wallis, ministers moved a resolution
declaring that the conduct of the governor-general accorded with the
true spirit and intent of the rules of government established by the
British parliament for the affairs of India, which resolution was
adopted.

PITT'S FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

The house went into committee to consider the financial affairs of the
country, on the 17th of February, when Pitt made a speech representing
the country as in a nourishing condition, almost unprecedented. The
revenue had increased so much, he said, that government would be enabled
to take off taxes, bearing chiefly upon the poor, to the amount of
L200,000, and to apply an equal sum more to increase the sinking-fund
for paying off the national debt. He proposed to take off the additional
duty on malt; the new duties on male and female servants; the duties
upon waggons, wains, carts, and other such carriages; the taxes on
houses containing less than seven windows; and a halfpenny in the
pound of the duty upon all candles, except wax and spermaceti.
These propositions were agreed to without a division. Sheridan only
questioning the truth of Pitt's financial statement, which he did more
from the force of habit, and by way of opposition, than from any just
cause. On the same day, in a committee of supply, the house granted
L400,000 to his majesty, to be issued and paid to the governor and
company of the Bank of England, to be by them placed to the account
of the commissioners for the reduction of the national debt. So far as
Pitt's statements on this occasion related to the actual condition
of the finances of the country they were doubtless correct; but his
sentiments on the future were too soon proved to be fallacious. He
remarked:--"From the result of the whole, I trust I am entitled to
conclude that the scene which we are now contemplating, is not the
transient effect of accident, not the short-lived prosperity of a day,
but the general and natural result of regular and permanent causes.
Though we may yet be subject to those fluctuations which often occur in
the affairs of a mighty nation, and which it is impossible to calculate
or foresee, yet, as far as reliance can be placed on human speculations,
we have the best ground, from experience of the past, for looking with
satisfaction on the present, and with confidence toward the future."
Pitt, indeed, expressed his deep conviction that there never was a
time when a durable peace might mor