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COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY.

that no more bodies could be interred thought nothing but the exigency in it. Leave given. of the moment could warrant the meafure. He repeated many of the obfervations that he had lately made on the Army; and concluded with lay eg, that the Mihtia, as now etablined, was far different from that originally contituted. The Army abounded with Gentlemen of the highest honour and talents; and the want of prope ty should not render their lituation unpleasant to them; but care ought to be taken to prevent improper perfons from being admitted to join the Militia.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer faid, the fum which he thould propofe to vote was 9 1,001.; of that fum, 868,90cl. was to difcharge the intereft of Exchequer Bills. They were to have been difcharged out of the inftalments of the loan of lait year; but as a very inconfiderable part of that loan was paid up at an early period after the contract, a great intereit accrued upon thofe bills; he therefore moved, that a fum not exceeding 868,931. be granted for the above purpofe. Ag eed to.

He alfo moved the following fums; viz. 1910l. to the Committioners for the Discharge of the National Debt, for falaries of Officers, &c.; 500l to the Officers of Exchequer, for preparing Exchequer Bills, &c. &c.; 23.5641. to make good money advanced to the Bank, for the difcount of the Loan; 22 528. to make good money paid to the Bink, for receiving contributions on the Loan of 1802; 3711. to J. Wilmot, employed as Clerk to the Commiflioners in fettling the American Claims; 3,600l. for incidental expences of 1802

The Refolutions were agreed to.

ROMAN CATHOLICS.

The Matter of the Rolls faid, the object of his intended motion was, only to remedy the inconvenience refulting from two Acts of Parliament, viz. that the Roman Catholics were obliged to take two oaths, whereas one would now be fufficient. He took a view of the different statutes retpecting Roman Catholics; from which he argued, that there was a certain incongruity; and moved to bring in a Bill to extend to Catholics the benefit of both the ftatutes relative to the telt, upon their taking the oath contained in the firit. This being a motion refpecting religion, it was referred to a Committee of the whole Houfe; after which the Bill was read.

The Irish Militia Bounty Bill was read a third time, and paffed.

The Attorney-General moved to bring in a Bil for appointing Com miffioners for distributing Money agreed to be paid by America to certain Claim

ants.

On the report of the Militia Officers' Bill, Mr. Windham made fome objection to the claufe relative to the admillion of Half-pay Officers; he

The Secretary at War laid, it was his intention to move a povifo to the claufe, that it the Loid Lieutenant could not fill the vacancies with qualifed men within two months, Halfpay Officers thould not be advanced to a higher ank in the Militia thn a Captain: this would fit fy the Gentlemen who had oppored the clause in quetion.

In anfwer to a question from Mr. Kinnaird, the Secretary aid, this Bill did not ex end to Scotland

THURSDAY, MARCH 24.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer prefented a Mcflage from his Majetty, the purport of which was, to recommend an annuity of 1,20cl. to be granted to Sir J. Saumarez for his eminent fervices in the lase war.

The Bill for fufpending the Penal Laws against the Non Redent Clergy was read a third time, and paffed.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25.

Several Petitioners, who had been committed to Newgate for abfenting the nfelves from Election Committees, we

ordered to be brought to the Bar on Monday; on which a long converfation took place relative to the degree of punishment they ought to undergo.

The motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on he fubiect of the King's Meffage, for granting an Annuity to Sir J. Saumarez, was unanimoufly agreed to; the annuity to commence from July 1801.

In a Committee of Ways and Means, the Chancellor of the Exchequer requeted an authority for 4,000 cool. in addition to 5,000 oool. that had been permitted to be raised by Loan's on Exchequer Bills. The fum now demanded was for the urnore of funding part of the outita ding Bills, and for paying off the refidue.-The Refolution was agreed to. D dd 2

The

The Bill for regulating the Office of Surveyor-General of the Forests was read a third time, and paffed.

MONDAY, MARCH 28.

The Chippenham Committee reported, that C. Brooke, Efq. is not duly elected, and that J. Maitland, Efq. the petitioner, ought to have been returned.

The Greenland Fishery Seamen's Bill was read a third time and paffed.

Lord Eufton moved the difcharge of J. Trotter, who was in cuftody for a breach of privilege, which brought on fome debate.

Mr. Tierney and Mr. Sheridan were against the difmiffal of the prisoner, on the ground of its encouraging difobe dience to Parliament.-The Lord Advocate, Mr. H. Browne, and Mr. W. Dundas fpoke in favour of the motion; and Mr. Fox against it; after which it was negatived.

On the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, a Committee was appointed for inquiring into the expenditure of Ireland, and the fums advanced to that part of the kingdom.

Gen. Galcoyne, on the fubject of the Salt Trade with Ireland, obferved, that an undue preference had been given by degrees to the importation of foreign Salt into Ireland; that the bushel of the latter weighed 84lb. whilft that of England, when imported into Ireland, weighed but 56lb.; yet the duty was the fame. The want of an equalization had fuch an effect on the Salt Trade of Liverpool, that in the space of five years it was reduced, on an average, 852,000 bushels. He lamented the impolition of a duty upon this article, and faid, that if the weight and meafure were equalifed, the revenue would not lole more than 13,000l. He concluded with moving to bring in a Bill for equalizing the duties on Salt imported into Ireland; and a Committee was moved for considering the propriety of the meature.

In a fubiequent converfation, Mr. Corry oblerved, that it was in contemplation to level the foreign bufhel to the English, and the duty from 28. to is. 4d. a bushel.

A debate then enfued, the refult of which was, that both motions were withdrawn. The Militia Officers' Bill was read a third time and paffed.

The Secretary at War obtained leave to bring in a bill for increafing the Allowances made to Inn-keeepers for Soldiers billetted on march.

TUESDAY, MARCH 29. Mr. Maitland took his feat for Chipk penham.

A report from the Ilchefter Committee ftated, that neither Sir W. Manners, T. Glover, W. Hunter, nor J. Graham, Efqrs. were duly elected. The fyftem of corruption at this elec tion was alfo reported to be fo great, that refolutions were brought up for the Houle to take the matter into its ferious confideration on the 29th of April.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30.

The Glasgow Committee reported, that A. Houtoun, Elq. is not duly elected; but that B. Alexander, Esq. ought to have been elected.

On a motion for a Committee on the Grenada Loan Bill, Sir R. Buxton oppofed the meafure, from the opinion that the merchants would not repay the money advanced within the ftipu lated time.

Mr. Hobhouse took the part of the merchants, and faid, that thote of the Weft Indies, from the flourishing ftate of their affairs, had been enabled to repay 550,000l. of the Loan of 1,400.000). granted ix years fince.—Severai Members alfo fpoke on the importance of the West India trade; after which the Bill went through the Committee.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31.

The Roman Catholic Oaths Bill was read a third time and paffed.

Leave was given to bring in a Bill for erecting a new Work-house for the Parish of St. James.

FRIDAY, APRIL 1.

The St. Giles's Burial-Ground Bill was read a third time and passed.

On the question for confidering the report of the the Pancras Work-house Bill, Sir F. Burdett stated, that although the Bill had been much altered, it was till highly objectionable : he hoped Counfel would be permitted to be heard again't it.

Mr. Byng poke in favour of the Bill, and Mr. Fox againt it :-Mr. F. declared, that it disfranchised nearly 7000 perfons, by placing the rights of electing their own officers in the hands of 60 perfons for ever.

The Houfe divided; for the question 85; against it 40.

MONDAY, APRIL 4. The Eat Grimstead Committee reported, that the fitting Member was duly elected, and that the petitions were frivolous and vexatious.

A short

A fhort debate took place on a motion by Sir F. Burdett, that the peti tion against the Pa cras Parish Bill be taken into confideration, and Counfel heard.

Mr. Sheridan feconded the motion, and made many objections to the bill. Several members gave their opinions for and against the motion; after which it was put and negatived.

The third reading of the Bill was then Arenuously oppoted; but being over-ruled, it was read and paffed.

Mr. Sheridan previously propofed an amendment, that in cale of the death of a Guardian, the vacancy fhould be fupplied by the nomination of the Parish at large; but this motion was alio negatived.

J. Trotter was committed to Newgate for prevarication before a Com

mittee.

Sir J. Saumarez's Annuity Bill and the Exchequer Bills were read a third time and paffed.

TUESDAY, APRIL 5.

Mr. P. Moore took his feat for Coventry.

The Solicitor-General moved to bring in a Bill to empower the great Law Officers of England and Ireland to fell, mortgage, &c. the property of Lunatics.

Mr. Tierney moved for an account of the produce of the Confolidated Fund from January 1802, to January 1803. The Chancellor of the Exchequer brought up a report of a furvey that had been taken with a view to the improvement of the Scotch Highlands. Ordered to be referred to a Select Committee.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with a view to forward the decifion of Election Petitions, moved, that in May, a day in each week fhould be appointed for balloting for two Committees, and propofed that the firit day for confidering a petition fhould be the 28th April, and two other petitions every Thuriday till the end of May; and as there were no hopes of making any ballot after that time, he fhould propole to put them off pro forma till Auguft.

The American Commitioners' Bill was read a third time and pafted,

On the order for the fecond reading of the Coroners' Bill, Mr. Hobhoute oppofed an additional allowance to fuch perfons; for though the fituation was bad and unprofitable, he thought it must be good for fouething, or the

whole intereft of the county would not be called in to get the place.

Mr. Shaw Lefevre ipoke on the fame grounds, and mentioned fome instances of corruption uled to procure thefe places. He moved that the bill be read this day fix months; but the motion was negatived.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6.

The Carmarthen Committee reported that J. H. Williams, Elq. was duly elected, but that the petitions were not frivolous nor vexatious.

The Berwick Committee reported that neither the Sitting Members nor Petitioners were elected, but the election is void.

Sir W. Scott, on moving to bring in a Bill for regulating the Laws concerning the Clergy, entered into a statement of the nature of the exiting laws, and of the effrontery of informers; and obferv. ed, that the prefent bill would be fundamentally the fame as that of laft Seffion; its object being to lighten the rigours inflicted by the existing laws upon poor ftipendiary Curates, &c. He afterwards moved, "That leave be given to bring in a Bill, to render more effective, and to regulate, the Laws refpecting Spiri tual Perions holding Lands, and refpecting Residences within their Benefices." Leave granted.

Mr. Dickenton, junior, moved to bring in a Bill to repeal certain Laws relat ing to the Woollen Trade. He stated, that there were no lels than twentythree acts exifting on this fubject, but thirteen of which only could poffibly be obeyed. On the fuggeftion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Chairman reported progrefs, and had leave to fit again.

A Petition was prefented from Mr. Martin, an American Loyalift, praying the fum of 6,6151. awarded to him in 1786, but which he had not been able

to obtain.

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The Chancellor of the Exchequer oppofition from Mr. Patten, was agreed

moved for an Account of the Produce of the Revenues vetted in the Governors of the Bounties of Queen Ance, from the time of their commencement, and alto an Account of the application of inch Reveaues, with the number of benefices, amount of the furplus Revenues, and the purposes to which they were a; plied, distinguishing each year. Ordered.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer then moved, that the Hute do adjourn to Tuelday le'nnight; which, after a flight

to.

On the report of the Committee for granting reliet to the Merchants of Grenada,

Mr. Wilberforce oppofed the Bill, on acc unt of a want of security for the loan.

Some amendments, however, formerly propoted, being agreed to, the Bill ordered to be read a third time on the 19th; to which day the Houte adjourned.

HIS MAJESTY'S DECLARATION AGAINST THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

His Majesty's earnest endeavours for the prefervation of Peace having failed of fuccefs, he entertains the tu leit confidence that he thall receive the fame fupport from his Parliament, and that the fame zeal and spirit will be moni felted by his People, which he has experienced on every occafion when the honour of his Crown has been attacked, or the effential interes of his Dominions have been endangered. During the whole courie of the Negociations which led to the Preliminary and Definitive Treaties of Peace between his Majefty and the French Republic, it was his Majelty's fincere defire, not only to put an end to the hoftilities which fubfifted between the two countries, but to adopt fuch measures, and to concur in fuch propofitions, as might moft effectually contribute to confolidate the general tranquillity of Eu rope. The fame motives by which his Majelty was actuated during the Negociations for Peace have fince invariably governed his conduct. As foon as the Treaty of Amiens was concluded, his Majesty's Courts were open to the people of France for every purpose of legal redrefs; all fequeftrations were taken off their property; all prohibitions on their trade, which had been impofed during the War, were removed, and they were placed, in every refpect, on the fame footing, with regard to commerce and intercourfe, as the inhabitants of any other State in amity with his Majefty, with which there exifted no Treaty of Com

merce.

To a fyftem of conduct thus open, liberal, and friendly, the proceedings of the French Government afford the molt triking contraft. The probibi

tions which had been placed on the commerce of his Majetty's fubjects du ing the War, have been enforced with increafed strictnets and severity; violence has been offered, in feveral inftances, to their veffels and their propeity; and, in no cale, has juftice been afforded to thofe who may have been aggrieved in confequence of fuch acts, nor has any fatisfactory anfwer been given to the repeated reprefentations made by his Majesty's Minifters or Ambaffador at Paris. Under fuch circumfiances, when his Majesty's fubjects were not fuffered to enjoy the commen advantages of Peace within the territo ries of the French Republic, and the countries dependent upon it, the French Government had recourie to the extraordinary measure of tending over to this country a number of perfons for the profciled purpose of refiding in the most confiderable fea. port towns of G eat Britain and I-eland, in the character of Commercial Agents or Confuls. These perions could have no pret-nions to be acknow ledged in that character, as the right of being to acknowledged, as well as all the privileges attached to fuch a fituation, could only be derived from a Commercial Treaty: and as no Treaty of that defcription was in existence between his Majefty and the French Republic, there was consequently too much reafon to fuppofe, that the real object of their million was by no means of a commercial nature; and this fufpicion was confirmed, not only by the circumftance that fome of them were military men, but by the actual difcovery that feveral of them were furnifhed with inftructions to obtain the foundings of the harbours, and to pro

Cure

cure military furveys of the places where it was intended they fhould refide. His Majesty felt it to be his duty to prevent their departure to their efpective places of deftination, and reprefented to the French Government the neceffity of withdrawing them; and it cannot be denied that the circumftances under which they were fent, and the inftructions which were given to them, ought to be confidered as decifive indications of the difpofitions and intentions of the Government by whom they were employed.

The conduct of the French Govern ment, with refpect to the commercial intercourfe between the two countries, must therefore be confidered as illfuited to a state of peace; and their proceedings in their more general political relations, as well as in thote which immediately concern his Ma jefty's dominions, appear to have been altogether inconfitent with every principle of good faith, moderation, and justice. His Majesty had entertained hopes, in confequence of the repeated affurances and profeffions of the French Government, that they might have been induced to adopt a fyftem of policy which, if it had not infpired other Powers with confidence, might, at leaft, have allayed their jealoulies. If the French Government had really appeared to be actuated by a due attention to fuch a fyftem; if their difpofitions had proved to be effentially pacific; allowances would have been made for the fituation in which a new Government must be placed after so dreadful and extensive a convulsion as that which has been produced by the French Kevolution. But his Maje y has unfortunately had too much reafon to obferve, and to lament, that the fyitem of violence, aggreffion, and aggrandizement, which characterized the proceedings of the different Governments of France during the war, has been continued with as little difguife fince its termination. They have continued to keep a French army in Holland, against the will, and in defiance of the remonstrances, of the Batavian Government, and in repugnance to the letter of three folemn Treaties. They have, in a period of peace, invaded the territory, ani vio lared the independence of the Swits Nation, in defiance of the Treaty of Luneville, which had tipulated the independence of their territory, and

the right of the inhabitants to chufe their own form of Government. They have annexed to the Dominions of France, Piedmont Parma, and Placentia and the Iland of Eiba, without allotting any provifion to the King of Sardinia, whom they have defpoiled of the most valuable part of his territory, though they were bound, by a folemn engagement to the Emperor of Ruffia, to attend to his interefts, and to provide for his establishment. It may, indeed, with truth be afferted, that the period which has elapfed fince the conclufion of the Definitive Treaty, has been marked with one continued feries of aggreffion, violence, and infult, on the part of the French Government. In the month of October 1 ft, his M jefty was induced, in confequence of the earnett folicitation of the Swifs Nation, to make an effort, by a reprefentation to the French Government, to avert the evils which were then

impending over that country. This reprefentation was couched in the most temperate terms; and meafures were taken by his Majesty for afcertaining. under the circumftances which then exifted, the real fituation and wishes of the Swifs Cantons, as well as the fentiments of the other Cabinets of Europe. His Majesty learned, however, with the utmolt regret, that no difpofition to counteract thefe repeated infractions of treaties and acts of violence, was manifetted by any of the Powers moft immediately interefted in preventing them, and his Majesty therefore felt that, with refpect to these objects, his fingle efforts could not be expected to produce any confiderable advantage to thofe in whofe favour they might be exerted.

It was about this time that the French Government firft distintly advanced the principle, that his Majefty had no right to complain of the conduct, or to interfe, ewith the proceedings of France, on any point which did not form a part of the tipulations of the Treaty of Amiens. That Treaty was unquestionably founded upon the fame principle as every other antecedent Treaty or Convention, on the affumption of the ftate of poffeflion and of engagements fubfifting at the time of its conclufion; and if that fate of poffeffion and of engagements is materially affected by the voluntary at of any of the parties, so as to prejudice the condition on which the other party has entered

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