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hat it had been delivered three hours before to a person n the city, who had sent it to Poole; he would not tell to whom, but added, "if it is any satisfaction to you to know, it is gone in opposition to you.

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M.. Lowien was then called in, and in the course of a long examination, frequently interrupted by questions of law and of form, stated, that he neither directed Brundrett to take out the writ, nor knew who did, of his own now. ledge. On being asked, whether having stated to Mr. Jeffery" that the writ had been sent to Poole three hours before," he had himself sent, or was privy to its being sent by any other person, Mr. Lowten begged to know, what the honourable member meant by the word privy (a loud laugh). On being informed that it was meant to inquire, whether he had any knowledge, direct or indirect, he said he had not, that he had merely ordered Brundrett to give it to the persons in the city who had employed him to take it out. He could not answer precisely what he had said to the honourable member; he had, he believed, said, that the writ had been sent into the city three hours before. He had not said it had been sent to Poole, at least he knew nothing of the fact of its having been so sent. The honourable member was very pertinacious, and would not take the answer thus given him, but Mr. Lowton told him he would give him no other. He did not say the writ was gone, in opposition to the honourable member, his connections, or his opponents. On this difference between the statement of Mr. Jeffery and Mr. Lowten, as to what passed at this interview, some questions arose as to who were present. After some remo strances on the part of Mr. Lowten, as to the impropriety of examining who was with him upon private business, he stated, that it was Mr. William Bryan, Attorney, ad that Mr. Jeffery was accompanied by Mr. William Graves, of the same profession. Mr. Bryan was no clerk nor assistant of his. When he ordered Brundre t to give the writ to the persons who employed him in the city, he referred to Messrs. Ambrose and James Weston, at orneys. He knew no reason for their employing Brundrett to take out the writ, except that he was nearer to the crown-office than they, and that he was employed to take out writs for him. When so many inquiries were afterwards made about the writ at his chambers, he thought it right to send Brundrett in person to inquire after it at Poole: Brundrett was his confidential

clerk,

clerk, and he was anxious to have his character set clear in the business. Mr. Lowten was then ordered to withdraw, and the further consideration of the business was adjourned to Monday, when Mr. W. Bryan, and Mr. W. Graves, Messrs. Ambrose and James Weston, were ordered to attend, on the motion of Mr. Jeffery.

Mr. Barham moved, that the messenger of the crown office be also ordered to attend, in order to explain the circumstances relating to the issue of the writs.

Mr. Huskisson seconded the motion. He was anxious to shew that no influence was exercised by the treasury. After some few words in explanation from Lord Ossulston, the messenger was ordered to attend on Monday.

On the motion of Mr. Hiley Addington it was ordered, that an humble address be presented to his majesty, praying, that his majesty would be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid before the House a return of the effective strength of the regular forces, at the latest period to which the same could be made out, distinguishing British from foreign troops, distinguishing cavalry from infantry, and those serving at home from those serving abroad. Also an account of the effective strength of the militia in Great Britain and Ireland. This paper, the honourable gentleman said, would afford much very useful information, preparatory to the discussion of the important measure which was immediately to be brought forward.

On the motion of General Fitzpatrick, it was ordered, that there be laid before the House a comparative return of the number of men recruited in Great Britain and Ireland, distinguishing each week, and excluding those recruiting at head-quarters, from 30th December 1806, down to the latest period.

The Secretary at War presented an account of the number of recruits raised for the regular army, pursuant to notice; and gave notice that he should the next day move that the House should, on a subsequent day, go into a committee to consider of certain measures relating to the defence of the country.

Lord Castlereagh, after the length of time which had been taken up in the discussion with which the House had been occupied, thought it would be inconvenient to proceed on the important subject of which notice had been given for that night, in his absence, on a former occasion. He

wished that it might be practicable to bring it forward ou Monday; but as that day would be inconvenient to the noble lord opposite, and to others who were desirous to take a part in the discussion, he would fix the motion for the introduction of the bill for Wednesday, hoping that as measures would be taken to have the bill printed and distributed on that day, there would be no difficulty in agreeing to the second reading on Friday. The exposition of the plan would therefore stand for Wednesday, the bill to be introduced that day and read a second time on Friday.

Mr. Windham could not but reget the delay, because, when such an extensive change in our military system as that which it was generally understood the noble lord had in contemplation was to be proposed, it was most desirable that the House should be in possession of the result of the military measures hitherto adopted.

The Secretary at War postponed his notice for moving the army estimates to Monday se'nnight.

The House in a committee of supply, resolved that a sum not exceeding 4,9257. be granted to the trustees of the British Museum, for the purchase of the Lansdown papers.

The equity bill was read a third time, and passed.

The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

SATURDAY, JULY 18.

Mr. C. Dundas brought up the report of the committee on the standing order of 1695, relative to the power possessed by chairmen of election committees, to summon witnesses. The resolutions were agreed to, and ordered to be made a standing order of the House.

Mr. Owen, from the East India Company, presented accounts, pursuant to the order of the House of the 10th of July. Ordered to be printed.

Mr. Huskisson presented a return of the effective force of the volunteers of Great Britain and Ireland, distinguishing infantry, cavalry, and artillery, as far as the same could be made out. Ordered to be printed.

New writs were ordered for the borough of Helstone, in

the

the room of Mr. Richards, who since his election, had accepted the office of steward of his majesty's Chiltern hundreds and for the borough of Appleby, in the room of Lord Viscount Howick, who, since his election, had accepted the office of steward of the hundred of East Hendred.

Mr. Jeffery, in consequence of the severe indisposition of Mr. Greaves, who would not be able to attend the House on Monday, the day appointed for taking into further consideration the delay on forwarding the Poole writ, expressed his desire that the whole of the proceedings in this business should be postponed to a future day. The order for Monday was consequently discharged, and a new order made for Thursday next.

Mr. Hobhouse brought up the report of the committee on the lottery bill. The report was agreed to, and the bill ordered to be read a third time on Monday.

Mr. Hobhouse brought up the report of the committee of supply. The resolution for granting 49251. to the trustees of the British Museum for the purchase of the Lansdown manuscripts, was agreed to.

On the motion of Mr. Hobhouse, leave was given to bring in the usual annual qualification indemnity bill.

Mr. Swan presented a petition from Lord Kingston against the bill now pending in Parliament for the improvement of Smithfield market. It s'ated, that the proposed alterations would be highly injurious to his lordship's interests, and prayed that counsel might be heard against the said bill's passing into a law. It was ordered that the petition be laid on the table, and leave was given for the attendance of counsel.

The London Port improvement bill went through a com mittee, the report of which was ordered to be received on Monday.

Mr. Hobhouse brought up the report of the committee on the expiring laws. The resolutions stated that the following laws had expired, or were expiring, and were fit to be continued, viz. an act of the S9th of his majesty for the encouragement of fisheries; an act of the 47th of his majesty for the suspension of certain laws relative to the woollen manufactory; an act of the 46th of his majesty for the regulation of the excise duties; an act of the 42d of his majesty, relative to the duties of justices of peace; and an act of the third of his majesty for granting certain annuities in Ireland.

The

The first and the last of these resolutions were postponed; the others were agreed to, and bills ordered in pursuance of them.

Mr. Foster brought up a bill to continue the act for regulating the trade of recifying spirits in Ireland, which was read a first time. On the motion that it be read a second time on Monday,

Sir J. Newport took the opportunity to deprecate the manner in which Irish bills were hurried through the House. In consequence of this haste, a bill had lately passed, containing a clause materially affecting the interests of magistrates of Ireland, which clause had escaped his observation, although he had attentively examined the bill in manuscript. This circumstance proved the necessity of printing bills, by which their provisions could be investigated with so much more facility. He therefore moved, that the bill now before the House be read a third time on Wednesday, and that it be printed.

Mr. Foster was surprised at this accusation of haste from the honourable baronet. How many Irish bills had been printed last session? Not one. As to the clause in a bill lately passed, which the honourable baronet said would materially affect the interests of magistrates in Ireland, he was not aware of any thing in that clause contrary to the established law of the land. With regard to the examination of Irish bills, he had had the pleasure over and over again, of offering such bills to the inspection of the honourable baronet in any way he thought proper.

Sir J. Newport in explanation, disclaimed any idea of charging the right honourable gentleman with blame. He, merely deprecated the rapidity with which Irish bills were passed through the House, in three or four days.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer was sure that his right honourable friend felt no indisposition to print any bills that gentlemen might wish to have printed, although without application; it had not been usual to print such bills as that under consideration, and consequently no order having been proposed for its being printed, was not a just matter of complaint. For his own part, he agreed with the honourable baronet, that it was desirable that all public bills should be printed for the purpose which he mentioned. It would be a most foolish thing in any government not to be anxious for a close inspection of their

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