The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1804-06-19 00:00:00

ROME CI! COUMONS.

l.ord MARS "piesen retatan from
Wi;liarn Pitt., who had been committed into custody
for improper and contemptuous condua towards
the Committee of the Middlesex Eleaion. The
petitioner expressed his contrition for his conduct.
and prayed to be discharged. Lord Marsham moved
that the pe itioner he brought to the bar of the
Ilouse, in t rder to his being reprimanded and dis-
charges!. Wiliam Riff being brought to the bar ac-
cordingly, the Speaker addressed a stlita'lle admo-
nition to him, after which he was ordered to be dis-
c4arged, on paying his fees. On the motion of
Lord Matsham, it was ordered that what the
Speaker had said, in reprehending William 114, be
entered on the Journals of the House, which was
tendered ;•ecordingly.
The Woollen Mannfaaurers' Sitspttrs;on Bill was
Lead a second time, and committed ic r to-morraw:
Mc. J. FITZGERAI.I) moved the Order of the
Day for the second reading if the Irish Eleaion
Bill. He then said, that on account of the Wetness

or the Session, and the Bill's requiring sn much con-
sidevaticn, it appeared to him impossible that due
attention could be paid to it during the present
.Bcssion of Parliament. Ile thercfore moved, that
the order be discharrecl, ar.d that the Bill be read
a second time Qll that day three months; which was
agreed m..._ _ _ •

..t
Mr. S EURGESS BOLTILNE movl, tharleaie
be given to bring in a Bill to permit the expesiaislo
of Olackinery ne..es.ary for treZting a Km iAth'e
dominions cf the king of Denmark : leave being
given, the Bill was read a first time, and ordered
to be read a second timetcomorrow.

Mr. liesnisstas brought op Papers ordered
on the Bth of April last, relative to the additions
to the annual charge of inttrest on sand. y loans ;
also an account of the gross amount and charges on
ere t••• per neell. dudes, whi-h were urde be
printed.
Oe the motion of Mr. Foss. ra, the Order t# the
Day for the Committee on the Irish Revenue Regn-
htion Bill was postponed till Thursday nett.
Mr. Alderman Comae pr•!sented a petition
from sundry Merchants and others of the City of
London, praying that the Liverpool East India
Goods Eill might not pass into a law.
Mr. ROSE observed, that neither the East-In-
dia C. ropany, nor the Board of Revenue, had made
any ohjed:on to the R4l; on which account, as well
as the delay whist it wottcl occasion, he objetied to
Vie hearing of Couns:la,!ainst the Bill.
Islr.AldermaaCOMßE said a few words inlaveur
of the Petition . atter which, on the question being
put, it was carried that the Petitioners should be
heard by themselves or Counsel against the Bill.
Mr. STURGES BOIIRNr, gave notice, that he
should m ne to-morrow Ix leave to bring in a Bill
to prevent the connterfeiting of dollars.
ADDITIONAL FORCE RILL.

The CHANCELibIi of the EXCHEQUER
moved the Order of the Day for taking into consi.
tit ration the Amendments made to the A dditios al
Force Rill. Rut, previously to the House enteri,s
into this consideration, Mr. PITT said, that he had
sundry clauses which he meant to introduce; the sub-
-iince of which he stated. He then proposed,
,•ron the Report's being brought tip, that the
'imendments with the Addiutl.al Clauses should
Le received, after which the sense of the House
7,igl.t be taken as to the merits of the Bill, whoa
t.ie qnestion should be put that the Bill with the
...amendments be engrossed. This arrangement
agreed to, the Order of the DAy was :cads
:`ter which the several Amendments were read a
s ccnd time and agreed to. The Chancellor of the
Lachequer then moved successively the introduaion
`tine foilowing clauses: that when any vacancy
• d': he ate...coned b♦ death, desertion, Forums
maimed, t•T claimed as apprentices, DO*
thereof be certified by the Commanding Officer,
or.;er such vecanties hc•itoe tiled up aunts.'
b 7 the levies on the cotintics and not on the

Another Clause was that Hi., Majesty be empow.
ered to appoint certain places of rendezvous for the
• of the new levies, and that such inspett-
.: %Leers shall Se authorised to reject or approve
s :ell men as shall be offered by the parishes.
MT. Pi rr proposed another Clause, which was
o:terded en remove doubts respeatrg the situation
t.t the sive: and families of persons to be r lised un-
der this Rill. By the Arms, of Reserve AR,
o:nerved that the- sane allowances *ere di.
retied to be paid to the wives, &c. of the men
V...Zn 50 to be raised, as were granted to the families
" orly to be paid by the Itcctivers-Ge-
'lai but, as this had occasior.ed difficul..es, and
.tied to prevent such persons from tine Army of
t•eseire from posing into the it e..:3lar s—the purport
.1 'le present clulse wattc reir...ve such 4.l.:lic;;:tit',
-•"1 ro :Abolish such stipuLfed provisi m as mig:a
i'er•lte as an inducement to prevent st.c s priers
entering into the regular service.
Ar.n.her clause related to the pay of 07-3:•!rs of this
:1-atal force in time of peace. He o:Jsc;ved,tbat

the objea of this Bill was to raise a permanent ad.
litional .force in time of war ; but that in time of
peace, it was proposed that this force should not be
embodied for a longer period than six 2i-tenths, so as
to render it capable of being disciplined, and drawn
forth upon any emergeicy.
Mr. GREY here inquired, whether it was pro-
posed that the officers, who were to be appointed by
the crown, were to have permanent pay, seeing
that the fo-ce itself was not proposed to be perma-
nent in time of peace?
Mr. PITT replied, that this was only,preposed
to be kept up as a provisional force, in time of peace,
in like manner as the Militia ; and that the olfieers
were only to be entitled-to full pay, when the torte
was embodied. Tne clauses being received ; •
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
moved, that the Bill, with the =volute:its, be en-
r
groased,_.
A Mr. HRRISON et'...i.enc4 es the motion.. He .
confessed, that the Bill was eew less ohjedlionablic
than when first intredirced ; yet it.still appeaied in
him to iretain so much of its native turpitude, that it
could never obtain his assent. When the foundation
was bad, no good so perstruaure could be raised upon
it; but.it mug be deficient and fail, nut withatanding
its professed purpor was to raise an additional force.
He objedied to the Bill, ii being, in its nature, un-'
constitutional, and so injurious to the liberties of the
country, that he was surprised it should have been
permitted to be brought in. The very principle of
the Bill was to raise men by means of fines and pe-
nalties; but the objed in view could never be an-
swered by such means. The Bill c tiled upon Parish
Officers to raise a certain quota of ride°, and at the
same time told them they must not give above
seven pounds ten shillings bounty-money, which was
to require them to
.do more than they could per-
form, whilst, at the same time, it levied a fine upon
diem fci the non-performance, and, even after pay-
ing that tine, they were still liable to succeeding
fines. He could never see an increase to the esta-
blished military force of the country, without jea-
lousy. It appeared that this was proposed as :a
sus em for supplying the regular standing army,
whether in time of war or peace. The Bill went to
levy a tax on the country parishes, and in an uncon-
stiottional way. It should therefore meet with his
decillettoppositiona •
ELLIorr said, t!.-it as the Rill had
fnen already so aisi.plj diseased, he should &din
the [louse but a few minutes, whilst he assigned his
seasons against adopting a measure of consider.
able ma :rule. He viewed tnis Bill, as it was
professedly brought forward, not as a tempo-
rary measure, but as laying the foundation for
a permanent nursery for the Regular Army.
The principle of the Bill had two ohieds ; the ors
was the extinction of the eoalpethitvi for bounties,
and WC :ecork,:. was to-prese-1 .nea'r beii.g raised by
the influence of local exertiens. As to the latter, he
considered thattherer.ught to beadltinaion observed
between improper local ext repro I, and that which was
lawful. Here the only stimialus to exertion was to
avoid incurring the fine. Ile objected pat ticularly
to that part nf'he Bill which went to impose the re-
cruiting service upon Parish Officers. These per-
sons, engaees.l np'm other business, would nature'ly
plead their want of time, and refer the business to
military and recritirino Officers. The latter would
as naturally s-sy that they most be enabled to give
greater bounties, and that they could not recruit a
sufficient number within the limited bounds of the
parishes; that they must therefore extend their ex-
ertions for a consirtarable circle around, and to some
of the huge manufactui ing tow as, where they have
been used to recruit with success. But, after all. I
even allowing that all the etpeded benefit would
accrue from ouch partial eyes-mon yet they must be
made, after al!, in direst contradidion to the monk-
' inn' service ; for, when a recruiting Officer should
happen to come into a parish to raise recruits, the
parishioners would he found in arms against him,
and would say, a This m in comes to prevent us front
g-tting our quota, and so -making us liable to the
fine which will be imposed for our deficiency." This
competition of interests, and likewise the difference
in the amount tithe sums to be advanced for the
two 'ler,. c s, would operate notch against recruiting
tar the regular army. He was also apprehensive
that this Bill would occasion the revival of many
of tho penal laws, which, though not necessary
to be abolished, yet, upon the whole, it might
be better not to awaken them into a dangerous :di.
city. This he exemplified in the case of the Game
Laws. which, if rigerously enforced, would, he was
fearful, 4o far to destroy the good neighbourheed
mid happiness of the country. Thos, if a man werecorn
'lifted of the penalty of Si. for a breach of the Game
Laws, and was unable to pay the fine, he would
probably be told, there was a way in which he might
screen himself, and also put money into his pocket,
by accepting the bounty, and enteric g into this new
additional force. This Bill appealed to him to be
both inefficient, and vexatious ,n its eperitom ; and
he was confideot that the recruitir.g officers would
much object to it, for as the people have been taught
to exped large bounties, they would be very unwil-
ling to enter upcit artes, without vexations
causes of compulsion. With neped to the diminu-
tion of the Militia, he assented to that principle; at
the same time, he wished to obtain some informa-
tion on the subjedt, with regard to the supplementary
levies. He had been informed, that different ar-
raneernents had taken place in different Counties,
respeding that body; the, in some, they bad been
incerporated with the Militia regiment!, wtilo in
other counties they formed separate battalions. He
referred also to the increase of thqltish,Militia, than
which no measure could be more prejudicial to the
recruiting service. This Bill would also prove vexa-
ti•nis and oppressive, operati..g as a tax on the pa-
rishes, and increasieg the parochial rates, which
would fall very heavy on those, many of whom are
little able to bear them ; on all three accounts, he
should give it his decided opposition.
Gemmel MAITLAND said, that be concurred

in much that had fallen from the !tight Hon. cling-
denten who had spoken last, and in his eonclOsion,
that this measure would in sorties instanites.perive
vesations.and oppressive. In a military point of
view, he considered that it would be ineomphent to
its and would fall short of producing the
nnmh-r of men that were expetted ;in a civil point
of view it would be found to be oppressive, and in a
financial respell it would impose a tar partially and
unjustly. He had heard heavy accusations of the
want 1 vigour, energy, and capacity, of the late
Administration ; but he would appal to the impar-
tiality of the Honourable Gerr_rnan, whether the
present Bill was really possessed of that vigour and
energy, which were to be found in some of those
Iheasures which had met *with so much. oppo-
sition (*err! hpar!). He considered the present
as a mere milk end water measure ; it was, indeed,
vigorous in oppressing the r,erople of this country ;
but week in aecompiiihing the object wbich it pro-
fesrd to have is trays,. Ceenikaring theses! useasurrel
of national defers/a., and the respeitive merits o: the
two Bills which had been brought forward by the
late and the present Administration, he had no
hesitation to sayd that he gave the preference to
the former. The former Administration pro-
, posed en addition to the regular force of the
country. Armrest the various objeßions which
were carted, one was that of raising men for
rank ; but it was out the use but the abuse of this
principle that generated the mischief Tomplained of ;
for it anefi‘er was by his tank in life, his influeoca
and abilities, fitted for command, he thought it better
to allow such an one to raise men for rank than
by the mode of purchasing a Commission from
a brother Officer. But it was said, that thr. present
measure put a stop to the high bounties, and that to
more than a limited sum was to be allowed to be
given. But he did sot believe that this would cow.-
teraiß the evil complained of—and it vas still a
question whether any penalty should be levied
if a greater bounty was paid. Upon the whole, he
thought that the old mode of raising men was both
more ptaßicahie and constitotionel than the present.
But another consid-retton, as afFeßing the present
measure, and which weighed in his mind, was this:
we were at present placed in a most awful situa-
tion ; for, thou7,ll till enemy t.r.ke time for complet-
ing their mojeßs, he hid no doubt but that sooner
nr later they would be put in execution. Aid T.3%*
it was proposed to raise men in a novel ofanner,
and by mean., the cad of which was uncertain ;
whereas, had the plan of the Right Hon. Gen-
tleman (Mr. Yorke) been adopt&, and allowed to
have had its effeß, this country would now have had
ten thousand meu for His Majesty's service. Ile
likewise ebjened to the present Bill being brought
forward as a permanent measure, ior he was afraid
the foundation was most rotten is every point of
. ar likely to be atsewseu. coosesineaeres,

of which they were not now fulls( aware. 'I he Army
of Reserve Bill had met with his approbation,
not indeed abstraftedly considered ; but he thought
that to raise melt for a limited service was a
good thing, and that, under the necessity of the
case, such a measure was proper to be resorted to,
although, under other circumstances, better might
have been adopted. "the Hon. General then pro-
ceeded to censure the general mode adopted fur
raising our military force, and that it did nos pro-
ceed upon the sam.: principles which regulated the
encouragements held out to men in other services.
II maisufaCtumrs of wcrks of ingenuity, or pei-sons
in hazardous emolnyrr.ents, were to have no more
pay offered them than common labourers, there
would be no inducement held out ; in like manner,
if the same pay were offered to induce men to enter
for unlimited service in the army, as vies offered for
limited service, could it be expeded that men wculd
cheerfully come forwards When he was called
upon to consider of a permanent system for the
army, he could wish to wait till a dine of peace,
when new regulations could he safely brought
forward, as to what future encouragement should
be held for the recruits to enter the army. But to
attempt to engratt a permanent system con:defied
with a limited service, was, in his opinion, an er-
roneous idea; and, whilst it would prove most inef-
ficacious to carry into Oita, would also have an
extreme tenclatcy to depreciate the duty cf the Re-
gular Army.
Mr. OSBORN rose is defence of the Bill, and
repelled the crbjeabm of its being a measure to pro-
vide money and not men for, if the stipulated nuns-
ber of men were raised in the parishes, nit one shil-
ling of fine would be Incurred. As to the cbjenion
of its imposing a burden on the parish officers, be
would ask what me Istu, there was of coercive ope-
ration but must occasson some inconvenience to
certain individuals? Jr was true, the execution
of the proposed sna.uure would engross some
portion of the time of those officers; but he had
no doubt cftbeir wdliagness so to do for the public
good.
General GASCOIGNE said, that in some lo-
s:lefts his opimm out quite dificre-o fr mu that of an
Cebnd (e laregi) ; be repeated it, an Hon.
Cabinet. licre Gencral Matti...too said a few
words, which could not be distintilv heard in Ole
gallery, respcOing the rank he held cf Rejnelire-11,-
neral.] Geri. Gascorost proceeded. The Hon.
General had argued, that the system of raising men
for rank was no grievance, and that, in erery in-
Stance of service, abuses may creep in, and that
new modes might procloce temporary inconve-
nience ; but lie world still contend, that this
pLin would Always be attended with inconveoience.
It had formerly been attempted under different ( our
manders-in-Chief, and it had as often been rewind
that abuses could not but follow thworgh the pre-
dominance of Interest and other causes. It mig'it
just as well be sa:d, that ti).• Bribery Act prevented
treating at elenions, as tl.at the regulations respetl-
ing officers raising meo for rank could prevent the
abuses, which he considered would infallibly to pro-
duced under such a system. lie was afraid that
soar the present Bill would nut be able to prevent

highet bounties being given than teas here specified.
He feared that great difficulties would occur in
raisin; men. and that the remembrance of the high
bounties which had beep given would not; be soon
forgotten. He hoped that the present Bill. would
have a. tendency. to prevent the system of drier.
don, which had so much prevailed, while such
inducements were Lit byotten to desert for the sake
or biking the high bounties. Thy Bill. taken as a
uthote. met with his approbation ; at the samf time
he could have wished that a certain pyrtion of the
Militia had been taken at once into the regular serr
„vice. He was fearful that, while so large a number
of men were locked up in the Militia and Volunteer
System. we should have no disposealle forces.
He did believe that even the A-my of Reserve
had hardly a.:ded one to the old Itesular regiments
more than the usual proportion that was obtained,
by the recruiting service.
Mr. ELLISTON strongly chjeled ie the Bill,
-.•ts being in is nature unjun, unconstitutional, and
oppressive. He had formerly supported the Bill of
his Right Hon. grind. against which this Bill aras
now brought in. When that Right Hon. Gen- .
tlerniin's measures of national defence were oh-
je3eti to as being inefficient, he thought the
courtry had a right •to eine.% betters whereas,
in comparison with that me/sure. the present Bill
he con.;!dered as weak and inefficient. It held
nut a promise to our ear, but broke it to our
ltopo.' It abandoned the method of ballot. on which
the country had hitherto proc.reded; and threw
off twenty thousand of the Buopfementary NI,-
laia, who might have been laid &ILI of at
once its aid of the national defence. He meint
no refleftinn on the Volunteers at large, when ne
expressed hit belief that many had entered pnonz
that body for fear of being drawn by ballot. New
this being remove .I,hefeared would grratly read todis
minish the Voiuntrer force. The Bill now iendercest•
sideration professed to ;et mar. but he v.-as Of opining'
that money was the Miles% It called into its :ud the
machinery of Deputy Lieutenants and Parish 01.
fixers, who were thew put into situation., to realer
thero onpopulari and disliked among their neigh-
bours. Nor would it he found possible for parkhri;
in agricultural parts of the country, to isinctose their
stirlated gootas of men. Vas this then a -
thod to be resorted to which c:uld be justifeci
Tile county of Lincoln. *which lie resided, woulii.
upon a calculation, to raise 50,0001. by 'gay
of fine, which was, in faft. a dire.l double lard
tax on the landed or Tery of the country ; and
lie believed he was t4oht in calculating that it would
raise the sum of 1,500.00tg. on the landed interest
of the several counties of England. This pia. ,s
no mints than a roond about way of inereasinv, ne
land-tax. Thvre were fats which, he trusted, ...solid
have moves:eight with the House than flour. -01 s
Timone. The Bill went to impose a ia•try surf
upon the Deputy L-eutenants and-parish officers.
It would harrass them, and put them to the gr...eest
inconvenience, whilst it wnold, at the Lune tone,
put the whole country out of humour, and go to
raise a standing army, and convert civil cnfic is into
recruiting officers. Its effete would he that of le-
vying heavy files on the several ccrart• y pai.hes,
and the landed interest of the country. In every
view he was led to take of this measure, he was de-
termined to give it his decided opposition.

Colonel MI TFORD, in like tatanta_ir, ohjelfed to
the Bill, on iccoont of the task w.cich it imposed
upon the Deputy Lieutenants and Parish Officers.
He could not help entertaining apprehensions :hat
it might be found absolutely neceasary for goverr.-
ment to send officers, paid hn pureoses. into every
subdivision of England, to do the business which Is
now required of tho Parish Officers ; who are to re-
ceive no salary for their extraordinary services, and
who cannot be expeCted to devote any considerable
piwthtn of their time in addition to their privets
and paeochial concerns to such a bu<iness. View-
ing the Measure in this point of view, it be, AT t 7
with him a serious consideration, as he wished
the House to consider whether its tendency mint
not be to produce some alarming alteration in t
constitution. (The Hen.Gert.vaufreq uei inter: -
ed by the torghing of other Members). He coiicliid-
wfth docianng his opposition to the Bill, at
measure that went to establish a permanent
with all the danger to the constitution of a stan
army, without the isrotedlon which a standing army
would afford ; and he particularly objeCted so it as
doing away the Militia of the country.
Mr. SOMERS COCKS said. he was ready to
confess that since this Bill was introdhcesi, he had
twice voted in favour of it ; and he would now
state to the House the reasons why he did go. He
did not mean to detraft any thing from the last
Administration, when hc pmeounced those who
composed it, as persons wantin•± iliac degree of ta-
lent and energy which he cone absolutely ne-
tessary in the preqnst extraordinary state of ;I
country. It wagon t!htt ground tl. it he hid senile.'
fot a change : he hi.? withed to .-e at tl e head of
the state men who wore the most capa'ule of consfite-
ing its affairs with vigour, energy, and wis-
drnt. And when he desired such a change,
there eras no man he wished to be placed at
the head of pnblk afTeirs, so mach as the Right
Honourable Gentleman, who was the atonor
of the present measure ; because he had for many
years wrtnessed the manner in which hehad concluded
the affairs of the country, and the dats,-5-ers trout
which he had rescued it. Although be was much
dhappointed in the Administration which that
Hon. Gentleman formed—yet, from old habits, I o
entertained such a predileetion fur him, and ha•i
such confidence in his ahilities, in his ea rgy, and
the innumerable resources of his great mind, that.
however disappointed he might feel himself with
rapid to the appointment of others ; be still fixed
.`..is hopes on the K:ght Hon. Gentleman t and. in
the strength of these hopes, voted for the present
Bill in one or two stages. But he entertained great
doubts upon the measure; he doubted whether
there was any energy in it. He•hed many ol•iec_

1

1 tions to it. It was not applicable to the /urgent
• situation of the country; it was not calculated to
.Ineet the circumstances of the present times.—
lie did not mean to enter into a discussion
on the various parts of it ; but he must say, with re-
gard to the principal objeft of it, that so far as he
was able to falculate, it appeared doubtful whether
i it would ultimately- succeed in raising the number
of men required by it. It was stated, that all cram-
(petition of hooleks In rar :lig lereelutts would be elene
away by the Bill. He wished to know how it could
produce that Life& h The Bill said, that every perish
Cern to raise its quota of mot; that if those were
rei -ed. the paris'es \wield be at no expence ; and
th.e if they failed in raising, them, they should be
obliged to pay. certain sum of resiety es a tine.
I It so happened, that it lela felien ‘-equently to his
i Jot to be me conversant in pAeieh affairs, as to know
something more or the; disposieion of those
mem who ailed as parish officers, than most
other "persons ; and, as fad♦ as he could judge
' of them, as well as of those men who took a
lead in pan& affairs, this would be the mode of
their proceeding under the present Bill. They
would consider among themselves, that if they could
not raise' men, they must pay a flue; that
/if the men were raised, they paid nothing, because
Government would allow them a bounty. But
unable to procure men upon that bounty, and on- '
i willing to be fined, they would put their heads to-
I *ether, and agree to subscribe a certain sum of
money, suppose half of the fine, and add to it the
' bounty, in order to obtain recruits. In that case, a
huge bounty, instead of a low bounty would. be
given. and thus world he cempletely done away the
whole of the argument, that this measure' would
destroy the competition of bounties. The parishes
would be obliged from necessity to give large boun-
ties. It was sleet stated, that this Bill produced the
good effeet nfUeing away the ledlot, which was said
to have bees se oppressive to the people. lie cer-
tainly had himself seen a great deal of hardship
by the ballot, and often pitied those who suffered
'eider such an hardshijr. But, after all, that was no
more thin what was absolutely to be done. And it
it wes abso:uteiy necessary to have tecourse to
cennpalsion, there ceield be no injustice; 'and
consequently isa hardship in it. The Bill itself
admitted that compulsory . measures were tie-
eeseiry, fer it said, if the men were not raised,
the pa es stun. .be fined for not doing their
duty. Barely that was compulsion; and of
the two kindi of compulsion, he ihought that by
ballot was far less oppressive.. Under the ballot,
gaiety man bad his fair and equal chance; but
• there was me fairness of equality ;on the contra-
ry, unfair and improper means could be used to get
i men into the service. Ile was sorry to see the Right
Eon. Gentlemen bring forward a measure so defec-
t, V r as this ; and he could only say, that if there was
any one thing in which tiok Right Hon. Gentkman
appe tred less informed tit another, it-was the in-
keine! situation of this eountry. -He had many other
nbjeftions to the Bill, besides those he stated. He
was confident it would fail of producing the effeft
tiltimately intended by it ; and its operation would
be a heavy land tax on the country. It was
not a direft land-tax : but it would have the eft& of
ooe : by pretending to be one thing, it would op.-
tit. Pits another thing. He had another strong objec-
tion to the measure, and thee was, the etre& it would
%lye oa the V oluntesrs. He would not then enter into
the question of the wisdom of that plan, by which
the volunteer force bad been raised. He believed
it was chiefly raised by means of the great vital spi-
el' of loyal, patriotic, and ardent zeal, that pervaded
ill ranks of people, at a moment when their coun-
try and their independence were threatened by
a ferocious enemy. They had gone a great
way in raising' the force in question ; but, at the
same time, ao men doubt, What was a plain matter
of truth. that the exemption from ballot granted
to the Volunteers, had * very considerableeeffea in
producing the Volunteer force to the extent at which
it now was ; because every man who enrolled
himself in a volunteer corps, had so many personal
advantages by doing so. Were they to enjoy those
advantages any longer? No, they were all to be
taken away from them in an indite& way. by a
kind of side wind. For, although they were literally
• ezeo from the ballot; now that the ballot was
done away, they must contribute money towards
railing men, accordi g; to the mode .which
was to be subtituted in the room of the ballot.
—Such a proceeding was particularly objeca
tionable at this time, because, the fear of invasion
being removed, it would seem as if the personal ad-
vantages granted to volunteers had been taken away
from them on that account. On the whole, he
thought the present Bill was one which the Reuse
ought not to adopt.
Mr. Serjeant BEST said, that notwithstanding the
discussion this measure had already undergbne, he
would trespass" I'r a moment sin the time of the
House, whine he made some observations upon it.
He considered it a measure so unconstitutional in its
principle, and so pregnant held mischief to the
country, that he could net content himself
with giving a silent vote open it. The Ho-
nourable Gentleman who just sat down, in the
lineecif condu 1 which he pursued that night, fur-
nished one of the strongest arguments that could
. be advanced against tins Bill. Ile head declared
to the House his attachment to the Minister; that
he had voted with him in two stages of this Bill,
1 but could not vote for it any longer. It was en i-
ieent, therefore, thAt the lion. Gentleman was not
against the proposer of the measure, hut egainet the
measure itself. it had been often and truly said,
thet the people of this country had trade great sa-
crifices, and ribmitted to reereberless privations.
He was convinced they would submit to many more,
if it were necessary. Bat there was one thing which
they never weuld submit to, and that was, the pri-
vation of the liberties they enjoyed. This Bill, if
suffered to pass into law, would be a dire& violation
of the freedom of this country. It militated
against one of the grmt and principal maxims of the
constitution. which was—that the King could net
call out a standing army without the consent of
Parliameet. Ou that evening there was, indeed,
an alteration midi in the Bill, which rendered it
different from what it was beiere. Had not the
Right Honourable Gentleman made en amendment
in it, he never could suppose any thing else than
that the Bill was to be permanent, that the force to
be raise by is was to continue during war and peace.
The oply taereece, bc W. v et-, now a Ail shat C.lis
J.

army was alwayii to he kept up in time of war, and
only sleep in time of puce But, although this Al-
teration was made, the principle of the measure
continued still the same. The force migktsleep in
time of peace ; but it was still a permanent force;
it would still be it; the power of the Kirsg.to call out
an army of 74,000 men whtelever he chose, with-
out the consent of Parliament. Was it consistent

then with the principles of the Constitution that
such a force should exist either •in a dd.-
mant state, or in a state of adseal duty? Let the
House consider that this force was to be commanded
by officers, not constitut.:l like those in the Militia,
but by officers dependent on the will of t!--. crown.
(A loud cry of hear! h, from the opposition
r.enches). Nu man could deny that the existence of
such an army eras contrary to the Bill of Rights,
which declared that there should be no standing
army, without the consent of Parliament. It had
been argued by some Gentleman, that this army
would con:c within the operation of the Muti-
ny Aft. He now went upon the supposition% that
the army was to be raised ; for he entertained
hopes that the 511 would never pass. Now the fal-
lacy of the argument to which he alluded, must be
very apparent to any one who considered the ques-
tion for a moment. Rite difference between they
present force, and that raised by the Mutiny Bill,
was this, that the force in question was to exist by
virtue of a special Aft of Parliament, and would
continue, whether a Mutiny Bill was ever passed or
tot; but the Standing Army could not exist without
the Mutiny Bill. If the Mutiny Bill did riot
pass, that Army must be put an end to; but
this army would not be put an end to. The non-re-
newal of the Mutiny Bill could coilly have the effeß
of putting an end to the force which it had raised;
but the force in question would continue, because
it was raised by a particular and p%rmanent A:t of
Parliament. Ilse Militia of the country did not
exist by virtue of the Mutiny Bill ; nor was
atleaed in any manner by it. So it was with

. .
the present force. Thts was not a raere na-
tional distinaion ; the ease here was, That the
force about to be raised, could not be put an end to
without the immediate interference of both Houses
of Rarliament : whereas the other force, namely, tile
standing army, would die a natural death at the
end or the year, unless it was revived by an All of
Parliament. This distinaion, therefore, put an end
to .111 arguments as to the controul of the Mutiny
L. Another obje&ion he had to this measure was,
that while it professed to be a permanent force,
it diminished and seduced that force which
was our true and constitutional defence ; namely,
the Militia of the country. Scarcely two years had
elapsed since a considerable increase took place in
the Militia; and for that a& the House and the
country were indebted to those who, at the time,
were at the head of the executive reernment. It
was thin stated that a large Militia force was es-
sential to the liberty and security of the suhjc&.
Yet, in twa yeats after, the House was called on
' to contradi& that language; to unsay what had
been declared at that time; and, instead of a na-
tional Militia, to establish another kind of fume.
He should like to hear what defence there could be
set up for a force of this kind. Would Gentlemen
say that it wculd have the advantage of regular
1 officers, which the Militia slid not possess ? He be-
lieved, in the present circumstances of the coos-
try, no such advantage could be expefted. If
this intended army could be officered by men
of militaryskill and experience, and who had seen
service, it would certainly be a great advantage.
But where were such men to be (found!—
Every man el that description was already em-
ployed; it was found ;mp,..ssible to get them for
the Army of Reserve': avd, therefore, another new
army could not he furni,hed with regular offi-
cers. But they would be regular its one respite.
They would regularly receive their pay. an.!,
on being disbanded. they - would r(gulat.y c all
on Goveinnsent for their half-pay. But with re-"
spe& to the officers of ti,e Militia, they were as•
well disciplined as men could be, who ad nut seen;
a&ual service—they reeeired no halt-pay—and no
man could hesitate which of the c he should
give the preference to. Tneretore it struck
him, that no reason could be shewn for doing
away the Militia • and raising such a force as
this. And it must he evident. that, even if the Bill
answered the object proposed by it, that could be no
benefit to the country. • But it never would answer
the object : there was not evenso greet a chance of
its doing. so as the Army of Reserve Act, which was
found uneqtral to its pu. 'that Act pro.
posed to raise men by baba mode now con-
demned for its severity : and if the men could
not be raised in that way penalties were
Whled. This Bill did the same thing, and the
difference between them was, that the. former'
All had all the benefits derivable•from the latter,
with somethinic more besides.. He would therefore '
ask whether this till cotild.effe& what the Army
of Reserve A& could not do? He was 'no military
man; but be would put a plain Simple case, which
must be obvious to the meanest capacit•.—
If an officer sho'ulthe sent on an expedition with
5000 men, and should be beaten away by the
enemy, with the loss of almost all these, was it to
be supposed that he would go back to renew the
enterprise with no more. than 2000 men.? And 'if
he did. could he have any pmspe& of success!
Why did the Army of Reserve fail of its objeA ?
For the very same reason for which this must
also fail, should it ever be attempted. The fines
impo-ed upon people could not be pail ; nor would
it be possible to pay them under the present Bill.
Now, the exp:dient must, in his opinion, be a most
ruinous one. His next obje&ion went to the
mode in which the men were to be recruited.—
The churchwardens were to be converted into de-
cot-ducks, for the purpose of getting men; and he
' believed they never would have any influence, ex.
cept what they were to derive from the abuse of their
power. He was warranted in concluding, that they
would take advant age of the clistresser,not only of the
men whom they should endeavour to inveigle, but
i of their aced and indigent parents. (Here there
wzs a cry cf no ! no I from the Ministerial side of
the 11,11%4 which was answered by * loud cry of
t, zr ! 4, ai ! trom the other side.) The Learned
Gentleu,..n then obstrvesi. that if some arsea, red to
c-ntridii: :lii s:, emery tniiets supported it ; and
Itli,nei. :.! :i.e should conclude that what he said
was c r• .a. tie r.utild maintain it was possible
i tat j,ist.ir,cc‘ might occur in which pariah of as

a..s :r.

- -------
~-

tees would commit alts of tyranny in order
to obtain men. He hoped and trusted this Bill
would never pass ; and if it did,that it might contain
a clause by which it could be repealed in the same
Session. The supporters of it had falsely rrpre..,
seared, it. as a boon conferred on.the people. If it
'was, he hoped the peoph for the first time, ;mild.
prove ungrateful, and return back the favour offered.
to them. In his opiuion, the best thing the oppo-
nents of the Minister could do, would be to let this
.Bill pass ; for, sure he was, that if it did, his conti-
nuance in office would be very short indeed.
Sir KOBILit PaILE rose to support the Bill,
and in doing in paid a high compliment to the pre-
sent Minister, whose energy, when once before in
office, contributed to the salvation of the country;
and who was acknowledged on all sides to have the
ben political knowledge of any man (a loud cry of
No! Na!) The Hon. Baronet then took notice of
the variety of opinions given by those who opposed
the Bill, the opposite grounds on which they re-
sisted it, and from thence he drew an inference that
they must be wrong. The 'measure itself would
produce all the benefits of a standing army, with-
out the inconvenience of drawing men away on a
sudden, and hurting the trade and manufaftures of
the country. It was the cheapest mode of
proteCting the kingdom ; and all the forces of
the country united would not be more than
sufficient to prevent that greatest of human foes,
the man who was at the head of the French Go-
vernment, from carrying his threats against us into
execution. _ _

Earl TEMPLE observed, that if there was any
one thing more deserving of blame than another in
the conduct of the late Administration, it was the
want of preparation to protect the country. He and
his friends had dwelt upon this point day after day,
and hour after hour. The situatton of the country
Was now precisely the same that it was when ,the
Right }lnn. Gentleman had made an appeal to the
House on the unprotected state we were in. The
result of all his eagerness for the defence of the conn-
try was this measure now before the noose, which
did not provide any one thing that was expooed,
or prepare far.our future security. The Right lion.
Gentleman must have brought the measure forward
to cornea the blunders of the former Administra-
tion, and to redeem the pledge he gave th-.
when he said that the country could not prosper
under the] condua of these men, with roost of
whom he was now content to associate. But
so d.:icient was it in every respea, and so
different from what he himself had promised,
that one' would think lie had brought it forward
iu compliment to those of his colleagues, who
formed a part of the late Adininiotration. His
principal obrilion to the ni?a.a.re was, thit it did
away a great part of cur Militia force, for the sake
of trying a douhful experiment. -FL
lost one grout advent soe ot the isllitio; by deiog
away the ballots, there was no stimulus to prroore
a substitute. The dijicnity of jeOcurinz;Men w.. old
then be increased. It was •kaid, that men would
be furnished out rifthe public purse. XN'ht was not
the public money issued at on :e, for the poopose of
procuring recruits for the Rego' r Army, ? Ile could
not see the necessity of going this r ondahntit
way to recruit the arm). Au 11 o. Morbel had
*dared this would not op:rote as a t !< .11 lard :
now, if it would not, he should be glad t
where the money was to come from ? If this menset e
was merely intended to meet a certain difficelty, a:!(.1
to cease with that difficuley,then.a great part of the
objection againsti: would bercrnoved ; that was net the
case, for the measure Was to be permanent, and, a.
such, was calculated to excite the most jealous ap-
pear:lions of "Parliament. For these reasons he
mist oppose the Mee owe.
".• T.r. CANNING began by claiming some portion
nt the indulgence of the House. on account or his
I:.its having till now risen to speak on the present
questing. It was remarkable that most of the•
'Gentlemen who opposed this measure, judged of
it only by the standard of their own Imagina-
tions; and that they diffeed• from each other in
their opinions concerning it; and the question, opal
the whole, was nevor fairly st ittd with regard to
its real Merits. It was said that somoOir.g very
different had been expe.rted from his Right lion.-
Friend (Mr. Pitt) ; mid the,qocstion 'was argued a;
if it had been in his power to rais! at once a
great regular army from a•r:dst an abundant
population.' This, he moot repeat, was not the
fair mode of discussing the question. Gentlemen,
in arguing in that way, should consider the situa-
tion and circumstances of the country, as thee wore
al this moment, and ask whether it was possible, tin-
der all the 'circumstances, to do more than what was
already done? Now what was the case at resent ?
it Was necessary to encrease the regular army ; it
was found that ballots were injuroos to the recruit-
ing service; that the militia was larger then was
compatible with the service of the cOunory ; And that
between it and the troops of the line. there 11/.ls a
little fOrce, which, by being' increased, was capable
of supplying the latter to that extent which wag
necessary to render it disposable and really wear:. It
his Right Hon. Friend should SUCCeed in [hat, he
did a great deal to redeem the pledge be had given to
the public. It was impossible to conceive how far 'he
imaginations ofsome men might carry them a: to whit
plans onght to be adopted. But it did not follow
at the plan of his Right' Honourable Friend so.t.i
bad one because it did not cone up to such 11
pitch of perfeCtion, as to fill every range of their
theories. The objet of the present Bell ss as to
have a home force, which, in its nature, acid in its
effeds, would be better 'lion the Militia. It was
free from one great objeraion which had been made
to the Army of Reserve ; and that was the removal
of the ballots. At the time the Army of Res-:rve
AEI was before Parliament, the constant cry against
it was, that it would extend the ballots and the
bounties to a most enormous exteto. These wore
done away in the present Bill, and now, for the tiro
time. poor ballot found its panegyrists. Poor bal-
lot hid many faults once, but now all its perfcaions
and excellencies were revived. It had been said oo a
former day, that the only praaizable plan for recruit-
ing the army, would be to strip the recruiting sor vice
of all its impediments, and let it go on in Os ea.
tural way. To this he would observe, ih it the pre-
sent plan would answer every purpose ; there w.. s
very little difference between the one and the
ether. All his Right Hon. II ;end asked in tl-e
first instance was, to let the too:ltd.:log first be
tried, according to the cad constitutional principle;

s•
and, if that failed, a fury), eitestild Pe 'raised, nnd the
busiooss =lid fall into 'Oie bird; of officers no
theicrown, so that in• either ease it' should be in.
effeanal. His Right Hnn'. Friend was not for any
brilliant scheme ; he merely proposed to have the
badness coaslucted in the old way. Innumerable
ohjoHons were now mrilelo to parish officers being
concernedin recruiting; and some Gentlemen vent
so far as to re, .eninend crimps' liiitead of ;rein, and
to praise and c.etol a set of mot who hid been long
consigned to execration and infamy. 1.--or /its own
oar., he thought there was no mode 543 fair, and so
'tree from compulsion, as that of permitting church-
wardens to Ask men to enter into the service of
their country. They woulsi not inveigle them, ins
crimps mielit be supposed to do, but would fairly
state the whole of the contract for which they were to
serve. Heelenied thatthemcasure would in any degten
operate as a burthen on parishes ; nor could he con-
•ceive how it would be an injustice to volunteers, to
'do away the ballot for this particular service. It
'might as well be said it was unjust to call on Them
to pay any tax whatever, as to contribOte, in coin.
mon with others, towards raising the genus of
men under the present Rill. Now, with respea
to the exemptions from ballot, he contended, it was
a thing which the Volunteers had never expelled—.
it came as a matter of surprise upon them—the
spirit of the country was at its highest; and the To.
lunteer system was on foot when this exemption un-
etpeetedly came to them as a boon they knew no-
thing of. If Gentlemen would cast tbair eyes over
the state of Europe, and see whether it was necoo
sary to have a great militia safeguard, the question
then would be not whether there were burthens to
he borne, but ho . we were to bear ? And
every question of burthens defence ,should be
considered with ref once to the great dill eulties we
had to encounter. Now with respea to Old opposite
opinions entertained on Co.'s question, his Right H a.
Friend, on the o.lter .side (Mr. Windham:, reccri-
mended a large stand'Og army ; and a Learned &s-
-pent said, ruch.a rould overthrow the Coo..
stitution. . The latter certainly was a deep autho.
rity in the midst of .his Peck .kter literary ; but in
ordi:r to prevent alp ..ifferenro of opinion between
this Learned Gentleman and his Right lion. Friend,
he aronld advise them, when they went out into the
lobby, to settle their difference there, and Come back
with a better undantanding ors, the subjed.—
He was aot one of those who comphshied of a saug-
gle in-that House, elle obj.Ol of which was to ascer-
tain whether Ministers tools.; the confidence of the
House or net. Nor ,hound he complain of the
• opposition of the Right bloniurable Gentlem
(Mr. Addington) s on thto, contrar/ it Lea: his
aperobation .ana his ',praise, . far reetantly as-
suming a maiicy, cJosisont, and. systeinatic Fe*.
Out he- must consider a iittic the :notices which
might art sate many mho would veto con'rary to
iiini to-night. Ile considered the change in Odoi-
&oration curs as it reearded ' lie
meant, as-it regarded Ova' r.is On "%licit he !I
Ilc had di ti-pTry"...loi the imbecliity vi the
late adn-,:u7stration of. the • engem:at of fineign
asfairs ; Ow navel and rss 1i ter, dcpartmeet ; and,
above of the sup:a-totem-ling p inohe goyim.
went. In this last, all that would this nieht vete
arinet his side of the liouSe would aoree (4 f
MI MI), almost, all slioold ine of opinian.
He had not changed his t pipit u. li.Ouwever, lee
wcre asked, whether lie would adulitc Night ifu
nnurable Friend so far as to 'a;, ire wis:iod to see
him hold Cie rein: r.. G..vionmoto :1:11.1 :tar
of those gse mt t..11%!at on the other side of the ilra•
he woald r sts er negetive. wishedilis
Ho I. Friend had oetter sups (a ',coo:). Mabee-ex
the,G.,vercare.e. is not all he could wish, is ate b..u:d
not to give it his support as it is? He felt himself
the more relied upon, locause of the • difneulties
of his kieiit liononrabie Fiiend, to `share is the
&nem He denied, however, that there was e
exclusion, any proscriptioa, as bad been s ie
forming the present government ;, and, Alta. e
admi tad of the principle of a straggle to a- co ••1
whether Government poseas;eloh.• confidence . flee
House or, not, he was persuaded the an/lice:on 4
it, in time present instance, could not ire sheO:od
'from motives of a different nature.

Mr, SOMLIZS .COX expLtined.
Mr. BRAGGE defended Mr. Addingt.,nf,:m
the charge of a systemati: posi• ion.. fie sa;
Right H. Vrie.i.t could no: be c•zpcned to turn loa
back at onco u,:O his own measure, hut must tr
expeaed to bring the two plans ir.!o n fair corprisoa. The Right Hon. Gentleman (*.d.. Cand•-•s)
had Jet cat with promising a statement of to? t•
scheme": ; but had not stated each of them c r
lc aii.l had forgo:, that it was no • bal.,: •
Arm) of Reserve tl.at was to be .
the presewiplan, bit the srs,:en.ien

r
x::5

Lou: II. said,he-wa Al out try Ci;
by any imaginary standard, Ism 1r) it, o'j.,a,
fitness oft . e means Its oLjerr was of a m .rsl zaruz
it was b rth a requisiti..n and a tax. .1, .t ~:ctfsi•ti:-.
it was oppressive and utterly truitlcss ; as tax.::
was marons•itutional and partial. The a -ark
not, he w:11 knew, w:v•llier it wia a bUrel,Pit :;'
Isurshen • but wherhar tho burthen was cyna! or la:
ccjual ! iklany cr-a:ies and pvistles svesuld bx tale.i.
when others would not be so. Ir places w.. 27:
nuraa:•'r es gave Lmplaymant to the Iscr-,•;;•-• ''• •
the pnisi; • -:•.:.•rs cont.! nct ". t
ine n, ~.;.I•ucli plaso; ,7 pay the insc. •
He re rz.hate.l the cp.:: 3-;ft
rake it v impart to re: OT :ars. 1: ..• - •
fore, in chiii:ng these, 5,.:5-icy, and dr.. • •
moan .; a;:tili:e were deemed J 4:7.251e •
but now the parish otliccr must ••••• the test •g
must be a cramp and a prod.gate. Tha t•
neaion betwten the firs•. and seconJ bar a '
must • 1114110 W, instead of (atm:ling. t:::
into the ksgu:ars. Hew was a Y•aksii::tr m•al ••••••-
tmer ins:aaly t become a Kcmish Yeoman 1:1
intercourse Letween the two batrali•ms reinirs.l•3
him of an ancTicte. The Emperor .1.-coi •-•
being ai• o A7ci!clnke of Florence, some p 1•43
prop. .0 din his Itihar, territories to erms-ale •- •
her? s ; eloin rermissian, on this cs-n..:•'. 3
(.111r. 'LA; • - rant shoul I write a *re:,
lii• . . • Ic:ln'gs 1::: con!.
; • a -• •o
. . • • • • ''•

:Nu t • I.:y st

tr .• • ,•• • ..;.
(' a A.
or Ili I 7 . • i • - • ;.1 t
He ci,..Fera7,,,: : • t 11.: .rs,r
talion would be .. tc,licittd by their

• enter the first. and called on the House rather to
dope the plan of volunteering men from the Militia
Ito die regular army, by printed letters; calculated •
or that purpose, and by the solicitations of their
•sem Officers.
Mr. LEE warmly defended Mr. Addington, and
id he would support the plan that would afford
e most effectual support to e country.
Mr. ADDINGTON *lid, he had abstained from
observations on the bill, because he wished to hear
hat the sentiments of Gentlemen were ; and was
illing to see a oat effes the Committee would pro-
duce on the Bill. Before he wile to the merits t.,
u e Bill, he would state, that he had never said, as
Lad been imputed to him, that the present force of
he country is sufficient; and •he would deny that
- was willing to delay any measure of defence.—
. • Bill now on the tab!?(for the suspension of
.' tiny of Reset ve). rest detuna, and remaining
tit,, . the House to dispose of, was proof of this.
lie woa. ' now recal to tha Flout: the circumstances
nnder Wia h the present Bill appeared. Early in
Febru try; :•'s Right Hon. Friend (Mr. Yorke)
proposed r:.r aispensinn of the Army of Reserve,
to facilitate :he r:.: sing of eighteen regular regiments;
t' e ballot was then to be done away, and the Re-
r ;tar Army augmented. A Learned and Honour-
, abl ! Frieed of his, now in oppcsition to him, had
sad, " do not be sure that those It regiments are
sa t raising." He would say, the House ought to
know, and be sure, whether they are raising or not.
It was a question that regarded the honour and
safety of the House. He, however, had pro-
posed to suspend the ballot, and put an end to
Eigh bounties. The Right Honorable Gentle-
man (Mr. Vitt) had thrown out the hints of a plan
at that time. in which be proposed to perpetuate
ballots. But learning, when in office, that few
men were now got by the ballot; he substituted the
present plan, more dangerous, mole pernicious than
that of the ballot, with all its severity. The me-
rits of this Bill are to be fcund in the former
one, and without its unconstitutional charaaer.—
He owed it to his sense of his duty, to his
colleagues, to those who Lad supported him in the
House, to give this explanation of the nature of the
two Bills. However he might hear some things
with grief from some quarters, he had the gratifica-
tion to hear it stated, that last year the number of
men raised was unexampled; that 32,000 men had
been raised for the Army of Reserve, of which 13,000
had gone into the regular regiments. His objection to
the Bill was, that there was not that species of ne-
cessity for it which could justify such a departure
from the constitution as it included. We ought never
to forget, amidst all our dangers, that we have a free
constitution. He could not consent to change the
manners, the habits, and the ebars,lters of the people.
In raising the Militia, the late Administration had
paid attention to that wrest constitutional maxim, to
pie-serve a certain proportion b.otseecn the Militia
atsd the Regular Army. He cp:teneled, that the
itesultaif this Bill Weitild be, that we Mull forego the
GOO that are deficient, without the certainty
of raisiag one M tn. The eighteen regiments
must be also yielded up. ft would he Impos-
sible to get men for them. The bounty for
the regulars is to be slattern , ansai; but twen:y-
two guinea* ism be girea fo' recruits iota -the line,
under this Bill.; twelve guineas on ente-ing the li-
mited service, and aLerwards ten guineas. for the
volunteering into the regular army. tvery person
in eery virago would korai: the value of a man
through the parish offeera, and moild tint go for an
iaferiol bounty. If this new fo:ce wa ;mended fit
home defence, he would artier the.• Militia; if for
foreiga bervice, a; a thaposable aaa,ac v• uld prefer
the ftegulars.iitis feet o ineered by the crown;
so tha- it has ever:- possirdt. disadvattatzeavitheat the
utility," the Regulars. Re objeaed to the agency, by
trim ',s the Bill was to opeeate ; it would beget ill will
iii the parish,- t ; it • asuai .orrupt and deprave; and'
it arco!d-stand iu the way of cur regular force. He
bad bet:. alluded to by the Right Hen. Gentleman
(Mr. Coaling). lie knew the principles that guid-
ed his atiacs. The 'signs of those principle; be
would ever submit to' the candour of the House.
Hewould give. to pledge, :lel promise, cl what he
wouid do. Ile should follow the diaates of his own
conscience; and he i:ow declared most coucien-
. tiously, that he, was co:-.rince;.* that the Bill brought
in by his Right Honourable Friend (Mr.lorke) was
to be ;a: ferred to the present Bill.
Mr. SHERIDAN said, he did not rice to reply
to the Right Hon.' Gentlemaa. He had his sincere
thrmks. Fia had anticipated the arguments against
ti•is Bill; and hid placed th:m in the clearest and
most constitutional poipt of view. IL, theref
should not have non:sled the House, had it not been
fir sc:::e unferna.ac observa:ions of his Rght
Friend (Mr. Csnai ao). He had answered
se..eral argun:e s not used by any person in that
House; but h should pass ay.:- th..sz to other
rarts.that he better under-doe d. The 1:;g it Hon•mt-
able' Clentlethan said, he himself was no flatterer,
no adulate t, to pay his Right II.• a-•••Tal.sle n4:11.1
a compliment that would certainly to t be ackaare •
feared by the House; and bad candle:ly acknow-
ledged that he als" was no el:ten-a, no adulate, un-
duly to praise hi. Hon. niensl. lie must. weve
:::lose a differerce between them. lie mon allow for
4.1 attsthment ; f. •r an --atachrr.ant, the earliest,
ate a the only one of his life, when he n out of
att tchrt"^nt to his Hon. Friend Lear him. The
h•elit lion. Gentleman bad also expressed a gene-
: , is concern for he c nsaaracy of his ade at the
:oust: ; and wa, co: :au s to know how they ecoald
reconcile their aaierenccs, when the; -hould
his in the Lah;ii . Ile was equally loos to
Inow h.av the Gentlemen opposite would
pa:s their time during the division, and to which
sawn„ of has bow a Noble Lord (Lord Castlereagh)
vrauld trnst is such an emergency. The Right
H• Gelid-an:4n had paid a high tribute of praise
I • the late Minister, far his manly, consistc::! oppa-
aon. He had given that IStr.i.ter his humble and
taintexested support, because of his honourable in-
t. „twns ; but, ale,ve all, for his reverence, his
'Attica] re.rea far the c‘ r :notion. He had seen
true situation .•1 that Minister ; whroe entrance
.to (Ace was a sacrifice, and his gJing cut a
't,,roph to himself. In going out, he did not Offer
.ei•iious: support; to his successor; he d;i not sit
••••..a.a?lr.), and dec:itfu:ly prcf. s. -porobnlon ; it a
- • vare made, t.. lene:•ve sum tr., o His Majes-
•• • •.•• :Is, would not eta him to: shabby
ti'r of the pat jolts ouesdon. Per'.l.q.c he had
tar motive far praising the maaat: at flat

;s:. •

nister's going out. He saw an opposition too strong
for him, and he toolt the hint. He did not resolve
to remain ins in despite of the constitution. This
was a motive worthy of his praise; and the Right
.Hon. Gentleman, when now put to the test, would
feel in the same laudable spit it. He would give a
hint to his Right H 01). Friend near him (Mr. .Pitt) ;
he would tell him that the late Minister never had a '
majority below 37, and that his has been as low as
Oa, and is likely to be lower; that 'he ought to fol-
low the gallant and generous example before him,
and no: cling to his place with has small, pitiful,
decreasing majority. The Right Hon. Gentleman
laments that the present Administration is not
formed of that combination of talents which had
been contemplated. He spoke of his attachment to
the Minister; and, no doubt, be is sincere. Ile may,
therefore, tell him what he might have been, and
what he is. He spoke too of his disinterested mo-
tivee, and of the great danger he has incurred
in coming into office at such a crisis. Well may he
feel the danger. It is an administration that can-
not last. He knows it cannot. And both he and
the Minister know it ought not. The Right Hen.
Gentleman might not unusefully compare the differ-
ent obieds of they attachment. His Hon. Friend
near him, is excluded from office, but is surrounded
with honours; he is out of the Cabinet, but he has
the esteem, the veneration of all that is great in the
country; he is restored to the love of some of his
friends who have left, but ought never to have left
him; he stands upon an eminence, higher than
ever! Such, he could boast, his lion. Frtend to be,
while the Right Hon. Gentleman feels himself
compelled to apologise for his attachment, and his
holding places of high importance under the con-
dud of his leader. But he disapproved, it seems,
of the Minister for the Foreign Department. The
Noble Lord who held that office (Lord Hawk esbury)
was one whose talents he respelled; and he was sot.
ry to see, that he permitted himself to be lowered a
step in the Administration. Those who had loved and
respected the Noble Lord more than he did, would
feel that more. But he was removed, and perhaps
the Right Hon. Gentleman thought more highly of
his successor (Lord Harrowbv). He did not like
the naval management, and Earl St. Vincent is re-
placed by that tried and experienced seaman, Lord
Melville. The Secretary at War also, whom he did
not like, is changed for a better champion. Yet he
gravely wishes the elinister better supporters. The
four *ho went out have all had his raises in former
times. Thefeur new Gentlemen, however, he has not
praised at all. This must be matter of stipulation.
Seeing how Unlucky he is in his speculations about
human character, perceiving his unfortunate mis-
takes, they- no doubt had said--Gives us places,
pensions, emolument% ribbands! Give us any-
thing but a charader ! As to the six that re-
main, he says nothing of them ; though they
had een condemned before by him, as the mere
lumber of Administration. But, then, he pro-
fesses not to regard the trappings and orna-
ments of the Chariot cf the State, but merely the
stwiehtliness and vigour of the horses thatdraw it.
Here, however, he 8: equally unfortunate; for he
and his friends have not only to draw the chariot,
but the six heavy east-of Blacks along with it. In
a word, it will hardly be thought at last, that the
Right Honourable Gentleuran has all that -clear-
ness of mind, t tat conyeehension, and- that
elevation of th• which kihdness and partiality
may have laviesed men him. Mr. Sheridan now
began to comnser on some a guments of Mr. Can-
nmg, respefeag the merits of the Bill; but suddenly
stoppieg, aher looking for some • papers which he
could sot irninediatety fithi, he said, tit RigSt
Henouraeh Gentlemm, I .1.7 e say, will not he
sorry that I have less: my nfees. Hu thee • pro-
'seeded to Ge. ve, that the Right lino. Gentle-
min claimed that thev ihrerld not condemn the in-
-sufficiency of the Bi.i, ..ithout considering how
mmy doors Were already shut against Ministers, by
the numbers of men cc ipied by the Militia, and
other services. lie was willing to admit the
plea; and make a draw-back for it But he
complained, that the e very Gentlemen had net
nixie that allowance for Mr. Addington, when he
claimed it. so such thing ! All was ascribed in
him to imbecility. if men were no longer to be
got. it was his weakhess, not the want-of men. The
Right. Hon. Gehtleintin (Mr. Pitt) raid* at that tithe,
Were I once in, you should son what I could do;
in the mean time, I'll throw nut i single outline, by
which you will see how much I can do."-1 his
was his languege, as if this armed Mint-errs
was to ,pring cu: of the heed of this political Jove:
Instead of which, we have this puny, rickety brut,
tv:o.:h even, wh, n put nut to nurse; w'll not attain
the age of manhocd. 'I he whole sum of the Bill is;
to get neehy by the worst mcans,"by inflieting pe-
naiu es without a c: ime. But ;impose the Bill hniwiretd'
its purpo.e and go: met% the Right Heti. Gent.
( Mr. Pitt) was surprked one morning to (and, efter
' being so many years a Minister, diet the
welt chiefly subhitines. Supposlit him to be hhlde
some mcrning that the Bill gets men—nothing'
(held more flurry and disapphint hini-h-lrelas no
ohicers ; he kncws they cannot be "ght of the de.
in the Bill. But suppose them-Officered;
then the management will be to throw the men of the
ed la.artalinn, into the Ist: they willbelike roiihg whe
man, and an elderly heritleman ; and, in ordeem de-
. wi e,
bauch them, theywill be ictreated at first niertly to
hear them, emir to keep them company, as it is
vulgarly called. The tcheme will be destruc-
tive of all discipline. If the lit drin'es with.
the 21, they. have only to plead, when 0..:
with punishment, that they were meth::: getting.
recruit, ; and. if the second is drinking with the first,
that they were • getung
.acquainted. The situation
would be ridiculous, it it were not too set-heal. it
Nees complained, that no plan is offered by tae op-
posers of the Ihll. Fnlistingfor a limited time had been
commehded power:ally ;he won:la.:Ll, for limited
;I.ace also. He rh enght our young recruits otight
not to he sent to doh charnel-house, the IVest-Inißeis:
Seasoned troops might be sent there. Limited time,
and limited sen-ce then might he tried. The I louse
is callA upon to lay heavy burthens on the people
in return, it may a-..k for a trial of this home le
and prhroisir.g plan. It is part of the scheme of
our liberties, not to risk the danger to liberty
of large standing armies. Political wisdom ehesists
in a just and necessary compromise of benefits. I:
is political folly to ask for incompatible advantacre,.
We cannot have a verylahge ....heel:- 7 -e-
-41x:1. But tliesopla cf this co , Jr: i;

ire to be ttustelwith their own antthe nation's :le- r
fence. They havean attaelimentabove all nation, to
the upper orders; not the slavish attachment totsilies,
or .clans; but an attachment, growing from reason,
to those who are their superiors, in rank, and for-
tune, and talents. There is. no cation. achicb en- .
jays such an equal participation of, rights. ..Ide hail .
no idea that we must of necessity have an. hired
atmy to defend us, and that the country could have
no other efficient protectors. He would call opoa
the poorest peasant to defend his title to the
Great Seal of England, for such ~indeed was our
happy constitution, that these was no place of ho-
nour or emolument that was not withio his reach.
In such a country every individual was its proteflor ;
and the body of its people an army. Every subject
knew its value; andltnew it also to be his duty to
defend it. He knew it was a cause that called
for the arm of the strong, the courage of the
brave, the wisdom of the wise, and the means of the
wealthy (hear! beer!) There never was an instance
of a free cation entrusted to its own defence, that
committed filo de so, nor of a free coulisi v, that
trusted to a mercenary army, that did not lose its
liberty. The question was not wl, it is the best
possible mode of defence, but the best practicable
Mode consistent with the genius, the habits, and the .
disposition of the country, withont destroying its
character, altering its spirit, or destroying ite flood
pursuits of industry, its spirit and constitution. As
to the present Administration, if it was not a vi-
gorous one, we might lament the evil, but he feared
we could not relieve it.. He would, therefore, re-
commend for our example, the conduct of an Titus-
trims Personage, whose name could not with pro-
priety be introduced into the House, and who, when
the public welfare interfered with that magnanimity
and patriotism that have always marked his conduct,
withdrew his claim. Of that Illustrious Personage
he should only declare himself confident that
whatever may be his wi.hea, or whatever his views,
1 he does not feel any hostility to any person, what-
ever may be his politics or party, who can be of
any use at this momentous crisi.:.
Mr. PITT —" In the observations which I mean
to offer to the House, I shall confine myself to the
latter part of the speech of the Honourable Gentle.
man ; becadse, extricated from the variety of de-
sultory remarks and extraneous matter syllich lie
Iris produced, it is the only part that Comes at: all
near to the real question. I mean the view• of
the question, as it affeCts the constitution, the .
charafter, and genius of the country. Upon .
this subject, a great many doctrines have been
broached, and many theories have been taught
to dazzle the imagination. The klottourable
. Gentleman who spoke last, has, in the most heal-1:i-
ful language, and a captivating style of elequence
peculiar to himself, laid it down as the privilege end,
prerogative of oar happy Constitution.. and-the,
characteristic quality of the genius and spirit of..
the nation, that the people- can be blended and.
consolidated into a • military mass, mom fit
for its proteiMon than a regular standing army. ;
Now this is the very principle for which every, one
of us has contended. the • very system which we all
wish to establish. We always admitted the zeal of
the country, and applauded its noble awl patriotic de-
vntion. In these feelings we perfedly• agree with
the Hon. Gentleman; but, much as we admires
that military spirit and enthusiasm. few, I believe,.
few would be inclined to push it to the erteet of
the Hon. Gentleman, for his argument, in its full
latitude, is neither more nor less than this,that in the
present state of Europe we are not to look to a
standing army (No! No! was re-echced from seve-
ral parts of the House). Now, Sir, without ex-
amining that position too minutely, I say, whatever
• may be the sufficiency of the spirit and courage
of the mass of the people for their own proteStion, it
our duty, in justice to our country, to protect that
spirit, to spare that courage, and, by the formation
of a regular force, to save, as much as possible, the
bl sod of those brave volunteers who have come for-
ward with so much alacrity, and shewn them-
selves so ready to risque their lives in our de-
fence. Now, in order to attain this end, I do not
believe it will be stippoced that we are to ex-
clude a regular force from among the necessary
means. If not, then, the question is only to what
degree a regular force is to be maintained ; and from
hence two other questions necessarily arise : first,
whether we have at present a standing army of suf-
ficient strength, under all the• eircamsunces in
which we are placed ? and, secondly, if we have
not, whether the present measure is not the best
modethat can be devised to supply the deficiency? As
to the first question, it would be idle to argue it.-
'Every Gentleinaft that has spoken this night, as well'
the Hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. Sheridan), aq'the
Right Hon. Geetlenian on this side upon the floor,
(i'fr 'Addingtor.), admits the necessity of farther
-keitikins, not merely fur the purpose of a General
Defence, not the extension of our military slstesn, in
all possible wayt which ingenuity might devise and
"'contrive; boric the very line nfideourse now recom-
*len ltd; add for the very srcific and identic il pur-
pose of a Regnlar Army. If then the necessity of an
encreased regular force be admitted; I wish to kisow
linw the objeelittin upon the' gronud .of constitution
applies? A great part sif the,arglitnent in Tatour Of
an armed 'mass was, that it added 'to the'variesy of
our force; burthis is in the very sphitof hey pleb, is it
' "proposes to'plaCe all the leadits)f :and principtal Melt-
-hers of that, force opals their -proper and re,poetiee
•foondati inc. Now if We biota to the keeping up
Of these d,ii-srentineciestit fcirre;K" man also Lail t.,.'
' What at, to eight
their Iwbpei pf-Osoetities. • sos; y
the Mail i i ought 'to . be rLsel •
la that ekia t 4: ~,t
' 'which 7 shoold make it .4 balance to the. to ,ARr
army'.' I disapprtree?of this vicoir•Of 'the subject ~.' the
balance and the %vitiate to 'whlch I-1,44, sod hr
' which I estimate; are, es it *kite: to the :enemy, sir
'Wit moae or lest competeti to resist the fod. and kit .
fend title country from the attack of the lieterniaf foe.
' and eat in tett:to:ll° any entilpoise het ....eels the tees- ,
'ler aril irregular force; tit the policy of di‘siding and
subdividing them,wlth a view to produce an equality..
Of the Militia, I will say, that its officers have con.
dueled themselves in a manner as constitutional to.
wards the country as its men have proved themselves.
virtrons and brave against.the enenrr ; but if it be to:
4 force as available as the Regular Army, what are
,s-"u to do? W hy you are desired to carry it
hiper than its constitutional limits would ad-
ma. Souse insinece that I mean to redece the
kiiiitia' below its constitutional prin..ipLe; !so : he feel
i.l/2"..a.t: L,vagil I wish to teduca it, yet sill I mean

to )"rave it higher than even thole rho complain of
Cite reduetioo think, acciaqieg to !heir Irwil orgu-
ments',• open conoltudotrarprinotplespit- ought tei
stand. I only
.paean, time the excess shall be
taken off, and applied to a more aeoilaOle force.
We ittp next told, that
.• there is sollething in
this
measure that viohres the Bill of otights, SO
for a; the same respells a standing army. - Acestiolli
frig..to the Bill of Rights, • I have always under-
stood, that to keep. up :t standings army in time of
peactoWithout the ctinisaut of Parliament, is contrery
to law. 'Ehit. I conceive, to he the principle of that
Bill. But how do I violate it by praposing toritairio
tain a standing army in time of war, with the
convent of Pernament ;an army, too, amenable to •
the Mutiny Bill, and unobjeCtionable, I thought, in
many other respefts, particelarly after the clause
which I moved this day, that it was sot to remain
embodied longer than six months 'after the signieg
oladefinitOte treaty of peace, and to be suhjed, what
So embodied, to martial law ? Such heitq the case, I
give gentlemen all the benefit of the arguments ilerO.
ved from the Bill of !lights and the spirt and relief
of our ancestors. Now, Sir, in reference to the state
of Earope, let ns see how this measure operates upon
ear future safety. Unless we can be perfedly sure,
and indeed I know not anyelegree of foresight and s I-
gacity that should tent us to suppose that it would
not be folly and presumption to be sore, unless, I
say, we can be perfectly sure, that at the end 'of the
present war, and when that period shall arrive, we
have no means to calculate or aseermin, we shad
see Europe and France reduced to such a mite, Jut
we may return to our old system: unless we 'hat our
eyes, and are wilfully blind to our destrudion.we may
find ourselves obliged for years to make the country
a more military nation than it has ever been before
thought necessary. Now,if this be the ease, there ore
only two ways by *Mei it can be effected; either by
laying the foundation of a large supply is PeacOthat
may be brought forward, O.: a prepared state upon
a sudden emergency, or by creating a lx`rge force
which, though discinloriied, Won is serviors
are not necessary, may be reproduced as occa-
sion, shall. requite. Those who look loick to
the public feeling at the cimultenermeot of the ?re-
sent war, cannot surely forget haw desirable it would
have been, bad we attained that state at which
we bone only now ateived„ kftzi sever Al moths of
anxiety. and protraded danger. With this ever'.
• cries, will roe theta hate, a reran. force, which is
only e&ient.while erabotfied,,or a fore. which may
be orciduiesl for.the necessary occasion *Clout the
constionionalobjeaionMa large ttevtlii Army
. Everrohe.oory persons who are jealous cilia staeding
Army. inopeact, reennoner.d it in war; ar..l ohe
,presentetrastare is such as Mao. be eitOy eMdlEnt
trheoPetliftafTs alt! facilitates di i atilt up of the
• tegul.v. force. Upon every ground tat ottfilk .Afety
lutd-Ccantottlf, it ii.particaLirli reelturfond- ! to
those who would hale i large force in war,- and a
small.oet in rece. '. It Is ifie means of a prOel 4
, fore*. lohic.kw.attenclid sea n itue:pence in pea obd
tir
'moo.* time .<4- werhe rapt '-lay brought fnrwki for
. the. emergency. A !Fight Hon. Gentleman Ns.
k Ad.lirigtoni says, it is not Wise to- change 1.5 e cha-
rade:, manners, and habits of the people. T'ne
htnera/prieciple is ritot ; but if it be 'Loess:try to
ave a tarp force, I ask afloat is so little kluly
to iateriere with the habits and manners 4, the
people as, the present measure, which esfali]Lshes
no pen:moot force, and only reepliter% nterh's
erercise in the year ? To bear him. one would sup-
pose it would operate so great a change, teat the
plougfi must stop, and the country was tO-he convert-
ed into a nation of Spartan soliders, and yet the mea-
sure is neither more nor less than to raise by a &bi-
er mode that very number. of men which the. Par-
Lament thinks necessary, I mean sixteen thousand
in •Angland, and three ttousaod .* in Ireland,
being the amount. of the present deficiency; and
when that is completed, to raise annually a force of
It,ooo. Now whet ar this is likely to pr .duce a
change in the gepios and habits.of the nation, I
leave to the understanding of the House. I think
it is not likely to produce any such. effeco All
I propose does not exceed the extent already
agreed to.—l do not long a. tingle bli: then
upon the country, or move for A man more thus
has been already declared necessary: An objec-
tion has been started, upon the ground of the
difficulty of finding rffieers for this force ; but
to this I aaswer, that pat of it ii already
formed, and that officers are only wanted for
the remainder. I have conversed with' iniiitary
men upon the subjett, wad they do not think this
question of officers a serious difficulty. Officers
.world be also wonted in a regular army, so that the
A:faculty is no: greater in the bee case than in the
other. • But after we are telt of the great size and
impradicability of the measure, then comes a voice,
dot from another quarter, I allow, but o e'lange of
tone, which says that it will prove inefficient, I
give the Gentlemen all the 'benefit., of this i •.-
consistency, but I deny th o it will be kik.ei:
ficient as to the objeds Which I propose to obtain.
I said it would take away the co:ewe:kiwi for
high bounties, induce men, to enlist in the regu-
lar army, and give an enmeased disposohle forte.
I have to t heard,any one of thew prim :iota coacVed
satcessaillo, and if noon° argosies& from 'mita*,
or slight inoonvonieacit ought to haws any 'fresh."
The Right Urn. Member contioood to argue
.at i
great length uoon the propriety of Lis measure, said
so exhibit, in various lights Anti/points of view, its ad-
vantages over the Army of Rmeoreoand the adran..
tages which the cottatry wpold derive friam it, and
r its superiutOy rave- every claw ainaonte. OM could
be devised for the attairuncto of• theoseinc. and
alter which, he this pox, d d—" Before I sit
'dowto I shall say a few words wi:h. reosed to that
papea.tiqo which I have held oust to !.44, ...Lc,. S
-Gentlemen' have said, that they ha:- e , cspeaed
something from me ter., far beyond, the presort
Bill. lam not conscious that I ever encokitagcd the
idea,. fain I 11.4 discovered some mipaeldells mode
of provithne for the defence of theoutantoo. 1 say
this. is the very too/sure of v:iiich I -gave notice, ea-
cept so fee as it isempreved by lie omission of the -
ballot entirely, and the imposing the poymeet of the
bounty upon the parish-instead of the individual.
' Whether the measure be wottLy of.nly pitaaqon I do
not say, butthat it is theildeflikainr44AUgcSrhia I held
out, and taugOt the public to expeafoim me, L mutt
contend. That there were totter point, sit i thin my
contemplatioa I also :.shalt. I- mean sat the naval
d.eoartment, with retard to the polio creft to be
ustd in the aarrtaw se. o, and the memo necessary to

.r.

~~

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