ers, the greatest care ought to be used to prevent any abuse of power in a magistrate.

The amendments were negatived.

The Duke of Bedford proposed an amendment to the effect of giving the king's serjeant or king's counsel ap pointed to preside at the special sessions under the act, the power of suspending judgment in case he differed from the majority of the magistrates, instead of sending to the lord lieutenant, as expressed in the bill.

This amendment was oposed by lords Hawkesbury, Mulgrave, and the Lord Chancellor, on the ground of its being more respectful and conciliatory to the magistracy to refer cases of that description to the decision of the lord lieutenant, than to invest the king's serjeant or coun sel with a direct negative and supported by lord Holland, on the ground that as the bill stood too much power would be given to the servants of the crown.

The amendment was negatived.

Some other amendments were moved by lord Holland, which, after some observations from lords Hawkesbury, Mulgrave, Redesdale, the lord Chancellor, earl Fitzwilliam, the carls of Limerick and Longford, were either withdrawn or negatived.

The Duke of Bedford moved to limit the duration of the bill to one year and two months, after the commencement of the then next session of Parliameut, instead of two years and six months after the commencement of the then next ses sion of Parliament, as expressed in the bill. The noble duke thought that a bill conferring such extraordinary powers should have as short a duration as possible.

Lord awkesbury thought that the knowledge that such a bill existed, and that the powers conferred by it might be called into action, would do much to repress and keep down a spirit of disturbance. With this view of the subject, regretting as he did, the necessity that existed for such a measure, he still thought that the longer period was preferable, nor did he see any reason to ex ect that the causes which produced the necessity for this bill would cease to operate within the shorter period proposed by the noble duke.

Lord Holland, viewing as he did the state of Ireland, and with the sentiments which he had constantly avowed with respect to the causes of that unfortunate situation of affairs in Ireland, which led to the necessity for the pre

&ent

sent bill, could not help pressing upon the attention of their lordships the great importance of discussing the affairs of Ireland in Parliament, and of endeavouring to come to those conclusions which might, by removing the causes of grievance, prevent the necessity of recurring to such measures as the present. He could not, therefore, but be a warm friend to frequent discussions of this subject. He thought that every opportunity should be taken of recurring to it, and therefore he supported the amendment moved by his noble friend, in order that this important" subject might again come under the consideration of Parliament at an earlier period than it otherwise could do, according to the term of duration expressed in the bill.

The Duke of Montrose deprecated frequent discussions of this subject, which could do no possible good, but on the contrary, only tended to keep up a spirit of irritation amongst the people of Ireland. Instead of shortening the duration of the bill, he, on the contrary, would have voted for extending it. Parliament always have the power of repealing it if the necessity which now existed for it should cease.

Lord Viscount Sidmouth was inimical to giving a long duration to bills of this nature, but from the situation of Ireland, he believed the term of duration, expressed in this bill, to be necessary. He was decidedly hostile to fre quent discussious of this subject, as tending to excite irritation in Ireland.

Earl Grosvenor supported the amendment, conceiving from the nature of the clauses, that the bill ought to have the shortest possible duration.

Lord Mulgrave would rather have agreed to extend the duration of the bill than to shorten it; convinced as he was of its necessity, and, at the same time, it was always in the power of Parliament to repeal it, in case that necessity ceased.

The amendment was negatived.

The bill was read a third time and passed.

The remaining bills on the table were forwarded in their respective stages.

Adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

FRIDAY, JULY 31.

The London coal, the Dublin paving, the British fishery

VOL. 1.-1807.

3 Y

encouragement,

encouragement, the Irish revenue regulation, and the woollen manufactures' penalty suspension bills, were sevarálly read a third time and passed.

Mr. H. Browne brought up a report from the commissioners appointed to consider of the formation of the Cale donian canal, from Inverness to Fort William. Ordered to be laid on the table.

The Secretary at War presented a return of the number of deserters in the year 1805, 1806 and 1807, as far as the saine can be made out. Ordered to be laid on the table.

Mr. G. Rose presented the East India judicature lists. Referred to committee the next day.

The committees on the military canal and the Malta trade bills were postponed to Monday next.

The bills for the alteration of the custom duties on cér tain articles imported and exported to and from England and Ireland reciprocally, for the exportation of Irish linen, and for the allowance of drawbacks on the exportation of German linen, were severally passed, read a second time, and ordered to be referred to committees of the whole House the next day.

The United States and American colonies commerce bill, the bill for the further regulation of the delivery of public accounts, &c. and the calico duties bill were reported, and ordered to be read a third time the next day.

The Irish silk duties bill and the Swedish herring bill, were read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time the next day. The Irish and English spirits drawback suspension bill went through the same stage, and a similar order was made with respect to it.

Mr. Hobhouse brought up the report of the committee appointed to consider of the expediency of imposing auction duties on West India produce in certain cases. The resolution of the committee recommended that such goods should be exempted from the payment of the duties. The resolution was agreed to, and a bill ordered accordingly.

A message from the lords stated that their lordships had agreed to the Curacoa free port bill, the Isle of Dogs canal bill, the Irish fishery encouragement bill, the Irish excise bill, and the military inquiry continuation bill.

The report of the bill for enabling his majesty's postmaster-general to open and return several letters directed to Hamburgh and other places, was brought up; a new clause,

in furtherance of the spirit of the measure was added, a. ₫ the bill was ordered to be read a third time the next day.

Mr. Creevey gave notice, that on Monday next he would move that the annual estimate of India accounts, for the year 1806-7, Be presented in a different form from th t which has hitherto prevailed.

The House having on the motion of Mr. Long resolved itself into a commi tee on the Irish militia transfer bill,

Mr. Calcraft observed, that there was not any particular sum specified in the bill, as an inducement for the men to volunteer from the militia of that country into the line, he wished to be informed what was the sun intended to be given?

Lord Castlereagh acquainted the honourable member that, at present, it was intended that a premium of 8 guineas should be given for the alteration of service to that which was for a limited term; and 12 guineas where the militia service was commuted for that of service for life. However, he begged the honourable gentleman to understand that he did not mean that government should be pledged to adhere to the precise terms of his declaration in every possible case that might arise.

The bill then passed through the committee without any comment; and when the House resumed, the report was ordered to be received the next day.

Sir John Newport inquired if any step was intended to be taken by his majasty's ministers, founded on the returns which had been made of the state of the established church in Ireland? He had the authority of the primate and metropolitan of all Ireland, for stating that there were, in one diocese, no less than 10 parishes without a church, without a glebe-house, without, in short, any sort of residence for the clergyman, and without any probability that there would shortly be any dwelling erected for that purpose. It was known that his majesty's late ministers had entered into a serious consideration of those circumstances : and, if he was not given to understand that his majesty's present ministers intended to make some material alteration in that respect, he gave notice that he would, early in the next session, submit to Parliament, a proposition on that head,

The Chancellor of the Exchequer assured the right honourable gentleman, that it was the intent of his majes ty's present servants to turn their attention to the state of the church, in that part of the kingdom to which the right honourable

honourable gentleman particularly belonged, as soon as they had before them such documents as might authorize them to take any step towards the accomplishment of so desirable an object, At present, however, he had not in his hands such returns as he thought necessary, previous to his endeavour to remedy the evil of which the right honourable gentleman complained.

Mr. Sheridan gave notice, that he would, on Friday next, submit to the House a motion relative to the general state of Ireland.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer expressed a desire to be informed, what was the particular object which the right honourable gentleman had in contemplation? It might for the present suffice if the right honourable gentleman would state, whether his attention was meant to be directed towards the civil, ecclesiastical, or military state of that part of the united kingdom, as by that means he might be prepared to meet the subject.

Mr. Sheridan said, that he had not the least unwillingness to satisfy the honourable gentleman, as far as the rules of the House would permit him at present, His intent was to submit to the House the proposition of a strong pledge, that they would, early in the next session, enter into an inquiry as to the cause of that discontent which was said to exist in Ireland, and upon the rumour of which the House had been induced to adopt that strong measure, the Irish insurrection act, which would shortly, no doubt, receive the sanction of both Houses of Parliament.

FOREIGN SUBSIDIES, &C.

Lord Castlereagh moved the order of the day for the House resolving itself into a committee of supply. Or dered. He then moved that it be an instruction to the said committee, that they take into their consideration his majesty's message of last session, recommending that the sum of 80,000l. should be provided for, in order to enable his majesty to make good the like sum which had been advanced to the king of Prussia. Also to consider of the two messages which had been delivered to the House on Tuesday last, the one relative to the subsidiary engagements which had been entered into with Sweden, the ratification of which had not yet been exchanged, and also some fur ther supplies, which had been advanced to the Prussian government, in consequence of authority from his majesty,

and