Star.
London, England, 1810-12-21 00:00:00

present occasicn will be conducted more wisely and
mare successfully than in 1788. Hitherto our discus.
&ions have not been marked with great intemperance
—with that violation of Parliamentary usage which
attended the proceedings to which I allude. There
has not yet appeared any symptom of such a dispo-
and we may therefore hope, that in consequence,
the decision of the two Houses of Parliament may
recommend itself to the country by the temperance
and deliberation by which it has been preceded. We
ha' paused, Sir, as long as the nature of the case
would admit. No further delay can with propriety
be allowed. It is our immediate duty, to look at our

situation, and to provide the best remedy for the dis-
tresses which arise from it. Those distresses, Sir, I
pointed out to the notice of the House, when I gave
notice of my present motion. I then declared that I
would submit to the House three preliminary resolu-
lutions, similar to those agreed to in 1788 ; and I
added that I would state the general outline of the
plan that I would recommend for adoption at the pre-
sent period. The question, which undoubtedly must
precede all others, is the judgment of the House upon
the fact. The House must first record on the Journals
their opinion of the unfortunate state of his Majesty's
health, and of his inefficiency to execute the regal
functions. The second question will be in the form
of another resolution, expressive of those obligations
on both Houses of Parliament which arise out of the
peculiar situation of the country. The remaining
question relates to the form of proceeding by which
those obligations are to be discharged. But, Sir, be.
fore I enter into a consideration of this third 'resolu-
tion, on which I conceive, from what I collected the
other night, that the principal part of the debate will
binge, I feel it necessary, or rather I feel it expedient,
to submit to this Committee my view of the measures
which I shall hereafter have to propose to the House
in the shape of a Bill. As to the question of fact, the
Resolution which I shall move i 5....
" That it is the opinion of the Committee, that Lis Itajesty is
,prevented by his present indisposition from coming to his ?arils-
nevi, and from attending to the public business; and that the
present exercise of the Royal Authority is thereby suspended."
Ott this question, Sir, i apprehend that no doubt
sail be entertained. If I could suppose that any doubt
existed on the subject, I would refer to the testimony
of his Majesty's Physicians before both the Privy
Council and. our own Committee. Those who have
attended to these Reports must have found sufficient
evidence of the melancholy fact. In referring to
that evidence at the present time, I shall go no fur-
ther than to state, that the fact there appears estab-
lished 'beyond the power of contradiction. Unques-
tionably, the Report from our own Committee affords
as good ground for the probable expectation of his
Majesty's ultimate recovery as that which we deriv-
ed ti um the examination before the Privy Council ;
and certainly the impression on my mind is, that that
recovery, although' the period of it cannot be exactly
anticipated, may with reason be looked for at no very
distant time. I will not at present enter into a mi-
nute examination of the details of the Report which
bear me out in this presumption,—The second Reso-
lution, Sir, which, in compliance with the precedent
that I recommended, is is my intention to submit to
the Committee, is as follows :

" That it is the opinion of the Committee, that it is the right
sod duty of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons of
Great Britain and Ireland, new assembled and lawfully, fully,
Ind freely representlng all the waterer the people of this realm,
to preside the means of supplying the defect in the personal ex-
ercise of the Roysi Authority arising from his Majesty's said in-
• diposition, in such manner as the exigency of the ease may ap-
\pear to ',quire."
On this second Resolution, Sir, it has certainly been
intimated to me, and to the House, that possibly
'466Me difference of opinion might exist with respect to
'the words in which it is couched; bat neither I nor
.the House have heard that there is any disposition'to
controvert the principle which it contains, a principle
so clearly established by precedent, so distinctly de-
rived from the history and principles of the Constitu-
tion, so supported by every thing to which we can re-
fer for cqnviction, and so impeached by nothing, that I
shall rather leave to those who may oppose it to
state the nature of their opposition, and reserve to
myself the right of makfng any future observations
on their arguments, than attempt to originate the dis-
•*eission myself. I shall conceive the principle to be
•namitted until I find it denied. Having thus, Sir,
disposed of the two first Resolutions, I now come to
the Resblution descriptive of the-form by which the
continuance of the Executive Authority will be pro-
oided. This Resolution I will read—
" That, for this purpose, and for maintaining entire the Con-
authority of the King, it is necenuiry that the said
Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons of Great Britain
sand ',eland; should determine on the means whereby the royal
w•sent may be given in Parliament to such Bill as may be passed ,
by the two Houses of Parliament respecting the exercise of the
powers and authoritierof the Crown, in the name and on the be-
half of the King, during the teothisaace of his Majesty's present
indisposition.'
L. mast be evident to the Committee, Sir, that the
„treat and leading feature of the mode of proceeding
described in this Resolution is, that it be a proceeding
by Bill. Such is the propositi6/n which I have hum-
bly to recommend for the adoption of this Committee.
On the other hand, h has been submitted to as, by
the Honourable Gentlemen opposite, who fairly and
candidly intimated to the House the other night, ;
the view which they took of this part of the subject,
that a proceeding by way of address would be pre-
ferable to a proceeding by way of bill, which,latt.er !
those Gentlemen proposed to consider as unconstitu-
-05114 Judging from the statement thus made by
Ole Gentlemen opposite, I am induced to conceive
that the discussion of the present evening maybe
narrowed into the consideration of these two qnes-
dims ; it being taken for granted that the two Houses '
Parliament—and this House in particular—are
called on to provide some remedy for the deficiency
in the ex,ecutive power, and the point to be decided
Was whether it is preferable to do this by Bill, or at,
ticoonnended by the Honourable Gentlemen oppo.
Ate, by Address? In order'. however, that thedes,aili
of this business may be better understood, before
proceed to estimate the comparative value of the two
. advised anodes of proceeding, I shall, in conformity
to my notice, open generally my intention with re-
spect, to the ulterior propositions that I meant to
bring forward. Now, Sir, in the view which I take
of the subject, it appears to me that the measure
which we ought to adopt should unquestionably be to
appoint his. Royal Highness the Prince of Wales Re-
gent, to administer she affairs of the country in the
name, and on the behalf of his Majesty, during the
Continuance of his Majesty's indisposition. mean

1
therefore to propose, that generally all thipower off matt, and 'ball content myself (frith pointing out I
Government shall be placed in the hail& of his wiat is the course that has been recognised by
Royal Highness. My next proposition will be, Sir,l Parliament in a case precisely similar—a precedent
that during the continuance of his Majesty's indispo- from which we may argue, not by analogy alone,
sition, her Majesty the Queen shall be appointed the , but by its distinct and decided resemblance in all its
guardian of his Majesty's person, and that to her parts to the present instance. In short, in the very
Majesty the entire care of his Majesty's person shall ; case before us, after a full review of the history of
be entrusted. It will also be extremely necessary to ' the Country and of the Constitution—after the most
introduce in the Bill, due provisions for the notifica- ample and mature deliberation, Parliament adopted
tion of his Majesty's recovery, whenever so happy 1 the course which I now recommend. Let us consider
an event may take place ; and to chalk out the pre-'` Sir, what our situation is, and what are the duties
'else course by which his Majesty, under such cir- which we are called upon to perform. It is true that
cumstances, shall resume the royal authority. I , the functions of the Royal authority are interrupted,
mean to propose that the operation of these three ; but the Throne is not vacant. We arc called upon
provisions, the first giving general authority to his; not to create a King, but to preserve an existing Mo-
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, the second re- ! narch his undiminished Tights, and until he can re-
posing the custody of his Majesty's person in the i sume those rights, to provide the means by which the
hands of her Majesty the Queen, and the third de-' royal authority may be duly exercised. Weshallsee the
scribing the mode in which the Royal functions shall : importance of this observation when we consider the
be resumed by his Majesty in the event of his recd- ;mature of the precedent to which I have alluded, and
very, shall have no limit assigned to it in point of ' the nature of the otber precedents which have been
time, except the duration of his Majesty's disorder. ! cited. The precedent of the revolution has seen pro-
As to the particulars of the general authority, which ! duced against the precedent of 1783. I have already
I mean to propose shall be vested in his Royal High-. 1 observed that the precedent of 1788 is not analogical
ness the Prince of Wales, the Bill will contain cer- i to the present case, but distinctly applicable to it.—
tain provisions limiting and restricting for a time to There is a material difference in the facts at the pre.
be limited the use of some of the powers and prero- , sent time and at the Revolution. Whatever information
gatives of the Crown. Sir, when we consider the jwe may derive from the precedent of the revolution, it
nature of the evidence that has been given by the refers only to analogy, and is not distinctly applicable.
I
Physicians, both to the Privy Council and to our own ln the situation in which we stand we have various du
Committee ; and, when we add the knowledge , which I ties to discharge. It is of the utmost importance to pro-
we may obtain from history, and our experience on i vide for the security of the country by determining the
former occasions, I think we may reasonably look to I means of carrying on the royal authority, and it
no very distant period as that of his Majesty's pro. I must not be overlooked, that it is of the utmost im-
liable recovery. All the Physicians have uniformly' portance to secure to his Majesty the restoration of his
declined stating any precise period as that in which . rights and privileges on his restoration to health. At
they expect his Majesty's recovery ; they uniformly the time we are providing for the one object, we must
express a sanguine and confident expectation of his take care to provide for the other. Not only must we
Majesty's recovery, but decline fixing on any period secure to his Majesty, on his restoration to health, the
as that at which it may probably take place. How- restoration of his rights and privileges, but we must
ever, it must be observed, that they generally refer in secure the restoration of them under all the circuni-
this evidence to the history of his Majesty's former stances in which they are at present possessed. In
complaints, as affording the best means of ena- the year 1788, his Majesty was afflicted with the
bling them to judge of the course and progress of same calamity as that which has now so unhappily
hi 3 Majesty's present disorder ; and, when we take befallen him. In the year 1788 Parliament had the
into our consideration, in addition to the evidence same duties to discharge as Parliament have now to
of his Majesty's Physicians recently examined, the discharge, and they discharged those duties in the
opinions of that most experienced medical practi- way in which I propose that they should now be dis-
tioner, the late Dr. Willis, as expressed in the year charged. The course of proceeding pursued in 1788
178 ii, we may perhaps conclude, that six weeks or was instituted in this House, whence it was taken to
two months is the shortest period at which it is rea- the other House, and there adopted. It was concur-
sonable to expect a complete recovery from his Ma. rently acted upon by both Houses, and it cannot
jesty's present malady ; that five or six months therefore be disputed that the sanction and authority
ought to be the average period of such an expects- of both Houses of Parliament were given to the mea.
tion
,; and that twelve or eighteen months is the sures proposed en that occasion. On a retrospection
extreme point of time to which it is likely his Ma- of the occurrences of the years 1788 and 1780, it will
jesty's malady may be protracted. On this view of appear that a necessity was manifested for the este-
the subject, therefore, I conceive that there is no blishment of a Regency. The two Houses of Par-
question but that the House will take into their se- liament consequently assembled, and the Great Seal
rious consideration, the probability of his Majesty's was put to a Commission for holding a earliament
recovery, at no very distant period, and that they under the direction and by the authority of both
will think it necessary to provide by the Bill, ample Houses. The commission was executed, 'Parliament
security for his Majesty's immediate and complete was held by it, and proceeded to supply the deficiency
return to power in that event. The period which, in the executive authority by a Regency Bill, which
on the most deliberate view that I can take on the was carried forward nearly to its termination.—
subject,
I would recommend to the adoption of the During that period other extraordinary proceedings ,
House, is, about a twelvemonth. from the time at went on ; bills to a considerable number were brought ,
which the Bill may pass both Houses of Parliament. in here, and in the other House. They were pro-
It is my intention, therefore, to recommend that in ceeded in while the Regency Bill was pending, and,
the Bill vesting generally the royal power in his Royal what was most material to remember, were com-
Highness the Prince of Wales, there be introduced pleted and concluded after the restoration of his Ma- !
restrictions on certain parts of that power for the jesty. Thus, Sir, it appears, that the question
period which I have mentioned ; with the addition of at issue was decided not only by the two Houses of
this consideration, that whatever be the period to Parliament, but by the whole Parliament assembled. '
which Parliament may limit the restrictions and qua- On his Majesty's recovery, he, by his Commissioners,'
lifications that may be thought necessary, due care came down to Parliament. Didhe revoke or annul i
shall be taken that those restrictions and qualifica- their proceedings ? Did he disclaim their interfer-
tions shall expire at a period when Parliament shall ence ? Did he declare that the Great Seal had bees '
have been sitting for at least six weeks, in order that improperly used ? Did he accuse the two Houses of
if they think it necessary Parliament may reconsider abusing their authority ? Did he deny the validity of
the subject, or if they do not think' it necessary to the acts which they had passed ? No—directly the
reconsider the subject, the restrictions and qualifica. contrary. His Majesty, by his Commissioners, was
tions may expire under the knowledge and within present in the same Session. He put no end to the
the view of Parliament. This House will, I trust, Session held during his illness, but referred distinctly :
Sir, agree with me, that for the period which I to the instrument under which their previous sittings I
have mentioned, the power of granting any rank in had been held. I wish, Sir, to make this part of the
the peerage should be suspended. ; also that it will be subject as satisfactory to the Committee as it appears
reasonable to declare that all grants of offices and to me to be demonstrably conclusive. The two
pensions (except such as are necessary for the public Houses of Parliament, after the recovery of his Ma-
service) shall be .granted only for the term of the jesty, were assembled by commission ; and in the 44th
Regency, subject to his Majesty's pleasure on his re- volume of our Journals, page 159, may be found the
covery. T shall propose, that her Majesty the Queen terms of the Commission itself. They are as follow :
shall have the superintendance of the personal esta-
" His Majesty not thinking fit to be present in his Royal Per- I
igishttlent of his Majesty's household for twelve son, has Wen pleased to cause a Commission to issue under the
appointed
dhobrisint andf commanding the Commissioners who 1
months, and that after that interval, all the regula-
atuhtehsoarnitley
chap
faParliament to open
decelaroernithart
tions connected with that subject shall expire, unless Gwreearet
this Parliament,p
toY Übe fui Hier held.' I
Parliament, on a general view of the subject, may In the speech which immediately followed were
, think proper to re-establish some portion of them, for these expressions—
" In obedience to his Majesty's commands,
expressions—
` the purpose of maintaining the royal dignity. This,
and by virtue of
Sir, is the general outline of the ulterior measure,
both Commissions, we
accounts a, his Majesty judges proper to lay before his Parlia-
ment.
proceed to lay before yuu such ,further
which it is my intention to propose ; and having, as -
I hope, stated it with sufficient clearness to render pity recovered from his indisposition; and being enabled• to at-
myself distinctly intelligible, I beg leave to recall the • tend to public affairs, comaunds us to convey to you his warm ,
acknowledgements of the additional proofs which you have shown
attention of the Committee to the questi6n immedi-
tof affectionate attachment to his person, and of zealous concern '
ately before us, and to remark, that whatever may be orNthe honours of the Crown and the security of the kingdom."
ir let t e Committee consider the nature of
the difference of feeling or opinion on the propriety of
admitting any restrictions on thepower of the Regent,
parliament
precedentlo of 1788, and the manner in which the
or on the preference which should be given to one du-
in the argument that the measure which I am
thingar iament acted on that occasion. • If there is any
ration of that restriction over another, the ques-
tion nOw before the Committee is not on the pre-
labout
thatto proposeh is unconstitutional, itnecessarily fol-
priety or impropriety of admitting any restriction
not on the limit whether longer or shorter of that was illegal, and that the first step which his Majesty
lowss t e act of opening the Parliament of 1788
restriction—but simply on the expediency of adopt- o.ught to have taken on his recovery upon that in one one course of proceeding in the establishment of sion was to call a Parliament substantively himself.
a Regent in preference to another. In the first place, In stead of this, however, we find that the former
Sir, I apprehend from the expressions which were proceedings of
the Hon.
which according to
used the other night, that one ground of the objection,
le the l docrine of
.on. Gentleman opposite were il-
to be made to my proposition is, that it is unconstitu-
tional. It was said by a Right Honourable Gentle- the Commissioners' speech,in which a distinct reference
ga and unconstitutional, were recognized as valid in
man, that it was a measure “derogatory from the was made to_ them. If the former proceedings of that
honour of the Crown, injurious to the principles of the
caved that his Majesty would ha v e o '
roescitegnim zaeyd pe o
per-
i
rli ament had been unconstitutional, is it to be con-
Constitution, and insulting to the illustrious Perso- •
stagege whom it chiefly respected." Now I confess. acted upon them ? The Gentlemen
opp Sir, rdo not apprehend how the Gentlemen opposite haps say, 44 Yes, because his Majesty continued to be
will be able to maintain these,positions. With re- advised by the same Ministers who had recommended
gard to the assertion that the proceeding by Bill is the prior proceedings in Parliament"— ( Loud crier If
unconstitutional, do not find that any such assertion hear, ar, from: the Opposition Benches.) I now perceive
was made in 1788, how muchsoever it was then ar- I Sir the strong point of the Gentlemen opposite. I
gued that another measure,_ constitutional likewise, have,lfn s vibrate. I ROW find what I could not os-
touched the key on which all the chords of their
ig p
would be more ezpedietit. But let us examine this
eey
argument is I
I know not how we can better determine what is d
objection to the proceeding byßill as unconstitutional. I
slly contemplate before—in what sn
deemed unsound. It seems that the Gentlemen op.,
e are disposed to contend, that his Majesty con.l
and what is not constitutional than by a reference
tin‘uletd to be advised by the same servants as had pro-1
to our proceedingt, and to our conduct on for-
posed the Regency Bill to Parliament in 1788, and
mer occasions. The enlightened theorist who de-
lights only in oh:tractional. I leave tit his enjoy. therefore, that his recognition of the validity of the

acts of that Pa:liaMtat afford no
sertion that those proceedings were
, Let those Gentlemen however consi,
time there was no want of abilit•
of ditpositicn in this House, to
could be urged agisinst any Min,
House be informed, as they may ,
journals, that this speech from the
by the Minister who had recoml
unconstitutional measures (as they
echoed by an address from thi
carried nemine contradicente. It
a feeling which I have no doubt
opposite will very readily applziu,
have been an inclination on the
that period to forbear from any
interrupt the harmony that had
blished, and therefore that they
over any thing merely aukward ,
surely those who wished to support
ratter of their political friends of
say that an act of so grave a na,
they applied the strong term two,
have been allowed to pass uncen!
'Pent ? And if this argument of the
site were to suffice for that Session,
' says to the total silence that had been
subject in all succeeding Sessions
joy of congratulating his Majesty
attention of the House might for
. But there were following days.
day, yet at no great distance of ,
consequence might have been ma._
' disavowal might have been entered
Some allegation of improprietymi-
voured to be established by proof
Session was held without any such
acts of Parliament during that Sessii
and public property were disposed
amount, were held legal. Is it
that if every one had not been
was a legal and efficient, and a
1 of Parliament, that he would not
step by address, by resolutions,
press his opinion ? This was a tra
took place upwards of twenty years
period there have been successiv
successive Administrations. There
signs on which the attention of .
Public has been awfully directed
the circumstances ii which the transac'
originated ; and yet with all these -
mark, not a single instance has occi
test attempt at aacusation. I
that the Committee will be of opinion,
strong and firm ground in fixing -
; this precedent—a precedent estab,
found investigation of our history
tion. To argue the original case
time. It would obscure rather
rest the merits of my proposed
precedent which received the stam,
every branch of the Legislative
am right, Sir, in the view which
of the subject, we come now to consi
mode recommended by the Gentlemen
stitutional as well as mine) is more c,
mine or more expedient. First, I
I *at will think in a case of thi
azeplrced in such a situation, dial
•• •
40.4, rale less than to provide a
,
to the Crown—l contend, Sir, _
Parliament will be desirous of adopting
and defined measure. There is
generally to be lamented, nor
which the Constitution more sed
the creation of any uncertainty
accession to royal power. If, therefi
.the course which Parliament has "
a similar occasion is waexceptionab
I am bound by every view of the
it; not because... if all were to be
thing new might not be adopted
nonce done, itis advisable to abif
This I contend to be a true view
out a comparative examination 01
courses. And what objection is
which I propose, which does not ,
course proposed by the Gentlemen
there not in fact many objections
which do not exist to mine? I ha-
a former occasion, that an assump,.._
power, by the twokouses of Parliament,.
meaning of the statute of Charles TT
promos ire for any one to assume
this argument is as hostile to a proceedin)
as to a proceeding by. a. Bill.
010,10 joss Benches.) Let those
faTsia statement, consider the
I ziaiiiitain that the effect prod
would be to legislate. Tht Gentl
posed to Address his Royal Hit
Wales. To become King ?./4c•
What is a Regent ? Do. the
know ? Does the Law know ?
laxly established what power a itegen,
and what power he should not bar,
of Parliament were to say to any
near the Throne, and however deserving
step into the Throne, would not
legislature ? If not, what is ? Is
from one party and giving it to another
Lucre ? But, supposing that the
intelligible, and that his rights and
ly defined, what would be his first
pointment ? I apprehend the calli
Majesty's Parliament. How wouL
Would it not be by authorizing
happened to be in possession of
put the Great Seal to some
authorising tie Regent himself,
Majesty, to open the Parliament
Commissioners appointed by the .
purpose ? If it be an Act of Legislature
thorize the individual holding the
that Seal to a Bill, would it not
of Legislature, were we, by an
thorise another individual-to co:
Seal to be so put ?—(hear, Hear, -
the utmost ingenuity of the Honoi.rabie
opposite to shew how any one legi.
be accomplished by the Regent
the Great Seal, which nothing bu,
the two Houses of Parliament, -
bion of the kingly power, could warrant
It would seem, however, by the

•
01111a..--,"1/4 - '- 'therefore t 6 propese, that generally all thepoares
present occasicn will be conducted more wisely and Government shall be placed in the bands of
in ire successfully than in 1788. Hitherto our discus. Royal Highness. My next proposition will be,
siont have not been marked with great intemperance that during the continuance of his Majesty's inde
—with that violation of Parliamentary usage which sition, her Majesty the Queen shall be appointed
attended the proceedings to which I allude. There guardian of his Majesty's person, and that to
bas not yet appeared any symptom of such a dispo- Majesty the entire care of his Majesty's person s
*idea, and we may therefore hope, that in consequence, be entrusted. It will also be extremely necessar
the decision of the two Houses of Parliament may introduce in the Bill, due provisions for the notil
recommend itself to the country by the temperance tion of his Majesty's recovery, whenever so ha
and deliberation by which it has been preceded. We an event may take place ; and to chalk out the
ha' paused, Sir, as long as the nature of the case 'else course by which his Majesty, under such
would admit. No further delay can with propriety cumstances, shall resume the royal authority,
be allowed. It is our immediate duty,to look at our mean to propose that the operation of these tl
situation, and to provide the best remedy for the dis- provisions, the first giving general authority to
tresses which arise from it. Those distresses, Sir, I Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, the seconc
pointed out to the notice of the House, when I gave posing the custody of his Majesty's person in
notice of my present motion. I then declared that I hands of her Majesty the Queen, and the third
would submit to the House three preliminary resolu. scribing the mode in which the Royal functions I
lutions, similar to those agreed to in 1788; and I be resumed by his Majesty in the event of his r
added that I would state the general outline of the , very, shall have no limit assigned to it in poir
plan that I would recommend for adoption at the pre- time, except the duration of his Majesty's discs
sent period. The question, which undoubtedly must As td the particulars of the general authority, wl
precede all others, is the judgment of the House upon I mean to propose shall be vested in his Royal H
the fact. The House must first record on the Journals ness the Prince of Wales, the Bill will contain
their opinion of the unfortunate state of his Majesty's tarn provisions limiting and restricting for a tim
health, and of his inefficiency to execute the regal be limited the use of some of the powers and pi
functions. The second question will be in the form gatives of the Crown. Sir, when we consider
of another resolution, expressive of those obligations nature of the evidence that has been given by
. on both Houses of Parliament which arise out of the Physicians, both to the Privy Council and to our
peculiar situation of the country. The remaining Committee ; and, when we add the knowledge
,w
question relates to the form of proceeding by which we may obtain from history, and our experience
those obligations are to be discharged. But, Sir, be. former occasions, I think we may reasonably 100
fore I enter into a consideration of this third' esolu- no very distant period as that of his Majesty's
Con, on which I conceive, from what I collected the bable recovery. All the Physicians have unifor
other night, that the principal part of the debate will declined stating any precise period as that in w
hinge, I feel it necessary, or rather I feel it expedient, they expect his Majesty's recovery ; they unifor
to submit to this Committee my view of the measures express a sanguine and confident expectation of
which I shall hereafter have to propose to the House Majesty's recovery, but decline fixieg on any pe
in the shape of a Bill. As to the question of fact, the as that at which it may probably take place. le
Resolution which I shall move is— ever, it must be observed, that they generally vele
" That it is the opinion of the Committee, that his Itajesty is this evidence to the history of his Majesty's for
prevented by his present indisposition from coming to his ?arils- complaints, as affording the best means of
nett, and from attending to the public business; and that the ..•
present exercise of the Royal Authority is thereby suspended." wing them to judge of the course and progrei
his Majesty's present disorder ; and, when we
Oa this question, Sir, I apprehend that no doubt
1 •can be entertained. If I could suppose that any doubt into our consideration, in addition to the evid
of his Majesty's Physicians recently examined,
existed on the subject, I would refer to the testimony
Opinions
of that most eiperienced medical examinee,
of his Majesty's Physicians before both the Privy
tioner, the late Dr. Willis, as expressed in the
Council and. our own Committee. Those who have
178te we may perhaps conclude, that six week,
attended to these Reports must have found sufficient
two months is the shortest period at which it is
evidence of the melancholy fact. In referring to
, 1 sortable to expect a complete recovery from his
that evidence at the present time, I shall go no fur-
eat 's present malady ; that five or six mo
, • 'tiler than to state, that the fact there appears estab-
o ought to be the average period of such an expo
dished 'beyond the power of contradiction. Unques-
cites • and that twelve or eighteen months is
tionably, the Report from our own Committee affords e
. , extreme point of time to which it is likely his
as good ground for the probable expectation of his jesty, s malady_ may
_be protracted. On this vie,
' Majesty's ultimate recovery as that which we deriv.
the subject, therefore, I conceive that there e
ed eom the examination before the Privy Council ;
question but that the House will take into thee
and certainly the impression on my mind is, that that
nous consideration, the probability of his Maje!
recovery, although' the period of it cannot be exactly
recovery,
at no very distant period, and that i
anticipated, may with reason be looked for at no very
will think it necessary to provide by the Bill, an
distant time. I will not at present enter into a mi-
i' • note examination in of the details of the Report which security for his Masty's immediate and comp
return to powerthat event. The period wh
bear me out in this presumption,—The second Reso-
slution, Sir, which, in compliance with the precedent on the most deliberate view that I can take on
that I recommended, is is my intention to submit to subject, I would recommend to the adoption of
the Committee, is as follows : House, is, about a twelvemonth. from the time
" That it is the opinion of the Committee, that it is the right which the Bill may pass both Houses of Parham
and daty of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons of It is my intention, therefore, to recommend that
Great Britain and Ireland, new assembled and lawfully, fully, the Bill vesting generally the royal power in his let
i end freely representing all the waterer the people of this realm, Highness the Prince of Wales, there be introdu
to pr.vide the means of supplying the defect in the personal ex- •
restrictions on certain parts of that power for
• disposition, in such manner as the exigency of the ease may ap-
excise of the Royal Authority arising from his Majesty'. said in-
period which I have mentioned ; with the additioi
\pear to respire." . this consideration, that whatever be the perioc
On this second Resolution, Sir, it has certainly been which Parliament may limit the restrictions and c
ietimated to me, and to the House, that possibly lifications that may be thought necessary, due i
'one difference of opinion might exist with respect to shall be taken that those restrictions and qualil
"-the words in which it is couched; bat neither I nor tions shall expire at a period when Parliament s
`the House have heard that there is any disposition to have been sitting for at least six weeks, in order I
controvert the principle which it contains, a principle if they think it necessary Parliament may recons
so clearly established by precedent, so distinctly de- the subject, or if they do not think' it necessar
rived from the history and principles of the Constitu- reconsider the subject, the restrictions and qualif
tion, so supported by every thing to which we can re- tions may expire under the knowledge and wi
fer for cenviction, acid so impeached by nothing, that the view of Parliament. This House will, Itr
I shall rather leave to those who may oppose it to Sir, agree with me, that for the period whit
state the nature of their opposition, and reserve to have mentioned, the power of granting any ranli
myself the right of makfng any future observations the peerage should be suspended ; also that it wil
on their arguments, than attempt to originate the dis, reasonable to declare that all grants of offices
• ceSsion myself. I shall conceive the principle to be pensions (except such as are necessary for the pe
'eselmitted until I find it denied. - Having thus, Sir, service) shall be .granted only for the term of
disposed of the two first Resolutions, I now come to Regency, subject to his Majesty's pleasure on his
the Resblution descriptive of the.form by which the covery. T shall propose, that her Majesty the Qu
continuance of the Executive Authority will be pro- shall have the superintendence of the personal e
erided. This Resolution I will read— blishment of his Majesty's household for two
a Test, for this purpose, and for maintain* entire the Cori- months, and that after that interval, all the regi
*Rational authority of the King, it is necnnuery that the said
Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons of Great Britain eons connected with that subject shall expire, un,
sod ',eland; should determine on the means whereby the royal Parliament, on a general view of the subject, n
'.sent may be given in Parliament to such Bill as may be passed , think proper to re-establish some portion of them,
by the two Houses of Parliament respecting the exercise of the the purpose of maintaining the royal dignity. T,
• paosiTeorfstahnedKa
juotth,oauritriieftsofthetheceoCrtiananown,
coin tofhehni,ammeajaeundy%traehe be-nt sir;is
.the. general. .outline Of the ulterior mean
indisposition." which it is my intention to propose ; and having
..
l Iz mast be evident to the Committee, Sir, thot the I hope, stated it with sufficient clearness to ren.
,great anti leading feature of the mode of proceeding I myself distinctly intelligible, I beg leave to recall
described in this Resolution is, that it be a proceeding 'attention of the Committee to the questiOn imme
ately before us, and to remark, that whatever may
by Bill. Such is the peopositiben which I have hum-
bly to recommend for the adoption of this Committee. i the difference of feeling or opinion on the propriee
On the other hand, h has been submitted to us, by admitting any restrictions on thepower of the Rege
the Flnnourable Gentlemen opposites who fairly and
or on the preference which should be given to one
candidly intimated to the House the other night, ' ration of that restriction over another, the qt
the view which they took of this part of the subject, ' tion now. before the Committee is not on the p
that a proceeding by way of address would be pre- priety or impropriety of admitting any restriction:
ferable to a proceeding by way of bill, which.latter ' not on the limit whether longer or shorter' of t:
1
those Gentlemen proposed to consider as unconstitu-
restriction—but simply on the expediency of ado
tisinal. Judging from the statement thus made by ing one course of proceeding in the establishment
the Gentlemen opposite, I am induced to conceive i a Regent in preference to another. In the first pla
that the discussion of the present evening mare* i Sir, I apprehend from the expressions which w
narrowed into the consideration of these two ques- used the other night,• that one ground of the object
theos ; it being taken for granted that the two Houses ' to be made to my proposition is, that it is unconsti
of Perliament—and this House in particular—are tional. It was said by a Right Honourable Gent
called on to provide some remedy for the deficiency man, that it was a measure "derogatory from
honour of the Crown, injurious to the principles of.
in the executive power, and the point to be decided
Wag whether it is preferable to do this by Bill, or as Constitution, and, insulting to the Illustrious Per
sibeomm i
ended by the Honourable Gentlemen oppo. nage whom it chiefly respected." Now I confi
site, by Address? In order', however, that thedetaile Sir, rdo not apprehend how the Gentlemen oppoi
of this business may be better understood, before f will be able to maintain these ,positions. With
proceed to estimate the comparative value of the two gard to the assertion that the proceeding by Bill
. advised abodes of proceeding, I shall, in conformity . unconstitutional, e do not find that any such assert
to my notice, open generally my intention with re- , was made in 1788, how muchsoever it was then
spect to the ulterior propositions that I meant to geed that another measure, constitutional likewi
king forward. Now, Sir, in the view which I take would be more expedieht. But let us examine t
of the subject, it appears to me that the measure objection to the proceeding byßill as unconstitutior
which we ought to adopt should unquestionably be to I know not how we can better determine what
appoint his. Royal Highness the Prince of Wales Re- and what is not constitutional than by a referet
gent, to administer lice affairs of the country in the to our proceeding', and to our conduct on f
name, and on the behalf of his Majesty, during the mer occasions. The enlightened theorist who i
continuance of his Majesty's indisposition. A mean lights only in
abstractioaa. I leave tit kit snjt
\ .

:nye: eg:3c:oaan ncs tudi t e
nt fuTieost h
t
littl
I°n:nyeib eenif
1 esms iy'rt urge
wei
ereignie ?Ord e°htneat' rstiltn dAadte:! li'daa whichtrn"ildt:nb:;7dit
e
orty th
n
tlaori
a
ill
l'utnadathan,tduthretuant,ltoleotiGeneestaenttlailt
P of the House
e m
measure that r°•sl
ad just been ref,* rIP
aes
port the patirotic .t"
that period, „ • ,
to wil• '
monstitutional, woe wt
asst
llini
irnisth tlin
bGethNltireelan:reed‘Podtha.bn:uaysntitebetterlivalthof.oueaendabc!nnie4'l::i.'legi
y 1i
yon his recovery, the ss
lade. Some record • re
tered on the jotan,;. re
ni
if. But no: the whet re
ch occurrence. Allty,
.scion, by which . oul
sed of to an iinroene °„
re,
possible to suppose 'hi
convinced that t1,.4
not have taken some '
stint
or otherwise, to es.
transaction too hicl
c.
session
ble
ears
nanft trePs
transactions
ihgna some
caatar°a:itymtvel:osi°7: a a lebi bnr
ac
of fs 0 oet h ean
Parliaments,
, t'g.i is
gt, J.l-1 's:l
11111
self
s
e
1181
ese provocative* to .
occurred of the slig, tied,
trust, theefole Sr *
thatl take •ghl
e
leg my proceeding
eci
eci
tablished after a pi
ory and our consti. 11,
.se would be a waqeoi g';
iadvrmethill)fiutrecie:risati;hu.cpt;3lleni sanction
elmhea have eohpi
consider whether ca
C 2
(coi.k.
.coinakl;
ore constitutional
I contend that Perlis sun
is nature—whereat Fe
hat what we have le
a temporary successorth
that in such a case ''
adopting some ceitain n°
s not any thing m.
✓ is there any Inn
dulously avoids, due °T
with regard to the 1
therefore, I find the "
as already adoptedit 11'
.able in other respects,
nv
le subject to adhere,
be done agaia, some t v
; but because bpi; ore
abide by the precedes. r
vof the subject, yid', ,
of the two proposed he
is there to the course
00
it equally exist to the ,it
!men opposite? Ais
ions to their cows
eve heard it arguedee
xc
option of Legislative en
iament,fell within tle •h,
s 11. which mad: it
.e
Ia
.e 0
c( sA ieecodh:ng
ibwyjeAr
°di Bat
who think this a
subject a little:—
"r
roceedieglayAddress , c
stlemen opposite pro.
e
ome
en
aite4 jic
'Cren:Blulegto.ueeitfbecntliwst:eheeli*nthpe tour:lßpHdPn3tutleP°.‘cehge:amoldte• tai
e
o !lry
individual,!serving of
the throes
of that be an act d
:s not taking roe
nether an act oi leek
! office of Regents ?
ind duties were strict. 6.
irst act after his air
ailing together of his 141_
could he call them' Zit
ad
th
i'flgneCitlisntit°l;:eniaette:"muregeadiGe ireassi°nnn'avitanuifnedttuifuho'Se:rtdiriealoitillithag! in
P.
ie Great Seal, to pot
t equally he an Act bi
a
sir
sa
)r.' fn:larlomura:kilitilidabnide:resvdre.Geti)th'a—cetittientl:Ccoaverfigle.
tl
without the use
of
of
but the authority o
, during the sus' tl
il•ns in oat
Warrant him
be arguments ofOe