The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1809-01-25 00:00:00

iNitra 'ss‘the Most vaitieble part of the ermstitar
tion ; if so, they were unfit to sit on such a Coin -
utittee ; they would render it 'inspected by the peo-
ple. He regretted that the appointment of this
Committee was taken nut of the hands of a coun-
try Gentleman to be placed in those of the Right
Hon. Secretary ; and represented the consequences
now .apparent as the natural result of such a pro-
ceeding.
Mr. BIDDULPH observed that they should em-
ploy themselves rather in a prospective, than a re-
tvispective consideration; Cu opinion in which Mr.
Broptun concurred, and winch lie suppori ed.
Mr. ELLISTON observed that lie went into the
Committee, with a mind intent upon the discharge
of his duty, mini never saw a set of Gentlemen more
inclined to theperforinance of the same, than the
different ildeinhers who composed it. Topics were
introduced by the lion. Chairman, which went, in
his opi;tiou, to affect the prerogative of the Crown.
They were appointed to save money to the public,
laaws.inold not hold out expectations beyond their
i...rer to realize ; it was not their province to ihs.
ca.. general questions of policy, moan less to
-countenance doctrines, hurtful to the Constitution.
Mr. BANKES, iii reply, observed, that as he had
tieeo branded with a dangerous attack upon the
erpostitution, and an ealleavoiir to propagate WU..
tinients inimical to its spirit, he took this oppor-
Unity to defend himself ; he would therefore con-
t.-ailiet it as flatly as one gentleman could contra-
dict another, mill assert that the charge was false.

Mr. Sit IItPE sni 1, it was peculiarly desirable to
Bare the assistailee of the Hon. Gentleman who
had formerly acted us Orme:sob for he was sure
his conduct deserved none of those iasinuatimis
that had been thrown out against it. lie could
not help thinking that there were many measures
of omission, as well as emnmission, to be looked
tie.o and remedied, hat as to these he should after-
wards state his sentiments at greater length.
The CUANCULLOR of the EXCllEintit further
observed, that as it was thought great blame at-
tached as to the delay that took place in investi-
gating public secomits, it was surely desirable
that the Committee should he appointed as soon as
posible, in order to expedite that inquiry. Ile,
for his part, should be always ready to lend any
aid iii his power, in order to produce them in a
state tit for the consideration of the House. %Vali
respect to what had pawed as to the Bank, au
Iluliourable Gentleman seemed to think that mat-
ter was extremely mismanaged, and he :weir the
Honourable Chairmen' did not think it was carried
to that extent wh:cls he sii4;;ested; but he could
assure the I louae, that Abiesters had applied them-
selves widi the IlltituA assiduity upon that subject.
that greai public gaud was thereby reudered,
acid that the ins rit of it was solely owing to the
I:,:!zestioa, ;Atha Committee. If the Committee
aw Il.rined, a. he proposed, were to be coeuidered
as di,ableil from acting, owiug to the variety
of opinions which might exist amongst them, it
might as well be said that this House itself could
not act for the public good, on ace,ot t of the
variety of sentiments that prevailed upon most
points, slid upon tms very question. Some were
of opinion that this Committee should be modelled
in one way, some in soothe,, and some seemed
disposed to say there should be no Committee at
all. As one of the objects he had in view was to
aspedite public investigation, it bed struck him as
not pryer to bring in persons eutirely new and un-
acquainted with the business of such Committees.
He wisi led to think, that if he appointed it as be.
fore, they were more likely to have the assistance
of the former Chuirmun; and he therefore
hoped, that that Hosourelile Gentleman would
take into his consideration the importance of the
subject, and ,consider that lie performs a public
duty, by again accepting of the office. A Noble
Lord opposite had said, that any Committve pro-
pored bye Chancellor of the Extlequer would be
objectionable; lie would wish to ask him if healed
his colleagues had any 61101 feeliiig when they were
in office? Th. re were several instances of winder
appointments in the history of this Committee.
Let them compare former lists with that now sug-
gested, and say whether any of them were better
than tilt one mow proposed. He could assure the
Hauer, that this we: a fair selection of persons fit
ta constitute such a Committee of Inquiry ; and he
trusted the House could not say they were such us
to accord with his political views, rather than to
attend to the public good. He had always thought
that the best mode of appoinment was to take per-
sons of different opinions, as that would be atteud-
ed with the happiest result.

Mr. Emitsrox and Mr. BAPIRES then severally
explained, in col Is,Cli111:11C0 of [l:c expressions which
the latter Gentleman had used in the color! of the
d bate. Mr. Ilankes said, that he only meant
t•. state that that Hon. Gent. hail, when a Mt oilier
of the fonuer Cominittce, forint-it his opinion upon
lake and erroneous priuciples, and he by no menus
iit.sint to allude to his personal character.
Mr. Ei.t.tsvow expressed himself satisfied with
this exp;anation.
Lord H. PETTY added. that lie believed the
/10111AliC Journals wank! not confirm the [16a4.411011i of
t to Chane►llor of the Exchequer.
Nlr. Poxsoillir observed, that the Right Hon.
Gentleman seemed to have misunderstood his No-
'He Friend near him; hr believed that Noble Lord
It I I 01:11y meant, tir..t the House were not, in ge-
neral, disproved to receive lists suggested by any
&nixie individual. nod much less one proceeding
from a Chancelinr of the Exchequer. With re-
aswet to former hats, there was this difference be-
tween them and the present our, thut those on the
oppip.its, sale did net think it Koper to objeet to
them ; but now the Right Hop. Geutlertian was
',rewriting a list so objettmunhl., as to iodise,. the
former Chairman to decline acLeeting the office.

Mr. JOHNSTON stated his great concern to Ind
tits question stirred as it Irul been : because
h: feared its ultimate tenileney must he to lead
t to public to an immrirtion. that there was no real
desire to curry cm reform for the public good. If
the iiiipoiuttnent of the Committee was thus to
atop alto4ether, he wits afraid the Members of that
Howie would have a lie-ions tusk to answer for the
I mission to their Constituents.

Mr. W11.111:11Y011CF. thouTht it wmaW he very
material that the }lowa shoull have somewhat
more time allowed them to cousidtr of this matter.