The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1805-03-09 00:00:00

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mite to him (Mr. Pitt), to the hearilg either of
Counsel or evidence, that opinion would prevail
with the House. He believed he could appeal to
the candour of the Right Hon. Gentleman to admit
that to have been his own impression, and, as it was
natural that it should also he the impression of the
Counsel, as well as of the House in general, it was
probable that they had no expedation of being caU-
ed in, and that therefore they may not be prepared
at this moment, if they were attending, at all to do
justice to the cause of their clients.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
replied, that he must admit the impression on his
mind to be upon the former discussion, that the
case was already decided by the numerous puce.
dents against hearing either the evidence or Coun-
sel ; but the Hon. Gentleman must recoiled, that
he himself at that time suggested the adjournment
of the debate upon it to a subsequent day; and he
could not now agree to have the business delayed;
nor consider the Counsel justified in anticipating
what may be the decision of the House. He cer-
tainly wished to give the parties concerned a full
and fair opportunity of vindicating themselves by
Counsel ; but, at the same time, he could not con-
sent to compromise the dignity of the House, by
making its proceedings subject to the mistakes or
misapprehensions of Counsel; and the less as, from
the length of the proceedings on this subject, and
the discussions of it, they had Already been engaged
in before ; the Committee could not be supposed
altogether unprepared at this time to enter on tie
subject. However disposed the House might be to
make• reasonable allowances, it must on no occasion
suffer itself rn be trifled with.

Mr. SHERIDAN then moved, that the Counsel
should now be called in, which being agreed to ;
Mr. ADAM appeared at the Bar, as Counsel for
the Sheriffs, and, being desired to proceed, he said
he felt himself in a situation of no small embarrass.
ment. He admitted, that it would he presumption
in him to anticipate what may be the decision of the
House, bet, led by the opinion of others, who may
be supposed to be better informed, he thought there
was no reason to believe that he should not be called
upon to address them this day. He did not rest upim
any precedents which might have authorised that
opinion ; but understanding that a previous question
was to be disposed of,there appeared very little likeli-
hood that there would have been time for hearing
the comments of Counsel upon so voluminous a
mass of evidence. It was undoubtedly true, that
from past experience in subjeds of this kind, from the
habitual dedations, which may be drawn from evi-
dence, and from some knowledge of the laws which
applied to it, he may be enabled to address some
matter very important for the consideration of the
House, and equally inclined to the cause of his
clients ; but he must at the same time confess, that
he was not prepared at the time, to make all the
reference to the different testimonies, nor to arrange
the subject in such a manner as both the House
and the accused might have espeded of him. He
was therefore under the necessity of requesting with
deference and resped that the House would consent
to postpone the hearing to some future though early
day. He presumed to make this request as a per:
sond indelgence to himself, and, what was of much
more importance, as a proceeding necessary to the
justice which was due to his clients ; and, should
this fad be granted, he should eadeavour to com-
prise what he might have to say within as small com-
pass as was possible.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER,
having first moved that the Counsel should with-
draw, said, that after what had fallen from the
Learned Gentleman, he could not think of pressing
him to go on in an unprepared state, at the s ime
time that every Gentleman must be sensible how
necessary it was that no great delay should be suf-
fered to interfere in the decision of this question.
He should, therefore, move that the further hearing
of Counsel should be deferred to Monday next,
wishing it to be distindly understood, that whatever
portion of time the Counsel might occupy, the re-
samed debate upon the report should be proceeded
on immediately after.
He then made a motion to that effeA, which was
agreed to.
Mn. FOSTER observed, that the subjeA of the
Irish Ways and Means which stood for Monday next
wool(' not admit of much delay, as the Revenue
Ads of that Country would expire on the 25th inst.
But as the subjctt relating to the Sheriffs of Middle-
sex was of very great importanc- to the freedom of
eledion, as :here might be tirne after wards to
conclude the Irish business, he should defer his mo-
tion for the Irish Budget to Wednesday
After disposing of the remaining Orders of the
Day, the I loose adjourned.