double tolls on a certain road on Sunday, and by a mistake it was so framed as to import, that only half could be levied on that as on other days.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in answer, took occasion to state, that a reduction of 1,000,000l. was expected to be made in the estimates of the year; and that there would be a saving of 130,000!. in the management of the revenue, without diminishing the efficiency of the system.

Mr Hume complained, that the estimates would still amount to 18,000,000l., being a million more than had been contemplated by the committee of finance in 1817.

Colonel Davies and Sir J. Newport complained of the late period at which the estimates were laid before the House, so that parliament were obliged to vote away almost all the money, before they could be examined and reported upon. A most indecorous hurry was thus produced at the close of the session, and sometimes thirty or forty bills were passed in a day. As an instance of the bad effects of this system, he recollected a bill laying a duty upon madder having passed both Houses, when it was discovered that the word "madder" was omitted.

Mr Huskisson represented that the mode of presenting the estimates was now much improved. He recollected the time when they were not printed at all; now they were much clearer and in greater detail. Inadvertencies like those mentioned were unavoidable under the last system of legislation; he remembered a bill to exact

Mr Hume urged, that the reduction should rather have been made in the marines.

The minister said, that this opinion differed from that of all those who were acquainted with the service. In the event of war, a fleet of twenty sail could be immediately manned from the mercantile navy; whereas, the marines could receive no such immediate increase.

On the 4th May, when the navy estimates were brought up, and previous to Sir G. Warrender moving the grant, Mr Hume proposed a series of resolutions, which, on account of the information contained in them, we shall here insert.

"That it appears, by the returns before this House, that the expense of the admiralty office, of the navy pay office, and of the navy office establishments, in the year 1792, when there were 144 ships in commission, 257 ships in ordinary, and 16,000 seamen and marines in the service, was 58,719.; that, in the year 1813, when there were 666 ships in commission, 355 in ordinary, and 140,000 seamen and marines in the service, the expense of those offices was 189,2271.; and in the estimates for 1821, when there are only 119 ships in commission, 582 in ordinary, and 22,000 seamen and marines in the service, the expense is 185,000l. for

those offices, being only a reduction of 4,1777. in the sixth year of peace, from the year 1813 of extended warfare, and the sum of 126,331l. more in 1821 than in 1792 :-That the expense of the dock-yard establishments in England in the year 1792 was 25,3521.; in the year 1813 it amounted to 212,1437.; and in the estimate for the year 1821, the amount is 210,745, being only 1,3981. less than in 1813, and of 185,3931. more in 1821 than in 1792; that the expense of the foreign dock-yards in the year 1813 was 52,3691., and by the estimate for 1821, the charge is 53,9517., being 1,5911. more in the year 1821, a year of peace, than in 1813, a year of war:That the sum voted for the ordinary estimate of the navy in the year 1792, was 672,4821.; the sum voted for the ordinary estimate of the year 1813, was 1,757,9281.; and that the ordinary estimate for 1821 amounts to 2,484,600., being 1,812,118. more than the estimate of the year 1792, and 726,672l. more than that of the year 1813-That the total supply voted for the service of the navy in the year 1792 was 1,985,482, with 16,000 seamen and marines in the service; that in the year 1819 the supply voted for the navy was 5,985,415. with 19,000 seamen and marines in the service; and the estimate for the total supply of 1821 is 6,382,786l., with 22,000 seamen and marines in the service, being a charge of 4,397,304/. more in 1821 than in 1792, and, of 397,3711. more in 1821 than in 1819." After a few words from Sir George Warrender, Mr Hume forbore to press his motion,

Sir George now brought forward the navy estimates. He observed, that it was impossible for parliament to judge of the amount of emoluments received by dock-yard officers in the year 1792, from any documents submitted to its notice. At that time a

dock-yard officer, with a salary of only 100l. a-year, might receive emoluments to the amount of 1000l. a-year; whereas at present all his emoluments were known to, and limited by, parliament. Formerly, so far from being a check to abuse in the yard to which he was attached, he was actually bu sied in promoting it. At present, a system had been introduced, which made it his interest to look carefully after the interest of the public. The plan of task and check work had cer tainly introduced new officers into his Majesty's yards, but the benefits derived therefrom had more than com. pensated the expense they had occasioned. On the return of peace, it had been the first object of government to place such of our ships as had been for many years at sea, in an efficient state of ordinary; and that object had been so far accomplished, that orders had already been issued from the board of admiralty for the discon tinuance of one-fifth of the men employed in the dock-yards. Besides this reduction, inquiries were now making for the purpose of discovering what further reductions could be effected. He believed he might promise the House that a very considerable reduction would be made with respect to the commissioners of dock-yards, and also to the civil officers employed in them, in the course of the ensuing year; and he did not know whether it

might not be found expedient to reduce one of the dock-yards altogether within that period. The honourable baronet then proceeded to detail the different items in the estimates. He stated, that the increase of 11,000l. in the salaries and contingencies of the admiralty-office was occasioned partly by the reward given by the board of longitude to the crews of the Hecla and Griper, and partly by circumstances which he would at a future period shortly enumerate. The

disbursements of the assistant to the counsel of the navy in law-suits, &c. was 11,000l. this year; last year they had only been 8000l. There was also an increase in the contingencies relative to the service wherein the hydrographer was employed; but this would not be surprising to any member who recollected that the maritime surveys were more conveniently taken in a time of peace than in a time of war. He should have to ask for a grant of 32,000l. to Greenwich hospital, as also 8000l. to the naval asylum. Last year he had asked 14,000l. for that purpose; but as it was now intended to unite that establishment with the school at Greenwich hospital, several expensive offices would be reduced, and the sum which he had mentioned would be sufficiently large for the present year. He should now move, "That the sum of 2,484,599l. 11s. 5d. be granted for the ordinary expenses of the navy for the year 1821."

Mr Bernal objected to the voting so large an amount in one sum.

Sir George said, that this had been the uniform practice; but feeling a presentiment that the old method might be objected to, and being as desirous as possible to have these estimates thoroughly sifted, he had prepared them so as that they could be brought forward item by item. With drawing his general motion, he there. fore moved, in the first instance, 70,5961. 5s. 1d. for salaries and contingent expenses of the admiralty of

fice.

Mr Bernal insisted, that the following savings might be effected :-Two lords of the admiralty, 1000l. a-year each; vice-admiral of Scotland, 1000l.; paymaster of royal marines, 500l. ; in all, 3500l.

Sir George Cockburn insisted, that all these offices were necessary, particularly the two lords of the admiralty.

If the gentlemen opposite could find any individual who could, without injury to his health, attend at his office from nine o'clock in the morning till four in the afternoon, and then be in his place in that House from four in the afternoon until two in the morning, to answer such questions as might be put to him, he, for one, had no objection to let them instal him in the office. He was of opinion, however, that no such individual could be found; and until such an individual could be found, he would maintain that seven lords of the admiralty were not too many for the office.

Sir Joseph Yorke, on the other hand, who had himself sat at the board, declared that he was sure that the efficiency of the admiralty would not be at all diminished, if the number of the lords were five instead of seven. On his faith, his honour, and his conscience, he believed it. Until the year 1806, the salary of the first lord was 3000/., when it was increased to 5000%. at the time when Earl Grey held the office. It did appear to him a little extraordinary, that the gentlemen over the way did not advert to this subject. Not that it was possible that a

nobleman or a commoner could maintain the situation of a cabinet minister on 3000l. a-year, without great loss; but if the first lord had any other office, he certainly should not take, in all, more than 5000l. a-year. The Marquis of Camden had the thanks of the House for giving up part of his salary as teller of the exchequer ; but a right honourable relative of his own (MrC. Yorke) had given up the additional 2000l. a-year while he held the place of first lord, and not a word was said about it. He meant no personal offence to any gentleman; but he was of opinion that the business of the admiralty could be as well transacted by five as by seven lords.

Mr Robinson, who had also sat at the navy board, professed a directly opposite opinion.

Mr Creevey observed the dilemma to which he and his friends were reduced by such contrary statements. It seemed they were voting a supply for five members of parliament. He approved of the heads of offices sitting in the House, but did not see why all the minor officers of government should be there to vote upon the extent of their own emoluments.

The same remark was pressed by Mr Hume.

Mr Croker again declared, that, having thirteen years experience of the labours of the board, he must state his deliberately formed conviction, that the constitution of that board was not only highly useful, but almost absolutely indispensable. Even if the alteration were carried into effect, he could not contemplate any saving to the public; for, as it would then become indispensably necessary that the remaining commissioners should devote their whole time to the duties of their office, it would be impossible to appropriate to them smaller salaries than those of the under secretaries of

state.

The committee having divided up on this subject, the original resolution was carried only by a majority of 115 to 77. Another proposed reduction of 10001. was negatived by a majority of 118 to 55.

The next vote was of 38,9241. 2s. 6d. for the navy pay office.

Mr Hume observed, that the charge was only 44,930. in 1813, when the establishment of the navy was 120,000 seamen, and the expenditure 22 millions. He conceived, that the reduction ought to have been much greater, when there were only 14,000 seamen, and an expenditure of six millions.

Mr Robinson explained at full length

the cause of the expenditure being still so high. It arose chiefly from two new and highly important departments, the inspector's branch and the prize branch.

Mr Hume declared himself so satisfied with the honourable gentleman's statement, that he declined pushing the question to a vote.

On the 7th May, Mr Hume objected to the sum of 955,000 for com pleting the dock-yards at Sheerness. He, therefore, moved, that the amount of the estimates for completing these works was 824,9921. in 1814, and 433,8007. in 1818; and although the large sum of 1,147,000l. has been expended, a further sum of 955,4217. is stated as necessary to complete the improvements in that yard, and which will make the total charge for one dock-yard 2,102,4217.:-That, therefore, under such varying and uncertain estimates, it is expedient that a committee of this House should be appointed to inquire into the expendi ture and future estimates of all works in dock-yards."

Sir G. Cockburn, Sir J. Yorke, and Sir J. Coffin bore testimony to the great utility of these works, which would be rendered useless if not speedily completed. Mr Hume's motion was negatived by 82 to 27.

On the same day, 129,3951. was voted for vessels in ordinary; 970,400%. for half-pay to officers; 1,094,5891. for building and repairing ships of war.

Mr Hume moved a reduction of the last sum to 794,580.; but on understanding that this could not be done without the violation of certain contracts, he agreed to the postponement of the saving till after their fulfilment. Mr Hume objected also to the sum of 424,648/. for improvement in the dockyards, which he understood was only part payment of two millions.

Sir George Warrender explained,