The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-06-16 00:00:00

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Mr. C. GRANT moved the Order of the Dav for goinc
into a Committee to consider of the Supplies for tlieser.
•ice of Ireland.

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Mr. IRVIN° said he must dais precedence,
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as a matter of courtesy,
M. U. ORANT expressed his readiness to Mord n.i.h
the suggestion of the last Speaker.
Mr. IRVING thanked his Right Hon. Friend,
and
then proceeded to re-state the ease of °ea. Desfourne
The amount of the charge arose from the loss of
slaves and certain property in hospitals, at the cap; `4
of Guadeloupe. A contract lead been entered into by ti
French Goys nuient with the above-named
and it was screed to be continued upon the same term,
by the British. This agreement had not been fulfille4,
and the lotsoreasioned thereby was the cause of theiw
r.
sent claim. It had been said that the great lapseg
time which had occurred before the claim was made,
was a reason why it should not be allowed. If this
u ere true, what would be said of the fact of the French
Government haring recently paid off debts tothe uno in
of 4 millions, many of which were of a much more an.
rient date, and of a similar nature to the claim of Gm
Desfourneaux. This conduct had reflected the greatest
honour upon the French Government; and if the Com-
mittee refused to agree to the present resolution, he
should feel that the character of this country would
greatly suffer by such a course. The lion:Member
then read various documents in support of the claim.
lie concluded by moving, "that a sum of 20,0116/. Its.
6d. be granted and paid to teen. Etienne Desfourneaux, as
a compensation for the losses and damages sustained by
him at the capture of tinailaloupe, in 1794."
Mr. BANKES objected to the grant, and considered
the claim to have been one which ought never to have
been referred to a Committee. Ile thought that Se
Right Hon. the (Chancellor of the Exchequer had al.
forded too much facility to the revival of a subject
which had already been most properly disposed of by
the decision of himself and the Lords of the Treasury.
Ile could, therefore, see no foundation for the Rem.
lution, and should feel it his duty to oppose it.
Mr. IRVING, in reply, contended, that the former
Reports were not binding upoe the noose.
Mr. GRENFELL opposed the motion. After the de-
cided.negativa which had been put upon the claim by
the Treasury, he was really surprised that his Majestv's
Ministers did not rise and meet the present motion with
indignation. if a change had taken place in their opi-
nions, they should avow it, and state the reason of that
change. Itrith every respect for the House, be could
not but avow that lie thought the Treasury a fitter tri-
hunal for discussing the present claim than the
He,therefore, should move that 1,4881. isesabstitst=
the original sum.
A MEMBER, whose name we could not leers, sup-
ported the original motion, and moved that it be allowed
with interest. Ile thourht the claim one of the most
equitable ever made on that House.
Mr. K. IK/UOLAS, in explanation of the conduct of
the Committee, said, they had examined the claims ups
equitable principles, without reference to the decision of
the Treasury. l'he Treasury, in fact, had admitted the
justice of a pert of the claim ; and, under all the circum-
stances, he thought the Committee could not possibly
come tu a decision different from that disclosed by their
Report.
Sir JOHN NEWPORT said it was a new doctrine
to him that the House would be guilty of a crime in not
steeling to the Report of its Committee. Ile thought
the claim might have been discussed with more advaa-
tage to thee cause of truth had it been brought forward
at the peace of Amiens, in ISM ; and lee thought no
tribunal less competent to pronounce upon such a claim
than a Committee of the House. Ministers were re-
sponsible, but a Committee of the House were not.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER wished
the House to judge of what course ought to be taken by
the English Government when the claimant appealed
from their decision to that of his own Court. It dies
became a question between nation and nation, and it was
not to be forgotten that the French Government had acted
with great liberality in deriding upon British dais,.
It was thought proper, under these cirrumatanes, to
bring time question under the consideration of Parlia-
ment. Ile thouOt the Committee had acted rid' fair-
nets and impartiality, and lee trusted no lion. Member
would oppose their Report without making himself per-
fect master of tl.e subject. For his own part he hsd
heard nothing to induce him to dissent from the Amen
of the Committee.
Sir FRANCIS OMMANEY opposed the
motion, and said he should vote for the swallows
Mr. WARRE said, the Coinmittee bad (REMO
stated there was no written evidence of the contract
upon which the claimant relied. If claims like these,
at the distance of 26 years were tb be allowed, he should
cease to wonder at the expense of' our wan.
Mr. FORBES rose amid loud cries of " Questi"."
As Hon. °sidemen had patiently listened to many
speeches against the claim of an absent individual apply'
ing for justice ; he trusted they would bear a very f.w
words in support of it.—The Committee bad dicidol
that the claim was founded in equity, and he theta& it
would be an imputation on the justice of the House sot
to act upon it. After a few other obserrstions in support
of the claim. the lion. Member concluded,
by expressing
his intention to vote for the original motion.
Mr. W. SMITH said he did not agree with either
side of the House. He thought only a small part of
the claim had been proved, but that part he thoeght
should be paid with interest. Thee sum to which he
considered the claimant to be entitled, was 3,209'.
Mr. T. WILSON spoke in favour of the origin'
motion. I with
Mr. Alderman WOOD said, he rarely agree.
the Chancellor of the Exchequer in voting public iao.
ney. bat in the present cosi• he should vote fear the
in the Rouse lot
thought it would be dishonouredde
liab...gdearths ue ni
decision. T i e
fF riehnee GovernmentliHoose
o f• had
own agreed
ias to
be
Coto
mac:. uipownatihEe
wishedd
to know whether the C n
iti nt
was itt s
was a select or an ordinary Committee. If.
Select Committee, Committee, he would rote for the original P' re

dos.
Mr. IRVING said it wss a Select Cornroittee•
Strirres were them °Octet' to withdraw, and tI4

kbe *la To reed to, and the Report
assnfd lath (no re- Monday.
11-03IMI ill