violent lamb, a figure better understood in India than in this country, he thought it necessary to say a few words in justification of the war. The constant intrigues of Scindia with the French, and the number of Frenchmen in his army, who kept up a constant communication with Paris, were alone sufficient proofs of his hostility to the British power in India. [Here Mr. Fox called the honourable baronet to order, as it had been understood that the discussion of the grounds of the war was not now to be gone into. The Speaker stated this to be the understanding; but Sir T. Metcalfe claimed a right to state the reasons which justified his vote.] The Mahrattas had always been our inveterate enemies. It was a fact, that for 100 years back the Mahrattas had been the constant disturbers of the peace of India. Scindia, in pursuance of this plan, but with a particular spirit of hostility towards us, had entered into intrigues with the French, and his plans were ripe for execution. [Here the honourable baronet was again called to order by Mr. William Smith, who said he only wished it to be understood, that if the honourable baronet went into the general question, it was open to every one; but when it had been agreed not to go into it, he thought it wrong to deviate from that understanding. General Maitland rose to shew that the honourable baronet spoke to order, but was called to order himself by Mr. Bankes, as going also into the general question.]— Sir Theophilus resumed.

He re

ferred gentlemen to a book published by the Noble Marquis, on the subject of the causes of this war, for a full and ample justifi

cation of the grounds on which it was entered into. This book was now in the hands of many individuals; he supposed the honourable gentleman below him (Mr. Wilberforce) had seen it; it would soon be published here, and would form a valuable part of the library of every political man. He allowed that this vote of thanks was for services done in the capacity of governor general, not that of captain general. It had been said that General Lake had an inferior force: the fact was, that the force was so well apportioned, that there was no where a man too many, no where a man too few. The extent of the country which was the scene of hostilities, was also to be considered; it was above 1000 miles square. There was not a voice in Hindustan, civil or military, native or European, which did not give the first credit to the Noble Marquis. The honourable baronet then stated, as a proof of concert in the plan and operations, that the fort of Barrach was taken by Col. Woodington, at the same time that General Perron was surrendering to General Lake. As a proof of the high state of discipline of the sepoys in our service, and their zeal and devotion, he stated that General Lake's great victory was gained without any other European assistance than that of the 76th regiment, of which one half was lost in the action. As a proof of the decisive nature of the victories gained, he stated that 700 pieces of cannon were taken from the Mahrattas, and that they had not now 20 pieces in their possession; but what was of still more importance, the French pow. er in India was entirely dissolved. All this, he said, was to be attribut

ed,

ed, in the first instance, to the Noble Marquis Wellesley.

Mr. GREY, in explanation, disclaimed for himself and his honourable friends any intention of casting the smallest imputation on Marquis Wellesley.

Mr. WILLIAM SMITH looked upon the vote of thanks for the conquest of the Mysore as no precedent for this; for the grounds there stated were of a civil nature, inclusive even of moderation, and the contest was terminated.

Mr. Rose said, he should vote for the original motion, thinking that it would not prejudge the question of the justice of the war; while passing the previous question, would cast a reflection on the Marquis Wellesley.

Mr. FRANCIS did not consider an appeal to a publication made in India, even if it was in every member's hands, as a ground for a preliminary vote.

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER stated, that it was the wish of his noble friend in India, that every document which could facilitate inquiry into his conduct, should be laid before the house. The previous question was then put, and negatived without a division, and the ori. ginal motion agreed to nem. com. as were also the following: "That the thanks of this house be given to the Right Honourable Lord Clive, governor of Fort St. George, for the zeal and energy with which he concurred to promote these successes-To Jonathan Dancan, Esq. governor of Bombay, for the zeal and vigour with which he had employed the resources of that presidency.--To General Gerard Lake, commander in chief of his Majesty's military

forces in India, for the eminent judgment, the active spirit, and invincible intrepiditywhich he had displayed, and which had so highly contributed to secure those brilliant victories, which would maintain the honour of the British nation, and give additional lustre to the glory of the British arms. To Major General St. John, and Major General Wellesley, for their eminent and brilliant services; and also to the officers serving in the different regiments in the armnies engaged, both European and native. That this house doth highly approve and acknowledge the conduct of the non-commissioned officers and pri vate soldiers of the different corps, European and native, and the commanders of the different corps are desired to signify the same to them."-It was ordered that the Speaker do transmit the resolutions to the Marquis Wellesley, desiring him to communicate them to the Governors and the other officers referred to therein. Adjourned.

MAY 7th.

MOTION FOR PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE MAHRATTA WAR.

Mr. FRANCIS said, that in order that the house should be in possession of as complete intormation as possible respecting the state of our affairs in India, and every thing that was connected with that subject, he felt it incum-bent on him to submit the follow. ing motions to the house. The Hon. Gent, then moved, " That there be laid before the house, copies or extracts of all dispatches received from the Governor General of Bengal, or from the presidencies of Fort St. George

and

and Bombay, and of their correspondence with their respective agents or ministers, or with the military officers commanding in the field, as far as such dispatches or correspondence relate to, or account for hostilities now or lately subsisting between the said governments and any of the Mahratta princes or states, with the dates of the receipt of such dispatches;" also, "copies of all treaties or correspondence between the said governments and any of the Mahratta princes or states, relative to the said hostilities, or to the causes thereof;" also "copies of all treaties, engagements, and correspondence between the said governments, and any of the surviving Mahometan princes or states in the upper part of India, particularly with the titular king, or Mogul at Delhi, or his ministers;" also "copies or extracts of all orders or instructions sent to India by the Court of Directors, or by any committee of the Court of Directors, of the East India Company, on the the same subject."-All these motions were severally agreed to, except the last, which was objected to by

Lord CASTLEREAGH; who said, that it was his disposition to grant to the house every information upon the subject in his power, or which was consistent with propriety. The last motion of the Honourable Gentleman appeared to him contrary to the policy or propriety on which peace with those states might be obtained, owing to the disclosure which would thereby take place. Unless, therefore, a case of very urgent necessity was made out, he thought that the secret committee ought not to be called upon by parliament to disclose that infor

mation upon diplomatic subjects, which they may have judged prudent to send abroad. The Honourable Gentleman would, himself, become sensible of the impropriety of such a measure, after he was once in possession of all the other papers he had moved for; and, therefore, he wished him to withdraw it till he had considered the matter more maturely.

Mr. FRANCIS said he could not perceive any strong grounds for such secrecy, and therefore wished the sense of the house to be taken on the subject. On the question being put from the chair, the motion was negatived.

MAY 18th.

INDIA BUDGET. Mr. JOHNSTONE rose, to enquire of a Noble Lord (Castlereagli) when he meant to bring forward the India Budget? As he understood that all the accounts necessary upon that occasion were arrived from India, he hoped that it would not be long delayed. The Noble Lord would, no doubt, be as forward to bring to the account of the public, as the public would be glad to receive, the 500,0001. for which the Noble Lord had, in a former statement, given them reason to look for at this period.

Lord CASTLEREAGH replied, that the accounts alluded by the honourable gentleman were received, and that orders were given at the India-house to have them prepared with all possible expedition to be laid before the house. As soon as they should be on the table, the Noble Lord stated, that he would move for their being printed; and, after the members should have full opportunity of

consider