cations introduced were likely to
render them less productive than Pitt originally expected; and to supply
this deficiency, taxes on attorneys and on warrants were imposed; the
game duty was increased, and coach-makers were obliged to take out a
license. One great cause which led to these new imposts proceeded from
the remaining part of the floating arrear of debt, consisting of navy
bills and ordnance debentures, at five per cent, stock, the interest of
which amounted to about L400,000 per annum. Pitt was led to the adoption
of this measure because it was found that these bills and debentures had
a great effect in depressing the public securities.

THE AFFAIRS OF IRELAND.

From the time that Pitt first became prime minister, the state of
Ireland had occupied his anxious attention. In 1784 the Duke of Rutland
had been appointed lord-lieutenant of that country, and no important
step was taken by him in his government without Pitt's advice and
direction. Under the guidance of the youthful premier, the duke had
been enabled to check the formidable spirit of turbulence and innovation
which had recently exhibited itself, and the Irish people were
apparently satisfied with his government. It was manifest, however, that
there was still an under-current of disaffection, and that nothing but a
complete change in the commercial relations of the country could afford
effectual relief to the people, and render them permanently tranquil.
Under these circumstances, therefore, Pitt spent a considerable time in
deliberation with influential and intelligent persons respecting a new
plan of commercial intercourse between the two kingdoms; and notice of
his intention was given to the large trading or manufacturing towns,
and a committee of privy-counsellors was appointed to receive their
information or suggestions relative to such an object. The resolutions
which Mr. Orde moved in the Irish parliament, as noticed in a previous
page, were the result of these conferences, and these resolutions being
transmitted to the king, accompanied with an address, Pitt brought them
before the British parliament. In doing so, he observed, that from the
revolution up to a recent period, the system of commerce established
between the two countries, had been to make Ireland subservient to
the interests and opulence of England. Ireland, he said, had not been
suffered to profit either by the bounties of nature or the skill of her
own inhabitants. Some