§ Lord Lincolnmoved, that the House resove itself into a committee, with a view of proposing a resolution, that provision be made for the addition of the incomes of clergymen in this district, out of the Crown lands.
§ Mr. Humewas of opinion, that any money which was necessary for this purpose. 1598 should be taken out of the surplus funds in the hands of the Church commissioners.
§ Lord Lincolnsaid, there was really a great necessity for increased endowments in this district. There were 11,000 persons there, almost all dependent on then-daily labour. For this large number, there were three clergymen, at the extravagant salaries of 78l., 92l., and 113l. a-year. He thought it hardly fair, that as the Crown derived the benefit of the labour of the large number of persons whom he had alluded to, that they should not receive some addition to their stipends.
§ Mr. Humesaid, it was a mistake to suppose, that the funds out of which these clergymen were to have their salaries increased, were the property of the Crown. They were as much the property of the public, as was the excise. He did not object to any clergyman receiving 150l. No clergyman should, in his opinion, receive less. But he must insist, that these additional payments should be made out of the property of the Church.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequeragreed, that the incumbent took the place for his life, of the public, with regard to these funds, but though the property changed hands, it was still attended with the usual duties of property; and if the hon. Gentleman himself held an estate, on which there was no sufficient accommodation for religious instruction, he ventured to say, that he would take some active steps for the purpose.
§ Committee deferred.
§ House adjourned at half-past seven o'clock.