empire, your petitioners being fully convinced, both from history and experience, that however religious distinctions may have supplied a pretext, a spirit of political monopoly has been the actuating principle of civil dissention, and of that unhappy national misunderstanding, which has so long injured the character, and lessened the value of this island. For your petitioners are strongly impressed with the conviction, that the continuance of the disqualifying laws is not only incompatible with the freedom and happiness of the great body of the Irish people, and detrimental to the resources of the state; but, as it is calculated to damp the ardour and divert the attention of the nation to partial interests and party dissentions, from measures of general security, may eventually prove injurious to the strength and stability of the empire.-Your petitioners, with a deep sense of gratitude, acknowledge that they are indebted to the wisdom and liberality of the parliament of Ireland, and to the paternal interposition of his Majesty for the removal of many of the disabilities and incapacities under which they laboured; and they refer, with confidence in the justice of their cause, to the solemn and memorable declaration of the Irish legislature: "That from the uniform and peace"able behaviour of the Roman Catholics of "Ireland for a long series of years, it ap peared reasonable and expedient to relax "the, disabilities and incapacities under "which they labour, and that it must tend "not only to the cultivation and improvement "of this kingdem, but to the prosperity and "strength of all his Majesty's dominions, "that his Majesty's subjects of all denomi"nations, should enjoy the blessings of a "free constitution, and should be bound to "each other by mutual interest and mutual "affection."-And your petitioners most solemnly declare, that they do not seek, or wish in any way to injure or encroach upon the rights, privileges, possessions, or revenues, appertaining to the bishops and clergy of the Protestant religion as by law established, or to the churches committed to their charge, or to any of them; the extent of their humble supplication being, that they may be governed by the same laws, and rendered capable of the same civil offices, franchises, rewards and honours, as their fellow subjects of every other religious denomination.-May it therefore please this Honourable House to take into its consideration the statutes, penal and restrictive, now affecting the Catholics of Ireland, and to admit them to the full enjoyment of those privileges, which every Briton regards as his best inhe ritance; and which your petitioners most humbly presume to seek as the brethren of Englishmen, and co-heirs of the constitution. -And your petitioners will ever pray, &c. THE ARMY. PROPOSITIONS SUBMITTED TO PARLIAMENT, BY MR. WINDHAM AND LORD CASTLE REAGH RESPECTING THE STATE OF THE ARMY-August 13, 1807. Mr. WINDHAM'S PLAN. No. I. That the effective strength of the army was, Regular. Militia. Total. On 1st of March 1806 173,600 75,182 248.782 1807 181,856 77,211 259,067 A reduction having in the mean time taken place of a local corps of 3000 men and upwards, in the Island of Ceylon. 2. That the provisions of certain Acts of Parliament, passed during the year 1806, and having in view the better ordering of the army, and the improvement of the condition of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers took effect from the 24th of June in the said year. 3. That from the 1st of July following, the number of recruits raised for the Regular Army (exclusive of those raised for Foreign or Colonial Corps, and 650 men for a regiment commanded by the hon. Colonel Dillon) was, In the 1st period of 31 months, ending on 2,770 the 1st Oct. 1806. In the 24 period ending on the 1st Jan. 3,406 1807 In the 3d period, end ing on the 1st of 5,335. April 1807 In the 4th period, end-` 6,078 Being at the rate per annum ing on the 1st July 6,078 1807 4. That on the 25th October, 1806, the bounty to recruits was reduced, Cavalry, from £13 8s. to £8 35. 16 16. 11 11. 5. That the number of recruits raised for the Regular Army in Great Britain and Ireland, according to the Adjutant General's Returns, was, in the first six months of By ordinary Additional Recruiting Force - 6,736 - 4,949 -11,413 Total - 4,187 4,834 10,923 - 10,783 - 11,413 6. That amongst the numbers raised in the first six months of 1805, are included 3,089 raised by Officers recruiting for rank. 7. That the men raised under the Addi tional Force Act,, were for Home Service only, and might be of any height, not less than five feet two inches, and of any age between 18 and 45. 8. That in the Regular Army no man could be received but between the ages of 18 and 30, and of a height not less than five feet four inches; the standard for men not entering for General Service, but choosing their own regiments, being five feet five inches, and for the Guards and Cavalry still higher. 9. That by recruits raised by ordinary recruiting, are meant men raised either at the head-quarters of regiments, or by the Recruiting Districts, late under the superntendance of the Inspector General. 10. That according to the War Office Return of Recruits,, for whom bounty has been drawn, as raised at the head-quarters of Regiments in Great Britain, and the Inspector-General's Return of the numbers raised by the recruiting districts, the produce of the ordinary recruiting was, during the first six months of LORD CASTLEREAGH'S PLAN. 1. That the increase of 8,256 men, as stated, in the Regular Army, between March 1806 and March 1807, has been produced by 2.908 men received from the Irish Militia, and 3.542 under the Additional Force ActTotal 6,450 men-without which aids (deducting our losses in Egypt and South Ainerica, viz. 2,155 men, which appear in the effectives of the army on the 1807) the army would have decreased, under the regulations established in June 1996, in the number of 379 men. 3. A. That the number of recruits raised quarterly for the Regular Army, between the 1st March 1805, and 1st March 1806, when the repeal of the additional Force Act was determined on, was (exclusive of foreign and colonial levies, and of men transferred from the militia) as follows: 1st Quarter ending 24 Ditto 34 4d Ditto Ditto Rate Number raized. per Ann. 1st July 1805 - 4,865 19,460 1st Dec. 1805 - 4,252 - 17,008 1st Jan. 1806 - 4,790 - 19,160 1st April 1806 - 6,096 24,384 3. B. That the number of men raised as above, between the 1st April 1805 and 1st April 1806, was 20,003; the number between July 1806 and July 1807, 17,689, being 2314 less than in the former year; whereas the number of boys included in the 17,689, exceeded by 1,076, the number included in the 20,003, the preceding year's produce. 3. c. That while the number of men obe tained for regular service, including men transferred from the Militia (and exclusive of foreign and colonial levies) was, between July 1905 and July 1800. 33,693 men; between July 1806 and July 1807, 20,681, being 13.012 men less than in the preceding year, exclusive of the services of the men raised in the latter year being determinable in seven or ten years, according to the terms of their inlistment. 3. D. That whilst the number of men levied in the latter year was less than in the former, as stated in the preceding resolutions, an annual additional charge of £450,000 increased Pay and Pensions to the Army, has been incurred, as an encourageinent to induce men to inlist, being at the rate of about 25 pounds per man on the number of men raised within the year; and which expence must be hereafter largely increased, in proportion as the pensions on 14 and 21 year's service come into operation. 3. E. That during the former year the Recruiting Parties did not exceed in n'mber 405; that in the latter year they have been increased to 1,113, exclusive of above 400 extra Recruiting Officers; and from 8th December 1806, 54 second battalions have been recruiting, under an intimation, that if they did not raise 430 men in six months, the Battalions would be then reduced, and the Offcers placed on Half Pay; which extraordinary increase of the number of Recruiting Parties must be considered not only as highly prejudicial to the discipline and efficiency of the Army, but, as so much expence incurred for the levy of men, as distinguished from the performance of Regimental Duty. 3. F. That whilst the number of men rais ed as above for the Regular Service, has in the latter year been reduced, the proportion of desertions in the amy serving at Home has been rather increased, the proportion being, in the dye successive half-yearly periods, as follows;. 1 in 104 Desertions in Army at Home: 1 in 275 1 in 243 4. That the expence of Levy Money for General Service has been reduced-for Ca valry, from 191. to 151. 4s. 6d. ; and for Infantry, from 221. 8s. to 181. 12. 6d. But the term of service has also been redu ed, from Service for Life, to Service for ten and seven years, which supposes two additional periods of enlistment, and consequently two additional Bounties in the course of a service of 21 years, exclusive of the additional pay and pensions above referred to 6. That among the number raised in the first 6 months of 1807, being 11,411 men, 8,035 have been raised by the 54 Second Battalions; that is, by Officers, recruiting to avoid reduction. age 7. and 8. That, with the exception of 0,242 men transferred to Garrison Battalions, all men raised under the Army of Reserve and Additional Force Auts have been since enlisted into the Line, being of the and height required by his Majesty's Regulations; and amongst the nien so transferred to Garrison Battalions, are included all met who did not choose to enter for General Service, without reference to age or height. 11. That the men volunteering from li mited to unlimited service, from the 1st July 1806, to 1st January 1897, received 10 guineas bounty for only extending their service from local to general service; whereas -before that period (the bounty being the same), the men transferring themselves to the line, exchanged their service, not only from home to foreign service, but from service limited in point of time to service for life; and the men in the latter period, who refused to transfer their services, were ordered to be drafted into garrison battalions. ances granted to Volunteer Corps of Artillery and Infantry, to men enrolled subsequently to the 24th July, 1806; and permitting the said corps to assemble upon permanent pay and duty; and determining he charge for inspections. I The same pay and allowance as are granted to those members of Volunteer cos of Artillery and Infantry, enrolled prior to the 24th July, 1800, are extended from the 25th of April, 1807, to those men who may have been enrolled therein subsequently to the 24th July, 1806, or who may be enrolled hereafter, not exceeding the establishment of the corps. Should any men be enrolled beyond the establishment, they are, as formerly, to be considered as supernumeraries.-II. Srch men as may have been enrolled between the 24th of July 1806, and the 25th of April, 1807, can only be permitted to be charged for from the latter date. III. Such volunteer corps of artillery and infantry as shall not have exercised more than 16 days in the present year, have the option of assembling upon permanent pay and duty, under the conditions of the regulations which were in force in the year 1805.-IV. No corps is to be assembled for less than 10, or more than 14 days; and in no instance are the number of days of exercise (including the days of inspection) and the number of days on permanent duty (including the days on the march) to amount together to more than 20; but it is understood that all volunteers shall muster for drill and exercise one This day in each week that may be entitled to exemptions.-V. The non-commissioned officers, drummers, and private men, will be entitled to receive Is. per diem, each, as marching or bounty money, for the number of days they shall be assembled on permanant duty, over and above the pay and allowances of their respective ranks. allowance will, as formerly, be issued, in Enge land, by the Receiver-General of the County, and in Scotland, by the Collector of the Cess. VI. This permission to Volunteer Corps of Artillery and Infantry, to assemble on permanent pay and duty, regard only the present year; such duty must, therefore, be performed previously to the 25th Dec., 1807-VII. Those corps which may be desirous of thus assembling, must apply, as heretofore, through His Majesty's Lieute nant of the county, to the Secretary for the Home Department.-VIII. No extra pay is allowed for days of inspection; they are to be considered as ordinary days of exercise, and are to be charged for such, and to form is allowed pay part of the 25 days for which in the year. J. PULTENEY. Primed by Cox and Baylis, No. 75, Great Queen Street, and published by it. Bagshaw, Brydges Street, Covent Garden, where former Numbers may be had: suld also by J. Budd, Crown and Mare, Pall Malle VOL. XII. No. 10.] LONDON, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1807. [PRICE 10D. Sir, the last House of Commons, being sensible how narrowly this Nation escaped being ruined by a "sort of Monsters called Pensioners, which sat in the late Long Parliament, had entered into a Considera❝tion how to prevent the like from coming into future Parliaments; and, in order thereto, resolved, That "they would severely chastize some of those that had been guilty, and make the best Laws they could to prevent the like for the future: and for that purpose a Committee was appointed, of which Mr. Serjeant "Gregory, now Judge Gregory was Chairman; by which, many Papers relating to that Affair, came to "his Hands. Sir, I think it a business of so great Importance, that it ought never to be forgotten, nor "the Prosecution of it deferred. I have often heard, that England can never be destroyed but by itself: "to have such Parliaments, was the most likely way that ever yet was invented I remember a great “Lawyer said in this House, when it was debated in the last Parliament, “ That it was Treason;” and he "gave many learned Arguments to make it out. Whether it be so or no, I will not now offer to debate; but I think, that, when those that are the Legislators of the Nation are guilty of taking Bribes, to "undermine the Laws and Government of this Nation, they ought to be chastized as Traitors, It was "my Fortune to sit here a little while in the Long Parliament; I did observe that all those that had "Pensions, and most of those that had offices, voted all of a side as they were directed by some "great Officer, as exactly as if their Business in this House had been to preserve their Pensions and Offices, “and not to make Laws for the good of them that sent them here. How such Persons coud any way be "useful for the support of the Government, by preserving a fair Understanding between the King and his "People, or, on the contrary, how dangerous they must have been, as instruments to bring in Arbitrary "Power, I leave to every Man's Judgment. They were so far from being the true Representatives of the "People, that they were a distinct middle interest, between the King and the People; and their chief "business was to serve the end of some great Minister of State, though ever so opposite to the true In"terest of the Nation. Sir, this business ought never to fall, though there should be ever so many Prorogations and Dissolutions of Parliaments, before any thing be done in it; I think it is the Interest * of the Nation, that it should be prosecuted from Parliament to Parliament, as if there were an Im"peachment in against them. And, therefore, Sir, I would humbly move you to send some Members "of this House to Judge Gregory, for the Papers he hath taken in his Custody relating to this Affair, that ❝so you may, in convenient tinie, proceed furteer herein, as you shall think good. And, Sir, being "there is a Report, that some of this House have now made a Bargain at Court for great Offices, in order "to vitiate and corrupt their Votes in this Ilouse: which may perhaps, be a false report and invented with "a design to cast a Reflection on such Members; yet, in order to satisfy the World, and vindicate this "House from the suspicion of their approving of such a practice, I pray, Sir, let there be a Vote past, "That no Member of this House shall accept of any Office under the Crown, during such time as he con"tinues a Member of this House."- -Speech of Sir Francis Winnington, in the House of Commons, December 30, 1880. " After a debate the House came to the following Resolutions.-1. "That the several Writings, Papers, and "Proceedings, relating to such Members of the late Long Parliament, who received Allowances out of the "Money appointed for Secret Services, be produced to this House.' 2. Nem. con., "That no Member "of this House shall accept of any Office or Place of Profit, from the Crown, without the leave of this “House; nor any Promise of any such Office, or Place of Profit, during such time as he shall continue a "Member of this House: and that all Offenders herein shall be expelled."--Journals of the House of Commons, Vol. IX. p. 655. 353] SUMMARY OF POLITICS. PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT (continued from page 338).The mode of issuing Election Writs became a subject of discussion, towards the close of the session. The occasion was this: Mr. Jeffery, member for Poole, complained, that the writ, for holding the election for that place, had been unlawfully kept back from the returning officer, in order to serve the private ends of one or more of the candidates.The cause of detention, or rather the early possession of the writ, was traced to an attorney's clerk, who was brought to the bar of the Honourable House. The Honourable House ordered him to tell who it was that he gave the writ to; but he, alledging, that to make stab discovery, would be a breach of honour, [354 4 refused to tell the Honourable House who it his messengers; but, in fact, that they paid him pretty handsomely for his granting them the favour. Any thing more foul; any thing better calculated to defeat the profess ed purposes of the writsy any abuse more. daring and scandalous cannot well be conceived. What, however, was done, upon the discovery," upon the open avowal, upon the undisputed and indisputable allegation of it? Was the offender punished? No. Was he reprimanded? No. Was he desired to do so no more? No. Was he even blamed? No. Not even blame; but, the old panacea, an act of parliament, was proposed, in order to prevent the delay of the arrival of writs, in future. A bill was brought in by Mr. Barham, with a view to its being passed early next session, containing a long string of regulations for the transmitting of writs by the post. That these regulations will be less likely to be observed than the former regulations is, I think, certain; because, passing through so many hands, the writ may, at some place or other, be detained, for several days, without the possibility of proving any particular person to have committed the crime of wilful detention." But, the circumstance most worthy of notice, and, indeed, the only one worthy of much notice, as tending to expose the real state of things, is, that Mr. Barham, proposed to make provision, that the present messenger of the great seal, as he would suffer a diminution of his emoluments by putting a stop to the sale of writs, should, for his life, receive, in lieu thereof, a compensation out of the public purse! I dare say now, that Mr. Barham is a great man for the constitution, which, indeed, he talked a good deal about at the time of proposing this measure. Oh, the inva luable constitution! It is an invaluable thing to some people, as Sir Francis Burdett observed upon the occasion of the advertisement of Lady Salisbury. That abuses, by whomsoever committed, if they are but committed against the public, are pretty sure to pass with impunity, when discovered, we have sufficient experience of. Upon this point both factions seem to be perfectly agreed, seem to be animated with one and the same soul; but, that an abuse, when discovered and exposed, should have its gains, when taken away by putting a stop to the thing, compensated for, and that, too, by an act of parliament, is, I must confess, something new, even in England.When a man has been detected in frauds upon the revenue," and it is found, that he has long been a great gainer by such frauds, what is, the consequence? He is most severely punished; he is sweated to his last penny; he is made to refund all his gains as far as they can possibly be ascertained, and is heavily fined into the bargain. What a contrast! And yet, what difference is there in the two cases, except that, in this latter, the man only retains that which, were it not for a taxing law, would be his own? This bill of Mr. Barham's is, comparatively speaking, a matter of small importance in itself; but, when viewed as a spe-cimen of the manner in which abuses are considered by those who have, at present, the power to redress them, it is of great importance; it throws a clear light upon their inclination as to such matters; it can leave no doubt in our minds as to their motives ; it is conclusive as to what we have to expect from them.III. The Irish Insurrection Bill met with very little opposition in the Lords' House of Parliament; and, in the other House one hardly knows which to admire most, Mr. Grattan's conduct, in becoming the chief supporter of the bill, or Mr. Sheridan's in making no opposition to it, until it was too late, until he knew, until he must have known, that it was too late for his oppostion to produce any effect. Indeed, he did not oppose the bill; he only talked about it, loudly talked about it; but, at the same time took care to say, that he could not oppose it; and, when it was passed, called for an inquiry into the necessity of passing it! This was just one of his old tricks to obtain popularity; to catch the applause of the unwary and the ignorant; and to support, with the help of play ticketbribed editors of newspapers, a reputation for the possession of that which he never possessed; namely, a regard for the liberties and happiness of the people, that people, in the odium of extracting sacrifices from whom, he, in the hour of his Westminster triumph, all covered with play-house laurels and street-dirt as he was, boasted that he was ready to take his full share, to which he might safely have added, that he was ready also to take his full share of the amount of such sa-mi crifices. Of exactly the same description: was his motion relative to the publicans' li➡1 : cences He promised the people, in CoventA Garden, that he would bring in a bill to pre vent the Police-Magistrates from having it in their power to ruin the publicans that had voted, or might vote, for Sir Francis Bure dett; and, what did he do? He did nothing till the close of the session, and then he pro posed a bill to extend to the power of all justices of the peace, in all parts of the kingdom; a bill that he knew would never pass and, indeed, a bill that ought not to pass. But, as he imagined, he did what would an 3 |