The queftion being then put, it was fhend feemed to exprefs fentiments of agreed to nem. con. the Bill nearly fimilar.' Lord Grenville then moved, that a felect Committee be appointed to meet a Committee of the Commons in the Painted Chamber, and that they should mutually agree upon a joint Addrefs to his Majefty, praying his Majefty to lay the faid Refolutions before the Parliament of Ireland; which was alfo agreed to in like manner. 12. Their Lordships fent a Meffage to the Commons, defiring a conferrence on the Union with Ireland, when a Committee was appointed, which fat in the Painted Chamber with that of the Commons, when a joint Addrefs was refolved on, which was fubmitted to their Lordfhips, and the fame was ordered to be prefented to his Majesty accordingly. In a Committe on the Volunteer Exemption Bill, Lord Grenville moved an amendment, that volunteers fhould not be exempted from being ballotted for in the militia; but that if called on to ferve, their certificate fhould be a fufficient difcharge, which was agreed to. 15. Two Bills were received from the Commons. Some private Bills were read, and public Bills forwarded in their refpective ftages. The Earl of Carlisle in a great degree differed in opinion from thofe Lords who had spoken. He obferved, that the rejection of the Bill would not be attended with the effects dwelt upon by the Noble Lords. The continuance of the reftriction would afford the farmers no effential relief: the real advantage of the reftriction was to the poachers only. The queftion being called for, a divifion took place, when there appeared for going into a Committee on the Bill, 44; against it, 23; majority, 21. The House then refolved itself into a Committee on the Bill, Lord Wallingham in the chair. The claufes of the Bill being agreed to by the Committee, the Houfe refumed, confirmed the Report, and the third reading of the Bill was fixed for Thurfday. 1 18. Several Bills were received from the Commons. The Volunteer Exemption Bill, after a few obfervations from Lord Darnley and Lord Suffolk, was read a third time and paffed. The Bill for regulating the periods for commencing and ending Partridge Shooting, was read a third time and paffed. 16. The Order of the Day (upon which their Lordships were fummoned) for the Houfe refolving into a Committee upon the Partridge Shooting Bill, the leading provifion of which goes to repeal an Actral private Bills.-Adjourned. lately paffed for reftraining the shooting of Partridges, &c. until the 14th of September, being read, and the question put, 19. The Royal Affent was given by Commiffion to the Exchequer Loan Bill, the Partridge Shooting Bill, and to feve The Duke of Norfolk faid, the very falutary provifion which the prefent Bill tended to do away, was not more than two years in exiftence, and had by no means a fufficient trial. The restriction was such as did the promoters of it much credit, and rendered confiderable benefit to that very meritorious clafs in fociety, the induftrious farmers. The reftriction went to defend thofe perfons from the havock and devaftation which the proceedings of unthinking or high-mettled, or, what was as bad, ignorant sportsmen occafioned. He was not a sport man himself, but he knew fo much, and he felt for the diftreffes occafioned to the farmers by fuch conduct. He was, confident the Bill would be attended with the most injurious confequences, and, under this impreffion, he would vote againft its farther progrefs. The Earl of Suffolk and Marquis Town HOUSE OF COMMONS.—March 16. The Report of the Committee of Supply being brought up by Mr Sergeant, The Refolutions were feverally agreed to, viz. For the Secret Service abroad £.150,000 for the year 1799 For Suffering French Clergy and Laity, and for American Royalists For the Turkey Company And a Bill ordered to be brought in accordingly. 226,000 5,000 Mr Sergeant having brought up the Report of the Income Bill, The feveral amendments then proposed in the Committee, which were extremely numerous, and confifted of regulations relative to Commiffioners and Commercial Commiffioners in England and Wales, to the Precincts of Royal Palaces, to the Inns of Court, to the Univerfities, the Cinque Ports, to Wards, Parishes, Cities, Boroughs, and Towns Corporate; to other regulations concerning Affeffors, 3 N returns 1 returns of statements, duty of Commiffioners regarding their receipts, certifi cates and payments at the Bank, deaths of individuals, change and removal of Affeffors, Agents, Collectors, and Commiffioners, appointments of Clerks, and expences of putting the Act in execution, were feverally read and agreed to. Mr Ryder propofed a claufe, which was received, for the better explaining thofe clauses in the Bill relative to abatements on account of children. Agreed to, and added to the Bill. The Bill was then ordered to be read a third time on Monday next. 18. Sir W. Scott moved, "That leave be given to bring in a Bill to remedy certain defects in the law refpecting of fences committed on the high feas."Leave given. Mr Pitt prefented at the Barr of the House his Majesty's Proclamation of the 15th inftant, prohibiting, without special licence, the arrival of pertons into this kingdom from Ireland. Ordered to be laid on the table.. Read a third time, and paffed the Volunteer Exemption and the Provifional Cavalry Reduction Bills. On the third reading of the Income Bill, the period of making Returns of Statements was extended from the 25th of March to the 5th of April: fome alterations were alfo made in the meaning of abatements respecting children, and relative to duties paid in ftamps, &c. in prefentations to benefices. The Bill being then read a third time, was paffed, and ordered to the Lords. The House in a Committee, Mr Ry. der moved, "that it is the opinion of this Committee, that the Eaft India Company fhould be prevented from contract ing for, or exporting to the Eaft Indies or elsewhere copper or copper ore, but what they have already contracted for." Which was agreed to. On the queftion for the fecond reading of the Slave Trade Bill (Mr Thornton's,) Mr Dickinson moved for leave to prefent a petition against it from the Weft India merchants and planters, when the Houfe divided; but forty Members not being prefent, it was counted out. 19. Mr Thornton moved the fecond reading of his Bill for limiting the extenfion of the Slave Trade on the African coaft; when the Houle divided, and forty Members not being prefent, it was counted out. 20. A Meffage was received from the Lords, ftating, that their Lordships had agreed to the Land Tax Redemption Bill, the Income Explanatory Bill, the Provifional Cavalry Bill, and to feveral private Bills. The Bill for limiting the extenfions of the African Slave Trade, after a converfation between Mr Thornton, Colonel Gafcoyne, Mr Dundas, Mr Dent, Sir William Young, Mr Sewel, Mr Hawkins Browne, and Mr Pitt, was read a fecond time, and ordered to be committed this day fortnight. The Parish Overfeers Bill was committed, and ordered for a third reading. 21. Mr Ryder brought in a Bill for reftricting the Eaft India Company from exporting copper, which was read a firft time, and ordered to be read a second time this day fortnight. Mr Long brought up feveral accounts concerning the expence of confining and otherwife difpofing of convicts, and other matters. He also brought up a variety of accounts preparatory to the Budget. On the motion of Mr Ryder, a Committee of the whole Houfe was appointed for Tuesday fortnight, to take into confideration the Report of the Secret Committee. April 2. Mr Wallace moved for an account to be laid before the House of the quantity of Copper ufed in his Majesty's Navy fince the year 1796, diftinguishing each year. The Report, therefore, of the Committee on the Bill for regulating the future price of that article, was postponed from Thurfday to Monday next. Mr Dundas gave notice of his inten tion of moving for leave to bring in a Bill to amend an Act of the laft Seffion of Parliament, intitled, " An A&t for the Redemption of the Land Tax in that part of Great Britain called Scotland." Mr Williams gave notice, that on Thursday next he would move that a Committee be appointed to inquire into the state of the Copper Mines throughout England and Wales, and that the refult of fuch inquiry be reported to that House. The Lord Advocate gave notice of his intention, on Friday next, to move for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the laws now in force in that part of Great Britain called Scotland relative to Sedition, to empower Magiftrates to detain in prifon perfons committed under fuch a charge from the day of the service and receipt of their respective indictments, and until their trials. The House in a Committee on the Scotch Diftillery Bill, the blank for the period. period of continuing the Act was filled with the words "the 5th of July ;" and the Houfe being re-affumed, the Report was ordered to be taken into confideration to-morrow. The other Orders of the Day were poftponed. 3. On the motion of Mr Wallace, an account was laid before the Houfe of the quantity of Copper purchafed by the Commiffioners of the Navy, for the use of the fame, fince the year 1788. Mr Dundas brought up a Meffage from his Majefty. (See page 464.) He then moved, that an Addrefs thereon be prefented to his Majefty, by fuch Members of the Houfe as were of his Majefty's Privy Council, and that the faid Meffage be taken into confideration on Tuefday next.-Agreed to. The Committee on the Militia Reduction Bill was poftponed to Monday next. Mr Thornton moved, that in confi deration of a mistake in the Journals of the House, appointing the Committee on the Bill for reftricting within certain limits the Slave Trade on the Coaft of Africa, which by that mistake ftood for to-day, the fame fhould be fixed for Wednesday next, which was agreed to. Colonel Gafcoyne prefented feveral petitions from the Corporation of Liverpool, and from feveral private individuals, praying to be heard againft particular claufes of the Bill by counfel. This was oppofed by Mr Pitt, upon the grounds of informality. But, after a few observations from Col. Gascoyne, the Speaker, and Mr Edwards, it was fettled that fome of the petitioners fhould be heard by their council; and two of the petitions, having no fignatures to them, were withdrawn. When the Orders of the Day were poftponing, among them that of the Committee of Ways and Means, Mr Pitt informed the Houfe that he fhould poftpone the outline of the Loan, which it had been his intention to fubmit in that Committee on Friday next, until he could nearly afcertain the probable receipts under the Income A&t. Every Gentleman must be aware of the propriety, and indeed neceffity of this measure ; but that in the interim, to meet exigencies, he might have recourse to a further supply of temporary means, for prefent expediencies, by way of Exchequer Bills. was brought up, and the Refolutions feverally agreed to. 4. The Bill for increasing the Rates of Allowance to Innkeepers was read a first time, and ordered to be read a fecond time. The Order for the second reading of the Copper Bill being read, Lord Hawkefbury moved that it be read a fecond time on Tuesday fe'nnight.-Ordered. The Bill for regulating the duties upon, and warehoufing Eaft India goods, was read a fecond time.-Ordered to be com mitted on Friday fe'nnight. The Order of the Day being read for the Houfe to go into a Committee upon the Slave Carrying Bill, Mr W. Smith said he intended to have moved that the Houfe fhould now go into the Committee, but as he understood the Council retained were not yet returned from the Circuit, and that there would be no purpofed delay, he should confent to is being deferred to Monday fe'nnight, to which time it was accordingly poftponed. Colonel Gafcoyne presented a petition from feveral merchants of Liverpool againft the Slave Carrying Bill, which was ordered to lie upon the table. The Committee on the Attornies' Clerks' Indenture Bill was deferred to Monday. 5. Mr Pitt moved, "That a fum not exceeding 1,500,000l. be granted to his Majefty, by way of Loan, on Exchequer Bills, which was agreed to. The Lord Advocate of Scotland moved for leave to bring in a Bill for increafing the fums to be required as Bail in Scotland, in matters of Sedition and Treafon ; which being granted, the fame was brought in, and read a first time. Mr Dundas brought in a Bill for regulating the Sale of Land Tax in Scotland, which was read a firft sime. 8. The fecond reading of the Scotch Militia Reduction Bill, and the Scotch Land Tax Amendment Bill were poftponed, on the motion of Mr W. Dundas, till to-morrow fe'nnight. Sir Godfrey Webster gave notice of moving for leave to-morrow to bring in a Bill to amend the Poor Laws. The Lord Advocate's Bill for extending the penalty, and in fome cafes withholding Bail altogether in matters of Sedition in Scotland, was read, and ordered to be committed and printed. Mr Pitt poftponed the confideration of the Secret Committee, which flood for The Report of the Eaft India Account_to-morrow, and that of the Address 3 N 2 unti until this day fe'nnight; and that, in the mean while, the faid Address be referred to the faid Committee. The Attornies' Clerks' Bill was committed, and ordered to be reported. 9. The Act of second James I. being read, which impofed penalties on perfons purchafing Hides by private contract, Lord Hawkesbury said, that this was a matter of great hardship, and therefore moved for leave to bring in a Bill to indemnify fuch perfons; and having ftated a fimilar cafe with respect to perfons in the Coal Trade, obtained leave accordingly. The Bill for increafing the rates allowed to Innkeepers billetting Soldiers was committed, and ordered to be reported to-morrow. The Bill for regulating the powers and extending the jurisdiction of the Admiralty Court in criminal cafes was read a fecond time, and ordered to be committed to-morrow. A Meffage was received from the Lords, ftating they had agreed to the Scotch Diftillery and Newfoundland Convoy Bills without amendment. 10. The Bill for the more effectual pu nishment of offences committed on the High Seas went through a Committee, and was ordered to be reported on Monday. The Exchequer Bills Bill was read a fecond time. The Attornies' Clerks' Bill was read a third time, and paffed. The House having refolved itself into a Committee upon the Slave Trade Limitation Bill, counfel were called in and heard against the Bill, after which the Committee proceeded through feveral claufes. The blanks in the claufes refpecting the time at which the Bill was to commence, and the boundaries within which the trade was to be carried on, were filled up. The blank with respect to the time was filled up by the Ift of January 1801. The Committee were proceeding through the remaining claufes, when Mr Pierrepoint faid, that as this was a bufinefs of great importance, he thought it improper to proceed upon it in fo thin a Committee, and moved that the number of Members present should be counted-there were but 32 prefent, of course the bufinefs was put off. II. The Bili for increafing the rates allowed to Innkeepers billetting Soldiers was read a third time and paffed. The Exchequer Bills Bill went through a Committee, the Report brought up, and ordered to be read a third time to morrow. The remaining Orders of the Day were poftponed. 12. The Scotch Sedition Bill was read a fecond time, and ordered to be committed. On the queftion for going into a Committee on the Bill for restricting within certain limits the Slave Trade on the African Coaft, Mr Dent objected to the Houfe going into the Committee; whereupon a divifion took place, ayes 38, noes 22; majority 16. The House refolved itfelf into a Committee accordingly, and the Report was ordered to be taken into confideration on Wednesday next. 15. The Bill for granting to his Majefty a Loan by way of Exchequer Bills was read a third time and paffed. The Committee to take into confideration the Report of the Secret Committee, after a few obfervations from Mr Pitt, Mr Tierney, Mr Hobhouse, and Mr Johnes, was poftponed until Friday. Mr N. Vanfittart brought up the Report of the Bill for remedying defects in the law relative to crimes committed on the High Seas, which being agreed to, it was ordered to be read a third time to morrow. The Report of the Scotch Sedition Bill was brought up and agreed to, as was that of the Committee on the Expiring Laws, and Bills were ordered accordingly. 16. Sir Godfrey Webfter obtained leave to bring in a Bill to enable parishes to purchase fmall farms for the fupport of their refpective poor. Mr Hobhouse gave notice that he fhould move for a Special Committee to-morrow, to inveftigate and report the contract entered into by Mr Palmer, late of the poft-office, with the Lords of the Treafury. The Order of the Day, for committing the Militia Reduction Bill being read, Mr Baftard propofed, that the Committee fhould be inftructed to receive a claufe" for compelling Colonels of Militia Regiments to allow the discharge of men who had more than three children on the parish to which they refpectively belonged providing fubftitutes." This was oppofed by Colonel Sloane, Mr Dundas, and Sir William Young, and fupported by Colonel Elfor, but he motion was negatived without a divifion. The House then proceeded to a Com mittee on the Bill, went through its feveral clauses, adopted fome trifling regulations, the Report was brought up, and ordered to be taken into confideration on Thursday. 17. Read a third time and paffed, the Bill for extending the jurifdiction of the High Court of Admiralty, relative to offences committed on the High Seas. The House in a Committee of Ways and Means, Mr Pitt moved, that the furplus revenue of the Confolidated Fund, up to the 5th of April 1799, be referred to the fame, which was adopted accordingly, and both Committees were poftponed to Friday next. Mr Hobhoufe moved "That the Houfe fhould refolve itfelf into a Committee on Tuesday fe’nnight, to take into confideration the agreement entered into between the Lords of the Treasury and John Palmer, Efq. late Comptroller General of the Poft Office, and his conduct in that department," which was agreed to. Mr Pitt moved for leave to bring in a Bill to extend further the time to make returns under the Income Act, as the period already allotted was found wholly infufficient in commercial concerns to make due returns to the Commercial Commiflioners. Leave was given accordingly. 18. Mr Long brought up the Reports of the Committees of Supply and Ways and Means, which were feverally agreed to. The Houfe then proceeded to the further confideration of the Report of the Bill for limiting the African Slave Trade, when Mr Sewell, in obfervations which occupied nearly one hour, and until most of the Members quitted the Houfe, moved that the fame be adjourned till this day four months, but Colonel Gafcoyne having remarked on the extreme thinness of the House, moved that it be counted, which being done, and only 11 Members being present, an adjournment of course took place. 19. The Houfe in a Committee having proceeded to take into confideration the Report of the Secret Committee appointed to inveftigate the ftate and extent of traitorous and feditious proceedings in this country, Mr Pitt moved for leave to bring in a Bill to render more effectual an Act of the 38th of the present King, empowering his Majefty to detain in cuftody fuch perfons as were fufpected of treasonable or feditious practices. And alfo for leave to bring in a Bill to prevent fedition and feditious meetings." Each Refolution being agreed to, the Bills were ordered accordingly, on the Report being brought up. Adjourned.. |