to these, the object of his resolution would be to abolish what was sinecure, and retain what was necessary; reducing the emolument to that for which the duty was performed, with some increase in many cases, no doubt, for the increased responsibility. Mr. Bankes illustrated the advantage of rewarding merit by pensions rather than by sinecure offices, by stating the manner in which a great sinecure had been lately applied. A message had been brought down by the ministers from his Majesty, recommending the grant of a pension to lord Wellington. The bill for granting that pension had not passed through the House, when that sinecure, falling into the hands of his right hon. friend, was given to Mr. Yorke; of whom he spoke in the handsomest manner, but who had never certainly, performed any particular service to the country, for which any one could have dreamt of conferring on him a direct pension to the amount of the emoluments of the sinecure now in his possession.

*

Mr. Bankes read certain resolutions he had formed conformable to the principle he had stated. The first of these he proposed as an amendment upon that which had been read from the chair. The substance of it was, "That it was expedient to abolish sinecures, except such as were connected with the personal service of his Majesty or the royal family; to regulate other offices, and to reduce the salaries of such as were executed by deputy, to the sui for which the service was performed, with an al

lowance for the additional respon sibility;-all to be done after the interests in these offices had expired." He concluded by moving, "That a select committee be appointed to examine to what offices the principles he had thrown out could be applied."-The Chancellor of the Exchequer was of opinion, that the House could not, on such slight grounds as those which had been stated by his honourable friend, assent to this change, nor reasonably hope that such a change would have any effect in alleviating public burthens, or removing discontent. The House would therefore do well to consider gravely before it gave in to a proposition so new in itself, and so suddenly submitted to their decision. As to the office bestowed on Mr. Yorke, who certainly had been some time in his Majesty's service, the disposal of it was part of the patronage of the crown, and that his Majesty was at perfect liberty to confer it on any meritorious individual he pleased. Mr. Bankes certainly thought, that less than the aggregate amount of the sinecures, in direct pensions, would afford adequate means of rewarding public services. As to the charge of having taken the House by surprise, an individual member could only propose his resolutions in his place: the House was called upon at present merely to settle the principle. He should be extremely glad if the House would allow his resolutions to be printed, that they might be considered with care. To this the chancellor of

the Exchequer instantly assented. The Chairman reported progress, and obtained leave for the committee to sit again.

Next day, March 20, Mr. Bankes moved for leave to bring in a bill to prevent the grant of places and pensions in reversion. The bills which the House had already passed for this purpose, had the misfortune to fail in the House of Lords, as well as another bill which had originated in the House of Commons, within the present session. Nevertheless, he thought the mode by which the House was most likely to carry its wishes ultimately into effect was, to shew that it was in earnest, by using every means it might constitutionally adopt. Though a bill of a similar nature, which had originated in that House, had been lost in the other House, still he thought their lordships would not be indisposed to receive another bill, having the same general object in view, but worded in a different manner; and, instead of proposing, as in the former bills, to perpetuate the prohibition, to render it a bill of the suspension of the prerogative from time to .time. He moved for leave to bring in that bill. The Chancellor of the Exchequer did not object to the motion of his honourable friend for leave to bring in the bill, reserving to himself the right of moving in the committee on the bill an amendment of the title, in these words: "for a time to be limited." Leave was given to bring in the bill.

House of Commons, May 31. Mr. Davie Giddy reported from the

committee of the whole House, to whom it had been referred, to consider further of the third report from the committee on public expenditure, the resolutions which they had directed him to report to the House; which he read in his place, and delivered in at the table.

Resolution 1. "That it is the opinion of this committee, that the utmost attention to economy, in all the branches of public expenditure, consistent with the interests of the public service, is at all times a great and important duty." This was carried unanimously.

Resolution 2. "That for this purpose, in addition to the useful and effective measures already taken by parliament for the abolition and regulation of various sinecure offices, and offices executed by deputy, it is expedient to extend the like principles of abolition and regulation to such other cases as may appear to require and admit of the same." Upon this resolution being read, Mr. Bankes moved the following amendment: "That for this purpose, &c. &c. it is expedient, after providing other and sufficient means for enabling his Majesty duly to recompense the faithful discharge of high and effective civil offices, to abolish all offices which have revenue without employment, and to regulate all offices which have revenue extremely disproportionate to employment, excepting only such as are connected with the personal service of his Majesty, or of the royal family, regard being had to the existing interests in any

As

S the various matters contained in the last chapter are closely linked together, in the order of cause and effect, and, as the whole arose out of the inquiry into the unfortunate expedition to the Scheldt, it has not been thought proper to interrupt that order in our narrative by the introduction of other debates and proceedings in parliament, though prior in the order of time. We now proceed from views of past transactions, and debates, and occurrences, to which these gave birth, to business of a prospective nature; and, first of all, to the important business of Finance.

House of Commons, Wednèsday, May 16.-The House having resolved itself into a committee of Ways and Means, for examining the account of the public debt, and the other public accounts, usually referred to that committee preparatory to the budget, the chancel

lor of the Exchequer rose to submit to the consideration of the committee a general statement of the supplies, and ways and means of the year. These, he said, would not only afford the best means of forming a correct judgment how far the country was able to support its present burthens, but be the best answer to those who were accustomed to take gloomy views of the financial situation of the country. It would be highly satisfactory to know, that such had been the produce of our revenue in that very year, when men of great weight and authority in that House anticipated a failure, that instead of the deficit they apprehended, there actually had been a very considerable increase. He should therefore, without farther preliminary observation, proceed to state the supplies already voted, and also the ways and means by which he proposed to lower them.

ing, with as much spirit and activity as in a time of the most profound and prosperous peace, he inferred that the state of the industry and enterprise of the country was such as to enable the nation to support the burthens it had to bear, and that there could be no reason to consider this as a falling or failing country. It was not only in our internal resources, but in our external means and strength, that the progressive prosperity of this nation was to be traced. This too had, happily, been made out to the conviction of our enemy. It was but a few years since, that all he wanted was ships, colonies, and commerce. If the attainment of such objects was his wish, what progress had he made towards their accomplishment? It was only by acquisitions from this country that he was to realize any one of them; and yet all the commmerce that belonged to his empire, and all the colonies, he had lost; and the few ships he had remaining, were pent up in ports, without ever daring to put to sea. Mr. Perceval concluded with moving, that the terms on which the loan had been contracted for should be approved by that committee; which was agreed to. Resolutions corresponding to the other financial statements of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, were also agreed to, and ordered to be reported.

House of Commons, May 30. Mr. Foster rose and said, that it was his duty on that day to submit to the consideration of the