JOURNAL of the PROCEEDINGS of the FIRST SESSION of the EIGHTEENTH PARLIAMENT of GREAT BRITAIN. [Continued from Page 209.] HOUSE OF FRIDAY, MARCH 3. THE Bill for empowering the Bank of England to iffue notes under 51. was read a third time, and paffed. The Bank Small Note Bill, and fix private Bilis, received the Royal Affent by Commiffion. The Lord Chancellor left the Woolfack, and ftated, that in confequence of the Marquis of Lanf. downe having inadvertently fpoken and voted in the Houfe on Tuefday, with ut having taken the oaths required by law, he had incurred certain penalties and difqualifications, which an Aft of Parliament only could remove. He held a Bill in his hand for that purpose, to which his Majefty had gracioufly affent ed, and he moved to bring it in; which being granted, the Bill was read a first and fecond time, and ordered to be engroffed.-Adjourned to Monday. MONDAY, MARCH 6. THANKS TO SIR JOHN JERVIS. Earl Spencer, in a fpeech of the higheft panegyric on the late important victory over the Spaniards, moved, "That the thanks of the Houfe fhould be conveyed by the Lord Chancellor to Sir John Jervis, for his brilliant and decided victory over the Spanish fleet, on the 14th of February 1797." The Duke of Bedford hoped Minifers had it in contemplation to move for fome more fignal mark of gratitude to him; he allo thought the prefent motion not worded fufficiently strong to convey to pofterity that this was more than an ordinary victory. He fuggefted, therefore, that the words "to greatly fuperior in number" fhould be inferted after the words "Spanish fleet." Lord Spencer had no objection to the introduction of any words which the Houfe were inclined to think would more strongly exprefs their fenfe of his Service. The Duke of Clarence bore teftimony to the merits of Sir John Jervis"; gave feverai inftances, from his own knowledge, of the excellent ftatc and difcipline in which the men and frips were invariably kept which were under Lis command; and, without meaning LORDS. the flighteft offence to any other, hefi tated not to declare him the very best Officer in his Majesty's fervice. Lord Guildford approved of the introduction of the words, as highly ne ceffary to diftinguifh a fervice that was, perhaps, the very falvation of the coun try; it was the moft fignal victory we had ever atchieved; and he hoped it would ever remain fo, for he hoped no British fleet would ever again be left to engage fo great a fuperiority. Lord Spencer, with much warmth, contended against fuch a refponfibility being thrown upon his fituation as that a British fquadron fhould never have to contend with a fuperior force :-he had in this inftance, as he fhould in every other, fupplied the Admiral with every fupport it was in the power of the country to enable him to do. Lord Hood paid many compliments to the abilities and valour of Sir John; he faid, it appeared as if the gallant Admiral was aware that fome great atchievement was neceffary to difpel our prefent gloom, and therefore, confident in the valour, fpirit, and difcipline of the Officers and men whom he had in command, he boldly hazarded a rifk which could only be equalled by his fuccefs; no compliment, in his opinion, the Houfe could pay, would more than counterbalance the fervice the country had received. After a variety of obfervations on the fubject, it was at length agreed, that the motion, with the amendment of great fuperiority of the Spanish fleet thould be adopted; and the thanks of the Houfe to Sir John Jervis, and to the Flag Officers, mentioning them by name, and the Captains, Officers, and Seamen of the victorious fleet, were voted. CAUSE OF THE LATE ORDER OF COUNCIL. The Duke of Bedford, after a long fpeech, moved, "That a Select Committee, of fifteen Peers, be appointed to enquire into the caufes for fuing the Order in Council of the 26th of Februay laft.” Lord Lord Grenville did not object to the appointment of a Committee, convinced, the more the matter was inveftigated, the more it would be to the credit of the Bank; but he could not agree to its being an open Committee; therefore he moved to leave out the word Special, and infert the word Secret in its ftead. The Duke of Bedford ftrongly contended against this, upon the ground that, fo far from its being likely to be fatisfactory to the public, it would be confidered as a mockery, and add to the alarm. Lord Grenville's amendment was then put and agreed to; after which he moved that the Committee be appointed by ballot.-Carried by a Majority of 39. THURSDAY, MARCH 16. The Earl of Albemarle rofe to make his promifed motion on the Naval Defence of Ireland. His Lordship entered into a copious detail of the naval operations, as well on the part of the enemy as the British fleets, refpecting the attempt on Ireland, from the period of the French fleet quitting Breft, until the time of Lord Bridport's return to Portfmouth; and, from the whole, he argued, that neglect and mifmanagement on the part of the British, were the causes why the enemy's fleet did not fall into our hands. He concluded by moving, "That this Houfe do refolve infulf into a Committee to inquire into the measures taken for the protection of Ireland by a naval force, on the late attempt of invafion," On the queftion being put from the Woolfack, Earl Spencer, in an argumentative fpeech of confiderable length, replete with nautical detail, fuccefsfully replied to the Noble Earl. He retted with confidence on the decifion of the Houfe, confcious that the whole of what had taken place proceeded from caufes out of the reach of human controul. He food acquitted to himself. He could not command what depended on the weather and the elements.-Could any perfon be found who could combat and Coutroul thefe irresistible opponents, to him he would cheerfully refign the management of the British Navy, and would rejoice at the circumftance. for br part, he had made the beft ufe of The means entrusted to his hands, and mployed them in fuch a manner as a fen'e of duty, and the fafety and honour of the country, had dictated. Lord Hood oppofed the motion, which he thought might be productive of much mitchief. without answering any good purpose. Inftead of thele kinds of difputes, if all parties would cordially unite in fupport of Government, he had no doubt but that our endeavours would be fuccessful, and that we should obtain a fafe and honourable peace. Earl Fitzwilliam confidered the inquiry as neceflary, to fatisfy the people of Ireland that the defence of their country was not a fecondary confideration, and that the fecurity of England was not fo much preferred to it, that their fhores were left unprotected, when an attack from an enemy was reafonably to be expected. Lord Grenville replied, fo far from the fafety of Ireland having been neglected, it had been the object of parti cular attention. Earl Carlife, Marquis of Abercorn, Earl Moira, the Duke of Bedford, and the Marquis of Lanfdowne, fupported the motion. After which the House divided upon Lord Albemarle's motion. Contents, 14; Proxy, 1; in all, 15: -Non-Contents, 74; Proxies, 20; in all, 94; Majority, 79. TUESDAY, MARCH 21. Earl Moira rofe to bring forward a motion on the state of Ireland. He fet out with admitting the apparent delica cy of the question, and with anticipating the various objections which might be urged against his propofition; he allowed the propriety of the feparate and independent Legiflatures of both kingdoms adhering to the conftitutional bounds preferibed to them in particu lar cafes, and was aware of the allowable jealoufy which, on fuch occafions, fhould be entertained by either; but fuch a line of reafoning could not applyi to the present occafion. He contended that, when an urgent neceffity arofe, when circumstances took place in which | the general fafety or welfare of both kingdoms were involved, it was proper, it was neceffary, that either, the one of the other fhould boldly step forward, and, with manly opennels, avow its fentiments in fuch a manner as to evince to the public the purity of its motives, and that it was on great and obvious grounds of public utility alone that its interference was offered. His Lordship then moved, "That an humble Addrefs be prefented to his Majefty, imploring his paternal and benevolent intervention to re medy medy the difcontents which unhappily prevail in his Majefty's kingdom of Ireland, and threaten feriously to affect the deareft interests of the British Empire." On the question being put, Lord Grenville rofe. His Lordship began by regretting the abfence of his Noble and Learned Friend (the Chancellor), from whofe experience and abilities their Lordships would receive much alfiftance. He imagined that the Noble Earl who brought forward the motion might conceive he had very ftrong grounds to proceed on,or he would not have urged their Lordships to entertain fuch a very objectionable propofition; a propofition which would in effect go to violate the folemn contract made between the Legiflators of Great Britain and Ireland, to tear afunder the bonds of union between the two countries, and to strike at the very founda-, tions of the British Empire. His Lord. hip deemed the propofed call upon his Majefty to be at leaft highly fuperfluous; there was no need of imploring his paternal intervention; the whole tenor of his conduct towards Ireland thewed there was no neceffity for urging him. Refpecting the fubject of the feparation of the Legislative Powers of the two countries, and confirming the independence of that of Ireland,his Lordhip went into an hiftorical detail. The bufinefs was first taken up about 14 years ago, and he recited the different conceffions which were made with this view, in the order in which they took place: the renunciation of her claims on the part of Great Britain, the repeal of the 6th of George I. and the fubfequent indulgences which were grant ed to the Irish in matters of Conftitutional and commercial regulation; thefe were granted to that nation by the most folemn Acts of the British Parliament, and against all thefe, he must contend, the Noble Earl's propofition directly militated. On this ground it was that he principally oppofed it, and he would trouble their Lordships no farther than to fay, he deemed it his duty to give the motion his decided negative. Earl Fitzwilliam fpoke in favour of the motion. He confidered the prefent as a cafe of exigency affecting the dearest interests of both countries, and in which no impropriety could obtain in the Legislature of the one addreffing their common Sovereign to interpofe and remedy thofe grievances which fo fenioufly threatened both. The Earl of Liverpool expreffed his decided difapprobation of the Motion. He confidered the adoption of it as directly trenching upon the Legislative indepen dence of Ireland, as it was clearly a matter of internal regulation. The Marquis of Lansdowne supported the Motion. The Queftion being called for, the Houfe divided on Lord Moira's motion. Contents, 20; Proxies, 1-Non-Contents,72; Proxies, 20. Majority against the motion, 71. Adjourned. THURSDAY, MARCH 23. The Earl of Oxford rofe to make his promifed motion for a Negociation for peace. He prefaced it with a very fhort Addrefs, in which he referred, in general terms, to what he alledged to be the diftreffed fituation of the country, and the neceffity that exifted for a 1peedy pacification, in order to fave it. He alfo cenfured the conduct of Minifters with regard to the late Negocia tion for peace, and contended for their infincerity on the occafion; at the fame time, he infifted on the fincerity and earnest wishes of the French Government to terminate the Negociation amicably. He then moved an Addres to his Majefty, of confiderable length, and embracing a variety of topics.-The leading features of the propofition were to the following effect:-The fituation of the country was fet forth as embar raffed in fuch a manner, that the fpeedy restoration of peace was effential to its prefervation and welfare. The general bad conduct of Minifters was infifted on, and particularly in the affair of the late negociation for peace, in which their infincerity was obvious. At the fame time, the good-wishes of the French Directory for peace were no lefs evident; and thefe points were illuftrat ed by copious quotations. posed Addrefs then referred to Conftitutional topics, and urged the propriety of reftoring to Englishmen the ancient and free Constitution of their country, beft means of infuring permanent prof perity. Above all, the neceflity of peace was infifted on, and his Majefty was implored to order fteps to be taken towards accelerating thefe defirable ends, &c. On the question being put, The pro as the Lord Grenville obferved, that it was totally unneceffary to reply in any detail to the very extraordinary ftring of propofitions their Lordships had just heard. With With refpect to the prominent feature in the motion-that which refpected the Negociation for peace, it was a fubject which the Houfe had recently difcuffed, and folemnly decided. In this view he would move, that the Addrefs of their Lordships on that occafion, namely, of the 30th of December laft, be read: this, he obferved, contained every neceffary argument against that part of the mo tion; and it would be feen, that, fo far from the Negociation being terminated by this country, it was infoiently and abruptly broken off by the Government of France. The Addrefs abovementioned was accordingly read by the Clerk; on which The Duke of Norfolk rofe.-He obferved, that the circumftance of their Lordships having come to fuch a deci. fion, even allowing it to have been unanimous and juft, was certainly no reafon why they fhould not confider and deliberate upon the subject again when occafion required. He contended, that the infincerity of Minifters was apparent; and he had no hope of an adequate peace, until the negociation of it was entrusted to abler and wifer perfons. He reprobated the idea of making the ceffion of Belgium by France a fine qua non in the Negociation: if that was infitted upon, we never thould have peace. The Earl of Morton faid, he deemed it incumbent on him to refift the motion, with a view to the confiftency and dignity of the proceedings of the Houfe, and preffed the Houfe to recollect, that the French had not only broken off the Negociation for peace, but originally commenced the war-we were not the aggreffors. The Marquis of Lansdowne faid, he certainly would fupport the motion. A late decifion of the Houfe on the fub. jet was no ground that they should not take it up again; and it would hardly be denied him, that the prefent alarming ftate of the country did render fuch difcuffion neceffary. His Lordship generally cenfured the conduct of Mi nifters with respect to the late Negocia tion, and concluded with affecting, that the fituation of this country was as well known in France as it was in England. The Earl of Guildford faid, he would fupport the motion, as he would every other propofition that had a tendency to the re-establishment of peace. Earl Spencer thought the adoption of the motion, inftead of accelerating peace, would retard it. It would, in effect, be holding out to France and to Europe, that we were willing to make peace upon any terms. The Earl of Carlifle was decidedly against the motion. He was furprifed to hear the fincerity of Minifters in their withes for peace doubted. He faw no poffible reafon why they thould be otherwife. Lord Grenville entered into a very able and fpirited reply, and fuccessfully refuted the various arguments which had been urged in favour of the motion; after which the question was called for, and the Houfe divided-For the motion, 16; Proxy, 1.-Against it, 52; Proxies, 19.-Majority, 54. FRIDAY, MARCH 24. The Royal Affent was given by Commiffion to the Marine Mutiny Bill, the Land Tax Commiffioners Bill, together with ten private Bilis. The different Bills on the Table were forwarded in their respective stages, and their Lordships adjourned till Monday. fmall notes in payment, as far as related to manufacturers and bankers not refiding in London, Westminster, and the Borough of Southwark."-Agreed to. The Houfe then refolved itself into a Committee on the Bill for permitting the Bank of England to issue notes under the value of five pounds; the report was immediately brought up, read a first and fecond time, and agreed to.Upon the question being put and carried that the Bill be engroffed, Mr. Pitt obferved, that the ftate of the public intereft required that the Bill fhould be read a third time on that night, yet he had no objection that fome more time should be given for its confideration.Bill ordered to be engroffed. Mr. Fox then moved, "That a Com- Mr Sheridan afterwards moved, "That Mr. Fox's name be added to the Secret Committee," which was negatived by a majority of 91. Adjourned. THURSDAY, MARCH 2. Mr. Wilberforce Bird brought up his Bill for fufpending the reftrictions of two Acts, the one of the 15th, and the other of the 17th, of his prefent Majefty, and periniting the iffue of fmall notes.-The Bill was read a first time; and on the queftion for the fecond reading, Mr Sheridan afked if the iffue of thofe notes was limited to Bankers only? Mr. Bird faid, the operation of the Bill was general, and would extend to merchants, &c. After fome obfervations from Mr. Sheridan and Alderman Lufhington, on the danger of an unlimited iffue of fmal! nores, Mr. Bird moved, that the Houfe do now refolve itself into a Committee; which being agreed to, the report was received, and the Bill ordered to be read a third time to-morrow, if then engroffed. FRIDAY, MARCH 3 On the order of the day for the third reading of the Bill for allowing Traders and others to iffue fmall Notes, after fome converfation as to the mode of enforcing payment of thofe Notes, in which Mr. Pitt alluded to the probability of a new Copper Coinage, the Bill was read a third time. VOL. XXXI. APRIL 1797. A claufe was brought up by way of rider, subjecting the 1ffuer of a Note, on non-payment, to a penalty of twenty fhillings, with debt and costs; and also, on refufing to comply, to authorile Juftices of the Peace to iffue a warrant of diftrefs on the party's effects. The Thanks of the Houfe were voted to Sir John Jervis, alfo to Vice-Admirals Thompion and Parker, Rear-Admiral Nelfon, and to the Captains, Officers, Seamen, and Marines, on board his Majefty's fleer, for the brilliant and fplendid victory gained over the Spanish feet on the 14th of February. Mr. Whitbread rofe, in purfuance of his notice, to move for a Committee of Enquiry into the meafures adopted by Government refpe&ting the late defcent attempted by the enemy on the Coaft of Ireland; which was got rid of after a long debate, by Mr. Dundas's moving the previous question; there appearing for the previous queftion 209.-Againft it 62.-Majority 147. The Chairman of the Committee to enquire into the concerns of the Bank of England reported, that they had entered into a full examination of the engagements of the Bank, and of its funds for difcharging the fame-that they had found the outstanding engagements, on the 25th of February laft, to amount to the fum of 13,770,390l. and that the funds and fecurity applicable to the payment of the fame amounted to 17,597,280). leaving a balance of nearly FOUR MILLIONS, exclufive of a debt due from the Government of the country to the Bank of 11,685,8col. (upon which an intereft of three per cent. was annually paid); fo that they had left after the difcharge of all demands upon them nearly FIFTEEN MILLIONS fterling. MONDAY, MARCH 6. HIGH PRICE OF BUTCHERS MEAT. Mr. Mainwaring rofe to make his promifed motion on this fubject. It appeared, that the high price of meat was, in a great degree, owing to the practices of jobbers, who went round the country to buy up large quantities of cattle, which were afterwards jobbed again from them, and fometimes went through three or four hands before they reached the market. The last of thefe jobbers fent them to London, with a fixed price on their heads, contrary to the practice of the grazier, who would fell them for the price of the day It was in evidence before the Committee laft Seffions, that one of thefe jobbers had gained in the Nn Spring |