be preceded by the most complete investi- | the chancellor of the exchequer, was la gation; but, for his own part, he confess-bouring under a severe indisposition. There ed, that some of the topics connected with was not an Englishman but must experi the present state of the country were so ence the sincerest regret at the indisposi urgent, that any delay in bringing them tion of an individual who was the admiration, under discussion could be justified only not only of his own country, but of the world; by the motive which influenced the con- and he could well believe, that the impresduct of the noble lord below him. There sion which it made on the feelings of the was not a man of liberal ideas, but must noble lord, must be increased in a defeel the deepest regret for the indisposi-gree proportioned to the sincere friendtion of the individual to whom he alluded. ship which had long subsisted between If such must be the feeling of that noble them, and the more intimate opportunities lord, and of every other man, how much which he had had of appreciating his tranmore forcibly must that sentiment of re-scendent merits. He could, however, assure gret be felt by himself, who had passed so their lordships, that his majesty's ministers many years of his life in the most intimate were then fully prepared, should it be the connection with the right hon. gentleman? pleasure of the house, to enter into the most At the same time that he thus felt himself comprehensive discussion of their conduct. bound to express his gratitude to the noble But he would, at the same time, freely lord, for the motive which juclined him state, that his majesty's speech was intento postpone his intended amendment, he tionally couched in such language as it was also called upon to thank him, for his was supposed would create no difference determination to bring forward the sub-of opinion as to the terms of the address. ject on an early day. For the rest, he had Ministers felt, that the existing state of no intention of trespassing on their lord-affairs required the most ample communiships' time at present, by any observation cations on their part; and they were anon what had fallen from the noble lords xious only to delay any discussion until who moved and seconded the address. such communications could be laid before There could not be the slightest difference of opinion, with respect to that part of the address, which related to the victory off Trafalgar every man must concur in any measure, calculated to evince the sense which the nation entertains of the brilliant and meritorious services of the late lord viscount Nelson, and to enable his majesty to make the most splendid provision for those to whom his honours had devolved. He was happy to find that the address pledged their lordships to no approbation of the conduct of government. That was a question which called for future deliberation. He should be the last man in the world to express any unfavourable opinion Lord Mulgrave complimented the two on the actions of others, until he had noble lords on the motives which induced grounds for forming that opinion. When them to abstain from then discussing the the subject came fairly under the conside-conduct of his majesty's ministers. He, ration of the house, he should state that however, expressed his conviction that that view of it with which his mind was impressed. parliament. Under such circumstances, he could not avoid observing, that it would be a departure from all precedent in parliamentary usage, to precipitate a discussion. When ministers called for the opinion of the house, without laying any information before them, or what was conceived to be imperfect information, it was then indeed customary to oppose their propositions on those specific grounds; but he never knew an instance when it was attempted to force a discussion on points, respecting which ministers were desirous of previously communicating information to parliament. conduct, when the requisite information was before the house, would meet their Lord Hawkesbury expressed his acquies- unanimous approbation. It would be cence in most of the observations which found such as would place in the most had fallen from the two noble lords who conspicuous point of view, the character had spoken last. To both, and particular- of the government and of the country. ly to the noble lord who had just sat down, Notwithstanding the unfortunate result of he gave the fullest credit for the motives the efforts of our allies on the continent, which had induced them to wave any dis- he pledged himself, that the issue of the cussion of the measures of government, at most ample investigation, upon the docuthe inoment when his right hon. friend,ments which it would be his duty to lay before their lordships, would be a general [CONDUCT OF JUDGE Fox.] The Marconcurrence in his opinion, that there was quis of Abercorn called their lordships' not a single measure which could have attention to the state of the proceedings in been prospectively suggested, that had the case of Mr. justice Fox. It was nebeen omitted; nor one adopted, which, cessary, as well for the sake of the person upon the most deliberate review of all the accused, as for the sake of those concerned events that had occurred, it would have in the accusation, that the time in which been desirable to retract. Having given their lordships may be able to take up, this pledge to their lordships, and advert- and proceed with, the business, should be ing to the desire expressed by his noble specified; for his part, he was prepared friend (lord Grenville) that the house to come forward with the evidence, relashould be fully in possession of every thing tive to whatever concern he might have in which related to those measures, before the business, as soon as the pleasure of the their lordships should proceed to the dis-house should be known in that respect. cussion of them, he would suggest to the Lord Carleton made several observations noble earl, who gave notice of a motion in consequence of what fell from the noble for Monday next, whether it would not be marquis; but, in such a tone of voice, as advisable to postpone it for a few days that the far greater part of what he said, longer. He was not certain, that it would was inaudible at the bar. In the outset, be in his power by that day, to lay before he expressed his concurrence in the prothe house all the documents which it priety of what the noble lord said, as to might be deemed advisable to submit to the period for proceeding with the busiits consideration; at any rate it was im-ness, being fixed with certainty.-Lord possible that the house should then be so Hawkesbury gave notice, that on Friday fully in possession of their contents, as to he should move a vote of thanks to lord enable it to proceed to a discussion of them. Collingwood and sir Richard Strachan, Lord Grenville said, that his noble friend and the officers and seamen under their seemed to interpret what had fallen from command, in the recent actions off Trahim in a larger sense than he intended. falgar and Rochefort.-Earl Darnley stated He was unwilling that their lordships should his intention to take an early opportunity, separate under the impression, that he of moving for an account of the number of conceived all discussion upon the state of men raised by the parish officers, under affairs should be forborne until the com-the Additional Force Act.-On the momunications alluded to were laid before tion of lord Hawkesbury, lord Walsingham parliament. These communications, so was appointed chairman of all their lordfar as the character of his majesty's minis-ships' committee, during the present sesters was implicated in the transactions on sion.-Adjourned. the continent, were certainly indispensibly requisite to enable the house to come to a correct decision on their conduct. But there were various other topics connected with the present situation of the country, which The house met this day pursuant to his called for the consideration of parliament majesty's proclamation, for the dispatch of with the least possible delay; and as these business. At three o'clock Mr. Quarme, would, no doubt, be adverted to by the yeoman usher of the black rod, appeared noble earl below him on Monday, he would within the bar, and informed the house certainly, so far as his opinion went, re- that the lords, authorised by virtue of commend it to that noble lord to persist his majesty's commission, desired the imin the notice which he had given. The mediate attendance of the house, in the motion being then put from the woolsack, house of peers, to hear the commission was agreed to, nem. diss. and a committee read. The Speaker, accompanied by seappointed to draw up an address accord-veral members, accordingly attended. On ingly. The committee returned in a few their return, the Speaker took the chair, and minutes after, and presented a copy of the acquainted the house, that, in pursuance of address, which was unanimously adopted; the directions of an act, passed in the 24th and the lords with white staves, were ap-year of his present majesty, he had issued pointed to wait on his majesty, to know when he would be pleased to receive the same. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Tuesday, January 21. his warrants to the clerk of the crown, to make out new writs for the election of members to serve in parliament for the following places: viz. for the city of Glou- | For those brilliant successes of his cester, in the room of John Pitt, esq. de-majesty's arms by sea, which have so ceased; for the district of burghs of St. eminently distinguished the naval history Andrew's, Perth, Dundee, Cupar, and of the past year, I am confident the house Forfar, in the room of David Scott, esq. will fully coincide in the sentiments exdeceased; for the county of Monmouth, pressed in his majesty's speech; but, in the room of James Rooke, esq. deceas-above all, in what relates to the glorious ed; for the borough of Boroughbridge, in and ever-memorable victory off cape Trathe room of the hon. John Scott, deceas-falgar, under the gallant and justly regretted ed; and also, that he had issued his war-hero who achieved that proud triumph for rant to the clerk of the crown in Ireland, his country before he had nobly fallen in to make out a new writ for the election of her cause, and left her to deplore a loss,' a member to serve in parliament for the in which, I am convinced, every man who county of Waterford, in the room of the hears him, sincerely participates the conright hon. John Beresford, deceased.-cern expressed by his majesty: and I Lord Castlereagh and several other mem- feel the strongest reliance that the house, bers took the oaths and their seats.-The in its liberality, and justice to the memory bill for preventing clandestine Outlawries of that great and gallant commander, will was, according to custom, read a first and cheerfully meet the royal wishes, and enordered to be read a second time.- Newable his majesty to add to the honours alwrits were ordered for the following ready conferred upon his family such. places: viz. Dunwich, in the room of S. sigual rewards as shall mark the public Barne, esq. who, since his election, had gratitude for the important victories, and accepted the office of the lord treasurer's the public security which the nation so remembrancer in the court of exchequer; eminently owes to his prowess. But, sir, for Queen's County, Ireland, in the room while the country has such proud and of sir Eyre Coote, who had accepted of the distinguished cause of triumph in her naval situation of lieutenant-governor of Ja-successes during the last year, and more maica; for Dunbartonshire, in the room of sir J. Colquhoun, who had accepted the Chiltern hundreds; for Bedfordshire, in the room of the hon. St. A. St. John, called up to the house of peers: for Leominster, in the room of the hon. C. Kinnaird, now a peer of the United Kingdom,paign. At the same time the house and the and for Yarmouth, in Southampton, in the room of sir Home Popham, who had accepted the Chiltern hundreds. particularly in that of the victory off cape Trafalgar, I am confident the house must deeply participate in those feelings of regret, expressed by his majesty, for the reverses sustained by our allies on the Continent, and the melancholy issue of the late cam country must feel high consolation in the manly conduct, and the unshaken attachment manifested by our faithful ally, the [THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS' SPEECH. emperor of Russia, to those principles and The Speaker acquainted the house, that that enlightened policy, which have unithe house had this day been at the house formly distinguished his reign: a circumof peers, at the desire of the lords com- stance, which still affords us reasonable missioners appointed under the great seal, ground to hope, that affairs on the Confor opening and holding this present par- tinent may yet be brought to a favourable liament; and that the lord high chan-issue. In the crisis, however, in which cellor, being one of the said commis- this country now stands, we have nothing sioners, made a speech to both houses of to fear from the haughty menaces, or the parliament; of which he had, to prevent insatiable ambition of the common enemy, mistakes, obtained a copy.-He then pro- while defended by the known loyalty and ceeded to read the speech from the chair, valour of his majesty's subjects, and the for which we refer to our report of the unexhausted resources of this empire; in proceedings of the lords, see p. 1. After the vigorous application of which, I am the Speaker had finished reading the speech, confident the wisdom and spirit of the Lord Francis Spencer rose, and spoke house will cheerfully co-operate with his as follows:-I rise, sir, for the purpose majesty, for maintaining the contest in of moving an humble address to his ma- such a manner, as to sustain the country jesty, in answer to his gracious speech, in her wonted rank amongst the nations in which address I trust I shall have of Europe, and for bringing the present the unanimous concurrence of the house. Jarduous contest to an honourable and advantageous conclusion. Without trou-assure his majesty that we shall proceed bling the house any farther, I shall con- to take them into our most serious conclude, sir, with moving, "That an hum-sideration :-That while we deeply lament ble address be presented to his ma- that the events of the war on the continent jesty, to return his majesty the thanks have led to an unfavourable issue, we feel, of this house for the gracious speech in common with his majesty, the consodelivered by his majesty's command to lation to be derived from the assurances both houses of parliament :-To express his majesty continues to receive, from his to his majesty our sincere condolence for august ally the emperor of Russia, of his the loss which his majesty and the royal unshaken adherence to that generous and family have sustained by the death of his enlightened policy by which be has hilate royal brother the duke of Gloucester:- therto been actuated; and that we are To assure his majesty, that we have not fully sensible of the great importance of failed to observe, with satisfaction, the preserving at all times an intimate conunwearied activity and perseverance of nection with that sovereign:-To assure his majesty's fleets in the pursuit of the his majesty, that we shall proceed to grant squadrons of the enemy, which have led, such supplies as in the present posture of in every encounter, to a diminution of affairs the public exigencies may appear their force :-But that we beg especially to require; and that we beg to return to offer his majesty our warmest congra- his majesty our humble thanks for the tulations upon that unexampled victory gracious and tender concern manifested over the combined fleets of France and for the welfare of his people, in having Spain off cape Trafalgar, with which Pro-directed the sum of one million sterling, vidence vouchsafed to bless his majesty's part of the proceeds arising from the sale arms, under the command of the late lord of such prizes made on the powers with viscount Nelson-And, while we feel, whom we are at war, as are by law vested with pride and exultation, that the skill in the crown, to be applied in aid of the and enterprize of his majesty's officers and public service:-That we assure his maseamen have thus signally confirmed the jesty, that the pride and confidence we maritime superiority of this country, and feel in the success of his majesty's arms, so essentially contributed to the security has not diminished our sense of the ne of his majesty's dominions, we participate cessity of unabated vigilance and exertion; in the deep regret expressed by his ma- and that his majesty may firmly rely upon jesty, that the day of that memorable our attention being invariably directed to triumph should have been clouded by the such measures as may appear best adapted fall of the heroic commander by whom it to the improvement of those means, which was obtained :-That we are fully sensible are to be found in the bravery and discithat this lamented but glorious termi-pline of his forces, the zeal and loyalty nation of a series of transcendent at-of every class of his subjects, and the unchievements claims a distinguished ex- exhausted resources of his dominions, for pression of the lasting gratitude of the rendering the British empire invincible at country; and to assure his majesty, that home, as well as formidable abroad; conwe shall proceed, with heartfelt satis- vinced that by such efforts alone the confaction, to enable his majesty to annex to those honours he has been graciously pleased to confer upon the family of the late lord viscount Nelson, such a mark of national munificence, as may preserve to the latest posterity the memory of his Mr. Ainslie seconded the motion, in a name and services, and the benefit of his short speech, in which he observed, that great example:-That we beg leave to the events which had taken place on the return his majesty our humble thanks, for continent, had been rapid and unexpected; having been graciously pleased to direct to and that France had acquired by war, in be laid before us copies of the several a short space of time, those accessions to treaties which have been entered into her power and territory, which she had by his majesty with such of the powers on before been gaining under the mask of 'the Continent as had evinced a determi-peace. Still, however, we had to console nation to resist the formidable and grow-ourselves with the pleasing reflection, that ing encroachments of France, and to our own national character remained un test in which we are engaged can be brought to a conclusion consistent with the safety and independence of the country, and with its rank among the nations of the world." sullied, and our resources unimpaired. I more consistent with the alarming state Although our commerce might suffer some to which the country has been brought, little injury by the occupation of such a and more consistent with my own feelings large part of Europe by hostile armies, on the subject. But reports have reached yet experience had frequently shewn, how my ears, and must have reached the ears difficult it was, with every exertion and of other members of this house, which every restriction that tyranny could avail would render the discussion to which the itself of, to prevent the introduction into proposal of such an amendment must foreign states of those productions of have led, so painful to my feelings, so British growth and manufacture which painful to the feelings of the house, and were so much needed by them. The to the feelings of the individuals whose armies of the foe were now rapidly march-conduct must be more peculiarly impli ing to avenge, what they termed the per-cated in the investigation, that I have ady of this country, but he trusted the thought it better, for the present, to wave house would assure his majesty, that an any amendment. That it may be known, independent and gallant nation like great however, what are the feelings in which I Britain, could not be intimidated by any menaces that might be thrown out against it. With regard to the victory off cape Trafalgar, and the regret for the hero who had achieved it, it was impossible that two opinions could exist in the house, or in the country. The exigencies of the times certainly required great efforts, and great sacrifices. His majesty, with that paternal solicitude for his people, which had ever distinguished his conduct, had set a noble example, which well deserved the most grateful acknowledgments of the country. Our freedom, our enjoyments, and, above all, the power which we possessed of repressing the ambitious views of the emperor of the French, were, with him, the most heinous political sins. He had no doubt, however, that if Providence' continued that fostering attention to this nation, with which it had so long been favoured, that we should yet be enabled to bring the arduous contest in which we were engaged, to a safe and honourable termination. Lord Henry Petty rose and addressed the house as follows:-To that part of the proposed address which relates to the glorious victory off cape Trafalgar, and the respect to be paid to the memory of the hero whose loss the country has to deplore on the occasion of that memorable day, I am sure there is none in this house can have any objection. When alive, he united all men around him in the cause of his country; and now he is no more, all men are and ought to be animated with but one sentiment and one feeling, to honour and perpetuate his memory. But to the other parts of the address, I cannot so freely give my assent; and it was, therefore, my intention to have submitted an amendment thereto, which I conceive VOL. VI. arraign the conduct of ministers, which Mr. For.-Concurring entirely in the sentiments which have fallen from my C |