T

HE Bishop of Rochester, after a short preface, moved, that the hearing of counsel and examining of witnesses on the Slave Trade be referred to a Committee above stairs, and that the Lords who have attended part of this session do form such Committee.

The Duke of Clarence, and, the Earl of Mansfield, Lords Thurlow and Kinnoul, opposed; Lords Abingdon, Grenville, and the Bishop of London, spoke in favour of the motion. The House then divided. Contents 14, Not Contents 44.

II. A few private bills being read, their Lordships proceeded to the examination of evidence on the Slave Trade. Mr. Dunlop, who had resided many years in the West Indies, being called to the bar, the Duke of Clarence, the Bishop of Rochester, Lords Mansfield, Stanhope, &c. asked the evidence several questions; after which the House adjourned...

13. Resolved into a Committee of the whole House on the African Slave Trade, when Mr. Franklyn was called to the bar, and underwent a long examination ; after which the further proceeding on this business was postponed to the 8th of April

next.

18. Lord Guildford desired, that the heads of those treaties which had been entered into with several Foreign Powers might be read, which being done, his Lordship entered at great length into the subject, and moved, That the treaties made with Foreign Powers had an obvious tendency to make us principals in the war, and adopt and support those views which such powers might have had before we entered into it; motives which had been disavowed repeatedly by his Majesty's ministers.

A debate of some length took place, when the House divided, Contents 9, Noncontents 96.

20. Lord Auckland moved, that copies be laid upon the table of the accounts of Slave-conveyance ships, cleared out from the ports of Great Britain, with their tonnage, together with the slaves imported into the British West-India islands, in the years 1789, 1790, 1791, 1792, and in 1793, as far as the accounts are made up. Ordered.

21. The Duke of Norfolk presented a petition from the Hon. Mr. Howard, pray ing the House to dissolve the marriage contracted between him and Lady Elizabeth Howard, on the ground of adultery.

24. Several bills were read a second time, after which the most noble Charles Marquis Cornwallis, being robed, was introduced between the Marquisses of Stafford and Townshend, and, after the patent had been read in the usual form, he took the oaths and his seat, when the Lord Chancellor addressed him in the name of the King and the members of the House of Lords on his bravery as a General, and his ability as a Governor the Marquis made a short reply of gratitude to his Majesty and the House, for the honour they had conferred on him.

25. Lord Grenville presented a message from his Majesty, stating, that his Majesty had given orders for the augmentation of the land forces of this kingdom, to guard the country against the premeditated invasion of France, and would adopt measures to enable him to assemble a large body of troops in a short time, in case the design of our enemies should be put in practice. The message having been read, he moved, That an Address be presented to his Majesty for his gracious conmmunication, and that the message be taken into consideration on the morrow. Ordered.

Lord Stanhope rose to declare his abhorrence of the proposition of a noble Lord (Mansfield) on a former debate, which was, to promise assistance and support to any body of Frenchmen who would excite a civil war in France by declaring for monarchy. His Lordship said, that this being, in his opinion, contrary to the principles of Christianity VOL. II.

Pp

and morality, he meant to make it the subject of their Lordship's consideration, and therefore moved, That the House be summoned to attend on Friday the 4th of April next. Ordered.

26. Lord Grenville moved the Order of the Day, "That his Majesty's message should be taken into consideration," and the same being read, his Lordship, without any further preface moved, "That an humble Address should be presented to his Majesty, thanking him for his most gracious communication, and expressing that the House would most heartily support his Majesty in the measures proposed for prosecuting the present just and necessary war."

Lord Lauderdale objected to the latter words, as being no part of what he understood to be the purport of the noble Secretary's motion; and though he did not mean to object to an unanimity of Parliament in supporting this country against its enemy, when the Crown had declared the avowed intention of that enemy to invade us, yet he could not let this matter pass without observation.

Lord Sydney conceived it rather singular, that when Parliament had voted their sup. port to the present just and necessary war, any noble Lord should stand up in his place and desire the House to undo that which they had so immediately done. ..

Some other Lords spoke on the question, which being put, was carried nemîne dissentiente.

28. The Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Marquis of Stafford, being seated in their robes, gave the Royal assent by Commission to thirty-five public and private bills.

The Earl of Lauderdale, after a speech of some length, made a motion to the following effect: "That it is a dangerous and unconstitutional measure for the Executive Government to raise money for the embodying of forces without the consent of Parliament."

Lord Hawkesbury, and several other Peers, spoke against the motion, contending that contributions for the support of the State were not illegal, if such contributions were applied by Government in aid of measures already sanctioned by Parliament. The Earl of Derby supported the motion, which was negatived, 104 against 7..

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

March 3. Mr. East brought up a bill to prevent the removal of indigent persons from their places of residence till they became chargeable, which was read a first time, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. M. A. Taylor presented a petition from Mr. Christopher Atkinson, praying that the resolution by which he was expelled from the House might be expunged from its Journals. He briefly stated the circumstances which led to the conviction of Mr. Atkinson. He was found guilty of perjury, said to have been committed by him in swearing to the contents of an affidavit which had been made, in order that he might obtain a criminal information against Mr. Bennet, who, in the public prints, had accused him of malpractices as agent to the Victualling Office. Since that time, however, he had received the Royal Pardon, and his accounts had been allowed in the Court of Exchequer.

The petition was received, and ordered to lie on the table.

4. This being the last day for receiving private petitions, the House met early, and a great number were presented, and other private business transacted.

A petition was presented from the proprietors, renters, and creditors of the Royalty Theatre, for a bill to enable his Majesty to grant a licence for the said Theatre, which was read and ordered to lie on the table,

Mr. Pelbam presented a petition to the House from Mr. Matthew Bailey, and Mr. Edward Home, respecting the purchase of the late Mr. Hunter's Museum; the petition stated, that, under the will of Mr. Hunter, the Museum was devised to them to be disposed of for certain purposes. That it was first to be offered to the Government of this country, at whatever might be thought a fair price berween the contracting parties; in case our Government should refuse to purchase it, they were directed by

the will to offer it for sale to any Foreign Government that should choose to purchase. the same. The petition was ordered to lie on the table,

Mr. Fox presented a petition for leave to bring in a bill for building new streets, and widening the avenues leading to the New Theatre, which was stated to be necessary for the public convenience and safety. The petition was received, and ordered to lie on the table.

5. On the motion of Mr. Burke, a committee (consisting of the Managers for conducting the trial of Mr. Hastings) was appointed to inspect the Lords' Journals, as far as relates to the trial of Mr. Hastings, and to report their opinion thereon to the House.

The House having gone into a Committee of Ways and Means, Mr. Pitt observed, that the Committee of Supply had voted the sum of 1,500,000l. for the payment of Navy and Victualling Bills that were in circulation prior to the 31st of March 1793. He now proposed to make provision for that sum. He should state the nature of that fund out of which he meant to satisfy those Navy Bills. He proposed to do what was done in the years 1784 and 1785. And after conversing with those who were most deeply interested in this business, with those who were the principal b.ll-holders, he had every reason to suppose, that the terms he was about to propose would be agreeable to them, to wit, that they should have five per cent. stock at the value of 991. so, that he gave them 101l. for 1ool. the actual price of that stock being at present rather above par. He also stated, that it was proposed that all Navy Bills to be issued in future should bear interest (4 per cent.) from the moment they were issued; and that they should not be current for a longer period than fifteen months. The Committee voted pursuant to these propositions.

Mr. Pitt said, it had been at first proposed to impose a duty of so`much on each hundred of Slates, and on each ton of Stone and Marble; but on further consideration it was found that that mode of taxation would be attended with great inconvenience; and therefore it was now intended to tax those articles according to their value. He said, there was formerly a duty payable on those articles, the production of the Isles of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, imported into England. It was now. proposed to repeal that duty, and to make it the same with that to be paid in future in Great Britain. He therefore moved,

"That the Duties of Customs now chargeable on Slate, Stone, and Marble, of the, production of Guernsey, &c. imported in this kingdom, do cease, and be no longer paid or payable." Ordered.

That the Duty of Customs of 201. be charged on every 100l. of the true and real value of Slate, Stone, and Marble, the production of those islands, which shall be im→ ported into the kingdom."

Ordered.

Also, "That the Duty of 201. be chargeable on every rool. of the true and real value of all Slate, Stone, and Marble, carried by sea from any one port of this kingdom to any other port of the kingdom." Ordered.

The Committee further voted, "That the pay and clothing of the Militia for the year 1794 be defrayed out of the produce of the Land-tax."

6. Mr. Mainwaring moved for leave to bring in a bill to explain and amend the 29th of Charles II, for the better observance of the Sabbath. He drew a very pathetic picture of the journeymen bakers, who were obliged to sit up every night throughout the week, and to work on a Sunday. Leave was given, and Mr, Mainwaring and Sir James Sanderson were ordered to bring in the same.

Mr. Pitt moved for leave to bring in a bill to augment the Militia. After a few words from Mr. M. A. Taylor, Mr. Fox, Mr. Bouverie, &c. leave was given.

Mr. Whitbread the younger rose to make his promised motion relative to treaties. The Hon. Member took a view of the war from the moment this country entered into it, the progress of the same, and our allies, in order to shew that their objects were dif ferent from ours. After a variety of argu.nents and observations he moved, That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, to intreat him to make peace.

Mr. Jenkinson spoke against the motion; Mr. Taylor and Mr. Fox in support of it, on which the House divided: for the motion 26, against it 138.

7. The Chancellor of the Exchequer brought up a bill for augmenting the Militia, which was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Monday next, and to be printed.

Sir Francis Basset moved the Order of the Day, for the second reading of the bill for regulating the tolls to be granted to millers for grinding corn.

Mr. Smith opposed the principle of the bill, and stated several objections to it.

A short debate arose, in which the Attorney General, the Solicitor General, the Master of the Rolls, and Mr. Francis, opposed the bill, on the ground of its being an infringe、 ment on the rights of persons to private property.

Mr. Sheridan, Sir Francis Basset, and Mr. Hussey, supported it, on the ground of its being a necessary regulation, and for the relief of the poorer classes of society. The House divided, for the bill 30, against it 59. Bill lost.

Mr. Wilberforce moved the Order of the Day for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, on the bill for preventing the exportation of negroes from the coast of Africa in British ships, or by British subjects, to foreign territories. Colonel Tarleton opposed the motion, upon the ground that it was inimical to the interests of commerce, and a dangerous innovation at this period. The House divided, for the bill 40, against it 28.

The House being in a Committee, went through the bill with several amendments. The report was received immediately, and the bill was ordered to be recommitted on Friday next.

10. It was ordered, on the motion of Mr. Secretary Dundas, that the Bill for the better regulation of the conduct of Aliens, should be renewed.

Mr. Adam rose to bring forward his proposition relative to Mess. Muir and Palmer; he prefaced it with a speech of very great length, and moved, "That there be laid before the House a copy of the indictment, warrant of committal, plea, &c. verdict, and sentence, passed the 31st of August 1793, on Thomas Muir the younger, of Huntershill, &c."

The Lord Advocate of Scotland contended that the proceedings of the Court were in strict conformity to the known and established Law of Scotland, though perhaps not of this part of Great Britain.

A long debate then took place, which lasted till past three in the morning, when the question being loudly called for, the House divided: for the motion 34, against it 171. 12. The Penny Post Bill was read a third time and passed.

13. The House resolved itself into a Committee on the bill for an increase of the Militia, Mr. Minchin in the chair.

Mr. Powis was prepared, as far as he had read the bill, to give his hearty assent to it; He only wished to see a clause introduced to provide for the wives and children of such Militia-men as might be embodied under it, similar to that clause which was adopted

in the former bill.

Mr. Steele said he approved of the suggestion, and, as it was open to any member to move such a clause in that or any future stage of the bill, he should not fail to give it. his support.

Mr. M. A. Taylor declared, that he was a friend to the principle of the bill, but he thought it ought to name a description of men to be embodied under it, as by taking married men from their families, the parish would feel it exceedingly inconvenient, especially if their families were large.

The bill was then read clause by clause, the blanks filled up, agreed to, and ordered to be reported on Wednesday next.

14. Mr. Wilberforce moved to recommit the Slave Trade Bill; a short conversation ensued, after which the House divided; for the recommitment 74, against it 48.

The bill was then recommitted; several clauses were brought up and received; the Report of the Committee was afterwards brought up, and the bill was ordered to be read a third time on Monday.

Mr. Grey made his promised motion relative to the landing Hessian troops in this country. He did not call in question the prudence of the measure, or the conduct of ministers in bringing over these troops, but he wished to preserve the constitution,

by having the law upon the subject clearly ascertained. He maintained it to be illegal; and, in conclusion, moved for leave to bring in a bill to indemnify his Majesty's ministers for having introduced Foreign troops into the kingdom without the previous consent of Parliament.

Mr. Francis seconded the motion. A debate then ensued, in which Mr. Grenville, Mr. Anstruther, Mr. Powis, the Attorney General, and Mr. Pitt, opposed the motion; and Mr. Adair, Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Yorke, and Mr. Fox, supported it.

At two o'clock in the morning the House divided; for the motion 41, against it 170.

17. The Foreign Slave Trade Bill was read a third time, and passed.

General Fitzpatrick moved for an Address to his Majesty, stating the opinion of the House, that the detention of Mess. De la Fayette, Lameth, &c. by his Majesty's ally, the King of Prussia, was injurious to the cause of the combined powers, and beseeching his Majesty to take such steps, &c. therein as to his Royal wisdom shall seem most proper.

Colonel Tarleton seconded the motion. A debate then ensued, at the conclusion of which the House divided. Ayes 48, Noes 153.

20. A petition from the journeymen bakers against the Sunday Bill was presented, and referred to the Committee on the bill, and to be supported by Counsel.

The House having resolved itself into a Committee on the additional Paper Duty Bill, Mr. Brandling, having stated the existing and proposed duty on paper, conceived that the proposed duty should be equalized. The new tax on printing paper was, in his opinion, excessive, whilst that on writing and whited brown bore no proportion to it. He wished the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Rose) would consent to fill up the blanks in such a manner that the bill might be reported, and recommitted on a future day, that in the interval he might consult his constituents.

Mr. Rose said, the paper was arranged under three classes; the first included writing, copper-plate, and drawing paper; the second printing paper, which was divided into eleven classes; and the third comprehended whited brown. It was proposed to lay a tax on the first which would amount to twenty-seven per cent. on the second to forty-five per cent. and on the third id. per pound weight. It was not possible to equalize the duty so as to prevent fraud and evasion. This subject had been under consideration for two months, and the proposed mode was the only one that could be adopted.

Sir M. W. Ridley went into various calculations, in order to shew that the new duty on printing paper would amount to fifty per cent.

The bill was then read clause by clause, and ordered to be reported.

21. Mr. Pitt delivered a message from the King, which stated that his Majesty had appropriated the house lately inhabited by the Duke of Newcastle, for the use of the Speaker of the House of Commons for the time being.

Lord Frederick Campbell, after paying a very handsome compliment to the Speaker, moved an Address of Thanks to his Majesty, which was agreed to nem. con.

Mr. Sheridan asked, whether the copy of the circular letter to the Lord Lieutenants of counties for subscriptions would be laid before the House. Mr. Pitt answered, that every proper communication would in due time be produced.

Fresh opposition was made to the system adopted in the Paper Bill by Mr. Brandling, and other members.for northern towns and counties.

Mr. Sheridan likewise wished newspapers to be exempted from the additional tax, as they paid a heavy stamp-duty, and ought not to be taxed doubly. Mr. Brandling moved the recommittal of the bill. Mr. Pitt and Mr. Rose opposed it,

Mr. Brandling's motion was negatived; and the Report of the Committee received.

24. The Report of the Committee on the Bill for funding part of the Navy Debt was received, and, with a clause suggested by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, enacting that no Navy Bills should be made payable at a later date than fifteen months after April next, was agreed to by the House.

Mr. Thompson moved, "That there be laid before the House a list of all foreigners ordered to quit the country under the powers of the Alien Bill, which, after a short debate, was negatived without a division."