tatement of
the country's resources, he trusted the time was not far distant when he
should be able to come down with a proposal for easing the industry of
the country by important resolutions. He moved a vote of L47,943,000,
which, after some discussion, was granted.

At a later period of the session the state of the public finances was
made the subject of debate in the house of lords. On the 14th of August
Lord Monteagle moved this series of resolutions:--"1. That this house
observes with much concern and disappointment, that the expectation held
out of a surplus revenue, exceeding L500,000, for the year ending the
5th of April. 1843, has not been realized; but that there has been an
actual deficiency of L2,421,000, notwithstanding the imposition of a tax
on property, the application to the public service within the year of
L511,406, obtained from the government of China, and a receipt exceeding
L1,300,000, as duties upon grain imported. 2. That the charge for
the permanent debt has been increased during the last two years,
the exchequer balances have been reduced, and upwards of L1,000,000
exchequer-bills held by the trustees of the savings' banks converted
into stock. 3. That under these circumstances it is most peculiarly the
duty of the legislature, and of her majesty's government, to enforce the
strictest economy which is consistent with the public service, and
to adopt all such measures as may increase the ordinary revenue, by
insuring to British industry, whether agricultural, manufacturing, or
commercial, its widest and freest extension, and its largest reward;
thus averting from the country the calamity of the re-enactment of a
tax upon property in time of peace, and promoting the well-being of
all classes of her majesty's subjects." The object of Lord Monteagle in
introducing these resolutions was to vindicate the Whig administration
of the public finances, and to show that the same line of conduct which
had been censured in the late ministry had been pursued by the present
government. His lordship delivered a long and able speech to this end,
which was replied to with equal ability by the Duke of Wellington and
Lord Brougham.

Another question, involving fiscal considerations, which occupied
the attention of parliament, related to the sugar duties. Government
proposed a renewal of tire duties of the year preceding, on which
the free-trade party in the house of commons made their usual protest
against the