unt of the
financial state of India. He announced a great increase of revenue in
Bengal; which he looked upon as the strongest proof of the prosperity
and good government of the country. Dundas said, that in a few years
he trusted the company would be enabled to pay off the whole of their
arrears, and that the British possessions in India would be more
flourishing in wealth, commerce, and manufactures, than any other
part of Hindustan. In the present state of things, he remarked, we had
nothing to fear from any European nation: Holland was our ally, and
France was in no condition to disturb our foreign possessions. Tippoo
Saib, he acknowledged, was an enemy; but without European auxiliaries,
and the support of other native powers, he could never become formidable
to the British empire. Dundas, indeed, indulged himself in the pleasing
vision that this country was likely long to enjoy an undisturbed peace
at home and abroad.

PITT'S FINANCIAL STATEMENT, ETC.

Pitt opened the budget for the year on the 15th of April; and in doing
so he congratulated the house upon the prosperous state of the finances.
He regarded the increase of revenue as progressive, and spoke with
triumph of the growing greatness of England. Like Dundas, he spoke of
the continuance of peace as certain; and he concluded his speech with an
encomium upon the British constitution, to which, under Providence, the
prosperity of the nation was to be ascribed. About the same time that
the budget was opened, the house voted several sums as a recompense for
services or indemnification for losses in the cause of the country. Thus
an annuity of L1000 per annum was granted to the Rev. Dr. Willis,
who had been instrumental in restoring his majesty's intellects; the
speakers salary was increased from L3000 to L6000; and the family of
Penn had a perpetual grant of L4000 per annum bestowed upon them out
of the consolidated fund, for the losses they had sustained during the
revolt of the American colonies.

THE SLAVE-TRADE QUESTION.

Early in this session, Mr. Wilberforce, who had continued to devote
time, life, fortune, and talent to the great subject of the slave-trade,
moved that the house would resolve itself into a committee of the whole
house, to take that trade into consideration. This motion was agreed
to; aud on a subsequent day he moved and carried the appointment of
a special committee for the examination of witnesses. Wilberforce was
himself