a

him best, I believe know, that if he made | not far distant when Scotland would be the two ends meet at the end of the year, able to shake off the yoke of the noble lord, he was well pleased. Much has been said and to vindicate the insult which had, through about enmity and illiberality. I believe, sir, his means, been offered to one of the most that all who know his lordship as well as I learned and best beloved men in the coundo, know him to be as honourable, liberal, try. and humane a character as ever existed. The The Secretary of War (Mr. William subject which the hon. member below (Mr. Dundas) said, that he did not expect Fox) urged so much, of his lordship’s vio- that he should have felt himself calllence in turning out the dean of faculty, Ied on to make any observations in the must take the liberty of saying, is completely course of agitating the present question. unfounded. Lord Melville had no more to He was aware that it would shew very bad do in the turning him out than you had. taste in him to interfere, and therefore it The dean of faculty, sir, is elected by the was not his intention to have done so. Here, majority of the votes of that respectable bo- however, he felt himself called on by the d;', over whom he presides, and no indi-hon. gent. who had just sat down. How vidual, however powerful, could influence had the hon. gent. found out that lord Melthem in their choice. I must also touch on ville was a bitter political adversary? Was something which fell from another hon. it by going to his country mansion, and member of Ireland below me, who was of dwelling with him for weeks or months at a fended with the right hon. gent. opposite time, by mixing in his convivial moments, (Mr. Canning) saying that no British lawyer that he had acquired that knowledge ? Had would have so acted. The hon. Irish mem- the hon. gent. only gone to the noble lord ber I see does not know that we commonly, in his moments of conviviality, now to rise when speaking of British subjects, call them up against him in the hour of his need, English, be they English, Scotch, or Irish ; when the hon. gent. was not called on, he therefore, I hope, will never be offended when, in fact, it was in a manner underwith the word English being applied in fu- stood that the motion was to be withdrawn, ture to express any of his majesty's subjects, and that only for the sake of introducing exor suppose it can be meant as an allusion to traneous observations and allegations against any particular part of the united kingdom.

him? On such conduct he knew he need. Mr. Kinnaird said, that it was not his in- ed to make no comment. He was conscious tention to have said any thing on the pre- that the generous feelings in the breasts of sent question, had it not been in consequence Englishmen would speak more forcibly of what had fallen from the hon. member against such a practice than any thing he who spoke last, founded on the observation could say: With respect to the gentleman of a right hon. gent. opposite to him (Mr. who had been deprived of the cífice of dean Canning). That right hon. gent. had said, of the faculty of advocates, the case had that no man could reproach lord Melville been altogether misrepresented. What was with being a bitter political adversary. the fact? That gentleman attended a meetThere was a country which was probably ing of the friends of the people in Edinburgh, known to the right hon. gent. only by the when democratic principles were attempted account given of it by Dr. Johnson. In that to be disseminated throughout the country; country (Scotland) lord Melville was known his conduct excited the indignation of the to be a bitter political adversary, and he was advocates, and animated by the esprit du therefore the more surprised to hear the corps, as he might call it, they unanimously hon. member who spoke last, who was a concurred in depriving that gentleman of native of Scotland, say, that lord Melville an office, of which there was no former indid not exert his influence in that country, stance of exclusion. in a particular instance, which had been al- Mr. For begged leave to remark, that Juded to by an hon. gent. near him. He whatever had fallen from his hon. friend would ask that hon. gent. or any other mem- near him (Mr. Kinnaird), had been extortber of the house, to step forward and say ed by the remarks of the right hon. gent. that lord Melville had not exerted all his opposite (Mr. Canning). political influence, and in consequence had

Mr. Kinnaird thought that the right hon. succeeded in turning off from a post of ho- gent. had effectually displayed his bad taste rour in the faculty of advocates, a gentle in attacking him in the manner he had done. man who was an honour and an ornament Was he to be reproached with ingratitude to his profession. He trusted the time was or any improper feeling, because living in

a

the same county with lord Melville, no tired! He ought to have been dismissed as stranger to lord Melville's agreeable convi- well as Mr. Trotter. The hon. gent., howvial qualities, he had occasionally mixed in ever, had been arraigned, as being nearly company with him, and had even been connected with sir Charles Grey, and also pleased with his society; he had now, when with sir John Jervis, with having omitted called on by his parliamentary duty, dis- to recollect that the noble lord whom he charged that duty with fidelity, though to now accused, had been the advocate and the exposure of any thing blameable in lord supporter of the two hon. characters. It Melville's conduct? The hon. gent. begged never, however, entered into his mind that pardon of the house for noticing this indecent those two persons did ove any obligation reproach which had been thrown out against to lord Melville. He had never considered him. In doing so, he meant only to put lord Melville as their advocate. But, suphimself right with the house, without any posing it to have been the case, what was regard whatever to the right hon. gent. meant to be inferred from the fact ? Was it

Mr. Ellison begged pardon of the house to be alleged that the support which lord while he performed his duty in shortly stat- Melville then gave his two noble friends was ing his sentiments on this subject. He had a job, and that he (Mr. Whitbread) was come down the other night, as he had to- now bound to do a job for lord Melville ? day, with every wish to check peculation, Sir Charles Grey then stood on his trial. and with every intention to follow up, the He was acquitted, and was twice thanked resolutions of the house, as far as justice by that house for his conduct. Lord Melmight seem to warrant. Expecting that the ville, it may be said, moved for those whole crime would be made out before the thanks. Be it so. But would it be said house ought to be called on to pass sentence, he did so without thinking them merited ? he on the former night vcted for the com- Farmore, would it be urged, because mittee, thinking that any sentence before lord Melville chose on that occasion to abanthe gravamen was made out, was worse than don his duty, that the hon. member and an any punishment which the house might hon. friend of his(Mr. Grey) were now called afterwards feel itself called on to inflict. on to desert their duty ? The right hon. gent. The house, however, having determined that opposite had given a promise that night, that there was no necessity for a committee in lord Melville should never again hold any the first instance, he came down this night office of trust in the management of public with a determination to lend every aid in affairs.; but might not his majesty change his power to bring the guilty to punishment, his advisers, and might not lord Melville be to pledge himself to assist any class of men then again adnitted into his councils ? What to whatever party they might belong, who means had the king of knowing what was who would institute an enquiry, and punish done in that house? Had the right hon. abuses in every department.

gent. communicated their resolutions to his Mr. Whitbread hoped it would not be ne- majesty? That could not be ; else he must cessary for him to make any apology for have been dismissed, and would not have offering a few. observations on what had been allowed to resign. The hon. member been said. He had been arraigned by two felt anxious that the house should stand high right hon. gentlemen, both this night and in the public opinion; he felt doubly so, on the former night, for the way in which after the proceedings of the other night, he had opened the business. On the former lest it should be again let down. He begnight he had been accused.of too much pas- ged to be allowed to state the way in which sion in his statement. As he was conscious matters stood on the morning when they last of feeling nothing of the kind in his mind, adjourned. Many members were anxious he hoped the right hon. gent. would do him that the concluding motion should then be the justice to suppose that he had miscon- made. He intimated his intention of bringceived him in this respect. As to his state-ing it forward that very night. Nothing fell ment of this night, he denied that he had from him indicative of any intention to reblamed lord Melville for tendering in his re- linquish his motion; he only wished to postsignation. He thought, on the contrary, pone the moving it for a few hours on acthat noble lord was right in retiring ; but count of the exhausted state of the house. he must be of opinion that ministers were The right hon. gent., without assigning any reprehensible in allowing him. There was reason for the additional delay, proposed an t is difference between him and Mr. Trotter; adjournment for thirty-six hours. This was Mr. Trotter liad been dismissed ; lie had re-objected to by his hon. friend (Mr. Fox),

"V

unless it was understood that in the inter-sever, could not help having also a high val no public business shuuld take place; respect for the authority and opinion of the and the right hon. gent, with a countenance commissioners of naval enquiry; they said, which he (Mr. W.) should not easily forget, and the hon, member said too, that Wilson said, upon every view of the case, it would was an improper person to continue in his be better to adjourn. Could it, however, present or in any other situation of public be in the contemplation of the house, that trust.--The hon. gent. said he could not, this delay was for the purpose of allowing after what had fallen fron hon. friends of lord Melville time to resign? If any mem-his, and from other hon. gentlemen, whose bers, however, found themselves taken by support he was anxious to procure, refuse, surprise, he should withdraw his motion, in the mean time, to withdraw his motion. but at the same time he knew that was not He was anxious, however, lest the public a thing calculated to satisfy the public. He should suppose that in passing their former said so, not in any spirit of resentment resolutions, they had only adopted in a against lord Melville, as if this resolution heat what they were unwilling to follow were necessary to make him feel his situa- up; he, therefore, had to suggest what he tion. If he had any feelings, and the hon. hoped would meet the opinion of every member entertained no doubt he had, no- gentleman present, that a copy of the rething could ring them more than the reso- solutions of that house, of the former night, lutions already passed by that house. He be laid before his majesty without any comwas conscious the sense of the house wentment. By this means he conceived that with him, that it was necessary that lord the house and the public might be saMelville should never again hold any office tisfied that lord Melville could not, with of trust. All, therefore, that he desired any consistency, be restored to any office was to find out some way of entering this of emolument or trust under the crown. opinion on the journals of the house, and This, he thought, was the best mode that the motion had ou that account been of conciliating different opinions.--He withdrawn. The parallels which had been then moved, “ that his original motion set up as to the motions against ministers be withdrawn;" which being agreed to, being allowed to drop on their resignation, the hon. gent. proposed, “ that the resodid not at all apply. They were made on lutions of Monday be entered, as read;" the ground of incapacity; this was founded which was also agreed to. His next moon a delinquency.' He knew that in com- tion was, “ that these resolutions be laid mon cases, to be expunged from the list of the before his majesty." This motion was privy couneil was no disgrace. It had oc- agreed to, nem.con. curred to his hon. friend (Mr. Fox). The Mr. Whitbread again rose, and said, that right hon. gent. then in the plenitude of he thought the most solemn mode of carryhis power, had recommended it as a mea- ing such an important step into execution sure proper for his majesty's adoption. He ought to be adopted on the present occahad, however, since retracted that opinion, sion; on that account he should propose, and had recomniended to his majesty not that these resolutions be laid before his only to restore him to that honour, but to majesty by the whole house." promote him to his highest confidence. He The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that had asked pardon for his offence before he understood the hon. gent. to have meant God and man. But, could ever such a re-that the resolutions should be laid before his commendation avail in favour of lord Mel-majesty without any comment, and in the ville, after the resolutions adopted by that most simple form. house :-He was happy to understand that Mr. Whitbread replied, that it was his the Bank was not so much to blame as he inteution they should be presented without had supposed; and also to learn, by what comment, but not without form. He fell from the right hon. gent.(Mr. Canning), quoted several precedents to prove the prothat the mode of conducting business in priety of the mode of proceeding which his office was entirely changed, such would be proposed, and observed, that even had always happen when principals began to do no precedent existed, that course ought their duty. But, why, he must ask, was to be pursued which gave most weight and Trotter dismissed, and Wilson not? The dignity to the transaction. The motion right, hon. gent. had said, Wilson was a was then agreed to, and it was ordered deserving officer, With all respect for the that such of the members as were of his assertion of the right hon. gent. he, how- majesty's most hon. privy council should Vol.IV.

2 B

same.

away with his

yait on his majesty, to know when he tending in the house of peers, pursuant would be graciously pleased to receive the to a summons by the Black Rod, on his

return, informed the house that the royal. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that assent had been given by commission to the hon. gent. had already given a general the Irish Militia Volunteer bill, the Irish notice of some motions he intended. to Spirit Permit bill, the London Bread Assize make after the recess: he should wish to be bill, Boyer's Lottery bill, and several priinformed, if possible, on what day he in-vate bills.-Lord Stopford informed the tended to bring them forward.

house from the bar that his majesty had Mr. Whitbread said, that on the very been waited on with the address of last first day after the conclusion of the holi- night, and had been graciously pleased to days, he meant to move that instructious appoint 4 o'clock this day to be waited on be given to the attorney-general to proceed therewith.-A new. writ' was ordered for legally against lord Melville and Mr. Trot. the borough of Malton, in the room of ter; and also, that an enquiry should be the hon. C. L. Dundas, who since his elecinstituted for the investigation of those tion bad accepted the stewardship of his parts of the 10th report which had not majesty's Chiltern Hundreds.--The Prize been already considered by the house. Courts bill, and the Property Duty bill, There was one circumstance which he only passed through a committee pro forma, wished to notice, though he did not mean to were then reported, ordered to be printed be deemed top severe in so doing. He as amended, and the reports to be seve merely meant to suggest to that hon. and rally taken into further cousideration op learned gent. (the attorney-general) that it the 30th instant. might be proper to introduce a restraining [PAYMASTER OF TILE FORCES REGULAbill, to prevent the noble lord making tion Bill.] Mr. Rose prefaced his mo

property, He did not mean, tion for leave to bring in a bill to amend however, by stating this, to take the house the 23d of the king, as far as it relates by surprise.

to the regulation of the office of pay. The Chancellor of the Exchequer hinted, master of his majesty's forces, by stato that it was not impossible his majesty might ing briefly the objects he had in view in intimate bis wish to receive the resolutions bringing forward this measure. He had before the adjournment. The extent of the looked into the reports of the commissioadjournment had usually been from Thurs- ners of accounts, and found that no acday to Monday şe’nnight; but lie should counts had been passed from the office of propose that, in this instance, it might be the paymaster previous to the passing of from Thursday to Thursday fortnight. that will; the provisions of that bill were

Mr. Serjeant Best gave notice, that on an sufficient to secure the passing of the aca early day after the recess, he should sub-counts; but they gave to the public no mit a motion to the house founded on the means of compelling the production of 11th report of the commissioners of naval vouchers, or of enforcing the payment of enquiry. Adjourned.

arrears that might accumulate in the hands

of the paymasters; in consequence of which, HOUSE OF LORDS.

cousiderable risk was incurred by the pub. Thursday, April 11.

lic, from the length of time that often [MINUTES.] The royal assent was given elapsed before the accounts were audited. by cominission to the Irish Militia En- One of his objects, therefore, was, to enlisting bill, the Irish Spirits Permit bill, force the production of vouchers to the the Bread Assize, and Boyer's Lottery bill. pay-office, and to give process to the public -The Lord Chancellor stated, that very for the recovery of any arrears that may shortly after the reces, he should more to remain in the hands of the paymasters. appoint particular days for this delivery of Another was, to separate the acting from judgment upon such causes as stood over for the retired or renoved paymasters. There ultimate decision. The bills upou the table were many provisions in the existing bill were forwarded in their respective stages. which were found inconvenient or unneces-Adjourned to Thursday the 25th inst. sary. Another object consequently was,

by omitting these parts, to accommodate HOUSE OF COMMONS,

the provisions of the bill to the practice Thursday, April 11.

of the office, under improved regulations, [MINUTES.) The Speaker came down adopted since the passing of the bill. The to the house at three o'clock, and after, at- measure he proposed he had prepared

during the summer, and had since submitted | bill). It was his intention, if present, 16 to the consideration of the auditors of have made some observations, whicb, from the public accounts, and to the war depart- the accuracy of his information, might be ment of his majesty's government. It had of national advantage. It might perhaps received the approbation of both, and he be irregular to bring the subject then bewas sure it was now in a state in which fore the house, but he hoped that whatever he could confidently present it to the regarded essentially the interest and comhouse, the end proposed in it being pre-fort of the mass of the people would alcisely the same as ihe hon. framer of the ways have their lordships' support and former bill had in view, namely, to pre- hearty concurrence. It was truly lamenta vent any misapplication of the public mo-able, that, at a period like the present, ney. If the house should agree to his mo- there should exist any men who endeavourtion, he proposed to introduce a bill, anded to amass fortunes at the expence of the after the first reading to have it printed, community, but particularly at the expence and the second reading fixed for this day of the poor, who were, at present, bearing three weeks, in order to afford time to with cheerfulness their share of the burihens gentlemen to make themselves acquainted of the war; but this was unfortunately the with its provisions. The former act having case, which he could not more clearly ilbeen entered as read, leave was given to lustrate or satisfactorily prove to the house, bring in the bill; which Mr. Rose brought than by assuring their lordships, that the up, read a first time, and ordered to be quartern loaf was sold in Cheltenham, and printed, and read a second time this day many other large and populous towns three weeks.

through which he lately passed, at one shilLord H. Petty observed, that more than a fling, when it was sold in London at 1s. 4d. month ago he had moved for copies of seve- The difference was nothing to a man of fora ral depositions relative to the gaol of Kiltune, but to a hard-working man it was of mainham,and they were not yet forthcoming. the first importance, and ought to be reHe was surprised to find so much difficulty duced to its proper standard, if possible. in obtaining papers from Ireland. A simi- lle had made the strictest enquiries respecte lar circumstance nad lately occurred, with ing the cause of this extravagant differrespect to other papers on a different sub- ence, and found that it was artificial. He ject, in which seven weeks had elapsed, stated this with the utmost confidence, be. without any return being made. He should, cause he was sure of his information, and therefore, move " that the return for the could prove the fact. It was the practice papers he had moved for should be made of certain millers and mealmen, who reforthwith.” Ordered. The house then ad-sided about 15 or 20 miles from London, journed to this day fortnight, and the right many of them possessing from 200,0001. to hon. the speaker, followed by several mem- 300,0001. to receive expresses from town bers, immediately went up to St. James's respecting the state of the markets, acwith the resolutions of Monday last. cording to which returns they either sent

or kept back grain and flour, as it best suited their purpose: He wished to be un

derstood as not at all wishing to cast any Thursday, April 25.

odiuin upon, or excite public indignation [Mesures.] Several private bills were against a particular description of people; brought up from the commons, and read a but he could not, at the same time, refrain first time. On the motion of the bishop of from communicating to their lordships the Oxford, the committee on the Universities information which he had collected respectAdvowson bill was postponed till Monday, ing this most serious and important matter. for which day the lords were ordered to be He thought it high time for the legislature summoned.--Mr. Johnson, from the Irish also to consider how the assize of bread secretary of state's office, presented an ac- was struck and regulated in general. He count of the State of the Gaols in Ireland, had reason to believe and be convinced, during the year 1804.

from the best authority on the subject, that [PRICE OF Bread.] The Earl of Suf. if governinent established flour magazines folk rose, and expressed his regret, that at convenient distances from town, the high unavoidable business had abliged him to price of bread would be soon lowered, and be absent during the progress of a late always kept in due proportion to the quanWill through the house (the Bread Assize tity of grain in the country. It was really

HOUSE OF LORDS.