Statistics^ 
j^liould be charged on the consolidated fund of England (as a loan 
to Ireland), in order to procure the public creditor a permanent se-^ 
curity, and for at least a twelvemonth, while an inquiry was mak»» 
ing into the finances of that country to bear the intesest of the mo- 
ney so raised. He trusted that the committee would be of opinionj 
whatever might be the issue of that inquiry, that it would be advi-^ 
sable to come forward in the way which he recommended, and out 
of the comparative affluence of the English finances, to afford aid 
to Ireland in that, the hour of its particular embarrassment. With 
a view of furnishing the committee with the means by which this 
great good could be effected to Ireland, without any inconvenience 
to this country, he had forborne to take more than 5,000,000/. from 
the surplus of the consolidated fund, leaving a sufficient sum to 
meet the proposed charge. Though this was a novel proposition, 
he was persuaded it would be received without grudging, or any 
indisposition on the part of the committee, to afford to Ireland that 
assistance which he had shown could be afforded to her, without 
any material inconvenience to Great Britain. He repeated that 
the inconvenience would be immaterial ; for, what was the nature 
of the additional taxes, by which the surplus of the consolidated 
fund would be so much increased as to enable the committee to 
do that which he recommended ? The duty on British spirits had 
been founded on a principle which had over and over again been 
recognised by the committee as just. After the experience of last 
year, namely, having found that spirits had continued to be sold at 
the increased price to which they V/ere raised when distilled from 
sugar, there were no reasons to suppose 4:here would be any dimi- 
nution in the consumption of the article, from the very small ad- 
vance on the price which the present duty could be expected to 
occasion. With respect to the other duties, they were ail recom- 
mended to the committee, on views very different from those con- 
nected with finance. They were proposed expressly for the puf» 
poses of endeavouring to procure for British shipping those im- 
ports, which the war in which the country was engaged, necessa- 
Tuiy limited (and which were now enjoyed by foreigners); and of 
encouraging the exertions of British manufactures, and the con- 
sumption of British coltmial produce. Policy would have dictated 
these measures without any reference whatever to their beneficial 
tendency with respect to finance. He was therefore justified in 
saying that Irele.nd might be assisted without prejudice to Great 
Britain, and he trusted that the assistance would be received m Ire- 
land as it would be givan by this country ; 'oamely, as afibrding a 
VoL IL M 'If 
