32] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1813. 



increase of more than 700,000/. in twelve yeai*s. Whatever opinions 

 the present year above that which gentlemen might hold on the act 

 preceded it, and of 1,300,000/. of Union itself, however strong 

 above the year 1810. With respect the objections which they might' 

 to the debt of Ireland, it would be have imbibed against it — (objec- 

 sufficient to state, that the re- tions which he meant not to 

 deemed debt, in 1801, was only oppose, for, if he had had an op- 

 1,000,000/. while in the present portunity, he would perhaps also 

 year it amounted to 16,886,34'5/, have urged them at the time)— . 

 At the former period, the propor- still, it was evident, from a com- 

 tion of the sinking fund to the un- parison of the official value of ex- 

 redeemed debt, was one to eighty- ports for twelve years preceding, 

 one; while, at the present time, it and twelve years succeeding the 

 was as one to fifty. — With respect Union, that they had greatly in- 

 to trade and navigation, they had creased in the latter period, 

 increased very much in the last 



The total amount of official value of the Ex- 

 ports of Ireland, for twelve years imme- 

 diately preceding the Union, was ^.56,155,000 



For the twelve years subsequent 65,94-8,000 



Increase in the last twelve years 9,793,000 



The same observation was applicable to the Imports — 



The total value of Imports in the first period 



was 52,336,000 



In the latter period 77,279,000 



Increase in the last twelve years .... <£. 24,943,000 



And the like favourable result twelve yeai-s, unless the country 

 would appear if any other averages was in a flourishing state, partl- 

 of years were taken. Now he cularly when gentlemen considered 

 was aware, that it might be argued what the articles of import were, 

 that the increase of imports was being principally the consumption 

 not always a proof of the increase of the higher classes of society. r=" 

 of wealth ; but it could not be sup- The number of ships which 

 posed that so great a diflPerence entered inwards in tlie twelve 

 could be produced in the course of years — 



To 1801, was 88,336 



To 1813, was 105,048 



Increase .... £. 16,712 



And a similar increase was ob- right hon. gentleman then enume- 

 siervable in their tonnage. The rated the principal articles of ex- 



