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deprecated any other, contending as he did, that the preservation of the finances was the preservation of the throne and of the people; of all the various altars of the nation, and of all its sacred and proud institutions; and, in fine, of the empire itself; and that those who advocated the reform of the finances were the best friends and truest supporters of the whole fabric; of the most splendid monarchy and system of freedom ever erected at the shrine of integrity.

tended to be, the means of defeating his object altogether; and he was, therefore, determined not to agree to that measure. With the leave of the House he would, therefore, withdraw his present motion, and hoped he might, to avoid any loss of time, be permitted to move immediately for leave to bring in a bill to abolish in perpetuity the granting of offices in reversion.

cause in adopting such a course, that
House would be assuming to itself a legis-
lative power, and that, at a time, when
they knew the other branch of the legisla-
ture would not agree to it.
If his hon.
friend was determined to bring in a new
bill, he thought the proper time for him
to move his amendment to make it a bill
of suspension for a limited time, would be
when the motion should be made; and,
therefore, the business could not, he
thought, be regularly brought on to-night.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, he had no constitutional objection to the bringMr. Whitbread, before the question shoulding in of such a bill; but there was too be put, begged to say a very few words. much reason to believe, from what had He held in his hand a paper, which in- been seen by the Lords' Journals, that the formed him of the objection which caused bill would again be thrown out in that the bill sent up from that House during House. He should still object also to prothe present session to be rejected in ano-ceeding by address, and not by bill, bether House. He found that objection was merely a technical one. What was the reason for rejecting the bill to the same effect that had originated in that House, he could not say. The objection, however, being only technical, he could see no reason why another bill should not be brought in, to abolish reversions in perpetuity. He was sorry he was not in the House when the hon. gent. brought forward the present motion, as thereby be was not aware of the hon. gentleman's reasons for preferring the course he had taken; but if the hon. gent. would shortly re-state those reasons, in the manner which the courtesy of the House usually allowed, on such occasions, he would be much obliged to him. He was sorry to give the hon. gent. so much trouble, but if he would consent to withdraw his present motion, and bring in a bill for the abolition in perpetuity, he thought he would find it the most efficacious mode of proceeding. Those who wished for a bill of suspension were the greatest enemies to the abolition. He would not, therefore, trust himself among enemies again with a bill of suspension, but would rather proceed by address, if one of these two modes must be adopted.

Mr. Bankes said, that his reason for moving an address was, that he thought it the best course the House could pursue, to obtain the object they had in view. If, however, it was the opinion of the House, or of his hon. friends near him, that bringing in a new bill for the abolition of reversions in perpetuity would be a better measure, it would be perfectly agreeable to him, and he should have no objection to withdraw his motion. He thought a suspending bill would be, and was in

The Speaker said, that before he put the question for withdrawing the motion, it might, perhaps, as some allusions had been made to the technical objection raised in another place, be necessary for him to say a few words on that subject. He should not mention any name as to place or person, because as that House did not suffer any reference to be made to what passed there, it was incumbent on them to pay the same respect to the proceedings elsewhere. The bill then was, before it was sent up to the other House, submitted to his consideration in point of matter of form. He said he could have wished it to have been an entire new bill, in which no notice whatever had been taken of any former proceeding on the subject; but as the bill had been thus brought in, and had made its progress through the House, he thought that it was perfectly regular in point of form; and whatever might have been said by any other person, in any other place, upon that head, he still continued of the same opinion. He was confirmed in it from the long course of practice which had prevailed in the House, in passing perpetuating bills in the cases of expiring laws; and so long as the House continued in the same course, so long

should he persist in maintaining the same opinion.

The motion was then, with the leave of the House, withdrawn, and Mr. Bankes gave notice, that he would, on Tuesday next, move for leave to bring in his bill.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Thursday, March 8.

[THE ARMY.] The Earl of Darnley said, it was not his intention, on this occasion, to occupy much of their Lordships time, but seeing several of his Majesty's ministers in their places, he would put to them a question relative to a rumour generally prevalent; whether it was purposed to send every disposable soldier, fit for foreign service, out of the country? To this question they might return what answer they should think fit; they might answer it in the negative, or not at all; but he should take an opportunity, if he were not satisfied, to draw their Lordships' attention more directly to the subject.

The Earl of Liverpool observed, he was not persuaded there was much propriety in putting such a question upon the authority of public rumour. He had only to answer that the noble lord might rest satisfied that no soldier would be sent on foreign service, without regard to our own security, which would always demand the particular care of his Majesty's government.

The Earl of Durnley replied, that the answer returned by the noble earl, induced him to think, it would be necessary to call their Lordships' attention to the subject. It was a question of serious consideration for the House to come to a decision whether they would place blind confidence in those ministers who had so wasted and destroyed the resources of the country and the numbers of our army, He should, therefore, to-morrow, express his sentiments, on the ground of what had come to his knowledge upon the subject; and he moved, "That the Lords be summoned accordingly."-Ordered.

[ROMAN CATHOLIC PETITION.] Lord Grenville rose to present a Petition on behalf of the Roman Catholics of the county and city of Waterford. His lordship wished to take the present opportunity of re-stating his opinions upon this important subject. Indeed it could scarcely now be necessary for him to re-state them to their Lordships. He had some time back adopted the most public mode of declar

ing and dissemniating them (by his letter to lord Fingal), and he had now only to say, that whatever circumstances had since intervened, he not only had not altered those opinions, but they had been strengthened and confirmed. He had maturely weighed those opinions. They had not been lightly taken up. Much less had he since made any attempt to change their character and complexion, with a view to square them to any new doctrine, or to suit them to any new purpose. In the sentiments he had invariably expressed on this most important subject, he should most steadily persevere; at the same time it was not his intention to ground any measure on the present Petition, but merely to move that it do lie on their Lordships' table.

The Petition was then read, and ordered to lie on the table.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Thursday, March 8.

[THANKS TO LIEUT. GEN. SIR STAPLETON COTTON AND BRIG. GEN. ANSON.] Lieut.gen. sir Stapleton Cotton, bart. and brig.general George Anson being come to the House, Mr. Speaker acquainted them, that the House had upon the 1st of Feb. last resolved, That the Thanks of this House be given to them for their distinguished exertions on the 27th and 28th of July last in the memorable battle of Talavera, which terminated in the signat defeat of the forces of the enemy; and Mr. Speaker gave them the Thanks of the House accordingly as followeth, viz.

"Lieutenant-general sir Stapleton Cotton, and Brigadier-general Anson.

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Upon your return from the eventful wars of Spain, whatever variance of opinion, whatever alternation of hopes and apprehensions you may have found to prevail in this country respecting the progress and final issue of that awful contest, nevertheless, your distinguished conduct and services have not failed to call forth one universal expression of applause and admiration.-The British cavalry has been long renowned in war. Victorious in other times over the troops of France, it feared not again to meet its former rivals, flushed even as they were with the pride of conquest, and the spoil of many nations. Led by your swords it again displayed a strength and valour irresistible in the shock of arms, and renewed its ancient triumphs in the hard-fought field

of Talavera. When the history of these
memorable days shall be read by our latest
descendents, be assured, that your names
will be repeated with exultation, and your
deeds recounted in the list of those heroic
achievements.-You serve not an un-
grateful country. It well knows that mi-
litary fame is national power. And this
House, ever prompt to proclaim its grati-
tude for eminent services in war, has
therefore conferred upon you the honour
of its unanimous Thanks. And I do now
accordingly, in the name and by the com-
mand of the Commons of the United
Kingdom, thank you for your distinguish-
ed exertions on the 27th and 28th days of
July last in the memorable battle of Tala-
ra, which terminated in the signal de-
feat of the forces of the enemy."
Upon which Lieut.-General sir Stapleton
Cotton said,

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ledgments for the very handsome and polite manner in which you have conveyed to me the sentiments of this House, and for the many very gratifying expressions with which you have accompanied the communication of this most flattering distinction."

Ordered, nem. con. That what has been now said by Mr. Speaker, together with the Answers thereto, be printed in the Votes of this day.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Friday March 9,

[ADMIRALTY COURT.] Lord Cochrane moved for several additional papers relative to the proceedings in the prize courts upon thevessel called the Two Sisters, and various others, and gave notice of an intention to move that the subject be referred to a Committee. These papers were necessary for the elucidation of those which had been produced by the gentlemen on the other side. He repeated some of his former statements respecting the convoy taken in the Baltic, and as to the injurious effects which the abuses in the court of admiralty had upon the energy of the navy, and affirmed that greater exertions could be made with a far less number of ships, and a much less expence if these discouragements were removed. He added the revenues of France from her customs, that, which flourished under the present system,would by the correction of the abuses in prize proceedings be almost destroyed, and our own revenues augmented in proportion.

Mr. Speaker; In endeavouring to express my sense of the very high honour which has been conferred upon me, and which has been communicated to me by you, Sir, in so flattering a manner, I fear I shall fall far short of what my feelings are upon this occasion.-To receive the thanks of parliament is one of the highest rewards to which a soldier can aspire; and believe me, Sir, I shall ever consider it my greatest pride to have been so honoured: This, I may venture to say, is the feeling of all my brother officers and soldiers who had the good fortune to be commanded by one of the most able and distinguished generals that has adorned the annals of this country, and who will, I trust (should an opportunity offer), again prove to the world that a British army is not to be beat by a French force of double its numbers." Brigadier-General Anson then said, "Mr. Speaker; That any part of my professional conduct should have been deemed worthy the particular notice of this House, and of my country, is no less honourable than gratifying to my feelings: Imust, however, be allowed to confess myself more indebted for this distintinguished honour to the exertions of those brave soldiers with whom I had the glory of being associated, than to any particular merit attached to myself individually.-I beg to express to this honourable House the high sense I entertain of the honour it has conferred upon me; and that it will ever be the pride of my life to have been thought, in the slightest degree, deserving of its good opinion. To you, Sir, I must beg to make my warmest acknow-wished the name of that person should be

Mr. Rose had no objection to the production of such of the papers as were now in the admiralty court.

Sir John Nicholls observed, that the person to whom the noble lord alluded as having derived a very large share of the profits of the condemnation of several vessels, had been properly rewarded in this manner, because it was by his means that the evidence was obtained which caused their condemnation. He had been employed in neutralizing many of the enemy's ships, and offered, on terms, to secure evidence, not only of their being enemy's property, but also to discover several that had been neutralized by others. He accordingly went to the continent, and very ingeniously drew the French minister of marine into a correspondence which brought the truth to light.

He

kept as secret as possible. He saw no use in calling for these papers, as the matters to which they referred were explained by the papers already on the table; but he would not object to the production of them. Even if the noble lord, howeven, succeeded in proving his allegations the judge of the admiralty would not be affected because overcharges and such matters of practice did not come regularly under his cognizance. He then passed a high eulogium on the character and abilities of the judge of the adiniralty court, who, by a course of decisions which were published, had established a system of maritime jurisprudence, that shewed the world that we were not the tyrants of the seas, but that our proceedings were founded in justice and moderation. Notwithstanding the interference of his duties with the interests of the people of other nations, there was no man whose character stood higher either in Europe or on the other side of the Atlantic than that of the judge of the admiralty. He hoped the noble lord, therefore, would see the propriety of abstaining from indiscriminate censures upon the court of admiralty, as this might be extremely injurious to the public service.

Sir Charles Pole stated, that he had a paper in his hand from a person whom the right hon. gent. opposite (Mr. Rose) had accused of charging more than the king's proctor, representing him as having charged 50 guineas for a memorial. The paper stated that this person had never charged more than two guineas for any single memorial. If he had made a charge of 50 guineas, therefore, it must have included a variety of items in several causes. Mr. Rose said, that he had spoken from an account given in to the register of the admiralty on oath, where a memorial was set down, 50 guineas. This, however, might admit of explanation. He maintained, that if the business carried on by the king's proctor should be thrown open, the consequence would be extremely injurious to the navy, and to the interests of commerce, as the ships of innocent persons would be almost perpetually brought in for adjudication, to the detriment of the captors and merchants. He now, how ever, had almost daily before him cases of charges in prize proceedings, and he pledged himself to the navy and to the country, to bring these, where they seemed improper, before the admiralty court, and procure redress and a steady system of

charge for the future. He would either do justice to the navy on this point, or prove that the complaints of the noble lord were unfounded. He also paid a high compliment to the ability, industry, and integrity of the judge of the admiralty court, who was highly respected all over the world-even by the enemy. A near relation of his having been lately in Ame rica, had remarked on his coming home, that it was singular that notwithstanding the great number of American vessels brought before the admiralty court, there was no man more esteemed in that country than his hon. friend near him (Sir W. Scott.)

Lord Cochrane observed, with reference to what had fallen from the hon. gent. opposite (sir John Nicholls), that it was improper that the navy should be obliged to pay spies. They ought to be paid by the government. Another hon. gent. (Mr. Rose) had admitted that there were abuses in the admiralty court, and, he trusted therefore, he would not oppose the going into a committee to correct them. He repeated his assertions as to the excellent effects which the correction of these abuses would have upon the energies of the navy, and affirmed, that in the way of capture, a well manned frigate, under proper encouragement, would do more than the whole channel fleet did at present.

He

Sir W. Scott observed with some warmth, that the noble lord had taken merit to himself for having brought forward the accusation at the end of last session. could not concur in the opinion that the noble lord deserved approbation on that account. It was brought forward at a time when it was impossible that the necessary means could be used to repel it; and thus the accusation hung over him for six months, and as his friends could not be all aware how very unfounded these charges were, the accused was in some measure in the situation of an excommunicated person. He could not therefore agree that the noble lord had treated him in this business with candour or justice. In the early part of this session, the noble lord had taken an opportunity of repeating all the invectives before the time came when they could be answered. He had now however, brought his facts before the House in the papers laid on the table; and the result was, that though they should be all proved to the utmost extent, the cha racter of the judge and of the court of

noble lord would recollect, that it was the province of that court to maintain the maritime rights of this country, and that this could not be done without exciting a

if these imputations were perpetually thrown out against it, neutral nations would not submit with any degree of patience. The profession the noble lord had chosen was most honourable, and he (sir William Scott) had, in his humble sphere, been as attentive as possible to its interests. But such imputations as these might produce dangerous impressions in the lower orders, for he could not suppose that the officers could be misled by them. What would be their feelings if they were really to believe that there was a general conspiracy in the admiralty court against them? The honourable judge concluded by repeating that even if the noble lord made out his case to the full extent (which he could not), the court of admiralty would not be at all affected.

Lord Cochrane explained.

Mr. William Smith had no doubt of the

admiralty would not be in the least affected by them. They were circumstances for which the judge was not at all responsible. The judge was only responsible for his own conduct and that of those act-good deal of irritation in neutrals. But ing under him, when regularly brought to his notice. The king's proctor and advocate were officers of the crown like the attorney and solicitor general. The court was not responsible for their conduct or charges, nor for the charges and conduct of any of those practising in it, except complaint was made to the judge. He had no more knowledge of these things than the noble lord himself. If any improper practices of this nature, supposing them to exist, (which he was far from believing to the extent stated by the noble lord) had been brought to his notice, and he had refused to do justice, then, indeed, ought he to hear the thunders of that House about his head, as he had heard the noble lord's invectives. As to the confining of captors to the king's proctor, he believed it to be a wise and prudent regulation; but still he had nothing to do with it. That did not in the least depend on him. This was an ordinance of the king in council, for which he was not responsible. For himself he would not object to the production of the papers now called for, though he'did not well see what good purpose they could serve. The noble lord had before called for all the papers relative to the matters of prize, which was in fact calling for all the records of the admiralty, which could not be examined. With all due respect for the noble lord's talents, and talents like his must ever be respected, however appreciated, he could not help wondering that he had ever proposed such a motion. There might possibly be some objectionable facts relative to proctor's bills, but what could the court of admiralty have done on that point, unless brought to its notice? The hon. judge then observed, that he did not mean to claim any particular respect for the admiralty court, but he submitted to the noble lord and the House, that it was necessary to the due administration of justice in that court, that it should be respected; and that no court could stand against these general imputations, which might produce an injurious impression non vi sed sape cadendo. These acts, as he said before, did not at all apply to the court, but even if they had done so to a certain extent, there was a respect due to a court of justice, which ought not to be forgotten. The

personal integrity of the judge in his pub-
lic and private capacity; but, he stated,
that he believed it to be the practice,
when a vessel was brought in and proved
to belong to a friendly power, and was
consequently discharged by the court, if
an appeal was lodged, and war broke out
with that power, pending the appeals, to
condemn the vessel as lawful prize.
knew of nothing more like public robbery
and piracy on the high seas, than such a
practice. This perhaps was also the prac-
tice of other nations, but it became this
country to set the example of a more li-
beral system. He did not, however, mean
to blame any particular judge or minister.

He

The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that with regard to the papers moved for, he would not object to their production, although he did not think that this House ought to be called upon in the first instance, to sit in judgment upon attorneys' and proctors' bills. When the papers

should be all before the House, it would be then fit to consider, whether to refer them to a committee, or remit the matter to the admiralty court.-There was another point also, to which he particularly begged the attention of the noble lord. He seemed to imagine that the French custom-houses were an ample source of revenue to that nation. But it appeared, from a statement of the French minister of finance, that the case was far otherwise,

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