Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-07-07
LONDON, April so.
HOUSE OF COMMONS, April %.
DEFENcE or THE NATION.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, APRIL IS.
DEFENCE or THE NATION.
Mr.. FOX made his promised motion on
this important business In a very long
speech he stated the insuficiency, in his
opinion OF our present means of defence
against the enemy. He recommended
the Increase of the regular army, and the
establishment OF ain armed peasantry, arti
sans and the general population Of The
country, for, if the enemy were determine
ed 20 invade us, he would continue the
preparation year after year. He disap
proved the conduct OF Ministers, and con.
cluded by moving " That it be referred 10
a committee OF The whole house 10 revise
the several bills iCr tie defence of the
country, and TO consider Of such further
measures as may be necessary 10 make
that defence more complete and perma-
nent."
The Chancellor Of the Exchequer said
the hon. gentleman had urged one of the
most extraordinary motions, that within!
his parliamentary experience has ever
been submitted 10 the house. The object
OF it was to appoint committee, to revise
the acts that have been passed for the de
fence oil the country, and TO consider and
provide adequate means for the protection
OF it IN future. He defended, ct great
length the conduct Of Ministers, and con-
cInded by observing, that d great state
necessity might justify the appointment
OF such committee; buJ he left it to the
wisdom Of the house 10 determine, il any
proofs of such necessity have been advan =
ed IN support OF the pre- sent DANCE Ious
and extraordinary measure--lt is upon
these grounds, he SAID, oppose the mo-
ton OF the hon. gentleman, and hope a
majority Of this house will agree with me
In opinion, that no sound reasons have
been urged to recommend ii that no ne
cessity has been proved to Justify it, and
that as it has been brought forward from
motives different from what are professed,
1T IS unworthy to be entertained or adopt
ed by the house.
Mr. Pitt. in very brilliant speech, Of
great length, disapproved of the conduct
OF the ministers ~ The defence of he coun.
Try, and particularly with regard o drill
ing OF the volunteer corps, winch he said
had by no means been sufficient To render
them tit Tor actual military SCR ice. He
did not mean to say, that 100000 volun-
teers, a strong military force, and well
disciplined militia, was not adequate to
The safety of the country but what mum
Der OF that force, and in what condition,
he asked, could they be assembled near
any OF the points likely to be attacked /?
- RI n l..
ed system Of fertilization and said am
convinced ; that in no one instance, IN no
one branch of defence is The country in
that state OF security with which the house
ought be satisfied He concluded by giv.
ing his warmest support TO Mr.. Fox's mo
ton.
MIR. Yorke defended the conduit IF mi.
nisters in strong terms. He was willing
to sustain his portion of the ceusure, if any
would apply but he coutended that &C.
cording to his own views the best atten
ton bad been paid to the security Of the
nation.
Mr.. o. Vansittart said, he considered
the present motion TO be an attempt to
force the ministers out of their places, and
was similar to that made in the year 1884,
which was reprobsted by every person in
the country.
The Attorney General, in a verv ami
mated speech, said that if Banararte felt
any disposition to insult and attack this
country he knew Of nothing as well call
cuated 10 induce him TO believe he may
do 1t with IMMUNITY, as the language held
on that occasion by the righ, hon. gentle.
man. (Mr. Fox.) ile rcoapitslatcd seve-
raj OF the statements Of the public force,
IN vindication Of the vigilance and ACTIVITY
Of ministers, which he argued were never
surpassed by any ministers Of this countr,,
at any period Of our hislory-For Tie
peace which was concluded, nc said every
British heart acknowledged gratitude TO
iHs ma. esty's present ministers, and TO
them is entirely owing The unanimity of