in hopes that the wrong impression would be done away by means of the same channels. (His lordship stated that the exemptions were to be allowed under the assessed taxes.) In answer to a question from Mr. Long, he observed, that the exemptions were to be allowed by a certain scale, according to the income and the number of children.

Mr. Wilberforce stated his satisfaction at this proposed regulation.

Sir J. Newport rose with peculiar satisfaction on the present occasion, as he was convinced it would be sufficient merely to state the measure of which he had given notice, to ensure the full concurrence of the House. This measure, in which he was supported by the authority of his Majesty's ministers, went to lay open the intercourse in. grain between Great Britain and Ireland, and, he trusted, it would be merely a prelude to that free interchange of every other commodity between the two countries, which was so much to be desired. With regard to grain, an article of the first necessity, there could be no doubt that one part of the United Kingdom should assist another, when ever occasion demanded it: and the only way of preventing an undue rise in the price of the commodity in any part of the country, was to remove every limit and obstruction in the way of its interchange. The measure which he should propose would place all the ports of the United' Kingdom exactly on the same footing with regard to importation or exportation, as the different ports of Great Britain were at present with regard to one another. It was. earnestly to be wished, that the Union between the two countries should become every day more close, and that the channel which divided them should no longer be considered, as a barrier, but as a bond of union, and the medium of mutual and beneficial intercourse. He then moved for. leave to bring in a bill, for making the intercourse in grain between Great Britain and Ireland free and unrestrained., The motion was ordered to be referred to a committee of the whole House on Thursday.

Mr. Foster gave notice that he would on Thursday move for certain papers respecting the corn trade of Ireland.

Sir J. Newport brought up the Irish malt and spirits duty bill. Read a first time, and ordered to be read a second on Thursday.

VOL. III. 1805-6.

F

Mr.

Mr. Windham said a few words in reply to what had fallen from the hon. member.

Lord Castlereagh then rose to move for certain papers respecting Chelsea Hospital, which he thought it extremely material for the House to be in possession of before they entered on the discussion of the proposed changes in the pensions to be given to soldiers. From these papers it would appear, that the House was called upon to new-model a benefaction which ought to have originated from the crown. The new measure would also materially affect the rights of property which had been vested in a corporate body. He then moyed, that there be laid before the House a copy of the charter and regulations of Chelsea Hospital, together with the returns of the number of in and out-pensioners, and of the expence attending them; also a statement of the revenue of the Hospital for the last year, with an account of its sources.

Mr. Alexander brought up the report on the mutiny

bill.

Mr. Sturges Bourne begged to know when the right honourable secretary intended to bring forward his bill for abolishing ballot in the militia, and for providing for the defence of the country, for the introduction of which, he had received the consent of the House full two months ago.

Mr. Windham replied, that he had already given notice of his intention of bringing them in on Thursday next.

Sir W. Elford conceived, that the mode of raising and supporting the militia by means of bounties instead of ballot, as proposed by the right hon. secretary, would destroy the very essence of the militia. At present the ballot was suspended, because the militia was not reduced to that establishment which was thought sufficient; but now they were to be placed on a very different footing; ballot was to be rejected, and bounties to be tried. This he conceived a destruction of the constitution of the militia, which was founded on the undoubted prerogative of the crown to call out a part of the community for the defence of the country. The militia service was therefore of a personal and compulsive nature. The honourable member was proceeding farther, when he was called to order by the Speaker, who observed that the subject was not at present before the House.

General

General Sir James Pulteney gave notice, that on the third reading of the bill, he should propose an amend ment, relative to confining limited service to second battalions.

The report was then received, and the bill was ordered to be read a third time on Friday next.

Lord Temple farther postponed the second reading of the American intercourse bill till Monday.

On the motion of Mr. Windham, the House resolved itself into a committee on the bill for regulating Chelsea Hospital. The report was then received, and the farther consideration of it postponed till Thursday.

The West India commissioners bill was read a second time, and ordered to a committee of the whole House on Thursday.

Mr. Hawthorne brought up the report of the committee of supply, granting four millions and a half for paying off exchequer bills of 1805, outstanding and unprovided for. A bill was ordered to be brought in pursuant to the resolution.

Adjourned till Thursday.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

THURSDAY, JUNE 5,

The Irish customs bill, the Irish revenue regulation bil, and the Irish malt bill, were read a third time and passed, and a message sent to the House of Commons to acquaint them therewith.

The property tax bill, and the Irish additional force repeal bill, were read a second time and committed for the next day.

Mr. Fawkner, clerk of the privy council, presented copies of two orders of council, relative to the commerce of Tortola, which were ordered to lie on the table, and to be printed.

The Duke of Montrose moved for some accounts respecting the commerce of Dominica, with reference to the Tortola free port bill, which were ordered.

Earl Spencer adverted to the order which stood for the next day, with reference to the motions which his noble

F2

friend

friend (Lord Grenville) had given notice of his intention to bring forward, relative to the administration of justice in Scotland. His noble friend, in consequence of indisposition, would be unable to be in his place the next day, and therefore he wished to postpone the order till the next day se'nnight, when his noble friend would probably be enabled to attend.

The order for summoning their lordships for the next day was discharged, and renewed for the next day se'nnight.

The order for the attendance of witnesses relative to the case of Mr. Justice Fox, which stood for the next day, was, on the motion of Lord Walsingham, discharged, and renewed for Wednesday next, on which day the Lords were ordered to be summoned.

Strangers were ordered to withdraw, and their lordships resumed the consideration of the evidence adduced on the trial of Lord Viscount Melville.

The judges attended, and delivered their opinion in answer to the questions referred to them on Tuesday.

The discussion afterwards continued till half past eleven o'clock, when the further consideration of the subject was deferred till the next day.

Adjourned..

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

THURSDAY, JUNE 5.

Mr. Davies Davenport took the oaths and his seat for Cheshire, in the room of Mr. Egerton deceased.

An account was presented of the balances in the hands of the collectors of the customs and excise. Ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. Meheux from the India board, presented the papers moved for, respecting the rajah of Sassnea. Ordered to lie on the table.

The customs fees abolition bill was brought up, read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Wednesday.

The consideration of the report of the Irish militia seryice bill was postponed till Monday..

The House resolved itself into a committee on the Scotch

distillery

distillery acts. Mr. Vansittart stated various inconveniences that arose from the present mode of collecting the duties on distilleries in Scotland, and concluded by moving, That they should be collected in the form mentioned in the resolutions which he was about to propose. These were handed to the chairman (Mr. Hobhouse), who took the sense of the committee, whether, as the particulars were to appear on the votes, he should then read them. The sense of the House being against reading the particulars then, the resolutions were agreed to, and the House resumed. Report the next day,

The second reading of the thread lace bill was postponed till Monday.

The Dublin paving bill was committed. Report the next day.

Mr. Foster rose, pursuant to notice, to move for papers relative to the corn trade. He accordingly moved for several accounts respecting the quantity of corn, flour, &c. imported and exported, between Great Britain and Ireland for the last twelve years, the drawbacks and bounties allowed during the same period for exports and imports of corn to and from Great Britain and Ireland, and the American colonies, together with the average prices.-Ordered.

MARQUIS WELLESLEY.

Lord Castlereagh moved for so much of a letter, dated the 4th of December 1800, of the court of directors to the Bengal government, as related to the transactions in Oude. Ordered.

Mr. Paull moved for the production of the correspondence of the Bengal government with Colonel Scott, respecting the arrangements made by Marquis Wellesley, pursuant to the treaty of Lucknow concluded in 1801. These papers had before been moved for, but there were thirteen omissions in the correspondence, all of them, in his opinion, of importance.

Lord Castlereagh, after what had passed the preceding night, trusted that he might be allowed to state how the matter stood. Strictly speaking, the late board of controul was not a party to the return at all, for it had been made by the present board, therefore if there was any thing improper in the discretion exercised, the present board was responsible. But he had no objection to state what would have been the course had they continued in

office.