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Stopford, visct. Annan

Strachey,sir Hen. bt. East Grinstead

Strahan, Andrew, Wareham
Strutt, Joseph Holden, Malden
Stuart, Id. Wm. Cardiff
Stuart, W. J. S. Bossiney
Stuart, sir Jn. bt. Kincardine-
shire
Sturges-Bourne, Wm. Christ-
church

Sudley, visct. Donegall county
Sullivan,rt. hon.Jn. Aldberough
Sullivan, sir R. J. bt. Seaford
Symonds, T. P. Hereford
Talbot, sir Ch. H. bt. Rye
Tarleton, Banastre, Liverpool
Taylor, Ch. Wm. Wells
Temple, earl, Bucks
Templetown,visct.St. Edmunds-
bury

Thellusson, Chas. Evesham Thellusson, Geo. W. Tregony Thomas, Geo. White, Chiches. ter

Thornton, Henry, Southwark Thornton, Robt. Colchester Thornton, S. Kingston on Hull Thoroton, Thomas, Grantham Thynne, lord Geo. Weobly Thynne, John, lord, Bath Tierney, rt. hon. G. Southwark Tichfield, marquis of, Bucks Tottenham, Ponsonby,NewRoss

Townshend, ld. J. Knaresboro' | Wharton, John, Beverley

Townshend, hon. W. A. Whit

church

Trail, James, Orford
Trevenion, John, Dover
Troubridge, sir Thos. bt. Yar-

mouth, Norfolk
Tudway, Clement, Wells
Turnor, Edm. jun. Midhurst
Tyrwhitt-Drake, Thos. Drake,
Agmondesham

Tyrwhitt, Thos. Plymouth Vansittart, Arth. jun. Windsor Vansittart, Geo. Berkshire Vansittart, rt.hon.N. Old Sarum Vaughan, hon. John, Cardigan Vaughan, sir Rt. W. bt. Merionethshire

Vereker, Chas. Limeric Wallace, rt. hon. Tho. Hindon Walpole, hon. Geo. Derby Walpole, hon. H. King's Lynn Walsh, sir J. B. bt. Blechingly Ward,hon.J.W.Worcestershire Ward, Robt. Cockermouth Warren,rt.hon. sir J. B. bt.K.B. and K. C. Nottingham Watson, hon. Geo. Canterbury Wedderburn, sir D. bt. St. Andrew's

Welby, sir W. E. bt. Grantham Wellesley, hn.sir Arth. K.B.Rye West, hon. Fred. Denbigh Western, Cha, C. Malden

Whitbread, Samuel, Bedford
White, Matthew, Hythe
Whitmore, John, Bridgenorth
Wickham, rt.hon. Wm. Cashell
Wigram, sir Robert, bt. Fowey
Wilberforce, Wm. Yorkshire
Wilkins, Walter, Radnorshire
Willet, Jn. W. New Romney
Williams,J.H. Carmarthenshire
Williams, Owen, Marlow
Williams, sir Rt. bt. Carnarvon-
shire

Williams, Rt. Wootton Basset
Williams, Watkin, Flint
Willoughby, Henry, Newark
Windham,rt.hon. W. St. Mawes
Wood, George, Haslemere
Wood, Mark, Gatton
Wright, J. A. Oxford city
Wrottesley, sir Jn. bt. Lichfield
Wyndham, Hen. P. Wiltshire
Wyndham, T. Glamorganshire
Wynne, sir W. W.bt. Denbigh-
shire

Wynne, C.W.W.Montgomeryshire

Wynne, Owen, Sligo

Yarmouth, earl of, Lisburne Yorke, hon. sir Joseph Sidney,

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THE

Parliamentary Debates

During the Fourth Session of the Second Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the Kingdom of Great Britain the Nineteenth, appointed to meet at Westminster, the Twenty-first Day of January, 1806, in the Forty-sixth Year of the Reign of King GEORGE the Third. [Sess. 1806.

HOUSE OF LORDS.
Tuesday, January 21, 1806.

The session of parliament was opened this day, by commission; the commissioners were, the lord chancellor, the archbishop of Canterbury, lord Ellenborough, chief justice, the earl of Dartmouth, lord chamberlain, and lord Hawkesbury, principal secretary of state for the home department. A little after three, the lords commissioners took their seats on the woolsack, and the Commons, pursuant to message, having attended, with their speaker at the bar, the lord chancel lor informed them, that his majesty had been pleased to direct his commission to certain lords therein named, to open the session, which commission they should hear read, and afterwards his majesty's most gracious speech. The commission was then read by the clerk at the table; and the lord Chancellor then read the Speech, as it here follows:

"My Lords and Gentlemen, "In pursuance of the authority given to us by his majesty's commission, under the great seal, amongst other things to declare the cause of his holding this parliament, his majesty has directed us particularly to call your attention to the most decisive success with which Providence has vouchsafed to bless his majesty's arms at sea, since you were last assembled in parliament. The activity and perseverance of his majesty's fleets have been conspicuously displayed, in the pursuit and attack of the different squadrons of the enemy; and every encounter has termiVOL. VI.

nated to the honour of the British flag, and the diminution of the naval force of the powers with whom his majesty is at war; but the victory obtained over the combined fleet of France and Spain, off Cape Trafalgar, has manifested, beyond any exploit recorded even in the annals of the British navy, the skill and enterprize of his majesty's officers and seamen; and the destruction of so large a proportion of the naval strength of the enemy has not only confirmed, in the most signal manner, the maritime superiority of this country, but has essentially contributed to the security of his majesty's dominions.-His majesty most deeply regrets, that the day of that memorable triumph should have been unhappily clouded by the fall of the heroic commander under whom it was achieved; and he is persuaded, that you will feel that this lamented, but glorious termination of a series of transcendent exploits, claims a distinguished expression of the lasting gratitude of the country, and that you will therefore cheerfully concur. in enabling his majesty to annex to those honours which he has conferred on 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 name and services, and the benefit of his great example. His majesty has commanded us further to inform you, that, whilst the superiority of his arms at sea has been thus uniformly asserted and maintained, he has not been wanting in his endeavours to apply the means, which were so liberally placed at his disposal, in aid of such of the powers of the Conti

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nent as evinced a determination to resist the formidable and growing encroachments of France. He has directed the several treaties entered into for this purpose to be laid before you; and though he cannot but deeply lament, that the events of the war in Germany have disappointed his hopes, and led to an unfavourable issue, yet his majesty feels confident, that, upon a review of the steps which he has taken, you will be of opinion, that he has left nothing undone, on his part, to sustain the efforts of his allies, and that he has acted in strict conformity to the principles declared by him, and recognized by parliament as essential to the interests and security of his own dominions, as well as to the general safety of the Continent.-It is a great consolation to his majesty, and one in which he is persuaded you will participate, that although the emperor of Germany has felt himself compelled to withdraw from the contest, his majesty continues to receive from his august ally the emperor of Russia the strongest assurances of unshaken adherence to that generous and enlightened policy by which he has hitherto been actuated; and his Majesty has no doubt that you will be fully sensible of the important advantages to be derived from preserving, at all times, the closest and most intimate connection with that so vereign.

will be sensible how much the events of the war on the Continent, by which the predominant power and influence of France have been so unhappily extended, require the continuance of all possible vigilance, and exertion. Under this impression, his majesty trusts that your attention will be invariably directed to the improvement of those means which are to be found in the bravery and discipline of his forces, the zeal and loyalty of every class of his subjects, and in the inexhausted resources of his dominions, for rendering the British empire invincible at home, as well as formidable abroad; satisfied that by such efforts alone the contest 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."

The commons having retired, the lords commissioners withdrew to unrobe, and, shortly after, lord Ellenborough took the seat on the woolsack, the lord chancellor's state of health not permitting him to sit out the expected debate. At four o'clock earl Nelson, preceded by sir Isaac Heard garter king at arms, the duke of Norfolk earl marshal, and lord Auckland, and supported by the earls of Macclesfield and Bristol, was introduced to the house. His majesty's royal letters patent were delivered in at the table by garter, and read by the clerk. The marquis of Lansdowne, marquis Wellesley, and lord St. John, also took the oaths and their seats; this being the first time of their appearing in their place in parliament since their accession to their present titles.-A bill was then brought in by lord Walsingham, and read a first time, according to the established usage of the house, previous to the speech being taken into consideration. His majesty's most gracious

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "His majesty has directed the estimates for the year to be laid before you, and has commanded us to assure you, that they are framed upon that scale of exertion which the present situation of the country renders indispensable. His majesty fully relies upon your granting him such supplies as, upon due deliberation, the public exigencies may appear to require.—It is his earnest wish to contribute, by every means in his power, to alleviate the addi-speech was then read by lord Ellenborough tional burthens which must necessarily be imposed upon his people, and with this view he has directed the sum of one million sterling, part of the proceeds arising from the sale of such prizes made on the powers with whom he is at war, as are by law vested in the crown, to be applied to the public services of the year.

My Lords and Gentlemen, "His majesty is fully persuaded, that whatever pride and confidence you may feel in common with him in the success which has distinguished the British arms in the course of the present contest, you

from the woolsack, and afterwards by the clerk at the table, after which

The Earl of Essex rose, to move an address of thanks to his majesty for the speech that had been just read. His lordship lamented, that this necessary duty had not devolved to some noble lord better qualified than himself to fulfil the task. He, however, had that confidence in the kindness and liberal feelings of their lordships, that they would extend the same indulgence to him, which persons who were not accustomed to address their lordships generally obtained. He would

not detain their lordships for any consi- |cur with the recommendation in the speech. derable length of time, but content him- There was only one point upon which he self with briefly adverting to the principal would detain the house, and which, though features in the speech. The nature of the not introduced into his majesty's speech, speech was such as, in his opinion, to pre- he hoped to be able to obtain the approclude the possibility of any opposition to bation of their lordships to insert in the the address which he should have the address. He wished that some complihonour of moving. With respect to the ment of condolence should be offered to magnitude and importance of the successes his majesty, upon the decease of his royal which his majesty's arms had obtained, brother the late duke of Gloucester. With it was impossible there could be any dif- the amiable and excellent qualities of that ference of opinion in that house. The much esteemed person, many of their activity and perseverance which had been lordships had been familiar for a number displayed in pursuing the fleets of the of years, and he was confident they would enemy, the vigour with which they were not be averse to express the high sense attacked when found, and the admirable which they entertained of his virtues, and skill with which that attack was directed, to condole with his majesty on that mewere among the most brilliant achieve-lancholy occasion. The noble earl conments in the naval annals of England. cluded with moving, "That an humble Great as the victory of Trafalgar was, the address be presented to his majesty", universal sorrow with which the intel- which address was, as usual, an echo of ligence of the heroic commander who fell his majesty's speech, and nearly the same in it was received by the country, proved as that which we insert in this day's prothat the triumph of that day had not been ceedings of the house of commons; see cheaply purchased. Venerating, as their page 15. lordships undoubtedly must, the services, Lord Carleton rose to second the adthe character of the immortal commander dress, and spoke nearly as follows:-My of the British fleet upon that occasion, lords, the address to which your lordships with the sentiment which every one must are now called on to give your assent, and feel of the great services which he had which I hope will meet with your unanirendered to the country, asserting at once mous concurrence, does not pledge the the supremacy of its naval power, and house to any specific line of proceeding; providing, by the almost total destruction and therefore, I trust, none of your lordof the combined fleet, for its safety, it was ships will object to it. Most of the topics impossible that any one in the house could alluded to in his majesty's speech are such feel disposed to oppose that part of his as must meet your concurrence. The glomajesty's speech, which recommended to rious victory of Trafalgar is an event of parliament to enable his majesty to annex such magnitude and importance, that it is to the honours which he had conferred on hardly possible for the imagination to conthe family of that great commander a fit ceive any other more transcendent: it is mark of the national munificence.-The superior to almost every other naval action unexpected and disastrous events which for which our history is so famous. The had taken place in Germany must be the unparalleled valour displayed by all the subject of deep regret to every noble lord, individuals engaged in that action, and who wished to see the overbearing ambi- the unexampled ability and skill with tion of France confined within limits con- which it was conducted, has been a subsistent with the peace and tranquillity of ject of admiration to this country and the the rest of Europe. It, however, should whole world. Never was so great an be no small consolation to this country, enemy so completely destroyed. The that nothing had been left undone that de- naval skill and the valour displayed on pended upon her to ensure the success of that glorious occasion was never equalled, the allied arms; and that though his ma- and will never be surpassed. Every man jesty the emperor of Germany had been who recollects the signal given by the her compelled to abandon the contest, we had who achieved the successes, Engla still an unshaken, a magnanimous, and a "expects that every man will do his duty powerful ally in the emperor of Russia. must be struck with a still higher degree o In the propriety of maintaining the closest admiration of his character. We never connection with that great sovereign, he can speak or think with sufficient admiwas persuaded their lordships would con-ration of this great victory, nor sufficier ilg

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lament the fate of him whose great mind | cheerfully concur in the present adplanned the attack that was crowned with dress. such brilliant success. I have thus far Earl Couper said, that he did not rise expressed my feelings on this subject, to offer any opposition to the motion now because I wish to direct your attention to before their lordships. He was anxious, the importance of that part of his ma- however, that it should be understood, jesty's speech, which recommends a mu- that his own conduct, and that of other nificent recompence to the representatives noble lords, in abstaining from expressing of the deceased hero, to whom every indi- their sentiments on this occasion, should vidual in the country, from the highest to not be attributed to an entire concurrence the lowest, is so greatly indebted for his in all the observations which had been security. Your lordships, I trust, will made by the noble mover and seconder. have no objections to concur in the expres- The fact was, that he had come down to sions of condolence on the death of a the house with a determination to move an most illustrious and amiable prince, who amendment upon the motion for the adwas nearly allied, and so dear to his dress; but he was induced to postpone it, majesty; I mean the late duke of Glouces-from the consideration, solely, of the inter. With respect to that part of the disposition of a right hon. gentleman at address which relates to the share which the head of his majesty's councils. He felt the government had in the late events on that, as the address did not in itself pledge the continent, the present is not the pro-noble lords to any thing, upon which there per time to discuss it; and when that dis- could be any great difference of opinion, it cussion comes, on, I hope the conduct of was rather a point of delicacy to offer any his majesty's government will appear per-proposition, under the present circumfectly justified. I also am confident we stances, leading to a discussion, in which may grant further powers to government, with a complete reliance that they will faithfully execute the trust reposed in them. Notwithstanding the unfortunate turn which affairs have taken on the continent, we cannot but applaud the enlightened policy of the emperor of Russia in the line of conduct he has pursued, and entertain the most sanguine hopes of deriving benefit from his co-operation and friendship hereafter. That illustrious prince was determined not to make an ignominious peace. The interests of Russia and this country have always been, and will ever continue to be the same. And from this community of interests, and their mutual friendship, the happiest consequences may be expected. Your lordships, I am confident, must all feel the necessity of prosecuting the war with vigour, as the only means by which we can ever expect to possess security or peace. You must feel the magnitude of Lord Grenville rose to return thanks to the stake we are contending for. But you the noble lord, who had just sat down, for must all feel besides how great are the the sentiments which he had expressed. resources, the power, wealth, and com- The situation of the country was, in his merce of this country. Never was its view of it, such as to call for the most commerce in a more flourishing state. prompt and attentive consideration. That And, what is still greater than all, our consideration ought, most certainly, to be spirit is unsubdued, our valour is in-no longer postponed than was necessary tire. Such a nation, by making vigorous to put their lordships completely in posefforts, must be invincible. Under all session of the subjects which demanded these impressions, I trust, there is not their most serious enquiry. It was desione among your lordships who will not rable that their lordships' decision should

must necessarily be involved the conduct of the right hon. gentleman alluded to. Having said thus much, he should satisfy himself, for the present, with reading the amendment which he had drawn up. His lordship then read over the amendment. The purport of it tended to express the deep concern which the house felt at the disasters recently sustained by his majesty's allies on the Continent: and to assure his majesty, that the house would take the earliest opportunity of enquiring into the causes of these disasters, so far as they might be connected with the conduct of his majesty's ministers; and to suggest such measures as should appear to be necessary for averting the dangers which threatened this country. His lordship concluded with giving notice, that on Monday next he should submit a motion, embracing the substance of the amend ment which he had just read.

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