opose regulations applicable to those articles
which formed its principle support. By the bill for the prevention of
smuggling, the right of seizing certain vessels with their cargoes,
under particular circumstances, was greatly extended; the building of
such vessels was prohibited; the owners of armed vessels were obliged to
procure licences; the rules respecting clearance were enlarged; and the
act of resisting his majesty's ships and officers was made a capital
felony. In order to aid this bill, Pitt brought forward two others: one
directed against contraband trade in tea, and the other against that in
spirits. That with reference to tea was of great importance, for it was
at this time considered a staple commodity of the smuggler. In fact,
more than seven million pounds of that article were smuggled into the
country annually; while only about five millions were sold by the East
India Company. To prevent this evil, Pitt proposed to reduce the duty
upon tea from fifty to twelve and a half per cent., which was not
more than equal to the expense of smuggling. The same principle was
maintained in the bill directed against the contraband trade in spirits.
Great frauds had been committed on the distilleries at home; and Pitt
proposed a bill by which the duties payable on British spirits were
regulated and enforced; while those on foreign duties were considerably
reduced. As these reductions, and especially on the article of tea,
would occasion a great loss to the revenue, Pitt proposed to increase
the tax on windows in proportion. All these resolutions were passed,
after much debate in the commons, by large majorities; and they met with
little or no opposition in the house of lords.

THE BUDGET OF 1784.

On the 30th of June, Pitt produced what is called the budget, which
included the subject of taxation. In his speech he discussed the ways
and means for defraying the expenses of the services of the present
year; the loan; the funding a portion of the unfunded debt; and new
taxes. A loan of six millions was found requisite for the current
services of the year, besides the ordinary sources of income; and this
he proposed to throw open to public competition; the biddings being sent
in, sealed up, and afterwards opened in the presence of the governor
and deputy governor of the Bank of England. At this time the navy
and victualling bills, with the ordnance debentures, which formed a
considerable part of the unfunded debt