RETURN OF NAPOLEON FROM. ELBA.
While England was thus agitated an event took place which compromised the peace of Europe; this was the return of Napoleon from his insular kingdom to repossess himself of his old French empire. A message from the prince regent was delivered to each house on the 6th of April, communicating this information, and stating that his royal highness had been induced to give directions for the immediate augmentation of our land and sea forces, and to lose no time in communicating with our allies, for the purpose of forming such a concert as might effectually provide for the general and permanent security of Europe. The address in the house of lords passed without a division, but in the commons Mr. Whitbread moved an amendment expressly recommending the preservation of peace. He was under the impression that the address covertly pledged the house to war, but others of his party thought not, and his amendment was lost by a majority of two hundred and twenty against thirty-seven.
TRIAL BY JURY, ETC.
In the beginning of this session an important act was passed for extending the trial by jury to Scotland. Its provisions differed from those of the English law, and the granting such a trial was made optional in each case with the judges; but the lord chancellor, by whom the bill was introduced, expressed a hope that at no distant period the principle of the bill would receive a further extension. At a later date a bill was passed for the continuance of the restriction of cash-payments by the Bank of England till the 5th of July, 1816.
WAR RESOLVED ON; FINANCIAL MEASURES.
The question of peace or war was discussed at the latter end of May in consequence of a message from the throne. In the lords Earl Grey urged the necessity of a pacific policy, while Lord Grenville advocated war. In the commons Mr. Grattan came forward, and with vehement and eloquent indignation declaimed against the despoiler of Europe, and advocated the most energetic measures to hurl him from his usurped throne. War was resolved on by both lords and commons, and the latter granted the necessary supplies. And this they did munificently; no less a sum than £90,000,000 was voted for the public service. Out of this sum £9,000,000 was to be paid in subsidies to our allies, they still requiring the gold of England to urge them onwards to action. In order to meet the expenditure the unjust and inquisitorial income-tax was continued, and £42,000,000 were obtained by loan. The Irish proportion of the supplies was £9,760,814; the rest was furnished from the inexhaustible sources of Great Britain.