The Sun.
London, England, 1808-03-16 00:00:00

HOUSE OF PEERS.
, .
TUESDAY, MARCH 15.
Lord Pct. ER SOKOU on took the oaths :Ind his seat.
The /sills on the t...,:.: were advanced a stage each. . .
Tha Mutiny Bill %va:. brought up from•theCommons, and
read a first time.
• REVERSIONARY GRANTS utt.L.
' On the motion for the third reading of this 'Bill,
Lord REDESDALE rose to re.i.state the argu-
ments which he had urged on a former occasion
against the measure, not only because he w'as,• upon
further reflection, more detertnitied, it possible, to
oppose the Bill, but because many Noble Lords
Might now be present who were then absent ; and
because the majority of • their Lordships then
present had been decided in their opposition to
the Bill. The Noble and Learned Loid then
went into a variety of observations to shew in
how many points of view the Bill was obje6tionable.
• It was an infringement of, the prerogative of the
Crown, and an encroachment On the privileges of
that House; 'there was besides in the manner in
Which the Bill was brought forward, and in the
views of those who. supported it, something that
should strike, and put their Lort,hips on their
guard against its consequeuces. Reform was the ob-
tea it professed, like other measures of that de-
icription ; but the House would not toiget the
spirit that aetuated, and the -designs, that were
known to be entertained by the Societies called The
; Friend, of Me People, The Constitutional, and Cur!
resportaing Societies. He was aware of the mischief
Of this measure ; it was confessed to be only one of
i many that were to follow on the same principle;
but as he had said before, here he would. 'make his
Stand against this spirit of innovation ; here their
Lordships should make a stand with him, other-
Wise the prerogative, their privileges, and the
Constitution were gone. As to the prerogative of
the Crown, so far from increasing, it was for' many
'riots hack dechning•;—the landed, the commercial,
and monied interest, opposed a strong counterba-
lancing power to it; and ,the two latter had of late
Tears greatly increased. Hence it. was ne.cessaey to
tphold at least, not to let dOwn, theintluenee of the
Crown. The growing influence of great individual*
in this country aimed at a Controuling power, whiCh
Was formidable to the Clown, and amid not be
Checked too soon. This he had a proof of in Ireland,
- where a combination of such individuals set the in •
fit:settee of the Crown at defiance, or laid clown cer-
tain , claims, wit hoot a compliance. with which the
I ' 'measures of Government would be opposed by them.
Thisdeseription of men were known in Ireland by,
i . the name of Jobbers, or better, perhaps, by the
. • tame of the Round Robin. It was evident from
the manner in which the Bill was &welt up, t hat the
hupporters of it were not to stop there ; but' that the'
pet eat measure. was only the foret)unner of many
others of a similar tendency. fie might be styled a
Political, or a religious, or by otheree philosophical
bigot ; but he was conscious be aeled on the princi-
ples of the reformation, of the revolution, and of
every thing to which the country owed its real Tiber
flea and prosperity. . He should therefore persist, as
he had begun, and would, through every :stage,
strenuously oppose the Bill. .
The Duke 9.1' NORFOLK was surprised at some.
, of the assertions'of the Noble:.and Learned Lord, ,
such as, that the Bill was opposed by the. majority
of the Lords present, and supported only by proxies.
Were proxies then to be set aside ? The praeti4e,.of
granting places -in Reversion. might often, in his
~' upinion, involve the greatest inconveniences and
j absurdities. '
74 GREY made a long and animated reply to
t Ile speetleof Lord Rcdesdale. He contended he '
Was. right in applying to him the terms of religious
end political bigot, because in either. sense he con-
ceived him to.be a man who pertinaciously adhered
to exploded doarines, and who raked in his way,
only for fafas4nd inferences Which had lung since
received a different interpretation from the =lighteettl and the wise. Nothing was more extravagant
. nau the datrine thaethe influence of the Crown.
had of Jute diminished,. and was in danger of de-
creasing. Such a doarirre was refuted,by experience
c.verY day. The measures.of the late Administra-
. %on, particolarly that for which they were dismissed-
f not power,, /tad the sanaion of large majorities.
. ,
Tblwei: very 44'11 brought in this inght„ the Mutiny
r contained a Clause during that Administration,
tar enlisting soldiers tirr limited
.service ; :that, Bi,ll
.
was then carried by a large .t. stood bet •
i.ol e i maiortty ; yet posit, as
Iherr.Lordillips; it contained a Clause
d'ametrically opposite in its etleet to the. former, but
:f”i notwithstandiog, carried by a large mnjority.
through the House of Commons almost without any
"observation or eppbsition, it was supported here by
the leading tutor to Admiuistration and in Opposition,
,3.T_t the prerogative lett ty was. evidently the.stroeger.
Who,' after that, would contend that the influcitee
of the Crown was diminished 'or t_ ending to a dec.:hue.
At to the allusions made ~ to. the Society called The
' -hm* of the People,, and -to which be had • the
honour to' belong, and to the reforms that were
Meditated by:. that Society, he .should shortly say,
that these allusions were wholly groundless, and
tharthe fads on which they were attempted to be
'apported by the Noble and Learned Lord laed .46
'foktmlatioe whatever in truth..
' ' 114 LOUD CLUNCELLOR was also of .opluion
tiro the atsernpts mode at ref Orin by the present
measure might very well have a tendency to the
deitradion and i annihilation of the prerogatives 'of
'be Crown, and of the principles of the Constitution.
Ile would, however, have allowed the Bill. to pass,
if it had been modified to his mind iti the Commit-
tee; but as' the amendtnents had been•opposed, be
must nbw 'give his decided negative to the. motion
Ibt the third reading. . . .._
1 Lerd'RADatela and .Lord 1101. LAND explained their
and, Lord