of the Duke of York. The people had thanked him; and, therefore, was it not natural that he should address himself to the people?Mr. Huskisson also complained, that Mr. Wardle had made his statement so late in the session; and, it is well worth remarking, that he was very loudly censured for bringing forward his statement about the Duke of York so early in the session.— -Nothing will please them. They themselves, indeed, find all times fit for their demands of money; for the loanbills and tax-bills, and all sorts of bills tending to draw money from the people; but, if it be to inquire into how money can be saved, how public-robbery can be checked; then the time must be considered; there must be due notice, and plenty of time given for preparing a defence.It is not my intention to enter here upon a regular series of observations on the several parts of Mr. Huskisson's speech; but, there are two or three points, which I cannot pass over. There was one gereral argument of Mr. Huskisson, namely, that as long as the establishments, offices, pensions, and expences, which Mr. Wardle represented as unnecessary, should be thought necessary by Parliament, there could no saving take place in any of the said departments of expence; and that, if parliament should think them unnecessary, then they would not want Mr. Wardle to tell them that a great saving might be made. This is very true; but, we did not want Mr. Huskisson to tell us this: we did not want an orator or phi

He has more head than all the rest put together; and, the only objection I have to him is, that he and his wife have both fastened themselves upon us, for their lives, to a very large amount, without my being able to discover any reason for it.- -Mr. Huskisson was the person to answer Mr. Wardle; and, the selection was prudent, not only because he has more understanding as to such matters, than all the rest, but, because, by putting him forward, the rest were sure not to expose themselves.Mr. Huskisson began by complaining, that the general statement of Mr. Wardle had not been made in the honourable House, instead of the place where it was made; because, said he, here the details could have been canvassed, whereas, the consequence of making the statement "out of doors" (this is a very modest expression) must be to create in the public mind very improper impressions.But, in the first place, had not Mr. Wardle as good a right to make his statement at the Crown and Anchor, as Mr. Canning had to make his statement at the London Tavern? Or, were those persons, to whom Mr. Wardle spoke, less capable of judging upon matters of domestic economy, than the crew of howling blood-suckers, by whom Mr. Canning was surrounded, and who fatten upon the miseries of war, were of judging upon matters of foreign policy? Or, is it to be pretended, at last, that none but the servants of the king have a right to address the people, and to communicate to them facts or opinions connected with politics? -Besides, Mr.losopher from Paris to tell us one word of Wardle had had the honour of making statements to the honourable House before. He had seen a good deal there already. He had seen the result of the proceedings in the case of the Duke of York. He had witnessed the vote in the case of Castlereagh and Reding, and also in the case of the three members and Mr. Quintin Dick, not forgetting the Irish revenue case. And after all this, surely he might be excused for making a statement "outwork of his proposition is, that many of of doors." In doors people seemed to have become impatient; they seemed to have grown tired of statements; they pretty clearly evinced this on the morning of the ever-memorable 12th of May, when they voted 310 to 85 against Mr. Madocks's motion for Inquiry, and when there passed what will never be forgotten by those who were witnesses of it. Again, Mr. Wardle had been told, by the ministers, that he was not entitled to any thanks for what he had done in the case

it. But, Mr. Huskisson appears not to have been aware of this material point: to wit; that it was not the opinion of Parliavert, as at present constituted, that Mr. Wardle considered as the thing to be decided by; his position being, that such and such savings would take place under the controul of a parliament, chosen in a manier different from the parliament now in existence. In two words, the very ground

the heavy expences, which the present parlament think necessary, are not necessary; and, in answer to a statement so grounded, Mr. Huskisson amuses us with saying, that as long as the parliament shallthink the expenditure necessary, the proposed saving cannot be made.Mr. Warde may, for instance, and doubtless will, when he comes to his detail, say, "strile off this great pension to Mrs. Emily "Hukisson; and this to Mrs. Rosalie (or "some such name) Ward." And, will his

66

being told that the parliament thinks these I should not wonder if the revenue alone pensions necessary be regarded as an answer maintained three hundred lawyers of all to him? When he shall, as he doubtless sorts and sizes. No wonder that the bar will, call for the abolition of the pension is dumb, when the rights of the people are of 500l. a year to Mary and Maria HUNN, to be asserted. Mr. Huskisson concludthe half-sisters, I believe, of Mr. Canning, ed with a very moving piece of eloquence. is he to be told, that this saving cannot be "He contrasted the mild and impartial made, because the parliament thinks it right" mode, in which the public taxes were not to make it? He may; but this is the collected here, with the violent manner, very thing he is about to bring before the "in which they were levied in France, public. He says, he is about to shew," where they were exacted by the bayonet, that there are Eleven Millions a year that "and where, if an unfortunate man was in might be saved, and which the present "arrear, soldiers were placed in his house, parliament do not think it right to save. This living at free quarter until the amount is the very thing. It is, therefore, a "was paid."- -This is the only interestdownright absurdity to attempt to shut his ing part of Mr. Huskisson's speech, except mouth by saying, that such and such sav- what related to the cavalry and the police. ings cannot be made, while the parliament chooses to continue the expences. Give us a parliament, says he, freely chosen by the people, and in which there shall be no trafficking in Seats, and then, I engage, that eleven millions of taxes will be saved; and here are the items upon which they would make the saving. Oh, no! say his opponents, the parliament could not make any such saving, as long as the parliament should think the present expences necessary. Why, this is downright nonsense. It is as naked a parler-pour-parler as ever was heard in the world.- -This, however, was the general answer. Mr. Wardle represented the German troops unnecessary, and said the expence of them might be saved; but he was answered by being told, that the parliament thought them necessary. Upon the subject of the Cavalry, however, Mr. Huskisson attempted to give, and did really give, something of a reason. He said, they were useful as composing part of the POLICE. This was being very frank, indeed. It, in part, at least, answers a question that I have so often put: "what "is all this monstrous standing army for?" Here is one of the purposes, at any rate. I hope, we shall bear this declaration in mind; that, we are to consider the cavalry as useful in the way of police! Very good: only, let us be sure not to forget it.Mr. Wardle stated the expence of collecting the taxes at 2,800,000l. which Mr. Huskisson said was correct; but Mr. Wardle overlooked the expence of the military and naval force kept up for the purpose of securing this collection, together with the great sums received by several persons, connected with the tax-gathering, and not paid at the several tax-offices, but whose salaries or allowances fall under other heads. I should like to know, what is paid annually, out of the taxes, for law.

-I should, first, be inclined to doubt the fact about the mode of enforcing payment of taxes in France, had it not been stated by a member of the honourable House. Indeed, had it not been stated upon such authority, I should have set it down for a pure invention; for one of those worthy old Anti-jacobin devices, by the means of which the people of this country were, by John Bowles and his associates, so long affrighted and kept in subjection. But, after all, what is there in this contrast between the English and the French mode of collecting taxes? I do not wish to palliate the tyranny of the Emperor Napoleon; but, since Mr. Huskisson has thought proper to answer Mr. Wardle by reminding him of the manner in which taxes are collected in France; since we are, by means like these, to be scared from our desire to see eleven millions saved, though it is not easy to perceive how any man in his senses is to be scared by such means; since we are to have this sort of answer, let us, taking Mr. Huskisson's facts for granted; aye, let us even go so far as to take his facts for granted about the collection of the revenue in France, and see what there is of solid distinction in the contrast which he attempted to draw.

-A man in France, who is so unfortunate as to fall in arrear in the payment of his taxes, has soldiers placed in his house to live at free-quarter, till he does pay them. Oh, then, he can pay them, and therefore has it in his power to prevent the soldiers coming into his house? No, perhaps not. Well, then, the soldiers stay in his house, till they have eaten and drunk all that is eatable or drinkable in the house.

-This is bad enough; and now let us see how they are collected in England. As long as the Englishman pays without ang resistance or refusal, there is to be sure, no

violence; and this, I take it, is the case in the payment of taxes, and which mode France. I not only take it to be so, but Mr. Huskisson contrasted with the bayonet I know that it must be so; and really, I and free-quarter mode adopted in France. am far from thinking the worse of the peo- As long as we pay without resistance and ple of France for their rendering a violent without refusal, we are, as I said before, manner necessary in the collecting of taxes quite secure against violence of any sort; imposed without their consent. It shews, but so I take it for granted, they are in that the people of France have courage in France; for, even highwaymen and housecivil as well as in military matters, and that breakers would invariably content themthey are not to be so easily cheated by selves with taking from their subjects Buonapartés' shamn Legislative Body, call- their goods and money, were it not, that ed together by his sham elections. If now and then a murder is necessary to this picture be real; if we have not to as- their own safety, which is not the case cribe it, in some degree, to a sneaking kind- with tax-collectors, either in France or ness which Mr. Huskisson still retains for any where else. Well, then, in what his old friends, the good patriots of France, does this" contrast" consist? What is there who disliked funds and tythes, and to of solid distinction in it? Why, in France, his virtuous abhorrence of despotism: if if a man is, unfortunately, in arrear, that the picture be real, Mr. Huskisson has is to say, if he do not pay the taxes detold me the best news that I have heard for manded of him, then, in that case, solsome time. I was afraid, that the people diers are sent to live upon him at freeof France, amused by the name of elections, quarter. Now, either he can pay, or he were content under the robberies, which cannot. If the former, he has the power (as we have been told) were daily commit- of keeping away the soldiers, and is not ted upon them in virtue of edicts, or decrees the unfortunate man, that Mr. Huskisson, or senatus-consultums, or other abominable in his humanity, seems to suppose. If the acts, of no matter what name, issued latter, that is to say, if he be unable to pay, by an assembly, who have no power or is it not rather odd, that his house should voice any more than so many barber's be selected for free quarter, which always blocks, who come and go, who speak and. implies tolerable good cheer. It really is; hold their tongues, who say OUI and you must excuse me, Mr. Huskisson; but NON just as they are commanded by the I must say, that it is an odd thing, that a Emperor's official Orator, from whom, in man who has the means of paying his one shape or another, the wretches receive taxes should unfortunately fall in ar their dirty hire, though, at the same time, rear; or, that a man who has not the they swagger about and would fain pass means of paying them, should be able to for gentlemen, and talk of their honour and keep soldiers at free-quarter.But, to dignity in a strain that ought, one would return once more to the English mode of think, to purchase them a kicking at every enforcing the payment of taxes, what is corner of the streets of Paris. I really done, if a man refuse to pay? No matter was afraid, that the people of France had upon what ground, whether upon disincliso long and so patiently listened to the nation or disability. It is all the same; gabble and bombast of these fellows about and what is done?" The bayonet is not sent. la loi and la constitution, that they had, No, that it is not, unless you were to atat last, became completely duped; or tempt to repel force by force, and were had been so cowed down by the great successfully to resist the sheriff's officers. number of soldiers in that military govern- Well; but how do we go on? Why, after ment, that they had lost all sense of injury, a and all desire of obtaining justice. But, if Mr. Huskisson be correctly informed, and I dare say he is, the people of France act in a way that compels their tyrants to have recourse to "violent means," in order to wring their earnings from them. This is a good hearing; because where violence is resorted to in order to collect taxes, there must be resistance, or at least, refusal, on the part of those of whom the said taxes are demanded.---Begging the reader's pardon for this digression, I now return to the English mode of enforcing

demand of the tax, a seizure is made upon the goods, buildings, lands, and in some cases, upon the body, of the man who can. not, or who does not, pay. In short, all his property is taken away from him, and he is, at last, left to begin the world a-new in rags. Now, Mr. Huskisson, what could the bayonet do more than this? Will you be so good as to tell me what it could do more? But, you will say, perhaps, that the bayonet is not used, at any rate; and that the bayonet is a ghastly looking thing. Very true; but, again I tell you, that, it is n used, because there is no resistance;

that is

Several noblemen and gentlemen have written to me, upon the subject of Sheep, which they have, it appears, been informed, are coming from Spain, and are to ESSEX MEETING. Two articles signed possibly be of public interest and utility, be placed under my care; angl, as it may by many respectable gentlemen of Es-I shall here state what will, I hope, be sex, (which shall be in my next) will shew what means have been used in that county to stifle the public voice.—I can, at present, only call the reader's attention to them. I shall not fail to give an account of the Meeting, when it has taken place. Botley, 22 June, 1809.

who have written to me upon this subject,
and whom I have not answered. It is
quite impossible for me to answer all, or
even half; and, therefore, I trust, that my
silence will not, by any one, be attributed
to any want of respect for him, or of dis-
position to give his letter an immediate
answer.
WM. COBBETT.

OFFICIAL PAPERS.

FRENCH ARMY IN AUSTRIA.--Twelfth Bulletin; Battle of Urfar. (Continued from p. 960.)

be by auction; and, I beg leave to observe, by way of saving the trouble of applications for preferences, that no part of the property will be mine, and that, of course, I shall not be able, unless the owner be arrived, to give the smallest preference to any one. When the sheep arrive (if they do arrive), it is my intention to give due notice thereof, to every part of the kingdom; that is to say, if intended for sale. If the number should be small, I shall keep them in the neighbourhood of Botley; but, if it amount to some thousands, and if a sale were to be made, the place of sale would, I imagine, be somewhere near Winchester. It is expected that the sheep will be landed at Portsmouth; and, a letter, At the same moment the marshal prince of which I have received from SIR JOHN SIN Ponte Corvo came to Lintz with the cavalry CLAIR, as President of the Board of Agri-Vandamme, at the head of the Wirtemberg and the first brigade of Saxon infantry, gen. culture, informs me, that, in consequence of an application from him, the Treasury has given orders to the Commissioners of Customs, at the Out-ports, and also to the Transport Board, to afford every facility to the safe and quick landing of the sheep. The season of the year is rather unfavourable. The heat, and the scarcity of water, on board of ship, will, I am afraid, prove fatal to a part, at least, of the flock; but, ay any rate, it is of great importance, that there should be no delay in the landing and, to prevent this, the Treasury appears to have taken the necessary precaution. have provided as much, and, perhaps, more, pasture, than will be necessary; but, it is possible, that I may not have provided hall enough. I therefore take this opportunity of requesting any gentle

troops, and four squadrons of Saxon hussars and dragoons, repulsed the two first columns of the enemy, drove them from their position, took from them six pieces of artillery, made 400 prisoners, and threw them into confusion. The third column Berslingbergh at seven in the evening, and of the enemy appeared on the heights of his infantry in a no.nent took possession of the neighbouring mountains.The Saxon infantry fell on the him from his position, and took 300 prienemy with fury, drove Isoners, and several ammunition waggons. -The enemy has retired in confusion to Freystadt and Haslach. The hussars sent out in pursuit brought in 500 horse, and muskets, and a number of waggons and caissons were found in the woods. The loss of the enemy amounts to 2,000 in killed and wounded, besides prisoners. Our whole loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners, is not 400.

men, who may be able to accommodate me with good wholesome pasture, for a month or two, to be so good as to write to me upon the subject. And also to let me know, if they can lend me shepherds for a little while, in case: I should be at a loss for such assistance. It is a public concern; and, I trust, the friends of agriculture, in the neighbouring counties as well as in this, will gladly afford me all the aid in their power. Any where between SOBERTON across to WINCHES TER, and on towards Stockbridge or Sutto; in short, any where within twenty miles of Botley, where there is good and I wholesome sheep feed, may do for the purpose.-I should, of course, divide the flack, if numerous, in order to apportion the number of mouths to the quantity of food. I take this opportunity of apologizing to those gentlemen,

COBBETT'S

COMPLETE COLLECTION OF

State Trials:

To be completed in Thirty-Six Monthly
Parts, forming Twelve large Volumes in
Royal Octavo.

The SEVENTH Part of the above Work (being the first Part of Vol. III.) will be published on Saturday the 1st of July. One Part will appear, with the greatest regularity, on the first of each succeeding Month.

LONDON :-Printed by T. C. HANSARD, Peterborough Court, Fleet - Street; Published by R. BANGSHAW, Bry dges-Street, Covent Garden :-Sold also by J. BUDD, Pall-Mall.