The Statesman.
London, England, 1812-06-06 00:00:00

ADDRESS TO THE. PRINCE REGENT.

General GASCOIGNE rose, and observed that he
was at a loss to know whether it was or was not the
pleasure of the House that he should immediately
submit his motion. He would, however, read the
Address which he had drawn up, and whatever faults
it might have, he begged that they might be consi-
dered all his own, as he had consulted nobody in
preparing it.—[Here the Hon. Member read the Ad-
dress, and concluded by giving notice that he would
submit it on Monday next.]
Mr. WORTLEY moved that the House at its
rising do adjourn till Monday next.
Mr. MARTIN professed his intention to oppose
the adjournment ; and suggested to the Ron. Gent.
that it might be better to move that his Address
should be referred to a Committee.

Ms. WYNNE spoke against the adjournment, as
a desertion of duty—a due sense of which, as was
once expressed by Mr. Pitt, would lead them tomea-
sure time rather by hours than by days, in a crisis so
important and difficult as thb present.
Gen. GASCOIGNE explained.
Lard MILTON fullycoucurred in the impropriety
of adjourning over two days, after they had seen
weeks elapse and their expectations still defeated. It
was the bounden duty of the House to watch over
the conduct of public men, and secure to the coun-
try a responsible Administration. Ile hoped his
non. Friend (Mr. Wortley), who.must see that no
such Administration neseezisted, would be Induced
to withdraw his motion.

Mr. WORTLEY said it appeared to him that the
House had two objects to keep in view—the one to
guard against any dereliction of its duty ; and the
other, to avoid any thing which might look like in-
temperance. M something was expected to be done
in the other House that day, he deemed it most pro-
per to adjourn over till Monday.
Sir JOHN SEBRIGHT was of opinion that too
much delay had already taken place; and that if the
country had no Ministers, it was their duty to prove
that it had at least a House of Commons.
Mr. MARTIN observed that, he believed no
blame could attach to the Prince Regent himself.
[Cry of Order, Order!) He sow a Right Honoura-
ble and Learned Gentleman in his place, who had
been extremely anxious to answer questions on a
former evening, which could afford no possible in-
formation to the House ; he would now beg leave to
ask him, without the form of prepared interrogato-
ries, whether there had not been a negociation, and
whether that negociation had not been brokeli otf
upon terms?

Mr. WORTLEY denied that there had been any
fr,neert between him and the Right Honourable Gent.
as to the questions which were put to him by him-
self. lie had merely submitted them to his conside-
tion, and begged to know whether he would answer
them.

Mr. PONSONBY corroborated the statement of
Mr. Wortley, adding that the questions were placed
before him in the presence of five or six gentleme*i
who happened to be present on different business.
Mr. LASCELLES hoped the House would ad. I
journ over till Monday, and expressed his ardent
wish that there might be a general forgetfulness of
personal feelings and party animosities.
Mr. GEORGE JOHNSTONE declared, that the
light in which he viewed the present question was, 1
that of two parties of nearly equal strength strng-
sling for power, while a sub-division was ready to I
join either, provided that either would concede every
thing to it. He could see no useful object which the
proposed Address was likely to accomplish, and he
was himself ready to pledge himself to the support
of any Government which the Prince Regent in the
due exercise of his Prerogatives might appoint.—
[Thar, hear!] It. was the duty of the House, un-
der so many embarasaing circumstances, to lean to
the Sovereign Authority. He was not ashamed of this
declaration, and he appealed to his former conduct
as an index to his motives. His own views were,
that at a time when parties were so equally balanced,
that they could not balance themselves.—[A laugh.]
The Prince Regent ought to exercise his owe
powers, and he could find no difficulty in discover-
ing a 'efficient number of men of talent within those
walls to administer the Government. For his own
part, he was prepared whether he should be in or out
of
office,
]to support a Government so constituted.
EA tough
Mr. C. SMITH mid a few words in larval of the
Adjournment.
Mr. W. SMITH did not see the absolute necessity
ef adjourning de die is diem; but he begged leave
ft remark, with respect 05 the obserfation, that the