Parliament, with a newly-elected house of commons, assembled on the 24th of November; and on the 30th, the regent delivered an address from the throne, which embraced a variety of topics, the most prominent of which was the war in the Peninsula, that in Russia, and the contest in America. In the debates on the addresses, these events gave rise to much discussion in both houses, but they were carried unanimously. The most prominent; measures previous to the Christmas recess were a grant of £100,000 to the Marquess of Wellington for his services in Spain, and of £200,000 for the relief of the sufferers in Russia. The bullion question was also again discussed; but the house repeated Mr. Vansittart’s resolution of last year; namely, that guineas and bank-notes were of equal value in public estimation. Without such a resolution the war could not have been carried on, for there was not sufficient gold in the country to maintain the public credit.
DEBATES ON THE WAR WITH AMERICA.
A.D. 1813
On the re-assembling of parliament in February, several stormy debates took place on the American war. In these debates the opposition not only blamed the ministry for the negligent manner in which the maritime part of the conflict had been conducted, but also with being the aggressors, and with having provoked an unnecessary and fatal contest. In order, therefore, to clear themselves from all imputations, Lord Castlereagh, on the 18th of February, moved an address to the prince regent, expressing entire approbation of the resistance proposed by his royal highness to the unjustifiable claims of the American government, a full conviction of the justice of the war on our part, and the assurance of a cordial support from that house. The opposition reiterated their complaints; but they would not venture upon a division, and the address was agreed to nem. con. Another address of a similar nature also passed the lords in the same triumphant manner.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
The budget was introduced on the 31st of March. The supplies demanded were £72,000,000 out of which England and Scotland were to furnish £8,500,000. This was a larger amount than had been voted in any preceding year, but as the American war promised to be expensive, and as it was generally felt that we should put forth all our strength in order to finish the contest in Spain, and prolong our aid to Russia, &c., all the estimates were voted by large majorities. Among the ways and means were taxes to the amount of £21,000,000; a fresh loan to the same amount and a vote of credit for £6,000,000.