The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-05-26
Gurope
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF COMMONS, March as.
CAUSES OF THE LATE CHANGE IN ApmI
EISTRATI0N.

Change Of the Brifj6 Minjary--- We have al
| ready publiihed the Speech of Lord Howick, in
the Houfe OF Commons, detailing the caufes
which led to the change of Minftry. AS there
was no member of the New Administration pre-
lent, there was no counter tatcment given in
that houfe. In the Houfe of Lords, the fame
evening, Lord Grenvle gave limiar narrative
10 that OF Lord Howlck, together with brief
dlicuiiion OF the merits of the fuhjett Lord
plymouth followed with farther explanations.
Lord Hawkeibury, ROW Secretary of State. then
roie, and in the following Speech corrected the
ftatemcnts of Lord Grenylle and Lord Sid
mouth.
LORD HAWKEssvRY was fully feniibIe of the
dehcacy OF the queftion before the Houfe: he
felt the decacy of the difcufion when oueC-
ton was at lhue between a iubie Ct and his So
vereign. 1t was not for him to decide whether
or not this difcufiion could have been avoided.
Much had been iad by the Noble Baron and
the Noble Vhcount ofthe publications that had
taken place on this fubjeet. OF thefe he knew
hothing, and felt as rGuch regret as any perfon
mat incn hatements Mould have found their
way to the public. But he mutt obferye, that
previous TO his having any knowledge of the
traniaetion, there had been many rumours in
circulation, directly contrary TO the faet, and
proved to be 10 by the famp Of the Noble Bar
onet hmielt, which had proceeded, no doubt,
from individuals not connected with his Ma.
Jety's Government. Under thefe crcumflan.
ces, he had thought it his duty to reoueft the
permiiiion of his Sovereign, after notice of the
Noble Baron's intention had been given, TO
communicate the whole circumstances of the
Gale to his friends, in ORDER that if this difcuf-
non mould unfortunately come on, they might
De prepared to meet it, ard to Rate, on the
part OF His Majefy, what were thofs principles.
nd RI he
and the interefts of the Empire, that had induc-
ed him to adopt the courfe which he had taken.
The Catholic fubiett was not new one. II
had often been under confederation, and had
ABOUT two years fince, after the mott ample
dIicuiiIon in both Houfes OF Parliament, been
decided upon by the Target maiorities ever
known, coDfidering the character and talents of
the Perfons who had brought it forward. The
Noble Baron bad ftated what would be the
effect OF the meaiure, both as to its immediate
reinlt, and with reference to its future confe
quences but ne ihould beg leave to Fate what
bad been the feelings Of that luxurious perfon
(Mr PfTT,) whole virtues, character, and un-
riVdjled abilities, were universally admired, be-
loved, and revered, but who unfortunately
was then no more. upon this fubied. When
that dIitinguifhed Perfon had come laa into
ONCE, though he had before withdrawn from
MS public htuation in confequence of this mea-
fure, yet knowing the honelt contentious
principles that prevailed againft it, principles
which ought to be upheld in any quarter, but
It'll more IN that exalted quarter in which they
exllted, he had not in confequence of any
pledge demanded of him, but voluntarily en-.
gagged not to bring forward the queaion. He
itated this asa fact known to himlelf, and not
as areproach to the Noble Baron he hated
merely what bad been the opinion and feeling
upon this fubjed Of 70 high an authority, for
which the Noble Baron mu(t entertain az high
refPed as himfef. He bad lefs difficulty in
Rating this, becauie he had always differed from
his late Right Hon. Friend upon this queton,
which he bad always eaimated on the merits.
tie agreed entirely with the Noble Vlfcount,
that If the policy purified nboud not be Ready
on this head, they would be continually TO-
menting troubles and dhcontents. WhilR he
was ready to admit that 40 ordinary law mould