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The motion not being feconded fell to the ground.

In a committee, went through the bill to punifh idle and diforderly perfons, on whom implements of houfebreaking might be found in the night, with feveral amendments.

The Houfe being refumed, the report on the bill to prevent bribery and expence at elections was read a fecond

time.

May 26. Lord Mahon informed the Houfe, that as he by no means approved of the amendments which the bill had received in the committee, he would give it up, and move for leave to bring up a new one, not exactly, but nearly fimilar, which need not occafion any debate. Leave was given.

The Speaker having left the chair, and Mr. Ord having taken his feat at the table, Lord John Cavendish entered upon the arduous task of opening the budget of taxes, for an account of which we must refer the reader to the Appendix.

May 27. Mr. Ord reported the refolutions which had paffed the day before, in the Committee of Ways and Means. After fome debate on that relative to the wheel tax, which was carried on a divifion, the other refolutions were agreed to unanimoufly, and bills ordered in upon them.

Heard counfel and examined witneffes in the cafe of Sir Thomas Rumbold.

May 28. General Smith rofe to move feveral refolutions on the reports of the felect committee, the object of which was to cenfure Sir William James and Mr. Sullivan, for neglect in tranfmitting difpatches to India. Mr. Fox thought, that, as the prefent was only part of the India business, the whole of which muft foon be fubmitted to the Houfe, it was unneceffary to purfue it then. He, therefore, moved the next order of the day, which was for hearing counfel on the Anglefea mine bill.

May 30. In the Upper Houfe, the great question concerning the legality of bonds of refignation was argued, and decided in the negative, by a majority of a fingle voice. As this decition will not only be a precedent, but

ferve to change the practice with regard to refignation bonds, we mean to enter more minutely into the matter, in the Appendix.

In the Houfe of Commons, Lord Mahon's new bill for preventing bribery at elections was brought in. Mr. W. Pitt informed the Houfe, that, in confequence of the objections made to the bill for abolishing certain patent and other places in the Customs, he was willing to drop it for the prefent year. He, therefore, moved to dif charge the order for its commitment, and to adjourn the further confideration of it for three months. This motion being carried, he followed it with a refolution for reftraining" his Majesty's ministers, from granting, or advifing to grant any patent or reverfion of any patent or other place in the Customs, otherwife than during pleafure, before the next feffion of parliament." Sir William Dolben was of opinion, that this being the acknowledged prerogative of the King, which could not be fufpended by a refolution of that Houfe, it would be more proper and refpectful to addrefs his Majefty to that effect. The question was put on the refolution, and carried. Heard counfel against the bill of pains and penalties against Sir Thomas Rumbold.

The mo

June 2. Mr. W. Pitt brought in a bill for regulating the different public offices, the purpose of which, he itated, was to embrace all the different objects pointed out in the King's fpeech, at the opening of the feffion. tion for printing the bill being carried, he moved for accounts of the fees, gratuities, and perquifites received in the faid offices, and of the annual incidental charges incurred in each, which were ordered.

Mr. Burke having adverted to fome complaints relative to the fees taken at the Treafury, for paffports to America and other parts, moved for accounts of all fees received on paffports given to any fhips, at the Secretary of State's, or any other office, from the 30th of November 1782. Mr. Pitt feconded the motion. Mr. Burke then moved for copies of all letters apply

ing for redrefs, or complaining of the faid fees.

The Lord Advocate ftated, that the evidence in defence of Sir Thomas Rumbold and Mr. Perring being finifhed, it was neceffary that both that and the evidence in fupport of the profecution fhould be printed, before the Houfe proceeded any farther. But as that could not be done in a fhort time, he trufted the Houfe muft fee the utter impoffibility of proceeding any farther that fefion. He, therefore, moved for leave to bring in a new bill of pains and penalties, with a provifo, that the proceedings on the bill then depending hould not be difcontinued, by any prorogation or diffolution of parliament, which after fome debate was paffed without a divifion.

June 3. The Duke of Richmond called the attention of the Upper Houfe to the conftitution of the great feal, and particularly to its prefent fituation, in the hands of commiffioners, and fummed up the purport of a long fpeech, by intimating his intention to move for a committee to enquire into the independence of the judges, and into the best means of fecuring it; and by then moving as a bafis for that motion a refolution, fetting forth, that putting the feals in committion durante bene placito, and appointing judges commiffioners, with large falaries and perquifites, during the exiftence of a commifiion originating in, and folely dependent on the will of the crown, tended to invalidate the act of the 13th of King William; having before remarked, that the patent paffed in March 1782, granting an addition of 1oool. a year to the falary of the Chief Juftice of the Common Pleas, was in direct oppofition to the fpirit of that

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thing had been offered to fhew the neceffity of their lordships' interpofition: and because it tended to an indirect imputation upon the characters of the guardians and interpreters of the laws whofe conduct had fo amply and to nourably earned that high and difis guifhed public eftimation which they enjoyed. The previous queftion wa carried without a divifion.

In the Houfe of Commons, on the third reading of the Pay-Cffice bill, Mr. Etwick complained to the Houfe of fome alterations, which he conceived: to have been made in certain claufe, by Mr. Burke, without the fanction of the Houfe. The Speaker cleared up the matter, by declaring that the quef tion had been put upon each of the alterations, but in a low tone of voice, fo as juft to be heard by the parties concerned, who were ftanding round the chair at the time, as was the prac tice in all cafes where the parties were perfectly agreed. Mr. Pitt and Mr. Etwick thought that the expunged claufes ought to be reftored and debated, which being agreed to, the first was brought up and rejected on a divifion. The bill was then read and paffed.

June 5. Sir Charles Bampfylde offered to prefent a petition from the city of Exeter, praying that the receipt-tax might not pafs into a law, but the Speaker reminding the House that it was an established rule not to receive any petition againft a tax, it was rejected on a divifion.

Mr. Fox moved for a committee of the whole Houfe to confider of the expediency of allowing the whole drawback on rice exported, as to continue it now would certainly deprive us of the whole rice trade. It was unanimoufly agreed to allow the drawback, and a bill ordered to be brought in accordingly.

In a committee, Mr. Dempfter drew, with wonderful ability and philanthropy, a picture of the unfortunate fituation of the northern parts of Scotland, from the failure of last year's crop, which he followed with feveral motions for their relief, that were all readily agreed to, as was alfo an ad

drefs

drefs to his Majefty for the fame purpofe.

In a committee went through the bill laying a tax on bills of exchange, &c. and receipts. The Lord Mayor moved to exempt all receipts under 51. which was rejected by a great majority. June 6. In a Committee of Supply, Lord North moved feveral fmall fums for the civil eftablishments of the two Floridas, Georgia, St John's, Nova Scotia, and Senegambia.

Read a fecond time the bill to prevent abufes in the public offices. Mr. Fox divided the Houfe on the fecond reading of the bill to prevent expence at elections, and a fmall majority were for going on with the bill.

June 11. A motion was made for leave to bring in a bill to repeal fo much of the act of the 35th of Henry VIII. as prohibits the exportation of brafs, which after fome debate was carried by a great majority.

The Sheriffs of London prefented a petition from the city, which, on being read, appeared to be directed against the tax on receipts. The Speaker ftated, that it had been long the practice of the Houfe, in confideration of the import ance of the city of London, to receive any petition offered by its fheriffs, without any previous intimation of its contents. Mr. Fox admitted the privilege, but faid it was of little value, fince the Houfe could reject the petition's being taken into confideration, as foon as its contents were known; which was done accordingly.

Mr. Ord then brought up the report of the committee on the tax bills, which after a long debate was read, and various amendments propofed and agreed

to.

June 12. In a committee on a bill for altering the law, in many respects, with regard to property, a claufe was moved and admitted, for preventing a tenant for life from alienating fuch eftates, as the grantor intended thould veft in the remainder man, but in the grants of which he might have omitted to appoint truflees. And another, for empowering the courts of law to iue commiflions for taking cepofitions beyond fea.

LOND. MAG. Dec. 1793.

After a long and warm debate, the bill for taxing bills of exchange and receipts was read a third time and paffed.

June 13. In a Committee of Supply, the Secretary at War went through the army eftimates for the remainder of the prefent year, and moved the different refolutions on them, which were carried without oppofitien.

June 17. Sir Cecil Wray brought up a petition from the people called Quakers, in behalf of the unfortunatę negroes, the traffic of whofe perfons, they prayed, for the fake of humanity, to have abolished.

The bill for abolishing fees, and eftablishing various regulations in the different public offices, occafioned a warm debate. Lord John Cavendish thought, that all the purposes of the bill might eafily be anfwered without it. Mr. Pitt entered fully and minutely into the various abufes of the dif

ferent offices, which called loudly for reform. The bill was gone through in a committee.

June 18. The Peers rejected a petition from the merchants and traders, against the tax on receipts, and alfo a fimilar petition from the city of London.

In the Houfe of Commons, the Chancellor of the Exchequer brought in a bill to take off the compofition, in lien of the malt doty. Mr. Hill warmly oppofed it, and divided the House on the fecond reading, which was carried by a great majority.

June 19. The bill for preventing fraudulent voters from polling at elections was loft in a committee.

June 24. In a committee went through the bill for altering the law relative to writs of right, and other modes of recovering property, with feveral new claufes and amendments.

Lord John Cavendish brought in a bill for continuing the commiffion of public accounts, which was read a first time.

He then moved for leave to bring in a bill for the appointment of commillioners, to enquire into the circumftances of thofe who had fuffered, in confequence of the diffentions in Amne3 P

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fition. The latter, therefore, was voted in both Houfes, with an unanimity that has not been very common of late years.

In the Houfe of Peers, the addrefs was moved by Lord Scarborough, who prefaced the motion with an apology for having undertaken fo arduous a tak, and a panegyric on the fpeech. It breathed fuch an ardent affection for the welfare of the people, that, though he had ever been trained in the habit of revering the royal perfonage, and the conftitution of his country, he felt reverence beyond what he ever knew before.

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Lord Hampden, though it was the first day of his fitting in that Houfe, could not help teftifying his approbation, by feconding it. He extolled the members of the prefent adminiftration, as men by whofe united integrity and abilities, we might expect to fee the nation reflored to as great a height of honour, refpect, and confequence as it had ever enjoyed, and inveighed againft the peace, as left by their predeceilors, as rafh, fcandalous, and infecure.

Lord Temple rofe not to oppose the addrefs, or to move any amendment, although it did not exactly meet his approbation, becaufe he wifhed it to rafs unanimously. His motive for troubling their lordships, was, to put them on their guard to watch the prefent adminiftration with a wary eye. He knew how difgreeable, how difgraceful a talk it was, to behold every proceeding with fufpicion; but as he had no confidence in miniftry, he fhould endeavour to point out every attempt that tended to the ruin of the conftitution. He then reforted to the old arguments against the coalition. They had befieged the cabinet, and forced an arrangement upon the crown. Where was the power, the honour, the dignity of that Heufe, when it tamely permitted fuch an outrage? He by no means condemned them for concluding the peace, although they difapproved of the terms of it; the public faith was pledged, and they were bound to keep

it.

But what had they done with the United States of Holland? It had been boafted that much. greater advantages

had been obtained from them; he knew of none;, the treaty remained just as the preliminary articles had begun it. The funds were now lower than when we were moft diftreffed; that day had been looked to, as a period for raifing the national credit, and yet not the leaft notice was taken of it in the fpeech. The omiflion of Ireland was not lefs important; he almoft trembled to say a word on fo delicate a fubject, but he could not help regretting that no mention was made of that kingdom.

In the Houfe of Commons, the Earl of Upper Offory rofe to move the addrefs. He recapitulated the principal political events that had happened during the recefs, and commented upon each. The late war, even amid the melt fericus reverfes of fortune, had ferved to place the British character for martial deeds in the highest point of view; no nation was ever involved in a more arduous ftruggle, and no nation had ever maintained one with fo much firmnefs and valour; and while intrepidity, virtue, and patriotifm fhould be revered among men, the names of the illuftrious chiefs who had fignalized themfelves in the war would never be forgotten.

Sir Francis Baffet feconded it. He enumerated the objects to which the fpeech from the throne called their attention, and expatiated on their importance. There were objects to which the addrefs would bind the House to turn their thoughts, and furely no man who understood the intereft of the country, and wifhed to promote it, would feel any difficulty to pledge himfelf on the prefènt occafion.

Mr. W. Pitt gave it his moft hearty afirmative, as there was not an exceptionable idea expreffed either in the fpeech or addrefs. He gave an ingenious turn to this affent. He had to congratulate his country, as well as to felicitate himfelf and those with whom

he had acted, that, notwithstanding the objections which had been stated to the preliminary treaties, the definitive treaties were avowedly little more than a tranfcript of them. He had, therefore, to rejoice, that by them the country had been refcued from impending

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1783.

PARLIAMENTARY HISTORY.

were not

ruin. For the figning of the preliminaries that Houfe had refufed to thank the crown, though the address moved on that occafion was nearly the fame with that which it was now proGentlemen muft, pofed to carry. therefore, fee that he would vote for it, as it would prove the panegyric of thofe minifters to whom the Houfe had then denied their thanks. He wished to hear why the figning of the definitive treaties had been fu long delayed. He hoped that minifters had thought maturely on the affairs of India; and that they would come to parliament, with a well-digefted fyftem of government for the British poffeffions in that part of the world, which were now become the first object of confideration in the empire, the finances of the country alone excepted. Peace would 'little avail us, if the refpite afforded from the expences of war employed to raife the finking credit of the nation, and to prevent thofe frauds which rendered the revenue unproductive. He counfelled minifters to act with boldnefs; to bring forward the amount of the funded and unfunded debt. The people would then be made acquainted with their real fituation, and thence be convinced of the neceffity of fubmitting to new burdens. He lamented that no notice had been taken of the commercial treaty with America. He was acquainted with the difficulty of the bufinefs, and was willing to afcribe the delay to the nature of the negociation. He expect ed, however, that one grand fyftem of commerce, built on the circumftances of the times, would foon be fubmitted to the confideration of the Houfe. If the measures propofed by ministers should meet his ideas, he would not endeavour, by an ignoble oppofition, to defeat them, but, on the contrary, would give them all the fupport in his power.

pre

Mr. Fox faid, that the honourable
gentleman wifhed to faften on the
fent minifters the imputation of in-
confiftency; but when it was confidered,
that the figning of the preliminary ar-
ticles had pledged the faith of the na-
tion, and rendered the figning of the

477

definitive treaties a matter not of choice
but neceffity, the inconfiftency would
vanish. When any man affigned the
decreafe of our fleets and the diforder
of our finances, as reafons for con-
cluding fuch a peace as the laft, it was
incumbent on him to prove, that the
decrease of the one and diforder of the
other had taken place fimply, unac-
companied by fimilar misfortunes in the
fleets and finances of the enemy. Our
finances, it was true, were not in as
good a ftate as could be wifhed, but
would the honourable gentleman un-
dertake to prove, from any event that
had happened this fummer (alluding to
in Paris) that the French Treafury was
the late failure of the Caiffe d'Efcomte
in fuch a ftate, as to fet bankruptcy at
defiance. The definitive treaties might,
perhaps, have been figned fooner, but
if any advantages had been gained by
the delay, and no poffible expence in-
not cenfure minifters on that head.
curred, he trufted that the Houfe would

He then ftated the feveral caufes of
delay, and the advantages thence ac-
cruing. The proprietors of lands in
Tobago had been fecured in their pro-
perty. The African trade, particularly
the Gum trade, had been fettled, and
the coaft, on which the latter may
be carried on, particularly afcertained.
The manner in which both crowns
were to behave with respect to their
allies, which before was vague and in-
it could not be miftaken, nor become
definite, was now made fo clear, that
the ground of future quarrel. It had
been contended by the courts of Madrid
and Verfailles, that if two years after
figning the Definitive Treaties, the time
fixed for fettling the new commercial
arrangements, fhould expire, without
any fuch arrangements taking place, the
treaty of Utrecht, which had always
been deemed highly beneficial to this
this inconvenience was now removed.
country, would be completely annulled;
The treaty of Utrecht, and all other
treaties between France, Spain, and this
country, had been unconditionally re-
newed; fo that let the negociations for
new commercial arrangements terminate
as they would, England could be no
worfe than the was. He next explained

the

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