ture and importance of that in question." me the greatest satisfaction; and the asHe recalled to the attention of the house," surance of your unabated vigilance and the great and eminent services to their" exertion in the present posture of affairs country, which had been rendered by the" enables me to look forward with increased noble admiral, and the officers, and seamen "confidence to such a termination of the under his command, to whom it was pro- "contest as may be consistent with the posed that evening to vote the thanks of" safety and permanent interests of my dothe house. It was that sort of proposition," minions."-Lord Castlereagh, adverting which every noble lord in the house would to the notice which he had given for this feel the greatest pleasure in acceding to. day relative to a vote of thanks to the offiHe saw no necessity for postponing the cers, seamen, and marines engaged in the motion, or why it should exclusively come action off Trafalgar, stated, that as it was from the noble secretary of state; it was desirable to have a full attendance upon one which might be forthwith proposed such a subject, he felt the propriety of by any noble lord; but, in general, such a postponing it to another time, when it proposition came from the first lord of the could be discussed with more convenience admiralty. The postponement of such a to several members. The noble lord, howmotion was a very unusual thing; in the ever, intimated his intention of bringing present instance, he saw no possible rea- forward this motion on an early day, and son for the delay, nor was any assigned. stated the probability that he should on Though he thought it incumbent on him Monday next mention the day.-Mr. Paull to observe thus much, he had no intention gave notice, that he should, on Wednesday of coming forward on the occasion him- next, move for the production of a letter self; but he wished that some reason should from lord Melville, to the chairman, deputy be given for postponing the intended mo-chairman, and directors of the East-India tion. Company, relative to their Indian debt,

gave notice, that on Monday he should move for a few more papers relative to the transactions in Oude, and the appointment of the hon. Henry Wellesley to be lieut. governor of the provinces in Oude.

The Lord Chancellor quitted the wool-dated in June 1801. The hon. gent. also sack, and shortly observed, that the noble lord in question had conducted himself in every step he had occasion to take in the business, with the greatest propriety and respect towards those who were to be the object of their lordships' thanks; that he himself, and, he was persuaded, all their lordships entertained the highest possible sense of their most invaluable services; and he doubted not, but his noble friend could assign adequate reasons for the proceeding of that night.-The order in question was then postponed. and their lord-reserving to himself all just exceptions in ships adjourned till Monday.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

[IMPEACHMENT OF LORD MELVILLE.] A message from the lords presented at the table, a copy of the answer delivered in by lord Melville to certain articles of impeachment preferred against him by the house of commons. The answer stated, "that Henry lord viscount Melville, saving and

manner and form to the said articles of impeachment, and saving and reserving to himself such privileges as he is entitled to as a peer of the realm, for answer doth allege, that he is not guilty of all or any of the supposed crimes charged in the said articles; and this he is ready to prove. And he submits himself and his cause to that right hon. house; and prays that he may be discharged henceforth, and acquitted of the said charges."

Friday, January 24. [MINUTES.] The Speaker, on taking the chair, stated that the house having, pursuant to order, waited on his majesty, with their address on the subject of his gracious speech, his majesty was pleased to return the following most gracious answer: "Gen"tlemen, I thank you for this dutiful and Mr. Whitbread moved, that the answer "loyal address. Your condolence on the just read from the chair be referred to the "loss of my late brother the duke of Glou- committee for drawing up the impeachcester, affords a new proof of your at-ment; and that they do report their opi "tachment to my person and family. Your nion on the same towards the further pro"cordial concurrence in my disposition to ceedings to be had in the impeachment."cultivate at all times an intimate connec- Ordered. "tion with the emperor of Russia, gives

[HONOURS TO MR. PITT.] Mr. Henry

[COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY.] Mr. Alexander brought up the report of the committee of supply, and moved a resolution,

Lascelles gave notice, that he should, on Monday, bring forward a motion which related to a subject that had caused the greatest grief and melancholy throughout" that a supply be granted to his majesty the country: he meant the death of that illustrious personage the late chancellor of the exchequer. It was his intention, he said, to move, that some signal mark of public respect should be shewn to the memory of that great man.

Lord Castlereagh, alluding to a motion. of which a noble lord (II. Petty) had given notice for Monday, rose to enquire whether it was the intention of that noble lord to bring it forward? At the time the notice was given, he observed that the noble lord did not seem disposed to press the question upon that precise day. As a matter of personal convenience to himself and other friends who certainly would be ill able to enter into the discussion of such a subject on Monday, he hoped the noble lord would agree to a farther postponement.

for the service of the ensuing year;" which was agreed to. Mr. Huskisson then moved, that the house should, on Monday, resolve itself into a committee, to consider further of the supply to be granted to his majesty."

Mr. Grey said, he should leave it to the consideration of the hou. gent. whether it would be right to proceed so immediately to vote the supplies, under the present circumstances of affairs. At the same time that he threw out this suggestion, it was his wish, that the public business should be forwarded with all the expedition that was possible, and he should be sorry to cause any unnecessary delay, at a time when decision and promptitude were so necessary. He thought, however, that it would not be proper that the house should go into a Mr. For assented to the propriety of the committee for raising the supplies of the postponement required, for the reasons al-year, at least, until it was known who were luded to by the noble lord. It was no doubt to have the management of the supplies highly desirable that the consideration of when granted, and who were to be responthe question to which the noble lord re-sible for the direction and application of ferred, should take place on an early day. them. He knew that it was his noble friend's in- Lord Castlereagh said, that whatever tention to bring it forward as early as reasons might at present appear to the mind possible, but certainly not on Monday. of the hon. gent. to be of sufficient weight, Adverting to the notice of an hon. gent. as to induce him to oppose the progress of (Mr. Lascelles) for that day, he submitted the raising of the supplies, yet he trusted, whether it would not be more proper to that when Monday should arrive, the hon. postpone that notice until after the discus-gent. would not then object to the house resion of the motion proposed by his noble solving itself into a committee of supply, friend, which naturally claimed the prece- as it was probable that, before that day, dency. He felt, however, that it was not for him to dictate to the hon. gent. But it was for that hon. gent. and those who thought with him, to consider whether the motion they had it in contemplation to bring forward, might not involve points, the discussion of which would more properly belong to the question announced by his noble friend; whether, in fact, it might not be of such a nature as many gentlemen could not assent to, without a gross violation of their public duty.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Saturday, January 25. [MINUTES.] Mr. Parr, from the African Company, presented the annual accounts of that company, for the year 1804.-Mr. Meheux, from the India Board, presented certain papers relating to the nabob of Oude, moved for by Mr. Paull.

such arrangements would be made as would remove the difficulties under which he now laboured, and the objections he had stated. It was a matter for the discretion of the house to consider, whether they could properly grant the supplies in the absence of the chancellor of the exchequer. His majesty had determined to vest that office, for the present (agreeably to former precedents), in the hands of the lord chief justice of the king's bench, whose appointment would be immediately made out. At the same time, his majesty was taking steps for forming a new administration. Under these circumstances, if the house were informed that the lord chief justice was chancellor of the exchequer, in the interim, and until a new administration was formed, they would see that it was not possible to have his attendance in that house. He, therefore, hoped the house would consider themselves war

ranted, under these circumstances, in pro- the objection of the hon. gent. (Mr. Grey), ceeding to the question of the supplies in What he had said was this, that the sup the absence of the chancellor of the exche-plies, although forwarded in the early stage quer. It would be a material injury to the at which they would be presented on Monpublic service to delay the supplies in the day, would not have made such progress as preliminary stages; but if in the subsequent to be put in any tangible shape, by the stages, gentlemen should then consider it house merely agreeing to the preliminary their duty to oppose the grants, they would steps for raising them. In the progress of have abundant opportunities of expressing passing them, there would be time enough their opinions when the matter should come to see into whose hands they were to pass, more regularly for their discussion: he and to offer any reasons that might then hoped, therefore, that gentlemen would occur against the granting of them; but, to not oppose the supplies in the early stages, oppose them in the first instance, in limine, but reserve any objections that they might would be a course altogether unusual, and have to offer, until they should have made which would, in the present instance, be such progress, as to have arrived to that highly prejudicial to the public service. stage which was the most usual and proper The office of chancellor of the exchequer time to choose for the discussion. was, for the present, to be vested in the Mr. For said, the objection made by his lord chief justice, who, with the office, hon. friend had not at all been answered by took of course all the responsibility of it. what fell from the noble lord. What the no- The house might be assured, that it was ble lord had said, ahout the competency of the intention of his majesty, without dethe house to proceed to the vote of supplies, lay, to take measures for forming a new in the absence of the chancellor of the ex-administration.

chequer, was not at all applicable to the Mr. Grey repeated, that his objection objection which had been made. His hon. was not to the absence of the chancellor of friend had not objected, on account of the the exchequer, but that there was no person absence of a chancellor of the exchequer; responsible for the application of the supbecause such absence might proceed from a plies to be voted. As to the observation variety of causes to which no objection of the noble lord, respecting the embarcould be made. The present objection was rassments, and public injury, that might not to granting the supplies in the absence result from any delay, that consideration of a chancellor of the exchequer from that would certainly have as much weight as it house, but it was to the granting the sup- merited, when the subject should come to plies when there was no chancellor of the be fully discussed. What he intended to exchequer, or no first lord of the treasury. press upon the house was, that they should Under such circumstances, the house was not grant the supplies until they knew into called upon to vote supplies, while they whose hands they were to pass, and who were in the most complete ignorance who were to undertake the responsibility of were to have the management of those their application. The resolution was then supplies, or who were to be responsible for agreed to, that the house should resolve the manner in which they were to be ap-itself into a committee of supply on Monplied. He therefore now wished, that it day. should be understood, that his objection to the vote, would not be on account of the absence of the chancellor of the exchequer from that house, nor that the office vested for a time in the hands of the lord [MINUTES.] The duke of Gloucester chief justice, but his objection was, that was sworn, and took his seat, on his ache thought before supplies were granted, cession to the peerage, in consequence of there should be some person appointed, the demise of his father, the late duke. who should be subject to all the responsibi- The earl of Jersey was sworn, and took lity of the management of them, and who his seat on the same occasion.-Earl Darnshould be liable to be called to that ac-ley adverted to the notice he had given on count for their application, which the house a former evening, respecting the Additional had a constitutional right to expect and demand.

Lord Castlereagh thought, that the answer he had given was sufficient to meet Vol. VI.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Monday, January 27.

Force act. Of that measure he retained the same sentiments of disapprobation, and which, in fact, were fortified by progressive experience. It was in the recollection

D

of their lordships, that he was the first who was sensible, they all felt the advantages. brought forward a motion for the repeal of The second consideration which had acthat act. His intended motion, however, tuated his mind, and which would continue he was at present induced to suspend, in to the last hour of his life, was the feelings consideration of the state of public affairs and friendship he entertained for that illusat the moment. trious hero, who had led on the fleet to that memorable victory. With these he was impressed during twenty-three years, out of the forty-seven which that hero lived, and during which period, it might be said, he lived with him with the intimacy of a brother. Thus, the feelings of private friendship co-operated with those of public principle and duty, in determining him to propose to their lordships to come to such a vote as he had alluded to. As the thing then stood, he felt no objection to give way to the noble lord, who had expressly stated his intention to bring forward the motion to-morrow.

[VOTE OF THANKS TO THE NAVY.] Lord Hawkesbury stated, that not being able to attend in his place on a former day, on which he had given notice of his intention to move for the thanks of that house to lord Collingwood, and the officers, &c. under his command, he had requested a noble friend (lord Walsingham) to move that the order for that day should be discharged; and to state, that on the next day of the house's meeting, he should attend in his place and renew his notice. In doing this, he trusted all their lordships would give him credit, that he could not, in the least, be actuated by any motives of disrespect, or the slightest abatement in a due sense of the inestimable and meritorious services of the noble admiral in question, and the gallant officers and seatnen under his conmand; on the contrary, he was highly desirous to bring forward the motion, on the first moment his avocations, or the pressure of important business would allow him. Under this impression, he then gave notice, that he should, to-morrow, bring forward his motion for the thanks of the house. His lordship then moved, that the lords be summoned for to-morrow; which was ordered accordingly.

HOUSE OF COMMONS,

Monday, January 27.

[MINUTES.] A new writ was ordered to be issued for the election of a burgess to serve in parliament for the University of Cambridge, in the room of the right hon. William Pitt, deceased.-Mr. Jeffery gave notice, that he would, to-morrow, move that the order made on the 22d of this month, for the production of certain naval papers, be discharged. A petition was presented from the debtors confined in the castle of Chester, praying for relief.-A The Duke of Clarence begged to offer a petition of the maltsters and makers of malt, few words to their lordships on the occa-in the town and county of Monmouth, was sion. It had, he observed, been his inten- presented and read; setting forth, that the tion to have given notice, for the first open day, of a motion similar to that of which the noble lord had just now given notice, if such a proceeding had not taken place. Motives of intentional disrespect, or a desire to do any thing unpleasant, did not exist in his mind. When he considered the situation which the noble lord had the honour to hold in his majesty's councils, he was probably a more proper person to come forward on such an occasion than himself. His own motives, for what he had proposed to do, were of a two-fold nature: the first was, a conviction that it was incumbent on the country, on the very earliest opportunity, to express their grateful sense, in the strongest terms, of the great and important services of these noble officers, and the different officers and men under their command, who achieved the glorious victory of the 21st of October, and of which, he

act of the 42d of his present majesty, relative to the making of malt, is productive of the most injurious consequences to the manufacture, and subjects the fair trader to great difficulties and hardships, without any adequate advantage to the revenue, Ordered to lie upon the table.

[AFFAIRS OF INDIA.] Mr. Paull moved, that the papers ordered by the votes of the house on the 25th and 28th of June last, be printed for the use of the members; which was accordingly ordered. After a short pause, the hon. gent. rose again, and said:No person sir, can be me convinced than I am, of the inutility, the inexpediency, the danger, of moving for many papers relative to any transaction, more especially, if connected with India; still, however I may deprecate delay, in a question of so much importance, I am under the necessity of moving for a few

Mr. Whitshead Keene cordially seconded the motions of the hon. member, to whom the house and the public, he conceived, were much indebted, and for whose talents he entertained great respect. He doubted not but that his motives were pure and honourable, and such he hoped ever to find them.

more papers, important in every point of payments. 7. Copy of a letter written by view, and essentially necessary for the ends lord Wellesley, or under his authority, to of substantial justice. But, sir, these are col. William Scott, resident at the court of the last papers I shall call for, to support the vizier, announcing the special mission, the two charges I have already given no- of the hon. Henry Wellesley to Lucnow. tice of; and when the papers I formerly 8, Copy of all correspondence between had the honour to move for, are printed, marquis Wellesley, whether in his capacity together with the additional papers that I of governor-general or captain-general, am to call for this evening, no time shall and lieut. general Gerard, now lord Lake, be lost, on my part, in bringing direct and from July 1801, to the conclusion of the positive charges of criminality against my treaty of Lucnow, with copies of lord lord Wellesley. As the papers are not to Lake's orders to major-general Frederick be objected to, it is not necessary for ine to St. John, commanding the station of Cawntake up much of the time of the house. pour, major-general Robert Stuart, comSuffice it to say, that to insure the support manding Futty Ghur; with copies of their of those gentlemen on this side of the orders to the other officers commanding house, and the aid and countenance of corps and stations in Oude, for putting the many honourable, disinterested, conscien- forces in readiness to march at the shortest tious gentlemen on the other, I shall pro- notice, from July 1801 to Nov. in the duce a charge, copied almost verbatim same year. from the articles of impeachment voted against Mr. Hastings, by a strong, overpowering majority of this house, at the head of which was the late Mr. Pitt. move," that there be laid before this house, 1. Copy of a treaty concluded between the marquis Cornwallis, then governorgeneral of India, and the late vizier Assul ul Dowlah, in 1787. 2. Copy of the dis- Mr. Paull trusted the house would expatches of marquis Cornwallis to the court cuse him for saying a very few words reof directors, or secret committee, on the garding himself. He assured the hon. seconclusion of that treaty; together with a conder, the house, and the public, that he copy of his lordship's instructions to Ed-dared the breath of calumny to impute to ward Otto Ives, esq. on the same occasion, him, with justice, any motives but those he then being resident at the vizier's court, of a public nature. He bore no animosity 3. Copies or extracts of the general letter to lord Wellesley personally, he would exfrom the court of directors or secret com-ert his honest endeavours to prosecute him mittee to Bengal, approving of the treaty to conviction, as the enemy to the happiand lord Cornwallis's conduct on the occa-ness and prosperity of India, and to the best sion. 4. Copy of a minute of sir John interests of the mother country; he could Shore, now lord Teignmouth, late governor- consider him in no light but that of general, dated in June or July 1796, re- a great state delinquent, in the situation moving G. F. Cherry, and appointing John that Mr. Hastings stood on his return from Lumsden, esq. resident of Lucnow. 5. abroad, with this essential difference, that Copy of a minute of the marquis Wellesley, what was undefined crime in the case of late governor-general, removing the said Mr. Hastings, was positive criminality in John Lumsden, and appointing col. W. the case of lord Wellesley. The latter Scott resident at the court of the vizier. 6. could plead no error in judgment, no ignoCopy of any minute or appointment em-rance of the laws of his country, having powering the hon. Henry Wellesley, then been a member of the British parliament private secretary to the governor-general, when the articles of impeachment were to proceed to Lucnow, accompanied by voted against Mr. Hastings. One word Græme Morier, esq. as his assistant, or more, said the hon. gent. and I have done. secretary, in 1801; and an account of any I stand, sir, proud of acting with the parsum or sums of money drawn by the hon. Henry Wellesley, whilst at Lucnow, or by those employed under him, whether as salaries, establishment, or durbar charges, where drawn, and the authority for such

ty to which I belong, and I take this opportunity of declaring in the face of this house, that with the Nabob of Oude, or with any potentate on the continent of illfated India, I am as unconnected as with