sumed in this kingdom than either of the preceding grains; but it is used alone in bread amongst the pitmen and and other labourers of the county of Durham and Northumberland. It is mixed with wheat in some parts of the North, and experiments have been successfully made by mixing it with other grain for bread,

Pease and Potatoes.-The Lords' Committees also call the attention of your lordships to the use of pease in various methods, particularly in soups for the labouring classes, and in mixed breads; and also that of potatoes, which have, by rapid degrees, within the last twenty years been introduced as a very general food among all descriptions of

persons.

Rice. Your Lordships Committee next proceed to call your attention to the article of rice. They have great satisfaction in confirming to your lordships the information contained in the report of the committee of the House of Commons, of the expectation of a large importation of this excellent and nutritious food. They have heard from all parts of the country where this substitute has been introduced, that the utmost satisfaction has arisen, wherever its advantages, and the use to which it should be applied, have been understood, and as your Committee are aware that the most detailed instructions are necessary in order to bring into general use a substitute of the nature of rice, which can only be rendered fully advantageous as a food to man, by attention to some circumstances in the modes of preparing it, the knowledge of which (notwithstanding the highly commendable endeavours used for that purpose, particularly by the Society for Bettering the Condition of the Poor), is not yet universally diffused, they have thought it necessary, in this case, and in others which they have submitted and proposed to submit to your lordships, to enter into a minute detail in the Appendix of this report, confident that by such means they are most likely to further the great end of economy in the consumption of grain, and especially of wheat.

accounts are stated in the Appendix, No. 2: and they are enabled to add, from the concurrent testimony of persons from almost every part of the kingdom, that wherever this article has been introduced, it has been found to afford both a palatable and nutritious food. In Rutlandshire, particularly, they have been informed that it is now generally used by full two-thirds of the inhabitants.

Indian Corn.-Your Committee have received very satisfactory information of the great advantages which have accrued from the use of Indian corn, where it has been tried, both as food for man and for horses; and they have also the satisfaction to inform the House, that the importation of this grain, which has formerly been inconsiderable, may in future be much enlarged.-They have not learnt that the use of this article has as yet become general in any part of the kingdom; but, on trials that have been made of it in different parts of the kingdom, it has been found to answer perfectly well, and to afford a peculiarly cheap and nutritious food; and it is well known that, in America, it constitutes a considerable part of the food of all classes of the inhabitants, who are so attached to it, that, when in this country, they frequently procure it by importation for their own consumption. It may be ground into meal by the ordinary process, or may be used when only broken, according to the modes stated in the Appendix, No. III.-As food for horses it is very nourishing and healthy; it is in general use for this purpose also in America, and is considered as more strengthening than oats, being given only in the proportion of one half of that grain.-Its ordinary price in America is stated to your Committee to be one third less than wheat; and there appears reason to believe, that, even in the present year, considerable quantities may be imported.

To the consideration of these articles of grain your Committee thought it necessary to add that of fish, of meat, and of soups, in so far as these appeared to afford the means of food for the more numerous classes of their fellow-subjects.

The use of rice is very beneficial where it is mixed with wheat and other grain, for Fish. On the first of these points, all they the purpose of making bread. Such bread could have stated to the House has been anis stated to your Committee to have been ticipated by the Second Report of the Commade and readily purchased by the poorer mittee of the House of Commons, which has classes in the neighbourhood of Gloucester, been communicated to your lordships, and and also in a part of Sussex. And bread referred to this Committee. They highly made of four parts wheat and one part rice approve the measures already taken on this is now made in London, and sold in consi- subject; and if sufficient encouragement be derable quantities at a price below that of given by parliament to the plan there dethe wheaten loaf. It has also been success-tailed, and if the zeal of individuals, and of fully tried for a considerable period in private families. But the committee do not consider the use of rice in bread as the most economical or advantageous way of applying this article to the food of the labouring classes. A great variety of information has satisfied them that more food is produced from it by some of the other methods, of which particular [VOL. XXXV.]

those with whom rests the management of the parishes, particularly in the metropolis, be directed to it, the Committee are sanguine in their expectation of its being productive of the most extensive advantages.

Meat. With respect to meat, it has been stated to the Committee, that the cheaper parts of beef and mutton may be applied with [31]

great advantage, in point of expence, to the | tion the want of stock in hand, the deficiency food of labourers, particularly if mixed with above stated, and the expenditure of a sixth rice. But there is another resource which of the crop, which may be taken as the quanmight be resorted to, and that to a consi- tity already used for seed. They are unaniderable extent.-Your Committee have learnt mously of opinion, that the entire use of that there is a large quantity of salt beef now pure wheaten flour, and the use of pure in the London markets, and that more is wheaten bread, other than such as shall be daily expected from Ireland, where the price made of the whole meal (the broad bran only is considerably lower than last year. This being excluded), should be wholly disconbeef is now at such a price as that it may be tinued; that a mixture of at least one third applied with very great advantage to the food of other grain should be used, where it can of the poorer classes, especially if mixed with be procured; and further, that such reducrice. In Scotland it is used in broth, and tion in the consumption even of bread so mixed with vegetables; but it has not yet mixed, should be made from the usual allowbeen brought into any general use in Eng- ance in families (where other articles of food land, though, upon the trials hitherto made can be provided), as may bring it to one by mixing it with rice, and with pease, it has quartern loaf per head per week, or even to been received as a very acceptable article of less; as your Committee are of opinion, from food, particularly as a substitute for bacon, information which they have received, that the price of which is now unusually high. less will be sufficient in such families. With respect to barley, which your Committee have stated as the first substitute to be resorted to in a scarcity of wheat, they see, with great satisfaction, that laws have been passed to prevent the use of barley in the distilleries, and to allow of such alterations in the method of making malt from such barley as is not fit for the food of man, as to introduce so much larger a proportion of this grain to be used as bread. The Lords' Committees have, for a similar reason, great satisfaction in observing, that the attention of all persons is called by his majesty's proclamation to the utmost saving in the use of oats by horses, as they are informed that a saving may be made of at least one fourth in the ordinary method of feeding horses not used for the hardest work, particularly by the mode lately adopted with the best effect, in this metropolis (as given in evidence before your Committee), namely, by mixing chopped hay and straw with oats so given.

Soups.-Soups were last winter distributed in considerable quantities, particularly in the metropolis; and it is stated that two thirds of the expense that would have been incurred in the usual mode of parish relief, has thus been saved, and that greatly to the advantage of the persons receiving this aid. Your Committee cannot too strongly express their sense of the infinite advantages that have been derived from these excellent institutions, which they have the satisfaction to know, have been imitated in various parts of the country, both by the benevolence of individuals, and also by the well-applied zeal and discretion of parochial officers. Every degree of encouragement should, in the opinion of the Committee, be given to the continuance of this system, which is peculiarly beneficial, not only to those persons who actually receive parochial relief, but also to those who, not receiving such relief, yet nevertheless feel most severely the pressure from the present dearth of provisions. And your Committee has been informed, that one of the most useful ways of giving this encouragement, would be the disuse of soup or gravy meats in opulent families; by which means the coarser, but not less nourishing pieces, would be sold at a reduced price to these establishments, or for the consumption of poorer families.

The Lords' Committees, having thus called your lordships' attention to the modes in which these substitutes of our own growth and of importation can be used, proceed to give your lordships their humble opinion with respect to the economical consumption of them; but before they proceed to observe on this subject, they think proper to state, with respect to wheat, although the deficiency of the crop may be calculated at not much more than a fourth of the average growth, they cannot but most earnestly recommend an endeavour to reduce their consumption of that grain in the proportion of at least one third, as required by his majesty's royal proclamation; such reduction appearing to them absolutely necessary, taking into considera

PART THIRD. Freedom of Circulation.— Your Committee feel themselves strongly called upon to point out the great importance of preserving the commerce and circulation of grain in the interior of this kingdom perfectly free and open, as the only method of preserving any degree of level through the different markets of the kingdom, and as the most efficient means of securing to the consumer bread at the cheapest rate.

It has clearly appeared to your Committee, by the evidence of the witnesses examined, that all obstructions to the purchase or removal of grain, and every event which created apprehensions in the minds either of the farmers or of the dealers in corn, as to the security and freedom of their trade, have uniformly tended to raise the price, and have, in many instances, proved highly injurious to the community at large, particularly by rendering difficult in one place, as stated to your Committee, the circulation of seed corn, and absolutely, in some instances, preventing the baking of a sufficient quantity of bread for the usual consumption.

As far as has appeared to your Committee, (and they have not neglected to examine, extensively, as to the existence of the supposed combinations and fraudulent practices of unfair dealers), they have not been able to trace, in any one instance, any thing more than such suspicions and vague reports as usually prevail in times of scarcity; and they are of opinion, that what have been represented as deep schemes and fraudulent practices to raise the market, have been only the common and usual proceedings of dealers in all articles of commerce, where there is a great demand, and where great capitals and great activity are employed.

Your Committee do not take upon them to determine that no abuses have been in any instance committed by individuals; but in the trade at large they have hitherto perceived no injurious system to prevail; and they are confident the fullest and most ample protection ought to be afforded to all dealers in corn by the legislature and by the magistrates, not only from attention to that general principle of security and freedom of commerce which is conformable to the system of our laws and government, but also because persons engaged in this branch of trade are highly useful, and even necessary for the due and regular supply of the markets, and may, therefore, be considered as rendering an important service to the people at large.

and 1800, have considerably diminished the ordinary supply of oats of our own growth, of which a proportion equal to one third is calculated to be the produce of that district of country which includes the fens of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Huntingdon shire, and Northamptonshire. They have also been assured, on the same authorities, that if the drainage of the fens were rendered more secure by an improvement of the outfall to the sea, a very considerable addition may be expected to the national produce of every description.

They are farther of opinion, that it may be expedient to examine the effects of the present laws, as well such as affect importation and exportation, as those which regulate the internal commerce of grain; to remove what has almost universally been stated to your lordships' Committee as a very great and material inconvenience, viz. the difference of the measures for the sale of corn throughout the kingdom; and to investigate whether the sale of corn by weight, or the sale by weight and measure combined, would not be more advantageous than by measure alone.

The Lords' Committees had entertained an anxious wish to connect with this Report some more detailed opinions upon subjects of this extreme importance. They have found it impossible, consistently with the more pressing subjects of this Report, to enter at large upon these topics; but they conceive, and humbly suggest, that an inquiry into them may be pursued with advantage in a future session of parliament.

The Speaker's Speech to the King on presenting the Money Bills.] Dec. 31. His Majesty came this day in state to the House of Peers, when the Usher of the Black Rod was sent to command the immediate attendance of the House of Commons, who soon after appeared at the bar.

CONCLUSION. In adverting to the matter referred to them upon the extensive scale on which the Lords' Committees thought it their duty to consider it, they are desirous of touching upon some of the other points connected with it, to which they alluded in the commencement of their Report, although they do not feel themselves sufficiently informed, to report any detailed opinion to the House. The means of preventing the recurrence of such difficulties as are now experienced, are naturally connected with the consideration of the mode of relieving the present pressure. Your Committee have every reason to believe, that although, from the recency of many of the inclosures, the full advantage which may be expected from them has not "Most gracious Sovereign; yet been derived, they have unquestionably "The bill now tendered to your Macontributed to the improvement of agricul-jesty by your faithful Commons, completes ture, and an increased quantity of human food. Your Committee, therefore, entertain no doubt, that infinite benefit will result from a still further encouragement to inclosures in general, and particularly of waste and uncultivated lands; a measure that they deem themselves bound to recommend in the strongest manner, in the full expectation that the inclosure of those lands would, in itself, afford the most effectual means to prevent

Mr. Speaker Addington then addressed his Majesty as follows:

the provision which has been made for the several branches of the public service, till that period when your Majesty will receive the advice and assistance of your parliament of the united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Impressed with a well-grounded confidence in the strength and resources of the Empire, and the recurrence of the deficiency of grain, from partaking, as they earnestly do, of that which the present inconveniencies are expe- which your Majesty has given a recent solicitude for the restoration of peace, of rienced. It has further appeared to your Committee, in the course of their inquiry, though unavailing proof, your Commons that the inundations of the fens, which took are convinced that nothing can contribute place in the year 1795, and in the years 1799 more effectually to the accomplishment

of that great object, than to manifest the ability and determination of this country to be fully prepared for the further prosecution of a contest, the continuance of which may justly be ascribed to the unwarrantable pretensions of the enemy.

"But on no occasion has the attention of your Parliament been more deeply and anxiously engaged, than by those important considerations to which it was peculiarly directed at the opening of the present session, in consequence of your Majesty's paternal concern for the welfare and comfort of your people. To alleviate, to the utmost of their power, the pressure upon all descriptions of their fellowsubjects, and upon the poorer classes in particular, your Commons have deemed to be the first and the most urgent of their duties. The measures adopted for this purpose are those which, they trust, are best calculated to afford substantial and extensive relief, and to provide for the necessary demands of the year. Much of their efficacy must, how ever, depend upon that temper, good sense, and fortitude, which this country has displayed under the severest trials, and which were never more conspicuous than at the present conjuncture.

"My Lords and Gentlemen;

"I cannot suffer this session to close without returning you my particular acknowledgments for the distinguished industry and zeal with which you have applied yourselves to the interesting object which, at the commencement of the session, I most especially recommended to your attention.

"It has been my earnest wish that nothing should be omitted which could tend to relieve the pressure occasioned by the present dearth of provisions, and to insure a sufficient supply till the produce of the next harvest can be brought into use.

"The diligence with which your inquiries have been conducted, has afforded you the best means of ascertaining the true circumstances of our present situa tion; and the extensive measures which you have wisely adopted in consequence, for diminishing the consumption of grain, and procuring an increased supply, will, I doubt not, be found productive of the most salutary effect.

"Much, however, must depend on the disposition which will, I am confident, be manifested by all those who have the means of carrying into execution, my solemn recommendation and injunction, issued at your desire, for the adoption of all practicable economy in the use of those articles which are necessary to the subsistence of the poorer classes of my subjects.

"The time fixed for the commencement of the Union of Great Britain and Ireland necessarily terminates your proceedings on this important subject; but I am persuaded that the consideration of it will be resumed with the same zeal and temper on the first meeting of the parliament of the united kingdom.

"These, Sire, the last proceedings of your Parliament previous to the great æra now on the point of commencing, are the indication and result of that common interest and fellow-feeling with the people, by which it has ever been actuated, and which are the best safeguard of all that is most valuable in society. To that æra your Commons look forward with a confident expectation, that the consolidated wisdom and authority of the legislature of Great Britain and Ireland, under the auspicious government of your Majesty, and of your illustrious House, will diffuse, "The early period which I have apthroughout every part of the united king-pointed for that meeting will afford a dom, the full benefits of that constitution, which has been proved to be favourable, in an unexampled degree, to the enjoyment of civil liberty and public prosperity; and which cannot therefore fail to animate the zeal and determination of those who may share its blessings, to cherish and maintain it in their own times, and to transmit it as the best inheritance to their posterity."

The King's Speech at the Close of the Session.] After the royal assent had been given to sundry bills, his Majesty made the following Speech to both Houses:

speedy opportunity of completing whatever you may have necessarily left unfinished, and of considering what measures may tend further to alleviate the pressure on my people, or to prevent the danger of its recurrence.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons; "I thank you for the readiness with which you have granted the supplies necessary, under the present circumstances, for the public service.

"My Lords and Gentlemen;

"The detention of the property of my subjects in the ports of Russia, contrary

to the most solemn treaties, and the imprisonment of British sailors in that country, have excited in me sentiments, in which you and all my subjects will, I am sure, participate. I have already taken such steps as this occasion indispensably required, and it will afford me great satisfaction if they prove effectual; but if it shall become necessary to maintain, against any combination, the honour and independence of the British Empire, and those maritime rights and interests on which both our prosperity and our security must always depend, I entertain no doubt either of the success of those means which, in such an event, I shall be enabled to exert, or of the determination of my Parliament and my people to afford me a support proportioned to the importance of the interests which we have to maintain."

And afterwards the Lord Chancellor, by his Majesty's command, said,

"My Lords and Gentlemen; It is his Majesty's command, that the Proclamation, declaring his Majesty's most gracious intention, that the members of parliament composing this parliament should be the members of the parliament of the united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on the part of Great Britain, and that the said parliament should be assembled on the 22nd day of January next, be delivered in full parliament, and now read, which closes the present session."

"And the said Proclamation was read by the clerk at the table, as follows, viz.

"GEORGE R.

"Whereas, by the fourth article of the Articles of the Union of Great Britain and Ireland, as the same are ratified and confirmed by two acts of parliament, the one passed in the Parliament of Great Britain, intituled, An Act for the Union of Great Britain and Ireland, the other passed in the parliament of Ireland, also intituled, An Act for the Union of Great Britain and Ireland, to have force and effect from the first day of January one thousand eight hundred and one, it is provided, That if we, on or before the said first day of January one thousand eight hundred and one, on which day the Union is to take place as aforesaid, should declare, under the Great Seal of Great Britain, that it is expedient that the Lords and Commons of the present parliament of Great Britain should be the members of the respective houses of the first parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, on the part of Great Britain; then the said Lords and Commons of the present parliament of Great Britain should accordingly be the members of the respective houses of the

first parliament of the said United Kingdom, on the part of Great Britain: and whereas it is our intention to appoint Thursday the twenty-second day of January next ensuing for the assembling the first parliament of the by proclamation under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom; we do judge it to be expedient that the Lords and Commons of the present parliament of Great Britain should be the members of the respective houses of the first parliament of the United Kingdom, on the part of Great Britain; and we do, pursuant to the said Articles of Union, and to firming the same, hereby declare, under our the Acts of Parliament ratifying and conGreat Seal of Great Britain, that it is expedient that the Lords and Commons of the present parliament of Great Britain should be the members of the respective houses of the first parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, on the part of Great Britain; and the Lords and Commons of the present parliament of Great Britain are accordingly to be the members of the the United Kingdom of Great Britain and respective houses of the first parliament of Ireland, on the part of Great Britain; and the said Lords spiritual and temporal, and Commons, are hereby required and commanded to take notice hereof, and to give their attendance accordingly, at Westminster, on the said 22nd day of January next ensuing.

"Given at our Court at St. James's the 5th day of November, 1800, in the 41st year of our reign. God save the KING." Thus ended the last Session of the last Parliament of the Kingdom of Great Britain.

FIRST SESSION

OF THE

FIRST PARLIAMENT

OF THE

UNITED KINGDOM

OF

GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

Meeting of the Imperial Parliament.] January 22, 1801. This being the day appointed for the Meeting of the Imperial Parliament, the same was opened by Commission, and the Commons being sent for to the House of Peers, the Lord Chancellor signified, that it was his majesty's pleasure to defer declaring the causes of his assembling the parliament, until the Commons had chosen a Speaker. He therefore desired them to choose a fit person to be their Speaker, and to pre