NAVY ESTIMATES.— (Hansard, 21 February 1823)

§ Sir J. Osborn
said, that the estimate for the service of the navy differed somewhat from that voted last year. The number of seamen proposed this year amounted 25,000 men, instead of 21,000, the disturbed state of South America, the West Indies, and the Mediterranean having rendered the addition of 4,000 men necessary. There was also a small increase in the rate of wages, amounting to 6d. per head, the monthly expense for each man amounting to 2l. 7s. He then moved, "That 25,000 men be employed for the Sea Service for thirteen lunar months, from the 1st of January, 1823, including 8,700 Royal Marines."

§ Mr. Brougham
was rather surprised that a larger number of seamen had not been voted, considering the alarming state of Europe. Indeed, when he reflected upon that most alarming state, he felt a difficulty in reconciling a vote for so small a number of seamen, with the dangers to which the commerce, and eventually the honour and safety of the country, might be exposed. There was still, however, this alternative, and it was a consolatory one, that the supply which any emergency might call forth, was not limited by this vote. The voting of 25,000 men that night, did not take away the power of increasing the number to any extent that 193 might be required. He knew that the House were aware that they possessed this power; but he was afraid that there might be others who were ignorant of it. He should regret if any person abroad—especially any person connected with the governments on the continent of Europe—should, in the present aspect of affairs, have any ground even for a momentary belief, that our navy for the year was to be limited to 25,000 men. He should like to have it said, on the part of the ministers of the crown, that, should the aspect of affairs render the service of a greater number of seamen necessary, that number would be instantly demanded of the House. He was sure, that if the servants of the crown did come down to the House to make such a request, they would obtain it without one observation in the House; and not merely their consent, but the approbation of the people without. He was sure, that should any emergency arise, the servants of the crown would meet with every encouragement in their support of the honour of the crown and the independence of the country. He was sure that they would follow up the manly and constitutional declaration which had been made on a former evening; and, if government showed the disposition, he was sure that the people would supply them with resources for supporting the honour and dignity of the country.

Mr. Secretary Canning
said:—I take occasion, Sir, from the few sentences which have fallen from the hon. and learned member, to offer my acknowledgments for the manner in which he has expressed his opinion. Undoubtedly, the present vote no more limits the liberality of parliament, than it limits the capacity of the country. If an occasion should arise to render it necessary to enlarge the supply, there will be no hesitation, on the part of ministers, to come down to this House with an explanation of the circumstances that require an increased vote. But having said this, for the purpose of obviating any possible mistake that might be entertained as to the powers of this House, I am sure the committee will pardon me if I stop here—assuring them, that the present state of Europe is one, on which the discussions in this House can produce no greater effect than has been already produced by preceding discussions; but on which they may possibly do harm. Much as it is the wish, and much as it is the want, of this country, as well as of Europe, 194 to preserve the peace of the world, yet, in this consideration, there enters no feeling of apprehension. Confident as the country must be in its own inexhaustible resources, and in the disposition of parliament to maintain the integrity of those resources and of the public credit, there will be no want of exertion, if the necessity for exertion should arise.