The Earl of Liverpoolpresented a Message from his majesty relative to the proposed subsidies to Austria, Spain, and Portugal [for which see the proceedings of the House of Commons], and moved that it be taken into consideration tomorrow, and that the lords be summoned.
§ Earl Greyrose, and made a few remarks on the subject of the Message. As he was quite unacquainted with the intentions of ministers relative to the application of the pecuniary aid, he could only offer general observations. It was impossible for him to know what were the peculiar circumstances of the case, and how far they might 692 be such as to justify subsidies. But thus much he felt himself entitled to say on the subject, that after the recent experience that had been afforded us with respect to our pecuniary assistance to foreign nations, and after viewing what the state of Europe now was, and the probability of what might speedily happen, he thought that the first duty of the ministers of this country, was the preserving and husbanding our resources, to meet the possible emergency in which we might be soon called upon to make still greater efforts than we had hitherto done; not to assist other nations, but solely in our own national defence. Indeed, if it should ever be possible to obtain peace, we should yet have to assume that defensive attitude which would leave our peace without the best enjoyments, blessings, and securities of a peace; and we therefore were called upon, whether for peace or for war, to exercise care and economy respecting our financial resources. This observation he applied either to the case of Austria, or to the future wants of Spain or Portugal. He would not attempt to give any decided opinion upon the subject at present, but he could not avoid stating his general opinion respecting our readiness to subsidize foreign powers at this period, after the experience we had so unfortunately had.
The Earl of Liverpoolrose to explain to the noble lord that there was no mention in the Message of his majesty that the Treaty with Austria was a treaty of subsidy. In fact, it was not so. There was no such thing in the treaty. The Message also stated, that when the ratifications were exchanged, then the treaty would be laid before their lordships. Previous to that period, it could not be done. All that government meant to propose to parliament, in consequence of what had been said in the Message respecting pecuniary aid, was merely to ask a Vote of Credit, which was common before the session of parliament closed, to enable government to act as new circumstances might render it necessary before it re-assembled. The whole extent of the sum intended to be asked was three millions; a sum which, all things considered, his lordship thought could not be regarded as extraordinary. Under the present circumstances of Europe, he thought that if ever government might require confidence, it was when they asked for such a vote of credit.
The Earl of Suffolk, though he would not oppose the vote of credit, could not 693 but consider that whatever subsidies might be granted, would ultimately fall a burthen upon the people of this country.
The motion was then put and carried, nem. dis.