The Sun.
London, England, 1802-04-14 00:00:00

country, said, he lead no doubt but tfiat Govern-
ment would keep up such a naval force as the re-
lative situation of this country might
.require. In
a keeping the Navy of this country in proper state
of preparation, every thing that could liew, in the
strongest manner, the gratitude of the country for
the unparalleled services which the Navyk had ren_
tiered during the present War, would, in his opi-
nion, be one of the best means of attaining that
objeft. There was one body of men of whose ser.
vices nobody could speak without the highest ad-
miration, he meant the Lieutenants of the Navy ;
their exerions, upon all occasions, had been such as
to deserve the most liberal-reward from their coml_
try, particularly in. cutting out ships from har-
bours, and other exploits of that kind. After the
conclusion of the War before last, he had submitted
to the House a proposition respelling the half-pay
of that valuable body of men. It was not, per-
haps, strictly proper that any proposition to that
effed should come from any quarter but from Mini-
sters. They might perhaps feel it an unpopular
measure to make any proposal which should break
in upon their plan of economy.: but upon such an
occasion other Members ought to share in the
unpopulatity, if there was any, in making the
proposition. But what would be the situation
of that valuable body of men ? Now that peace
was made, they would retire upon half-pay,
of about sol. a year. He wished to ask whether
it would accord with the feelings of the House, tha,t
the Lieutenants of the Navy, after serving an ap-
prenticeship, as it was, as Midshipmen, of seven
years, and, after all their gallant services, that they
should retire upon sol. a year, when the rewards
which were given in other quarters were considered ?
And when it was also recolleled what a great in.
crease had taken place in the price of all the arti-
cles of life, it was obviously impossible for an Of-
ficer to keep himself upon that sum.—There was
also another point which was deserving of consi-
deration, viz, that there was not a Naval Power in
Europe that would not be anxious to obtain the
services of the Lieutenants of the British Navy.-,--
He knew that valuable body of men were sincerely
attached to their Country, but they ought not to
be left in a situation in which they could hardly
exist.—He thought it right to throw out these ob-
servations, because..they appeared to hint to he well
worthy the attention of goviernment and-of Parlia-
ment.

Mr. FOSTER .said, he had heard with the utmost
satisfaftion the very able statement of the Right
Hon. Gentleman who had introduced this subjed,
and he now rose to ask, whether it• was his inten-
tion to propose to extend these wise and salutary re-
gulations to Irelapd. The Militia of that Country
existed under four or five Alts of Parliament, made
within the last eight years. ',The consolidation of
these Ads he thought would 14-as wise a measure in
that Country as it would be here, because the Laws
upon this subjed ought to be as .nearly alike as the
airuation of the two Countries would allow of: he
therefore wished to know whether the Right Hon.
Gentleman meant to make any proposition to.that
-effed.

The SEcRETASY at WAR said, that he was
glad the Right Hon. Gentleman had put him in mind
of. a Subjeet which he had omitted to state in his
former. speech...—Be perfcdly- agreed with the Right
Han. Gentleman that the Militia ought to be put as
nearly as possible upon the same footing; and he for
one was ready to give every assistance in his power,
either in his public or private capacity, to accomplish
it, but he was afraid it cauld not be completed in
:he present Session, hut he had great hopes of seeing
it e !rifted in the next.

M. FOSTER said, the Militia Laws of. Ireland
required some alteration ! there were many imper-
fettions in them, which it would be necessary to
get rid of.
Mr. WICKHAM said, that those,' entrusted
with the management of the affairs of Ireland,
had turned their attention very seriously to this
subjea. There were two or three points re.
speding the Militia Law of Ireland, which re-
qtired the most serious consideration. The
tia system in Ireland was a new one—the first ACt
upon the subjeft was in 1793. Mr. WICKHAM
then proceeded to make. observations upon the Irish
Militia Laws, which We ilid'riat distinktly hear ; he
concluded with statiit; that this subje6t could not
be brought forwa'rd 'without due consideration,
and therefore he entertained some doubt whether
it could be brought forward during the present
Session.

Sir TV. ELFORD said, hPhad before introduced
the subject of the Militia Surgeons, and he expected
that the Right Hon. Gentleman would have alluded
to the subject in his Speech ; arid he had not yet
given up the hope that something would be done
upon the subject.
The SEC RET AR Y at WA R said, it was im-
possible to introduce the subject alluded to by the
Hon. Baronet, in this Bill, but at all events, it
would be impossible to give them the same half-pay
as Surgeons in the line, because in that case it
would lie almost impossible to get Surgeons for the
Regular:, ; besides many of the Surgeons of the Mili.
tia had Commissions in the Regiments, and had pay
as such.

Leave was then given to bring in the Bill..
The Ste ETARY dt W then moved for leave to
bring in a similar Bill for Scotland--which was
granted..
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEOUBR
said, that one of the Orden of the Day was, to take
into consideration the Ads or 1786 and 1792, re-
spefting the Sinking Fund ; he should propose to
defer that Otder till to-morrow, by which time 'he
hoped that tile Papers- he had adverted to on a for-
mer occasion, would be laid before the House ; at
all events he should'aotptiopose to take the• Report
into consideration tilt theseiPapers were presented.

The Order was then &denied till tomorrow.

The SECRETARY at WAIL brought up the Mili-
tia Bill—which was read a fitst time.

The SECRETARY
,at WAR said, he hoped
the House would allow the Bill to be read a second
time to-morrow ; he should then propose to have
it committed, and that the Blanks should he filled
up, after which . he 'should propose to let it lay
over for a fortnight.
The CH/b.:1C.1'1.1.0k of the EXCHEQUER' 7:111SVO.