establishing, on permanent grounds, the security and honour of this country, and the liberty and independence of Europe.

"I have the satisfaction of seeing, that internal tranquillity is in some degree restored in my kingdom of Ireland.

"The removal of the only remaining naval force of the enemy to a distant quarter must nearly extinguish even the precarious hope which the traitorous and disaffected have entertained of foreign as

sistance.

"But our great reliance for the immediate safety of that country must still rest on the experienced zeal and bravery of my troops of all descriptions, and on the unshaken loyalty and voluntary exertions of my faithful subjects in both kingdoms.

"Its ultimate security can alone be ensured by its intimate and entire union with Great Britain; and I am happy to observe, that the sentiments manifested by numerous and respectable descriptions of my Irish subjects, justify the hope, that the accomplishment of this great and salutary work will be proved to be as mucli the joint wish, as it unquestionably is the common interest, of both my kingdoms.

"The provisions which you have made for suppressing those dangerous and sedi

tious societies, which had been formed. for the purpose of disseminating the destructive principles of the French Revo, lution, are peculiarly adapted to the cir cumstances of the times, and have furnished additional security to the established constitution.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons; “The unusual sacrifices which you have made in the present moment, on behalf of my subjects, are wisely calculated to meet effectually the exigencies of this great crisis. They have, at the same time, given additional security to public credit, by establishing a system of finance, beneficial alike to yourselves and to posterity; and the cheerfulness with which these heavy burthens are supported, evince at once the good sense, the loyalty, and the public spirit of my people.

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My Lords and Gentlemen;

"It is impossible to compare the events of the present year with the state and prospects of Europe at the distance of but a few months, without acknowledging, in humble thankfulness, the visible interposition of Divine Providence, in averting those dangers which so long threatened the overthrow of all the establishments of the civilized world.

"It may be permitted to us to hope, that the same protecting Providence will continue to us its guidance through the remainder of this eventful contest; and will conduct it finally to such an issue as shall transmit to future ages a memorable example of the instability of all power founded on injustice, usurpation, and impiety; and shall prove the impossibility of ultimately dissolving the connexion between public prosperity and public vir

tue."

The Lord Chancellor then, by his majesty's command, prorogued the parliament to the 27th of August. It was afterwards further prorogued to the 29th of October.

FOURTH SESSION

OF THE

EIGHTEENTH PARLIAMENT

OF

GREAT BRITAIN.

The King's Speech on Opening the Ses sion.] September 24. 1799. His Majesty opened the Session with the following Speech to both Houses :

"My Lords and Gentlemen; "I have called you together at this unusual season, in order to recommend it to you to consider of the propriety of enabling me, without delay, to avail myself, to a further extent of the voluntary services of the Militia, at a moment when an increase of our active force abroad may be productive of the most important and beneficial consequences. "We have seen the happy effects of the measure which you adopted on this subject in the last session; and the forces which I was thereby enabled to employ have already displayed, in the face of the enemy, a courage, discipline, and steadiness, worthy of the character of British soldiers.

"In the short interval since the close of the last session, our situation and prospects have, under the blessing of Providence, improved beyond the most sanguine expectation. The abilities and valour of the commanders and troops of the combined imperial armies have continued to be eminently displayed. The deliverance of Italy may now be considered as secured, by the result of a campaign, equal in splendor and success to any the most brilliant recorded in history; and I have had the heart-felt satisfaction of seeing the valour of my fleets and armies successfully employed to the assistance of my allies, to the support of our just cause, and to the advancement of the most important interests of the British empire.

"The kingdom of Naples has been rescued from the French yoke, and restored to the dominion of its lawful Sovereign, and my former connexions with that power have been renewed.

quarter in a state of solid and permanent security. The vigilance, decision, and wisdom of the governor general in council on this great and important occasion, and the tried abilities and valour of the com. manders, officers, and troops employed under his direction, are entitled to my highest praise.

"There, is, I trust, every reason to expect that the effort which I am making for the deliverance of the United Provinces will prove successful. The British arms have rescued from the possession of the enemy the principal port and naval arsenal of the Dutch republic; and although we have to regret the loss of many brave men in a subsequent attack against the enemy, whose position enabled them to obstruct our progress, I have the strongest ground to expect that the skill of my generals, and the determined resolution and intrepidity of my troops, and of those of my allies, will soon surmount every obstacle; and that the fleet which, under the usurped dominion of France, was destined to co-operate in the invasion of these islands, may speedily I trust, under its ancient standard, partake in the glory of restoring the religion, liberty, and independence of those provinces, so long in intimate union and alliance with this country.

"While you rejoice with me in the events which add so much lustre to the British character, you will, I am persuaded, as cordially join in the sentiments so justly due to the conduct of my good and faithful ally the emperor of Russia; to his magnanimity and wisdom, directing to so many quarters of Europe the force of his extensive and powerful empire, we are, in a great degree, indebted for the success of our own efforts, as well as for the rapid and favourable change in the general situation of affairs. I have directed copies to be laid before you of those engagements which have consolidated and cemented a connexion so consonant to the permanent interests of my empire, and so important at the present moment to every part of the civilised world.

"The French expedition to Egypt has been continued to be productive of calamity and disgrace to our enemies, while its ultimate views against our Eastern possessions have been utterly confounded. The desperate attempt which they have lately made, to extricate themselves from their difficulties, has been defeated by the courage of the Turkish forces, directed by the skill, and animated by the heroism of a British officer, with a small portion "Gentlemen of the House of Commons; of my naval force under his command; "The ample Supplies which you have and the overthrow of that restless and granted to me, in the course of the perfidious power, who, instigated by the last sessions, will, I trust, so nearly proartifices, and deluded by the promises of vide for the exigencies of the public serthe French, had entered into their ambi-vice, even on the extensive scale which our tious and destructive projects in India, present operations require, as to enable has placed the British interests in that me, without further aid, to continue those

exertions to the close of the present year: -but, in order to afford you the convenience of a longer recess, I recommend it to you to consider of providing for the expense which will be necessary in the early part of the ensuing year; and with this view I have ordered the proper estimates to be laid before you,

"My Lords, and Gentlemen; "In pursuance of your recommendation, I judged it proper to communicate to my two Houses of Parliament in Ireland at the close of their last session, the sentiments which you had expressed to me respecting an incorporating Union with that kingdom. The experience of every day confirms me in the persuasion, that signal benefit would be derived to both countries from that important measure; and I trust that the disposition of my parliament there will be found to correspond with that which you have manifested for the accomplishment of a work which would tend so much to add to the security and happiness of all my Irish subjects, and to consolidate the strength and prosperity of the empire."

His Majesty then withdrew.

Debate in the Lords on the Address of Thanks.] His Majesty's Speech having been read,

The Marquis of Buckingham said, he felt it incumbent on him to call the attention of their lordships to some of the leading points in the speech from the throne, and in this view what struck him most forcibly were the well-founded allusions which were made to the steadiness and bravery of the British troops in the late glorious exploits upon the continent, in which these levies taken from that part of the British forces to which he had the honour to belong, bore so distinguished a share. Yet it was not their conduct in action which most merited his approbation; when he contemplated the alacrity, with which they entered themselves for foreign service, their merits in his mind were considerably enhanced. Having said thus much, he must notice the obvious good policy of pursuing our late brilliant successes, by expeditiously adopting the measures recommended from the Throne. He did not think that, under the present circumstances of the nation, such measures could create the slightest degree of alarm. Circumstances had recently occurred, which indeed rendered

it proper to make some material alterations in the militia establishments: by the complete subjugation of the Dutch navy, there no longer existed a necessity for a fleet in the North Sea, nor for a powerful military force to be cantoned along our Northern and Eastern coasts. It would be politic, however, to avail ourselves in other quarters of the forces which would be thus free to act in any other shape, and proceeding in that manner, he deemed it best to do it through the medium of the militia corps. It struck him, that the present national circumstances would even warrant a reduction of the militia force to its original establishment in point of numbers. By the adoption of the measure he alluded to, the nation would be placed in a greater degree of security, by being enabled to follow up hostile operations, to cement our continental alliance, and to meet the exertions of the enemy, and, above all, to recover one of our oldest and most valuable alliances. A measure of the nature proposed did not appear to him to involve the slightest breach of parliamentary faith. The events of the late campaign were such as called for our most grateful acknowledgments to Providence. He would call the consideration of their lordships to the wanton aggression made by the common enemy of all religion and government upon a power with whom they were then in the relations of peace and amity, by an attack upon one of its distant provinces, Egypt; but in which nefarious attempt they were baffled by the unexampled gallantry of a handful of British seamen, aided by the uninformed bravery of a few Turkish soldiers, but led on by an officer who merited the most grateful acknowledgments from his country. Indeed, when he contemplated the exploit in question, he was lost in admiration. He then adverted to the recent operations in India, and spoke in the highest strain of commendation of those councils, and the military gallantry by which the usurper Tippoo Saib was humbled to the dust, His lordship next dwelt in strains of eulogium upon the wise and energetic measures adopted by the Emperor of Russia. He then passed to the affairs of the sister kingdom; the disadvantage of her present situation; her still existing distractions: and concluded by expressing his conviction that the popular sentiment in favour of a union with this country was daily gaining ground. Even the peasantry

dress, which was an echo of the Speech from the throne.

continental powers; that they render us dependent on the fidelity of allies to

themselves now looked forward to the measure in the hopes of relief from it, The noble marquis then moved an Ad-whom we look for co-operation; and that such a plan of action once entered upon leads to indefinite and complicated engagements, in which the interests of Great Britain are not unfrequently neglected. Not to trust too far to foreign powers, where they have an obvious interest in deceiving, or a manifest tempta tion to betray, is certainly a matter of no

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Lord Amherst, after passing a panegyric on the services of the militia, and defending the proposed measure with regard to them, said :-My lords, I confess I find it impossible to contemplate all that has been done by the arms of England abroad, to look at empires saved, at kingdoms re-doubtful policy. But surely it is no less stored, at hostile fleets and armies swept unwise to reject all co-operation, which from the face of the globe, at the support may be useful so far as it goes, because it of friendly and the extermination of hos- may not go throughout by the same road, or tile powers; and all this, achieved as it to the same end, to which our views are has been, in many instances, by the single directed, But if ever there was a case of arm of Great Britain or turning from continental operation in which this caution this prospect, to look at the proud and in- would not apply, it is the present; where, spiriting array of armies embattled for the the contest is for an object confessedly defence of oursovereign and our country touching Great Britain more nearly without feeling, I hope, a just and blame than any other continental object, less pride in the military strength and the liberation of our old ally from the glory of Great Britain-without feeling it a yoke of our inveterate enemy; where matter of self congratulation, that the ca- in the course of our present success, so lumny, which not many years ago was so far as it has gone, we have already effected common in the mouth of our vaunting an object so purely British, and so great enemy, that our commercial prosperity in its extent, that in former times it would had depressed and overlaid our martial have been considered alone as the great spirit, stands refuted in the face of the and marking feature of a campaign, or world, and what is of more real import-even of a war-the capture of the Dutch ance, in our own conscious feelings fleet; and where the ally co-operating without rejoicing that the British cha-with us, besides being that power which, racter is not so enervated by the blessings from the unexampled magnanimity and we so pre-eminently enjoy, but that we liberality of its conduct, has best dehave still the sense to know, that by the served to be exempted from all suspisame virtue and valour which originally cion of selfish, much more of treacherous won them to us, by these alone, can dispositions, besides being that power to they securely be maintained that though which one-third of that part of Europe which the steady and settled course of justice France had subjugated already owes its and law, the arts of peaceful industry deliverance, is that which has, perhaps, and flourishing commerce make war the least visible interest of any of the almost unknown to us as a profession, we powers whom we could have associated have nevertheless not forgotten that the in our enterprise, except so far as every spirit to defend is essential in exact pro- power has a common interest in the sucportion to the value of what is to be de- cess of every measure which tends to the fended. But though it is impossible to diminution of the dominion of French repress these feelings of proud and honest power, of the influence of French princisatisfaction, it is by no means by the im- ples, and the operation and tenor of pulse of military glory alone that we could French arms. For an object, therefore, be justified in engaging in a new mode of in its general nature so essentially interestwar, unless the object of our continental ing to this country, touching at once so expeditions were precisely the same with nearly its honour and its power-for an that which animates exertions in all other object already so splendidly begun, and parts of the system, that is, the upholding which a vigorous perseverance may bring the independence of this country, and the at no great distance of time to a successliberties and independence of Europe. I ful issue, we can have no scruple in using know that there is a strong prejudice our best endeavours to give every addiagainst all continental operations whatso- tional strength to the arms of the country, ever, that they link us too closely with and every support which they deserve to

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