White from the committee made his ap- those sums were for the defraying of the pearance at the bar, and presented a list expences of former years unprovided for, of the members selected, which was read and what he alluded to was the charge for by the Speaker, and which was as follows: the current year. viz. Sir F. Fletcher Vane, W. Jacob, esq. Mr. Calcraft repeated, that he would hon. W. Howard, A. Atherley, esq. A. make himself master of this subject, and Tower, esq. T. R. Beaumont, esq. earl endeavour to account to the hon. gent. for Percy, J. H. Tremayne, sir J. Lubbock, that which now appeared to him to be so hon. A. Foley, lord Walpole, G. Jones, extraordinary, The resolutions were then J. Barry, esq. J. Raine, esq. W. Dicken-agreed to. son, esq.: the two last names were ap- [MILITARY ESTABLISHMENTS.] Lord pointed nominees. The Exchequer Bills Castlereagh gave notice, that on Monday bill, and the Annual Indemnity bill, were he would move for returns of the present read a second time. effective state of our Military Establish ment.-As the noble lord sat down, Mr.Se cretary Windham entered the house, upon which he again rose, and observed, that had the right hon. secretary been in his place when he gave his notice, he would have put the question to him, which he would now. He wished to know whether it was in the contemplation of his majesty's ministers to carry into execution the Training Act passed in the last session, or to substitute some other means of military defence?

[ORDNANCE ESTIMATES.] Mr. Hobhouse brought up the report of the committee of supply on the Ordnance Estimate.The first resolution being put,

Mr. Johnstone observed, that there were two charges which appeared to him to require some explanation. Among the stores sent to Ceylon, amounting to 59,400%. he observed some gun-powder, estimated at 4,000l. Now it seemed very improvident to send out so much powder from this country, when it might have been sent to Ceylon at a much cheaper rate from some of our Settlements in the East Indies. This was the first charge which struck him with surprise. The second was this; he observed that for worms, turn-screws, &c. the charge for the service of Ireland was about 7,000l. while that for England was only 1,000l. This required explanation.

Mr. Secretary Windham replied, that he did not know that any other measure was in contemplation; that it was probable the operation of the Training act might be extended to Scotland; and that he had no doubt in that case the people of that country would cheerfully support their share of the burthen.

Mr. Calcraft replied to the first observa- Lord Castlereagh fancied that he had not tion of the hon. gent. that all stores fur-made himself perfectly understood by the nished for foreign service were done so right hon. gent. His question did not rẻ- · under an order from the secretary of state's late to the suspension, or to the execution office; but that not having that order then of the Training act in Scotland. What he about him, he was unable to produce it. asked was, whether or not it was intendAs to the difference between the charge of ed to carry it into execution in this counworms and turn-screws, &c. for England and try? for Ireland, he rather supposed, that a part Mr. Windham observed, that it was at of the charge for the former country was this moment in a course of execution in included in the sums provided for in the this country: to what extent, must be subother resolutions. But he would make en-ject to the discretion of the executive goquiry into this subject, and would be happy vernment, who would, in this case, be to give the hon. gent. every information in guided by circumstances. As far as tahis power. king the names, and balloting from the --Mr. Johnstone not only thought, that lists, the measure would be put into com sending powder from this island to Ceylon plete activity. was an oversight, but that the whole sum Lord Castlereagh again enquired, whether voted for the Ordnance Service of Ceylon, it was meant to carry the measure into exwas too large to pass without animadversion.ecution in a military sense, or merely to With regard to the other sums, he sup- confine it to the obtaining of names and posed that they were not correctly particu- a consequent ballot. Did his majesty's larized in the resolution; for it was impos-ministers intend that the Training should sible they could form a part of the sums take place?

provided for in the other resolutions, as Mr. Windham repeated, that the extent

of the operation of the act must be regu-notice that he would, on Monday, move to lated by circumstances. That as it was bring in a bill for correcting an error in an not likely that any material circumstances act of the 42d of the king, for regulating would occur, it was assuredly the intention controverted elections, as relating to Ireof government to carry the measure into land. The object of this bill would be to as complete execution as it was ever pro- supply a defect in the said act, for though posed to do. At no time was it likely the commissioners were sworn to act, they that it would extend to the whole of the were not empowered to administer an oath kingdom. to the clerk who attended to take down the evidence; to einpower them to administer this oath, was the object of the bill he hoped to have the honour of submitting to that house, Mr. Adam moved that the order for the consideration of the petition, complaining of an undue election for Aberdeen, be deferred from the 23d instant

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Friday, January 9. [MALT DUTY BILL.] The order for committing the Malt Duty bill, which also purported to be a bill for removing doubts respecting the issue of certain Exchequer bills, and for other purposes, having been to the 26th of March. In answer to a read, question from a member, to whom it ap The Lord Chancellor left the woolsack,peared that the practice of the house, as to call the attention of the house to this laid down a few days since in the Thetford bill, which appeared to contain matter fo- case, was against the enlargement, unless reign to the object of a money bill. His some special cause was assigned, Mr. lordship moved that the standing order Adam stated the distance of the place, and respecting bills of this description should the necessity of having the attendance of be read. The standing order was accord- Scotch lawyers, who could not attend till ingly read by the clerk, declaring, that to after the rising of the session. After a few insert in money bills, clauses foreign to the observations from Mr. W. Dundas, the moobjects of those bills, was unparliamentary, tion was agreed to.-Mr. Wingfield preand destructive of the constitution of par-sented a petition, praying an enlargement liament. The noble and learned lord said of time for entering into recognizances to it would be wasting the time of their lord-prosecute the petition, complaining of an ships for him to attempt to prove, what undue election for the borough of Penrhyn. must be obvious to the house, that clauses The petition stated, that the petitioners were inserted in this bill, which had no relation to its object as a money bill, and which therefore rendered it obnoxious to the standing order of the house which bad just been read. He therefore moved that the bill be rejected, which was ordered accordingly,

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

had completed their recognizance, and sent it up to their agent before their petition had been presented; but that this recognizance was considered as informal, and could not be received. The distance of the place, and the length of time taken in the conveyance by the post, had rendered the remainder of the time limited by act of parliament too short. Mr. W. moFriday, January 9. ved for an enlargement of the time to the [MINUTES.] Sir J, Newport, took the 19th instant. After a few observations oaths and his seat. The hon. baronet, from Mr. Swan, the sitting member, who upon taking his seat, informed the house thought the petitioners had not used all that having been returned for Waterford due diligence to correct their first oversight, and also for St. Mawes, he made his elec-and from Mr. Perceval, who recommended tion for the city of Waterford. A new writ was ordered to be issued, to elect a member for the county of Sussex, in the room of general Lenox, who was called to the upper house, as succeeding to the title and honours of the dukedom of Richmond.-Mr. Dickenson informed the house, that being chosen to serve in Parliament for the borough of Lestwethiel and the county of Somerset, he made his election for the latter place.--Sir J. Newport gave

a cautious investigation of all grounds assigned for departing from the law, the motion was agreed to. On the motion of Mr, Vansittart, the resolution of the committee of supply, on the 1st of Jan. for continuing the usual duties on malt, was read. Mr. V. then stated, that, in consequence of circumstances, into which it was unnecessary for him to enter, the bill already brought in on this resolution had been lost in another place. he therefore

moved for leave to bring in another bill, land, and 70001. for Ireland, for worms, which was granted. turn-screws, &c. it was to be considered, [BATTLE OF MAIDA.] Mr. Wilder, that of the supplies hitherto furnished for seeing the right hon. secretary for the war the service of England, 9,1007. remained department in his place, wished to be in-unexpended, so that towards the custoformed by him, why the name of colonel, mary annual supply there was but a deficit now general Oswald, had been omitted in of 9001., whereas, there was no remainder the vote of thanks for the glorious victory to supply the yearly demand for Ireland; of Maida, to the achievement of which this statement, however, as it stood, put his conduct and gallantry had materially in this case the Ordnance Estimates of contributed. England to those of Ireland in the ratio of 7 to 3, which he was free to acknowledge was by no means in the due proportion. As to the officers of Ordnance, in Ireland, they were entitled to every praise for the strictest economy, and the most laudable attention to the duties of the department. If blame, therefore, was justly to attach itself to any quarter, it would rather belong to this side. He confessed that, upon this head, he was not sufficiently prepared, to be as satisfactory as he could wish, not having had sufficient time to possess himself of the fullest information upon the subject; he should, however, take the earliest opportunity to enable him to account for this apparent disproportion.

Mr. Secretary Windham said, it had been his wish, in framing the vote of thanks, to go as far as any former precedent would warrant him in mentioning the officers concerned, by name. No officer of a lower rank than major-general was mentioned by name in any former vote of thanks. But, as the rank of brigadier-general had been recently introduced into our service, he thought we might with propriety extend the compliment to that also. Colonel Oswald was not at the time actually a brigadier-general, though acting in that rank with great credit to himself, and great be.nefit to the service. The circumstances he mentioned were the only causes of the comission, and he hoped this explanation, which he was happy to have the opportunity of making, would prove perfectly satisfactory to the feelings of the hon. gent. behind him, and of every friend of that gallant and meritorious officer.

Mr. Johnstone felt much obliged by the great anxiety the hon. gent. had evinced to give him and the house every satisfaction relative to the questions he took the liberty of putting to him yesterday. It was, however, very natural for him to suppose Mr. Wilder said, he was perfectly satis-that in that country, where the material of fied with the explanation given by the right which the gunpowder was made was to be hon. secretary. had, it could be furnished at a cheaper [ORDNANCE ESTIMATES.] Mr. Cal-rate than it could be contracted for in Engcraft, seeing an hon. gent. in his place land. As to the requisition forwarded by (Mr. Johnstone), said he should take that the governor of Ceylon, he did not think opportunity of giving the hon. gent. every that the responsibility to that house rested satisfactory explanation as to the questions upon the governor, but upon the ministers, which the hon. gent. had thought it ne- who were bound to judge of the propriety cessary to put to him yesterday, with re- of acceding to it. This, too, he felt it nespect to the item for powder in the charges cessary to add, that he had the fullest refor the island of Ceylon. The hon. gent.liance in the capability of the governor of asked, why the necessary supply of gun-Ceylon, and thought that that gentleman powder had not been furnished by some of had given proofs of a strict economy. our settlements in the East Indies: to that Mr. Calcraft said, that he had only to question the best answer would be the sim-repeat that English gunpowder had been ple statement of the fact, that the governor of that island had required a supply of English gunpowder, in preference to that of our Eastern settlements, owing to the superior quality of the former; and this too, not so much from the comparative excellence of our gunpowder, as the positive Saturday, January 10. inferiority of that formerly supplied by the [MINUTES.] Mr. Hobhouse presented settlements. As to the apparent dispro- a petition from the provost, &c. of the portion in the charges of 1000l. for Eng-city of Edinburgh, praying for leave to

sent out to the Island of Ceylon, upon the positive orders of the governor, founded upon reasons already specified, that appeared to the government convincing.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

bring in a bill for the improvement of Leith | might have been made, of which the house Harbour. Referred to a committee. Mr. ought to be in possession previous to the Hobhouse brought up the report of the second reading of the bill. His lordship 10,500,000l. Exchequer Bills bill. The concluded by moving an address to his ma amendments were agreed to, and a clause jesty, praying that he would be graciously added, providing that the bill might be al-pleased to order to be laid before the house, tered, amended, or repealed by any bill or copies of all communications, which had bills to be passed in the present session of passed between his majesty and foreign parliament. The bill was then ordered to powers respecting the Abolition of the be engrossed, and read a third time on Slave Trade, in consequence of the address : Monday. Mr. Vansittart brought up the of that house. Malt Duty bill, without the exceptionable clauses, which had caused the former bill to be thrown out in the lords, on the motion of the lord chancellor. It was read a first time.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Lord Grenville said, he was not aware of any material objection to the noble lord's motion. With respect to France, the fact was, that during the late negociation with the government of that country, communications on this subject did take place, to the production of which he saw no objection. As to Spain and Holland, the noble [ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE.] lord had justly supposed that no commuOn the motion of lord Grenville, the se-nications had taken place. With respect cond reading of the bill for the Abolition to Portugal, it was not thought expedient of the Slave Trade was appointed for Fri- to make any communication on the subday se'nuight, for which day the lords were ordered to be summoned.

Monday, January 12.

ject during the negociation with France; and the fact was that none had since been Lord Hawkesbury adverted to the two made. With respect to the United States resolutions adopted by the house last ses- of America, communications had certainly sion; the one declaring that the Slave passed during the negociation between the Trade ought to be abolished; and the plenipotentiaries of this country and the other, to address his majesty to make such United States; and this subject actually communications to Foreign powers as his formed one of the articles of the treaty. majesty should deem advisable, with the which had been signed by those plenipoview of procuring the Abolition of the tentiaries. The only difficulty he had in Slave Trade. With respect to the second acceding to the noble lord's motion was, of these resolutions, he thought the house that this article could not be produced, as ought to be informed of what had been it was well known that a treaty signed by done in pursuance of it, or whether any plenipotentiaries could not regularly be laid thing had been done. This information before parliament until ratified by the rehe conceived not only those noble lords spective governments. The motion was who were hostile to the abolition, but also then agreed to. those who were friendly to that measure, would wish to have. There were five powers who were materially interested in the Slave Trade, namely, Portugal and the United States of America, France, Spain, and Holland; Denmark and Sweden had also some interest in the trade, but it was of a subordinate nature. With respect to Spain and Holland, he could readily conceive that there had been no means of making any communication on the subject to, these powers. As to France, he did not know whether, during the late negociation with the government of that country, there was any communication upon this subject made, and this was a point upon which he thought the house ought to be informed. So also with respect to the United States of America, and Portugal, communications

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Monday, January 12. [CHARGES AGAINST MR. CAWTHORNE.] General Porter rose to postpone until Wednesday se'nnight the motion of which he had given notice for Wednesday next, on the subject of colonel Cawthorne's Court Martial. This postponement the hon. officer stated to be necessary, as many members could not, in consequence of the quarter sessions, conveniently attend the discussion of this question sooner..

Mr. Cawthorne expressed his wish that the hon. general would make up his mind and determine finally on the time when he was to bring forward his motion. The house would be aware how disagreeable must be the state of suspence in which he

was placed by having the motion put off from time to time. Nearly ten days had already elapsed since the hon. general had given his notice, and it was not without surprise, therefore, that he found him now proposing further delay.

Lord Folkestone replied, that his motion would refer to the re-printing of the several papers connected with the Oude charge; namely, numbers 3, 4, and 5. With respect to any subsequent proceeding, he believed that none was likely to be taken for General Porter said, that his only object some time. The house was aware that the in proposing the delay was, in order to in- hon. gent. (Mr. Paull) with whom this bu sure a full attendance, which he deemed siness originated was now a petitioner, and highly desirable upon this occasion, and until that petition was decided, it was not which could not be looked for if the dis-intended to ground any measure upon the cussions were to occur while the quarter-papers to which this notice related. But sessions were pending.

yet, to prevent any delay hereafter, it was Mr. Cawthorne declared that he was as thought expedient that those documents anxious as any man, that the discussion of should be fully before the house, in order the case alluded to should have as full an that, if the hon. gent. already alluded to attendance as possible; for without any should be in a situation to prosecute this reference to himself, he thought it involved important enquiry, he might be enabled to a question of very great moment. Putting proceed at once, unimpeded by the proentirely out of view the consideration of crastination which the printing of papers holding any member of that house, or any upon this subject had so often produced in persons whatever whose character was im- the course of the last parliament; and in plicated, one moment more than was in-order also that if Mr. Paull should not be dispensably necessary in a state of suspence, in a situation to follow up this business, he he submitted to the candour and judge-himself (lord Folkestone), or some more ment of the house, whether there was not competent person, might be furnished with something in the course of this proceeding which justified complaint. The hon. gent. gave notice of this proceeding, in the first instance, in a way certainly very unusual, at a time when the members were very little likely to have any knowledge of it, namely, after the debate had closed on Tuesday morning, and after almost all the members had retired. Not a word of it appeared in the morning papers, in which accounts of the proceedings of that house generally appeared: and if it were not for some gentlemen who happened to perceive the insertion of this notice in the book upon the table, the thing would have been very little known indeed.

General Porter repeated the grounds which induced him to postpone his motion; adding, that he would certainly bring for ward the motion upon Wednesday se'nnight.

the means of proceeding upon it. The noble lord concluded with expressing a belief that he had fully replied to the en quiry of the noble secretary of state, and expressed a readiness to afford any further information in his power upon the subject.

Lord Howick apprehended that the rea sons stated by the noble lord could not be considered a sufficient parliamentary ground for the proposition he professed to have in view. It did indeed appear to him quite without precedent to make a motion for the production and printing of certain papers upon which the mover did not state that any direct proceeding was to be instituted, but merely upon the chance that another gentleman not a member of that house, might ground some proceeding upon them. This, however, he felt was not the proper time to argue the question; but he could not help observing, that the course proposed must be attended with extreme hardship to the party concerned in the case to which the notice referred. For that house was to be called on to promote the circulation of the most severe attacks upon the character of the noble person al◄ Lord Howick expressed a wish to know luded to. The effects of such publications from the noble lord, with what view he pro- were easily to be estimated, and he would posed to bring forward the motion of which submit whether they could he in fairness he bad given notice, and what was the na-acceded to, without any precise statement ture of the measure he meant to found that a parliamentary measure would be upon the papers to which his notice referred? founded upon them, or without any defi

[CONDUCT OF LORD WELLESLEY.] Lord Folkestone gave notice of his intention to move, on that day fortnight, for the re-printing of certain papers which had been printed last session, relative to the Oude charge exhibited against marquis Wellesley.

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