The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1806-04-29 00:00:00

HOUSL Oh CONINIONS.

The Bill for ereeting a new G iol in tlse City of
Cork, and for furnishing the same with wain, was
read a second time, and ordered to be committed.
_ _

Mr. C. Wynne brought up a Return of the Vu.
lunteer Officers, who have had Commissions above
the rink of Captain, since the commencemert of
the present war, distinguishing their rank.—Or dereit
to lie on the table.
Mr. Morri t, from the Navy Pay o:fice, present-
ed at the Bar an Account of all Monies i stied tor'
the Paymaster, on account of Yoluateers.—Ordered
to be printed:
I ainACIINIENT.
)he SPEAKER informed the House, that to-
morrow being appointed for the commencement of
the Trial un the Impeachment of Lord Viscount
Melville, lie should attend the House a little before
ten, and take the Chair as soon after as he was able.
That at half-past ten, he should send the Serjeant
to clear the passages ; and the Members being then
called over, according to their Counties, would
proceed in regular order, to Westminster-Hall, to
attend the said Trial.
The LORD ADVOCATE of Scotland waived
the Notice, which stood for this day. for the Sala-
ries of the Commissaries of Scotland. to be paid out
of the Civil Establishment there, in order to fit the
same for Wednesday.
The SECRETARY at WAR moved for an Ac-
count of the total number of Recruits in Great Br.-
tain and Ireland, for general service, during the
month of March, 1806.
He afterwards to otig'o up the said Account, with
two others, pursuant to Order, which were ordered
to lie on the table.
Tly! Sea Offences Bill went through a Com-
mittee, and the Report was ordered to be received
to-morrow.
Lund St. Vincent's Annuity Bill. and the Longi-
tude Bill. were severally read a third time, and
passed.
ADDITIONAL. PAY TO TUE NAVY.

Mr. Vansittert brought up the IL port ot the Com-
mittee of Supply, for granting nal Pey to
the Navy. On the question being put, that the
Resolution be read a second time,
Lord GA 10.1 ES said, as be bad delivered his
sentiments pretty much at length on this subj,et.
he should not take up the lime of the House by re-
peating them. He had two propositions to submit
to the House, by way of amendment. The first
wet, as to First Lieutenants ot Line-of battle Ships.
to whom he proposed an increase of pay, of one
shilling a-day ; and the second related to the Petty
Officers. As the Noble Lord (Howick) had said.
he proposed to increase the number, he would
wish to propose a new mode, viz. that Quarter.
mantes Gunners should be added to the Petty Offi-
cers. There were, at present, one to every foar
guns, which would make 25 to a ship of 100 guns.
and would be of infinite advantage to the service.
He thought also, that if the out-pensions of
Greenwich Hospital were granted to the Widows,
Orphans, and Mothers of such Petty Officers, as
were killed in battle, or had served a certain num-
ber of years, it would be a great stimulus to their
exertions, and give universal satisfaction. Ile
thought it necessary to inform the House, lest ha
should he thought officious in bringing forward
these propositions, that he had previously communi-
cated them to the Noble Lord (Howick), with his
intention to submit them to the House ; and he
hoped he should not be taxed with a disposition to
ask questions, contrary to the opinions et blieisttes.
Had he been an disposed, he should have urged the
subjeet of a Vote ot 'Phan ks to Sir David Baird !1•1 t
Sir 11. Popham, for their eminent services :v
Cape of Good Hope. He was, however, sot rY
say, that, at the time when this addition was ineee
to the pay of the Navy, an opportunity was lost e:
improving the system.
li Lord OIVICK said, he apprehended what t' e
Noble Lord wished to propose, was impossible to be
done on the present occasion; and if he thotigLi s
such measure necessary, he conld only do it
moving the House to extend the sum granted. I'
was not his wish to impute to the Noble Lord al;:.
improper disposition to ask questions of, or CO op-
pose Ministers, though he doubted not, if Le sae
any fair or proper occasion to do so, he would el -
pose them. It he did not agree us the propontioi
of the Noble Lord, he could assure him. it
was not for want of due consideration of them ; 4'•
had paid them every attention, but he was still ii.•
dined to abide by the opinion of other aethertrno,
he haJ consulted, .41;.1 foi Lis tot') part, he returne.'
him his thanks, for Laving communicated th.e.
As to the proposition of increase of pay to the
Lieutenants of fuse of bsele-ships, he thou„
it unnecessary; for though they have not more
than first Lieutenants of other ships of war. t
have much greater advantages in the thane: of

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eancernent; fnr, on the two late glorieux viltnees of
Trafalgar and Admiral Duckworth, all the first
Lienten ants were made Masters and Commanders.
Ile felt it, therefore, his duty to oppose this prepo-
sitirn, as likely to be attended with inconveniencies
.As to the other point, the Noble Lord hod misun-
derstood him. As to the increase mentioned of
those petty Officers called Captains of the top, of
the forecastle, of the mast, and of the poop, to
make any as to itemiser, beyond the sum granted,
was not in his power, all he meant was, a regulation,
by which ten, which was the number at present in
:he larger ships. should be increased to fifteen, and
proportionately in the smaller ones. He was sure
what. the Noble Lord had proposed was what he
deemed the best for the service, hut as the sum was
now voted, it would be impossible to make any al-
teration at present.
The Resolution was then read and agreed to.
lotoE kCIP4ENT
A MectAge from the Lords, informed the House,
tli't their Lordships would give orders for the sum-
rosin!: further Witnesses to attend the trial of Lord
l'iscriunt Melville, according to their desire.
PROPERTY TA x.
• Me CA Rit after a few (Arse, vations, made in so
: o tone of voice, that we could only guess at their
pique t from the nature of the motion, viz. that he
eoz Voreigners ought to pay the Property Tax,
without exemptions, moved,
" That an Atertent be laid before the House of the axtount
of all ,•Ite,tiptinns to Foreivers, with respect to the Delia rat
theoleinta parable at the bank, for that part of the United
Kowloon totted Great Britain, and at!o nut of the Fllllll4 of
the Fair 111114 and South Sea Compamee, under the Property
Tax of 1805."
Lord HENRY PETTY spoke also in so low a
tone, that we could cot hear hirn, so as to state pre-
cisely what he said; hut, as far as we could form an
opinion, he seemed to think it was unwise to make
'any alteration in the mode of collecting it, and that
Foreieners ought to be exempted.
Mr. ItOSE thought the Motion should be for as
• Acconnt of Sums held by Foreigners, and the House
uould know what the exemptions were. He thought
however, they ought to be exempted, otherwise
they might withdraw their Money from our Funds,
.and place it elsewhere.
Mr. FRANCIS differed on that point; if Foreign-
ers were to withdraw their bloney, where could
they put it with equal security ? He thought the
property of Foreigners ought to be liable as well as
others.
Mr. HUSKISSON said, that Foreigners might
withdraw their money and place it either in the
Irish Bank or in the American Funds.
The motion was then agreed to.
Lord H. PET TYgAve notice, Out he would. on
Friday, move for leave to bring in a bill for the bet-
ter regulation of the office of Receiver.Generol of
the Customs.
MARQUIS WELLESLEY.
Mr. PAUL moved, "That the Article of Im-
peachment presented against Marquis Wellesley be
printed."
On the question being put, it was negatived.
Mr. PAUL then rose and said, he wished he
could forget the conduet of individuals on the re-
scinding the vote for the printing of that article.
He feared the House would hereafter have great
reason to regret having done so. It had been said,
be came ;tit,' that Howe on purpose to prefer
charges against Marquis Wellesley. He denied
that this was the case ; but if it had been, a residence
of thirteen years in India enabled him to bring these
charges. He was surprised at the conduit of the
Noble Marquis'• relatives, and particularly the Flo-
nnurable General who had stood up in defence of
rnoteirrs,in the charge against which he wAshimsell
implicated. His principal reason for rising this
evening, was to chew that he was entitled to have it
printed. Ile had precedents And praCtice both is his
favour. There were three cases, those of Lord
Arlington, the Earl of DAnby, and Lord Co-
ainestry ; but the caws that were conclusive, were li
those of Mr. Hastings and Sir Elijah hotel. On
the tOth of December, 1787, Sir Gilbert Elliot
moved, " That the Article of Impeachment against
Sir Elijah Impey do lie on the table;" and imme-
diately afterwards moved, "that it be pi inted."—
Tbis was a ease direolly in point. and he desired to
have it read, which was done by the Clerk ; and
by which it appeared, that an order was made
for the printing. It was once, he said, his in-
tention, to have matted tor a Sete& Committee ;
but, on consulting the Secretary of State, he
convinced him it was not a proper mode of pro-
ceeding. He then moved for Papers in order to
lay the grounds of an Impeachment, and would
now adduce proof of many allegations contained in
the Charges, and when he viewed the proceedings
against Mr. klAstings, Sir E. Impey, and Lord
he could not concelve why he shoul 1 not
be listened to. He held in his hand proofs of the
wasteful and extravagant expenditure of Marquis
4 W.llesley, of bis seizing the Company's Investments
int, ndect for Cantor, of his seizing the territories of
Cole, Surat, and the Mabrattao and having at the
same time increased the Debt of the Cc:many, lour-
' tern Millions. He made some severe refleftiono en
the unneeesaivey expences ot the Marquis's newGis-
vernment House ; which, he sail, arnovnted in the
whole to the sum of 009,0001. He thllo said,hewould
• enter on no more details, as he thought he had made
out sufficient evidence to stilastantiate the charge,
as well as to induce the House to concur in his
Motion by printing. Whet he considered as con-
clusive on the case, was• the letter% ot Marquis
Cornwallis, describing the embarrassel situation of
India. When the Noble Marquis assumed the Go-
vernment of that country, the debt of the Company
was ice more than eleven millions, and he had 1-tt
it at thirty-one millions, in addition to five millions
MOM of loan, fee the service of the present year.
In his mode of proceeding. he contended, that he
had reed is a moiler and constitutional manner ;
and beton:flatted with moving, " rlMt the articles
of imeetschirsart now exhibited against the Marquis
Wellesley. Ix emote.'."
Dr. LAM Ids NC E said. that from motives of cha-
rity, as writ as daty, he should second the motion
to the Hon. Centleman.
The \lot*: r 4 DOUGL %Staid, he lamented
eat beetle is the i louse air the farmer discussion,
when he thnught the Notts- lots' not very properly
rxscinded the order it had befel, made for the
printing of the charge*. It was true. that the
cisarge rested at preset upon little more than the

~ett;on of an HonoutaMe Me ,
un,upported and unprotetied, math no motion
which the proceedings of the House did not t.,ler-
ate ; but at present it WAS no more than a dead let.

ter, which it was prv'per to revive or animate, by
having the charges printed, in order to enable that
Home fairly to judge of it. He had lately, he
said, been led to enquire more than be did before,
inw the state of the affairs of India ; and the
result of his investigation was, that he found in the
Administration, many great and manifold evils,
which, instead of assisting the finances of this coun-
try, must now become a burthen to it ; and, in feet.
' we were already advancing money as a loan to the
Company. It was therefore a considerable hard-
ship to the people of England to transmit its wealth
to a foreign country, where it was not properly
taken care of. He was of the opinion given some
time since by an Hen. IGertleman (Mr. Francis,)
that the Members of that House would soon have to

protect the finances of this country against the dis-
tresses of India ; and that child. resting on the
bosom of its nurse, would infuse a poisonous vapour,
which would. if not taken care of, have a tendency
to destroy is.
Mr. SHERIDAN thought, that if the House
acted irregularly in discharging the former order
for printing, no doubt but its proceeding would have
been corrected from the chair. He had objeded to
the suggestion for the charge being withdrawn, upon
the ground that he could not admit the necessity
of giving preliminary evidence. He was aware that
there were precedents boils ways ; but lie preferred
the mode of appointing a acted committee to con-
sider of the charges; but the Hon. Gentleman (Mr.
Paul) took the! ltaordinary course of first insisting
on his right of laying the 'Hinges on the table, as
if he had no evidence: to liirodUce, though now on
a sudden he was prepared, as it should appear, with
most voluminous evidence, for he Moved for no less

than 40 papers, with a view to these Charges ; and
those moved for by them who meant to defend the
conduft of the Noble Marquis, amounted to no less
than 41. Upon the whole, he should .object to the
printing of this charge, if there were any prosped that
the papers moved tor, with a reference to it, should
be brought forward in a day or two ; as he could
satisfy ►imself with reading the charge, without
also having before him the evidence on which it
was founded.
Mr. LEE adverted to the four precedents al-
luded to by Mr. Paul. and contended that they
made against the order of his proceeding. In the
case of Lord Coningsby, the evidence was previous.
ly brought and laid upon the table. Four years
before the impeachment et Mr. Hastings, a commit.
tee was appointeo, on the motion of the pr. sent
Lord Melville, to enquire into his conduit% and
made their report agaithz him ; after which, Mr.
Bus ke came down to the House, and alter the report
was received, moved that it should be printed betties
be exhibited the articles of charge. In the third
case, that of Sir Elijah lmpey, the House had, two
years before the articles were printed, voted an Att-
t.re.s to His Majedy, praying for his recall; and,
lastly, in Lord Meiville's case, the House had be-
fore it full and complete evidence intim several Re-
port, of the Naval Commissioners. lie said be did
nut mean to give any opposition to the motion,
though he thought it right to let the Honourable
(initial:use see that he was not suppoi ted by his
precedents; but as he understood that there wee
some of the papers moved for, which could not
possibly be produced in the course of the present
session, the House, he thought, should pause before
they gave public circulation to the charge.
Mr. WIND tiAM said, that :here was a question
arising out of this Motion, which was ot more im-
portance than the case itself, tor it appeared to him
ot tittle consequence, whether the charge were printed
or not. Ine mode adopted by ins Hon. Friend (Mr.
Paul), it he may be ahowed to apply that name to
a short Acquaintance, which did not coinmeit..e till
since the arrival of teat Hon. Gentleman hoes
a'aruad ; he meant, that of bringing the charge
first, And me evidence afterwards, was a cows,
worth was sanctioned as well by precedents as wis-
dom. It. was of great importance to the House
of Commons, that the grounds of Impeachment
should not be narrowed, or laid uown by precedents,
it they were even in opposition to this mode, as there
were no more than about nineteen of them in all,
which were too few to govern a sublet of so much
variety. They were not sufficiently numerous, its
the nature ot the proceedings themselves. to em-
brace the whole principle of Impeachment. 11f in-
deed, the piecedents were all unfform, and on one
side, they night carry with them some authority ;
but that was not the use. He thought there should
be as little übstrudion as possible to charges of Im-
peachment against persons of great aurnosity and
power ; And he was seldom mote shocked than on
A late occasion, when be observed the lion. Mover
of these proceedings. scouted, discountenanced,
and even threatened with a censure, for what he con-
sidered as a faithful discharge of his duty ; that
Honourable. Member, though of great and long
experietice in India Affair', was in that House
and the country, little• more than a stranger, with-
out any share of weight or influence. l'ur his own
par:, he was not yet sufficiently master of the subject,
to be able to form any decide,* opinion on it ; but he
world maintain, that unless the charge was absurd
or frivolous on the face of it, so as to justify that
ridicule which sonic seemed disposed to apply
to it, the House had a right to appoint a day for
taking it into consideration. As such charges were
not likely to be often brought against persons
powettully conneded, it was the more incumbent
on the House nut to discountenance them ; Ana it
should be remembered, that independently of this
dire% charge, some speeches were made by other
Gentlemen in that Motive, containing matter of AC.
cusation against the Noble Marquis, which had gone
abroad, and might, upon invesugatioti, turn out to
be ot great consequence. Thougn a different course
of proceeding from that here pradised, might nave
generally prevailed, it did nut billow that it was
necei4iry, indispensible, :tad applicable to all CAt.-S.
It the papers were first moveo, it might so
that though the fads charged may be true, tae
House may get weary of the sut,jed, and it.) to qg
eons:: of it, but it the charge Were War. 111-1 J:, than
it would be incumbent. even in the party accused, to
Aria;{ it to an issue. Wnen papers were ordered to
be printal, it WAS kanwn to be only for the use of
the Members of that Clouse, and though they might

• •
afterwards go Abroad, as was generally the case,
they should net make that the rule of their own
proceedings, Upon these groktads, he should vote
for the printing of the charge. •
Mr. Secretary FOX said. 'hot though he did not
rise fot,the purproe of opposing the motion, he dif-
fered with his Right Honourable Friend in the ap-
plication of some of hi, piincip!es. lie had no
difference whatever in the principle, that any mem-
her had a right, striCtly speaking, to bring his i
charge first, and even to have a day appointed for
discussing it : but he wild not help think*, that
a person who did so, a/led injudiciously, as nothing
was more fair, than, that the evidence should he
on their table before they came to decide upon it.
The excuse made by his Right Honourable Friend
could not well apply to a gentleman who moved
for so many papers, and never was denied any of
them; and fox that same Honourable Member, after
having moved for a great number of papers, so far
back as ten months ago, which were ordered
by the House, but not yet produced, to come
forward with a charge, to which none of these pa-
pers applied, he must consider as a mode of pro-
ceeding that was rather preposterous. He had
this day made a long speech, which he himself, no
doubt, thought conneeted with the charge, but
which conneEtioa, it would require a very capacious
mind to discover. Some persons seemed to be of
opinion, that the papers moved for, would be soon
produced; while others were of opinion, that along
time would elapse, before they could be presoaked;
but, be that as it may, such language, as s• I de-
mind the printing of the charge," could not be very
agreeable to the ears of that House, as no Member
was entitled to demand, as a matter of right, what
was always understood to be a matter of coaveni
ence or discretion. It maybe objefted, that though
the papers were only to be printed for the use of the
Members of that House, they may obtain an irre-
gular and injurious circulation. He would not, how-
ever, on that account, oppoae it ; as the House had
it in its power to take care that no improper use
should be made of it. If it were thought improper,
or likely to produce inkirioas consequences to the
Noble Marquis, by getting into irregular cir-
culation, which he confessed he did not believe
could be the effeft of it, that effJek might
easily be guarded against. He thought the busi-
ness should, in one way or other, be so arranged. as
to enable the Howse to come to some speedy deter-
*Coition On the charge, and after the whole should
be before them. some pause should he allowed for
a ptoper investigation of the subjeft ; but be thought
it extremely wrong iu any member. to come down
from day to day, and, upon a simple motion for
papers, be allowed to wake speeches, which could
only be proper at the time of enforcing the charge.
All who were acquainted with the late Mr. liurie,
must know, that when warmed with any subjea, he
was not very abstinent is matters of form ; but
though he had said much to inculpate Mr. Halts.
ings, two or thkee years before, yet, when the
impeachment was•in agitation, he did not dwell
upon the strong grounds if accusation, till the
proper time ; and that was an example which be
thought worthy of being imitated. He concluded
with observing, that when he stated to Mr. Paul.
in private. his objeftions to a seleft committee to
--lee into the nature of the charges. he gave it

Mr. PAUL explained, that of the voluminous
papers produced, their were only three of them, and
these short ooes, which were brought forward en
his motion. The bhurtpore Papers were not pre.
sawed, nor any others that he moved for, except
those relative to Chide.
S;r Ait 1.1-l Ult WELLESLEY said, that the
praaice of Parliament in such cases had ale auy
been shewn to le, that the evidence should Rene.

rally, if not always, precede the charges, and he saw
no necessity for deviating from that 'aeon the pre-
sent occasion ; though he admitted, that every
ease should stand upon its own peculiar merits.
The charge of the Honourable Gentleman againia
his Noble relation, was for squandering the
money of the East India Company, in unnecessary
purposes of personal splendour ; but the papers hi-
therto produced (those of Oude) applied to charzes
of which as yet be bad given no notice. With
regard to the money takes from the Canton Tr e••
wry. his answer to it was, that this and other pro-
ceedings which were adverted to, had received the
approbation of tke Court of Diredor!. :aid that if
the money were so disposed of, these was a propor-
tionate increase of assets both at home and abroad.
As to the observation, that he himself was impli-
cated in some of the proceedings, his short reply
was, that what he did in India, was in obedience
to the orders he had received.

Doaor LAWRENCE rose, and adverted to the
precedents which had been quoted in the course of
the debate, particularly that of Mr. Hastings. none
of which he conceived bore on the present case.
The SPEAKER here reminded the Learned Gen-
tleman. that having before spoken, he was to confine
himself to explanation.
Doctor LAWRENCE. however, proceeded at
some length, in the course of which he declared.
that his sense of the business would have been. for
the Hon. Gentleman who made the Motion to have
withdrawn it, and waited until the evidence was
betore the House ; hut, as be had nut thought pro-
per to do that, he could not, as the business now
stood, see any good reason against printing the
charge
Sir ARTHUR WELLESLEY explained.
Mr. PERCIVAL conceived, that the real question
then before the Honsa was, whether or not this were
a proper stage to have the charge against the Mar-
quis Wellea.ey printed ? lie confessed, he was
much swayed by the arguments of the Right Hon.
Gentlemen opposite hi a. ; ;int was much a.ronished
to hear them declare their intention of vs tiog tor
the printing of the charge, as they we►e decideul)
of opinion, that the Motion was premature. It Ai.-
pealed to him. as if they were inclined to submit to
the Motion, merely because the Hon. Gentleman
had made a positive demand or. the House, though
that had already been deaied. The Hon. Gentle-
man then adverted to the arguments which had been
used in the course of the debate. A Right Hon.
Gentleman (Mr. Fox) had said, that this charge,
when printed, could be given out to the Members
alone ; but he would ask, if that plan were pursued,
could there be any certainty that it would not be
laid before the public? Under dose considerations,

. •. .• . • . •
he thought that the duly course the House hal to
pursue was, to do that which was considered Lest
oppressive ; and as the inconvenience was more
ag tint the printing, than for it, he would oppose
the present Motion.
Dr. LAWRENCE and Mr. PERCIVAL ex-
phoned.
Lord HENRY PETTY was inclined to think,
that it would have been much better if the I-honour..
able Gentleman who made the Maio:4 had agreed
to the first suggestion oF the Learaed Ger.tleraiin
who seconded it, and not pressed it on the Housm
He also c-inceiv .d that it was of na importat-,ce
whe-evm; whether the charge was or was not n w
printed ; bit he thought it was always the oje of
the accuser, to bring hreard hie •-h•o-ge and 1
evidence at the same time; wh tt evideaee was suffi-
cient, la., with him entirely to detcraiile. In the
present case, therefore, he considered tl,e Honoura-
ble Mover as the best j *dr-, whether the evidet co
on the table were sufficient, and hewould there:me
move for the printing or the Noir.
Mr. BATItURS d was of the same Opinion.
that this motion ought not to have Sten pre
he did not th ek breams it was preseil, c. ar cwre- •
fore the House should ar ee to it. H did not .
pretend to say, that there wete no cmel in
charges might be produced before evide-ce:e
he believed there were rode except those with
which, is they originated at hone, the Membine
were acquainted. The Hon. Gentleman then said. •4
that as the Hon: Moiler would not agree to with-
draw his motion, he thought a motion for ere Or-
der of the Day wool be most
,Ipplicalsle, and coo-
eluded by moving the previous istiestien.
Mr. CORRY seconded the motion, as, he tail, it
would put the parties into a relative situation, ono
with another. It would be no hardship to the 14.-
assurable Gentleman who made the original motion,
as alt papers to .stilistanti.re the charge wi-re net
before )be House ; and it would appear as if the
Hoase of Commlbns were resolved io !typist hint
throtighOin, if the paper were allowed to be rioted-
Mr. WILLIAM SMITH said, it appeNod tb
him to be rather an irregular mode so Twist the
ckarge before all the eviaence was pmshoosil. The
very circumstance of. some or th, evidewee Wag
already helm e the Horse, was a secants against it.
and he theref-,re *add vote against this original
motion
_
coincided