noble friend, I do not think it necessary and the means by which the calamities to trouble the house with more than a few that threaten us, may with the best chance words at present. But I cannot forbear of success be averted. to express my hope now, that this seeming Lord Castlereagh said, that he fully condereliction of our duty will not be so curred in the feelings that actuated the misrepresented by any one, either in this noble lord in postponing the discussion house, or out of this house, as to make for the present; and no expression, howit possible to be supposed that we do not ever warm, that might have fallen from feel all that we ought to feel for the un-the hon. gent. who had just sat down, exampled calamities which have been should tempt him to depart from the brought on the country; that we do not course adopted by the noble lord, or to feel, though not in the way expressed enter prematurely into the discussion. by the address, for the unexampled ca- The hon. gent. seemed confident that he lamities which have befallen the second could substantiate the matter, which had military power of the Continent; that been stated in the form of a charge by the power to which we have looked, and to noble lord against his majesty's ministers; which we may yet have to look for the but they were no less confident, that, whensupport of this country, and of Europe in ever the question should come under consigeneral. I hope we shall not be wanting deration, they would be able fully and satisin our expressions of indignation at those factorily to justify their conduct. When ill-concerted, ill-conducted, ill-supported, the discussion should come forward, it and ill-executed plans, which have placed would be the duty of his majesty's ministhe country in the most extraordinary ters to state at large what they had to and most calamitous situation it ever urge in their justification, and until then experienced. I hope we shall not be he should abstain from entering further misinterpreted, by its being supposed that into the subject. He agreed with the we shall be wanting in those proper feel- sentiments so honourable to the noble lord, ings by which we ought to be impressed. and which had been assented to by the Nay, sir, it is the very strength of those hon. gent. who had spoken last, that the feelings that induces me to agree in the house could not enter into the discussion propriety of putting off the discussion. of this question, consistently with the Reports certainly have gone about, which feelings, by which it was then influenced, I hope are exaggerated, which I hope will if the distinguished personage, who was have ceased in a few days; but I will freely so intimately concerned with its discussion, say, that feeling how nearly the individual should be unable to attend in his place alluded to in them is connected with the during the consideration of it; [a cry of discussions which must have arisen to-no! no!] He admitted, that if that disnight, had the amendment read by my tinguished individual should not be able noble friend been brought forward, I am to attend till after a period beyond which, ready to allow that it would be injustice from a sense of paramount duty, the noble to him to press the subject in his absence, lord could not put off the subject, it would while there may be any good reasons to be competent to him to bring it forward believe that be will be able in a very at whatever time his feelings of public short time to attend in his place. I there-duty might reuder it necessary in his opifore cordially agree in the propriety of nion. He was sure, however, that the postponing the discussion; but, at the noble lord would make that time as dissame time, every private consideration tant, as his sense of paramount public ought to yield to the public advantage; duty would admit. Before he sat down, and, for this reason, I hope the delay he felt himself bound to repeat what he will not be long. I understand that my had before stated, that whenever the disnoble friend has fixed on Monday to cussion should be brought forward, his bring forward a motion on the present (majesty's ministers would be able to jussituation of affairs, whether in the shape tify, most completely, their conduct and now pointed out in his amendment, or their measures. in a more general view, will be for him to determine. At all events, I hope that no material delay will take place, but that we shall speedily proceed to enquire into the causes of our present unexampled danger,

Mr. Windham said, he did not mean to enter into the consideration of topics, which had been for the same cause avoided on both sides of the house. In the few words he had to say, he meant to confine

The Speaker observed, that he must remind the hon. gent, that at present he must confine himself to the notice.

Mr. Sheridan replied, that he was only about to say a very few words, but he should only now state, that on an early day he would give notice of a motion for the repeal of the bill.

Lord Castlereagh said, that some alterations were intended to be made in it which might meet the most serious objections that could be brought against it.

Mr. Sheridan replied that no alterations could possibly render it fit to be continued in force any longer.

himself solely to stating his entire concur- was found to fail completely in producing rence with the sentiments expressed by the effects expected from it by its admirers. bis hon. friend who had spoken last but He had a very considerable number with one, and by his noble friend who had pre-him when he before moved for its repeal, ceded. He agreed, that to enter into the though certainly he had not a majority discussion at present, would not be pos- at that time. Now, however, he hoped sible, conformably to the feelings which that many who disagreed with him then, must prevail universally both in the house would, on a subsequent motion for its and in the country. It was impossible repeal, cordially vote with him. He was even for those, who had never known proceeding to make some farther obserwhat it was to live in any habits of friend-vations, when ly or social intercourse with the right hon. gent. alluded to, not to feel that it would be one of the most painful tasks that could be imposed upon them, to enter into an adverse discussion on the merits of measures in which he was so deeply concerned, at a moment when he was lying on a bed of sickness, not without good grounds, he trusted, for hoping his recovery, but with the danger necessarily incident to such a situation. It was not however what must be the feelings of any one on such an occasion, that was to be considered: men must perpetually be compelled to do, at the call of duty, what was in the highest degree unpleasant and painful to them. But it happened here, that what made the task painful, did, in the same degree, disqualify them for the performance of it. Even this consideration however could not long delay the discussion in question. The moment must be at hand, should the right hon. gent.'s illness be prolonged, when the public interest could no longer wait, and when this task must be perfor med, with whatever pain or at whatever disadvantage. But the pressure of public affairs, great as it was, would still, it was hoped, allow of a short respite, such as was now proposed; and if so, every one must wish, that such respite should be given. Let us hope, in the mean while, that some favourable change may take place, which, if it cannot remove that part of our embarrassments which arise from the absence of the right hon. gent., may free us at least from that gloom and depression which the apprehended extinction of great and transcendent talent and high qualifications, in the midst of the most splendid fortune, cannot fail to produce even in the minds of those who may have been most opposed to the political system of which they made part.

ADDITIONAL FORCE BILL.] Mr. Sheridan rose to give a notice respecting a motion for the repeal of the Additional Force bill. That bill had been tried, and

[NAVAL VICTORIES.] Lord Castlereagh gave notice, that on Thursday he would move the thanks of the house to the brave officers and seamen of the fleets which had gained the brilliant naval victory on the 21st of October, off Cape Trafalgar; and to the officers and seamen of sir R. Strachan's squadron, which had taken four of the enemy's ships on the 4th of November.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Wednesday, January 22.

[MINUTES.] The Earl of Dartmouth informed the house, that his majesty would be graciously pleased to receive their lordships' address to morrow at half past two.-The lord Chancellor stated to the house that he had duly transmitted the vote of thanks of that house, passed on the 13th of May, 1804, to marquis Wellesley, and that he had received, during the recess, an answer from that nobleman. Understanding, however, that that noble lord was now in England, and had been in that house, he thought it would be more consistent with the forms of the house for the marquis Wellesley to deliver his answer in his place, than for him to read the letter which he had received from the noble marquis.

[IMPEACHMENT OF LORD MELVILLE.] Lord Melville, in pursuance of the order

of last session, respecting the delivery sented their report at the bar. The report of his answer to the articles of impeach- was brought up, and the address read a ment exhibited against him by the com- first and second time, and agreed to. It mons, on the second day of this session, was then ordered, on the motion of lord entered the house, and presented his Castlereagh, that it be presented by the answer at the table, which was forthwith whole house, and that such members of read by the clerk. The averment stated the house, as were of his majesty's privy in substance, that "he was in no way council should wait on his majesty, to guilty of all or any of the articles of im-know when his majesty would be graciously peachment, exhibited by the commons, pleased to be waited upon therewith. and which he was ready to prove on a Mr. Sheridan moved, that there be laid proper opportunity being afforded him by before the house, a return of the number their lordships' right hon. house." A copy of effective men that had been raised under of the said answer was, on the motion of the act of the 44th of his majesty, intitled lord Walsingham, ordered to be commu- an act for raising a permanent additional nicated by message to the commons; and force, up to the period of the last return, also that a sufficient number of copies be together with an account of the number printed for the use of their lordships. It that have been recruited per week, diswas also ordered, that Messrs. Plumer, tinguishing those that have been raised Adam, and Hopkins, be assigned as coun- by parish officers. Also, the number of sel to lord Melville, for conducting his those that have volunteered from this defence. A committee was likewise, on force for general service. Ordered. Similar the motion of lord Walsingham, appointed returns were also ordered, on the motion to enquire into and report precedents of of Mr. Sheridan, for Scotland and Ireland. cases of Impeachments for crimes and misdemeanours.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Mr. H. Thornton presented a petition from G. B. Mainwaring, and several Freeholders of the county of Middlesex, complaining of the return of sir Francis Burdett, bart. to serve in parliament for Wednesday, January 22. that county. The hon. member reminded [MINUTES.] Mr. John Fane presented the house of the circumstances under a petition from the debtors confined in which the consideration of a similar petithe gaol of the county of Oxford, praying tion had been deferred from the last to relief. Sir W. Geary presented a petition the present session, and stated, that this from the debtors confined in the gaol of petition was only a renewal of the former Maidstone.-Admiral Berkeley presented one. A copy of the petition will be found a petition from the debtors confined in the in vol. iv. page 1. It was brought up, and gaol of the county of Gloucester; and ordered to be taken into consideration on admiral Hervey, one from those confined Tuesday the 4th of February.-Mr. Wilin the gaol of Chelmsford; which were or-liams, secretary to the commissioners dered to lie on the table.-Mr. Ellison of naval enquiry, presented at the bar the presented a petition from the maltsters 12th report of that commission, and also of Boston, in Lincolnshire, praying cer- some observations by way of supplement tain regulations respecting the malt duty, to the first report of the commissioners of which would be equally productive to the naval enquiry, on a memorial presented revenue, and relieve them from certain to the house by the commissioners of the hardships to which they are at present navy board. Ordered to lie on the table, subject. Ordered to lie on the table.- and, on the motion of sir C. Pole, to be Mr. W. Dickenson, from the admiralty, printed.-On the motion of Mr. Alexander, presented the several papers moved for towards the close of last session by Mr. Jeffery, and admiral Markham, relating to ships of war, during the presidency of earl St. Vincent at the board of admiralty. Ordered to lie on the table, and to be [IMPEACHMENT OF LORD MELVILLE.] printed. Lord F. Spencer, from the com- Mr. Whitbread, pursuant to notice, moved, mittee appointed to prepare the address that the resolution of the house, respecting in reply to his majesty's most gracious the appointment of a committee of Imspeech to both houses of parliament, pre-peachment against lord Melville, of the

the committee on expiring laws, together with the other standing committees of privileges, trade, religion, courts of justice, &c. and the several standing orders of the house were voted.

4

26th of June, 1805, and also the act of DITIONAL FORCE BILL.] Mr. Charles Dunlast session, for continuing the proceedings das presented to the house a petition from respecting that impeachment, notwith- the gentlemen and freeholders of the standing any prorogation or dissolution county of Berks, on the subject of the of parliament, be read. The resolution Additional Force bill, and praying its reand the act having been accordingly read, peal. The petition, he said, was signed the hon. gent. then moved, that the said by all the respectable clergy, gentlemen, committee do sit and proceed with the and freeholders of the county, and had matters referred to them to-morrow morn-been unanimously agreed to at a most ing, and that lord Robert Spencer be ad-numerous meeting of the county, held ded to the said committee.-Ordered. for the purpose of considering the subject. [MARQUIS WELLESLEY'S ANSWER TO It had been found by experience that the VOTE OF THANKS.] The Speaker acquaint-act was impracticable, and the petitioners ed the house, that he had received from of necessity felt themselves compelled to marquis Wellesley the following letter, in apply to the house for its repeal. They return to the thanks of this house, signi- stated in their petition, that of the whole fied to him by Mr. Speaker, in obedience number which the county, under the act, to their commands of the 3d day of May was called on to raise, only eleven had 1804, see vol. 2. p. 369.-Fort William, been procured by parish officers; which the 30th May, 1805. Sir, I have the ho- had not arisen from any neglect on the nour to acknowledge the receipt of your part of the overseers, but from the impos'letter, under date the 4th of May 1804, sibility of carrying the provisions of the 'transmitting the resolutions of the house act into execution. The petition also ' of commons of the 3d of May 1804, re-stated, that in consequence, a sum of 'specting the late military operations in 6,6207. had been imposed on the county 'India, against the confederate Marhatta for penalties, which operated as an oppowers. Your letter, together with the pressive and unjust burthen upon the ' resolutions of the house of commons, has landed interest, and was particularly se'been published in general orders to the vere upon the small farmers. The hon. army, and the separate resolutions of member, after thus stating the substance 'the house have been transmitted to the of the petition, declared, that under such 'several public officers distinguished by circumstances, he should have felt it his 'that high honour. Copies of my letters duty to submit a motion to the house for 'transmitting those resolutions, and of the repeal of the bill, if the subject had such answers as I have received, accom- not been taken up by the hon. member 'pany this letter.-I request that you will (Mr. Sheridan), who had given a notice be pleased to submit to the house of com- respecting it, and who was far better 'mons, the dutiful sense of gratitude and qualified for the task than he was. At respect with which I receive this honour- the same time, however, that he felt satis'able testimony of the approbation of the faction at seeing the business in such able. house. The proceedings of the house of hands, he could not let slip the present 'commons on this occasion are calculated occasion of calling the attention of gen'to confirm, in every branch of the civil tlemen opposite, and particularly of the ' and military service in India, those sen- noble lord who had last night spoken on 'timents of zealous attachment to the the subject, and intimated an intention 'public interests, and honour, which have of his majesty's ministers to make some 'distinguished the conduct of his majesty's alterations in the bill, to the matter of ' and the honourable company's servants this petition. He was convinced that ' during the late war. The expressions the measure was impracticable, and that which you have been pleased to employ nine-tenths of the landed interest of the in transmitting to me the resolutions of country would not be satisfied without 'the house of commons, demand my most the total repeal of it. Experience had ' grateful acknowledgments, and consti- proved it totally insufficient to the object 'tute a considerable addition to the ho- which it was designed to accomplish, and *nour conferred by the commands of the in its operation it had been found a 'house. I have the honour to be, &c. grievous, unfair, and unjust imposition › WELLESLEY'.-To the right hon. Charles upon landed property, and very unequal Abbot, Speaker of the house of commons. in different parishes. He had but one [PETITION FROM BERKS AGAINST AD- observation more to make, and that was,

that whatever a man's property in the | into consideration, Mr. Huskisson moved, public funds might be, he was not called that a supply be granted to his majesty; on to find a single man; a circumstance which was ordered to be referred to a that shewed how heavily the pressure must committee of the whole house to-morrow. fall upon landed property. He hoped, Mr. Chaplin presented a petition from therefore, that his majesty's ministers the insolvent debtors in the gaol of Linwould re-consider the subject, before they coln, praying for relief. Ordered to lie formed any determination to continue on the table.-Mr. Huskisson then moved such an act under any modifications.-The an adjournment till to-morrow, which was petition was then brought up, and ordered agreed to, and the house in a body, proto lie on the table. It stated, that the ceeded to St. James's, to present their ad"petitioners, finding that, in pursuance of dress to his majesty. an act passed in the 44th year of his majesty's reign, intituled, "an act for establishing and maintaining a perma"nent additional force for the defence of "the realm, and to provide for augmenting "his majesty's regular forces, and for the The order of the day, for summoning their "gradual reduction of the militia of Eng-lordships, being read,

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Friday, January 24.

[VOTE OF THANKS TO THE NAVY, &c.]

"land," eleven men only have been rai- Lord Walsingham acquainted the house, 'sed in the said county by the overseers, that his noble friend lord Hawkesbury, ' and the enormous sum of 6,6201. has who had given notice of his intention to been imposed upon the county for pe- bring forward a motion for the thanks of 'nalties, beg to represent their opinion, the house to vice-admiral lord Collingthat this failure in raising the men has wood, and the officers and marines under not been owing to the neglect of the his command, being that day unable to overseers, but to an impossibility of pro-attend in his place, he had to propose that curing them by men whose duties and the said order be postponed; he added, it occupations are inconsistent with such was the intention of his noble friend to apan employment; and they conceive that pear in his place on Monday, when he levying fines upon parishes, because the would acquaint their lordships with the 6 Overseers fail in doing what is not in particular day on which he would bring their power to do, is inconsistent with forward that motion. Before he sat down, justice, operates as a partial and oppres- he begged to enquire of any noble lord, sive tax upon the occupiers of landed whether it was the intention of a noble earl property, and increases the parish rates, [(Cowper) then absent, on whose motion which are already a burthen severely the house stood summoned for Monday, felt, particularly by small farmers, and to bring forward his proposed motion on inferior tradesmen; and therefore that day. ing, that the said act may be repealed.'

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Thursday, January 23.

pray

Lord Holland observed, that, in the absence of his noble friend (earl Cowper), who was that day prevented from attending, by a slight indisposition, he had authority to state, that the noble earl did not The lord Chancellor, and several peers intend, for obvious reasons, to bring on attended at a quarter before two o'clock. his motion upon that day. Under that imAfter prayers were read, several orders pression, therefore, he had no hesitation were made with respect to the hearing of to move, that the order for summoning appeals, and some routine business disposed their lordships, for Monday, be discharged. of; after which the house adjourned till to-At a future opportunity, his noble friend morrow, and their lordships proceeded to would acquaint their lordships with his St. James's, with their address to his ma-intentions respecting the motion in quesjesty.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Thursday, January 23.

[MINUTES.] The order of the day being read, for taking his majesty's speech

tion. Relative to the intended postpone ment of the motion, which stood for that day,

The Duke of Norfolk addressed a few observations to the house. He thought some particular reason should be assigned, for deferring a motion of the peculiar na