at this moment, like Howard, were to visit all Europe; like him they were to plunge into the infection of hospitals; but not, like him, to remember the forsaken and forgotten, but to pluck the balm of health, or rather of life, out of the mouths of the miserable. They were to rob them--not of one medicine, which, as he had said formerly, might be substituted for another; but which he would repeat again, even as often as they repeated the order of the 7th of January, that would subject Great Britain to the final everLasting curse- "I was sick and ye visited me not ""

Thursday, March 24.

A motion of Earl Suffolk's for the production of certain papers that passed between Mr. Garlicke and his Majesty's ministers, relating to Deumark, was, after some discussion, negatived without a division. -The orders in council bill went thro' a committee.

Friday, March 25.

On the motion for the third reading of the orders in council bill, a number of amendments were proposed and negatived.

On a motion for extending the period for bringing actions against those acting under the orders in council, a division took place-19 for the amendment, 25 against it. The bill was then read a third time and passed.-Adjourned till Monday.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Monday, Feb. 29. The house resolved itself into a committee to consider of his Majesty's message, for granting an annuity of 2000l. to the present Lord Lake, when Lord Castlereagh said, it would be unnecessary for him to dwell on the eminent and meritorious services of the noble lord in America, at Lincelles, and the bril

VOL. III.

liant services performed by him in the East Indies. He would also have the honour of proposing to the house, agreeable to his Majesty's message, the erection of a monument to the noble lord's memory; and from the situation of his family, he would propose that the annuity should commence from November 11, 1803, which was the day of the conquest of Delhi. His lordship concluded by moving the resolution.

Mr. Whitbread thought the noble lord should have been more explicit with respect to the situation of the noble lord's affairs, when the country was called upon to make such an addition to the public burthens.

Lord Folkstone made no particular objection to the annuity, but could not agree that a monument should be erected, as that honour ought not to be conferred on any officer who had not fallen in battle.

Sir F. Burdett rose and said, that he felt it an indispensable duty to embrace that opportunity of opposing the measure. In the present exhausted state of the country, he thought it highly reprehensible to solicit a pension for any services Lord Lake might have performed; and had his lordship been alive, he was confident he would not have accepted of such a sacrifice from the people of England in their present state of accumulated distress.

Mr. Perceval concurred with the opinion maintained by the honourable baronet, that the house were bound to disburse the public money with the utmost economy; but he was certain no intelligent man in the country would disapprove of the vote now proposed to be given. To refuse it would not only be mean and niggardly, but highly impolitic.

The question was loudly called for, and the house divided.-Ayes 202, Noes 26.

Before the gallery was re-opened a second division took place, on a Dd

effect of the pension, which was negatived, 202 to 16.

Mr. Whitbread, after entering into an examination of the conduct of ministers, and of the state of the war, observed that, a contest of 15 years had shewn, that all our efforts to crush the power of France were vain and that, even in proportion as those efforts had encreased, so also had her power and influence on the continent. Since the time when Bonaparte was created first consul of France, three offers of peace had at different times been transmitted by him to this country, and these, together with the two late offers of mediation, had failed. Were we to wait till more offers were receiyed? No impartial and effective mediator could be found through the wide extent of Europe; and, in such a situation of things, where would be the humiliation of transmitting a note to Paris, containing an offer of peace, since Bonaparte himself had set us the example? What now had France more to achieve? Let it be known whether peace was to be obtained, or whether the present was to be a war of extermination. Do not, said he, let the petitioners for peace be deluded by the pretence of a wish for its attainment, while you refuse to try every means in pursuit of that object. If negociation shewed that nothing was to be expected of moderation from France, such an event would unite all hands and all hearts in the defence of the empire.-Privations would be overlooked in the contemplation of far greater calamities. He was sorry to say, how ever, that there appeared too commou in this country a destructive animosity against Françe, nurtured up by long and continued war;' an animosity, which, if it might agree to make trial of negociation, would only do so from the prospect of a failure, at which it would rejoice.

-

prevent the achievement of a peace, compatible with security. He might, perhaps, be represented as an apologist for the ruler of France, but there seemed to be too much of a spirit of personal quarrel with that character in the people of this country. We were told that he was a man of insatiable ambition and cruelty. this, Even admitting (which his conduct at Vienna and after the defeat of Prussia and Russia did not justify) he was a man of talents; but was not the worst instrument sometimes employed by Providence for the accomplishment of its wise designs, as in the case of the reformation in this country by that tyrant Henry the Eighth. The enormous power of France was represented as an obstacle to pacification. This might do very well, pro vided there was any probability of diminishing that power by the continuance of war. In the age of Louis XIVth, when he wielded all the energies and talents of Francè, her power was so formidable to Europe, as to threaten its subjugation. But the patriotic efforts of the Prince of Orange, the military prowess of the Duke of Marlbo rough, and above all, the bigotry of the French Monarch, gradually undermined bis power, and reduced France within her ancient limits. If this country had followed the advice of an illustrious statesman, now no more, in whose steps he should wish to tread, though at an humble distance, and whose spirit he now invoked to descend upon him-if his prophetic warnings had been attended to, France never would have reached that tremendous pitch of power, which now formed the dread of this country, and was urged as an argument against pacification. All our efforts had hitherto had the effect of only farther consolidating that power which we have been unable to overthrow. It would be

prudent, therefore, in this country to take the chance of events, and preserve her resources for better and more favourable times.-Mr. Whitbread at length concluded by moving certain resolutions, the purport: of which was" That his Majesty's ministers had neglected to embrace two several opportunities for restoring the blessings of peace, by rejecting the proffered mediation of Russia and Austria; and that the house felt it incumbent on them to declare, that the earliest opportunity of future negociation ought to be embraced."

Mr. G. Ponsonby concurred in the two first resolutions; but differed from his hon. friend in the necessity of pressing the third at this moment, although he agreed in its letter and spirit. Were it carried, ministers would be compelled to make some efforts at negociation; and though that was true policy, yet

this might not be the fittest time to press it upon them. He did not say this to encourage ministers to continue the contest. Peace was necessary to the country; but as he did not know but that by adopting the resolution it would be defeating the object, he could not agree to it at present.

Mr. Wilberforce thought that ministers had good reason to be suspicious of the mediation of Russia and Austria. He was not for exciting a clamour for peace, though he grant ed that the minister who could accomplish it would be the people's

best friend.

Lord Milton did not go quite so far as Mr. Wilberforce in approving the conduct of ministers: he approved of the 1st. and 2d. resolutions but disapproved of the 3d.

Mr. Blatchford opposed the resolutions: the hon. J. W. Ward, Lord Mahon, and Mr. J. Smith, strenu ously supported them.

Mr. Canning declared his readiness to enter into negociation; but

LIST OF THE MINORITY, Who voted for Mr. Whitbread's third Resolution.

Horner, E. Johnstone, G.

Abercromby, Hon. J. Hibbert, G,
Adam, W.
Anson, G.
Antonie, W. L.
Aubrey, Sir J.
Bewicke, C.

Biddulph, R. M.
Bouverie, Hon. G.
Bradshaw, Hon.
Brand, Hon. T.
Browne, A.
Burdett, Sir F.

Bung, G.
Calcraft, Sir G.
Cavendish, LordG.
Cavendish, W.
Cavendish, G H. C.
Colborne, N.W.R.
Craig, J.
Combe, H. C.
Creevey, T.
Dundus, Hon. C. L.

Jekyll.

Lambe, Hon. W. Lambton, R. J.

Latouche, J.
Latouche, R.
Leach.

Lyttleton, Hon. W.
Lloyd, J. M.
Macdonald, J.

Maddocks, W. A.

Martin, H.

Maule, Hon. W.

Milbanke, Sir R.

Miller, Sir T.

Mosely, Sir O.

Ord, W.

Parnell, H.

Peirse, H. Piggott, Sir A.

Scudamore, R. P.

Sheridan, Rt. Hon.
R. B..
Smith, J.

Dundas, Hon. R. L. Russell, Lord W.
Fergusson, R. :
Greenhill, R.
Halsey, J.
Herbert, H. A.

Stanley, Lord Wardell, G. L.
Walpole, Hon. G. Wharton, J.
Ward, Hon. J. W. Whitbread, S.
Tellers.-Viscount Mahon.-W. Smith.
Tuesday, March 1.

The report of the committee of supply containing the various resolutions with regard to the army estimates, was read, and agreed to.

, Wednesday, March 2. Leave was given to bring in two bills, the one for building a bridge across the Thames at Vauxhall, and the other at the Savoy.

Lord Castlereagh, in adverting to the communication lately made to the house respecting Lord Lake, particularly as to the monument to be erected to his memory at the public expence, deemed it right and expedient to withdraw that part of the said communication. He had entertained serious grounds whether any such grant could be justified by example.

Thursday, March 3.

that two vessels with every species of supply were ready to sail from Plymouth to join him on the 21st, and were prevented only by contrary winds.

Lord H. Petty moved for some communications between ministers and Sweden, Sicily and Sardinia, respecting the orders in council, alledging, that unless those powers imposed on neutral commerce the same duties that we did, that Gottenburgh, Sicily, &c. would become the depôts for American produce to the exclusion of this country.

Mr. Perceval mentioned the receipt of general assurance of co-ope-, ration in measure from Sweden; and added, that were it otherwise, she could not experience the apprehended preference, as, although she might import, she could not export while we blockaded all the coasts of the continent. — On a division, there were ayes 71, noes 130.

Gen. Gascoyne brought up a peti

A debate of some length took place as to the propriety of re-appointing a Mr. Giffard to a situation in the Irish customs, he having been dismissed from thence by a former government, for conduct which was considered as tending to strengthen the religious animosities unhappily prevailing in that country. - Ministers justified the appointment, and on a division they had a majority of 46.

A variety of papers descriptive of the condition of Sir R. Strachan's squadron were ordered on the motion of Mr. Calcraft, who declared that such had been the neglect of the admiralty in its supply of provisions, that it had not been able to pursue the Rochefort squadron.

Sir IV. Pole stated, that on the 18th of January, five days before the enemy sailed, Sir R. Strachan's fleet had bread for 10 weeks, and water for 6 weeks and 5 days, and

pool, praying to be heard against the operation of the bill for carrying into effect the orders in council.

Mr. Perceval observed, that the bill went to levy certain duties for enabling his Majesty to carry on the war; but the petitioners prayed to be heard against the bill, which in fact, was praying to be heard a gainst the duties themselves. He lamented as much as any man that the people of Liverpool, or those of any other part of the country, should feel the pressure of the war; but the steady course of government was not to be diverted from the general purpose of doing general good, by yielding to complaints of local distress.

On a division, there appearedFor the petition 80-Against it 128; consequently it was rejected.

Friday, March 4.

Mr. Tierney brought up a petition signed by three respectable mer chants of Liverpool, praying to be

Mr. Adam, after reprehending the conduct of Mr. Canning, moved the two following resolutions :-

1st." That it appears to this house, that one of his Majesty's principal se

cretaries of state did read to this house dispatches, and parts of dispatches, and other communications to and from the accredited ministers of this country at foreign courts, relative to the subjects of their missions; and that be has stated and read other matters respecting the transactions of this country with foreign powers, none of which were then laid before this house, or stated by him to be proposed to be communicated to this house by his Majesty's commands. Some of which this house has determined to be unfit to be produced."

2d." That such conduct is subversive of the ancient and approved usages of parliament, is destructive of fair discussion and decision, and has a direct tendency to injure the public interest, by making the resolutions of this house proceed on inaccurate statements, which it cannot correct by reference to the documents from which those statements are made; or to force on the consideration of this house, papers, which, in its wisdom, it may deem unfit for public production.

"And further, that such conduct is contrary to the trust which is reposed by the constitution in the confidential

servants of the crown."

Mr. Canning, in vindicating his conduct, observed, that whatever objections might be made to his proceedings, in a constitutional sense, or on any other ground, the resolutions moved by the hon. gentleman could answer no possible good, as they merely expressed personal enmity. He contended, that his conduct, if irregular, was not without precedent; and that a necessary discretion had at all times been left with ministers to communicate informa

tion to the house, without the form of his Majesty's message, which was quite a distinct subject from the act then under consideration.

Mr. Windham supported the motion, conceiving that the practice had occasioned very great injustice to Lord Howick and Mr. Garlicke.

Mr. Perceval, Lord Castlereagh and Mr. S. Bourne, opposed the motion; and, on a division, there appeared-For the previous question 168Against it 67.-Adjourned to Monday.

Monday, March 7.

Mr. Parnell presented a petition from 4000 freeholders in the Queen's County (Ireland) amongst whom were several clergymen, praying an alteration of the tythe laws.-Or. dered to lie on the table.

Mr. Huskisson, on the second reading of the bill for allowing the commissioners for compensating American loyalists to vest the balances in their hands in exchequer bills, observed, that from the nature of the claims, two years more would probably elapse before they could be all adjusted.

On the motion of Sir F. Burdett, a return of the appropriation of the droits of admiralty was ordered.

Tuesday, March 8.

Sir C. Pole applied for leave to lation of Greenwich hopital, and for bring in a bill for the further reguconfining to naval men the various appointments connected with that establishment.

Mr. Rose contended, that the revenues of the institution amounted to 160,000l. per aun. and that the nature of the office of auditor of those, accounts required a person conversant in law-the offices of or

gamist, surveyors, &c. were also exceptions to the rule recommended by' the hon. baronet.

Mr. Whitbread said, that if the original principles of the charter of Greenwich hospital had been grossly