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in a situation to make an application of this bill practicable. Besides, the powers given for raising volunteers had been carried to such an extent, by the zeal and courage so natural to the people of that country, that the measure with respect to Ireland was not necessary. With regard to putting arms into the people's hands, and allow ing parishes to have the custody of those arms, he admitted it was a very bold measure; but he begged the house to consider what was the state of Europe, and of this country. Some years ago, a measure of this kind could not have been resorted to; but he believed the bill was so framed as to obviate every difficulty; for, in the first place, the lord-lieutenants, and the magistracy, would have the appointment and control of those to whom the custody of the arms would be committed. The office of lord-lieutenant was every day becoming more important. They were the representatives of his majesty in the several counties, and might occasionally be intrusted with important military command. They ought to consider their of fices not only in a civil but a military point of view. With regard, therefore, to the danger, he was of opinion, that, in such times as these, it was better to run the danger of the people making a bad use of their arms, than that they should not be able to use them-than that they should be so reduced as to be obliged to submit to a foreign

enemy.

There was one point to which it was necessary he should advert, and that was, the quantity of arms in the possession of private persons in this country; for, though the arsenals of this country were never better supplied, yet the public arms

might not be sufficient. We ought, therefore, to do in a good cause what the French had done in a bad one. He apprehended, that, under the late defence act, the king might require such arms to be delivered up. He was empowered to call for every thing that might be necessary. He might call for horses, waggons, and a variety of other things, and consequently he might call for arms. However, if there were any doubt, a bill could be brought in. The secretary at war concluded-earnestly hoping, that, if this measure were proper to be adopted, it would be encouraged by the house; and firmly believing it would tend to give us the command of a force more than equal to any the enemy could bring against it, and afford the means of filling up our regiments in case of necessity, he should move for leave to bring in a "bill to amend the act, passed that session, for the defence of the country, and to enable his majesty more effectually and speedily to use his ancient and undoubted prerogative in requiring the military service of his liege subjects in case of invasion."

In the committee on this bill, July 21st, a variety of clauses were introduced. Among others, was a clause for exempting the judges of England and Scotland from the operation of the act. The secretary at war proposed a clause to the effect, "that the persons comprised in the first class who engaged to serve as volunteers, should

be bound to march in case of invasion; and, that all persons comprised in the other classes should remain and continue to exercise in the parishes till further orders." This clause was agreed to.-The next clause was, that, if his majesty ordered out any part of the

subsequent

subsequent classes, it should be chosen by ballot.-The next clause was for training the men for twenty-one days at furthest, and not less than fourteen days, till the 25th of December next. The next related to the number of men his majesty should draw out, in the first in stance, upon the alarm of invasion. Agreed to.-The next required, that the muster-roll should make a report of the present and the absentees at the parochial drills. Agreed to. The secretary at war then brought up a clause, enacting, that persons carning their livelihood by their daily labour should be paid one shilling for every day's attendance; and that the sum should be disbursed by the overseers of the poor, who should be reimbursed every month by the receiver-general, under the order of two justices of the peace. This clause also, after some opposition, was agreed to. The secretary at war then proposed a clause, empowering sheriffs of counties to summon juries, to ascertain the value of property appropriated to the public service, in cases where the owners should be dissatisfied with compensation allowed by the lordlieutenants. The last clause proposed by the secretary at war, was the schedule containing the form of the muster-roll.-Mr. Tyrwhit

(the prince of Wales's secretary) brought up a clause, giving the same powers to the lord-warden and deputy-warden of the stannaries, as to lord-lieutenants and deputy-lieutenants: and also another clause, endowing them with the same military command in the stannaries, as lord and deputy lieutenants in the counties.

On the third reading of the bill, which took place on the following day, the following clauses were brought up-a clause allowing persons who had more than one place of residence, to be enrolled in which place they should prefer a clause providing that, in case persons enrolled should, during the hours of training, misconduct themselves, they should be imprisoned a week, or fined five shillings; and a clause reserving the rights of the city of London.A clause was proposed for allowing those whose religious scruples made them averse from exercising on a Sunday, to solicit any other day, but restraining them from receiving pay. The last clause brought up, was for granting to the lordwarden of the Cinque Ports the same power as lord-lieutenants of counties.-The question, being at length put, was agreed to, nem. con.

CHAP. VIII.

New Supplies rendered necessary by the War.-Army Estimates.-Ordnance Estimates.-Second Budget.-Regulations in the Committee of Sup ply relative to the Highlands of Scotland.-Compensation to the Prince of Orange.-Further Proceedings in the Committee of Supply.-Debates on the Property Tax.

T

HE recurrence of the war, and the necessary provisions for the defence of the country against

the threat of invasion, rendered a further expenditure absolutely necessary; and the minister found

himself

himself reluctantly obliged to call upon the country for new supplies. On the 6th of June the house of commons resolved itself into a committee of supply; and the sccretary at war said, that, in rising to submit to the consideration of the committee the army estimates on the new establishment, he wished to observe that they consisted of two parts: one of them related to those estimates that were not presented to the house at the commencement of the session. They were the usual estimates for supernumerary officers, pensioners at the royal hospitals of Chelsea and Kilmainham, the royal military college, and the military asylum. These estimates could not be presented before, because the whole of the expense could not be ascertained until the seven garrison battalions were complete. The second head of estimates related to some augmentation that had been ordered in the regular forces, to the militia and supplementary militia, and to some further expenses which had taken place in the barrack department. Those estimates which related to the supernumerary officers, pensioners at Chelsea and Kilmainham, &c. were much the same as before. The expense of the royal military college was greater than that of last year-it amounted to 8,1101. This increase was owing to a second company of cadets being formed. This institution being found to answer so well all the purposes for which it was formed, it had been thought expedient to add a second company of cadets. Any body who considered fairly the nature of this institution, of this institution, would, he was sure, agree with him that it was an expense well laid out on the part of the public.

He then proceeded to the royal military asylum. For this service' he should move for a su sum of $1,0001.; of this sum 21,000l. was to be applied to complete the building. He was sorry to say that the buildings which were completed cost more than had been originally estimated, though every attempt had been made to make the estimates as accurate as possible. This increase of expense beyond the estimate, arose partly from this circumstance, viz. that soon after the estimate was formed, the dispute with the northern powers took place, which caused a great increase in many of the articles used in the building. This, however, would, he hoped, be the whole expense of the building; and he should only ask 10,000l. for fitting up the rooms, &c. He next came to the second head of estimates, viz. those which related to the augmentation of the forces. The augmentation which had been ordered was not to a very considerable extent: for the committee would recollect, that, when the army was voted in December last, it was upon an unusually high establishment-the highest that ever was proposed in time of peace. It was thought that completing the army by a small augmentation would be sufficient; as the army voted was 130,000 men. The augmentation that would take place, would be principally in the cavalry. The committee would recollect, that, by the plan be proposed in December last, ten men per troop of the cavalry were to remain dismounted; those men were now to be mounted, and their place to be supplied with recruits; this would make 70 men per troop. There was also to be an augmentation

in the foot-guards. The next aug mentation arose from a regulation which had been adopted of abolishing the custom of field-officers having companies; in consequence of which, there would be three additional captains in each regiment. He would not now enter into any arguments upon the propriety of this regulation; he would only say that it was one which met with the approbation of the most experienced officers of the army. By this plan the situation of captain-lieutenant would be abolished, and he would of course have one of the three companies. Another of the companies was to be given to a captain on half-pay; and the senior lieutenant was to have the third company on condition of raising thirty men, and the senior ensign to succeed him on raising ten men. The expense of this measure would be about 35,000l., viz. 26,000l. for Great Britain, and 9,000l. for Ireland. The greatest part of the expense of these estimates arose from the militia; it amounted to a sum of 1,267,000l. for Great Britain, and 480,4971. for Ireland. tingencies 13,3451.; for clothing, 143,8911. The militia of Great Britain would amount to 60,893, supplementary militia 24,000; making (exclusive of officers, noncommissioned officers, &c.) the number of rank and file above 73,000 men. The militia of Ireland amounted to 18,000 men, making altogether above 90,000 men. And he was happy to say that a very short time indeed would elapse before they were all embodied and fit for service. The additional expense for the supplementary militia would amount to 416,000; the additional expense of the barrack department to

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Mr. Windham preferred a regu lar army to a militia.-Mr. Pitt asked, Whether the force which it was now proposed to vote, included the whole of the regular force that was to be proposed, or whether they were to expect, in the present session, any more substantial aug. mentation to that which certainly was an unusually large peace establishment?

The secretary at war replied, that he had the satisfaction of saying that the attention of ministers had been directed to the preparation of a plan which appeared to them essential for securing, not only the domestic defence of the country, but also to enable us to put forth our arms in a manner that might be effectual for other objects.

Mr. Pitt said he was in a great degree satisfied by what he had just heard from his right honourable friend. He was happy to understand from him that ministers did not think that the present militia was all the additional force which the public service at this interesting moment required; and if they did not enter upon the subject at present, it was only because they had measures of augmentation in view which were not mature; that they had not laid before the committee the means of knowing the plan then for that reason; but that they were satisfied a considerable augmentation

augmentation must take place. Being of that opinion himself, he should hardly have occasion to make more than one remark; which was, that in his view of the subject, on the principle which ministers had adopted-that of more vigorous measures than had been hitherto ever tried to obtain that force which was of the best sort that of supplemental force to the army, acting under commissioned and non-commissioned officers in the regular army, we were not in a state fit for war with France, until we were in a situation to avail ourselves of every opportunity which might occur for offensive as well as defensive operations. He would go further and say, that, as we wanted the means of offensive, we should have the more of defensive war. Mr. Pitt then proceeded to make several observations on the subject of the militia, relative to their numbers, &c. He knew, 'he said, that we had raised by ballot, without interfering with the agriculture or the industry of the country, 100,000 men. He knew, from the concurring opinion of almost all militia officers, that we could not hope to have, on the militia plan, officers for more than 70,000 men. He said, he would not go beyond that, without engrafting, on the militia, officers from the regular force. Some means ought to be applied in aid of the regular army. If any better mode could be devised than any which had been yet stated, he should be glad of it. He would

engage to give it his support. The country must be put in a proper state of military preparation. The best means might, perhaps, not be readily seen: what he looked to, was the thing. It must have as much time for its consideration as was absolutely necessary to understand it, but no more: for whatever was wanted for the public defence, somehow or other must be obtained.

The chancellor of the exchequer was very glad that the questions put by his right honourable friend had given government an opportunity of declaring, that they did not rely, at the present crisis, upon the militia consisting of 70,000 men, great part of whom were at present in arms; that they did not rely upon the regular force of the country, which was, at present, greater than at any other period, except when an embarkation was about to take place; that they did not rely upon the brave and loyal yeomanry of the counties, but that they were prepared to bring for ward measures for the purpose of providing a large subsidiary force, to be officered in the manner pointed out by his right honourable friend.

The first resolution was then read, and agreed to, as follows:-" That it is the opinion of this house that a sum not exceeding 29,3371. be granted to his majesty, for the pay of supernumerary officers, from the 25th day of December 1802 to the 25th of December 1803."

£.266,004 8 11 for the in- and out-pensioners of Chelsea and Kilmainham hospitals.

8110 8 11 for the royal military college.

81,000 0 O for the royal military asylum at Chelsea.

218,270 11 1 for one regiment of light dragoons, and one WestIndia regiment retained on the establishment of

the

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