MAY 19.

in which he was to bring forward his spe- cretary of the Commissioners of Public Aca cific charges be postponed to Friday se'n- counts. night.

Mr. Burke faid, that on consideration of Major Gilpin was then called to the bar, what had fallen from the Right Honourable and went through an examination of con- Chancellor of the Exchequer, he had adoptliderable length on the subject of the Prin- ed the mode recommended by him, and incefles of Oude.- Adjourned.

stead of pressing the House to a general vote

of impeachment on the whole of the charges Mr. Dempster moved several resolutions against Mr. Hastings, as had formerly been his for placing light-houses in certain parts of intention, he should propose a separate quela the coasts in the North Seas, which he fated tion on each several article of charge, and inca to be of the utmost importance to the safety move for a resolution of impeachment of the navigation in many places on the grounded on them all. That he should begin coast of Scotland, where vessels were free on Tuesday se'nnight with the Rohilla war. quently lost for the want of such lights.

MAY 22. The resolution passed nem. con.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer presentThe House then went into a further consis ed the bill for transferring certain duties on deration of the whale fishery bill.

wines from the Customs to the Excise ; Mr. Hussey animadverted at some length which being read a first time, was ordered on the importance of that fishery, not only to be printed. as an article of commerce, but as a nursery Mr. Sheridan rose to make his promised of seamen for manning our navy, and, as

motion for the printing of the bill imposing fuch, deserving every encouragement. He a tax on perfumery goods. The practice of was of opinion, that instead of diminishing printing bills was but of late date, not the bounty formerly given, it ought to have above ten or twelve years. Some persoos been increased at any rate; that the sum had pretended to argue against the printing now proposed of 30s. per ton was by far of tax bills on the same principle that had too small; he would therefore, if the induced the House on all occasions to refilt House should be of the same opinion with the suffering evidence or counsel to be heard him, propose a small addition to that against them to prevent the House on bounty.

occasion of every new tax from being cmMr. Jenkinson obje&ted to any alteration barrassed by the applications of those who, of the bounty in the present itage of the whether the tax was a good or had one, bufiness. It had already passed the Com- would be sure, from motives of private in. mittee, and the report had been received. terell, to give it every oppoliti in.

Mr. Thornton spoke a few words in fa- said he, le's necessary for the Hnue to unvour of an additional bounty.

derstand the principles of a tax bill than The bill was then read with amendments, one of an ordinary nature? llere he argued and passed.

to the experience of the House-that it The House was next resolved into a Com had always been remarkable that tax bills of mittee of Ways and Means, when Afr. Pirt all others required the greaselt alterat:ons proposed to the Committee, that an addi- and amendments in every subsequent testin. tional duty of one penny per pound be im. He drew a humorous title for a bill w reposed on all hair-powder manufactured in medy the defects of former bills, which he Great-Britain.

said was often found nearly to copy the The resolution passed.

words of the school.ho.'s tale of Thiris the The House resolved itself into a Commit. house that Jack built. Firlt cimea billiin. tee of the whole House to consider tur- poting a tax-ch'n came a bill to amenn ther of the supply granted to his Majesty. has bill next a bill en explain the bill that Resolved, Thai 6,500l. be granted in his amended the bill next a bill to remedy the Majelty for purchating certain lands in the defects of the bill that explained the bll Illand of St. Vuicent's -6,3561. for com- char amendes the bill.- and lo on, he said, pleating the purchase of the Bahama I Nands au' infinitum. He compared the tax bills to -62,0591. 55. to make good the money a thip built in the dock, which every illued to American sufferers - 9,750l. 14s.

voyage discovered a

new fault, and was 10 pay fees on the receipt of 152,000l. grant. obliged repeatedly to be brought into dock ed' last feffion for American loyalists - to be repaired first it was to be caulked, 2,4261. gs. for the passage of Mr. Dundas then to be new ribbed, again to be careenand Mr. Pemberton, Commissioners for ed, and generally at length to be broke up American Claims, to Nova Scotia - 16,061l. and rebuilt. 16s. 3d. to discharge birls drawn on the When the laugh occasioned by this flatcTreasury by the Governor of Nova-Scotia, ment bod fubaded, Mr. Sheridan p:oceeded New Brunswick, &c. and for other purpols to point out several absurdities in the tax 91,8601.58.7d. for the expeace of main- bills which had been lalely part d, and taining convi&ts on the River Thames--, which, he contended, might all l., ve been - 1000l. to replace that sum iflucd to the Sc- avoided, if the bills, by being printed, had

bec

Vasit,

2

Noes $19.
MAY 23.

been submitted to a full and public discuss consciousness of its futility, he was of opi. Lion. In the horse tax bill, for instance, there nion it was needless to trouble the House was a clause which required a stamp to be with any thing of the kind. placed, not indeed on the animal, but on Mr. Beaufoy and some others spoke, after some part of his accoutrements. This clause, which the House divided, on a little condideration, had been abandon

Ayos 24 ed. There was, however, inserted another fo absurd, that it was never carried into exe- Ballotted for a Committee to try the me. cution; he meant the clause by which it was rits of the Carlisle petition. enacted, that the numbers and names of all The House went into a Committee on the the horses in each parish should be affixed on Perfumery bill. Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Hussey, the church door! The church wardens were Mr. Courtenay, Lord Surrey, and Mr. Fox, also required by the same ať to return lifts feverally spoke against certain clauses in this of the windows within their districts to the bill, which in their opinion were not only Commissioners of Stamps-for the purpose of absurd, but even oppressive in so bigh a detecting those who had not entered their degree, that prescription could not foften horses. °If horses were in the habit of look them, or plead in their favour ; particularly ing out at windows, this might possibly have that provision which invested the Excise with been a prudent and judicious regulation ; power to enter at pleasure into the House of but under the present circumstances there the subject, and to examine at will such and was some little occasion for wonder how such places, and to force the purchase of these ideas came to be associated in the ramps. minds of those who framed the bill; unless Mr. Role contended, that this clause had it was that they wilhed to sink the buliness for precedent the fourth of George II. On of legislation into contempt, even with those which the House divided, for the clause 45; who were appointed to carry the lows into against il 15; majority 39. execution. A happy encouragement to

Mr. Sheridan, with others, insisted that smuggling was given in the act which en- the penaltv of 100l. in default of selling any joined the staving of all spirits that should be article without the stamp was too high, which leized : as consumers mult be again supplied, gave birth to the second division for the zool. the smugglers were emboldened to proceed penaley: for it 37 ; against it 18; majority 21. in their business, and, be presumed to say, Some new clauses were received, and the drank in grateful libations ine hcalth of the blanks filled up. Minister which framed the bill, with three Mr. Rose, Mr. Dundas, the Chancellor of times three.

the Exchequer, and the Attorney-General, In fact, every bill of the present admini- &c. spoke in favour of the original clauscs Atration had gone through as many transfer.

MAY 24. mations as the insect in its progiels to bc- Mr. Rose presented a bill for better fecue come a butterfly; and every one of them ring the duties on starch. As foon as it was atforded a subltantial argument for the ne

read the first time, ceility of his prelent motion.

Mr. Sheridan observed, that any gerile He next condemned the proposed tax on man who attended the Committee of refter pertumery; and enumerating the articles of day, would be convinced of the necessity of lavender, milk of roses, &c. said that the printing tax bills; he therefore moved, that Commissioners in diftinguishing the various the bill for regulating the duty un starch be particulars of taxation, must be gifted by printed. nature with the noses of pointers; and then, Mr. Pitt opposed the motion. alluding to Parliament, quored the following The queftion was then called for, and the pasage from Pope's Rape of the Lock: gallery cleared ; but it was given up with “ Cur humble province is in tend the fair,

out dividing “ Not a less plahing; tho' less glorious care for the production of fuch papers and docu

The mediage from the Lords being read, * To save the powder from too rude a gale, “ Nor let th' imprison'd ellences exhale."

ments as they required from the Commons,

to consider of the means of the public reveMr. Sheridan concluded by moving, " That nue whereby they are enabled to approthe bill relative to a tax on perfumery be priate one million annually for the reduction princed."

of the national debi, Mr. Rose laid, he had no particular ob- A motion was made, “that a mellage be jection to the motion, but thought it was ille sent to the Lords, to acquaint their Lordskips uimed, and would be of very little service. that the Commons have taken their Lord

The Chancellor of the Exchequer express. ships' message of Tuesday, relating to the ed himself happy that the days of :axation bill for vesting certain fums io Comm.ifiionwere nearly at an end, as the revenue of the ers cowards discharging the national dela, country was considerably improved. If any into consideration : but conceive that it has good could be derived from the present mós not been the practice of Parliament, for either mon, he would got oppose it; but from : House to delire of the other the infozosation

MAY 25.

on which they have proceeded in passing any was not in the habit of bringing bills into bill, except where such information has re- that House, Ihould, by omitting to bring in lated to facts stated in such bill as the ground a billon any subject, be thereby disqualified and foundation thereof; and that the Com- from ftating his objections to what was mons think this reason sufficient for not give brought forward. ing, at this time, any further answer to their Mr. Grenville said, it was imagined that Lorships' message."

the clause respecting the disclosure of proMr. Fox did not approve of an answer in porty would not have occasioned any discone such general terms ; hc argued that their sent, as it afforded gentlemen returning from Lord thips, who were to confirm by their al- India an opportunity to exempt themselves sent the funding bill, should, in order to from calumny and reproach. He mentioned guide their decitions, bc furnilhed with mat- the conduct of Lord Macartney as a proof of ter to convince them that the public means the justice of this observation. were adequate to fupport this measure ; and The Speaker put the question, when the if they did not sce the report of the Commits bill passed without a division; and Mr. tce upon which this matter was grounded, Dundas was ordered to carry it up to the they had no politive proof before them, whes Lords. ther the public were cqual, or not, to the The House then resolved itself into a Com. proposed measure.

mittee on the militia bill, when several Mr. Grenville made some observations on amendments were made; after which the the mode by which the public would be ena- House adjourned. bled to support this system in future, and then the motion was asented to by the House. Mr. Gilbert, in a short speech, stated the im

On the third reading of the bill for re- mediatc neceility, in many points of view, of pealing certain clautes in the late India bill, revising the poor laws, which, he said, should and for regulating the judicature of India, be the subject of another motion, to which

Mr. Fox role, not tie faid to oppose the the one he was about to make was only prebill in this late stage, but to enter his proteft paratory. He therefore moved for leave to against it. It mei with his dissent as elta. bring in a bill for the purpose of requiring the blishing a judicature anomalousand unknown overleers and church wardens to make imto the conititution, and as doing little where mediate returns in cach of their respective much was to be done-as repealing but a parishes of the charitable donations ihereto [mall part where nearly the whole was ob- bequeathed, from time to time, within a jectionable. On the present occafion he did certain number of years therein named. not rise to argue, but to proteft; but he Mr. Dempster conceived, that the order of could not but observe, that ministers in re- the House was sufficient for this purpose, inmoving the clauses which were repealed by dependent of an act. the present act, hur shewn on what Nighi The Speaker thought so too. grounds they proceeded to the most desperate Mr. Hulley could not allent to the motion, measures. The compulsion on gentlemen unleis he knew the object of it. In his opio returning from India to make a full disclo- nion, it fell little short, in every respe&t, of sure of their effects, if not justified by strong the bill for the disclosure of private property. neceflity, was a piece of tyranny, for in- Lord Beauchamp conceived the motion io fance, unexampled in the hiltory of legisla- be a very proper one. In his opinion, in tion. That necellity, it appeared from their carried the object in the face of 'it; it was nos present conduct, did not exilt; and from torious, that public charities were made a That couduct it was plainly to be inferred, job of, insomuch that they were become in that no confidence could be placed iy an ad that sense proverbial – He did not doubt but ministration, which from flight causcs could the order of the House was in itself sufficient ; proceed to such dangerous innovations. but left it hould not prove so, he did not sca

Mr. Dundas defended his conduct in intro- the harm of passing a bill that might enforce ducing the present bill. The Righe Hon. the command of the House in this particu. Gentleman, 'he observed, had himself al- lar, which in his idea was not unworthy of jedged that some change in the former bill their attention; as he did not doubt, on ex . was necessary. The alteration was now pro- mination, ibings would appear in this line duced, and before his objections were made, much to their surprize, and far beyond their he ought first to have stated why, in the conception. course of two years, he had not introduced Mr. Gilbert said, as to the object of the bill, {omething better himself. The repeal of a it was to see how far the perions entrusted clause enforcing the disclosure of property with charitable legacies had fulfilled the will was occasioned, he said, not by any con- of the donor, as many things had come to viction of its impropriety, but merely on ac. his knowledge, that urged him to the enquia count of the disgult which is bad occasioned ry in quellion; but that when the bill should in India.

be printed, it would, in his opinion, meet Mr. Fox replied, that it was a strange the approbation of everv bofum that could mode of reasoning to say, that a person who fympathize with the diftrefied, or that wished EUROP, MAC,

LII

a

to redress the cause of the injured, unable to He urged many reasons to thew that the procure redress in

persons interested in this bill were little ac other mode so speediiy,

any and perhaps, above all, so effe ctually. quainted with the spirit of it, and that he

The Master of the Rolls agreed not only thought some time ought to be allowed for in the propriety, but in the humanity of those

that purpose. remarks. - Charitable donations were in- Mr. Role declared, that he had done every creased, if his intormation was right, above thing in his power to diffuse the principle two-thirds, within the last thirty years ; he of it ; in particular, that on Tuelday lat therefore wished to give every fuccour to the Mr. Moody, a respectable wine merchant, bill, which, in his opinion, it was entitled had waited on him for that purpose ; that ke to, in every sense.

had given him the bill for the direct purpose On the introduction of the Greenland of submitting it to the meeting at the London Fishery bill, a Mort conversation took place Tavern. betwixt Mr. Sheridan and Mr. Jenkinson in Mr. Fox, Mr. Sheridan, Ms. Dempster, point of order, wbich the Speaker decided. and Mr. Martin, dwelt on the improprety After which,

of hurrying the bill through the House, Mr. Hussey insifted, that this bill gave which precluded at least the necessary insarimmediate employment to a multitude mation to those who were mostly interefted of the poor, which ought to be the first ob- in it. ject in every well regulated state ; he then The petition was then received, and Couspointed out the many advantages that would

[cordered to be heard to-morrow on the bill. arise from the continuance of the bounty on / Alderinan Watfon moved, that instead of this fishery, as a nursery, or rather academy to-morrow, Tuesday next be inserted. OR for our seamen, whom a noble Lord (Muls which the House divided. grave) gave the preference to, in point of skill For the motion

27 and hardiness. The principal arguments

Against it

77 urged on this subject in a former debate, were recapitulated in this.

Majority 50 Mr. Dempiter argued very ftrenuously After which the Houle proceeded to the reagainst the diminutive of the bounty, which maining clauses of the perfumery bill. he represented as trifling, in comparison to Adjourned. the profits that resulted from it. In the ac

MAY 26. count of this crade, the whalebone was left As soon as the Speaker had returned back out, he observed, which brought in a very from the House of Lords, to which the Con. large sum, as he was well informed, by Mi. mons had been summoned by the Yeoman Fall, of Dunbar. He insisted, that in the Ulher of the Black Rod, to attend his Macourse of laft year, the quantity of oil or jelty, blubber imported, amounted to above The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, he 10,000 tons, one half of which came from had just drawn up a motion, which he belickGreenland ; with many other remarks, par- ed would meet the unanimous concurrence ticularly wishing that witnesses might be of the House; and therefore he would not heard at the bar of the House on the sub- urge any argument in support of it; he then ject.

moved that the Speaker be requested to order Mr. Sheridan spoke to the same purpose. the speech which he had this day made to

Mr. Hulley then moved, that the further his Majesty at the bar of the House of Lords, consideration of this bihpels be deferred till on presenting the new Sinking Fund bill for this day fe'nnight, on which the House dio the Royal Allent to be printed. The motion vided, for the motion 36-against it 86.- pailed nem. con. Majoritv 50:

Upon the order of the day for the second Mr. Dundas presented a petition, requefto reading of the Wine bill, ing that leave be given to bring in a bill to It was urged by Mr. Fox, Mr. Sheridan, enable the Eat India Company to make use and Lord Beauchamp, that the counsel who of their credit, &c.

had been retained by the wine merchants to Mr. Fox objected to the manner in which opposc the principle of the bill, had not rethe bill was werded, as the reasons that gave ceived any of their instructions till laft night; birth to the request, were not set forth and that they had declined appearing at therein.

the bar fo early as this day, for this reaMr. Dundas then explained the reasons fon, which they alledged, that it was imThe Company, in consequence of the commu. potlible for them, in fo fort a spare of time, tation aat, had been cnabled to enlarge their to prepare themselves fo, that they should demands beyond their last estimate; - with be able to acquit themselves to their own many other reasons which satisfied the House, credit, and the advantage of their employers. The request was granted.

That the ground on which they reanito po Alderman Watson prefented a petition pose the bill was not, that it was opprelive from the Wine Trade, requesting to be heard to extend the provisions of the Excise laus; by counsel on the principle of the trid bille but that such was the nature of the wine trade.

MAY 31.

a

that however applicable the Excise laws sent to his wine-merchant to order a pipe of might be to spirits or other liquors, they indifferent Port, as it was for the use of his were wholly inapplicable to winc: and in inferior clergy; whereupon the wine-merchant order to make out ibis position, it was ne- sent him a pipe adapted to his order, accomcessary that the Counsel should have time to panied with a note, declaring, that if the receive ample instructions relative to all the Bishop could find a more indifferent pipe, he minutiæ of that trade, which could not would give it his Lordship for nothing. pollibly be the case in che interval of a few hours,

Mr. J. C. Jervoise, Chairman of the ComMr. Pitt, Mr. Dundas, Mr. Steele, and mittee appointed to try the merits of the conthe Attorney-General, on the other hand, telted election for Carlisle, reported to the contended, that as notice had been given bea House, That the Committee had found John fore the Easter recess, of the Chancellor of the Lowther, Esq; was not duly elected ; that J. Exchequer's intention to put part of the wine Christian, Esq; ought to have been elected; duties under the management of the Board and that the said J. Christian is duly elected. of Excise, the wine-merchants could not be Mr. Gilbert presented his bill for the betsaid to be taken by surprize; on the contrary, ter regulating of charitable institutions, and they had full time to take the principle into obliging those entrusted with the distribution conhderation ; and if they had neglected lo of donations, to be responsible for their conto do, it was their own, and not the fault of duct in the exercise of the trust reposed in that House; and the more so, as they had them. The bill was read a first time. When had the bill in their possession for a fortnight. the Speaker was about to read that clause It was also thought necessary that the bill which empowers the Church-wardens and should pass through the Committee before the Overseers of every parish to examine all bills, Whitsuntide recels, which it could not do, in order to discover whether or not any sum if the second reading should be postponed to remained to be applied for the purposes of Tuesday. Mr. Fox, fill anxious to procure the institution, the delay, offered to bind himself not to de- The Attorney-General imagined that the bate the principle of the bill till after the se. power meant to be granted was too extensive, cond reading ; Mr. Sheridan made a similar therefore he should oppose it. offer; and Mr. Pite seemed willing to gra- Mr. Gilbert declared that there was an abe tify them ; but as these two gentlemen could folute necessity for such a clause. Any genbind themselves only, and not the rest of the tleman who took the trouble to read the bills House, Mr. Pitt felt himself obliged to urge would, he was convinced, readily concur the second reading this day. The House ac- with him in that opinion. In order, howcordingly divided on the motion for that ever, to make it more generally understood, purpose; which was carried by a majority of he moved that it hould be printed. Agreed seventy-four. Ayes 110-Noés 26.

The bill was accordingly read ; and an or- The House having resolved itself into a der was made that it be committed on Tuefs Committee of Ways and Means, the Chanday next.

cellor of the Exchequer moved several reloThe Lord Advocate of Scotland moved for lutions. One was relative to the lottery inthe second reading of a bill for granting the tended for the next year. The tickets are to privileges of British-built ships to two ihips be sold at 131. 155. 6d. The number 50,000. belonging to a house in Glasgow, that were and the sum to be raised, 688,7501. built in America fince the peace. Mr. Jen- The Attorney-General referred to the case kinson opposed the motion, as it might open of Mr. Mortlock, respecting the names of the the door for too many limilar applications, Commissioners of the Land Tax for Camand it was lost.

bridge. The report of the Committee was After this, a Mort conversation between read, and a motion made for discharging the Mr. Pitt, Mr. Burke, and Mr. Francis took further confideration of the bugness. The Are place on the mode of producing certain pae torney-General then moved, pers with respect to the subject of Mr. Hait- That the alteration, now deemed reprehenings' impeachment; and an order was direct- sible by the House, had been made without ed to the East India Directors, to deliver the consent or knowledge of Gen. Adeane. them to the House.

That any breach of a lilar oature should Mr. Burke entertained the House in his re- in future be deemed by the House as highly ply to the arguments of the Attorney-Gene- criminal. ral, with a story that drew forth a general That no alteration should take place with. laugh:– He said the Hon. and learned Gen- out the orders or concurrence of Parliament. tleman, he believed, possessed two sorts of · Thut the proper officers should deliver in lo law wine ;-he had fupernaculum for the other the House a correct duplicate of the list, to be House, whenever he went there ; and he had regularly filed, and open for the inspection his inferior fort, which he thought would do of any member. for such uninformed men as hinself. He re- These motions were severally put, and minded him, he declared, of that Bishop who agreed to.

Lila

JUNS

to.

a

a