Mr. Moore observed that he did not rise to oppose the bill, but he wished that it should be more perfect than it was. The suspension had at first taken place only for six months, before the end of which time it was expected that this business, would have been settled; but it was still in the same situation as at the beginning. He had no objection to suspend the operations of the act against such encroachments as had already taken place, but it was fair, that while the suspension continued, no farther encroachment should be allowed, till the House came to a decision. He hoped that the members of counties who supported the FEW, would concede thus far to him who supported the MANY. His object was to put the question to rest for the present.

Mr. Lascelles thought himself called upon to say a few words, in consequence of the allusion of the honourable gentleman to the FEW and the MANY. He disclaimed all party views in this business. It was a subject of too much importance to admit of them. There were thirteen or fourteen statutes regulating that trade, made at an early period, most of which were not applicable to it in its present state, and doubts were entertained as to the propriety of the rest. All he wished was to have the affair investigated by government as a great question of national policy. The honourable gentleman's mode of putting the question to rest was somewhat curious, for his clause would allow prosecutions to be carried ou against those who should enter hereafter, according to the common course of the trade, A committee would be appointed as carly as possible to settle the whole business.

Mr. Wilberforce also thought it necessary to enter his protest against any party views, such as might be inferred from the honourable gentleman's allusion to the supporters of the few and the supporters of the many, He thought the interests of the few and the many, in this case, perfectly consistent. It was the obvious interest of both labourers and masters that the trade should flourish. The honourable gentleman did not observe perhaps, that he was counsel for many master manufacturers, who carried on the trade on a small scale in their own houses, and amidst their own families, exhibiting a picture of industry, comfort, morality, and independence, of which they who had not seen them could scarcely form an idea. Ife did not wish to impair these, but to advance

them; not, however, by extending restrictions, but in that manner in which the interests of commerce could best be promoted. He wished the affair to undergo the fullest elucidation on an early day, and to this discussion none could come with a more sincere desire of doing justice to all parties than himself. He knew them so well that he could venture to say, that whatever, after mature deliberation, might be the decision of Parliament, they would acquiesce in it.

Mr. Brooke hoped that no impediment would be thrown in the way of the final settlement of this business, which had been now two years before the House, His object was to promote the interests of all parties. He hoped the honourable gentleman would not insist on his clause.

Lord Temple felt the sincerest regret that the business had been left so long undecided. The object of ministers was to finish it as soon as possible; and he before stated that this bill was brought in for the purpose of suspending the affair till a committee could be appointed for its investigation. He meant to give notice of a motion for such a committee on Friday next. He objected to the clause, as it had a reference to a point on which the House had to decide.

Mr. Moore thought that he might safely consent to withdraw his clause, after the candid statement of the noble lord, whose object was the same as his own--namely, to have this business brought to a speedy conclusion. The county members might perhaps relish the distinction of employers and employed, better than the few and the many. The employed had constantly attended with a view to forward this affair; but he saw no such anxiety on the part of the employers.

Mr. Wilberforce said that his opinion was confirmed, that the honourable gentleman was not aware of the exact description under which many of his clients came. He was in fact pleading for the bulk of the master manufac

-turers.

The clause was then withdrawn.

Report the next day.

Lord Temple gave notice that he would on Friday next move for a committee to examine into the state of the woollen manufacture.

sary expences in the election of members of parliament. It enacted that no money should, directly or indirectly, be given to electors, as travelling expences, or as a compensation for loss of time, or for meat or drink, or under any other pretence whatsoever.-It was read a first time, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Tierney said, that if there was no objection, he would moved that this bill be read a second time on Friday se'nnight.

Mr. Hurst thought that as it in some measure contained an alteration of the law, the second reading ought to be postponed for a week longer. He had no objection to the principle.

Mr. Rose thought it contained no alteration of the law, but was a mere explanatory bill.

Mr. Hurst explained, and Mr. Tierney, after stating that the matter had already been a fortnight before the House, moved that the bill be read a second time on Friday se'nnight.-Ordered.

The American treaty bill was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time next day.

On the motion for the second reading of the American wool bill, Lord Temple stated, that he had some clauses to propose in the committee to remove certain objections which might be made to it.

Mr. Harrison observed, that these would remove his doubts. After which the bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Friday.

Mr. W. Pole gave notice, that he would on Tuesday move for certain papers respecting India and the Rajah of Bhurtpore, in consequence of the papers moved by the honourable gentleman over the way (Mr. Paull).

Lord Collingwood's annuity bill was reported, and ordered to be read a third time the next day.

The corn exportation bill was read a third time and passed.

The mutiny bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed the next day.

Mr. Alexander brought up the report on the Indian judicature lists. Among the names returned were those of Mr. Lascelles, Mr. Giles, Mr. Fellowes, Mr. Shaw Le Fevre, Mr. D. Erskine, Mr. Adams, Mr. Morton Pitt, Mr. Hawkins Browne, Mr. Morris, Mr. Perceval, Sir William Geary,

Geary, Mr. Foster, Mr. Archdale, Lord Louvaine, Mr. Plomer, &c.

General Tarleton moved that the ordnance estimates for 1806, presented by Mr. Calcraft; should be printed.

Mr. Vansittart had no objection, but he hoped it would not be expected they should be printed immediately, on account of other business.

General Tarleton observed, that he had no wish to impede public business.-Ordered to be printed.

Mr. Corry was sorry that he had not been present during the commitment of the Irish clergy residence bill, but gave notice that on the report he would move for some amendments to guard the rights of patrons.

Mr. Paull moved for a copy of the protest in 1803, of the chairman of the court of directors of the East India company, against the measures pursued in Oude, which led to the treaty of 1801, which was approved of by the secret committee, as appeared from their minutes.Agreed to.

The other orders were then disposed of.-Adjourned.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

THURSDAY, MARCH 13.

The committee of privileges sat again for some time on the claims to the barony of Roos. The solicitor-general, on behalf of Lady Henry Fitzgerald; Sir Vicary Gibbs, on behalf of the Duke of Rutland; and the attorney-general on the part of the crown, were severally heard. After which the further consideration was postponed till the 28th March.

IMPEACHMENT OF LORD MELVILLE:

Lord Auckland called the attention of their lordships to the further article of impeachment against Lord Melville, with respect to which, he said, the first impression of his mind was, that it ought to be received. He was glad that the House had afterwards referred it to the committee ap pointed to search for precedents of their lordships' pro ceedings in cases of impeachment, as much information was in consequence derived from the committee on the subject. He would not now trouble the House with rend ing the report of the committee, but should merely rer VOL. I. 1805-6.

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to three cases which were analogous to the present. The first was the case of Lord Strafford; the second that of the Lord Mayor of London, in 1643, who, after putting in an answer to articles of impeachment, also pleaded to further articles, which were subsequently sent up from the Commons; the third case was that of Lord Danby, in which it was expressly stated, that time should be allowed him to plead to the articles of impeachment preferred against him, or to any further article which might be presented. It was therefore clear that the principle of calling upon persons impeached to answer to any further articles of impeachment which might be sent up from the Commons, was recognised by precedent. As to what would have been the effect if Lord Melville had entered a special plea to the articles first presented, whether he could then be called upon to answer a further article, he would not discuss the question, it not being before the House, the plea of that noble lord having been a general one of not guilty. In the motion, however, which he intended to make, he wished to give Lord Melville the opportunity of either demurring to the further article, of withdrawing his general plea and pleading specially, or of pleading generally to the further article. He concluded by moving, "That a copy of the further article of impeachment be communicated to Lord Viscount Melville, and that he do put in his answer to the same on the next day fortnight." Ordered.

The further article was ordered to be printed.

The corn exportation bill, the Irish duties bill, the foreign troops bill, the royal marine mutiny bill, and the Greenland whale-fishery bill, were severally read a second time, and commitied for the next day.

Lord Henry Petty, and several other members of the House of Commons, brought up Lord Collingwood's annuity bill, and a private bill, which were severally read a first time. Adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

THURSDAY, MARCH 13.

Mr. Staniforth presented a petition from the maltsters at Kingston upon Hull, praying to be relieved from certain

embarrassments