Tuesday, Feb. 7.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent rose to notice a report which had gone forth, namely, that he was at variance with the Duke of York, in conHis sequence of the late charges. royal highness thought it incumbent on him to contradict such a statement, as it was void of foundation; on the contrary, his royal highness expressed his belief that the charges alluded to could not he proved.

The Earl of Grosvenor rose to move, "That the house should resolve itself into a committee, to inquire into the state of the nation, and the conduct of ministers." If it should be the sense of the house in a committee, that ministers had failed in their duty, his lordship would then move an address to his Majesty to remove them from his royal councils. His lordship then traced the origin of the present war to the revolution in France, and he lamented that the situation. of Europe presented no prospect of a lasting and honourable peace. His lordship attributed the misfortunes which had occurred so recently in Spain, to the treaty of Cintra, which ministers had received with a wrong impression. After the British armies had joined in Spain, it was too late to think of rendering the Spaniards any effectual aid against the numerous armies of France. A retreat was then advisable, and government had the

VOL. V.

means of ordering the troops to embark; but the evil genius of ministers promp ted them to order the troops to advance. The retreat was so rapid, and the priva tions of the troops so great, that officers were obliged to walk without shoes or stockings, and the army was nearly in a ferings. The noble Lord then entered state of mutiny, occasioned by their sufinto a detail of our loss of artillery, horses, and men, during the retreat, with other disasters attached to the army previous to the repulse of the enemy at Corunna, His lordship lamented that so much British valour was so unnecessarily displayed.

After several members had delivered their sentiments, Lord Mulgrave said, his Majesty's ministers were disposed to give ample explanation upon every topic in which their conduct should be questioned, but the house must feel that it was impossible to proceed to an enquiry into the state of the nation, without further information, and that information would not be withheld. That the country was exposed to dangers was manifest, but those dangers had been brought upon us, not by the misconduct of ministers, but by the hatred and ambition of the enemy. England, he said, could not retreat; she must maintain her station, or sink beneath the power of that individual who sought to enslave her.

The Lord Chancellor at length put the question, when the motion for going into a committee upon the state of the nation was negatived without a division, and the house adjourned to Thurs

day.

[In the course of the above debate it was unequivocally stated by some no◄ Chancellor and Lord Erskine, that the ble lords, and particularly by the Lord existing laws, with respect to the PRESS, were quite sufficient and effectual for

Lord Moira called the attention of the house to the evils resulting from the present mode of process in actions for debt. He did not wish to put an end to arrests in mesne process, but he thought the old practice should be revived, of making the plaintiff give a real pledge to prosecute his suit to a final judgment, with the least possible delay. It was also his wish to make a distinction between the case of the fraudulent and the unfortunate debtor. His lordship accordingly moved, that a committee be appointed to examine into the present practice of imprisonment for civil debts, and the consequences thereof.

The motion was agreed to, and the committee was ordered to sit on Monday.

The house on Friday, Feb. 10. and on Monday, Feb. 13, to Friday Feb. 17, were employed in reading the bills in course; several notices of motions were given which passed without any debate.

Friday, Feb. 17.

Lord Grenville then rose, on the order of the day being read, to make his motion on the orders in council. His lordship observed, that it was still in the recollection of the house that he had formerly deprecated the effect produced by the orders in council on the commercial interests of the country. It was unnecessary to add, that those measures were a violation of the law of nations. Ministers might have done what it was the interest of the country to do, namely, repeal those orders: they had, however, persisted in a line of policy the most injurious to a free government. His lordship then took a comprehensive view of the relative situation of the two countries, and contended that a perseverance in the same measures was equivalent to saying to the Americans "All your property shall be brought to England, and you shall pay a duty." Such language was highly irritating to the Americans, many of whom were impressed with a belief that England intended to regain possession of that country. His lordship then observed that the only ad

vantage gained over the trade of France, which ministers vaunted would alone enable them to carry on the war was, as appeared by the return of the duties, the sum of $0,000l. retaliation, which had been assumed as the foundation of the orders in council, was unjust :we might upon that principle, place & prince on the throne of any country subject to our power, because Bonaparte had placed his brother on the throne of Spain. His lordship calculated the loss in exports from different parts of the kingdom, in consequence of the above orders, to amount to 14 millions sterling; and concluded with an address, recommending conciliatory mea sures towards America, and the res cinding of the orders in council.

Lord Bathurst remarked, with much warmth, that it would have been more manly to have proposed an address to remove ministers at once, than by a side-wind to impeach them for miscon duct. He denied that our trade had suffered in the degree mentioned, by the orders, and said the aggression to America rested with France, whose decrees against commerce were still unrepealed.

The Earls of Liverpool, and Melville, and the Lord Chancellor opposed the address, which was supported by Lords Sidmouth, Auckland, Erskine, &c. The house then divided on Lord Grenville's motion, when there appeared-Contents 31, Proxies 39-70. Non-contents 64, Proxies 51-115. Majority 45.-Adjourned to Monday.

Monday, Feb. 20.

The order of the day being read for the second reading of the militia establishment bill.

The Earl of Liverpool rose, for the purpose of calling their lordship's attention to the propriety of introducing' the present bill. The number of our disposable force, including the cavalry, amoun ted to about 210,000; but, although it might be esteemed a very effective army, still it was necessary to recruit a number of battalions which were not complete. Having stated shortly a few more observations upon the expediency of the bill, he thought there could be no objection to its being read a second time.

The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed to mor

row.

Tuesday, Feb. 21.

The committee of privileges proceeded in the Banbury Peerage. The malt duty bill, the 1,500,000l. and 10,500,0001. Exchequer bilis bill, were read a third time, and passed. The militia enlist ment bill passed through a committee with amendments.-Ordered to be reported.

Wednesday, Feb. 22.

The royal assent was notified by 'commission to the ten million exchequer

bills' bill, the one million and half exchequer bills' bill, and to the malt and pension duty bills.-The debtors' indemnity bill was read a third time and passed.

Thursday, Feb. 23.

The Earl of Buckinghamshire renewed his motion for taking into consideration the state of Portugal, and also moved for papers connected with the subject, and for copies of all requisitions for assistance sent by the juntas of Oporto and Algarve. Ordered.-The militia enlistment bill was read a third time, and passed.

Friday, Feb. 24.

Three private bills from the commons were presented, and the, Irish enlistment militia bill read for the first time.

Monday, Feb. 27.

The Earl of Darnley said, it appeared to him, from looking at the votes of the house of commons, it was likely the bill respecting the distilleries in the North of Ireland would speedily be brought into that house. He considered it a measure highly injurious to the interests of the united kingdom, but particularly to those of Ireland. He also wished it might also be understood it was his intention to oppose that bill being passed into a law; and he trusted that he should be enabled to state those objections, which would convince their lordships of the injurious consequences which must result from such a measure. After some routine business, the house adjourned.

Tuesday, Feb. 28.

The proceedings relative to the Banbury Peerage were resumed, and ordered to be continued on Friday next.

Counsel was heard in behalf of Mr. Campbell, suing for a divorce. This cause had been already suspended, on account of a deficiency in the evidence brought forward to prove Mr. Camp bell's marriage.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Friday, Feb. 10,

Mr. G. Smith, pursuant to notice, rose to move for a committee to inquire into the abuses of East India Patronage. The directors unanimously concurred in the propriety of the motion, and agreed that the Mr. Donovan) ought not to be alstatement made this morning (by lowed to pass over without some attention to the circumstances which were there related. He concluded by moving "That a select comabuses in the disposal of appointmittee be appointed to inquire into ments either civil or military, under the East India company--and into the existence of negociations for rendering these the subject of sale and bargain, and report with their observations to the house."

Mr. C. Grant seconded the motion, and stated, that in conse quence of advertisements in the papers relative to the sale of such appointments, The Directors themselves had, in the year 1800, taken up the business till their inquiries had been interrupted by a SUPERIOR POWER, contrary to the opinions of a majority of the Directors, as they had some prospect of fixing upon these appointments! These abuses had been a subject of much anxiety to the directors, who would be ready to give every assistance to this inquiry.

Mr. G. Smith said, that though it was usual for the mover to be one of the members of a committee, he begged, on this occasion, to be excused. He mentioned fifteen members for the committee, among whom were-Mr. M. Pitt, Mr. Yorke, Mr. Bankes, Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. Whitbread, Mr. Abercrombie, Mr. Bathurst, Mr. W. Bootle, Mr. Tierney, Mr. Elliot, and Mr. Lascelles.-Motion agreed to.

The house then resolved itself into a commitice, to investigate the charges against the Duke of York.

Mr. Wardle said, he wished to call the attention of the committee to some letters between Mrs. Clarke and Mr. Jere. Donovan. He should, however, be highly pleased, were Mr. Finnerty called to the bar, as he was said to be connected with him in the charges against the Duke of York. He had no communication with any man on the subject of these charges. He had been charged with a conspiracy against his royal highness, but he defied even malignity it self to fasten such a charge on him. He ought not to endure such a slur upon his character; he would pledge himself to establish nearly every charge he had originally stated against the commander in chief. Mr. Wardle then produced the let ters from Mr. Donovan to Mrs. Clarke, alluded to on Thursday evening; and Mr. Donovan being called in, acknowledged them to be of his hand writing.-Read by the

Clerk.

Charles-street, Oct. 18, 1808. "My dear Madam,-The deanery of Hereford is vacant, and in the sole gift of the Duke of Portland. Can you procure it for the Rev. T. Glasse? I would give 10001. myself to procure it for him without his knowledge. I understand it must be filled up on Saturday; I can confidently assure you that he is an ele. gant scholar, a warm friend, and a man of good fortune, and excellent connections, being well known to the Dukes of Cumberland and Cambridge. The money will be deposited on Wednesday next for the landing waiter's place; the salary of which is 400l. a year, and 1000l. is offered for it. J. DONOVAN."

Churles-street, Oct. 20, 1808. "My dear Madam,-Some friends of the Rev. T. Beazley are desirous of procuring him some promotion in the church. The vacant deanery of Salisbury appears to offer an advantageous opportunity for that purpose. Application must be made to the Duke of Portland. Some Ladies at the head of whom is Lady Cardigan, have subscribed 2000 guineas, which sum is ready to be deposited. Mr. Beazley has been introduced to the Queen, by whom he was favourably received, in consequence of

his having written a pamphlet, called The Claims of the Roman Catholics constitutionally considered." He is chaplain to the Duke of Gloucester and to the Bishop of Lincoln, and is strongly recommended by the Marquis of Titchfield, and the Bishops of Norwich and Salisbury. From the estimation in which he is held, the Ladies are very anxions on the subject, and at the same time are desirous that the affair may be in order to afford him an agreeable suraccomplished without his knowledge, prise. They are even willing that their agency should remain a secret, and that his Grace should have the whole merit of selecting a man of such distinguished ability and virtue.

I am, &c. J. DONOVAN." Charles-street, Nov. 16, 1808. "My dear Madam,-The Inspectorship of Customs is now vacant, and I learn that it is in the gift of the Duke of Dorset. I hope that you will endea vour to procure it for Mr. II. Tobin, whom you have already expressed your inclination to serve. I will wait on you upon this subject at any time that you may appoint. Can you procure the Paymastership of a 2d Battalion for 5001. ?

I am &c. J. DONOVAN. Charles-street, Dec. 14, 1808. "My dear Madam,-I regret very much that I did not see you on Saturday evening; but my wound is extremely painful. I am daily applied to respecting the Savannah le Mar business. Is it 13001. sterling, or Jamaica currency Can you procure the landing waiter's place by Wednesday next. I shall see about the paymastership of the 2d bat talian, and dine with you to-morrow, if I can bear the motion of the carriage.

J. DONOVAN."

gave to Mrs. Clarke, who looked it over, and said it was all right. The Duke of York was present both when he was sent out, and when he returned. The witness accounted for this contradiction to his former testimony, by stating that when examined before, he laboured under a violent head-ache, which greatly impaired his memory.

The Attorney-General read a letter from Gen. Clavering, who wished to be examined, in consequence of what had passed the previous night, in order to impeach Mrs. Clarke's veracity-He was accordingly called in, but his evidence was very unsatisfactory; as he admitted on cross-examination, that she never deceived him, nor did he know any thing to impeach her varacity that he only wished her not to summon him in her behalf.

The Marquis of Titchfield entered into an explanation of the conduct of a noble relative of his (the Duke of Portland), respecting Mr. Beazley's application for the deanery of Salisbury this gentleman grounded his claim on having written several pamphlets in defence of the ministry. His grace, however, not only desired that he might be never admitted to Portland house, but wrote to the bishop of London on the subject, and inclosed Mr. Beazley's very improper letter in it.

Mr. Donovan was called in.-In March 1804, Captain Sandon called on him, and told him he could get him a majority for any officer. He mentioned the name of Capt. Tonyn, who wanted a majority; and the terms were to be 5001. In the year 1805 he found that Captain Tonyn was promoted. This he did not know for 12 months, till informed by Mrs. Clarke that she was the person who obtained that promotion for Major Tonyn. Mrs. Clarke told him she had received the money for his majority in the 31st. regiment, from Captain Sandon. Capt. S. told

witness he could obtain various promotions. A Major Shaw had applied for a lieutenant-colonelcy; but could not get it through this channel. A lady, a Mrs Hovenden, told him she had a power to obtain promotions. She introduced Maj. Shaw to Mrs Clarke, The witness received 251. for the introduction of Major Tonyn to Capt. Sandon.

Being asked to what extent Mrs. Clarke told him, in November last, that she dealt in the sale of commissions; he said he could not answer the question without disclosing the names of many persons she had mentioned. She said then, if the duke did not come into her terms, by paying the debts and annuity, she would soon have him ousted from his command; after which he must retire to Oatlands, where he would soon cut his throat. She said to witness, she would provide for him, if he assisted her; and that she should then have a carte blanche, and deal more extensively than ever she had done before. She mentioned the names of one or two persons who had offered her money for papers against the duke. She said that Sir Francis Burdett had offered her 40001. for the papers she had. Another per son was Capt. Dodd, of the Duke of Kent's establishment.

Captain Sandon was next called in, and stated the history of Major Tonyn's promotion. He told Mrs. Clarke that 5001. was offered by Capt. Tonyn for a majority. She desired that the bargain might be closed immediately.-Mr. Donovan said to him, that Capt. Tonyn was tired of the delay that took place, and very angry at his promotion being delayed, and desired his security might be given up, as his father, Gen. Tonyn, had obtained a pro mise of the majority from the Duke of York. He told this to Mrs. Clarke, who said that Tonyn was a shabby fellow, and must wait a little longer. Shortly after the promotion was Ga