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London, England, 1805-05-11 00:00:00

part of Eatl-St. Viking that all his torciship looked
for was a full and fair enquiry:
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
said, he did not we why the Right Hon. Gentleman
should rest his observations particularly on him, as
he, no more than any othyr Member, could judge
whether the papers might endure an enquiry, until
he could examine the nature of them all. When
this motion was first noticed, it seemed to be the
general wish, on all sides, that the papers should be
granted, and he alone wished for a delay, which led
him, as he stated before, to objet :o two of them,
as inconsistent with the public safety ; NI., be could
not foresee the effect of the remainder. If the
House examined the speech of the Right Hon.
Gentleman (Mr. Tierney), they would observe it to
consist of alternate sentences : the one tending to
court, and the other to suppress enquiry. As to
what had been alluded to of protedion, he had only
to say, that he should be always ready to protect
Earl St. Vincent, or any other man, against in-
justice. The remembrance he had of the great pro-
fessional services of the Noble Earl would be suffi-
cient restrait against any hostility on his part to-
wards him ; but, he had long since expressed his
opinion of his condud in the Admiralty, and he had
not yet any reason to retract it. The past profes-
sional merits of the Noble Earl, however great, were
not sufficient grounds to defend the faults in his ad-
ministration. Fof his own part, he declared that he
had no wish for, nor did be intend to submit, any
inquiry into the conduit of the Noble Earl t but,
when that inquiry was challenged by his friends, he
should not be doing justice either to himself or to
the country, were be to take any measures to sup-
press it.
Mr. JEFFERY declared that his condua did not
spring from any party connedioss, but, from the im-
pulse of the moment. He had no communication
on the subjeet of his motion withthe Minister, or any
other person ; and, when the Right Hon. Gentle-
man (Mr. Tierney) asked him this day in private
whether they were to be carried, he candidly an-
swered him that he did not know.

Mr. GREY said, he did not so much question
the motives of the Hon. Gentleman, as he did the
Motion itself, and the speech which accompanied it.
All that he could understand by the expression of
his Right Hon. Friend ( Mr. Tierney), by the word
proteCtion" was, that it meant to signify fairness,
though, in fart, he was sorry the word had been
used at all. The fairness he claimed on the part of
the Earl of St. Vincent was, that whatever objec-
tions there might be in point of convenience, all the
papers should be produced, which might be neces-
sary for the inquiry. The Hon. Gentleman (Mr.
Jeffery) seemed surprised, that any Gentleman
should oppose the papers, without knowing what
they were; bat he forgot, that when the papers
should be produced, it would he too late to oppose
them. He abed, in this raped, like the Judge,
who was reported to have told a Barrister from the
bench--. 4 I will not allow you to opts your mouth.
until you tell me what you have to say." As to the
Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Pitt), he must do him
the justice to say, that he aged consistently, and he
had uniformly expressed himself hostile to the Naval
Administration of the Earl of St. Vincent. _

Mr. TIERNEY explained.
Mr. WILBERFORCE agreed with the Minister,
that the gratitude, which every man must feel for
the eminent services of Earl St. Vincent in his pro-
fessional capacity, was a reason for not objecting to
his administration; but he must observe, that the
Motion, as he heard it read, did not appear whim to
have any more application to the condua of Earl
St. Vincent, than to those of Earls Chatham and
Spencer who preceded him, and whose administra-
tions were equally included, and lie wished that it
/hoed also be extended to that of the Earl of Sand-
wich. The objedlions appeared to him to apply
mote to the speech than to the motion of th► lion.
Gentleman, and of which he must approve, as he
should always wish the House and the country to
be acquainted with the means taken for supportinx
the commerce, and maintaining the existence of the
t.nentry. This was at any time a fit subject of en-
qiiiry, and be declared that he could not conceive the
necessity there wasfor claimi.ss the proteairm of the
Minister, and at the same torte deprecating what
WAS represented to be the remorseless fury of an un-
conneaed man. There seemed to be no room at
this time for difference of opinion upon the security
of the wintry, perhaps more than ever depended
on the cnndition of the navy. The motions of the
Hots. Gentleman, unless they produced an enquiry,
could not, certainly, hear out the conclusions he
drew from them ; but if it were true that the hnild-
ing of ships were negleaed, that during the fever-
ish interval of a green and uncertain peace, no
means were taken to prepare fur the renewal of hos-
tilities ; if such a condua was observed towards the
officers as was likely to be produelive of disagree-
ment and disunion amongst them ; it attempts were
isiaoe to 4,ve the Captains so great an influence on
board their ships as must revolt their subordinates,
it would be necessary to mark such proceedings, for,
whatever strength may be derived from our various
other naval resources, certainly the hearts and af-
feaions of our officers and seamen were the most
valuable of all. He then pronounced the highest
panegyric on the virtues, talents, and other excel.
lent qualifications of Lord Barham, the present
First Lord of the Admiralty. It was, he under-
stood, the fashion of some Gentlemen, to represent
his great qualities as chilled by the influence of years{
but, from the opportunities he had of judging, he
must declare him to be, in his opinion, the man of
all others, best qualified for his situation.
Mr. PYTCHES here called the Hon. Gentleman
to order: thinking such high panegyrics on the new
First Lord of the Admiralty, were by no means tele-
vent to the present motion.
Mr. WILBERFORCE thought himself perfea-
ly in order, when it was considered that Lord Bar-
ham was Comptroller of the Navy under two of
the Administrations to which these motions refereed.
Mr. CURIVEN thought, that after Earl St.
Vincent had been acquitted of all charges in the
last Session, when the Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr.
Pitt) moved for papers to criminate him, it would,
at least, have been decent to abstain from any harsh
expression towards him, until the papers now moved
for should be properly examined. The language
used by the Hon. Mover appeared to him much
too strong to be lightly applied to so good and ex-
, alted a charader ; and he thought the panegyric on
Lvrd &sham the more unnecessary in this debate,

as not a single relleCtion had been cal upon him
He made no doubt, but when the enquiry should
bemade, the Noble Eatl would appear in as ex-
alted a sphere of chara.cler 3S he had always done
befoie t and, until the trial, he conceived that great
charafter entitled to every degree of approbation.
Col. BASTARD was of opinion,that the inquiry,
which ought rather now to extend itself to the do-
minion of the sea, ought hot to be confined to .the
limits of Earl of 'St. Vincent's administration. In-
stead of party motions of this kind. it would more
become the House to inquire into the disorder? in
the West Indies, and the circumstance of the do-
million of the sea being now in the hands of the
French, who dared not shew their faces on the ocean
during the administration of the gallant Earl St.
Vincent (No! No!). During that vigorous and
aCtive administration, the French could presume to
chew themselves only to be defeated. and how shame-
ful now the reverse, when the British squadrons were
obliged to fiy before them (A very strong try of No!
.Nv! from the Ministerial side of the House). '1 he
Hon. Colonel then concluded with observing that
the great object of our inquiry should at present be,
by what means we might be able again to put our-
selves into the same situation in which Earl St. Vin-
cent had left us ?

Mr. JEFFERY explained, that in what he stated,
he should prove, in regard to the condult of Earl St.
Vincent, was only meant as his own private opinion.
Mr. WARD, in a very few words, said, he must
absolutely and distinaly deny that the enemy were
now in possession of the dominion of the sea.
AdMiral MARKHAM said, if the Right Hon.
Gentleman (Mr. Pitt) already objefted to two of
the motions while he was willing to grant the re-
mainder, it must also follow, that he should have
to objes to many others which he should think it
right to submit respeaing the supply of foreign tim-
ber, which would be so necessary to the Earl of St.
Vincent's justification, though he should be sorry,
on any other account, to propose the disclosure of
any thing which might he supposed embarrassing to
Government. When the same Right Hon. Gent.
last year moved for an account of the foreign tim-
ber imported.he objefied to it as a disclosure which
he thought at that time improper, but being now
out of office, he was not capable of judging whether
a similar communication would not be equally in-
jurious at the present time. All he should think of
asking for would be such papers as were barely ne-
cessary for the vindication of the Noble Earl, who
wanted no other proteaion but what he could hope
to derive from the justice of his country. The
Gentlemen opposite him would never think on such a
subjea to content themselves only with such papers
as might be sufficient for a vote of one night; for. if
the enquiry respelling Viscount Melville required
to be referred tb a committee, though comparatively
it lay in a nut-shell, how mach more necessary
would It be on a subjea which embraced the con-
dua of a whole administration ? He must once
more observe• that all he should require was, that
the case should he fairly, fully, equally, and im-
partially tried. This he was peculiarly anxious for,
because, as he loved his country much more dearly
than he did Earl St. Vincent, he considered a tut
and full enquiry to be the best means of securing
it. If a Committee should be appointed on it, he
wished it to consist not of party men, as on the late
occasion, but of proper people (crier ! order !)
He did not mean to say, that any set of Gentlemen
woold he at-Wally partial.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUF.R
here interrupted him, as being disorderly in antici-
pating what sort of committee the papers mi,llit be
referred to, before they were produced.
The SPEAKER said. that in fairness he must ac--
quit the Hon. Admiral of being more out of order,
in that instance, than others who preceded him;
but, he must at the same time inform the Hi.n. Ad-
miral, that it was highly diniespeaful to speak of
committees appointed by the House, as if they were
the nomination of any individual.
Admiral MARKHAM, after 2 1)(40g; s i ng, went
on to proceed in nearly the same way, when he was
again called to order by Mr. Dent.
The Hon. ADMIRAL said, lie did not conceive
himself irregular in adverting to what he meant to
be the objets of his own motions ; when,
The SPEAKER said, he must now imperativel)

interfere, and acquaint the Hon. Member, that he
was not at liberty to pass by the subjea of dis-
cussion, or refer to his own motions, till the present
was disposed of.
After some further conversation, the motion was
agreed to.
Mr. JEFFERY then moved a long string of
motions. for 14 the number of line of battle ships and
frigates in commission. in 1793, distinguishing their
rates, &c. ditto, in 1794. and from thence to the
18th of February, 1801-2.9-4, and 5, distinguishing
their rates, and whether in the King's. or in Mer-
chants' Docks; also the ships of the same descrip-
tion out of commission; the numbers building
during the periods; when launched, or likely to
be launched; ships laid down, and meant to he
built; the timber in store; the quality of the articles,"
ice ; all of which were agreed to.
Mr. DEN r then, in pursuance of a former no-
tice, in order to probe things to the bottom, and
' draw a comparison between the Adniii.:stration of
Earl Spencer and the Earl of St. Vincent, moved.
that there be laid before the House, "a list of all
persons raised to the rank of Lientenants in the
Navy, from Lieutenants to Captains and Com-
manders, and from Captains and Commanders to
Post Captains, from the Ist of January, 179?, to
the Ist of January, 1804." He said, that if the pa-
pers were agreed to, he should follow them up with
a specific motion.
Admiral MARKHAM thought it invidious to
draw this comparison, as he, together with all the
' friends of the Earl of St. Vincent, had ever spoken
and thought in the highest manner of the purity and
zeal of Earl Spencer's Administsation.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
proposed an amendment, foi bringing the account
to the latest period, which would include the Ad-
ministration of Viscount Melville.
Sir J. SINCLAIR renewed his former objeninn
to the multiplication of enquiries, at this late pe-
riod of the session.
Mr. KINNAIRD said, that, to do away the in.
vidious distins.qion between the administration of
Earls Spencer and St. Vincent, he should propose,
as an amendment in the motion, "'That it should
begin at the year 1793, instead of 17•-'y" w:nch

tvpuld include also the administratiot of the tarl
Chatham.
Admiral MAR KHAM said, that, as the objeft
was to shew that Earl St. Vincent employed a
greater number of officers than any of his predeces-
sors, it would be right to shew the reason of the
promotions which were made at the eud of the late
w.ir,.for the rEwat'd of naval services,
.aad to amend
the motion, by going hack to a. compatative esti-
mate with the promotions male under the Admi-
nistration of Earl Sandwich, at the close of the
American War. However, as he did not wish to
crowd the table of the House with too many papers.
he should not persist in the amendment.
The amended motion was then agreed to, gom.
mencing with the year 1793.
PETITIONS AGAINST TIILCORN REGULATION ACT,
Lord A HAMILTON. after a preface of some length. its
whirls he enpariated on the import‘nee of the places from
the Petitinos against this Bill had come, and ti, • great mir.
chief, it had occasioned evert perspectively, parhcidariv
Scotland, moved that the several Petitions praying fur mice:*
wino the '-irovisiont of the Cure Hill of last year be referrer:
to a Sete.* Committee.

Col. STANLEY in a short speech seconded the Motion.
The SECRETARY at WAR observed, that 0,, Petitioners
acted upon misapprehension or misrepresentation; a., in fact,
the Bill never came into operation. As to the in,uriou; err_,.;
upon Scotland, it was to be ascribed to the alteration la the
usual average, prsposed by the Noble ford hnuszlf, and to ob-
viate which, he was now suing for redress.
Mr. COKE (of Norfolk) was against the nil going into a
Committee nr any further discussion being had upon it.
had produc:td the men beneficial effects already, by encourag-
ing the importation of wheat, which now tluotighout inigkod
kept down the priee or the markets.

ftdr. WESTERN wit against all ditcuuion of the subjects
now when Corr was every where (offing in prime, on aeon*
of the great qualities imported, truer the cot.;emplation
what might have been the of the late Act. Ita
scans bad not yet taken effect ; aid the port had never been
shut by it, as the prices were not low trough to produce that
consequence. Even in Scotland, as well as Ireland, the sur-
plus produce was, this year, so great, that tar;;l quantities of
Wheat were imported from these couitries into England.—
Even In Lanarkshire, the Petitions front which were so much
rested upon, the average prices were lower than or. the Cum
Exchange, in London; and, he heliev-d, upon the whole,
lower than the average pricer' of England. Whei the Eta
was passed the price of Corn 11,14 1.44. a quarter dearer thaw it
was 'low throughout the counter. It was a great ohietd to
throw uff the depeadance which Great Britain heretof tee was
under, for its supplies t•r foreign coo intim, which, in the we.
sent *ate of Europe, ■right, without any strain of probability,
be, in a short trots, converted into enemas. The &feet of Cie
continuance of this Aft would he, that the man who employed
his capital in agriculture might safely conclude in d•rismg
an adequate profit from it, and in this meaner b,: put upon a
fair footing with the mantifaCtorer.
Sir ROBERT POOLE was for the Cunt:tte*, ane. argeed,
that the exportation of the inanuf-cturee irtfuidett the greatest
resources to the Agriculturists.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXC.FIEQUER sa:d, ap.
proved of the general principle of the Ac: of laat year, and
was convinced that it kid no share in the high price of graio„
which was solely to be atenlauted to the deficiency of the crops
ut the country. lid'd mutat g•nal fio.n the cicau.
recommit it gave to no,rreitztii n, and Inc co:l:end:A it to be
ImpOsa.Ye, that the ittierest of the A zrt:tilt9ri .t ar,ii Mar du-
hirer slaPlid ever be at variance w•tit ewoli crher. If the Houw
no r.e to ,liitsarage the greyer for the present intervst of the
c.m.uiner, it must fillies that i.e Isiter mist ever ..!%.-reasis
be a <r.lf•••rr 'rr it; and, at times, .•,bjeeted to ~,itch agtravned
price. as renuhl he mo•t severely and intolerably fed• lie drs
pm-siert any farther daraisslon on tea ssibject at present, bet
•lid not ob;art to the Committee, as he thatinht it toe or*
eliectua I MO IN rep set, of counteracting afi erroceous opi-
nions with ritg to it.
Mr. D. P. COKE aphlce In favour of :lit A:•t of last vest, but
did not object to the Committee.

- -
Sa R. BUXTON said, this pill di I n4t tgie oies ut
Corn to any rats whatever.
Mr. FOSTER stated, that ha had Aupoortul this sill wh.'
brought rorwa•] raft Session, and saw no reaion why It thout4
now be attend or repealed. N.. Corn had hoes onnort-4 it +.l
Great Britain in consequence of it, nor had a rerrested any
from being imported ; A had done tio harm; and he, therefor..
did not wish any iiirestieation to take ;Asc...
Mr. MACDO WALL sgrerred, on the *wince pries.
which, he said, were assent Scotland, and tiimight, if
Committee, id this instance, was rclusA, a FM ihouid
broiteht in speciitally, to levitate them.
Mr. FRANCIS maintained that, wheat she till passed, tie
price of bread was not m.re than eightnence or Ili ze the
Inartern loaf, and, in 3.7011% a month afte,, it ruse to gavot
tijete4ll or 1.-venteen-pereri, for no other reason, but because
tha Rill was in force. Ito would. thetelo:n, gisa his aet.a.t t 4

the motion. -
Mr 11. LASCF.I.I.ES thought it hetterto Ca isto the Co-.
mirtee, and If it ..hoisld lia fouail that the B. had no effect, rt
•might easily he altered.
Mr. WM. small Jo not think the Will wet the cause of
the rise of bread, and was sure, if any Gentlen.an wonted tise
the trouble of inquiring, he would find that it was the free
which came on in June. Ile thought it, however, desirable
that the I lonise should go into a Committee.
Mr. 114Rld AM spoke in faircoa of the Cementer, anti
thought that, as the pimple had doubts, it was necessary that
an investigition should take place.
Sir C. PRICE and Mr CUR WEN declared themselves it&
(AVOW' of the motion fur a Committee.
Mr T. COK E Kooks against it.
Sir J. NEWPORT opposed the motion for a Committee, ea
he thought, whenever this sulnen was discussed, speculations
took dace, which were injurious, and, no doubt, would be
enlarged, if the present motion worn carried.
Sir Wif. CURTIS arid Al.lsrmtn cowls thought the
average too high, and agreed that she !louse should go ignite
Cum.nittee.
Lord A. IIAbiLIi.TON replied.
The llott,e then divided, when them appeared--Fot the
Committee, ,tat it, 40.—Maj .rity,lls.
Mr. CRELVEY moved, that a se.mrate iustrisAion simeld
ba given to the Committee to whizio the business of the Duke
of Athol had been referred, to take into their con.ideration ftit
Report oldie Committee, and examine into the revenue of
the I,le of 5111111, from toe Dab of January, 17)1. to the Nli of
January, and report the same.
' The CIIA LI.OR of the EXCHEQUER he would
not oppose it, though he did not tee the necessit! of it
Ordered.
Mr. FOSTFR obtained leave to bring in the following Bill:
—A Hill for Correcting the Unties on Spirt:onus Liquors, and
the Trade of Distillers it Ireland—A Bill fir Regulating!"
Duties on Malt and Malting--% Bid for the hotter Regulannt
Licences for the Sale of Spirituons Dooms, Ale, Wine, Cade*,
and Poster, aril re...the more effectriallv discouraging the im-
moderate ass of Sling norms Liquors--A hill tor the better Regu-
lating the Licences of Persons Dealing in Laciseable Comma.
Mr. ALEXANDER thought tin theße7ort of tb! Proper!!
Daily Amendment Hill ; several clarinet were rld,rl, aud too
Bill was ordered to be read a third time on Tuesday.
Mr ALEXANDRA brought up the Report of the Lani
Parti.ion Bill, which is tolls taken into farther coniidraton
on Wednesday.
The Wino Dine Rill was committed, -nil the Report ordered
to be received on Monde,.
Mr. WESTERN gave notice, that en Monday lit would
move to make the Corn Committee an oh n Committee.
TIM other Orders were dis;mted of, and the House adjourned*
at Half pest Ten, till Monday. _

TIIE ATKES,-0 II Olt I LA NI. This EveniDN.Tl aßegga
Open, with Bon T.lO *GDR I' GARDEN. This fve,trla
Doug:as, with Spanish Dollars; o-, Tne Prirt of the
STOCKS--Yetterday, 3 per Cent. Reduced, 670-4 pa"
Cent. Con. 511 57j 34...-Omn.ura, 211.

e.
LONDON—Painted by GEORGE DAVIDSON, No :".4.
Wren street, 'lt. Clamant's, awl pubt.sited by JOSP.N
at the Otßot, No. 13, Mock of Si. Clernerss
Ch.,rah, Strand, wh•reAve for theP.yer, &u. (poisliod)
*IL be duly aturnde4 wr