Parliament assembled on the 1st of February, when, in consequence of the indisposition of the prince regent, it was opened by commission. The speech congratulated the two houses upon the successes obtained by his majesty’s arms with those of his allies, and expressed a hope that it would be followed by the lasting repose and security of Europe, The prince regent lamented the heavy pressure which the late extraordinary exertions had produced upon the country; but he assured the houses that they might rely on every disposition on his part to concur in such measures of economy as might be found consistent with the interest of the country, and with that station which it occupied in Europe. The address was agreed to in the lords nem. con., and in the commons an amendment, moved by Mr. Brand, censuring ministers for the length of the late prorogation, which had caused delay in public affairs of importance, was negatived by ninety against twenty-three.
DEBATES ON THE TREATIES.
On the 9th of February Mr. Brougham moved for a copy of the treaty concluded at Paris, and designated by the title of “the Holy Alliance.” By this document, the three potentates by whom it was signed—the sovereigns of Austria, Russia, and Prussia—declared their resolution to take for their guide the precepts of the Christian religion, both in their domestic administration and foreign relations. Mr. Brougham observed, that there was something so singular in the wording of this document as to warrant jealousy of their designs. He could not imagine that it referred to objects merely spiritual, for the partition of Poland had been prefaced by similar language, and the proclamation of the Empress Catherine, which concluded that fatal tragedy, was couched in nearly the same terms. Lord Castlereagh vindicated the motives of the confederated sovereigns, and stated that the prince regent—whose accession to this alliance was prevented by the forms of the British constitution—expressed his satisfaction in its tendency. He opposed the production of the document, because it was contrary to the practice of parliament to call for copies of treaties to which this country was no party.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
From an abstract of the net produce of the revenue in the years ending the 5th of January, 1815, and the 5th of January, 1816, the amount appeared to be £66,443,802, showing an excess of £1,013,821 over that of the preceding year. But notwithstanding this excess the chancellor of the exchequer announced his intention of proposing an income-tax of five per cent., there being no mode, he observed, less oppressive, or so economical. With a view of gaining over the great mass of the people, he declared himself ready to exempt all incomes under £150 per annum, and farms paying less than that sum in rent. But the people were not thus to be bribed. Such a storm of opposition was raised against it by the nation at large that when a motion for the continuance of the income-tax was made, it was negatived by two hundred and thirty-eight against two hundred and thirty one. Thus defeated, the chancellor of the exchequer had recourse to a loan; and this loan was increased by £2,000,000, by the voluntary relinquishment of the war-tax on malt, which tax was relinquished in order to afford some relief to the agriculturists, who were at this time labouring under great distress. In bringing forward the budget on the 27th of May, the chancellor of the exchequer announced that the surplus of the preceding year’s grants in hand amounted to £5,663,755. The supplies for the year were estimated at £39,400,000, and the ways and means to meet them as deficient about £2,500,000; which deficiency was made up by a loan of £3,000,000, obtained from the directors of the Bank of England, at three per cent. The amount of the army estimates provoked a long and vehement discussion; but ministers were successful in their favourite object of maintaining a large standing army, their principal argument being that the situation of the continent rendered such a measure necessary. The number voted was 176,615 men, including 30,000 stationed in France; and a vote of 33,000 men for the navy was also agreed to, after a violent debate. Out of the large military force voted 25,000 men were to be stationed in Ireland, in order to keep that country in awe. The necessity of such a force naturally excited some surprise, and led to some animadversions on the measures of the existing cabinet. But no cabinet: which has ever existed can fairly be charged with all the evils and the abuses which have plagued that country. Generally speaking, these evils and abuses have arisen from the Irish people themselves, their factious spirit having elicited the severe laws enacted to preserve peace. Mr. Peel, who had lately commenced his political career, justly ascribed the disturbances in Ireland to a systematic violation of all laws, which loudly called for the introduction of a military force. The general routine of motions for inquiry into the state of Ireland, and the repeal of Catholic disabilities were followed by their usual results; but a measure of some importance—the consolidation of the British and Irish exchequers—was effected in the course of this session. A bill was also passed for a new silver coinage.
ROYAL MARRIAGES.
A message from the prince regent to both houses on the 14th of March, announced the marriage contract of his daughter, the Princess Charlotte Augusta, with his serene highness, Prince Leopold of Saxe Cobourg. An annual sum of £60,000 was voted to them during their joint lives, the whole to be continued, should the prince die first, and £50,000 to him should he be the survivor; £60,000 were also granted by way of outfit. The nuptials were celebrated on the 2nd of May; the nation partaking in the joy, not only from the lively interest which the people took in the personal character of the princess, but from the circumstance that she united herself with the object of her own choice. Two months after the marriage of the Princess Charlotte, another marriage took place, between the Princess Mary, fourth daughter of his majesty, and the Duke of Gloucester, her cousin. Their establishments were formed on a scale which rendered a further application to the public purse unnecessary.