§ The Report of the Committee of Supply was brought up, and on reading the resolution for an additional grant of 200,000l. to the duke of Wellington,
Sir W. W. Wynnexpressed his approbation of the vote; but suggested, with a view to commemorate the glorious cause of such a grant, that the same terms should be annexed to it as those upon which the duke of Marlborough held Blenheim, namely, the annual presentation to his Majesty of a flag with a fleur-de-lis. The hon. baronet also thought that some Crown lands should be appropriated to the duke of Wellington, upon which to erect the proposed mansion.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerconcurred with the hon. baronet, that the performance of some honorary service would be a proper and becoming appendage to the proposed grant. But as to the observation respecting the Crown lands, it would be seen, upon a review of the commissioners appointed to inquire into the state of those lands, that no such grant could be made as the hon. baronet recommended; that, in fact, no adequate estate for the use of the duke of Wellington could be had from those lands.
§ Mr. Whitshed Keenethought that, comparing the services of the duke of Marlborough with those of the duke of Wellington, the grant to the latter was still insufficient: the sum voted to the duke of Wellington would not, in his opinion, purchase an estate of more than 14,000l. a year, while the sum of 25,000l. per annum was at least necessary to maintain 999 the dignity of this illustrious person's family.
Mr. Wynnsaid, that an adequate estate for the duke of Wellington might be made from the New Forest. He differed from the last speaker, that the sum voted on this occasion was insufficient; for it was to be considered, that in addition to the 700,00,0l. voted, which, including the sum under discussion, would be granted to this distinguished individual, his proportion of the prize-money to be voted for stores captured on the peninsula would be no less than 100,000l.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerstated, that the proportion alluded to would amount only to 50,000l.
Mr. Wynnthought, that even with that addition, the amount of the remuneration would be quite sufficient, and worthy of the munificence of the country—equally honourable, indeed, to the giver and to the receiver.
Sir C. Burrellobserved, that even if a suitable quantity of Crown lands could be obtained for the purpose under consideration, such ground would not be so much for the benefit of the duke of Wellington, as an estate in cultivation. He recommended that the object be rather to lay out the sum voted in the purchase of a suitable estate, than in the erection of a large mansion, because the latter would be liable to decay, to fire, and to other accidents—of course it could not be regarded as an imperishable monument of national gratitude.
The Resolution was agreed to.