the largest. He was pretty confident that the subject of the honourable gentleman's motion would form a very principal feature in the plan of defence now in the contemplation of his right honourable friend, not now in his place (Mr. Windham), who was certainly as anxious to bring his plan forward, and felt as much regret for the unavoidable delay that had occurred, as any other member of that House. As to the objects of his honourable friend's flan, he should think it premature to say more at present; but he could assure the House, that no delay had occurred that was at all avoidable, and he hoped that in a very few days his right honourable friend would be able to bring his plan forward.

Mr. Sturges Bourne hoped the right honourable gentleman would not bring forward his plan without timely notice. Indeed, as it had not come forward sooner, and so considerable a number of gentlemen must be absent during the assizes, who would wish to be present at the discussion of such a measure, he thought it would be desirable to postpone it till after the recess.

Mr. Fox expressed his hope that his right honourable friend would be able, in his place, the next day, to give notice of the day on which he should be ready to bring his plan forward, and if not, then on Saturday, if the House should be disposed to sit on that day. But with respect to the suggestion of postponing the proposition of the plan until after the recess, he did not think that could be neces

as it would be desirable to make some progress with the least possible delay, and to bring forward any bills on the subject that might be thought necessary then.

Mr. Yorke's motion was then put, and carried in the affirmative.

IMPEACHMENT.

Mr. Whitbread acquainted the House that he had, pursuant to their order, carried to the bar of the Lords their resolutions of the preceding day, respecting their attendance as a committee of the whole House on the trial of Lord Melville.

The Attorney-general moved that a committee be appointed to examine in the Lords' journals their proceedings on the late bill respecting the legality of obliging persons to give testimoney before the committee of impeachment in the case of Lord Melville. Ordered accordingly.

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At the request of Mr. Hiley Addington, Mr. Huddleston postponed, till Monday, his motion for India papers, of which he had given notice for this day.

Mr. Paull also postponed his motion until the same day; for which also Mr. H. Thornton gave notice of an intended motion, for the copy of a letter from Sir George Barlow to Lord Lake.

Mr. Secretary Fox, pursuant to his notice of a former day, moved, that the deputy clerk of the crown be ordered forthwith to attend at the bar.

Upon his appearance, Mr. Fox moved, that he be asked whether any return had been made to him by the returning officers for the election at Waterford, in consequence of the writ last issued for the election of a representative for that

city?

The question being answered in the negative,

Mr. Fox moved, that Mr. James Wallace and Mr. Reddish, sheriffs of Waterford, do attend the bar of the House on Monday fortnight. .

Mr. Lee, with great deference to the right honourable gentleman, begged leave to suggest, that although delay had occurred in the necessary return, still, on enquiry, it might turn out that no blame justly attached any where, and that the delay might be owing to some cause wholly different from either neglect or intention on the part of the sherifls. He begged leave to observe, therefore, that as a previous enquiry had been directed to the clerk of the hanaper here, it might also be expedient to direct a similar enquiry to the clerk of the crown and hanaper in Ireland, to ascertain whether any return had been made to his office by the sheriffs of Waterford, before those gentlemen were put under the necessity of performing a journey of six hundred miles, upon a business on which it might turn out they were not culpable.

Mr. Fox most readily acquiesced in the suggestion of the honourable gentleman, withdrew his motion, and substituted another, "That the clerk of the crown and hauaper in Ireland be directed to communicate forthwith, whether any return had been made to him, in answer to the writ to him directed for the election of a member for Waterford, and at what time such return was made." Mr. Fox, at the same time, intimated, that if it should appear, that any great or extraordinary

traordinary delay had occurred before the making of such return, he should hold the sheriffs of Waterford answerable.

COMMISSIONERS OF NAVAL REVISION.

Mr. Giles rose, in consequence of his notice, to move for a more particular account of the expences of the commissioners for revising the civil affairs of the navy. This appeared necessary from the papers already on the table on this subject. The admiralty board observing 20,000!. in the estimates, which purported to be for the expence of the commission, wrote to the commissioners for an account of the application, or intended application of that sum. The answer certainly was not satisfactory. He therefore moved, that there should be laid before the House an account of the particular items of the sums of 10,000l. for 1805, and 10,000/. for 1806, stated to the admiralty board by the commissioners for revising the civil affairs of the navy, together with the charges upon them, the expences incurred, and the sums allowed.

Mr. Wilberforce seconded the motion, and said the account upon the table was by no means the kind of account intended by the original motion.

Mr. Dickinson answered, that the error arose from the mistake of the mover, in asking for one thing though intending another, and not from any error, or evasion, on the part of those who made out the return. The motion called for an account of the mode of expenditure, actual or intended.

Mr. Whitbread said there was no mistake in the wording of the motion which he had made, and which spoke certainly what he intended. He wished to obtain a statement of the items of expenditure, and not such a round account of expence, as for 1805, 10,000l. and for 1806, 10,000. The commissioners, he understood lately, were to have salaries; he wished to know the amount of those salaries, and of other charges in the expenditure of so considerable a

sum.

Mr. Giles's motion was then put and carried. Adjourned.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28.

Heard counsel on the Scotch appeal "Johnstone v. Stott,"

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Stott," which was ordered to be farther proceeded in on Monday.

Lord Grenville brought down a message from his Majesty, stating his intention of settling a pension of 10001. a year, for life, on Sir J. Duckworth, and desiring their lordships' concurrence in the measures requisite to carry his royal intention into effect. The message was ordered to lie on the table, and to be taken into consideration on Monday next, for which day the House was ordered to be summoned.

The Newfoundland judicature bill, Cape of Good Hope commerce regulation bill, and several private bills, were received from the Commons, and read a first time.

The one million and a half, and the ten millions and a half exchequer bills bills, and felons' transportation bill, were read a third time, and passed.

Adjourned till Monday.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28.

The sheriff of London presented a petition from the lord mayor, aldermen, and common council, against the London coal admeasurement bill, now pending. Ordered to lie on the table.

A person from the board of naval revision presented, pursuant to the order of the preceding day, particulars of the expenditure of 20,00001. for the uses of the said commissioners for the years 1805 and 1806. Ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. Vansittart presented a variety of documents relating to commodities imported and exported, and charged with customs or excise duties, with their net produce for various periods; which were referred to the committee of ways and

means.

Lord Temple, on moving the order of the day for the second reading of the fishery bounty continuance bili, observed, that it was merely intended by this bill to continue the bounties on the same footing as established under his Majesty's late ministers; but that as speedily as possible after the recess, it was his intention to bring forward a bill for the more general encouragement of the British fisheries. The bill was read the second time, and committed for the next day.

SIR JOHN THOMAS DUCKWORTII.

Lord Henry Petty brought down a message from his Majesty to the following effect:

That his Majesty being desirous of conferring a signal mark of his favour and approbation on Vice-Admiral Sir John Thomas Duckworth, for the eminent services performed by him in the action of the 6th of February with an enemy's fleet, wherein all their line of battle ships were taken or destroyed: and wishing to reward the valour and skill displayed by him on that occasion, recommended to his faithful Commons to enable him to make a provision for the said Vice-Admiral Sir J. Duckworth, by settling upon him an annuity of 10001. yearly, for the term of his natural life."

On the motion of Lord Henry Petty, this message was ordered to be taken into consideration on Monday next.

LORD NELSON.

Lord Henry Petty then gave notice, that he should immediately after the holidays bring forward a motion for the provision of the family of the late Lord Viscount Nelson.

THE BUDGET.

The House having resolved itself into a committee of supply,

Lord Henry Petty rose to state the supplies that would be necessary for the year, and the ways and means that were proposed to meet them. He felt that a very arduous duty was imposed upon him, and he trusted he should receive, as he was conscious he should require, the whole attention and indulgence of the House. He should not go to any length in observations, and much less in speculations, not only from fear of detaining the House unnecessarily, but because he knew how infinitely more important and interesting a plain statement of facts must be, than any speculation in which he might otherwise feel disposed to indulge. He should therefore give an ample statement of facts, and, contrary to the common course, he should begin by a statement of the financial situation of the country, both at present and for some years back. It was necessary that gentlemen should carry that knowledge in their minds, to enable them better to judge of the measures that should be now proposed. He should first state the amount of the na‐