The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1806-04-23 00:00:00

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other expenses, atneunte Ito 30,0001. sterling ; that '
he had expended 920,0001. by the ereelion of
a government-house, and for the same useless and
extravagaut purpose had laid nut 15,0a01 for a park
and pleastire-gerden at Barakpme.—That during
the administration of his predecessor, Sir John
essee, a redo Rion had he, n made in the Bengal ca-
valry; and, to save expenses, a regulation had taken
place, by which they were to ael as the body guard
to the Governor-General ; but in the year 179:). the
Marquis Wellesley made a total alteration in that
system of economy, and instituted a body guard,
which cost the Company 40.0001. annually ; and
continued this till the arrival of Marquis Cornwallis,
the expenditure for which amounted to 4250,0001 ;
that in the month of July, 1805, he did authorize
the taking up i f money for the purpose of building
a town-house, and erecting statues to the memories
of hlarquisCnrnwallis and himself, the said Marquis
Wellesley ; that on taking possession of the province
of Onde, in 1801, he did, against the law, appoint his
brother, the Hon. Ilenry Wellesley, Governor there-
of. at a fixed salary nt 6,5001. a-year ; and that,
aware of the illegality of such unprecedented mea-
sroes, he did keep, in his own !lands, the sum of
e 518.42331, a-year, for the purpose of paying such Vi-
lifies, Sm. as he had thus illegally. and of his own
authority, established. That the salary of Gover-
nor-General was fixed, by Aft of Parliament, at
51.0001. a year, and that he was not to have any
railer salary or emolument whatever, for executing
that high and importent office ; hut the said Mar-
quis Wellesley had, notwi: hstanding, expended large
sums of money for the luxuries et his table; and
other ostentatious art ides, to the amount of 120,0001.
a-year. That such enormous extravagance and pro-
digality were, till that time, unparalleled in the an-
nals of history; and that to defray such wasteful
expenditure, he had been obliged to borrow money
at 16 per cent. and thereby had largely contributed
to the embarrassment and injury of the Company's
affairs."
Here Mr. Paul, having come to the end of his
charge, requested the Speaker would inform him, as
he was not conversant in the form of proceeding,
what he should do nest.
The SPEAK ER said. the regular course was for 1
the Hon. Member to deliver the Charge in at the
table, where it would be read.
Mr. Paul did so, and the charge was pro forma
!'tad by the Clerk at the table.
'lie SPEAKER then said, he would state what
be took to be the form of proceeding. By the Jour.
mats of the House, and other information he had
received on the subject, he believed there had not
been many instances of impeachment in this way—
there were, before ihe Revolution, three : the cases
of Lord Lovat, Lord Danby, and Lord Ponings-
hg. Since the Revolution, those of Mr. Hastings,
and Sir Elijah Impey ; which, in the language of
the Journals, seemed to have been simply delivered
in and read The Howe, however, had always
e nitrired some praftical question, by which they
'breve enabled to proceed ; such as calling evidence
to the Bar, as in the case ,f Lord Caningstly, to
reCistantiate the charge. It was, he said, his wish
to preserve entire, the privilege of every Member
to present articles in all cases ; but, it was his duty
also to consider the privileges of the wente Houser
Ind of their right to decide, whether such charges
..abdric4 Ise received or not. He thought therefore
the Hon. Membu r should move, that the Charge be
painted ; and then, on some future day, to mover
that it be taken into further consideration, by a
Committee of the whole House.
Mr. PAUL then moved, ,4 the: the said Charge
he printed," which was ordered accordingly.
Mr. PAUL said, that, on a future day, perhaps
in the course of next week, he should bring forward
his Charge, with respett to Oude ; and afterwards,
that relating to Ver,ekahad.
The SPLAKER reminded the House, that there
Vas then no question before them.
Mr. PAUL then moved, "that this charge should
be flitch into consideration this day three weeks."
Mr. PDX said, there had been laid before the
Ponce a charge, which, as he understood it, charge i
Marquis Wellesley with the illegal expenditure of the
Company's money; but the Hon. Gentleman who
produced it, had not mentioned a single word of any
documents by which he was to prove it. He had
also stated, that it was his intention to bring for-
ward two other charges against the Noble Marquis,
but to Happen these, not a single paper had been
prince i, or delivered out ; and be learned, from per.
sons better informed on the subject than himself; that,
in feel, there were none to substantiate it. The Right
Hon. Secretary thought that it was the right of every
Menther to produce any charge in that House ; bur
if the Member producing it, should name a day to
take it into consideration, and afterwards not be
able to substantiate it by documents, he would find
i himself ill a very implement. and in a very awkward
situation. The Hon. Gentleman was to judge for
himself, he proceeded at Iris peril, and if he had
at pt osent no documents to support his charge, he
Fluiuld lose no time in moving for theca, as, with-
out them, he would stand in the place of a person
who bad on evidence to produce.
Mr. PAUL said, he had moved for papers, and
if they were nut produced before the end of the
three weeks, it was his intention to move, that the
consideration of the charge should he postponed.—
lie 114 d in his hand. Lc said, a list of the papers
necessary, which he wished to lay before the House.
The SPEAKER reminded the t lonourable Gen-
tleman, that that could not be done, as the only
question before the House was, st that this charge
should he taken into consideration this day three
weeks."
Mr. Lin,. did not think that the charge could be
substantiated, nor that the House should consent to
take it into consideration, as the slighest evidence
bad not been produced. The Hon. Gentleman
then noticed the cases of Mr. Ileitis:gee Sir E. im-
pey, and Lord Lovat, the latter of whom was
taken in arms, and against all of whom some evi-
dence was produced, as a ground for the charge.
lie contlnded, by begging of the House to consider,
that they were going farther in the present instance,
than in any other since the Revolution ; and, at
least, that they should hare as much evidence be-
fore them, in the first instance, as a Grand Jury
would require to find an indictment.
Mr. FOX, alter stating that he did not think ap-
12irinting a d.ty to take this charge iuto cansidera-
Xieur was, in 110, countenancing it, moved, " That

the debate should he adjourned until this day week."
In the mean time the Hon. Gen!lemaa might have
an opportunity of moving for papers ; add if they
were not produced, a further adjournment of the
question might take place.
The SPEAKER said, that, in point of lot mi
there could be no ohjeainn to this motion
Mr. ROSE conceived, th it it wa• irsnitely too
Great a concession for the House to agree to an ad-
journment of the question, when there was not a
single docnm,•nt to support the charge; and though:
the table WAG loaded will' papers.
Sir W. GEARY said, he had but one motive in

seconding the motion made by the Hon. Gentleman
(Mr. Paul), namely, that he thought it inconsistent
with the charaCter of the Home, that such an ap-
parently serious charge should be dismissed in such
a manner.
Mr. R. THORN CON was not prepared to go so
far as the Hon. Gentleman who brought forward
this charge, but to a certain extent he disapproved
of the conduct of the Marquis Wellesley ; and if the
motion had been for a Committee to examine into
it, he would have had great pleasure in seconding it.
He then entered into an argument nith respect to
the production of papers, and said be believed the
lion. Mover had more grounds fur making the
charge, than was generally considered.
Mr. PAUL explained.
Lord TEMPLE was in favour of tlae amendment
proposed by Mr. Fox ; but he thought that the Hon.
Gentleman who brought firward the charga, should
first have commuoicated his intention to the Noble
Marquis. .
Sir ARTHUR WELiF.SLEY thought if this
mode of proceeding were allowed, that the proofs, if
there were any, should be brought forward as soon
as possible.
Mr. HAWKINS BROWN, and a Gentleman
whose name we could not learn, spoke against Mr.
Paul's motion, but agreed to the amendment.
Mr. ROSE, on understanding from the tipeaker
that the charge on the table of the House would
certainly be printed in the Journals, expressed ae
apprehension, that by giving such counter ince to
it, the House would be sanctioning a libel.
Mr. FOX thought it could not bear such a con.
art:Akin. being merely the precursor of an investi-
gation, which it waf competent to every member to
move.
Mr. ROBERT THORNTON explained.
Mr. GA R ROW said, that on the occasion of his
then rising, for the first time since he had had the ho-
nour of a seat is Parliament, he felt himself under
no small degree of alarm for the situation of the
House, which, he thought, had afforded more
countenance to the mover of this debate, than a
moment's consideration sheaved him entitled to—
lithe proceeding of adjourning the debate should
he adopted, the House would be pursuing the ex-
traordinary course of acceding to the proposition of
A Member, who, rejeeting all the milder modes of
inquiry, embraced at once the measure of en ins-
peachnient, and preferred a long list of harsh accu-
sations; and :Mr, without the House having on its
table a single document, which coul ' be pointed at
AS warranting, or contributing to niake out, one of
.the many accusations preferred. Any Member was
certainly competent to bring forward a eiarge ; but
it should be borne in mind. that, in the language
which had been used by a Right Hen. Secretary
( \ fr. Fox), he did it at his peril : his charadter was
the pledge of his justice. It was no light thing thus
to arraign persons who had held high public
stations ; and in the light in which the Hon. Gentle-
man (Mr. Paul) now stood, he had much to
acquit himself of. The Learned Gentleman
proceeded to animadvert upon the conduct of an
Hon. Director (Mi. R. Thornton) in adopting the
foundling which h id been thrown upon the table of
the House ; and said that it reflected a higher com-
pliment upon his charity than his prudence ; for that
he anticipated the time when both be (Mr. Thorn-
ton) and the Hon. Member who had become the
accuser, would wish the string of charges had
not been preferred. as it seemed all that was to sup-
port it was an es port , facto opinion of a set of gen-
tlemen in Leadenhalbstreet. The House ought to
be careful not to suffer the valuable privilege of Im-
peachment to become an ins,rument for the ends
of calumny, however short the duration of that
calumny might lie ; and, before they entertained
the question of adjournment on this subjeCt, ought
to have the strongest assurance that the charges
would ultimately be substantiated. The Host. and
Learned Member spoke at considerable length, for
which he apologised, and concluded with hoping,
that the sanction of adjourning the debate would not
be eff tJed to the charges before the house.
Sir JOHN WROTTESLEY said, that the House
WAS in the most extraordinary situation he had ever
known it. If he had pursued the dictates of an
opinion he had previously held, he would have
seconded the motion of the Hon. Mover (whose
manly hostility he thought much better of than the
less open conduct of the Court of Directors, with
whom he conferred), for the purpose ot having it
negatived ; but in the stage to which things had
then arrived, he thought the Howse should feel it to
he due to its own character and to that of Marquis
Wellesley, to entertain the discussion hereafter.
Mr. R. THORN CON and Sir J. wßarr ES-
LEY explained.
Mr. S:IERIDAN thought his Pon. Friend (Mr.
Garrow), who had spoken, for the first time, to-
night, had been far from pointing oat to the House
the way to extricate itself from its present difficulty.
tie (Mr. Sheridan) did not look to the rank, con-
nex.ons, and experience of the lion. Gentleman
who preferred a charge, or those of the person who
might be accused ; but when an accusation was
made, he was friendly to investigation : and, io the
present case, the Marquis Wellesley was not ar-
raigned by the Honourable Gentleman (Mr.
Paul), but the Court of DireCtors bad, by three
of their members in that House, joined in 1111
patgning that Nobleman's conduct. The Right
Hon. Gentleman thought this impeachment was
at present in the nature of an incline-nem. and in•
slanted some cases in which similar charges had
been entertained by Parliament in the first instance.
and evidence called for afterwards. The course he
thought adviseahie was, that the Hon. Gentleman
should withdraw his motion nutil he had documents
ready to support his charges. It was a subjeet,
however, of great regret to him, that the Marquis
Wellesley, in the interim, would suffer from the

prejudice occasioned by newspaper, and other re-
p: r:s, all ovtr the kingdom ; and tli? emr) nu the
Journals of the douse W 4 A liAbty proceeding,
which he could not hut lament.
Mr. G R ROW explained.
Mr. GItANP briely vindicated the condol of
the Court of Directors from the censure which had
bem cast upon them for not themselves appealing to
Parliament.

Mr. WELLPSLEY POLE expressed his great
satisfaction that the Honourable Gentleman had at
last made a fixed and tangible charge; and relieved
him from the severe trial he had experienced dui-
ing all the shiftings that had marked the couslust
of the Honourable Gentleman, in this House,
during the last twelve months, or ever since the
second day of his taking his seat, when he declared,
in pretty inteliigible terms, that he came for the ex-
press purpose of criMinating the Marquis Wellesley.
When he looked upon the condu9 of his noble re-
lation during 40 years, lie felt proud of his consan-
guinity ; and he experienced the sincerest joy that
his vindication, from the charges that had so
long and so injuriously impended ever him. was its
a stage of promise. It had been trolly said, that a
vast responsibility now rested with his accusers. lie •
(Mr. Pole) had a long time admired the candour
and justice of the Court of Diredors towards Mar-
quis Wellesley; but an Hon. Director to-right
( Mr. Robot Thornton) had gone even farther
than his brethren. He charged that Nobleman
with high crimes ; uith sranandestng the public
money, and breaking the law: and yet, when
an impeachment was proposed, he confessed that
he disapproved of it, oniy because it would lead to
the acquittal of the party upon whom these heavy
charges were thrown, and lead to a great public loss
and disappointment, by purging him of the guilt
attributed to him (how! hear!) Such was the
candour, such the generosity, such the justice of
the Court of Diredors. Could fairness or honour
abide with those, who entertained the sentiments,
that a mall ought not to be tried, lest he should
be acquitted and justified ? On the sth Apol,
1805, the Court of Direftors sent a letter to the
Board of Controul, complaining of every a 9
of the Governor-General of India's administration,
and criminating bins for his condud from 1798 to
1804 ; although, in the last-mentioned year, when
he offered to resign, the Court requested bins to re-
main in India, and never expressed a syllable of dis-
approbation about the treaty of Dude, until the
month of April, 1805. Indeed, in a letter of the
Directors, dated on the 9th of September, 1803, the
measures which had been adopted with resped to
that province, were most unequivocally approved
(1 hs lion. Gentleman and tract part of this
letter, ~s ronfrrnation if what be said). He concluded
by expressing a hope that a full and fair discussion
would result from this night's debate, and apologised
for any warmth that his feelings on this interesting
subjeci might have betrayed him into.
Mr. GRANT said, that the view of the proceed-
ings of the Directors, taken by the last speaker.
WAS not alto:lather accurate. When the Court of
Directors wsose the dispatch, an extract of which
had been read, the particulars of the transactions
in Oude were uuknown to them, haying been trans-
mitted to and kept by the Secret Committee, with-
out the slighest knowledge on the part of the Direc-
tors, until 1804; and the letter which had been
qeoted,bad no solereuers-to rho proceedings respect.
ing the forcilde possession of Oude, and which, on
being made known, was immediately condemned
by the Court. It was at the strong solicitation of
Lord Wellesley's powerful friends in England, that
the Director, were induced to request he afoul I
stop one year more in India, in °relit- to prosecute
those retrenchments of expenditure, which it was
represented he had commenced.-The Hors. Gen-
tleman expressed his perfect confidence, that Ethe
Court of Directors, when called upon, could ad-
duce solid and satisfactory grounds for the opinion
they had expressed.
"11r PERCIVAL thought the best mode would
be for the Right Hon. Secretary ('alr. Fox) to with-
draw his Motion ; and also the Hon. Gentleman
( Nr. Paul) to withdraw his proposition and charges
for the present ; and when the proper documents to
substantiate his Charges were laid on the table, he
might with greater propriety bring forwards his ac-
cusations against the Noble Marquis.
Mr. Secretary FOX had no objection to withdraw
his Motion ; but as to withdrawing throe Chasges,
he considered them now the property at that House,
and the public bad a right to call for sit investiga-
tion of them; and whether the Hon. Gentleman
movisd for more documents or nor, tile sulsjed, at
all events, mast be taken into consideration.
Mr. SIIERI DAN shortly explained.
Mr. PAUL replied, that although he had moved
ten months ago for these documents, yet not a single
criminal paper, on which he could ground isis
charges, were in the possession of any one member
of the House. He had had the sanction of twenty-
nine of the Directors in respect t, his proceeding,
although not one of them now came forward to sup-
port him. When he applied for those papers, he
was told that he was fishing out charges against
Lord Wellesley, and moving for papers from day
to day without any set ious intention of bringinp for-
ward those charges ; he therefore found himself
compelled to lay them on the table in their present
form, and pledged himself, when the necessary pa-
pers should be produced, to substantiate them.
Mr. FOX shortly explained.
Mr. FRANCIS said, he was drawn in to make a
few observations; he denied that he ever had said.
Lord Wellesley ought not to be impeached ; on the
contrary, he thought there were very good grounds
for it.
Mr. HUDDLNSTON made a few observations
in exculpation of himself, with resped to the letter
sent to Marquis Wellesley, so frequently alluded to
in the course of the debate.
Mr. SHERIDAN, in answer to some observa-
tions of Mr. Francis and Mr. Paul, observed, that
from what had fallen from hins, on a former occa-
sion, on the stabled of the Carnatic, he had re-
ceived notes front these Gentlemen from day to
day; his opinion upon that sullied was still the
s ime, and he thought it a most atrocious ail ; but he
by no means pledged himself to support the charges
against Marquis Wellesley, nor did he mention the
Noble Marquis's name at all ; he only charged the
Government and Council of Madras. He felt
more evidence necessary, and he thought he had

.

a right to complain, in consequence of hav:ng,
taken the privilege of friendship to mention the
inhjeCt to the Hou. Gentleman ('slr.. Francis).
—ll,:it Gentleman was still possessed of fire
enniiah to b' log forward his accusations will
spirit. The Hon. Gentleman who now complained
of weariness and weakness, would have taken Mr
Government of all India upon his shoulusts ; he
would have gone out Governor-General to Beogalt
he did not mta t, to Say, however, that he now
aCled from weakness, or personal disappointment ;
but he the Hon. Gentleman AVOlllii le..ve hie:
to use his own discretion respettnig h., own conduct.
Mr. FRANCIS explained.
"after much destiltory conversation, in which Sir
Theophiins hletcalle supported Martinis WellesleY ;
Mr. Grant spoke against the question ; and Mr.
Hiley Addington for the produstirm of more pa-
pers, and in favour of withdrawing the present 1
motions ;
Mr. Secretary For and Mr. Paul both agreed to
withdraw their respective minions. And the ori7-
nal order for printing the. charge. remained AS
before. •
Mr. Sheridan then gave notic:s, that to-morrow
he would move to tescind that order.
Mr. PAUL then md-.41.1.10r She produttlion of a •••II
vast number of accounts, respeCting various capon-
ditures by several Gov,rnors previous to Marquis
Wellesley, and also expendi.ures by him and his
successors, which were accordingly agreed to.
The Committee on the Property fax was nor,
poned till Friday,
The Irish Bank Note Bill was committed, and
ordered to be read a third time to.nuirrow
The Report on the Ir;ssi lionse Ditty Reduftion
Bill, was received, and the Bill also ordered to be.
read a third time to-morrow.
11 tie other Orders of the Day were then dispose./
of ; and at twelve o'clock the House adjourned.

••• The Foreign listelligen,e is m the tau pat.