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London, England, 1819-03-19 00:00:00

certainly support it. He dealt with the subject in
this way—he saw the patronage and influence of
the Crown was already too great, and wheurver the
House could do away with an office that was the
object of Parliamentary ambition, without istjusy
to the country, they ought to do an.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. GRAHAM, bring dettillitaitd to support
every measure of practical economy, would vote in
favour of the mullion. Ile wished to see an Admi-
nistration that would look to popular opinion as its
strength, instead of relying on the influence of the
Lords of the Admiralty, or of any other art of
persons.
Mr. Cystitis() spoke against the Motion.
Lord .1. Itusast.t. said, the gallant Admiral had
assigned it special reason for the continuance of the
civil Lords, as they were denominated. They,
it seems, were to prevent their naval brethren from
infringing the laws of nations. So that they must
not only he learned in all the sciences, hut they
must have Grotius and Puffendorff by heart, be.
fare they properly were fitted for this situation.—.
Laughter.)—Sarely those who had before voted
on this question, never imagined that the knowledge
required for this office was so magnificently grand !
Another reason given by the gallant Admiral
(doubtless a very good sea-reason, though some-
what incomprehensible to him), was, that two pro-
fessional men could not be sent as Commissioners
to the out-ports, because they were sure to dis-
agree, and no decision could be obtained. How
did he remedy this evil ? By sending oue other
Lord of the Admiralty, who was totally igno-
rant of the subject, to assist those whose habits
and education fitted them to give an opinion. He
tied this dead corpse to the two living Lords, and
thus matched, they were to perform the work of
knowledge and of iguorance together.—(!tear,
hear.)—This reminded him of a saying which Mr.
Fos applied to one of his opponents, " Who," he
observed, " never spoke so well on a subject, as
when he knew nothing about it."—(/tear, hear.)—
Upon this principle, the civil Lord must doubtless
be a very efficient judge of nautical affairs. Upon
some points Ministers had changed their opinion.
In the last Parliament they refused an inquiry into
I the affairs of the Bank—and when a revision of the
Criminal Code was called for, they were shocked at
the idea of disturbing the opinions of the country.
Both points, however, they had now conceded—.
though in a qualified way. But if any demand
were made that touched on place or pension, then
they came forth, and defended their !warmer with
all their might. What was this bat saying to the
country, " We are ready to inquire into the affairs
of the Bank, which we once said was unnecessary.--
we are ready to consider the situation of the Crimi-
nal Law, which we have repeatedly refused—but we
cannot, entreat as you will, give up any portion of
patronage. We cannot, because our places depend,
not on public noinion, but on the disposal of those
situations which are nearest to our beam, though
you wish to abolish them."—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. L. WELLESLEY opposed the motion.
The House then divided--when there appeared--
Fur the Baotou 164
Agsiusi at

Majority
The other Orders of the Day were thou disposed
of, and the House adjourned.