The supplies of this year were estimated at £20,952,400. To meet this, in addition to the ways and means, a three-and-a-half per cent, stock was created to the amount of £14,000,000, so that no new taxes were levied, nor any additions made to those existing.
THE ALIEN ACT, ETC.
During this session it was resolved that the alien act should be continued for two years longer; it being necessary to keep out as well as send out of Great Britain persons who might take advantage of the vicinity of France, to excite a spirit hostile to the security of this and other European governments. Sir Samuel Romilly introduced a bill to do away with the capital part of the act respecting private stealing in shops, &c., setting forth in his preamble, that extreme severity of punishment tends to procure indemnity for crime; but the house was not yet prepared to legislate in a merciful spirit: the bill was rejected. Before the close of the session Mr. Brougham succeeded in his motion for a committee of inquiry respecting the education of the poorer classes; the first step towards that system of popular instruction in which he has effected so much. Fourteen commissioners were to be appointed by the crown, six of whom were to have no salaries. This bill, however, underwent many alterations in the upper-house, chiefly through the exertions of Lord Eldon, who used all his influence against it. The commissioners to be appointed were limited to the investigation of charities connected with education; they were precluded from investigating the state of education among the poor generally; and they were directed to traverse the country and to call witnesses before them, without possessing any authority for enforcing attendance, or for demanding the production of documents. As Mr. Brougham observed, the bill as it came from the lords left everything to the good will of those who had an interest at variance with the inquiry. Yet much good, he anticipated, might result from the exercise of the powers possessed by the house. The means to be used were, that the commissioners should proceed and call witnesses; that they should report to the house, and make returns of the names of all those who refused to give information or produce documents without alleging any just cause of refusal; and the committee, which would be reappointed next session, might be empowered to call those persons before them.
PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.
Parliament was prorogued on the 10th of June by the regent in person. In his speech his royal highness stated his intention of giving direction for a new parliament, after which he observed:—“I cannot refrain from adverting to the important change which has occurred in the situation of this country, and of all Europe, since I first met you in this place. At that period, the dominion of the common enemy had been so widely extended over the continent, that resistance to his power was, by many, deemed to be hopeless; and in the extremities of Europe alone was such resistance effectually maintained. By the unexampled exertions which you enabled me to make, in aid of countries nobly contending for independence, and by the spirit which was kindled in so many nations, the continent was at length delivered from the most galling and oppressive tyranny, under which it had laboured; and I had the happiness, by the blessing of Providence, to terminate, in conjunction with his majesty’s allies, the most eventful and sanguinary contest in which Europe had for centuries been engaged, with unparalleled success and glory. The prosecution of such a contest for so many years, and more particularly the efforts which marked the close of it, have been followed within our own country, as well as throughout the rest of Europe, by considerable internal difficulties and distress. But, deeply as I felt for the immediate pressure upon his majesty’s people, nevertheless I looked forward without dismay, having always the fullest confidence in the solidity of the resources of the British empire, and in the relief which might be expected from a continuance of peace, and from the patience, public spirit, and energy of the nation. These expectations have not been disappointed. The improvement in the internal circumstances of the country is happily manifest, and promises to be steadily progressive; and I feel perfect assurance that the continued loyalty and exertions of all his majesty’s subjects will confirm these growing indications of national prosperity, by promoting obedience to the laws, and attachment to the constitution from which all our blessings are derived.”
STATE OF THE MANUFACTURERS OF LANCASHIRE, ETC.
Distress, though mitigated, as stated in the regent’s speech, still prevailed in the country. The cotton-spinners as well as other classes of manufacturers of Lancashire remained in a state of organized opposition to their masters on the subject of wages. From this cause disturbances took place at Burnley, Stockport, and other places, which could only be quelled by the prompt exertions of the Manchester yeomanry. A diversion from these troubles was created by the general election which took place during the summer. Men were too busily employed in securing the election of their favourites to think of the troubles by which they were surrounded.