F AC T S: ADDRESSED TO THE LANDHOLDERS, STOCKHOLDERS, MERCHANTS, FARMERS, MANUFACTURERS, TRADESMEN, PROPRIETORS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION, AND GENERALLY TO ALL THE SUBJECTS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. UBI DOLOR, IBI DIGITUS, THE SIXTH EDITION. LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. JOHNSON, N. 72, ST. PAUL'S. CHURCH-YARD, and J. ALMON, in PICCADILLY, t 7 2^ [ Pi-ice Two Shillings. ] nso To the Landholders, Stockholders, Mer- chants, Farmers, Manufa&urers, Tradef- men, Proprietors of every Defcription,. and generally to all the Subjects of Great Britain and Ireland. Fellow Countrymen, IT was only by the death of one king- and the expulfion of another, by a long- train of cruel civil wars, and a deluge of the bed blood in the country, that our an-, ceftors could at length obtain from prero* gative, that the judges (who only declare the law) mould no longer be under the corrupt influence and power of the crown. And, though coftly, they thought the pur- chafe wifely made. What is now OUR ftruggle ? That thofe who make the laws mall no longer be proftituted to infamous, and fordid gain : that the legiflature itfelf may A 2 be Iv INTRODUCTION. be refcued from temptations which flcm and blood cannot withftand. The violence of prerogative diverted the ftreams of juftice, and turned the courfe of them from their natural and ordinary chan- nel ; yet when the hand of violence was taken off, when- the dam of prerogative was removed, the ftreams ran clear and purer than before. But the corruption of Parlia- ment is not merely a turning of the courfe, it is a poifoning-vpf the water at the foun- tain-head. te The integrity of Parliament (it has been well obferved) is the key-ftone that keeps the whole together. If this be fhaken, our conftitution totters: if it be quite removed, our conftitution falls into ruin." Is it then only Jhaken ? Is it not quite removed ? Have not three or four hundred mer-* cenaries in the two Houfes already effected againft the profperity and liberties of this country, INTRODUCTION. * country, what ten times as many thoufands out of them would have attempted in vain? Our anceftors have fhut up, with all the l>ars and bolts of law, the principal entries through which prerogative could burft in upon us. It is ours to dole the avenue of corruption, through which the influence of the Crown now threatens our final ruin. To direct your attention to the true fource of all our evils, and to the only means of our falvation, it is thought proper to lay before you the three following MO- TIONS; accompanied with fome notorious and inconteftable FACTS, which admit neither of denial nor of palliation ; and which whilft they evidence the juftice of our complaints, and the intolerable enor- mity of our grievances, do at the fame time point out both the neceffity and means cf a thorough and fpeedy reformation. CHAP. 6 Motions in the Honfe of Lords. CHAP. I. MOTIONS LATELY MADE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS, THE Firft is a Motion of his Grace the Duke of Richmond; who, on Tuef- day, December 7, 1779, moved, " THAT an humble addrefs be prefented to his Majefty, to befeech his Majefty to reflect on the manifold diftrefles, and dif- ficulties in which this kingdom is involved, too deeply felt to fland in need of enume- ration. " To reprefent that amidft the many, and various matters which require reformation, and muft undergo correction before this country can rife fuperior to its powerful enemies, the wade of public treafure re- quires inftant remedy. That profufion is not vigour ; and that it is become indif- penfably neceflary to adopt that true (Eco- nomy which, by reforming all ufelefs ex- pences, creates confidence in Government, gives energy to its exertions, and provides I the Motions in the Houfe of Lords. *J the means for their continuance, humbly to fubmit to his Majefty, that a confider- able reduction of his Majefty's Civil Lift would be an example well becoming his Majefty's paternal affection for his people, and his own dignity -, could not fail of dif- fufmg its influence through every depart- ment of the ftate, arid would add true luftre to his crown, from the grateful feelings of a diftreffed people. " To allure his Majefty that this Houfc will readily concur in promoting fo deli- rable a purpofe -, and that every one of its members will chearfully fubmit to fuch reduction of emolument in any office he may hold, as his Majetfy in his royal wif- dom may think proper to make." The Second is a Motion of the Earl of Shelburne ; who, on Wednefday, De- cember 15, 1779, moved, " THAT the alarming addition annually making to the prefent enormous national debt, under the head of extraordinaries in- curred in the different fervices, requires im- 8 Motions in the Houfe of Lords. immediate check and controul. The in- creafing the public expence beyond the grants of Parliament being at all times an invafion of the fundamental rights of Par- liament, and the utmoft ceconomy being indifpenfably necefTary in the prefent re- duced and deplorable ftate of the landed and mercantile interest of Great Britain, and Ireland." The Third is a Motion of the Earl of Shel- burne, who, on Wednefday, December 15, 1779, moved, " THAT the Lords be fummoned for Tuefdayy the %th of February next, to take into confideration a motion. That a Com- mittee be appointed, confirming of Mem- bers of both Houfes, porTerTing neither em- ployment nor peniion, to examine without delay into the public expenditure and the mode of accounting for the fame : more particularly into the manner of making all contracts, and at the fame time to take into confideration, what faving can be made confident with public dignity, juftice and gratitude, by an abolition of old and new created Motions in the Houfe of Lords. 9 created offices, the duties of which have either ceafed, or fhall on enquiry prove in- adequate to the fees, or other emoluments arifing therefrom ; or by the reduction of fuch falaries, or other allowances and profits as may appear to be unreafonable : that the fame may be applied to leflen the pre- fent ruinous expenditure, and to enable us to carry on the prefent war againft the Houfe of Bourbon, with that decifion and vigour which can alone refult from national zeal, confidence, and unanimity." The propriety of the Firft motion will mod evidently appear, by confidering that in the early times of our conftitution, the whole expence of the ftate was borne by the crown -, aided indeed fometimes by the people, when they approved the occafion of the expence ; and if the king was then vefted with the fole power of appointing to offices, and of declaring and cOnduding war; it is likewife certain that thofe officers of ftate were indeed at that time literally his fervants, paid out of his coffers, and difpofing of his treafure : and that to- gether with the chief burden of war, the B mif- io . Motions in the Houfe of Lords. mifconducl: or mifcarriage of it affected, m the firft place and principally, the king himfelf. The fame power has continued in the crown, though the reafon of it has ceafed. The people now bear the whole burden and expence both of the civil government and of war. They alune fuffer all the confe- quences of mifconducl: and mifcarriage; although the crown exclufively appoints the minifters to whom fuch mifcondu<5t and mifcarriage can alone be imputed. The king's private revenue (drawn from the pockets of his people) is now fixed and certain : his comparative domeftie riches, therefore, and power become greater in proportion to the increafing poverty of his fubjecls. Not only fo, but in the prefent unexampled expenfive war, his private revenue has received an unexam- pled increafe. Is it any thing but juftice then, that his income mould, at leaft, par- take the burdens and fufTerings of his people, and conform in fome meafure to the decreafed ability of his fubjects, and to the diminution of the numbers of thofe 5 whofe Motions in the Uoufe of Lords. i r whofe labours affifted in his fupport ? More efpecially when we canfider that this enor- mous civil lift is divided amongft thofe very men whofe votes and counfels have deprived us of three millions of induftrious fellow-fubje&s, who toiled in common with ourfelves for his greatnefs : for, moft true it is, the king fubfifts by the field that is tilled; it is the labour of the people that fupports the crown. The aim of the fecond motion is to take away from Minifters, more dangerous be- caufe unlimited civil lifts, which in the Army and Navy departments alone (exclu- five of the Ordnance) amount at prefent to Six MILLIONS a year. The extraordinaries of the Army (Lord North's civil lift) fufficiently account for our prefent difgraceful fituation ; ufelefs to our friends, contemptible to our enemies, and in- capable of undertaking any great defign, either at home or abroad ; for our Minifters, it is plain, have carried on their war like their favage allies, whofe incurfions are never madeto extend the dominions of their coun- try, but to levy contributions for themfelves B 2 only 12 Motions in the Houfe of Lords. only with this difference, that our Javages have neglected their enemies to plunder their countrymen. The extraordinaries of the Navy (Lord Sandwich's civil lift) fpeak plainly enough both for themfelves, and for him. We need only to look at their amount; and then to compare the prefent condition of our fleets with the defcription given of them by his Majefty himfelf, in his firft fpeech from the throne. " As my Navy is the principal article of our natural ftrength, it gives me much fatisfadion to receive it in fuch good condition : whilft the fleet of France is weakened to fuch a degree, that the fmall remains of it have continued blocked up by my flips in their own ports" November 16, 1760. The third motion is directed 'againft our only natural enemies, againft the rnoft formidable allies of the houfe of Bourbon j -fraudulent contractors, ufelefs placemen^ unworthy penfioners. Thefe are the fatal troops which have baffied the forces of this kingdom. By depriving the ftate of its revenue, they have deftroyed its power. And Motions in the Houfe of Lords t 13 And whilft they have been voting away the liberties of the people, and the dignity of parliament, they have effectually ex- tinguimed the king's real greatnefs ; which conlifts not in a corrupt dominion over his fubjects at home; but in the honourable influence which he ought to have upon flates abroad. A king of Great Britain fhould be great, even amongft kings -, and able, by the wifdom and authority of his counfels, fo to incline and difpofe the af- fairs of other ftates and nations, and thofe great events which fometimes happen in the world, as that all fhould ultimately con- tribute to the benefit of mankind in gene- ral, and to the peculiar honour and advan- tage of his own people. But why fhould we dwell upon the greatnefs of a king, when the very exigence of the nation is at (lake. If there yet re- mains an individual in the kingdom unfa- fatisfied (we will not fay of the propriety but) of the abfolute necejjity of the pro- pofed reformation; let him ferioufly perufe the following FACTS. CHAP. 14 Expence of the War CHAP. II. JLxpence of the War even fuppofing a Peace hadbeenfettkdat Cbriftmas 1779. NOTHING can more forcibly prove the extreme neceffity of the propofed reformation, than an exhibition of the ex- pence already incurred by the war, even with the fuppofition of an immediate peace. The public have therefore here laid be- fore them the expence of the prefent war, even fuppofing a peace were at this mo- ment fettled. Principal. Annual Expence. Additional (lock of 3 per cent, annuities, in 1776 2,150,000 64,500 Four per cent, (lock with an annuity of \ per cent. or 25,000!. for ten years annexed in 1777 5,000,000 225,000 Additional 3 per cent flock with an annuity of zl per cent, or 150,000!. for 30 years in 1778 6,000,000 Carried over 13,150,000 At Cbriftmas, 1779. l Principal. Annual Expcnce. Brought over 13,150,000 619,500 Additional 3 per cent.ftock with 3| per cent, or 262,500!. per ann. for 29 years annexed in I?79 7,000,000 472,509 Value of 25,000!. per ann. for 7 years at 6 150,000 Value of 150,000!. per ann. for 28 years, at 15 2,250,000 Valueof262,5ool.perann. for 28 years, at 15 3>937>5o Added to the funded debt? fince 1775 26,487,500 1,092,000 Unfunded Debt, on January i, 1780. Navy debt Extraordinaries of the ar- my () Extraordinaries of the ord- nance Exchequer bills Debt of the linking fun 8,000,000 3,100,000 550,000 3,400,000 700,000 Carried over 15,750,000 (a} The extraordinaries of the army laft year were 3,026,137!. The extraordinaries of the ordnance were52i,935K It is probable they will be more this year. (b) The finking fund atChriftmas, 1778, was in debt nearly the whole Lady- Day quarter. This year, be- fides providing 2,071,854!, for the fupplies, it has this deb: 1 6 Expence of the War Principal. Brought over 15,750,000 Continuance of pay to forces by fea and land, calling home troops, and other expences of war which cannot im- mediately ceafe with the war (.:) 3,500,000 Total unfunded debt 19,250,000 Add y"zW^/ debt 26,487,500 DeducT: the unfunded debt before the war 3,100,000 Remains addition to the debt by the war, at Chriftmas, 1779 4 2 >637,500 Add one (hilling in the pound land-tax, for four years at 450,000 1. per ann. 1,800,000 Carried over 44,437,000 debt to difcharge j all the deficiencies of the new taxes to make good, and about 160,000!. of the intereft of this year's loan to pay. The probability therefore is that it will be as much in debt at Chriftmas, 1779, as it was at Chriftmas, 1778. It fhould be further con- fidered that ever fmce 1777, its produce has been falling. (r) This was the fum to which thefe expences amounted at the peace, in 1763. Mr. Hartley has eftimated them at no lefs a fum th#n ten millions* At Cbriftmas, 1779, 17 Principal. Annual Expence. Brought over 44,437,500 Add the peace furplus in the revenue before the war, and applied to the expence of the war, reckoned 7 50,000!. per ann. including 1 50,000!. from annual lotteries 3,000,000 JPhole expence of the war at Chrijlmas 1779 47 5 437>5 Annual expence incurred by the funded debt 1,092,000 Annual expence to be in- curred by funding fix- teen millions (now un- funded) at 5 per cent. Soo,ooo Total annual expence alrea- dy incurred by the war 1,892,00 Suppofing the war be continued (as Mr. Eden fays it probably will) for years ; it cannot add lefs every year to our debt than thirteen millions, exclufive of the monftrpus expence of douceurs. In order to raife ten millions after Chrift- mas, 1779 (f) (over and above the contri- C bution, (f) The loan of 1779 (including 1,400,000!. Ex- bills lately iflued) is 8j400,oool.-*-There it already i8 Expence cf the War bution of the Eaft-India Company) NEW TAXES, which will produce 700,000!. per annum mufl be impofed upon the people. already voted for 1700, an increafed expence of above a million. Probably therefore theloan of this year muft be ten millions, exclufive of any provifion for the Navy Debt. In 1778 the Navy Debt increafed two millions j and atChriPm-'s 1778 amounted to 5,179,000!. At Chriiimas 1779, it was near eight millions ; and therefore will have increafed above two millions and an 'half io the year. To prevent a further increafe, two millions and an half mould be paid in 1780: and this would make the whole debt provided for in this yea, twelve millions and an half. It is poflible however that Lord North may fatisfy himfelf with paying off only a million of the navy debt. But this will be very bad policy : for the confequence will be, that the navy debt in 1780 will increafe to nine, .or ten millions ; and navy bills will fall to a difcount that will bear down all the public fecurities ; and render the expence of the navy, already exorbitant, much more fo. It is faid that ten millions are to be procured by fel- ling a 3 per cent, flock at 581 per cent, with an annu- ity annexed of 4 per c-.-nt. for 28 years, valued at icl years purchafe, though really worth near 15 years purchafe. Funds therefore muft be found which will produce 700,000!. per ann. The extravagance of this fcheme is enormous : It 'is the fame thing as procuring 5,850,000!. by felling a 3 per cent, flock at 58! ; and 5 the At Chrtftmas, 1779. 19 people. In order to raife thirteen millions the following year, NEW TAXES, which will produce at leaft, 8oo,oool. />232>3 6 9 1758 1,166,785 Prefent War. In 1775 845^65 1776 2,170,602 1777 2,200,223 1778 Total 3,601,678 Number of men voted in thefe four years 347.223 Therefore at an average lol. 73. 6d. for tx- traordinaries for each man per annum. Total 8,242,127 Number of men voted in thefe 'four years 314,918 Therefore at an average 26!. is. 6d. for ex- traordinaries for cash man per annum. N. B. We have proceeded no farther in our com- parifon of the extraordtnaries of thefe two wars, be- caufe the extraordinaries for 1779 will not belaid be- fore parliament till the year 1780, after the prefect recefs. It fliould be obferved that in 1778 the Militia was embodied, and three regiments of fencible men were raifed in North Britain : the total of both is 39,206 men, which are not included in the above ac- F count 42 Exfraor dinar ies of the Army. count becaufe the former were embodied only in the middle of the year, and both thefe corps (as well as many other aug- mentations made in that year) were at home and caufed but very little extra- ordinary expence. The following comparative view of extraordinaries will not be unworthy of the reader's attention : Extraordinaries of King William's war of nine years .1,200,000 Extraordinaries of Queen Anne's war of eleven years 2,000,000 Total of thefe two wars of twenty years 3,200,000 Extraordinaries of loft year only 3,026,137 Difference 173,863 Thus we fee that the extraordinaries of 1778 (voted by Parliament in 1779) arc but 173,8637. {hort of the extraordinaries for the whole of two great wars (which Jailed twenty years). 2 We Extraordinaries of the Army. 43 We may alfo confider that the WHOLE SUPPLY for the firft year of Queen Anne's war (with 40,000 feamen included) was but 3,535,4577. which is only 509,3207. more than the bare extraordinaries of the army for the year 1778. The excefs of the extraordinaries for the four firft years of the prefent war, is 4,640,4497. more than the extraordinaries of the four firft years of the laft war. And the extraordinaries for four years only of the prefent war amount to one million and an half fterling, more than all the extraordinaries of King William's, Queen Anne's, and George the Second's firft war together, which wars comprize the fpace of twenty-nine years. It muft be obferved for the fake of pre- cifion, that through the whole of this chapter we have not confined ourfelves to the extraordinaries (properly fo called) which are laid before Parliament under that title ; but we have added to thofe ac- counts fuch parts of the votes of credit as have been ftated to be applied to the ex- traordinary fervices of the Army. F 2 SECT. 44 Remittances to North America SECT. II. Sums remitted to North America, of which no Account has been given to Parliament. JN 1775 - . 408,809 J77 6 - 799*97.3 i 777 _ 1,052,060 Total 3,796,543 The accounts of the Aims remitted in 1779 have not yet been prefented to parliament : therefore the remittances of that year are not yet known j but they will probably exceed thofe of 1778. Befides thefe Aims, the pay of the army is alfo remitted to North America by Meffrs. Harley and Drummond.* The remit- (a) The public will undoubtedly learn with aftonifh- ment, that this million and a half flerling, is a charge of fome kind or other for the army, over and above Pay and Clothing, Provijions and Freight, Tranfport Service at large, Ordnance, Ex^ence of Indians, Rum, Hofpitals, Pay of General and Staff Officers, Camp Equipage, and all the various other known allowances to the army. And yet of this million and a half fterling, Parliament has not had any account whatever. Unaccounted for. 45 remittances are fometimes made in Spanifh or Portugal coins, and fometimes in En- glifh coin : the quantity of the latter ex- ported is faid to have alarmed the Bank of England (a). SECT. (a] The motives for making what is called thegold contratt^ as well as the contract itfelf, do well deferve a thorough inveftigation j in which the covenants and the non-performance of thofe covenants ought not to be pafled over. The by-operations of this contract may be judged of by the following well authenticated fact. The agents for the contractors in Canada having collected a good deal of money by difpofing of bills on the Ireafury at low prices, made ufe of it in monopolizing the corn of the province. In executing this defign they doubled and nearly tripled the price of corn, and produced the danger of a famine in fome parts of the province. But complaints having been made, and the governor having (hewn great refent- ment, they were difplaced j and new agents were ap- pointed, who took with them to Quebec from hence a large fum in fpecie, which rendering bills u/inecef- fary, raifed them to their former value. It is likewife well known that the agents, ill fend- ing rations to garrifons in the interior pa r : ., of the pro- vince, have fometimes fent rations for thatifands^ when perhaps the garrifon has confuted only of a few -39<> 52*332 28,506 26,625 18,420 20,066 30,017 22,160 60,144 37>995 I7 , 24 i 90,909 94>49 The 68 Bills drawn by Governours. The average annual amount of gover- nours bills, from 1765 (which was the rirft year after the war) to iy75> both years is lefs fcr ann. than 32,000!. Since 1775* almoft every governour, both in North America and the Weil Indies, feems to have had a fingular re- lifh for this kind of correfpondence with the Treaiury, and feduloully to have fol- lowed up its pradtice. This appears by obierving that the average annual amount of the three laft years, 1776, 1777, and 1778, is more per ann. than 92,000!. That is nearly triple the fum of the annual average am^$unt of tlie former years. We muft obferve, that mod of thefe draughts came from the Weft India iflands, which, fo far from (landing in need of any fgrtjcutar parliamentary or royal- money-afliHance, were capable of con- tributipg materially, and did contribute to the general fuppert >f the empire -- This ig clearly proved by the plan laid down and executed in 1763, and in the following, years, for felling the lands to the Bills drawn by Governours. 69 the firft fettlers, which poured a confider- able fum into the public Treafury. And it is well known that the 4! per cent. tax was not refufed in the ceded iflands upon any allegation of inability to pay it ; but on account of the illegal and uncon- ftitutional exertion of prerogative autho- rity by which it was levied (a). The reader may perhaps imagine, that in thefe laft three years of hoflilities and apprehended attacks, the fums drawn for by the governours may have been expended in putting Dominica, St. Vincent's, Gre- nada, Virginia, and the other govern- ments on the continent into a proper ftate of defence; but it is neceflary to acquaint him, that the engineers, cannon, ammuni- tion, fmall arms, Jiores, fortifications, &c. for thofe places (to an amazing amount) are voted by parliament in the ordnance cftimate. With what additional indig- nation (a} The conftitutional reader will find the do&rine of Lord Mansfield, in the Court of King's-Bench, upon this fubjeft, very ably ftated and anfwered in Mr. JBaron Maferes's Canadian Freeholder. Vol. II. jo Bills drawn by Governours. nation and mame will the Englifh reader farther reflect, that either the ftandard of France, or the ftandard of America is now flying in each of thofe plantations, from whence thofe enormous draughts upon the Treafury were made. Omitting a variety of fmaller bills drawn from North and South Carolina, Virginia, New York, -&c. we have feledted the following remarkable bills drawn in 1776, 1777, and 1778. Governour of Tobago (in one year) . 19,017 Governour of Virginia (in one year) _ 25,000 Governour of Eaft Florida (in two years) 20,135 Governour of Grenada (in two years) 21,750 Governour of Dominica (in two years) 24,812 Governour of St. Vincent's (in two years) - - 26,993 It mutt be obferved that the loft of thefe articles is the only one which the minifter has Bills drawn by Governours. 74 has condefcended to explain to parliament, and that explanation deferves to be re- corded. Lord North faid, that the governour of St. Vincent's had, of his own authority, created a Caraib war, and had incurred by that meafure, much heavier expences than thofe {lated to be incurred by him in the extraordinaries of the army; and that he (Lord North) had ordered other bills to a coniiderable amount to be protefled (a}. This governour was fuffered to conti- nue in his government till the French had conquered the ifland j which conqueft, it ought to be obferved, was effected by a French force inferior to that of the English garrifon. N.B. (a] The noble lord, when he difapproved the ex- pence, did not drop a word of blame upon the gover- nour, for the injiifiice and cruelty of fuch a war. Al- though his lordfhip mult very well know that the in- humanity of bis o^vn former war againft the Caraibs, as well as that of the governour's latter war againil thofe unhappy Savages, was that which threw them into the arms of our enemy and cauled them to unite againft us with the French invaders. 72 Bills drawn by Governours. N. B. It is two years ago fince the affembly of St. Vincent's made reprefentations againft their governour's conduct ; and charged him with fads of fo fcandalous a nature, and fo mocking to humanity, that we fhall for- bear to mention them until they are either legally proved, or fmothered by minifterial authority. Thefe matters were alluded to by a right honourable member in the Houfe of Commons. The Minifter 'took up the governour's caufe and was pleafed to diftinguiih him by the honourable appel- lation of his "friend? This appellation produced its natural effecT: upon an intelli- gent majority. When thefe reprefenta- tions of the afjembly were laid before the American fecretary, he alfo was pleafed to procraftinate all examination. Had the alTembly been attended to in due time, Lord North's friend might not perhaps have drawn upon the Treafury to fuch an amount as to oblige his lordmip at laft to proteft his friend's bills : and St. Vincent's might not perhaps have fur- rendered with a garrifon fuperior to the French force that attacked it. CHAP. A If ODE IN IMITATION OF ALGOUS. Ow *AA\' 07T8 Z5TOT 1 V "ANAPE2 Auraj: trw^ftv ufo x) ALC. quoted by ARISTIDES, WHAT conflltutes a State.? Not high-rais'd battlement or labour'd mound, Thick wall or moated gate; Not cities proud with fpires and turrets crown'd ; Not bays and broad-arm'd ports, Where, laughing at the ftorm, rich navies ride, Not ftarr'd and fpangled courts, Where low-brow'd bafenefs wafts perfume to pride, No C * 3 No: MEN, high-minded MEN, With pow'rs as far above dull brutes endued In foreft, brake,, or den, As beafts excel cold rocks and brambles rude.; Men, who their duties know, But know their rights r and, knowing, dare maintain^ Prevent the long-aim'd blow, And crufh the tyrant while they tend the chain ; Thefe conftitute a State, And for'reign LAW, that flats' s colkfted iuUty, O'er thrones and globes elate Sits Emprefs, crowning good, rcpreffing 111 j Smit by her facred frown The fiend Difcretion like a vapour finks, And e'en the all-dazzling Cro-wn Hides his faint rays, and at her bidding flirinka Such was this lieav'n-lov'd ifle^ Than Le/bos fairer and the Cretan fliore ! No more (hall freedom fmile ? Shall Britons languifh, and be MEN no more i Since all muft life refign, Thofe fweet rewards, which decorate the brave,. 'Tis folly to decline, And fteal inglorious to the filent grave, ?RINT1P AND DISTRIBUTED GRATIS BY TJft roa CONSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION Extraordinary Appointments, &c. 73 SECT VI. Extraordinary Appointments and Contin- gent Bills. TH E abufe of creating new and unnt- ceffary offices in the army, has al- ready made moft ftiameful advances, and is accelerating in its progrefs. The abufe of allowing Contingent Bills, though hitherto not fo considerable in point of expence, is a quick growing and dan- gerous evil : its advances will not be lefs rapid, becaufe it is of a more underhand and fecret nature than appointments. Formerly new appointments were dealt out with a very fparing hand, and Con~ tingent Bills were almoft unknown, or at leaft inconfiderable, even in the accounts of principals in certain offices ; fuch as thofe of the Quarter Matter General and Adjutant General. But in the courfe of the prefent war, even the deputies and affijlants to thofe officers, befides many others of in- K ferior 74 Extraordinary Appointments ferior defcription, have affumed a right to contingencies. Such rights are not only eafily admitted, but feem to be encou- raged by the minifter -, and parliament is now become too complaifant to call the propriety of them in queftion. The few following inftances of thefe abufes are felected " out of the extraordi- riaries of the American war, only as a flight fpecimen for the reader's perufal. i ft. In 1775 a commiflary was appoint- ed at Jive pounds per day to mutter the German troops then taken and propofed to be taken into his Majefty's fervice. There was fome pretence for an appointment of this fort in the clofe of that year and in the beginning of 1776 : becaufe the king's en- gagements with the German princes were then become very extenfive ; and an officer of rank in that commirTion might be ufe- ful to prevent, or to correct abufes in muttering. But in the following years, the additional troops hired in Germany, as well as the annual recruits from thence for their corps in North America, were too 4 incon- And Contingent Bills. 75 inconfidcrable to require an infpeftion of this coftly fort, and were betides open to checks of a lefs expenfive nature. Yet the fame commifTary has been continued ever lince at five pounds per day. He is alfo at the fame time a general officer upon the ftafF in England. He has befides been paid contingencies as deputy Adjutant Ge- neral, in the extraordinaries of each of the four laft years. And in his capacity of Commiffary above Jixty thoufand pounds of public money appear to have parTed through his hands, without any account or expla- nation whatever given to parliament. Unlefs it can be called a parliamentary account or explanation, that Lord North did indeed condefcend to tell the Houfe of Common?, in a mere converfation upon this fubjecT: that he fuppofed the money might perhaps be applied to pay fome con- tingencies of the foreign troops in their march to the place of embarkation. 2d. Another officer appears in the ex- traordinaries to be appointed for the fame purpofe as the foregoing, at thrte pounds per j6 Extraordinary Appointments per day. And this gentleman alfo charges contingent expences. 3d. So vigilant has the Minifter been in this article of muttering foreign troops; that, befides the above, there is alfo an ap- pointment of a Mujler Mafter General in North America. This office becoming vacant in 1778, Lord North gave it to one of his friends in the army in Ireland. This gentleman has received^-u? hundred pounds equipage money, and two pounds per day, as we find in the extraordinaries for that year ; and yet he never ftirred out of the kingdom. Lord North explained this to the Houfe of Commons pleafantly enough, by faying that the Commander in Chief in Ireland declared he could not part with fo excellent an officer. 4th. In 1766 (a time of profound peace) the office vi fuperintendant of the recruit- ing fervice was created by Lord Barring- ton, ztfeventeen fallings per day. This office is now raifed to one pound ten fallings per day. Befides which, the contingencies (which were fcarce ever juftifiable) have increafed And Contingent Bills. 77 increafed from fmall beginnings to a fum little mort of eight hundred pounds per an* num. The prefent pofTeHbr of this office has alfo added to the expence by appoint- ing ajjiftantsy who are paid by the public, and has had befides feveral tboujand pounds paffing through his hands, which have never been accounted for to Parlia- ment. 5th. A foreigner in our fervice (who certainly had for many years received his full (hare of appointments as a general officer) Was in 1776 appointed Infpeffor General of the forces in the Weft-Indies at three pounds per day. This new office was in its nature nearly zjinecure : becaufe its various functions were incompatible with each other. He was never ordered to his poft, though he received pay in 1776, and down to September 1777, when he was appointed Governourof Canada." He is there in fact confined to the mere de- fence of the Colony ; yet his pay and ap- pointments as Governour have not been deemed fufficient; and he alfo receives ten pounds ptr day as Commander in Chief. ith. 78 Extraordinary Appointments 6th. A Deputy Commiffary, or Deputy Quarter Majler- General here in England, at ten fallings per day, charges contingen- cies very near double his pay. 7th. The Hofpital of the grand army in North America was, about two years ago, reprefented to be in fome confufion for want of a Superintendant General. A gen- tleman who had the direction of that bufi- nefs in the laft war in America, and had acquitted himfelf with great credit and honour, was appointed to this office; and even knighted in order to give him con- fideration and refpecl: in his new and ar- duous undertaking. This gentleman in 1778, received three pounds per day y and yet has never been fent out of the king- dom. 8th. The Receiver General of the king's revenue in Canada has not been in that province for many years. His office it is to be prefumed is a mere fnecure. But the extraordinaries of the army (hew (not what he has paid in, as receiver of the king's revenue in Canada j but)*- >-that he has And Qontingent Bills. 79 has received feven tboitf and pounds from the king's Treafury here, to enable him (the Re- ceiver of the king's revenue in Canada) to carry on pay men ts at Quebec. This laft is too ridiculous ! And can only he accounted for by thofe who know who the gentleman is who fills this important office, and the nature of his claim to public favour. N. B. The preceding Sedtion V. of this chapter (hews, that the Governours them- felves have not been idle or remifs in making payments: and the appointment of fuch collateral afliftants (as this Receiver of Payments !J carries upon the face of it a very fufpicious complexion.'^ 9th. A gentleman is appointed in 1776 Commiflary General of Stores in England, at two pounds per day. The fame perfon is paid as Engineer as Superintendent of the batteries on the coafts and as Deputy Quarter M after General. The 8o Extraordinary Appointments The duties of thefe different employ- ments feem to be incompatible with each other, but we are taught by the account of the Extraordinaries, that they are not intirely fo : for he charges contingencies as Deputy Quarter Matter General, in the years 1776, 1777, and 1778. One article of payment to this gentleman is of a far more alarming nature than the reft. It Hands nakedly thus in the laft Account of Extraordinaries : - * ' > " Expence of the Com- " miffariat from the opening 33 6 45>4 8 Total - . 138,744 In the laft war (before the tomahawk and fcalping knife were confidered as in- ftruments of deftruclion which God and Nature had put into our hands) thefe 4 favages 88 Prefents to Indians. favages were an article of very incon- fiderable expence. But now, fince they have had the honour of being our allies in the war, they are become far more expen- five to us than any other troops j and have an Agent or Banker appointed for them on each iide of the Atlantic. The advantages of this alliance, the only one which we have cultivated (perhaps be- caufe it accorded heft with the principles laid down by our Minifters in the com- mencement and progrefs of the war) are now thoroughly manifeft The peace- ful inhabitants of the back fettlements, who were all inclined to neutrality, have been forced by the fcalping parties of our Indian allies, to take up the hatchet in their own defence : they have deftroyed the Indian fettlements, and have driven 5000 of them into Niagara, to be fed and fupported by us there till fummer. The whole copper race might ealily have been induced to adopt a neutrality, had not our Minifters prevented it. God and Nature were faid tojuflifv our employment of Ordnance. 89 of them. But God and Nature now direct them to affift their neighbours againft the more than favage barbarity of their merci- lefs invaders. CHAP. VI, Ordnance. THOUGH the account of the ordnance (/. e. for artillery, ammunition, &c.) ftands always in a feparate eftimate; yet, being clofely connected with the army, it has been proud of keeping pace with it in the enormity of its expence. The Ordnance Eftimate voted. For 1776, is . 472,327 1777' 592,817 I77 8, 683,299 *779 9i7'373 1780, 1,049,603 Total for/w years 37 J 59 l8 M Com- ^o Ordnance. Compare this with the Ordnance efti- mates for former wars. Voted for 1745 . 263>435| Arebellion fc thefe 4 2 -3i9> years. 1747 477>2i3 J ' Total for 3 years 1,162,967 For 1780 1,049,602 1 Difference 1131365 Thus it appears that the Ordnance efti- mates for three years (with a rebellion in the country) exceeded the eflimate for the fingle year 1780, only by . 113,365. Ordnance eftimates of loft war. For 1756 2 99,i57 Forthe ^ firft 1759 544*277 7 For the two next 1760 510,860^ years .1,055,137 1761 728,716 !76 2 642,916 Total of this war for feven years 3555>355 By the above account it ap- pears that the expence of the three firft years of the laft war, viz. 1,128,686 exceeded the eft i mate for the Jingle year 1780, which is 1,049,602 only by the fum of 79,084 2 That Ordnance. 9 1 That the . two next years which were ftill higher efti- mated, amounting to I 55 I 37 exceed the eft i mate of \hejingle year 1780, which i* 1,049,602 Only by the fum of -- 5>53S That the eftimate of 1780, which is 1,049,602 exceeds the bigbeft year of loft war, viz. 728,716 by the fum of - 320,886 And that the whole expence of Ordnance for jive years in this war, viz. - 3>7i59 l8 exceeds the whole expence for feven years in the laft war, viz. 3*555,355 by the fum of - 160,563 This part of the public expenditure is the more worthy of particular examination and controul for the following reafons. i ft. A felecl: Committee of the Houfe of Commons fat in 1763 to examine into M 2 the gi Ordnance. the conduct of this Board (which it is ne- ceflary to obferve is merely executive, and bound to obey the higher minifters com- mands) and reported feveral very great abufes ; efpecially in the mode of making contrails. 2dly. Above 160 pieces of our cannon were taken in the ifland of Dominica, where they had not a fufficient guard to take care of them even in a time of pro- found peace : whilft the valuable ifland of Jamaica was left totally unprovided with cither cannon or ammunition. 3dly. The powder fupplied by the Board of Ordnance has been found upon fervice to be exceffively bad. 4thly. A Secretary of State, in a letter to the Commander in Chief in North Ame- rica, has declared that in the year 1777, this country was left without a fingle ma- trofs for its defence. N. B. A matrofs is the lowed rank of foldiers in the regiment of artillery. 5 thly. Ordnance. 93 5thly. The arms of feveral regiments have been reported by the commanding officers of thofe regiments, to be unfer- ly co - 539 I > 8 3 i n 1760 - 5,228,695 5 i 1761 - 5,607,001 C/5 1762 1763. - 59 2 9 I2 4 - 4,046,898 5-S- n o> 1764 - 39 26 >9 I 5 S-? - 2,484,595 S-S* 1766 - 1,456,924 B' J? ?7 6 7 - 1,213,072 pi 1768 1,339,158 g-(S 1769 - 1,082,846 w: rt 1770 - i>497454 P 1 1771 ~ I I Q ^}4-OQ ^* 1772 *" I>?^''?^^ CD *773 - 1,886,760 M 1774 - 1,886,100 a 3 J 775 - 2,698,579 1776 - 3,624,420 O 1777 - 4.W73 1778 - 5,179,000 Sep. 30, 1779 - 7,262,415 Allowing 96 Navy Debt. Allowing 250,0007. per month I. for the three months from Sep- tember 30 to December 31, 1779. The Navy Debt muft now be 8,012,415 Navy Debt, Dec. /. 31, 1779 8,012,415 The higheft year of loft war ; 5,929,124 Excefs at this time 2,083,291 The reader may obferve that on the 3 1 ft of December 1754, which was the eve of hoftilities with France preceding the laft war, the Navy debt was - 1,296,567 On the 31(1 of December 1777, which was the eve of the pre- fent hoftilities with France, the Navy debt was - 4*003,573 And that the Navy debt has in- creafed in this laft year, i.e. from the 3ift of December 1778, tp the 3ift of December 1779, by the fum of - 2,833,415 The Navy Defo. 97 The reader will obferve that all this in- creafe of Navy debt is expended over and above the prodigious eftimates and grants of parliament for the fervice of the navy ; and in that very year too, when we have fuffered as a nation difgraces unprecedent- ed in the annals of England. Our coaft has been infulted -, the French have been mafters of the Channel : the Mediterra- nean has been abfolutely deferted: Gib- raltar is actually befieged : feveral of our valuable Weft-India iflands have been taken : and the reft either abandoned, or left to a fpecies of defence, which in its confequences muft be almoft as fatal to them as if they had been conquered by France. From this enormous civtllift of the navy, as from a copious fource, flow all thofe abufes which have been fo loudly com- plained of. Although that complaint has only ferved to drive the firft Lord of the Admiralty for melter to a quarter, from whence he has been hitherto enabled to in- fult the nobleft profeffion in our ifland, and N to 98 Navy Debt. to deride and fet at nought all civil and mi- litary cenfure. To this melter and to that confidence of fecurity in the firft Lord of the Admiralty, which arifes from the power and influence in his pofleffion ; mud we attribute the following notorious abufes : Ships commirTioned for months before they are in readinefs ; thereby impofing a needlefs expence both of officers and men upon the nation : Ships fitted out as fire-fhips and new officers appointed to them, although in fo deplorable a ftate that it is impoffible for them to venture on the ocean : Ships purchafed of contractors ; parti- cularly Eaft-India (hips, notorioufly unfit for fervice : Ships of the line and others kept in pay, although abfolutely ufelefsj thereby occa- fioning both lofs and deception to the pub* lie: c The Navy Debt. ' 99 The practice of purchaiing large quan- tities of foreign timber continued, although the mips which have been repaired with it at an enormous expence could do little or HO fervice afterwards : The charge of Contractors at the rate of 5 per cent, for fees at the yards and offices : Partialities (hewn by various manage- ment to Members of Parliament ; and goods over and beyond the contracts, re- ceived, although not wanted : The appointment of new Surveyors of Woods in North America, with a train of attendant expences, under pretence of preferving the timber appropriated to the king's ufe ; though at the fame time con- tracts are making in the very fame pro- vinces with private perfons : Parading vifitations of the king's yards attended with great immediate expence, lofs of time to the workmen, and the de- lay of important expeditions : N 2 A late loo . Navy Delft. A late lavifh. and unneceffary grant to ftie Commiffioners of the Navy 5 who have had an increafe of falary of three hun- dred pounds a year each ; which makes them equal to the Board of Admiralty ; and this for conducting the bufmefs of the army tranfports and victuallers, though the trouble bears no proportion to the reward : Large fums appropriated contrary to the {landing orders of the Navy for Contingen- cies of offices : The fcandalous abufe of the Commif- fioners of the Navy felling their clerkfkips -a practice big with mifchief, and yet fo inveterate that a late extraordinary tran- faction has not been able to produce a re- medy : The practice of Protections which is a great grievance to the mercantile part of the nation ; the fees for which, if they muft be retained ought at lead to be applied to the ufe of the public : Large fums of money fuffered to remain in the hands of all the accounting officers ; fcci Navy Debt. 101 fuch as the Treafurer of the Navy, the Paymafter of the Marines, &c. Some of whom, have money remaining in their hands even after their accounts are pafled, inllead of being obliged to make up their ballance at the end of every year, and to pafs their accounts at ftated periods both at home and abroad j by which means the ballance would come to be expended be- fore more money would be advanced. N. B. We have here mentioned only fome of the notorious abufes in the civil management of the Navy. A very dif- ferent lift would appear upon a thorough inveftigation made by an honeft Committee of Accounts ; who would be enabled to unlock the doors of office and penetrate in- to fecrets, the care of concealing which (by their neglect of greater objects) feems to be the chief occupation of thofe who keep the keys. CHAP. IO2 Remarks on Lord North's Method CHAP. VIII. Remarks on Lord North's Method of ralfmg Money by Loans, AFTER having thus, in the 4th, 5th, 6th, and yth chapters briefly exhibited the profufion which prevails, un- der the prefent Adminiftration, in the ex- penditure of the public money ; it will be proper to take a (hort view of the profufe and ruinous terms on which the borrowed money is raifed. Scheme cf the Loan for 1779. Seven millions ftock in the /. 3 per cent, annuities fold at 60 per cent. - - 4,200,000 Three douceurs, confiding of the profits of a LoUery, a quar- ter's intereft p^d Annuity, and an annuity for 29 years of 3^- per cent. (i. e. 262,5007.) all fold to the Money-lenders for the fum of - 2,800,000 Sum advanced - 7,000,000 of raifing Money by Loans. 1 03 ^rue Value of the Dsuceurs. Value of 262,5007. per ann. for 29 years (reckoning intereft at 5 per cent.) is i5i%V years purchafej or - 3,974,000 Profits of the Lottery and a quarter's intereft and annuity - 0,260,000 4,234,000 Gained by the Money-lenders, or loft by the Public in this Bargain. By feven millions flock fold at 40 per cent, difcount (a) - 2,800,003 By the Douceurs j being the difference between 2,8oo,ooo7. (the fum paid for them) and 4,234,0007. (their true value) 1,432,000 Total lofs - 4,232,000 That It is neceflary to remember here, that when ftock is fold, an obligation is incurred to return ioo/. in money for every ioo/. ftock: and that the public will un- doubtedly find itfelf under a neceffity of fulfilling this obligation, (hould the public debts be ever put into a , fixed ccurfe of redemption. 1 04 Remarks on Lord North's Method That the true value of an annuity for 29 years, is i $.2^ years purchafe (when intereft is at 5 per cent, or when the 3 per cents, are at 60) may be proved in the fol- lowing manner. If any fum is laid out in purchafing fuch an annuity at this price, 5 per cent. per annum may be taken as the intereft of the principal, and a furplus will be left which in 29 years will accumulate to the principal. For example, with a thoufand pounds may be purchafed 667. of the annuity, fuppofing the price 15-^-5^ years purchafe 150 pounds perann, may be fpent as the intereft of the principal at 5 per cent, and the re- maining i6/. per annum if faved, will in 29 years accumulate to a thoufand pounds. It may feem incredible, but it is true, that though this annuity is thus demonftra- bly worth 1 5^%- years purchafe, when the 3 per cents are at 60: yet Lord North made the public fell it at 9 -5. years pur- chafe ; which is the proper price of this an- nuity when intereft is at 9 i per cent, or when the 3 per cents are at 32 So that 0f raljing Money by Loans. 1 05 that the money lender might make 9 * pet cent per annum intereft for the fum he ad- vanced for it, and at the fame time fecure his purchafe money. The extravagance of the terms of the laft loan may therefore be otherwife repre* fented in the following manner* Procured at 5 per cent, with an obligation to return ioo/. for every 6o/. received 4,200,000 Procured at 94. pet cent, (being the purchafe money for 262,500 per" annum for 29 years at 9-^ years purchafe. 2,540*000 Procured by lottery tickets and a quarter's intereft and annuity in advance - . 260,000 7,000,000 Borrowing 4,2oo,ooo/. at 5 per cent; and 2,540,000 at 9! per cent is nearly the fame as if the two fums united O been 1 06 Remarks on Lord North's Method been borrowed at an intereft of 6-L per cent. This therefore (or 64. per cent,) is the intereft at which Lord North bor- rowed money laft year: creating at the fame time an artificial debt of 2,8oo,ooo/. which muft be paid (if the public debt is ever paid) though nothing has been re- ceived for it. Is it poffible that a kingdom, already fo overloaded, fhould go on long in bor- rowing on fuch terms ? But the terms of the next loan are likely to be ftill more extravagant : for, it is faid, that ten millions in money are to be pro- cured by felling ten millions of 3 per cent* ftockat58 (i. e. for 5,800,000 7.); an annu- ity for 2 8 years of 400,0007. for 3,900,0007. and the profits of a Lottery and a quarter's advance of the interefts and annuity for 300,0007. Should thefe be the terms, the k>fs to the public will be -, ofraifing Money by Loans. 107 By ten millions ftock fold at 58 (i. e. 42 per cent, difcount). 4,200,000 By the difference between fix millions (the true value (a) of an annuity for 28 years of 400,000/0 and 3,900,0007. (the fum paid for it). 2,100,000 Total lofs 6,300,000 Thus will the Minifter, by one bargain, fquander away above fix millions. And this wafte is the more to be lamented, be- caufe it is unnecefTary. For regulations have been propofed (b) which would ena- ble Government to borrow always nearly at the rate of intereft which money bears in the 3 per cents, without any douceurs -> and therefore without fubjedting the public to the lofs it fufFers by douceurs, and to the neceffity of paying at redemption many millions which it never received. Suppofe for inflance that in confequence of fuch regulations, Government (inftead O 2 of (a) This value is very nearly 15 years purchafe, reckoning intereft at 5 per cent. (b) See Supplement to the Additional Obforvations on Civil Liberty \ 1 08 Remark on Lord Norths Method of borrowing ten millions at 64. per cent, as it is likely to do) mould be able to bor- row at 5.1 i an annual charge would in this cafe be faved of 125,0007. befides above four millions at redemption. It will be faid indeed that Money-lenders are capricious and greedy, and cannot be induced to lend on cheaper terms. -If this is true, it only proves that the nation is become a prey to rapacious Money-lenders and an extravagant Minifter ; who be- tween them are wafting its treafure and compleating its ruin : but it will by no means juftify the extravagance here repre- fented. It mould not be faid that any regulations will not fucceed, until fome trial has been made of them. And the expences of the nation are now fo enormous, that a minifter mutt be inexcufable who does not try every expedient that may produce any faving. But waving all regard to thefe regula- tions, and taking things juft as they are, it is eafy to jfhow that by only offering the Long of raijing Money by Loans. 109 Long Annuity now at market, as the dou- ceur, inftead of the Short Annuity, great favings may be made. The Long Annuity js now bought and fold at 18 years pur- chafe ; which is the price it ought to bear reckoning interefi at 5 4 per cent. Let it be fuppofed to be taken as low as 1 6| years purchafe; which is nearly the price it ought to bear reckoning intereft at 6 per Cent. By felling it at this price Ten Mil- lions might be procured on the following terms, Ten Millions 3 per cent. Stock fold at 58 5,800,000 A Long Annuity of 2f per cent, or . 237,500 fold at |6$ 3,900,000 Lottery, and a quarter's in- terefl and annuity > 300,000 10,000,000 By this fcheme Ten Millions would be borrowed at lefs than an Intereft of 52 per Cent. The Fund to be provided, would be *5375 00 ' And the excefs of the value iio Remarks on Lord North's Method value of the Annuity, above the fum paid for it would be nearly . 700,000. Whereas, in confequence of the pre^ ference given to a Short Annuity, the fame fum cannot be borrowed under an intereft of 6 \ per cent. A Fund muft be provided that will produce . 700,000.- And the excefs of the value of the annuity above the fum advanced for it, is no lefs (as already has been mown) than . 2,100,000. A minifter who either makes contracts or borrows money on higher terms than are r^eceflary is a nuifance to his country. Some perfons think that Lord North does not really know that the Short Annuity is fo monftrouily undervalued as it is ; and that this ignorance is the reafon of the preference he gives to it. -His Friends cha- ritably think that by this preference he means at the end of 28 years to fecure a handfome faving for the Sinking Fund, in order to expedite its future operations in difcharging our debts. -But his enemies believe that he means by it to provide a laving that (hall hereafter ftrengthen the Influence Dfraifing Money on Loans. lit Influence of the Crown and increafe the powers of Corruption. Perhaps the foun- der opinion may be, that both his friends and his enemies are miftaken in their con- jectures. Moft probably he does not carry his views fo far forward as to the end of 28 years (a) a period which (if our affairs continue but a little longer under his ma- nagement) is likely to exceed coniiderably the duration of the Funds. (a) Lord Hillfborough (if we may judge from his declaration in the Houfe of Lords on the i5th of laft December) feems to entertain the founder opinion; and to be one of thofe who have not the ftrongeft perfuafion in the world of Lord North's providence: for Lord Hillfborough did then folemnly aiFert it to be his firm belief, that if Lord North fhould quithispoftas mini- fter to-morrow, he would not be able to maintain his family. How well this modeft aflertion of Lord Hill- fborough accords with Lord North's repeated declaration of a willingnefs and defire to refign his office ; and how it can be reconciled with the other lucrative appoint- ments .of himfelf and his family, the reader is left to determine. However at the worfly with the afiiftance of Mr. Atkinfon and the other contractors, his Secre- tary Mr. Robinfon will have wherewithal to maintain both his own family and his Lordfhip's. CON- [ -11* 1 CONCLUSION, 'To the Landholders, &c. Fellow Countrymen, IN the preceding Pages we have laid before you fome few notorious and in- con teflable Fads (which lie merely on the threshold of inquiry) felected from a nu- merous Hoft of others of the fame nature. It may perhaps be unnecelTary here to fuggeft two important reflections to the at- tentive reader - t ift. That we have in this publication confined ourfelves merely to the Expendi* ture of the public money j and have avoided to take notice of the fhameful abufes which prevail in the Receipt of the revenue and in the manner of accounting for it. The wafte and plunder of the pub- lic money under thefe heads are not of a lefs magnitude or of fmaller importance than the abufes in the Expenditure. But they deferve a feparate difcuflion, and mall have it j if it fhail appear that the intelli- gence here communicated is welcome to the public, and ferves at all to roufe them to Conchijion. 1 1 3 tb a fenfe of their wrongs, and to refolu- tions of obtaining juflice. adly. That, in this publication, the profufion, mifmanagement, and corrupt influence and practices of the prefent mi- nifters are exhibited only by way of com" parifon with the conduct and practices of all former minifters in this country, even the moft wafteful, incapable, corrupt, and inattentive. We have here given to you only a comparative view of prefent with former abufes : thus allowing to our pre- fent government the vantage ground of all the improper practices and im- pofitions, which have been gradually (though not infenfibly). fteaiing upon the kingdom in the administration of the ex- ecutive branch of the legiflature, from the time of the revolution down to his prefent Majefty's acceffion to the throne of the difcarded Stuarts. What thefe progreilive abufes muft neceflariJy be in the courfe of near a century, the moft un- informed politician may eafily conjecture. They who are better informed in thefe matters, fee with an indignation which P for- H4 forbids all moderate expreffions, that that influence of the crown and power of corr ruption (fo progreffively augmented) which have been thought more than fufficient for all the purpofes (whether proper or im- proper) of all former administrations ; inftead of fatisfying the inordinate appetite of thefe minifters of defpotifm, have only imparted to them the daring confidence of Hill farther augmenting that corruption to fo fcandalous a degree, that if his Majefty fhould now chufe to promote his poftilion, or (with the Roman Emperor) his Horfe to the office of Firft Lord of the Treafury, his neigh would be attended by as great a majority as that which now follows the heels of the prefent noble Lord in poflef- fion (a). (a) Mr. SMELT, in his known fituation, has been fo impolitic as to avow an opinion that the king has not power enough, and that the influence of the crown ought to be ftill farther augmented. To thofe who know the man and his communication, this is an awful warning indeed ! God forbid that his Majefty fof whofe royal favour and confidence Mr. Smelt pofiefles fo diftinguifhed and confiderable a fhare) fhould himfelf entertain any opi- nion of the fame nature. Moft miferable indeed would then Conclujion, 115 Ifj in this your alarming fituation, many words are neceffary to excite you to vigo- rous and decifive exertions, we have already furvived the liberties of our country. The corrupt influence of the Crown is rifen to fuch a height, that it will not be fufficient merely to clip the wings with which it mounted ; they muft be feared to prevent their putting forth again. We are now arrived at a period when either corruption muft be thoroughly purged from the Se- nate, or the nation is finally and irreco- verably undone. If no remaining remedy can be found, by which this peflilence may be quietly removed Attum eft de Republic a. Let us fix the mark of the plague upon the doors of the houfe, and then Let him that will die of the infection, enter. then be the condition of his fubje&s, and ftill more miferable that of his Majefty : for they might ftill have hope j but he would be compelled (having all) to fit down with Alexander and weep for other worlds to conquer. The [ "6 ] The following is a lift of the noble lords who (by their votes on the two firft mo- tions recited in the beginning of this pub- lication) are confidered with the utmoft gratitude by the public as irrevocably pledged to their country for the effectual profecution of a thorough and fpeedy re- formation. Dukes of Cumberland Bolton Devonfliire Grafton Mancheftcr Portland Richmond Rutland Marquis of Rockingham Earh of Abingdon Befsborough Chatham Cholmondely Coventry Derby Effingham Egremont Ferrers Fitzwilliam Gainlborough Harcourt Earh 0/Jerfey Radnor Shelburne Spencer Suffolk Tankerville Courtney yifcounts Hereford Say and Sea! TownOiend Abergavenny Lords Beaulieu Craven Fortefcuc King Pagett Ravenfworth St. John St. Afaph Bljlops of Peterborough [ "7 3 The following is a lift of the noble lords who voted for the THIRD motion, made by Lord Shelburne Feb. 8, 1780. Dukes of Cumberland Earls of Tankerville Bolton Temple Devonfhire Vlfcount Courtney Grafton Hereford Manchefter Lords Abergavenny Portland Beaulieu Richmond Camden Rutland Craven Marquis of Carmarthen De Ferrars Roekingham Fortefcue Earls of Abingdon King Berkley Monfon Befborough Pagett Cholmondely Ravenfworth Coventry Romney Derby St. John Effingham Walpole Egremont Si/hops of St. Afaph Ferrers Peterborough Harbor o ugh Unable^ through infirmity ', to Harcourt fay fir the divijion Jerfey Earl of Strafford Northington Bijhop 0/Carlifle Radnor Voted by Proxy Scarborough Earl Chatham Shelburne Spencer Stamford Vifcount Torrington Stanhope Lords Ched worth Suffolk Foley F I N I S. T - Y OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY I University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. noo oo ^