The Statesman.
London, England, 1812-05-14 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN.

aide of the question, who would also wish to be exa.
rained as soon at passible.
Mr. BROUGII AM adopted• the recommendation
of his Lord:.kip, stating, that all questions exciting
dispute might be saved till a future day.-

MR. PERCEYWR FAMitY.
Lord CASTLEREAGH moved that it should be
referred to a Committee to peeper, an AddresS to the
Prinz Regent, pursuant to the Resolution passed
yesterday.
Sir FRANCIS BURDETT row, and observed,
thaenot being present yesterday, he had no opportu-
nity of expressing those sentiments of indignation and
abhorrence which he felt, in common with the rest,
at dm- atrocious assassination of Mr. Perceval. On
such occasions there was but one rale—one guide for
feeling—and it was to be wished that the Address
to be presented to the Prince Regent should he en-
tirely unalloyed by any base mixture of personalities
or politics. [hear, hear!] It was a subject which,
for a time, should put• an end to all other considera-
tions. But while he concurred in lamentation, and
in abhorrence, of the atrocious act committed, he
should not precluded, when the subject of the grant
came before the Committee, from offering any oppo-
sition which his duty might dictate; a duty, how-
ever, so painful, he hoped, he should not be called
upon by circumstances to exercise—i Hear, hear!]
A Committee was then appointed to prepare the
Address, of which the Report was brought up, and
was a mere echo of the resolution. The Address was
then agreed to.
• Lord YARMOUTH then acquainted thi House,
that his Royal Highness the Prince Regent had ap-
pointed three co;clock to-morrow to receive the
Add e,s.

The SPEAKER then informed the House, that he
should take the chair at two o'clock to-morrow, in
order to prepare for the procession to Carlton-house.
The House then went into Committee on the Re-
gent's Messer, as to the grant to Mr. Perceval's
family.
Lord CASTLEREAGH said, that as the House
had yesterday so fully and honourably expressed
their feelings on the subject of a provision for Mr.
Perceval's family, I e should merely state to the
Muse the means of carrying into execution the reso-
lution which they had adopted. He wished, as
was before observed, that the grant should be of
such a nature as to bent+ the family individually,
and not such as by the premature death of any one'
Member might be totally lost. Besides the widow
of Mr. Perceval, the number of children left under
the care and protection of the House and the public
was no less than twelve. He thought that the grant
to the children should be a gross sum of money, and
not an annuity, though at the same time an an-
stuity appeared to be the proper provision for Mrs.
Perceval. The sum should bean handpme one, but
still regulated by a regard to economy, and consist-
ent with the present circumstances of the country. It
was the opinion of the family themselves that no
other scale of provision should be adopted than such
as might conciliate all opinions. But when the num-
ber of the children was considered, the House, while
it would not lose sight of public economy, would
also take into due considerattarr the rank of Tile of
the individuals, and would be anxious to afford such
a grant as would mark to future ages a strong moral
feeling of the atrocity that had been committed. He
should therefore move, that a provision be made for
Mrs. Perceval, by an annuity of 20001. a-year ; and
that the sum of 50,0001. should be grouted to his
Majesty, to be vested in trustees, and appropriated
in such a manner as might seem right to his Majesty,
or his Royal Highness the Prince Regent acting in the
name and on the behalf of his Majesty, for the be-
nefit of the children. Before he sat down he would
mention, that Mr. Perceval had !elle very moderate
pros ision for his children, and inadequate to enable ,
them to be introduced into any profession ; and that
the only provision existing for Mrs. P., was herjoin-
ture, sett led on her marriage out of her own property.
Mr. HERBER (of Kerry) suggested the pro-
priety of an addition of 10,0001. at least. for the be-
nefit of the eld. st snit of Mr. Perceval.

Mr. HOME SUMNER said, that the proposed
grant was utterly unworthy of the liberality of the
House of Commons, and inadequate to the rank and
situation of the family of Mr. Perceval ; that the
sum, when divided, would he only 40001. to each of
the children, which would place them in a situation
barely above want, being unable to meet the ex-
pences of an education suitable to their rank in so-
ciety. Was this a provision to he made for the fa-
mily of a man who might have amassed riches in a
profe,sion well known to he Inc!attire, who, from
the high situation which he filled as Attorney-Gene.
ral, might have become Lord Chief Justice, or Lord
High Chancellor, with the patronage that belonged
to those high ofileei? This proposal would trot netsty
the deht due to Mr. Perceval, who, had devoted him.
self to, and had died in the public servile. Mr.'Per-
veval's memory would ever rennin in their minds,.
and his memory ought 'tot to be su:Tered to fall. He
could have wished that an Address had been pre-
sented to the Prince Regent, praying him to reward
by settle signal mark of his favour the services of the
late Nliuister : that some extensive provion should
be made for the eldest son, and that at least 6 or
7Ouul. should be given to each of the other children.
Theegh he was as strong an advocate for public eco-
nom:, as any Member in that House, he thought that
it was impossible to make a wiser.application of pub-
lic money.
Mr. WILBERFORCE said, tiiitt afthe same time
he felt an entire concurrence with the principles ex-
pressed by the two last Speaker; he must vote for
the proposition of the Noble Lord. He agreed, in-
deed, that the grant would not be a millionth part of',
the worth of his Right lion. Friend deceased, whose
worth had been acknowledged by parties, who, though
differing from him in political sentiments, allowed
the rectitude of. his motives. The vote should be
such as should at the same time shew a proper sense
of pubic economy, and also operate as as induce.
ment to others to tread those steps of virtue which
had been so firmly traced by his Right iron. Friend,
It wts particulasty desirable that this vote should be
unanimous, and Ike trusted that it would be so, even
if 017 Member should do some slicht violence to his ,
conscience by such an assent, fie felt how inane.
quate the provision wax for the rank in life of the in.
diriduals ; but the Noble Lord had a difficult duty
tp perform, Pressed bie his paetialitie.s on laps *let

and by his admiration for Mr. Perceval, he was also
bound to the feelings of the country, and the neces-
sity of economy. His own esteem for the character
of the dem ased did not fall short of that which was en,
tertained by the Noble Lord. He had known Mr. Per.
ceva I in early life, and he could say, that there had never
existed a man Whoinoreinstinctly obeyed the impulse
of duty. Ile had known him for 35 years, and such
was the uniform impression made on his mind of his
character. A high and just tribute had been paid to
bis memory yesterday, equally honourable to the de-
ceased, and to the person who paid it. It had been
truly said, that with great eagerness in the pursuit of
his objects he never lost the controul of his temper.
He was a man of great animation, and possessed of
a very lively wit; yet was he so perfectly inoffensive,
as never to indulge in illiberal sarcasms. Whenever
he had heard him speak of those who bad offended
him, his language was always milder than his friends
thought the occasion deserved : and this was the re-
sult of his benevolence and not of artifice. Indeed
he could say, that there never was a man of more
sweetness of nature and temper. Ile (Mr. W.)
hoped he had not been led to an inexcusable length,
by his desire to bear testimony to the merits of his
Right lion. Friend deceased. He must again state,
that the present was a higher questioti than any that
concerned a few thousands; and it was better that
the vote should be unanimous, than that by proposing
a larger sum, reluctance or hesitation should be ma.
nifested.

A MEMBER (whose name we could not team)
thought a larger sum should be voted and stated,
among other reasons for it, that Mr: Percent had
given up the emoluments of Chancellor of the Exche-
quer, on being appointed first Lord of the Treasury.
Mr. WHITBREAD agreed with Mr. Wilberforce,
that the unanimity of that House would be a fail
better, more honourable, and more agreeable tributei
' to the family of Mr. Perceval,. than the addition of
a few thousands given with any reluctance : especially'
as the Noble Lord had consulted the family, ands
the nearest and dearest friends of the deceased, ou
the subject of the Grant which he had proposed.
Mr. WYNNE stated, that Mr. Perceval had lost
his life in the execution of his duty, and that it
therefore became the duty of the House to protect
his family. He could hare wished thegrant had been
larger, but this sum of money would not be all which
Mr. Perceval's children would possess. Mr. Perce-
val had left them the memory of his many virtues,—
of his liberality which had prevented his enriching
his family,—of his integrity,—and of those charities!
of life, in the exercise of which he so eminently
shone. These, in whatever profession of life they
might embark, would be of more service to them
than the additional thousands proposed.
Mr. HERBERT, of Kerry, then wished Mrs.
Perceval to have 30001. a year.
Mr. BANKES moved as ail amendment, that the
sums should P rid without fee or deductions.
The amendment was agreed to, aad inserted in the
original resolution.
Mr. I. H. BROWNE proposed, that the sum for
the provision of the younger branches of the family
should, instead of 50,0001. be 60,0001.
This did not appear to be seconded, and theluss.4
Lion being loudly called for, was put and carried
nem. con.

Lord CASTLEREAGH then rose and said, that
as it was his wish this business should be settled with
as little delay as possible, and as the House had uni-
versally agreed to meet to-morrow for the purpose
of going up with the Address ; he hoped they would
give an early attendance, that the report might be
brought up and agreed to before they left the Hone.
He then moved a resolution for granting tOOOl. a
year to Jane Perceval, widow of the Right Ho-
nourable Spencer Perceval deceased, for the term of
her natural life, to commence from the I Uh day•ef
May, 1812, and that the same be paid without any
fee or deduction whatever.

On the question being put from the Chair,
Mr. H. SUMNER said, he had understood that
what had been proposed was under a kind of under.
standing by both sides of the House, for the pur-
pose of obtaining a perfect unanimity. He, how.
ever, for his own part, felt so forcible that the eld-
est son of Mr. Percent was not sufficiently provided
for by the grant at present proposed ; and he there-
fore found himself under the necessity of moving an
Amendment. His proposition might not, perlat
he acceded to with unanimity, but he was con
he should be able to carry it by a large majority.
Colonel WOOD proposed, that the. Hon. Men -
ber should suffer the first vote to pass, and thee)
move the reversion to the eldest son, by which both
motions might, perhaps, pass unanimously. This'
was acceded to, and the annuity to Mrs. Percent
was voted near. con.
I Mr. SUM N 1 thou brought -forward his assllsoll
as a distinct resolution.
Mr. WHITBREAD professed an unfeigned regvek
tfiat that unanimity, of which they enjoyed so fair a
prospect, was in danger of being disturbed. lie
had certainly no objection of a political nature to
urge against the merits of Mr. Perceval, what he has
thought of his measures he had expressed during die'
life of that individual, and his sole reason for oppo.
sing the motion of the Honourable Gentleman was'
thnt not to io so would be to surrender all his
former feelings and opitikos.—(Cries of No, no
—lfe spoke fcr himself, and from the conviction a
his mind, and if the motion should be pressed, would
certainly divide the House upon it.
Mr. WILBF'it.FORCE said, that for the sake of
unanimity he hoped the motion would be withdrawn.
, Lord CASTLEREAGH observed, that he hid
felt it his duty, on submitting the Resolutions to tke
Committee, to consider not only what vas due to
the family of his 'bite Right Honourable Friend, but
what was li%ely to conciliate the general concurrence
of the Eloise. Upon this principle, and this alone,
he should oppose the motion, and move that the
Chairman do report progress.
Mr. CANNING mid, that had this formed part
of the original propesition, and had much Mani that,
hastmea thought °theca proposed, he would not
hesitated to vote far it; but as an uederstanding
taken place on the subjnt, and as he eonsideretr t
difficulty Government had to struggle with in asitiZ
dug the grant so as to obtain unanimity, ho
rvote for the amendment of the Noble Lobrd.
.: r, W. Smith spoke agaiqst the motioqi Mr. S.
Peon in.farour of

Mr. Secretary RYDER spoke in favour of the
amendment, but was so much affected he was not au-
dible enough for us to follow him.

Sir JOHN SF:BRIGHT said, he would plead the
cause of Mr. Perceval's children with as much zeal as
lie would the cause of his own children. If that
Right Hon. Gent. were living, he was sure he would
not hesitate to take the lesser grant voted unani-
mously, in preference to the greater one with a division
of sentiment. Being convinced it would he more ho-
nourable to the memory of the Right Hon: Gent, to
attend to the first proposal, he (Sir J. S.) should vote
for the amendment.

Sir G. Warrender and General Loft spoke in fa-
vour of the *notion.

Mr. TIERNEY said, he had during the greatest
part of his liff. known Mr. Perceval, and on the
score of both his public and private virtues, he cor-
dially invited to all that had been a 'id by both sides
of the House. lie could not, however, agree to the
motion now brought forward, which was calculated
to create much difference of opinion, both on the
Report and on the Bill in its different stages. If any
thing further should hereafter be found necessary as
a provision for Mr. I'erceval's family, the Prince Re-
gent had the power of doing it by means of the Pen-
sion List, without coming to the public for it.
Mr. Rose, Mr. Stephen, Mr. Bathurst, and
Admiral Harvey, said each a few words ; but the
call for the question was so loud and general, it was
impossible to hear them distinctly.
The Gallery was cleared for a division.
There were two divisions in the Committee. Lord
Castlereagh's Amendment was ne<ratived by a majo-
rity of 117 to 67. The original5 motion of Home
Sumner was then agreed to by a majority of 136 to
23.

When the Gallery was again opened, we found
the House engaged in a conversation as ttrthe mode
in which the report upon the subject could be com-
municated to-morrow to the Prince Regent, as the
last resolution would probably give rise to a discus-
sion when the Report was brought up to the House.

. .
After soma observations from Mr. WHITBREAD
to that effect,

The SPEAKER then suggested, that as the House
appeared quite unanimous about the first two two-
lutions which had been agreed to, the House would
probably have no hesitation, to-morrow, in agreeing
to that part of the report, which might he then COM.
mupicated to the Prince Regent. As to that part of
the report which contained the resolution, about
which a difference of opinion might prevail in the
House, they might refer that part for farther tout&
deration to some future day.
This course was then agreed to.
The other Orders of the Day were then postponed,
and the House resolved itself into a Committee upon
the Orders in Council, when Mr. Leech and Mr.
Draycott were examined.—Adjourued.