§ On the order of the day, for going into a committee of supply,
§ Mr. Humesaid, that in the course of the last session, he had brought forward certain statements connected with the British consulate in the Brazils, and on the 22nd of April, in the present year, he had produced a petition signed by 74 merchants in that colony out of 79, complaining of the exaction of extravagant and illegal fees. The noble lord opposite had expressed doubts as to the correctness of the statements contained in that petition; but he (Mr. H.) had dis- 1659 tinct proof of their correctness. British merchants were paying in Brazil, an ad valorem duty of one per cent, upon every cargo which they carried into the ports of that country. Such a charge, perhaps, was unknown in any, other, part of the world; and if government persisted in allowing it to be levied, it would be impossible for us to compete with the traders of America. Complaints had been made in 1818, and the noble marquis had issued orders forbidding the levying of such excessive charge; but unfortunately, about a month afterwards, he had thought fit to countermand his restricting order. The consul-general, Mr. Chamberlain, had, between the years 1814 and 1820, received no less than 57,567l. The total of sums received by the consulate of Brazil amounted in the same six years to 90,274l., and even that enormous mass of money was not more than two-thirds of the charge borne by the trade; for the vice-consul, who farmed his place, and did all the duty of the consul-general, took just whatever fees he thought proper to demand. It must be evident, that the Americans, who could import and export without duty, must beat. I the English out of Brazil, if this charge was continued; and it was the duty of Parliament to refuse voting a single shilling as long as so heavy a grievance remained unredressed. He should conclude by moving, That it appears by the returns on the table of this House, that the sum of 77,624l. 13s. 4d. has been levied on the British Commerce in the Brazils, and received by his majesty's consuls there in six years ending 1820; and that they have also received, in the same period 12,650l. sterling, in salaries from England, making the total sum of 90,274l. 13s. 4d. in salaries and emoluments,; of which sum the consul-general alone has received 57,567l. 19s. 9d.; that, therefore, it is the opinion of this House, that such large salaries and emoluments are extravagant and unnecessary, and ought to be reduced."
The Marquis of Londonderrysaid, that on a former occasion he had stated, that these fees were about to be revised, and that they were then under consideration. He was willing to go into an inquiry on the subject; but he could not consent to postpone the public business until this complicated question was disposed of He had a right to complain a little of the exaggeration of the hon. member, though 1660 he admitted that the allowances were proper to be inquired into. He had no objection whatever to produce all the correspondence which had taken place respecting the fees. The allowances and emoluments had become large in consequence of the increase of trade in that quarter; and no less than three attempts had been made by government to counteract this increase of expense.
Mr. Baringsaid, that if merchants in Brazil were to be saddled with such impositions, it was impossible for them to compete with the trade of foreign nations.
§ After some farther conversation, the motion, that the Speaker do now the chair, was put and agreed to.