is tleman who hears me, viz. That there an immense sum of money annually raised in this country for the relief and maintenance of the poor; a sum I believe not inferior, perhaps superior, to that raised by the land-tax at 4s. in the pound, which is two millions per annum. That notwithstanding this very ample provision for the poor, they are in general miserably accommodated. This is apparent to every gentleman, both in town and country, who will daily find a number of distressed objects in the streets and highways, begging, thieving, and starving. This shews some great defect either in the laws themselves, or in the execution of them. It will be necessary to trace these evils to their origin, and see from what sources they arise, before we think of the remedy. Too many of them, I fear, are rooted in the degeneracy of the times, in the depravity and corruption of the morals of the people; others, I apprehend, proceed from some defect in the laws. The foundation of the Poor Laws was laid by queen Elizabeth; the Act passed in the 43d of her reign, was founded in wisdom and sound policy; it was carefully penned, and very well adapted to the temper and genius of the people at that time. The general principles of that statute were, the employment of the poor who were able to work; the punishing of those who were able, but not willing, to work; the supporting and maintaining the aged, infirm, and impotent poor; the taking proper care of the infant poor, by binding them out apprentices, &c. The fund for those purposes was to be raised by taxation of every inhabitant and occupier of lands, &c. Those principles comprehend every thing that is wanted or can be wished, in regard to the poor at this day, and that law still remains in force. But partly from a change in the manners and dispositions of the people, which have been pro.duced in the course of near two centuries, and still more from the intervention of a great number of acts of parliament for subdividing parishes (before too small for the proper care, employment, and government of the poor) into townships; for fixing their settlements; giving powers of removal; for allowing certificates, and afterwards restraining the use of them, those excellent principles, and every purpose of that statute of queen Elizabeth, have been defeated. Those impolitic regulations have intro duced nothing but frauds, perplexities, and endless confusion. The great struggle now is between parish and parish; every artifice is used, every endeavour exerted, by the parish officers, often with great inhumanity to the poor, to ease their own parish, and lay the burden upon their neighbours. The poor are harassed by removals from place to place, which de prive them of all rest and comfort: litiga tions are encouraged; great sums spent in support of them, and in maintaining the idle and profligate; the real purpose for which that heavy tax is laid, viz. the main tenance and relief of the indigent and necessitous poor, is but little regarded. This review of the situation of our poor and poor-laws, affords but a melancholy prospect. How and by what means this evil can be cured, is the great and important question. Difficulties present themselves on every side; if we look back, we shall find that all those endeavours which have been repeatedly exerted at different periods to redress these grievances, have hitherto proved unsuccessful; if we look forward we shall see the evil increasing daily. What shall we do in this dreadful situation? Shall we sit still under this oppression? or shall we not rather attempt some plan of relief, before it is too late, as these evils seem to threaten the utter ruin and destruction of this country, and every thing that is dear and valuable to us? If nothing is attempted, nothing can be effected. of I think a great part of the cure lies within these walls: but I am certain no undertaking of this sort can succeed, without our united endeavours. I am happy to see great abilities in every quarter the House, extremely well adapted to this business; those abilities, well exerted, will, I hope, be sufficient to overcome all difficulties. I have no partiality to any parti cular plan, but shall be very willing to contribute the best of my poor endeavours to those of other gentlemen, in forming such a one as shall, upon mature conside ration, be most likely to produce the refor mation so much wanted, if the House shall be pleased to grant the motion which I intend to make, for referring the consideration of this matter to a committee. The object of the late Bill (I mean that which passed this House ten years ago) was to incorporate a considerable number of parishes in each county, into districts, and was adopted upon a plan which had been introduced in some counties, under 12 correction, within that part of Great Britain called England; and report the same particular acts before that time; but that | Bill was rejected by the Lords: since that time more parishes have, in like manner, with their opinion thereupon, to the been incorporated into districts. House."--A Committee was accordingly It may be of service to know what suc-appointed. cess has attended them; the experience from the several houses of industry within these districts, may furnish useful information for the forming a general regulation upon the subject now before us; and, it is hoped, some motions may be framed by the committee, upon which the order of this House may be given for procuring such returns from those houses of industry, and also from work-houses, which have been established in many cities and towns, by the authority of particular acts of parliament, which may shew under what rules, bye-laws, and regulations, such houses have been conducted, and how the poor have been employed and maintained therein. I wish to have these enquiries extended further, and think the reformation of the houses of correction, in all parts of the kingdom, must constitute an essential part of any general and useful regulation; as I fear, instead of correction and labour, idleness, drunkenness, and all sorts of profligacy, are but too prevalent in many of those houses, from whence the persons sent thither, generally return more wicked and abandoned than they went. The vagrants likewise seem to be objects worthy our attention and enquiry; the great increase of expence to many Counties, in maintaining and passing them, is alarming, and gives reason to suspect, that there are frauds and abuses in the execution of those laws. The committee may also form notions upon those heads, which may be the means of procuring necessary information, for considering those objects with the others the next session. Every step of this sort ought to have a tendency to some general plan. I have turned my thoughts very much upon the subject, and shall communicate them freely to the committee, where I hope to hear the sentiments of many other gentlemen upon it; and that when we have conferred together, we shall be able to form something which may be beneficial to this country, upon the principles established by the Act of queen Elizabeth. I shall conclude, Sir, with moving, "That a committee be appointed, to review and consider the several laws which concern the relief and settlement of the poor, and the laws relating to vagrants, and also the state of the several houses of [VOL. XVIII.] Resolutions of the Committee on the Poor Laws.] April 11. Sir Cecil Wray reported from the Committee, who were appointed to review and consider the several Laws which concern the Relief and Settlement of the Poor, and the Laws relating to Vagrants, and also the state of the several Houses of Correction, within that part of Great Britain called England; and to report the same, with their opinion, thereupon, from time to time, to the House; that the committee had considered the matters to them referred; and had come to the following Resolutions: 1. "That the laws relating to the poor, in that part of Great Britain called England, are defective, and the good purposes intended by them in many respects prevented. 2. "That the present method of regulating such poor, in separate parishes and townships, is, in general, ineffectual for their proper relief and employment. 3. "That the money raised for the relief of the poor is a grievous, and, if no new regulations are made, will be an increasing, burthen upon the public. 4. "That a considerable part of such money is expended in supporting litigations concerning settlements. 5. "That the employing of the infant and able poor, in such works, as may be suited to their strength and capacity, will be very beneficial to this kingdom. 6. "That if the disputes about settlements and removals of the poor between one parish, or place, and another, in the same county, could be prevented, the great expence attending such litigations would be saved, the poor would have an easier access to places where they might find employment, and would avoid the cruel and severe treatment which they frequently receive from the contending parishes during such contest. 7. "That if the poor were to be maintained and employed at one general county expence, those disputes would in a great measure be avoided, the spirit and intention of the statute made in the 43d year of the reign of queen Elizabeth would be promoted, and the regulations and provisions therein contained better inforced. "That the establishing proper [2 N] at large, be distributed between the several houses then to be fixed upon, as they shall think fit, and election made accord houses and buildings, at such places in 9. That care should be taken, in the providing and establishing of such houses and buildings, for properly classing and employing the several persons admitted therein; for which purpose, and in order to the establishing a system of good regulations, it may be proper to inspect the several bye-laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances, constituted in the several houses of industry and public workhouses established under special acts of parliament within this kingdom. 10. "That, for the better government of the said houses, and carrying the intended regulations into execution, every person having an estate of 100l. per annum, in England, and 60l. per annum, in Wales, shall be a governor of the poor, for the county wherein he resides, provided such estate, or one half thereof, shall lie in such county; and that there shall be one general meeting of the governors for such county, on a day and place to be fixed; at which meeting they shall determine the places where the buildings before described shall be erected, and also what parishes shall return their rates and accounts, and have their correspondence and transactions with each of such houses, according to their situation and vicinity, as near as conveniently may be; which houses and parishes shall be distinguished by the name of the first, second, &c. district; and that there shall be one annual general meeting of the governors, at each of the said houses, on some certain day to be fixed; and also one monthly meeting of the said governors, at the same place, in the first week in every month, on a certain day to be appointed by them; and that such governors may, at their annual meeting, elect, from time to time, such other persons, residing in such county, and having estates of such value in the dominions of Great Britain, as they shall think fit to be governors, provided the numbers so elected shall not exceed, at any one time, a certain number to be limited for each county, which number shall, at such first general meeting of the governors 11. "That the governors shall, at their annual meeting, appoint so many persons, to be guardians of the poor, for the several parishes, townships, and places, belonging to each house, as they shall think fit, having estates of 251. per annum, or occupying lands, &c. of 50l. per annum within such county but no person shall act as guardian within any parish, township, or place, whilst he shall be churchwarden or overseer of the poor for the same. 12. "That there shall be a treasurer and clerk, and also a master and matron, appointed by the said governors, for each of the said houses, at the first meeting of the governors after the said houses shall be fit for the reception of the poor, and proper salaries allowed to each of them. 13. "That the poor persons, being lame, impotent, old, or blind, who are unable to work, or who cannot maintain themselves by their labour, but stand in need of relief, shall be sent, from the respective parishes and places where they reside, to the said houses, and there accommodated with every thing suited to their several necessities and occasions; and such of them who shall be able to work, employed in labour suited to their strength and capacity. 14. "That the orderly and industrious poor, who, from accidental sickness, infirmities, or other unavoidable causes, shall be rendered unable to maintain themselves and their families by their labour, may have temporary relief from the overseers of the poor, within the several parishes or places where such poor reside, with the approbation of two or more of the said guardians, in such manner as shall be most suitable to their necessities. 15. "That such of the infant poor, under the age of four years, who have lost their parents, or whose parents are unable to maintain them, and shall be willing to part with them, may, by the direction of two or more of the said guardians, be put out to nurse in that or some, neighbouring parish, until they shall be fit to receive instruction, and from that time shall be sent to the house to which such parish or place shall belong to be instructed in all neces sary duties, and employed in such manner as shall be most suitable to their age and capacities. 16. "That such of the infant poor, above the age of four years, who have lost | time and place as he shall appoint, which their parents, or whose parents are unable shall be notified to the persons so concernto maintain them, may, by the direction ed, and such justice shall, in like manner, of two or more of the said guardians, be enquire into the same, and make such orsent to the house to which such parish order and regulation therein as to him shall place shall belong, to be instructed in all seem fit. necessary duties, and employed as afore said. 17. "That each of such children respectively, when of proper age to be placed out apprentice, or to service, shall be so placed out by the governors, but if, at any time, their parents shall apply to the governors, to have their children returned before so placed out, and it shall be made appear to such governors that the parents are able to maintain them, the governors shall order them to be returned. 18. "That the overseers of the poor shall, in the last week in every month, send to the treasurer of the house to which their parish or place belongs, according to the regulations aforesaid, a true account of all the expences incurred relative to the poor within such parish or place, for the four weeks next preceding the week in which such account shall be sent, after the same respectively shall have been produced to two or more of the said guardians, and allowed by them. 19. "That the treasurer and clerk shall make an account of all receipts and payments within each month, to be laid before the governors at their monthly meetings; and shall also make, and lay before the governors at such meetings, abstracts of the expences incurred within the several parishes by such relief or provisions aforesaid, pointing out the particular object of such expences, for the better observation and consideration of such go vernors. 20. "That the governors, at their monthly meetings, shall inspect and examine all such accounts, and if they find cause to suspect that there has been mismanagement, or any improper behaviour therein, they may order the persons concerned in such transactions to appear before them at their next monthly meeting, provided the place where such matter arises shall not be more than ten miles from such house, and then and there enquire into the same upon oath, and make such order and regulation therein as to them shall appear just and reasonable; if the place shall exceed that distance, the said governors may grant an order for the persons so concerned to attend some neighbouring justice of the peace, at such 21. "That, for carrying the several purposes aforesaid into execution, assessments shall be made, by order of the justices at their general quarter sessions of the peace, upon every parish, township, and place, within each county, according to the proportion of money raised within such parishes and places respectively, and applied on account of the poor, upon a medium of the seven preceding years; the mode of ascertaining the sums so raised to be particularly directed. 22. That the accounts from each of such houses shall be made up quarterly, and laid before the justices of the peace for the county wherein such houses are situate, at their general quarter sessions of the peace, who shall inspect the same, and make orders for the sums to be raised within the succeeding quarter. 23. "That no parish, township, or place, shall be compelled to contribute more, in any one year, than such average sum. 24. "That, if it shall be made appear to the justices, at their court of general quarter sessions of the peace, that a reduction may be made in the said several assessments, and that such average sum, for any parish, township, or place, exceeds four shillings in the pound, of the annual value of the lands, tenements, and hereditaments, within such parish, township, or place, upon a fair valuation thereof, made by persons to be appointed by such justices, at the expence of such parish, township, or place; then, and in that case, such court of quarter sessions shall, in all their orders, for future assessments, consider the average sum, for such parish, township, or place, at one fifth part of the annual value of such lands, tenements, and hereditaments, so to be ascertained as aforesaid, instead of the average sum so first settled. 25. "That each riding in the county of York, and division of the county of Lincoln, and each district, city, town, or place, where more parishes than one are incorporated for relief of the poor, by special acts of parliament, shall, with respect to all the purposes of these intended regu lations, be considered as distinct counties. 26. "That these regulations shall not take effect in any county, until ordered by two parts in three of the persons qualified as aforesaid to be governors, assembled at a meeting to be held for that purpose, after two months' notice thereof given in the public newspapers circulated in that county, and signed by at least 15 persons so qualified." May 11. Mr. Gilbert reported from the said committee the following additional Resolutions: 1. "That it is the opinion of this committee, that the houses to be provided for the general reception of the poor, ought to be limited by the Act, so as not to exceed a certain number for each respective county, or the number for each county should be ascertained by the Act; and that the governors should have power to borrow money upon the credit of the poor's rates, for providing and furnishing the necessary buildings, and also for buying a convenient stock of materials and utensils for employing the poor. 2. "That all cities and towns, which are counties of themselves, should be considered as distinct counties; but the qualification of their governors should be less than those required in the counties at large. 3. "That every person, qualified to act as a governor, ought to send his name and place of abode to the clerk of the district wherein he resides, at the first and every annual meeting of the governors for that district, or for every neglect to forfeit a sum of money; and that the clerk, at every such meeting, shall produce a list containing the names and places of abode of the governors so transmitted to him, which he shall divide into twelve equal parts, as near as may be, and the fractional parts shall be distributed, by adding one to each month, as far as they will extend, beginning with the month of January, and proceeding to each succeeding month; that the name of every such governor shall be wrote on a small piece of paper, and put into a glass or box, from whence the clerk, or some governor present, shall draw so many names as under such regulation shall belong to the month of January, and in like manner for each succeeding month, and the names so drawn shall be entered by the clerk in a book to be provided for that purpose; but liberty should be given for one governor to exchange his month with another, upon notifying the same to the clerk, and having an entry made thereof in the said book, one week at least before the monthly meeting; and that every governor, so drawn or exchanged, shall either attend such monthly meeting of the governors, or forfeit a sum of money; but in case any governor, from sickness, or any other unavoidable cause to be allowed by the governors at such monthly meeting, shall be unable to attend, and shall procure another governor to attend in his place, he shall be excused such penalty. 4. "That the Act passed in the 17th George the 2nd, intituled, An Act to amend and make more effectual the laws relating to rogues, vagabonds, and other idle and disorderly persons, and to houses of correction,' should be explained and amended, by a separate Act, in such manner as will be most likely to enforce the execution thereof, and prevent the practice of begging in the streets and highways, pernicious in its consequences, and highly disgraceful to this country; which practice will be without the least excuse when these regulations take place, by which the distresses of the poor will upon all occasions be speedily and comfortably relieved; and the amendments should also be so adapted, as to prevent imposi tions and abuses upon the public, in the apprehending and passing of vagrants. 5. "That proper houses of correction should be provided, at the houses for the general reception of the poor in every district, for the more convenient inspec tion of the governors, but so separated from the other buildings, as to prevent any improper communication therewith; and that such rules, orders, and regulations should be established, within those houses of correction, as may make them effectual for the purposes for which they were intended by the several laws now in being." The said Resolutions were agreed to by the House. Debate in the Commons on Mr. Hartley's Propositions for Conciliation with America.] March 27. The order of the day being read, Mr. Hartley rose and said: I find myself under the necessity of making some apology to the House, for the trouble which I am going to give them this day; and to assure them, that it is with the greatest deference that I presume to obtrude any sentiments of mine, upon |