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witness was again called to the bar, and anfwered the question in the negative. To attempt to enter into a detail of an examination that forms only one branch of a very voluminous charge against Mr. Haflings, would neither be entertaining to our readers, or by any means convey information tend ing to give a juft idea of the conduct of that Gentleman. At ten o'clock Sir Robert Barker's examination was finished, and the Houfe, upon the motion of Mr. Burke, agreed to report progrefs, and proceed upon the examination of the other witnelles the next day.

MAY 3.

The order of the day being read to confider further of the charges against Warren Haitings, Efq. the Speaker left the chair, and the Houfe went into a Committee, Mr. St. John in the chair.

Mr. Francis, then moved, that Col. Champion be called to the bar. He proceeded to examine him relative to the conduct of the expedition against the Rohillas. A debate of a confiderable length arofe on the manner of examining Col. Champion.

Mr. Pitt objected to the question, whether the Rohilla war was not conducted with circumftances of great cruelty and oppreffion. He faid it was a leading question: and befides, it was of no importance in his opinion, unless it could be established that Mr. Haftings was accellary to it. That ought to be the first question. It was of no confequence to the prefent enquiry how the Rohilla war was conducted, unless it could be brought home to Mr. Haftings.

Mr. Burke protefted against checking the examination of evidence in the prefent ftage of the business. The Houfe were now fitting as an Inqueft, firt to enquire what was done, and then to bring it home to the perfon accufed. If he was not permitted to bring his evidence in that manner, it would be impoffible for him to fubftantiate many of his charges: for instance, he might call one wit-, ness to prove that the country of the Rohillas was depopulated, but the fame witnefs might not be able to fay that Mr. Haltings was acceffary to it, and therefore the right honourable Gentleman's argument was abfurd,

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Mr. Francis faid, his object was to come at the truth, and he was indifferent in what manner it was done. He certainly did not with either to put leading questions to the witness, or to take up the time of the Houfe unneceffarily.

Mr. Pitt wifhed the proceedings to be fhortened as much as poffible, but did not intend to throw any obftacle in the way of bringing forward the evidence. He objected however to the shape in which the queftion was put, which ought to have been, in what manner was the Rohilla war conducted ?

Mr, Francis and Mr. Burke acquiefced in

this, and after a fhort converfation between the Attorney-General, Mr. Huffey, Mr. Dundas, and Mr. Pitt; Col. Champion was again called to the bar, and underwent a long examination relative to the Rohilla war.

The House then went into the examination of Major Marlac, formerly furveyor of the Province of Oude; after which they adjourned. MAY 4.

Gen. Adeane on his own, as well as his friends account, wifhed to acquaint the House with a tranfaction that he hoped they would not think beneath their attention. In the return that he made of gentlemen in the county of Cambridge, in his opinion, qualified to fill the land-tax commiffion, the names of many had been artfully altered by the addition, omiffion, or change of the letters in their names, through finifter views, which he did not doubt might be the cafe in other lifts, in confequence of which he wished that the perpetrator or perpetrators might be called. to proper account, which in all probability might put a stop to the practice in future.

Mr. Marfham fpoke to the authenticity of the complaint, and the neceffity of immediately taking it into confideration; which was inftantly complied with, in the appointment of a committee for that purpose.

The order of the day being read for the House going into the confideration of the bill for vefting certain fums in Commissioners at the end of every quarter, to be by them applied to the reduction of the national debt,

Mr. Sheridan rofe, and in a speech of confiderable length, wholly directed to alledged authorities and calculations, the validity of which he called on the Minister to contradi& propofed, that the further confideration of this bill fhould be deferred on the grounds he had to offer, which, in his opinion, were fo tenable, that if he was obliged to yield, it would not be through the want of arguments, which they amply furnished. As to the object of the bill, which went to the reduction of the national debt, as it was an object fo truly defirable, and in which he heartily joined, he should not at prefent fay any thing on that head-it was a confummation de voutly to be wifhed; he would therefore confine his obfervations to the report of the Select Committee, the fubject of the day, a fubje&t of fuch importance, that he trusted their attention would be directed to it in the courfe of the debate. The honourable Gentleman (Mr. Pitt) when he brought forward this bill, obferved, that it drew the eyes of all Europe; he therefore wifhed, that the Committee might have ftated the accoun's in fuch a manner, as to remove every caufe of fufpicion on this article, and to convince them that we were not afraid to meet the fituation of our affairs, however diftreffingly they might have been painted. This would have faved many opinions fince got abroad.

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by no means advantageous to this matter, on which he proceeded to make many remarks, giving it as his opinion, that the opinions of a noble Earl (Stanhope) on this fubject, in a late publication, were in fo many points conformable to his own, that he could wish to fee them adopted. He lamented on this occafion the abfence of that noble Lord, who had in this inftance exhibited a degree of plain-dealing where it was effentially neceffary, and on a fubject where of all others felf-delufion must be the moft fatal. He then adverted to the Select Committee, on whom' he did not intend to caft the leaft reflection, but only to obferve, that the choice of them in his idea did not depend on that candour and liberality that should operate on the occafion, as they were apparently connected with the honourable Gentleman (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) in many points, in deed in many more than he objected to on a Similar occafion, in the person of his honourable friend Mr. Fox. The ftatement of the accounts plainly fhewed that this affertion did not flow from random, but the matureft deliberation, as it was plain that they gave up their opinion to one that they esteemed fuperior, evinced in many points, on which he animadverted with much clearness, pointing out the propriety of inveftigating certain calculations and facts, which they might have done, as they had it in their power to call for papers, that would at once have fatished and informed, which he infifted they did not, and which he reprobated as a defertion of their own judgment, which he compli mented, if they chose to have exercifed it— fave one, who broke through the decorum (Mr. Call). After this he condemned the partial mode (in his opinion) of comparative and illufive calculation, that could only tend to miflead the judgment, and divert the attention to glitter and fhow, without the least flidity.

To favour the Minifter's idea of a furplus, they had every where in their statements of the receipts taken that which was contingent as infallible, and that which was merely probable for an abfolute certainty; and had thus made it appear in all their calculations that they thought 1 was your only SURPLUS MAKER. It was true, a fhort time might prove the inefficacy, and point out the futility of the whole beyond the force of argument, but fhort as that time might be, it was not prudent to wait for its confirmation, as objects might prefent themíelves to-day, that could not be attained to-morrow.

After ftating, that in the article of customs alone, the deficiency was no lefs than 100,000l. in the quarterly account ending April 5, 1786, he proceeded to fhew, that the glove and horfe tax, though reckoned together at 150.000l. fcarcely produced 35,000l. yet to fupply thefe deficiencies, nothing better had been fuggefted than a tax on the trash in perfume theps, by giving parliamentary fanc

tion to rouge, and legalizing pomatum. The only proper tax, in his opinion, was the article of hair-powder, which had been origi nally fuggefted by a noble Lord, who had certainly contributed his share towards the tax by fuggefting the idea. [Here a loud laugh took place at the expence of Lord Surrey's head, which has been long unconscious of any external embellishment.]

After commenting at great length on thele ftatements, he adverted to the abfurdity of placing the receipts of the prefent year against the expenditure of 1791.- We were acting at prefent, he faid, a part the most imprudent; we were grafping with too eager a band the bloffoms of our profperity, and fpoiling the hope of future harvefts. For this purpose he moved, that the Committee fhould be deferred to this day fe'nnight.

Mr. Grenville faid he was happy to have at length an opportunity of hearing objec tions fo long promifed, and fo early threaten ed. He had, he confeffed, his apprehenfons, as a good citizen, that fome serious error, which had been overlooked by the Committee, might be found in the sport. He was, however, totally releafed from his fears by what he had now heard.

He then obferved how trifling the cavils were, which had been the objects of fuch long and ingenious research, when fo little could be found objectionable in the estimates of a revenue of 15 millions. The idea had been imputed to the Committee of having taken the averages where they were favoura ble to their purpose, and of taking in their ftead where they were unfavourable to the produce of the current year. This objection had been particularly urged to the statement of the produce of the land and malt. These had been flated together at 2,600,000l. But how would the triumph of the objectors decline, when it was feen in the last quarterly account, that inflead of 2,600,000l. the fum for which they had been given, they were found to produce no less than 2,850,000l. ? If gentlemen thought proper to infift on trifling inaccuracies, here was, in his opinion, a full and complete anfwer to their objec tions; and when the Committee were 20cufed of having exaggerated the different branches of receipt, the reply was conclufive

that in one fingle art cle of receipt their eftimate had fallen fhort of the reality by no s than 250,000l.

He afferted the propriety of drawing aids from a lottery. Until fome method could be devifed of fuppreffing the Spirit of gamb Jing, it may as well be excrcifed with profit to the State as to individuals; and we may as well pretend to reject the profits drawn to the State from wine and beer, because tem porary mifchiefs occurred from the intoxica tion which they occafioned.

Mr. Beaufoy faid, that as a member of the Committee, and therefore an acculed

man, he hoped the House would indulge him for a fhort time. He dwelt much on the ad. vantages which had refulted from the fuppreffion of fmuggling; but contended that much was yet to be done. He inftanced feveral frauds which now exifled, particularly in the importation of rum. By the prefent mode of afcertaining their contents, eight gallons were now fubitracted from the real number in each puncheon; this defalcation of 55. per gallon on 20,000 puncheons imported, amounted to no less than 40,000l. per ann. all which might eafily, in his opinion, be faved, by diminishing the number of ufelefs officers, and at the fame time encreafing the falaries and the alacrity of the remainder.

The queftion was then put on Mr. Sheridan's motion, which, after the gallery was oleared, was negatived without a divifion.

MAY 5

Mr. Burke brought up an additional charge against Mr. Haftings, containing no new matter, but referring to the former charge against him relative to the Rohillas. The only Prince of that unhappy race who had escaped, by treaty, the general extermination, cultivated, with 5000 fubjects, a fmall extent of territory, under circumftances of greater difcouragement and oppreffion than any man ever did before. There could, Mr. Burke faid, be no objection to his charge except in point of time, and he should have exhibited it before, but that it was not fully made out till yefterday. Major Scott declared himfelt diffatisfied with the period of adducing the charge, but faid he should give no direct oppofition to the receiving it.

On this the charge was laid on the table, ordered to be printed, and referred to the Committee to confider of it.

Mr. Pitt now moved, that the House refalve itself into a Committee on the Wine Trade; which being agreed to, the Speaker left the chair, and Mr. Gilbert took it.

Mr. Pitt then faid, that he had this day a measure to propofe, which had on a former occafion been agitated with much warmth, and given up to the popular clamour. At prefent he made no doubt but it would be received with more moderation. He believed whatever might be the political differences in that Houfe, and however various opinions might be on the state of the finances, all would unite in the neceffity of improving the revenue by every adviseable measure. And indeed this disposition should be most prevalent amongst those who did not think fo favourably as he did of the fituation of this country. For whoever confidered the decrease of duty on wines, owing in fome degree to fmuggling, and in others to adulteration, within the late years, muft be convinced of the neceflity of applying fome remedy to the defalcation that appear EUROP, MAG.

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ed. On an average of eight years, begin-
ning in 1737, the importation of wine was
at 19,000 tons. On an average of the eight
following years, it was reduced to 12,000;
and on the average of the laft four years it
amounted only to 10,000 tons. Suppoling,
then, that the consumption of wine was not
greater than at the period firft alluded to,
the increase to the revenue, by the measures
he had to propofe, would form a difference
of 360,000l. But notwithstanding the im-
portance of the object, he would not recom
mend the improvement in the revenue at the
expence of any portion of our freedom or
conftitution, if the alterations to be made
could be thought fubject to any imputations
of that nature. The objections to Sir Ro-
bert Walpole's plan were, that it would in-
crease the power of the Crown by the addi-
tional number of officers to be created, and
injure the public liberty, by making every
man's houfe liable to be fearched by excife-
men. In the plan proposed those objections
would be done away, as the regulations
would require no greater addition of officers
than 260, whofe falaries would not amount
to more than 12,000l. The influence of the
excife would alfo be confined to perfons
dealing in wine, either by wholefale or re-
tail, and not be extended to private indivi-
duals. In refpect alfo to the number of
thofe, which was very fmall, who fold wine
without having a fpirit licence at the fame
time, there could be no inconvenience in
that quarter. There might indeed be fome
difficulty in arranging the article of bottles,
but he thought fuch regulations might be
devifed as would obviate the difficulty. He
would not trouble the Committee with any
further explanation in the prefent ftage, as
wishing to afford them the most ample op-
portunity for difcuffion hereafter.

Mr. Pitt

then moved the following refolution-"That it is the opinion of the Committee, that the prefent duty on wines fhould now ceafe and determine."

Mr. Dempfter declined giving any decided oppofition to the bill in the prefent stage, but expreffed himself at the fame time extremely apprehenfive of the bad confequence of an extenfion of the Excife. The Cyder bill, he obferved, was no more objectionable in its principle than the prefent, and yet it was found neceffary to be repealed. In his opi nion, an addition of 260 Excife officers was no fmall increase to the influence of the Crown, and the certain expence of 12,000l. was by no means a light or trivial object. He did not know what might be the advantage of the bill, but he thought no depreffion of our revenue fhould induce us to furrender any portion of our liberties, and of the con◄

ftitution.

Mr. Fox declined oppofing the motion at that time, but put in his claim to a very decided one in the future ftages, if it shouldappear

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appear that the tendency of the bill was injurious to our liberties: a subject on which much had been faid, and on which he was defirous to hear more before a decifion was formed. The preffure of taxes in this country, of which he acknowledged the neceffity, and of the increase of which he was alfo apprehenfive, made it very much an object in order to induce the people to acquiefce in the burthens they now fuftained, that, in articles of revenue, the Houfe fhould comply in a great measure with their fentiments, and Sometimes with their prejudices; for which reafon, he obferved, it would be impolitic to have recourfe to fuch odious and unpopular meafures. The time, however, to decide, was when the bill appeared, and the people had it in their power to compare its advantages and inconveniences. He was apprehenfive the objections on a constitutional head would be the frongeft. As to the expence which the in reafe of officers might create, the decifion of t at would depend on examining whether by the meafure as much would be paid as would render other taxes to a greater amount unneceffary.

Sir Grey Cooper, Mr. Rofe, and the Attorney-General Ipoke, after which the refolution paffed, and was ordered to be reported on Monday.

Mr. Jenkinson then entered very fully into the subject of the Southern Whale Fishery, which he faid was worthy of encouragement, and deferving the bounty applied for. The late bounty being no more than 61. 175. per cent. in the whole of the cargo, could have no very falutary operation. The idea of a bounty on tonnage he much disapproved, as it was a fupport to indolence, instead of being an incitement to exertion. The following was the manner in which he recommended the bounties to be given: to the three first veffels that brought home the greatest quanuty of oil, after failing beyond the 26th of 3. L. 500l. each. To three bringing the fecond greatest quantity, 4001. each. fo the three bringing the third ditto, goo!. To the three bringing the fourth ditto, 200l. and to the three bringing the fifth ditto, 100l, each. He also propofed giving to the first veffel that arrived 700l. to the fecond, third, fourth, and fifth, 600l. 500l. 4col, and 300l, respectively. The benefits of these bounties he propofed exter ding to Americans, after be ing feitled there for a certain period, and further fuggefted various regulations for preventing frauds.

These refolutions having been propofed, the Houfe then refumed, and adjourned. [To be continued.]

T'

POET

LA

PARTENZA.

By Mrs. PIOZZI.

HE book's imperfe&t you declare,
And Piozzi has not given her share.
What's to be done? Some wits in vogue
Wou'd quickly find an epilogue,
Compos'd of whim and mirth and fatire,
Without one drop of true good-nature:
But truft me, 'tis corrupted tft“,
To make fo merry with the lift,
When in tha: fatal word we find
Each foe to gaiety combin'd.
Since parting then on Arno's fhore,
We part perhaps to meet no more;
Thou first! to foothe whofe feeling heart
The Mufe beflow'd her lenient art,
Accept her counfel, quit this coaft,
With only one fhort luftrum loft,
Nor longer let the tuneful ftrain
On foreign ears be pour'd in vain;

The wreaths which on thy brow fhou'd live,
Britannia's hand alone can give.

Meanwhile for Bertie Fate prepares A mingled wreath of joys and cares,

R Y.

When politics and party rage
Shall frive fuch talents to engage,
And call him to controul the great,
And fix the nicely-balanc'd state;
'Till charming Anna's gentler mind,
For ftorms of taction ne'er defign'd,
Shall think with pleafure on the times
When Arno liften'd to his rhymes;
And reckon among Heav'n's best mercies,
Our Piozzi's voice and Parfons' verses.

Thou too, who oft halt ftrung the lyre
To livelieft notes of gay delire,
No longer feck thefe fcorching flames,
Or trifle with Italian dames;
But bafte to Britain's chafter ifle,
Receive fome fair-one's virgin fmile,
Accept her vows, reward her truth,
And guard from ills her artless youth:
Keep her from knowledge of the crimes
Which taint the fweets of warmer climes;
But let her weaker bloom difclofe
The blufhes of a hot-houfe rofe,
Whofe leaves no infect ever haunted,
Whofe perfume but to one is granted;

*The Florence Mifcellany: a Volume compofed of the Poems of Mrs. Piozzi, Mr. Greathead, Mr. Merry, Mr. Parfons, and fome foreigners; amongst others, the Duke de Nivernois.

Pleas'd

Pleas'd with her partner to retire,
And cheer the falc domeftic fire;
There Anna's bright example tell,
And let her learn to live as well.

While I, who, half amphibious grown,
Now fcarce call any place my own,
Will learn to view, with eye ferene,
Life's empty plot and shifting fcenc;
And trufting till to Heav'n's high care,
Fix my firm habitation there.
'Twas thus the Grecian fage of old,
As by Herodotus we're told,

Accus'd by them who fat above

As wanting in his country's love;

'Tis but the name, to ferve fome hateful end,
Affum'd and hackney'd, to deceive a friend.
A friend! a name in times of ld rever'd,
A name in modern times but fldom heard:
No danger then could fem the genial tide,
No favour now, but what's th gain ally'd.
Amongst the wealthy wou'd you friendship
fee?

Amongst the wealthy 'tis not doom'd to be ;
The third of folly and the rage of game
Each foft affection and each paffion claim;
The ftupid husband and the giddy wife
Live one continu'd round of thought fs life,
Contempt enfues; falfe to each other's bed,

'Tis that, he cry'd, which moft I prize," Curse the vile hour their parents made them And pointed upward to the fkies.

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wed;

Difeafe and want attack with double force, And the fcene clears, in hopes of a divorce.

Is there no character, you fighing fay, That dare behold the open face of day, Amongst the wealthy, or the humble poor,

To view with pleasure in a thoughtful hour? Yes, there are many, e'en amongst the great, With growing pleafure you may contemplate,

Whofe gentle virtues glow with focial blaze, To fhame the habits of these modern days.

But leaving wealth and pageantry to those Who happinefs from fuch purfuits propose," A fair example, and a worthier mark For approbation, fing the Man of Wark. O for the ftrength of Pope's immortal lyrė, The varied turns of Dryden's living fire, Then might he rauk, nor one deplore the lofs, A juft companion with the Man of Rofs!

Where Tyne majestic rolls his filver tide, And branching plane-trees deck his floping fide,

Stands a small village, with few vices ftor'd,
Yet peace and plenty grace the humble board.
Here, whilom liv'd, devoted to his plan
Of toilfome induftry, this good old man,
Who thro' the space of fixty rolling years,
Unwarp'd by follies, nor deprefs'd by fears,
Purfu'd with pleasure what he once begun,
From the up-rifing to the fewing fun.
No toils enfeebled, and no bounds confin'd
Th' unwearied efforts of his noble mind;
Calin and ferene, he liv'd with open door,
The needy ferv'd, reliev'd the clamorous

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