advantageously obtained. The augmen- a committee, and that the clauses should tation so procured was at the expence of be filled up, and a sufficient time allowed the feelings and wishes of those who had for the consideration of the numerous probrought the militia to their present state visions it contained; which being agreed of improvement, and therefore he felt to, he moved that the house should tohimself called on to resist the further pro-morrow resolve itself into a committee gress of the measure. to consider of so much of the prize agency

The Earl of Carlisle considered the pre-act as related to the salaries, perquisites, sent as only another wretched expedient of and emoluments, of Malta, and the Berthe present wretched administration. If muda and Bahama islands; which was they did not destroy the militia complete- agreed to.-Sir R. Lawley said, that in ly, it was only because they did not dare to consequence of the delay and difficulty atventure on so unpopular a measure. But tending it, he should move for the disthough they did not actually destroy the charge of so much of the order he for+ militia, they did every thing which could merly moved for, as related to the expence disgust all men of honourable feelings. of volunteer cavalry in respect to the arThey first employed some of the most re-ticles of horses and hair powder; which spectable gentlemen in the kingdom to motion was agreed to. He then moved exert all their time and influence in pre-for a detailed statement of the funds ap paring the militia for service, and then they plicable to the expence of the volunteer withdrew the men from under their cou-service, from the office of the agent gene. trol. All the labour was undergone with-ral, together with the expence of that esta out any of the reward or the honour to blishment, and also the expence of paywhich their exertions were entitled. On ment of the staff of the volunteers, from such grounds he opposed the bill, and de- the 24th of Sept. 1804, to the 1st of Jan. clared his conviction that enlisting for a 1805. A message from the lords announc limited period was, in the present circum-ed that they had agreed to the coastways stances of Europe, the only effectual mode importation duty, and the excise duty of procuring that regular force, the ne-bills. cessity of which was on all hands admitted. His lordship illustrated these ideas at some length, and concluded with declaring his determination to oppose the present measure. The lord chancellor having put the question, that the bill be read a second time, a division took place, when there appeared, contents 102, non-contents 54; majority 48. The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed to-morrow.-Adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Thursday, April 4.

[IRISH LUNATICS ASYLUM BILL.] Sir John Newport moved the order of the day, for the second reading of the bill for the protection of Irish lunatics. He said, that the act of 27 Geo. III. c. 29, which impowered grand juries to report upon the state of the charitable establishments, had not been carried into execution with any regularity. The principal object of this bill, was to remedy the inconvenience arising from the numerous establishments for beneficent purposes, yet very distinct in their nature, which were placed under the same general provisions. The act, sect. 8, empowered the grand jury to provide a ward [MINUTES.] Mr. N. Vansittart took for lunatics, and the sum expended was the oaths and his seat, for Old Sarum.-to be accounted for by the surgeons of The London bread assize, and the Irish militia volunteer bills, were read a third time and passed. Lord Stopford acquainted the house, that his majesty had been waited upon with the addresses of Friday last, and had been pleased to give orders accordingly. -Sir W. Scott brought in a bill for the better encouragement of seamen, and the more effectually and speedily recruiting of his majesty's navy, which was read a first, and ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday, in order that it may be printed in the interval. He stated that he should move for

the grand infirmary; and the consequence was, that 20 or 30 persons, in the unhappy state of mind alluded to, required as much attendance, as would be neces sary for 150 under the act now proposed. Another design of the bill was, that the accounts should be annually submitted to the inspection and control of parliament. He much lamented the neglect, in regard to the insane, in some of the districts of Ireland, but he was happy to make an honourable exception in favour of the neighbourhood of Waterford, where aur ins

stitution for their assistance was formed, [jections made to the bill appeared to him which had met with the peculiar approba- more applicable to a committee. It was tion of the great and benevolent Howard.notorious, that the act of the 27th of his Mr. May did not see the propriety of majesty had been neglected, and that the passing a new act, while another existed in returns of the grand juries of Cork, Limethe statute book, competent to the pur-rick, Waterford, Ennis, and most of the pose now proposed. The design of the other counties, were a negative to the probill was to provide for a thousand mad visions made by it. With regard to the Irish. At present these were under the power of the lord lieutenant, it was conprotection of the grand juries of the fined to the original direction, and the incounty. The bill now under considera-spection, detail, and regulations, would be tion, would take this important duty out under the control of the judges at the of the hands of the respectable persons assizes. He declared sincerely to the to whom the discharge of it was committed, house, that the object of that, or any other and would place it with others who were less measure he should propose, was not meant suited to the purpose. He added, that the as a party job, or a provision for any inonly effect would be to impose a tax upon dividual, but purely founded on the rethe counties, unnecessary and impolitic, port of the committee. If, however, the and he concluded with moving the amend- house should not think proper to assent ment, that, in the lieu of the word "now," to the motion, he hoped the house would the term, "six months," should be sub-take care that the grand juries should be stituted. compelled to make returns of the provisions they should make, in compliance with the act of the 27th of his majesty.

Lord Dunlo hoped the hon. bart. would not press the second reading of the bill on this day, but defer it till after the assizes in Ireland, in order to give the grand juries an opportunity of considering it. He expressed several objections to the provisions of the bill, as the distance of the asyla from each other would take the patients so far from their former residence, and sometimes 50 or 60 miles away from the visits or inspection of their friends; and, in that part of the country which he had the honour to represent, he saw no strong symptoms of extraordinary madness which could induce him to vote against the amendment.

Colonel Bagwell animadverted on the inconsistency of the noble lord, who began by expressing a wish, that the bill should be delayed till the assizes were over, and afterwards concurred in a motion for its total rejection. He highly approved of the object it proposed, as there was a vast number of those objects to be seen swarming in every part of Ireland.

Sir G. Hill expressed himself against the bill, which he thought to be unnecessary, when sufficient powers were already given to the grand juries.

Mr. Lee said he would oppose the present bill, but was ready to support any other, which would accomplish the same objects in a better manner.

Mr. Fitzgerald thought the law at present competent to attain all the objects of the bill.

Sir J. Newport said, that finding the sense of the house to be against the bill, he should beg leave to withdraw it, but not with the intention of bringing in another.-The amendment was then agreed to, that the bill should be read a third time this day six months.-Adjourned.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Friday, April 4.

[MINUTES.] The royal assent by ComMr. Alexander said, that though he ap- mission was given to the Customs Duty, proved of the outline of the measure, he Excise Duty, Legacy Duty, and eleven must object to the mode in which the ob- private bills.-A Copy of the Letter from ject was proposed to be accomplished. He Viscount Melville to the Commissioners thought the bill drawn up hastily and in- of Naval Enquiry, together with the an accurately, and could see no necessity for swer of the Commissioners, were preall this complicated machinery. He sented at the bar, and ordered to be printshould, therefore, vote for the amend-ed.-Lord Hawkesbury moved the Order ment, in hopes that another bill would of the day, for the commitment of the be brought in, which would be better English Militia Enlisting bill. The house adapted to the purpose. having resolved itself into a committee, he Sir J. Newport replied, that all the ob- moved, if noble lords had not objections

to propose to any of the clauses, that the excise in G. Britain; an act for granting bill should be read short, which was ac- to his majesty additional stamp duties in cordingly done, and an order made, on G. Britain on certain legacies. A petition the motion of his lordship, that it be read of the master pilots and seamen of the a third time on Monday.-Lord King trinity house of Newcastle upon Tyne, was wished to asked of the noble secretary of presented to the house, and read; setting state, whether it was the intention of his forth, that the petitioners are incorporated majesty's ministers to propose any bill for by divers charters from the crown, and by prolonging the commission of naval en- virtue thereof do collect and receive, for quiry, which, owing to the arrangements keeping and repairing two light-houses at that had been adopted for the opening of North Shields, at or near the port of Newthe present session, would expire with the castle, certain duties prescribed by the session? If ministers did not think pro- said charters to be paid by the owners of per to renew a commission, from which so ships or vessels entering the said port; much advantage had been derived to the and that the said light-houses have, from public, he would feel it incumbent on him alterations in the channel and course of to bring forward a bill to that effect. Lord the river, become ill-placed, and unfavour Hawkesbury was not aware that his ma- able to the safe navigating of vessels; and jesty's ministers had come to any deter- it is necessary that two new light-houses mination on the subject, but he under- should be erected, which will give a diffestood, from what had passed in another rent line of direction or leading mark to place, that time would be allowed to them ships eutering into or leaving the said port; to finish the important enquiries in which and that from the necessity of consulting they were engaged.-The Irish militia en- and advising with a large and numerous listing bill, and several private bills, were body of men interested in the trade of the brought up from the commons. The Irish port, and residing at different places, the militia enlisting bill was read a first time, petitioners were not able to present their and, on the motion of lord Hawkesbury, petition to the house before the day fixed ordered to be read a second time on Mon- for presenting petitions for private bills day. On the commitment of the Ameri- had expired; and therefore praying for can ships licence bill, lord Sheffield ex-leave to present a petition for a bill for pressed his disapprobation of the principle erecting the said proposed new lightof the bill, and protested against extend- houses.-Leave granted. A message from ing such advantages to foreign ship owners, the lords, by Mr. Simeon and Mr. Stanwhen the ship owners of this country were, ley; that the lords have agreed to the bill, many of them, notoriously in a state of intituled, An act to enable the East India insolvence, occasioned by want of employ-company to appoint the commander in ment for their tonnage. It was not, how-chief on the Bengal establishment to be a ever, his intention to divide the house on member of the council of Fort William, in the bill. The bill was then reported. Bengal; notwithstanding the office of Adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Friday, April 5.

governor general of Fort William and the office of commander in chief of all the forces in India being vested in the same person; without any amendment; and also, that the lords have agreed to the bill, [MINUTES.] The Speaker, attended by intituled, an act for regulating the police the house, proceeded to the house of peers, of the city of Edinburgh and the adjoinand being returned, he reported that the ing districts, and for other purposes relathouse, at the desire of the lords, autho-ing thereto; without any amendment.rized by virtue of his majesty's commission, Sir Hew Dalrymple Hamilton reported had been at the house of peers, where a from the committee, to whom the bill for commission under the great seal was read, erecting and maintaining a harbour, docks, giving the royal assent to the following and other works, at Ardrossan, in the public and private bills, viz. An act for county of Ayr, was committed; and to granting to his majesty additional duties, whom the petition of Robert Carrick, of within G. Britain, on certain goods, wares, Braco, banker in Glasgow, in the county and merchandize, imported into, or brought Lanark, was referred; that no person apor carried coastwise; an act for granting peared before the committee in support of to his majesty several additional duties of the petition; and that the committee had Vol. IV.

P

of

examined the allegations of the bill, and MIDDLESEX.] The Speaker acquainted found the same to be true; and that the the house, that he had received a declacommittee had gone through the bill, and ration, in writing, subscribed by sir Franmade several amendments thereunto, cis Burdett, baronet, who is returned a which they had directed him to report to knight of the Shire to serve in this present the house; and he read the report, and parliament for the county of Middlesex, afterwards delivered the bill, with the that he, 'the said sir Francis Burdett, did amendments, in at the table, where the not intend to defend his election for the amendments were read, and agreed to by said county. And the said declaration bethe house.-Mr. William Dickinson pre-ing delivered in at the table, was read; sented to the house pursuant to their or- and is as followeth, viz. "Whereas, on ders, copy of a letter from sir Home Pop- Wednesday the 13th day of March last, a ham to William Marsden, esq. secretary petition, subscribed with the names of to the admiralty, dated 25th Feb. 1805; George Boulton Mainwaring, esq. therein with its enclosures; and also, copy of a stated to have been, at the last election for letter from sir Home Popham to the navy the county of Middlesex, a candidate to board, dated 28th February 1805; and also represent the said county in this present copy of a letter from sir Home Popham parliament, sir William Gibbons, baronet, to the navy-board, dated 26th March 1805; sir William Curtis, baronet, Henry Thornwith the answer of that board thereto; and ton, esq. William Mellish, esq. and Saalso, copy of a letter from the commissioners muel Pepys Cockerell, esq. was presented of his majesty's navy to William Marsden, to this house, complaining of my election esq. secretary to the admiralty, dated 1st and return to serve in this present parlia April 1805, together with a schedule of ment as a knight of the Shire for the the said papers: and the said schedule county of Middlesex; which petition this was read. Ordered, that the said papers house has ordered to be taken into consido lie upon the table; and be printed for deration upon Tuesday the 7th day of May the members of the house.-Ordered, that instant: "And whereas, on Wednesday the order of the day, for the house to re- the 10th day of April last, this house solve itself into a committee of the whole ordered that the said petitioners should house, to consider of so much of an act, upon the 20th day of April last, by themmade 43 Geo. III. as relates to the salaries selves or their agents, deliver to me, or my of the judges of the vice-admiralty courts agents, lists of the persons intended by in the island of Malta, and in the Bermuda the said petitioners to be objected to who and Bahama islands; and the enabling voted for me, giving in the said lists the his majesty to grant contingent annuities. several heads of objection, and distinguishto such judges on their resignation, being the same against the names of the voters now read: and the same being read; the excepted to, and that I should, by myself house resolved itself into the said com- or my agents, at the same time deliver mittee; and, after some time spent there-like lists on my part to the said petitionin, the Speaker resumed the chair; anders or their agents:-" And whereas, it Mr. William Dickinson reported from the committee, that they had come to several resolutions, which they had directed him to report, when the house will please to receive the same. Ordered, that the re-port be received upon Tuesday next.-The house was moved, that an act, made 43 Geo. III. for granting to his majesty a contribution on the profits arising from property, professions, trades, and offices, might be read: and the same being read; Ordered, that leave be given to bring in a bill to repeal certain parts thereof, and to consolidate and render more effectual the provisions for collecting the duties granted by the said act.

appears, upon the face of the sheriff's poll, taken at the said election that at the said election, '2833 persons voted for me, and 2832 for the said George Boulton Mainwaring, amounting in the whole to 5665 persons actually polled; and that 103 persons tendered their votes for me, and 99 for the said George Boulton Mainwaring, making 202 tendered votes ; in the whole 5867 votes polled and tendered:-" And whereas, between the said 13th day of March last, when the said petition was presented to this house, and the 20th day of April last, on which day this house ordered the said lists to be exchanged, there was not sufficient time for me, by myself, or by my [DECLARATION OF SIR FRANCIS BUR-agents, to examine into the rights of DETT NOT TO DEFEND HIS ELECTION FOR 5867 voters, so as to enable me to make

out, with sufficient certainty, a list of the several master printers in the cities of objectionable voters received on, the poll London and Westminster, was presented. for the said George Boulton Mainwaring, to the house, and read; setting forth," that with the several heads of objection, in the the petitioners have for many years carried manner ordered by this house; and there- on the printing business, to the general fore no such list, nor any list, has been diffusion of literature, the promotion of made out or delivered by me to the said commerce, the facilitating c of every kind of, petitioners or their agents:-" And where-business, and to the great benefit and acas the said petitioners have delivered to commodation of the public at large; and me a list of the persous who voted for me that, from the extraordinary increase of objected to by them, with the several the printing business for several years past, heads of objection, amounting to 1944 a great variety of modes of printing has persons; but between the 20th day of been introduced, and various expedients April last, the day on which, pursuant have been adopted to facilitate its executo the above-mentioned order of the house, tion, in consequence whereof disputes! they delivered the said list to me, and have frequently arisen with the workmen; the 7th day of May instant, an interval of but as the masters' profits have always been only sixteen days, on which day the said in proportion to the wages paid to the petition is ordered to be taken into con- journeymen, the petitioners, standing as. sideration, there is not sufficient time to they do between the employer and the emexamine into, and ascertain, the rights and ployed, have constantly been induced to titles of 1944 persous therein objected to, allow the utmost advanced prices they so as to enable me to maintain and defend thought themselves justified in paying, the same:-"Now, by virtue of the pro- but have not always been enabled to satisvisions and enactments contained in the fy the demands of their journeymen, who, second section of a certain act of parlia- in the metropolis consist of two branches, ment, passed in the 28th year of the denominated compositors and pressmen; reign of his present majesty, chap. 52, and that the compositors are paid by a intituled, "An act for the further regula- standard generally reckoning upon the tion of the trials of controverted elections, number of letters contained in a page, and or returns of members to serve in parlia- the pressmen by the number of sheets ment;" I do inform this house, by this printed; that scales for both descriptions my declaration, in writing, subscribed by of workmen have been formed and adme, and delivered in at the table of this vanced upon in different periods from the house, that it is not my intention to de- year 1786 to Dec. 1800, when the last fend my said election or return. Witness advance was made in consequence of the my hand this 1st day of May 1805. Fran- then unusually high price of bread and cis Burdett."-The house was moved, that every necessary article of life; and that an act, made in the 28th year of his pre- the workmen have lately become dissatissent majesty, for the further regulation of fied, and have made exorbitant demands, the trials of controverted elections or re- although the pressure of the times is by no turns of members to serve in parliament, means so great as at the period above. might be read:—And the same was read. stated, and the masters do not therefore -The house was also moved, that the think themselves justified in making any order, made upon the 10th day of April further advance upon the fixed prices, as last, for taking into consideration, to- they conceive that, if such demands were morrow, the petition of George Boulton to be complied with, the price of elemenMainwaring, esq. sir William Gibbons, tary books for the instruction of youth, baronet, sir William Curtis, baronet, Hen- and many other useful tracts of literature, ry Thornton, esq. William Mellish, esq. would be so enhanced as to place them and Samuel Pepys Cockerell, esq. com-out of the reach of inany, and the encou plaining of an undue election for the said ragement of the export trade, so beneficounty, might be read: And the same being read; ordered, that the said order be discharged. Ordered, that the said petition be taken into consideration upon Friday, the 7th day of June next, at three of the clock in the afternoon.

[PRINTERS PETITION.] A petition of

cial to the revenue as well as to the petitioners, and to the numerous individuals interested in the sale of books, would be nearly precluded; and that within the last month nearly all the pressmen usually employed by the petitioners have voluntarily left their work, thereby putting all public and