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"moving a resolution, that it was expe"dient to present a Petition to the House "of Commons against the revival of those

"taxes.

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SIR W. HEATHCOTE shortly second"ed the Resolutions, and observed that he "had voted against the new Malt Duty,

This motion being made and seconded, Mr. HUNT rose to speak; but was called to order by Mr.PORTALL, and the Sheriff decided, that he could not be permitted to speak till Lord NOTHESK had read a peti, tion; that is to say, Mr. Portall was permitted to make a long speech and a motion, which motion was seconded, and Lord NORTHESK was to make another motion, and that was to be seconded also, before any person on the other side was to be permitted to speak! If this was fair and regular, it must be acknowledged, that Hampshire has its peculiar mode of conducting debates and discussions.

"certain time, that pledge had been given in this instance. The country "had performed its part of the contract, "and submitted to the tax with unex"ampled patience, as long as the war " continued. They had now a clear and "irrefragable right to the benefits of the engagements on the other side, and to expect that the tax should not be renewed. If the tax were now renewed, "it would not only be a gross violation " of the contract, but it would be an aggravated breach of trust, by making "the very violation of their contract a sort of precedent for further viola"tions. It was his firm opinion, that if "the tax were bat submitted to for an"other year, it would never be taken off. "New circumstances and new pretences "would then arise; and rather than give up the tax, Ministers would pre"fer another war, perhaps with the Dey of Algiers, the Nabob of Arcot, or some The petition was then produced and "of those gentlemen. He should object moved, and, having been read, was seto any modification of the tax. If it conded by SIR HARRY TICHBORNE. were reduced to one per cent. or one- Here Mr. HUNT requested that the first "fourth per cent. he should equally requisition might be read. It now apobject to it, as an unfit tax to be intro- peared, that that requisition included, “duced into a free country. Every man by name, the War Tax upon Malt, "who is now summoned before the sur- which, as the reader will perceive, had veyor goes up like a culprit, and feels been embodied into the Whig Petition, "like one. The difference is, that by though not mentioned in the Whig requi"the law of England, every man is pre- sition. The motive for this act of irre"sumed innocent until he is found gularity was clearly this: that the Whigs "guilty; whereas, before the surveyors, knowing that, if they left it out, an every man is presumed guilty, until he amendment would be moved, and that, "is found innocent. He did not mean thus, they would be defeated upon their "to cast the slightest reflection on the own dunghill, seeing that the Malt Tax surveyors personally, but without such is full as burdensome and as odious as a course the tax could not be raised. the Property Tax. The getting over this "There was another subject which af- irregularity by "taking the sense of the "fected the people of this country al- Meeting," as it was called, amounted to "most as much as the property-tax. just nothing at all; for, by the same rule, Among those taxes which were called any thing might be introduced into the war taxes, and which by law would Petition; and yet, as the reader will expire about the same time with the presently see, great efforts were made to property tax, there was one of no less set my Petition aside upon the ground, "than two shillings a bushel on malt. that it contained matter of complaint, "This bore no less on the comforts of the not specified in the requisition. poor and middling orders, than it did Having thus shewn the tactics of the upon the interests of agriculture. He Whigs this far, and exposed the motive, had, therefore introduced into the peti- whence they were led to introduce the 86 tion a prayer, that this tax also should Malt Tax, I now proceed to the discussion not be revived. As this was not regu- of the Petition, into which we were per"larly introduced in the requisition, it mitted to enter, though we had not been was only by the pleasure and sufferance permitted to oppose Mr. Portall's resolu "of the Meeting, that he could incorpo- tion. The Whig Petition, as the Times "rate it with his petition. (The sense of newspaper observes “ was then read "the Meeting on this point was testified" by the Under-Sheriff. It was of con"by loud applause.) He concluded by E 2

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that of highway robbers. But, I observed, if this was really the case, who were the highwaymen, this being a question of very material importance to the Country, who had, during all this time,

“siderable length, as it embraced the "different points of Mr. Portall's speech, " and the preambles of the different Acts "of Parliament on this subject. It also "alluded to the new creation of Knights, "and observed, that as the Prince Re-elected and re-elected the men who im"gent had been advised to reward the splendid services performed by the navy and army, his civil subjects also, who "had discharged all their duties during "the arduous contest, and patiently sub"mitted to such heavy burthens, con"ceived themselves entitled to some con"sideration for their discharge of duty, "and an alleviation from this most op"pressive tax."

posed and supported this tax; that Sir WILLIAM HEATHCOTE, who had seconded Mr. Portall's motion, was one of the first imposers, one of the supporters; that the party, whose friends had now brought forward the Petition, had raised the tax from six and a quarter to its present amount, and that they had done it, too, in the most odious, insulting, and unfeeling manner. (Here I was called to opposed this Petition, which I repre-order again, though I was only asking sented as more resembling a lawyer's brief, in form and language, and a bill in Chancery against the Regent, in matter, than a County Petition against a Tax. I observed, that the passage, alluding to the new creation of Knights of the Bath was peculiarly objectionable; that it signified to the House of Commons a sort of envious and vain feeling; a poor sneaking after a share in the baubles of Knighthood, which was very disgusting, and in which I was sure the Meeting did not participate.-[Here I was interrupted by Mr. Portall calling to order. Lwas told, that I was wandering from the subject before us. The reader will judge what the Order of the Bath had to do with a Petition against the revival of the Malt and Property Taxes; but, he will, I am sure, clearly see, that, as the allusion formed part of the Petition, I was strictly in order, while I was objecting to that part of the Petition.]-1 next observed, that the name of highwayman's tax, applied to the Tax on Property by Mr. PORTALL, formed a curious contrast with another part of his speech; for, there he had told us, that the tax was imposed at a moment, when the enemy was at our door, and that the tax was necessary "to the safety of his Majesty's Crown, "the security of our holy religion, our "laws, lives, and properties!" What! Iject of the Requisition; though, as the observed, and do the Meeting, then, really believe, that the king and our holy religion stood in need of highwaymen measures to insure their safety? And, can the Meeting, can the people of England, look foreigners in the face, and prate about English liberty, while they confess, that we have lived for nearly twenty years under the operation of power, resembling

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who the highwaymen were, if it was a
highwayman's tax.)-I next observed,
that, seeing that the Gentleman thought
the imposing of the tax the act of high-
waymen, and, as it is well known, that
highwaymen generally begin by stepping
the mouth, that they next bind the persons
of their clients, and conclude by ramming
their hands into their pockets, I should
not wonder if the Gentleman were to tell
us, that the Parliament who imposed this
tax had proceeded in somewhat the same
way, and that the laws shackling the
Press and diminishing Personal liberty,
passed during the same period, ought, at
any rate, if we abstained from such irre-
verend descriptions of them, to receive
our reprobation as well as the law impo-
sing a tax
tax n property. Upon this
ground I was proceeding to state what
those laws were, and to shew how law-
making proceeded, step, by step, until
it arrived at that stage, when, as the
Gentleman had asserted, it assumed the
character of a highwayman's conduct. I
was beginning with the law, which made it
high treason to send a bushel of potatoes
or a pair of shoes to the Republicans of
France who, by the bye, had now some
food to spare for us.- -[Here I was stopped
this matter being wholly inadmissible,
having nothing at all to do with the sub-

reader will perceive, it had quite as much
to do with it as the Order of the Bath
could possibly have.]-I next observed
upon what Mr. Portall had stated as to
the cause of the tax, and how it came to
be laid, and said, that it was a false alarm
that prevailed at the time; that the enemy
was never at our door; that he never did
attempt to land, and that there never

was a time when the people of England, of their own force, were not able to defend the country; that no army, and, of course, no tax, was wanted to preserve the country against any enemy that it ever had; and, that it was very clear, and had long since been so, to the whole world, that the war was made, and the tax raised, for the purpose of crushing republican liberty in France, and of stopping, by that means, its extension all over the world.I was proceeding to shew, that, in part, this object had been accomplished; but, that we had ruined ourselves by the sucress. [Here, however, I was stopped; though, I thought, that I had as much right to go into this matter as the other side had to state their notion of the cause and object of the tax.]-I next observed, that the Petition on the table, though it included the War Malt Tax, did not go nearly far enough for me; that I should move an amendment, including all the war taxes, in the first place, being of opinion, that it was a matter of indifference in what shape, or under what name a tax was raised, if raised all; that, in the end, it must be paid by the public at large, and that it signified not one straw to any man, whether he paid it, as the old saying is, in meal or in malt. But, that I did not stop here; that I was for praying, that no other taxes might be imposed instead of the war taxes, and was for expressing the opinion of the Meeting, that there was no necessity for any other taxes. All this, however, I observed, was a trifle, in my estimation, compared with the laws, passed during the war, respecting the Press and respecting personal liberty, some of which were still in existence, and, therefore, I should propose to pray for the repeal of these laws also. After a great deal of further interruption from the opposite party, I moved a Petition, the substance of which only I can give, having been deprived of the document itself in the manner hereafter to be described. The Petition, moved by me, was in substance as follows:

That the war taxes had now no longer any pretence for their continuance, seeing that peace with all the world had been happily restored:-That no new taxes in their stead would be necessary to support the credit and honour of the nation, provided that

a system of economy and peaceful government were adopted in place of the enormous expenditure, and that immense military establishment, which was wholly unknown to our forefathers, and which now threatened to swallow up all the civil powers and distinctions of the country: --That all pretence for alarm having now ceased, the laws passed during the late war, cramping the liberty of the Press, and also personal liberty, ought now to be repealed:-That therefore, we prayed, that all the war taxes might cease, agreeably to law; that no other taxes might be imposed in their stead; and that all the laws, passed during the war, which diminish the liberties of the people might also be repealed.

Mr. HUNT seconded the motion, and, though many attempts were made by Mr. PORTALL to interrupt him even while he was answering the arguments of that gentleman, he proceeded in a way, and with an effect that made faction feel very sore.

He observed, that the war malt tax was introduced by the other side, not from choice but from compulsion; that they had foreseen, that unless they introduced it, they would be beaten ou their own ground. He observed, that the worthy Baronet, (Sir William Heathcote) had taken great credit for having opposed the war tax upon malt, but, perhaps, that might be accounted for by the fact, that this was a great barley country, and that the worthy baronet was owner of no small slice of this same country; that as to numerous other laws that he had assisted in passing and supporting, though of infinitely more consequence to the people, he had ap peared to feel less acutely. He obser ved, that he heartily rejoiced at the conclusion of peace with America, and thanked the King's ministers for having acted so wisely; and that, though the Meeting would feel with him deep regret that the war had not sooner terminated, and before so many disasters had taken would feel consolation in reflecting that, place, he was sure that every Englishman if the trident of the seas had been snatch[ed from us in a few instances; if we had

And

now and then suffered defeats on an [the Government, to approve of the unelement called our own, it had been dertaking and the continuing of the late from the arms of free men, and not from wars, in the prosecution of which they those of the hirelings of despots.-In offered and pledged their last shilling alluding to Mr. PORTALL'S assertion," and their last drop of blood." that the Income Tax, being laid on in a time of great public peril, it was suffered to pass with little opposition or comment; he observed, that the contrary was the truth; that no tax ever met with such strenuous opposition; that the nowRIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE TIERNEY, in particular, called it by names almost as odious as that now applied to it by Mr. Portall; that he even went so far as to declare, that the people would be fully justified in resisting it by force of arms; but that this was the out of place sentiment of Mr. TIERNEY,

yet, said he, though the government do not ask, and never have asked, for a single drop of their blood, being contented with the shilling alone, this singular forbearance is repaid by the virulent and gross abuse, which we have this day heard bestowed upon it, and that, too, by the party, who had its full share in the very measure now so bitterly complained of.

Mr. PORTALL rose to answer what had been said on our side. He objected to the amendment because it included matter, not notified in the requisition, and

when in place, voted for rai afterwards, insisted strongly, that, in asking for so

certainly called for an apology. But, it is but justice to observe, that no part of. his speech was so much applauded as this.

this same much, we ran a risk of losing all. He tax from six and a quarter to ten per complained, that an unfair advantage cent.- [Here M. PORTALL made a had been taken of him in the comments very strenuous effort to stop Mr. HUNT; made on his expressions respecting the but the Sheriff said he was in order, as highwayman; said that the words dropwell he might, seeing that Mr.HUNT wasped from him incautiously, and that they only shewing that what Mr. PORTALL had stated as to the silent acquiescence of the country, when the tax was laid on, was not true.]--Mr. HUNT con- When I came to reply I was interrupttinued by observing, that the gentleman ed. It was contended that the business deprecated all enquiry into the conduct was now closed; that Mr. PoRTALL had of those who had laid on, or raised, the made his motion, that we had answered, tax; but, that it was material for the that he had now replied, and that there meeting to recollect, who it was that the discussion closed. But, the reader had imposed and angmented what liad will sce, that it was not his motion but been called a highwayman's tax, and es- mine, which was new under discussion, pecially when the faction,who had brought His had been made, seconded, put, and orward this charge, were heard endea-carried, without our being permitted to youring to throw the blame upon the pre-speak. Then came Lord Northesk's moseilt ministers, and to excite and keep up suspicions against them. He entered iato a curious and interesting calculation as to the fax upon Barley,before its juice reached the mouth; shewing that every load of Barley (40 bushels) paid nearly The quest was now to be taken upon twenty pounds in tax before it came to my amendment; but before the question the lips of the labouring man, though the was put, I did obtain a hearing, price now received by the farmer was amongst other things, I said nearly what not more than seven pounds; so that in is, as follows, stated by the COURIER.every pot of beer which the labourer "In the Hampshire Meeting on Tuesbought at a public house (if the propór-day, Mr. "COBBETT, among other tion of the farmer's taxes were included) he swallowed more than four-pence in tar.But, he observed, in conclusion (after a variety of other observations), this meeting presents a very curious spectacle. He said, that he had many persons in his eye, who, in that very place, had frequently met to address

tion. That was put aside for a while by my amendment, which was now about to be put. What right, then, in this stage of the proceedings, could Mr. PORTALL have to the la speech? *

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things, said the Gentlemen who “brought forward the Petition had acted disingenuously; they had said nothing "of the difficulties of the Government. Did they mean to say, that the Go**vernment could go on without the Property Tax? Did they wish to substitute any other tax-(Crics of, we have

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nothing to do with that! and, order!) He would ask them if they were ready "to vote that the army should be dis"banded?"--The HIGH SHERIFF said "he must take the sense of the Meeting, "whether Mr. COBBETT should be al"lowed to go on in this manner. Mr. "COBBETT said, he was ready to shew "that Government could not go on without this Tax.-Mr. PORTALL said, they had nothing to do with that at present-MCOBBETT said, they could "not shew him that Government could go on without this Tax. It was, there"fore from the factiousness of party "that the question was brought forward. "It was the trick of a party to impose "upon the people, by telling them that they were to get this Tax off; but they could not get it off, without having "another, equal in amount, substituted "for it."--I said this, or nearly this; but, the COURIER has dealt as unfairly by me as the Whigs dealt by the Meeting; because, I said, along with this, some thing which the COURIER has taken care to leave out: I said that I would defy the Gentlemen to shew, that the Government could pay the public creditors, or go on at all, without the two taxes mentioned in their petition (amounting to a full third part of the present revenue), unless the whole of the army, about all the navy, and a part of the sinking fund into the bargain, were, at once lopped off; and that, therefore, to stir up the people to pray for the taking away of the revenue, without stating, at the same time, the means by which the Government might go on without it, as I had stated in my motion, was to act factiously, was to delude and deceive the people.-Strange to say, this was deemed out of order. One man proposes the abolition of taxes, another objects to his proposition because the Government cannot go on without the said taxes, and yet the second is deemed out of order! I was for taking off the taxes, but then I was also for saying, at the same time, and in the same Petition, that it was our conviction, that the Credit and Honour of the nation might be maintained without those taxes; because, if the Meeting did not think this, their petition must proceed either from faction or ignorance.

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PETITION, moved by the Earl of Northesk, was carried by a like majority. It was then voted to be sent about for signatures, to be presented by the County Members, who, by a vote of the Meeting, on the motion of Mr. HUNT, were instructed to support it, when presented, The thanks of the Meeting, having been unanimously voted to the High Sheriff, (Mr. Norris of Basing Park) hə, in answer, observed, that he hoped, the next time he met the County, he should have to congratulate them on the Death and Burial of the Property Tax.

Whoever was at the Meeting, and who reads this, will say, that I have here given, substantially, a fair account of the proceedings. I had not the smallest hope of carrying my motion. I had not signed any requisition; I had consulted nobody; I had not talked upon the subject to more than four persons out of my own family. I cared not a pin about the repeal of the Income tax, unless all the war taxes and all the laws about the press and personal and political liberty were included; and the only disappointment that I met with, was, that so large a part of the Meeting were with me. What has been said of the disingenuousness of the Hampshire Petition will apply to almost all the other petitions against the Property Tax. Westminster and the City of Worcester (and there may be some others) are exceptions. But, with these exceptions, it is a clamour against a tax, and merely against a tax. It is an outery for relief, without a word said as to the causes of the burden, or as to the means of doing without it. Mr. PORTALL, at our Meeting, said that he should approve of taking away a part of the Sinking-fund; the same has been said at other Meetings. Perhaps this may be practicable; but, if it be done without a total disbanding of the army and a discharge of nearly all the navy, will the funded property retain its va lue; or, any value at all? If the fundholders saw, that the taxes were so reduced as to enable the country to prosper under them, they need not care about the Sinking-fund; but, what will be their prospect, if, out of 40 millions of revenue, only 20 millions are wanted for the army and navy alone, while their own share of that revenue, exclusive of the Sinking-fund, amounts to 25 to 28 millions? The remedy is, then, a reduction

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