Scott, Claude Scott, Samuel St. John, Ambrose Sullivan, Sir R. Titchfield, Marquis Trail, J. Turner, Edmund Wortley, J. S. read a third time to-morrow.-A bill was introduced by the duke of Athol, to divorce Frederick Touche, esq. from Elizabeth Atherton, his now wife, and to enable her to marry again, and for other purposes therein mentioned. On the bill being read a firt time, the lord chancellor quitted the woolsack, and called their attention to the prominent consideration of the bill. It was a measure originating with the woman; a circumstance which uniformly rendered that house very cautious in entertaining bills of the kind. There were, undoubtedly, some precedents of such cases, he believed two, and one of these so late as the year 1801; yet these were countenanced on the extraordinary circumstances and peculiar speci: 1ties of the cases. He felt it appeared ra her hard to say any thing unfavourable of a bill of the kind, on the occasion of its first reading; but he must observe the bill was one which deserved their lordships most serious consideration, and anxious attention, when it should be read a second time. The duke of Athol observed, that part of what had fallen from the noble lord on the woolsack, in a great degree anticipated what he proposed to offer. There were avowedly precedents for bills of the kind, and he was aware that the present case, must stand on its own particular merits.-Adjourned. HOUSE OF LORDS. Wednesday, April 10. [MINUTES.]-The royal assent was given. by commission to the Militia Reduction bill, the Spanish Trade bill, the American Treaty bill, the Foreign Prize Ships' bill, the Bengal Supreme Council, the Innkeepers' Rates bill, the Edinburgh Police bill, and six private bills.—The Irish Militia Reduction bill, the Irish Spirit Permit bill, Bowyer's Lottery bill, the London Bread Assize bill, and some private bills, were read a third time, and passed.-Lord Hawkesbury laid on the table, by command of his majesty, copies of correspondence between the admiralty and navy board, and an account of the number guns and carronades on board of certain ships, pursuant to addresses of that house.--Adjourned. of HOUSE OF COMMONS. Wednesday, April 10. [MINUTES.] A message from the lords informed the house, that their lordships had 66 agreed to the Innkeepers Rates bill, the Mr. Whitbread then moved, that the resoEnglish Militia Reduction bill, the Spanish lutions of Monday should be read. The house Trade Licence bill, American Treaty bill, ordered that the eleventh resolution only Neutral Ships bill, and Alien Prize Ships bill, should be read, and it was read accordingly. without any amendments. After which, the "That the right hon. lord viscount Melville speaker, pursuant to a summons by the black having been privy to, and connived at rod, attended in the house of lords, where the withdrawing from the bank of Enthe royal assent was given by commission to gland, for purposes of private interest or the foregoing bills, the Edinburgh Police" emolument, sums issued to him as treabill, and several private bills.-Mr. Lee gave surer of the navy, and placed to his acnotice, that on the 25th of April he should "count in the bank, according to the promove for leave to bring in a bill to allow the "visions of the 25th Geo. III. c. 31, has same advantages with respect to the issue of " been guilty of a gross violation of the law, small notes to the country banks of Ireland," and a high breach of duty." Upon as were enjoyed in this country; also for a which, bill further to regulate the mode for receiv- Mr. Whitbread rose, and expressed himing small debts in Ireland.-Sir W. Scott self in these words: Sir, the notice which moved the order of the day for the second has been just given by the right hon. gent. reading of the Prize Courts bill-Sir C. over against me cannot have been unexPole expressed a wish that this measure pected by any one; but I confess that, by should not be hurried through the house, the notification now made, I am by nó but that the hon. member would consent to means satisfied; I think the public cannot have it printed, and that sufficient time should be satisfied; I think, nay, I feel confident, be allowed to the parties concerned, to con- this house will not be satisfied; I am sure sider the several clauses which it contained. the ends of public justice will not be saSir W. Scott proposed to have the bill read tisfied, if some further resolutions are nota second time this day, and committed pro adopted, in consequence of the proceedings. forma to-morrow, after which he should on the report of the naval commissioners. move to have it printed, and after the holi- If the issue of the debate of the night before days recómmitted, when as much time as last was a mere personal or party triumph; the hon. gent. should deem necessary should if it was only our own feelings which were be allowed. The bill was read a second concerned, we might, be satisfied, because time, and ordered to be committed to-mor- the noble lord who was the object of the row.-A message from the lords informed accusation which I had the honour to bring the house, that their lordships had agreed to forward, has thought fit to retire from a the Irish Militia Volunteer, the Irish Spirits situation of responsibility, dignity, and emoPermit, the London Bread Assize, and Bow-lument, at least from the first situation in yer's Lottery bills, without any amendment. point of dignity he held and as far as any -Mr. Rose presented several accounts re- triumph over an individual can be concerned, lative to the Isle of Man, and the case of this has been most complete. But, sir, I John Duke of Athol. Ordered to lie on the was not actuated, and I am sure those who table, and to be printed.-Mr. Giles desired voted with me on the occasion were not acto be informed, whether it was the inten- tuated by personal or party motives: I untion of his majesty's ministers, to bring for- dertook a great cause, in which I had the ward a bill for continuing for a further pe- satisfaction to succeed: I shall not abandon riod the Commission of Naval inquiry; as the cause I have undertaken; but I shall still if not, he should feel it his duty to submit a urge the motion of which I gave notice on motion to the house on that subject, at an the former night. If I know any thing of early day after the holidays. my own heart; if I know any thing of the [PROCEEDINGS RESPECTING LORD MEL- feelings which actuate me, there is nothing, VILLE AND MR. TROTTER.] The Chancellor I trust to God, of a vindictive spirit within of the Exchequer, as soon as he entered the me; and having accomplished the end of house, rose and said, that he thought it his disclosing the conduct of the noble lord, and duty to acquaint the house, that the noble having the verdict of the house, I should lord who had been the subject of the discus-not, for the mere sake of ulterior punishsion on a former night, had since made a tender of the resignation of the office of first lord of the admiralty to his majesty, which resignation his majesty had been most graciously pleased to accept. : ment, think it necessary to press the subject farther; I should here stop, and desist : but let us consider the situation in which we stand. The noble lord, stigmatized as he is by the yote and proceedings of this house, has not been dismissed. He has done that If I did not think there was a pervading senwhich any honourable man may do on feel-timent, that the motion with which I shall ings of his own. He has tendered his re- conclude would be approved of and adopted, signation. Is that enough? Lord Melville I would not urge it: but from all I have may be restored to-morrow; he may again collected, not only from my immediate be made first lord of the admiralty. Is it fit friends, but from persons divided from that, that should be a possible event? Is it not party, with which I am proud to rank mynecessary for the dignity and honour and self, and who have opposed that partyfeelings of this house, that it should be im- from what I have heard from every descrippossible he should be restored to the situation of persons whose sentiments I have tion I have described. Reflecting on the proceedings of the other night, I think no man can view them without the deepest gratitude, without experiencing the strongest emotions of joy that such was the event. Many instances have occurred in history where a faction has triumphed over an individual, where persons have been pursued by large majorities of this house; but what is the situation in which we stand? Can there be any page of the journals of parliament which will be looked to in after ages with more pleasure by the true lovers of the country, than the page which records the proceedings of the house on this momentous subject? With an attendance much larger than is usually obtained, the point was equally balanced, and it remained for you, sir, sit ting in that seat, which is the seat of impartiality, which is filled, I may say, without paying any undeserved compliment to you, by a person in every respect qualified it remained for you, to whom no party spirit can be imputed, of whom no partiality can possibly be surmised, to decide between the two parties, which was in the right. Your decision did immortal honour to your self; your decision was looked upon, is looked upon, and ever will be looked upon with joy and satisfaction by the country. The popularity which flows from deeds like these is the greatest satisfaction a man can receive. If we see in all persons whom we meet; if we read in every countenance, in every expression, the congratulation, the self satisfaction; the approbation bestowed on the representatives of the empire-if out of this house "We read our history in a nation's eyes," we have good reason to applaud ourselves; but we shall not have such cause of exultation if we stop here, and do not render it impossible his majesty should ever restore lord Melville. At the same time that I thus express my feelings-that I give the house the strong bias of my mind, I mean to speak with an assembly, which has conducted itself with so much honour and respectability, in terms of deference and respect. endeavoured to collect, I find a generally be re which I stated to have been founded on accurate information, that the right hon. gent. (Mr. Pitt) was not without blame, I do repeat that charge, and it remains for him to exculpate himself. If he cannot do so now, I shall move for that part of the subject being referred to a committee. I do charge, that he was apprized of the irregular mode of taking the money out of the Bank of England, and placing it in a private bank. The rumour is, that he was acquainted, from the most direct and authentic source, and that as prime minister and chief financial officer of the country he took no step to prevent it. This is a point which must also be referred to the committee. There are other circumstances, parti reject it. I hope and trust that the career as well as other circumstances not included. of that sun, which has just begun to diffuse in the report. I adverted on a former evenits warmth and nourish the hopes of the ing to the conduct of the bank, and meant country, will be brilliant, and when it sets, to have returned to it, but my recollection that it will set in glory. It will be ne- failed me. Upon the evidence of the chief cessary that all the proceedings, both of lord cashier of the bank, it appeared the Melville and Mr. Trotter, should be enquired bank had not sufficient vouchers for the into and sifted. The time is come in which money issued. I have been given to underI shall, as it is my duty, propose every practi- stand, that the evidence was not correct, cable enquiry. With regard to that part of the but that the bank were correct. If that is subject which you have already investigated, the case, let it be set right. Do not let no enquiry could have made it clearer; the imputation remain on the bank, if it is but there are other matters contained in the an unjust one. In the course of what I report which are dark and mysterious. On offered to the house the other evening, I them I must throw a light. It was my in-intimated, from conversation and rumour, tention to have proposed a resolution with regard to the transfer of the public money from one service to another, in violation of the law, but I collected from gentlemen with whom I conversed, that those transfers might have been made without such evil intention as I attributed to them. To one transfer the right hon. gent. opposite me has acknowledged he was privy. The transfers might all of them have been honourable. I shall proceed, in conformity with the wish of the house; but it may be necessary for me to mention, that it is my intention, after the holidays, to move for a select committee, to enquire into all the transactions referred to in the report; for I am convinced, no subject of deeper moment can come under the consideration of the house. It ap-cularly the circumstance which relates to pears by the report, that money voted for Mr. Jellicoe. This is one of the strongest particular services has been applied to other features of the case, and has made a strong services. What a precedent does this set impression on the public, and every person up? What a door does it open to fraud? who has heard of it. It is not only lord Melville During the whole of the treasurership which who is accused, but the commissioners of preceded, and during the whole which suc- the treasury. It will be for them to shew ceeded lord Melville's treasurership, no ne- upon what ground they granted a quietus gotiation of this kind was ever fouud ne- to Mr. Jellico, to the amount of 24,0001. To cessary. It was only during the administra-persons who are in the habit of constantly tion of lord Melville that any such practices talking of millions, tens of millions, fifties, were ever carried on in the treasurership of and hundreds of millions, and who could the navy office, according to all the accounts make a mistake in supposing that to be 186 we have of the manner business was trans-millions which was only 134 millions; the acted. In the course of these transactions a sum I have mentioned may appear trifling particular circumstance will come to the re-but I wish to know why a quietus was given collection of the house. What I allude to is, the papers recording them having been destroyed, papers which ought to have been carefully preserved. If such transactions as are stated in the report took place, they ought to have been secretly recorded, in order that, if innocent, the justification of those concerned might appear; or, if guilty, that they might be condemned. There are other parts of the Tenth Report which it may be necessary to refer to a committee, for 24,000l. If it was only for 24 pence, the grounds ought to be enquired into. I believe it will be found, that the lords of the treasury were to blame, and that it was obtained under false pretences.-Lastly, sir, there is a circumstance on which it is particulary important the house should have information, if it can be obtained. How it is to be obtained I do not know; but things often come to light which we despair of developing. The most important point on which I dwelt so long the other night, both as it affects the public and lord Melville, as well as his connections, is, whether he was or was not a participator in the peculations charged against Mr. Trotter. That fact is material to be ascertained, and if it is possible, the commissioners will ascertain it. The suspicious circumstances I stated on the last night-they have made a deep impression on my mind, and there has been no denial of them.-It is stated, by Dr. Swift, that two and two do not always make four. I am sure, according to lord Melville, four and four were not always equal. His lordship had, as the salary of his office, 4,000l. a year; no duties at- | tached to it, but it was clear of all deduction. We heard lord Melville state how he was oppressed by public business, that he had hardly time to rest at night; but that it was necessary for the administration of public affairs they should not be entrusted to other hands than his own; that it was necessary he should continue to be president of the board of control; and that he should have the management of the war. But was it necessary too that he should be treasurer of the navy? Undoubtedly there were always persons willing to receive the emoluments of office without doing the duty as well as his lordship. What does lord Melville do? He gives up 4,000l. a year of his income, as secretary of state, and takes 4,000l. as treasurer of the navy. What does this prove, but that the one was better than the other; that the one promised to yield more in future, that the one was male, and the other female, the one fruitful, the other not; that the one produced only 4,0001. a year, and the other was productive of a great deal more. This is what, on reflection, more and more strengthens my suspicions, for suspicions I admit they are, and must be till they are confirmed: but whether they are confirmed or not, perhaps I do not feel that they constitute the principal article of charge. The principal arti; cle of charge has been substantiated, has been acknowledged by the noble lord himself, under his own hand, and out of his own mouth; the house of commons has decided on it, and where there is ground of suspicion that he has swerved one hair's breadth, one scruple beyond his duty, it is necessary for the dignity of the house of commons, and for the satisfaction of the people of this empire, that he should not again execute his office, and that others should be deterred from acting in the same way. With this view, I shall move an humble address to his Majesty, praying his majesty to remove lord Melville from bis councils for ever, and from all offices held during pleasure of the crown. The noble lord is not the only one by many who has given in his resignation to his majesty. The right hon. gent. opposite has heretofore done the same. But if lord Melville is suffered to retire with his dignities and riches, his resignation will not afford a satisfaction to public justice; and beyond that I do not wish to proceed. As to the punishment of the noble lord, if the public was not concerned, I would say, go forth, let us hear of you no more.' That which he has suffered by the disgraceful situation he has exposed himself to, is infinitely more than I wish him to feel: but the end of punishment is example, and unless he is punished beyond what he has already suffered, he is not sufficiently punished. We know that lord Melville, down to a very late period, has had the confidence of the crown; that the confidence of the crown has been expressed towards him so strongly, that, since the last administration, an addition of 1,500l. a year for life has been conferred on him. It is on the table, printed and known to the whole world, that after lord Melville's having retired to Scotland, I should have supposed for life, he was-by the exigencies of the country? no, but by the circumstances of the right hon. gent. opposite, called from his retirement, and given a situation of the greatest responsibility the crown had to give, except that which the right hon. gent. himself holds. He was to receive the emoluments of such office. That was not enough; he was to have 1,500l. a year more. That was not enough for in case he retired, he was to have a grant for life-a patent office; for so long as he should hold the privy seal of Scotland he was to have 1,500l. a year. This is a man therefore under no ordinary circumstances. At the time of this advance, which perhaps it may be necessary to enquire into, there was also a grant to lady Melville of 1,500). a year of the money of the public, for which no service has been rendered; granted, if not in a clandestine manner, at least in a way that those who affixed the seal to the patent did not understand the nature of it. What office lord Melville holds during pleasure, besides the one which he has resigned, I do not know; I do not know that a pension of the kind I have stated can be valid; or whether, supposing a ser |