The Earl of Wicklowwished to say a few words to their Lordships on the subject of the steam-packets between Liverpool and Dublin. Captain Chappel, the commander of the packet station at Liverpool, had addressed a letter to him, complaining of what he (the Earl of Wicklow) had stated on this subject last week. He stated, "I do not know whether this censure was intended to apply to Mr. Purcell or to me, or to both; but, as it was calculated to be injurious to me, in my character, I feel persuaded that your Lordship will do me the justice to remove such an impression when I assure you that Mr. Purcell asked for the appointment entirely without my knowledge, and that no complaint was made to me about his charges." If it were any satisfaction to Captain Chappel, he (the Earl of Wicklow) would state, that so far from wishing to make any allusion to him, he had never heard of him before, or that he occupied such a situation, or that he was alluded to in the appointment, This statement of Captain Chappel contradicted, however, what had been said by the noble Earl. The statement of the noble Earl had been, that he knew nothing of the politics of Mr. Purcell whatever but that the appointment took place on 692 the recommendation of a most distinguished individual, namely—that of Captain Chappel. He (the Earl of Wicklow) never meant to cast any imputation on that gentleman, nor on Mr. Purcell, who had also written to him. Mr. Purcell was perfectly justified in accepting the situation, if the Government thought fit to give it to him. His observations were directed against the Admiralty, who had not sufficiently considered the interest of the public when they had appointed an agent with the sole right of making what charges he pleased. He hoped the noble Earl would not create a monopoly for the benefit of any one individual, but open the carrying trade to competition. If no arrangement were made to remedy this evil and system of overcharging, he should submit a motion to the House on the subject.
The Earl of Mintothought it would be extremely inconvenient to introduce a variety of agencies and competition. The returns showed that a very large proportion of the packages were sent by other conveyances, the income derived from this source having decreased. An inquiry had been instituted on the subject, and whatever might be the result of it, he should take care that the agency was so conducted, whether in the hands of Mr. Purcell, or any other agent, that the public should have no cause to complain.
The Earl of Wicklowsaid, it was quite evident that the noble Earl totally misunderstood him. He did not bring any charge against Mr. Purcell for overcharging: what he complained of was, that the Government gave Mr. Purcell the power of making exorbitant charges, and that there was no competition.
The Earl of Mintosaid, the only profit Mr. Purcell got, was by the land-carriage of the parcels; he got none other. If he took advantage of that to divert parcels from their proper route, in order to have them sent by his own coaches, he was guilty of an abuse, but there had been no such complaints.