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mons.-In confequence of this information, a long and defuitory converfation took place on a point of order, which terminated by the reading of the whole of the pamphlet, and in a refolution that be taken into confideration on the Thurfday after. When the fubje&t was refumed that day, there appeared but two diffenting voices on the fubject, Mr. Windham's and fir William Dolben's. By Mr. Pitt, and every other member of the houfe it was confidered as a grofs libel; and the following motion to that effect, by Mr. Sheridan, paffed without a divifion: that the book, intitled, " Thoughts on the English Government," tending to create mifunderstanding between the powers of the ftate, to alienate the afections of the people from one branch of the conftitution, by inculcating principles adverfe to those upon which his majesty's family hold the crown of these realms, and finally leading to the fubverfion of the liberties of the people, is a daring libel upon the conftitution."-Mr. Sheridan then moved for a committee to inquire who was the author of the pamphlet, which also paffed nem. con. This committee met accordingly, and foon after brought up their report, the conclufion of which was as follows: It appears to this committee, that Mr. John Reeves is the author, and has acted as the author of the pamphlet, intitled, "Thoughts on the English Government, " which is a malicious, fcandalous, and feditious libel, containing matter tending to create jealoufies and divifions among his majesty's fubjects, to alienate their affections from our prefent happy form of government, as eftablished in king, lords, and commons, and to fubvert the true principles of our free conftitution, and that the faid pamphlet is a high breach of the privileges of this houfe.'-The report was then ordered to be taken into confideration on the Friday following. On that day, Mr. Sheridan moved, that the pamphlet in queftion be ordered to be burnt in New Palace Yard, Westminster, and before the Royal Exchange, by the hands of the common hangman; and he added, that be should afterward move, that an humble addrefs be prefented to his majesty, that he would be graciously pleafed to remove the author, Mr. John Reeves, from all places of truft and confidence. To Mr. Sheridan's motion, Mr. Dundas propofed an amendment, that an addrefs be prefented to his majefty, praying him to give directions to the attorney general, to profecute the author, printer and publisher of the faid libel. Mr. Sheridan's motion being negatived without a divifion, the amendment by Mr. Dundas was carried by 25 to 4. Upon this, fir William Dolben moved, that the house be counted, and it appearing that 40 members were not prefent, the fubject was obliged to begin de xova. Accordingly, the next day, Mr. Sheridan moved an addrets to his majesty, praying him to give directions to the attorney general to profecure the author, Mr. John Reeves; which was carried unanimously.

On Monday, Dec. 7, Mr. Pitt rofe, and after an exordium, containing feveral obfervations on the flourishing state of our finances, and the

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In order to meet there expences, a loan of 18 millions was neceffary. That he had already agreed for, and was to pay at the rate of 41. 13s. 6d. intereft on every hundred pounds. It was neceffary to add one per cent. more to this intereft, in order to form a capital for the finking fund. That would cause the intereft of the loan to be about 6 per cent. and that part appro priated to the finking fund would amount to 1,111,500l. annually. In order to provide for this intereft, it would be neceffary to lay on new taxes. Thefe, he trusted, would prefs as little upon the people as poffible; and he proceeded to flate them as follow:

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when there appeared for it 27, against it 137. The feveral refolutions were then read and agreed

to.

On Tuesday, Dec. 8, the following meffage was delivered from his majesty :

GEORGE R.

His majefty, relying on the affurances which he has received from his faithful commons, of their determination to fupport his majesty in those exertions which are neceflary under the prefent circumstances, recommends it to this houfe to confider of making provifion toward enabling his majesty to defray any extraordinary expences which may be incurred for the fervice of the enfuing year, and to take fuch measures as the exigencies of affairs may require. His majefty, on this occafion, thinks proper to acquaint the houfe, that the cribs which was depending at the com mencement of the prefent feffion, has led to fuch an order of things in France, as will induce his majesty (conformably to the fentiments which he has already declared) to meet any difpofition for negociation on the part of the enemy, with an earnest defire to give it the fulleft and speedieft effect, and to conclude a treaty for general peace, whenever it can be effected on just and fuitable terms for himself and his allies.

It is his majesty's earnest wish, that the fpisit and determination manifefted by parliament, added to the recent important fucceffes of the Auftrian armies, and to the continued and growing embarraffments of the enemy, may fpeedily conduce to the attainment of this object, on fuch grounds, as the juftice of the caufe in which this country is engaged, and the fituation of affairs may entitle his majefty to expect.'

This meffage was ordered to be taken into confideration the enfuing day, when Mr. Pitt moved an address to his majesty, which was an echo to the meffage. To this Mr. Sheridan moved an amendment to the following effect:

That his majesty's faithful commons having taken his meffage into consideration and wishing to give it the fulleft effect, had to regret that his majefty had been fo ill-advifed as to refufe to treat with any form of government in France, and humbly to implore his majesty to abandon eterally thofe who had advised him to fuch meafures; that his majesty would endeavour to procure a ípeedy peace; that an immediate negociation for that purpose thould take place; and that no change in the government of France should prevent the carrying of this object into effect.'

In the converfation that enfued, the different gentlemen that fpoke on both fides, delivered their refpective fentiments concerning our prefent fituation relative to France, and the fubject al. ready to amply difcuffed of war and negociation; and Mr. Sheridan's motion having been negatived without a division, the original addrefs was carried.

(To be continued.)

T

Irish Parliamentary Intelligence.

(Continued from our last.)

HOUSE OF COMMON S.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 1796.

HE addreffes to the king and the lord lieutenant were reported by the committees, and agreed to.

Mr. Hoare moved, "That the order of laft feffion relative to Henry Ottiwell, be read."The order was read.

Mr. Hoare then moved, "That Henry Ottiwell be taken into the custody of the Serjeant at Arms."

Right honourable Jon Beresford faid, that as one of the board with which Mr. Ottiwell's bargain was made, and which public report had implicated in the bufinef's relating to him; and as it had been even infinuated that he himfelf in particular had been involved in the bufinefs, he could not let pafs this opportunity, which was the first he had, of saying a few words upon the fubject. He confeffed, he faid, that he was a member, perhaps too an active member of that board, fo far as related to the New Bridge and New Cuftom-houfe; but the house would do him the kindness to recollect, that it was at the earnest defire of nineteen-twentieths of the members of both houfes of parliament that he become one; that feveral perfons had before undertaken the same object and failed; and that, perhaps, but for his particular exertions, nothing would have been done in comparison to what had been done. It had been infinuated that he had been engaged with Mr. Ottiwell in this business; for his part, he most folemnly denied it: he knew nothing of Mr. Ottiwell's bargain further than as a member of the board; and as far as he could judge of others, he could fay the fame of every other member of the board.-The circumftances of this tranfaction he would not now go into. The perverfion of the story appeared in general to be this: That Mr. Ottiwell having taken ground at a certain rent from the board, and fet it at an advanced one, the public were lofers by the difference: as if the public could have fet the ground as well as Mr. Ottiwell did --as if the fame cafe never occurred to individuals and as if Mr. Ottiwell had not (as he did) given the full value for it that it would bring at the time.

Colonel Blaquiere faid he faw no reason why the right honourable gentleman should have entered into an explanation of his conduct, when nobody who knew him could fuppofe him to have any connxeion with Mr. Ottiwell. He thought it extraordinary that he fhould do fo. He obferved also that the business was taken up in the house of peers, and dropped in a most extraordinary manner. In the will of one of the commiffioners fome of this land

He was interrupted by the Speaker, who resminded

minded him that the question was to revive the order of laft feffion.

Mr. M. Beresford faid, the honourable Colonel himself had been the perfon to make the imputation, as from common report, which he now expreffed himself furprised to hear removed by his right honourable relation's declaration.

Mr. Grattan faid, that the ground referred to in the will of a refpected friend (Mr. Bushe), was not at all connected with or fituated near that now in question.

Right honourable J. Beresford said it had been mentioned that the upper houfe had relinquished the enquiry; that houfe had in fact put the fame question to Mr. Ottiwell respecting his partners which this house had put: He had refufed answering, declaring upon oath, that the anfwer might injure his property. The house, with the first law Lord and the two Chief Judges, had decided, that thus circumftanced he was not bound to answer it; and if the question now were, whether he should answer it, he would think the man hardly treated, but as it was on a contempt of the house it turned, not a word could be faid.

Mr. Egan denied the decifion of the lords to be law.

The question was then put and carried.

Mr. Hoare faid he would, if Mr. Ottiwell did not obey this order, bring in a bill to annul the bargain, fo far as related to him, saving the rights and bargains of his tenants.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated, that his excellency the lord Lieutenant had appointed four o'clock this day to receive the addreffes.

The house then adjourned.

23.] At four o'clock the Speaker, attended by feveral members, went up to the Caftle with the addrefles, voted by the house on Thursday laft, and being returned,

Mr. Speaker reported, that the house had attended his excellency the lord Lieutenant with the addrefs of this houfe to his Majefty; and that thereupon his excellency was pleafed to return the answer following:

"I shall forthwith tranfmit this loyal and dutiful addrefs to be laid before his Majesty."

Mr. Speaker reported alfo, that he had prefented the addrefs of thanks to his excellency the lord Lieutenant, for his moft excellent fpeech to both houses of parliament, and that thereupon his excellency was pleafed to return the answer following:

"It affords me the highest satisfaction to receive fo flattering a teftimony of the approbation of the house of commons.

"It will be my duty, and my inclination, to promote by every means within my power, the happiness and profperity of Ireland, and my exertions cannot receive fo powerful encouragement, as the expectation you hold out to me, that they will meet with your hearty co-opera

tion."

Ordered, that his excellency the lord lieutenant's answers be entered on the journals of this house.

Refolved, that this houfe will, on Monday next, take into confideration his excellency the Hib. Mag. Feb. 1796.

lord lieutenant's speech to both houses of parlia

ment.

Adjourned.

25.] The houfe refolved into a committee of the whole houfe, to take into confideration his excellency the lord lieutenant's speech.

The speech being read by the clerk at the table.

Mr. Attorney General (the Chancellor of the Exchequer being abfent) moved that a supply be granted to his majesty-which being put, was unanimously agreed to; and, upon the motion of the fame right honourable gentleman, ordered that the house do on to-morrow take the fame into confideration.

Mr. Hoare role to move that it be asked of the ferjeant at arms, whether the order of Friday, for taking into cuftody Mr. Ottiwell, was com plied with.

Mr. Speaker accordingly put the question to the ferjeant at arms, who answered in the affirmative, and that Mr. Ottiwell, was now in attendance.

Mr. Heare then moved, as a matter of course, that Mr. Ottiwell be committed to Newgate.

The Attorney General faid, he apprehended that the object of the honourable gentleman's motion was not a matter of course, but for the difcretion of the house-and he would appeal to the chair how the fact ftood.

Mr. Hoare faid, he humbly apprehended the right honourable gentlemen was totally out of order, for, by the uniform practice of parliament, whenever any man refufed to comply with the orders of the house, and refufed to anfwer their interrogatories, committal to Newgate was the conftant practice.

Mr. Attorney General contended that he was not out of order, in doing the very fame thing with the honourable member, in appealing to that authority which certainly ought to know the ufage of parliament much better than he did

but he conceived the house was at liberty to exercife its difcretion in this cafe, and was by no means bound as of courfe to commit Mr. Ottiwell to Newgate, because he was in custody,

Colonel Blaquiere faid, that the house, in complying with the motion of the honourable member, would defeat its own purposes of obtaining the answer of Mr. Ottiwell to the queftion before propounded to him. If the house had an object in the answer to this question, Mr. Ottiwell in his mind ought to be called to the bar, and interrogated-and with respect to the charge of contempt against him, perhaps he had fome excufe to offer which might be fatisfactory to the house, and avert their difple fure.-Atall events let the man come to the bar and be heard, and if he offered nothing fatisfactory in his excufe, he should himself be ready to fecond the motion for his committal.

Mr. Speaker rofe and faid, he should state as he was asked, what the practice of parliament was in fuch cafes. He had examined minutely the Irish Journals, and could find no case of contempt on them fimilar to the present.

On the English journals there were four cafes, which he recapitulated, whereto the perfons Z

inter.

interrogated by the British houfes on refufing to anfwer, alledged in their defence that their anfwers would go to criminate themselves-but, nevertheless, the house in that cafe committed them to Newgate, or the Tower.

He ftated thofe points unwillingly, as they would go to affect a respectable man, who had fallen ander the pleature of the houfe-but being called on in his official duty, he was bound to give the house he information defired.

The question being then put, that Henry Ottiwell be committed to Newgate, it paffed in the affirmative and it was ordered that the Speaker do make out his warrant for that purpofe. Adjourned.

26] Went into committee to take into confideration the motion for granting a fupply to his majefty, right honourable John Beresford in the chair.

The Attorney General moved, that a fupply be granted to his majesty, which was agreed to; and on the house being resumed,

Ordered, that the report be received to

morrow.

Mr. Burgh moved, that the proper officer do lay before the houfe an account of corn and flour that came coaft ways, by canal, and land-carriage to the city of Dublin for the last year; and alfo for the bounties which were paid thereon; which were ordered accordingly..

Adjourned.

27. The fight hon. Mr. Beresford brought op the report of the committee of fupply, who fat yesterday. The report was read and unanimoufly agreed to.

Ordered that the house, on this day fe'nnight, do refolve itself into a cominittee of the whole houfe, to take the supply to his majefty into further confideration.

Mr. Vandelur moved, that the proper offikers do lay before the house an account of the particulars of the civil lift, agreeable to the act of the 33d of the king.

Adjourned.

28.] The Attorney General faid, that on the first hight of the feffion, he had given notice of his intention to bring in two bills, the object of one of them was, for preventing in future infurrections, tumults, and riots in this kingdom; and the object of the other bill was, to indemnify certain magiftrates and others, who, in their exertions for the prefervation of the public tranquility, might have acted against the forms and rules of law; be ftated, that the bill for the more effectually preventing of infurrections, tumults and fiots, by períons tiling themselves defenders, and other diforderly perfons, was, however repugnant to his feelings, a bloody pemal code. He faid, that the acts now in force for adminiftering of unlawful oaths was not fufficiently frong, and the adminiftering of unlawful oaths was the fource of all the treasonable actions which had taken place in this country; and the biti propofed that the adminiftering of unlawful oaths fhould be felony of death; but be would propofe that this bill be but a temporary law; there was also a claufe in the bill to enable the magiftrates, at the quarter feffions,

to take up all idle vagrants and perfons who had no vifibic means of earning a livelihood, and fend them to serve aboard the fleet. He faid he did not propofe to hurry this bill through the houfe, but give time for the confideration, as it might be neceffary to add much and make several alterations. He then moved for leave to bring in a bill for the more effectually preventing of infurrections, tumults, and riots, by perfons tiling themfelves defenders, and other diforderly perfons.

Mr. Curran obferved, that there was an affectation of fecrecy on the part of the gentlemen who were in the confidence of government. He fhould have expected that the gentlemen of that houfe, would have been confulted. A previous confultation had, fome inquiry, and some examination made, before adminiftration would fend their officer forward with a bloody penal code. He faid, that the state of the people, the state of the laws of the country, should be taken into confideration, before fuch a bloody penal code fhould be enacted.

The Attorney General denied his being fet forward by adminiftration; he does it because he approves of the measure; does not every perfon know, and does not the honourable and learned gentleman who was employed in trials for high treafon know, that there were traitors ftudious to overturn the conftitution, and tear afunder the connection between Great Britain and Ireland; he asked was there an inquiry of this fort when the White Boy act paffes? Are we gravely to delay the bill, at the time when the country is infefted with detenders? He hoped, that through the progrefs of the bill, it should meet with the fupport of the house, for it was fuch a bill as involved every thing dear to every man in this houfe.

Mr. O'Hara fid, that this was not the time to argue the bill, and he thould referve himself for the proper stage of the bill, to deliver his fenti

ments on it.

Mr. Grattan, wished that no kind of warmth fhould be used on the introduction of those bills but hoped they would be a matter of calm deliberation He was for receiving the bills of the right hon. gentleman with the most perfect calmnefs. With respect to the bill of indemnity, the right hon. gentlemen ought to fate fome further ground for indemnifying the magiftrates, than his own authority.

After a few words from the attorney general, and Mr. Curran, leave was given to bring in the bill.

The Attorney General, adverting to the notice he had given the houfe, on the first day of the feflion, of his intention to bring in a bill to indemnify certain magiftrates and others, who in their exertions for the prefervation of the public tranquility, had acted against the forms and rules of law, obferved that bills of indemnity were not novel in the conftitution; in England several bills of indemnity have been pafled ince the revolution; the principle of the bill was to indemfy fuch perfons who have nobly dared to preferve the tranquility of the country, and who in quelling tumults and infurrections had exceeded the

ordinary

ordinary forms of the law, this principle was constantly adopted in Great Britain. It appears by the ftatute book, that a bill of indemnity was paffed in the first year of king William the third; that a bill of indemnity was paffed in the first of George the First, when a rebellion broke out in Scotland; and in the Scotch rebellion of 1746, another bill of indemnity paffed; and in 1780, after the riots of London, another indemnification bill paffed. After having ftated these precedents, he moved for leave to bring in a bill for indemnifying fuch magistrates and others, who might have fince the 1ft of January 1795, exceeded the ordinary forms and rules of law for the prefervation of the public peace, and fuppreffion of infurrection prevailing in fome parts of this kingdom."

Mr. Fletcher, in a speech of fome length, obferved, that the precedents adduced by the right hon. gentleman did not at all fquare with the existing circumftances of this country. He hoped that after the bill was printed, time would be given to look into precedents, and he trusted that the bill would be difcuffed with wifdom, calmness, and deliberation.

Leave was given to bring in the bill.

The Attorney General then prefented the bill for the more effectually preventing of infurrections, tumults, and riots, by perfons tiling themfelves defenders, and other diforderly perfons; which was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and to be read a second time on Thurfday next.

He then prefented the indemnity bill, which was read a firit time, and to be printed; and after a fhort converfation between Mr. Curran, Mr. Fletcher, the attorney general, the prime ferjeant, Mr. Hoare, fir Laurence Parfons, and Mr. Egan; it was ordered, that the bill be read a fecond time on Wednesday next.

Mr. Curran now tofe to make his promifed motion. He prefaced it, in a fpeech of very confiderable length, in which he displayed the diftreffes of the labouring poor of this country, ariling from the high price of land, and the low price of labour, in very glowing colours; and after a very long and difficult ftatement of the caufes of the diftreffes of the labouring poor of this kingdom, he concluded with moving," that this houfe do appoint a committee to inquire into the state of the poor, and the price of labour in this kingdom."

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, after admitting of fome of the propositions laid down by the hon. and learned gentleman, and controverting fome other parts of his statement, moved the queftion of adjournment.

Mr. Curran's motion for going into a committee, was fupported by Mr. William Tighe, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Jephfon, Mr. Hoare, Mr. Christopher Hutchinion, and Mr. Grattan.

it was oppofed by Mr. Holmes, Mr. Maxwell, Mr. Wynne, fir Boyle Roche, Mr. Barrington, the Solicitor General, and Mr. Burton Conyngham.

On the queftion being put that the house do now adjourn, a divifion took place, when the numbers were

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29.] No debate.

30.] Mr. Secretary Pelham gave notice, that he would fhortly fubmit to the confideration of the houfe, two propofitions: one of them would be to appoint a committee to inquire into the high price of corn, and the other to enable the lord Lieutenant to prevent the exportation of corn, notwithstanding it should be under the export price. This he faid, would be a means of defeating the defigns of perions, who, from fpeculation, might make tn artificial price, fo as to open the ports for exportation.

The right honourable Denis Browne rofe, and faid, that he got up for the purpose of presenting a petition, which he then held in his hand, from a gentleman now in Newgate, who had the misfortune to fall under the difpleasure of the houfe, Mr. Henry Ottiwell. He had been informet, and did believe, that there were cir cumitances in this gentleman's cafe, that being known to the houfe, would induce them to con fider Mr. Ottiwell, as an obj no longer meriting their difpleafure. His cafe was this:-in the laft feffion of parliament, Mr. Ottiwell was ordered to the bar of the houfe, and was asked a question, in his mind, not within the jurisdiction of parliament, namely, who were his partners in a bargain he concluded with the commiffioners of wide-ftreets, which Mr. Octiwell refused to anfwer," giving as a reason," that if he answered, it would involve him in many law fuits, to the injury of his property." Here Mr. Browne forcibly stated, that in his opinion, the house had no power of putting fuch a queftion; the houfe, he faid, in their judicial capacity, had a right to ask, and demand of any one, who made a bargain with public trustees, if any officers of this houfe was concerned? and if it appeared there was, he had no hesitation to pronounce fuch a bargain void, as the trustees in that cafe would be confidered influenced; but,' in the prefent inftance, no fuch queftion was afked; and if it was, and Mr. Otiwell refused to answer, he would be the firft man to compel him.

Mr. Browne then faid, that after Mr. Ottiwell refuted, he was ordered to attend at the bar; and being fummoned late in the evening, he went to the houfe, but was told it was up; the fituation of his family then made him go home; and, to his furprife, the next morning, he was informed he was ordered to be taken into the custody of the ferjeant at arms. He that night did attend, and gave such reasons to the house, that a motion was made, and paffed unanimously, that he fhould be discharged without fees; he was then ordered to attend in the gallery haif an hour; after which he was again called to the bar, a motion was then made, that Mr. Ottiwell, by not answering, is guilty of a contempt of that houfe, which motion fell to the ground, there not being a fufficient number of members to make a house, of course Mr. Ottiwell was at Z. 2

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