A new and universal history; description and survey of the cities of London and Westminister, the borough of Southwark, and their adjacent parts

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1776 Excerpt: ...to the purchaser; upon his paying the inland duty of four-pence per pound to a proper oflicer appointed to receive it; by which means the merchant would be eased of the inconveniences of paying the duty on importation, or of granting bonds, and finding security for the payment before he had found a market for the commodity: that all penalties and forfeitures, so far as they formerly belonged to the crown, should for the future be applied to the use of the public: that appeals in this, as well as in all other cases relating to the excise, should be heard and determined by two or three of the judges, to be named by his majesty; and in the country; by the judge of excise upon the next circuit, who should hear and determine such appeals in the summary manner, without the formality of pro-' ceedings in the court of law or equity. Such was the substance of the famous excise scheme projected by Sir Robert Walpole; the proposing of which occasioned violent debates that were managed and maintained by the most able speakers on both sides the question. Sit John Barnard and Mr. Alderman Perry, members for London, first attacked Sir Robert, in opposition to the scheme; and these were strongly supported by Mr. Heathcote, Mr. Pulteney, Sir William Wyndham, and other strenuous assertors of the liberties of England. py ln the course of the debate, Sir Robert made a long harangue on the great number of people, that beset the house; in which he made use of several imprudent exprefiions reflecting on the conduct of the citizens; and-concluded thus: " wanting in my duty, if I neglected to call " you together on this extraordinary occafion; " that you might have an opportunity.to deli" liberate on an afiaii-of so much importance, " wherein our liberty an...