Star.
London, England, 1803-12-08 00:00:00

PRLUMENTAR r PROCEEDING&

HOUSE OF LORDS, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7. •
Mr. 1-kaftans! and other Gentlemen of the Hoists of Com-
m. to' brought up a Bill for reltraining the Bank of England front
iffuing fpecie, until fix months after the cnnclufion of a Definitive
Treaty of Peace. The Bill was forthwith read a ErA time, and
ordered to be read a fccond dine.

The Bill for the better preventing the Defertion of leamet vu
read a fecor.d time, and ordered to be committed.

Lord HAWK Esau ley laid before the Houk a copy of the Con-
vention concluded between hit Mak fty and the king of Sweden,
dated July as, acl—AdjAirned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The Rescue having taken the Chair a few minutes before
four o'clock,
A private Petition was brought op Terre:Ring the Wideating of
the Canterbury Road. Ordered to he on the Table.
Mr. C. L. Dun DAS brought up the Report of the Waterford
Committee, which Bated, that the Committee bad found the Elec-
t Hon ot. Mr. flldeock illegal and defeetive' and that confequeotly
they had declared Sir lobo Newport the leral Member.
Mr. 1.. DUISDAS alto in purfuanee of this Report moved, that
the Dentity Clerk of the Crown be ordered to attend to-morrow
noiroing in order to mate the name of Mr. Oideock, and alter the
fftenton.—Ordered.
Sir Joon Nrwemyr, returned by the Committee Member for
Waterford bilked of Mr. Oldeock, took the Oaths and his Seat.
Mr. Samoa or brought up the Report of the Qualification In-
demnity Bill.---Ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.
Mr.Coaav moved the Order of the Day for a Committee of
the whole Houle on the Irlib Sugar Drawback Bill. The altera-
tions adopted by the Committee were purely verbal.
The Houfe being returned the Report was ordered to be receiv-
ed to-morrow.
Mr. Coax,. moved the Order of the Day for the kith Diftillery
Bill. It was read a fecund time, and ordered to be committed to-
morrow.
Mr. Coin moved tbc Order of the Day for a Committee of
the whole Houle on the Ira Promitlory Note Bill.
Tho Houle having returned, the Report was ordered to be re.
wined to.rnorrow.
Mr. Conan moved the Order of the Day for a Committee of
the whole Houle on the frith Provilion Bill.
The Houk baying returned, the Report was ordered to be re-
ceived to-morrow.
Mr. CORR"' moved the Order of the Day for the fecund read-
ing of the Irith Proclamation Indemnity Bill.
It was read a (mind time accordingly, and ordered to be com-
mitted to-morrow.
Mr. Secretary Voice brought up the Report of the frith Habeas
Corpus Sufpenlioo Bill, which was ordered to be read a third time
to-marrow.
Mr. Hoe:torn brought up the Report of the Ealt India Bonds
Bill—Ordered to be read a thfril time to-morrow.
The Malt Duty Bill was palled through a Committee, and was
ordered to be reported to-morrow.
Mr. J. C. B ttttt oan gave notice that he would to-morrow
move for leave to bring in a Bill to regulate the Sale of Corn in
the City of Dublin.
Upon the motion for the Committal of the Curate's Refidenee
Bill, a few obfervations were nude by different Hon. Members,
in the cootie of which the Chancellor oT the Exchequer obferved,
that moll probably all the Bills which were In fuck a Rate of for-
wardnefs would be read a third time on Friday next.
The Curates Relief was paired through a Committee, and or-
dered to be reported to-morrow.
Accounts were ordered to be laid before the Haute of the Sums
of Money which had been voted by that Houfe to his Majetly,
and which bad not as yet been made good.
The Wine Bonding Bill was read a fecond time, and ordered to
be committed to-morrow.
The Five Mililou Loan Bill. the Expiring Laws Bill, and the
Sugar Drawback Bill, were committed, and ordered to be report-
ed to-morrow.
The BiU for exonerating the town of Newealhe from the pay-
ment of certain Duty upon Coals to the Duke of Richmond was
are committed, and ordered to be reported to-morrow.
IRISH MARTIAL LAW BILL.
Mr. HAWTHORNS brought np the report of this Bill.
Mr. WILBERFORCE faid that he did nit rife to ex-
plain away or qualify the affent that he had already
given to the Bill, on the fuppofition of its neceflity,
but to foggeft a few alterations which appeared to
him very material. It was not the eftablithinent of
Courts Martial, for the purpofe of fuppreffing rebel-
lion, that he objeßed to, but there was fomething in
the conflitution of thole Courts Martial which he
thought might be improved. In the firft place, he
thought it neceffary that fuch Courts Martial Ihould
confift as the ordinary Courts Martial do, of not left
than 7, or more than 13, but there was one point be
willied them to differ from ordinary Courts Martial

in, aud that was this—he did not 'think that it was

right that minors, whom the law fuppofes not to have
futficient difcretion to adminifier their own affairs, or
• fit upon common juries, mould, as officers fitting on
Courts Martial, determine both as Judges and Jurors
on the lives of thofe who were brought before them.
The cafe to-which he particularly called the attention
of the Houfe was, when young Officers were fitting
as Judges on the lives of men to whom they were not
attached by any drit & corps, but who were tried
before them as rebels, traitors, and enemies. In
fuch a cafe the paffions might naturally enough be
fuppofed to give an inclination againfl the Prifoners.
He thould therefore move, as an amendment, to which
he could hardly forefee any objeftion, that no Officer
being under the age of 31 years, mould fit on fuch
Courts Martial.
The SPERM obferved, that this amendment
mull be the fubjea of a clinics& and feparate claufe.
Mr. LLLLL oa c a then propofed his amendment,
under the Speaker's direaion, that no Minor fhuuld
fit on a Court Martial.
Colonel WOOO agreed with the general fpirit of
the obfervations made by the Hon. Member, but
thought it might be better to give the po ;see of se-
ducing the numbers, in cafes where there was a de.
ficiency of officers of mature age, from (even to five.
Mr. Secretary YORK highly approved of the intro-
daftory obfervations made by the Hon. Member, but
(hould fay, that the claufe would be produaive of the
molt mifehievous confequences, and go to defeat the
ohjeft of the Bill, which originated in neceffity ; and,
asacquiefeed in by all the Members who were prefent
on a former night, when it was difculTed, with the ex-
ception, he believed, of one. It was deemed expedient
in grant extraordirary powers to the Government, in
order to be prepared for any poffible emergency ; and
..hove all, hitherto, for the purpofe of proteaing wit-
:irtfes. He confidered it much more advifable to fuller
•iie Bill in pais unaltered, and thereby attach to the
ifh Government all the refponfihility of the meafure,
anu its conlequences. The Right Hon. Gentleman
i:,en entered upon a refutation of the pillions ad-
sJnced by the Hon. Mover, and concluded with gist-
sing his negative to the claufe.
Mr. W Ham differed from the Hon. Mover in
the obfervations which he made refpeaing the incons-
pttroc y of minors to fit as members of Courts Martial
iii der the prefent Aa. He could not admit the dB:.
iiittion which was made between the feeling of Of.
errs on ordinary Courts Martial and thofe conflitu-
.! to try traitors and rebels. What criterion could
!, eflablifbed for afcertaining the degree of judgment
bleb thofe Officers ought to piffefs as to their integ-
) ? On that ground he apprehended no charge could

be trade ; he teat anxious, therefore, that tefiexions
which might be injurious, without producing any
good, lhould not go abroad, particularly from that
Houle. With regard to the diftinftion taken by the
Honourable Gentleman between the feelings and mo-
tives of Officers on the one Court Martial and the
other, he fhould remind him that Officers on ordinary
Courts Martial fat to try not only brother Officers,
but Privates alfo, by whom they could not appre-
hend that they would he at any time tried in their
turn. Should it be raid, then, that that defcription
of perfons, who were always deemed competent to
decide on the fate of foldiers, and order them to be
lhot, ought not to be trnfted with the lives of traitors
and rebels, or deemed to be (itch ? So far from think-
ing that their youth would excite the feelings of thofe
I Officers againft perfons whom they may be appointed
to try, it was more probable that their ingenuouf-
nets and difpolition would lead them to mercy and hu-
manity. Having recapitulated the motives which
induced him to give his affent to the meafure on a
former night, the Right Honourable Member con-
cluded with oppofing the motion.
Mr. WILBIRTORCE explained, that in what he
propofed, he meant not to impeach the integrity of
Courts Martial.
Dr. LAWREtiet confidered the ciente not to be the
remedy for the evil complained of, and thought it
would be better to provide that the Prefident of the
Court fhould always be a Field Officer.
The CH Am caLtoa of the Etc Naive& apprehended
that the cite& of the Claufe would be to render the
holding of Courts Martial more difficult than hereto-
fore, by limiting the qualifications of the Members.
Their integrity and impartiality, he (aid, were fecured
by the number being from 7 to 13, and the provifion
in the Aft of Parliament, that, in palling fentence of
death, two-thirds of the Members muft concur.
Lord ARCHIBALD HAMILTON declared, that fo far
was he from Acquiefcing in what was (aid of the need.
fity of the meafure, that he confidered the inflittion of
Martial Law to be a precaution againft hope and con-
fidence, rather than againft infurrettion.
The claufe was then negatived ; and on the quef
tion for the third reading of the Bill,
Admiral Be asELBY tooktbat opportunity of giving
notice, that, on an early day, he fhould move for the
produllion of fome papers repeltin the events which
took place in Dublin on the 23d of July, which might
tend to remove the imputations call in a former de-
bate on the charafter of an Hon. Relation of his (Ge-
neral Fox), the late Commander in Chief in Ireland.
The Crum ca Loa of the Exotica/ sit revelled the
Honourable Admiral to be more explicit, as he could
not conceive what he alluded to.

Admiral BIRCELRY esplained, that his notice was
rendered neceffary by the alTertion of the Right Hon.
Gentleman himfelf, who Girl that the Commander
in Chief had early notice of the rebellion.
The CHANCELLOR of the Excu soy ea reftated his
affertion to have been, that early in the day of the
23d of July, notice of the information received had
been communicated to the Commander in Chief, and
the fuperintending Magiftrate of the City of Dublin.
This ftatement was rendered necefary by what was
laid by a Right Hon. Gentleman, (Mr. Windham)
that no inflruaions were given to the Commander in
Chief, and no notice delivered to the Lord Mayor.
He however declared, that nothing was more remote
from his intention than to infinuate that there was
any failure of duty in the Commander in Chief ; nor
did he hear any one fay drat any blame was attached
to his condudit ; and ()mold fuck a difcuilion take
place, he was convinced that the Commander in Chief
would be found as irreproachable, as the dirculEon
itfelf was likely to be preju.:icial to the Civil Go-
vernment. of Ireland.

Admiral Bait catty perfifted in thinking that
his Hon. Relation was implicated by the affertion ;
and added. that fuch was alto the opinion of the
General himfelf, who had not received fo early in.
formation of the confpiracy as had been Paid.
The CHANCELLOR of the Excitsikysa denied that
he Laid any loch thing ; his expreffion was, that early
in the day, information was received by him. as well
as by the fuperintending Magifirate of the Police.
Sir J. C. Illtax SWORD laid, that any one who knew
the place where the infurredion broke out, could not
think that blame was to be attached any where. It
took place in a ftreet in an obfeure part of the town
on the fouth fide of the river. The night was the
darkeft he ever remarked, and the rebels had not ad-
vanced three ftreets before the infurredion was Cup-
predict.
Mr. T. GR mvILLa wifhed to take that opportunity
of vindicating hirnfelf from being included in the
number of thofe who were laid to have univerfally ac-
knowledged the necefiity of this meafure. He could
fee no ground of prudence, wifdom, or even conveni-
ence, to prevent the Minifters from following the old
conftituttonal mode of laying a Parliamentary ground
of proceeding before the Houfe, previonfly to their
calling for a divifion upon fo important a queflion,
and the lets In, as there was no occafion for hafte,
as the Ads already in force would not expire for
fix weeks after the meeting of Parliament. Why
had they not recourfe to a-Secret Committee ? The
operation of the Union was to take from Ireland
its local Parliament, and it was the more incum-
bent on the United Parliament to take care that
a queflion relating to Ireland Ihould meet with
as much attention as any other. As an boneft
man, he could not fay that he had fufficient infor-
mation for him to vote for the affirmative or the ne.
gative of either of thefe meafures. He did not with
to fay any thing ungracious of the Members of the
adminifiration ; but whether it was offenfive or not,
he mull fairly profefs that he had no confidence in
the wifdom, capacity, or activity of their meafitres,
and particularly the prefent, the neceffity of which
was not demonftrsted by any kind of evidence. At
prefent. if be oppofed the meafure. becaufe he fhould
have the refponfibility of any miftakes that might
occur from it; and he had no information which
would convince him of its neceffity. He thought the'
intereft of the frith Government. at the time a the
infurreaion, which, and in his opinion, the opportu•
nity offered by the Rear Admiral. ought to have
been received with avidity by thofe who were moll
concerned.

Mr. Secretary Yoaaa did ant think a detailed er•
planation necetfary on the prefent occafion, but he felt
hinsfelf anxious regularly to explain as much a.. was
neceiAry for the purpnfe. It was pofitirely denicJ
by his /tight Finn. Ftien.l that any afperfinn had been
cant urn the Cununander in Chief. Another /4.4ght

Hon. Gentleman Cad in reproach, that the Lord Lieu-
tenant was off his poll, that no inftruaions were given
to the military to aft, and no intimation given to
the fupreme Magiarate. With refpea to the Lift,
he could affert, that a communication was early
made to Mr. Alderman Anderfon, the fuperintending
Magiarate; and as to the Commander in Chief, one of
the moll refpatable Officers in his Majefty's fervice,
no imputation whatever was made upon him by the
Minifters of the Crown. The Lord Lieutenant came
to the Cattle about two o'clock, and after a confer.
ence with the Commander in Chief, and others,it was
thought right that he ffinuld not create unneceffary
alarm by remaining and bringing his family to the
Celle. Every one who was acquainted with that
Nobleman mull know, that he had no improper mo•
tives for abfenting himfelf, when be might have ken
furrounded in the Cattle by five regular regiments.
After Tome further converfation, the Bill, as well
as the Batt India Company's Vend Bill, was ordered
to be read a fecond time to morrow.