very important information which was neceffary to the due elucidation of the measure just moved for by his noble Friend (Lord Grenville), which moft probably could not be prefented early enough for that part of the difcuffion, fuppofing it to come on before the recefs. Upon the whole, the noble Earl feemed to think, that as there was no probability of the bill's getting through the Committee before the recefs, it would be preferable to poftpone it, as a partial difcuffion of the measure before that period, in a Committee, would rather be a disadvantage than of a beneficial tendency.

Lord Hawkesbury obferved, that it was his wifh the bill fhould go through a Committee. As to the probable length of the difcuffion in that stage of the bill, he could not venture an opinion, as he could not tell what clauses or provifions any noble Lord might have to propofe, or what objections might be offered to the exifting regulations of the bill; but if he found that it was not poffible, or very improbable, that their Lordships could get through with that stage of the bill before the recefs, he fhould be rather inclined not to propose it, as he agreed with the noble Earl in thinking that in fuch a cafe the proceeding would be rather difadvantageous than otherwife.

The Earl of Limerick moved for the production of an account of all fums, &c. paid at par, to perfons in and froni Ireland, on the part of the Government thereof, fince the union, distinguishing the fums fo paid in each feffion of Parliament, with an account of the average of exchange during that period, together with a statement of the orders from the Government of Ireland, under which fuch fums were paid, &c.

Lord King expreffed his wifh to amend the noble Earl's motion, by the addition of "Account of all fums paid in fpecie in Dublin," if any were fo paid.

This was fhortly objected to by the Earl of Limerick, on the score of irregularity, and as it might form ground to the noble Lord for a separate difcuffion, and after a few words in explanation between thefe peers, Lord King declined preffing the amendment.

The question was then put upon the Earl of Limerick's motion, which was ordered accordingly.

Mr. Bithop prefented certain accounts from the London Flour and Meal Company, directed annually to be laid before Parliament.

Mr. Irving, from the Inspector General of the imports

and

and exports office, prefented fundry accounts from that department.

Mr. Stavely, from the general poft office, prefented an account of the arrears due from certain officers of that department, on the 5th of January, 1804; and alfo an account of the balances in hand from the month of October 1803, to January laft.

Thefe documents were feverally ordered to lie on the table, Their Lordships then, after difpofing of fome private bufir nefs, adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS,

MONDAY, MARCH 26.

The bill for increafing the capital ftock of the Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland was read a third time, and paffed.

Sir George Cornewall brought in a bill for the prevention of bribery in the borough of Aylesbury, and for making feveral regulations refpecting elections in that borough in future. Read a first time, and ordered to be read a fecond time on Monday the 16th of April next.

Sir John Newport stated, that he had moved for the production of certain public accounts on the 2d of February last, These accounts had not yet been prefented; he therefore moved, "that there be forthwith laid before the House, in conformity to the order of the 2d of Feb. laft, accounts of any and what fums have been raised by grand juries, and paid into the hands of the treasurers of counties, counties of cities, or towns in Ireland, towards fupport of the houses of industry, in the years 1801, 1802, and 1803 respectively." Ordered.

A perfon from the general poft office prefented accounts of the amount of money received by the different poftmasters within the last year, and the balance now remaining in their hands. Ordered to be printed.

The annual accounts of the London Flour Company were prefented, and ordered to lie on the table.

An account of the diftribution of two million pounds fterling, which was voted in the last feffion towards the service of the year, was prefented, and ordered to lie on the table.

A petition was prefented from certain inhabitants of the boTough of Chippenham, flating that a Select Committee had decided on the cafe of the late contefted election for that borough, on principles which they with deference conceived to

be

be materially different from the antient ufage of that borough, and praying that they might be heard by their counsel on that head. The petition was ordered to be taken into confideration on Tuesday the 8th of May.

Mr. Dent gave notice that he would, after the recefs, move that the Houfe take into its confideration the fituation of the holders of loyalty loan debentures.

On the order being read for the House refolving itself into a Committee on the bankers' indemnity bill,

Mr. Vanfittart moved, that it be an inftruction to the Committee, that they make a provifion to extend the time of hearing appeals on furcharges made under the property tax.

Mr. Prinfep objected to the whole principle of the bill. He was of opinion, that many innocent perfons would fuffer by the paffing of fuch a law, as they would not be able to make their returns within the proper time in many inftances, where they refided at a distance in the country. It would be more regular for the agent, when he got his dividend warrant, to go into another office, pay the affeffment, and obtain a certificate accordingly. If the principals had any claim to exemptions, they fhould prefer fuch claim themselves.

Mr. Dent faid, that the bill only went to the prevention of an evil which it never was the intention of Government that the parties should suffer. If the measure was not adopted, the greatest inconvenience would enfue in tranfacting the business in the manner which the hon. Member had defcribed. He then afked the right hon. Secretary if any other alteration was intended to be made after the holidays.

Mr. Vanfittart declared that he was not at present aware of any fuch measure being in the contemplation of his Majesty's Minifters. If, however, any fufficient ground was ftated, fome other regulation might be adopted in the courfe of the feffion.

The bill was then paffed through the Committee, the report received, and the bill ordered to be read a third time the next day.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer placed himself at the bar of the House, and presented a meffage from his Majesty, ftating, That

"His Majefty thought proper to acquaint the House of Commons, that the officers, non-commiffioned officers, and privates of several regiments of Irish militia, had made a voluntary tender of their fervices to be employed in any part of Great Britain, during the war; that his Majefty had received with great fatisfaction this ftriking proof of affection and at

tachment

tachment to his perfon and Government, and of their patriotic zeal for the general intereft of the united kingdom; and conceiving that being enabled to avail himself of this patriotic offer might be attended with great advantage, his Majefty recommended it to his faithful Commons to adopt fuch regulations as might enable him to accept of the offers of fuch parts of the Irith militia as might be voluntarily difpofed to ferve in Great Britain, for fuch time and to fuch extent as to the wisdom of Parliament might feem expedient."

After the meffage had been read from the chair, the Chancellor of the Exchequer ftated that he would refrain from making any comment at prefent, and content himself with moving, that his Majefty's most gracious ineffage be taken into confideration on Wednesday next, when a right hon. Friend of his (Mr. Secretary Yorke) who was at prefent abfent by indifpofition, would fubmit a meafure to the Houfe for the purpofe of augmenting the force of the country. The meflage was then ordered to be taken into confideration on Wednesday

next.

Mr. Corry moved the order of the day for the recommitment of the Irish militia families bill..

On this a converfation arofe between Mr. Fofter and Mr. Corry, refpecting the operations of the present and the former laws refpecting the provifion to be made for the families of militiamen in Ireland. A claufe was prefented by Mr. Fofter, to authorize the payment of arrears which may be due from the first of November laft, up to the prefent period, in order. to make up the deficiency of the allowance which militiamen's families have received fince that time. The claufe was agreed to with fome flight amendment.

The bill was paffed through a Committee, and the report was ordered to be received the next day.

Mr. Fofter faid, that he would be glad to know when it was likely that the Irifh accounts, which had been ordered fome time fince, would be laid before the Houfe? There was fo much tardinefs and irregularity in the production of papers which related to that part of the empire, that he thould think it his duty to move, after the recefs, that the operation of the act, which regulates the delivery of public accounts relative to the affairs of England, fhould be extended to Ireland.

Mr. Carry affured the hon. Member that no pains were fpared in the making out and delivery of thofe accounts. Two officers were then waiting outfide of the door, for the purpose of delivering papers, and the others would be delivered with all poffible expedition.

Mr.

Mr. Kinnaird moved, that there be laid before the House, accounts of the difpofition of grants for the year 1803, stating what fums remain in the Exchequer, and what fums are yet to be raised under the various heads of loan, lottery, war taxes, and the intereft on the fums payable for the redemption of the land tax, diftinguishing each, up to the lateft period. A general refult of the furplus of 1,300,cool. was stated in the accounts upon the table, but he did not think that that was fufficiently explicit.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer had no objection to the production of the papers which had been specified, but at the fame time affured the hon. Member, that he would not find the accuracy of the statements at prefent before the House, in any degree affected by the accounts he now moved for.

Mr. Kinnaird faid, that in the present some of the accounts appeared to him to be a delufion on the public.

Mr. Fanfittart declared, that they were drawn up according to the ufual method of framing fuch documents.

The accounts were then ordered to be laid before the House.

Accounts of the amount of falaries, which have been paid at par to officers on the Irish establishment refident in England. fince the union, were presented, and ordered to lie on the table.

The Committees of Supply and Ways and Means were poftponed till Wednesday. Adjourned.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

TUESDAY, MARCH 27.

The bills upon the table were forwarded in their refpective stages.

Lord Eliot was fworn and took his feat, on his acceffion to the peerage by the demife of his father, the late Lord.

An account of the falaries, penfions, &c. paid by order of the Irish Government at par, within a given period, were, in pursuance of a former motion of Lord King, laid before the Houfe. And the fame were, on the motion of the noble Lord, ordered to be printed.

On the motion of Lord Auckland, a Committee of their Lordships was appointed to inquire into the best means of lighting and warming the Houfe, improving the paffages thereto, and the accommodations of the Lord Chancellor and other officers of the House.

VOL. II. 1893-4•

M m

VOLUNTEER