MAY 25.

From 4 until 11 the Houfe did nothing but debate on the queftion of order or priority in which petitions complaining of undue elections fhould be heard; and upon each of 16 or 20petitions there was at least one debate, which being carried on rather irregularly, feveral members fpoke feveral times in cach debate. Mr. Fox prefented a petition from himfelf, complaining of an undue return for Westminster.

But

Lord Mulgrave moved, "That it is the opinion of this Houfe, that the faid petition does not come under any one of the defcriptions of petitions which, under Mr. Grenville's Act, are to be referred to felect committees." His Lordfhip faid that no petitions under that act could be referred to committees, which did not complain of undue returns made of members; but in the cafe of Westminster, no members had been returned, and therefore the petition could not be entertained.

The question was put, after fome debate, and lord Mulgrave's motion was carried without a divifion.

Another petition from Mr. Fox was then brought up by Col. Fitzpatrick, complaining of the conduct of the High Bailiff of Weftminiter, in making the fpecial return then before the Houfe, and praying that he might be heard by his counfel in fupport of the petition. The prayer of the petition was granted, and Friday next was appointed for hearing counfel; on which day the High Bailit, who had been all this day in waiting, was ordered to attend.

The next bufinefs was balloting for committees for the following elections, which are to be heard as under:

Pontefract, June 8
Ipfwich,
St. Michael,

Downton,

Bedfordshire,

Bridgewater,

Ilcheiter,

Colchester, Lyme Regis,

Ashburton,

10

15

Kirkwall, July 15

Saltafh,

Oakhampton,

17 Cricklade, 22 Middlefex,

20

22

27

29

Aug. 3

5

24

Lancaster,

8

6

Newport, Hants, 19

--

8

The Sheriffs of London prefented at the bar a petition from the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, against the Receipt-Tax, praying that it might be repealed.

Alderman Sawbridge obferved that he had, a fhort time before the diffolution of Parliament, understood from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that it was his intention to move for a Committee to be appointed to confider of the beft method of obtaining a more equal reprefentation; he hoped the right hon. gentleman would bring that mat ter forward as carly as potfile.

Mr. Pitt replied, that if the worthy Alderman meant that as a precife queftion, whether he would move for a committee to be appointed precifely the fame as was done before, he could not give him a precife anfwer: He affured him, that he was well convinced a reform in Parliament was neceffary, but he was not certain which was the best way to accomplish it. He hoped that his conduct would prove the fincerity of his profeffions; but whether the pre ent was the best period to make a motion in, he was at a lofs to know; therefore he could not give any direct anfwer, nor would he pledge himfelf to any particular motion.

The order of the day was read for the Houfe to take into confideration the petition of the hon. C. J. Fox. refpecting the conduct of the High Bailiff of Westminster, at the late election, when counfel attended, and feveral witnefles were examined.

A petition from the electors of Knaref borough, complaining of bribery, &c. was ordered to be taken into confideration on the 16th of September with the other Petition.

Alfo received and read a petition for an undue election for Ashburton. To be heard, with Sir Ralph Payne's, on the 8th of July.

The order of the day was read for going into a Committee of Supply; and it being a new feflion, and the first day of fupply, it was neceflary that a chairman for the committee fhould be elected. The minifterial fide of the Houfe cried out, "Mr. Gilbert, "Mr. Gilbert." The oppofition as loudly, "Mr. Ord, Mr. Ord." On which

Mr. Fox rofe and remarked, that he never was more aftonish'd in his life than to fee party matters carried to fuch a pitch as to turn out a gentleman (Mr. Ord) from an office which he had held with honour and ability for several parliaments under different adminiftrations; but he plainly faw it was the intention of Miniftry, inflead of reducing the influence of the Crown, to increase it. by appointing to every place of emolument (even in the gift of that Houfe) perfons who they thought would fupport them in all their meafures. He remarked that the place of Chairman of the Committee of Supply had never been confidered an object fufficient to be made a party question of before; and as there was no complaint of want of ability or integrity in the late worthy Chain man, he thought the appointment of a new one was extremely wrong and unprecedented.

Mr. Pitt replied, that he knew nothing of party bufinefs in the question; that every new parliament was at liberty to choofe its own officers; and although Mr. Ord had undoubtedly filled the place with ability, Mr. Gilbert was equally eligible if the Houfe thought proper.

The Speaker then put the question, whether Mr. Gilbert fhould take the chair, which

was carried without a divifion.

Mr. Brett, without any preface, moved, that 26,000 seamen, including 4,495 ma

rines, be voted for the fervice of the prefent year.

Sir Thomas Frankland complained, that lately the fervice had been much hurt by a number of boys being made both Lieute nants and Captains, and appointed to ftations they were totally unfit for.

Sir J. Jervis ftated, that at present there was fuch a mifunderstanding between his Majefty's naval officers on the fmuggling fa tions and the revenue officers, that but little good was done to the prevention of fmuggling; he wifhed much to fee the naval of ficers intitled to a larger fhare of the capture than they at prefent enjoy, which he was of opinion would make them more alert in the bufinefs.

Lord Mulgrave was of opinion, that the charge of velfels to prevent fmuggling was more coft than profit; and mentioned, that fo far from it being a nursery for feamen, it was a ftation of all others that ruined them.

Mi. Brett moved, that the fum of 41. per month, per man, be granted for the pay of the faid feamen for 13 months; which being agreed to, the committee broke up.

The Houfe went into a committee on the American Trade Bill, Mr. M.Donald in the chair.

Mr. Dempfter wifhed to know how long the Bill was meant to be extended to. Mr. Pitt replied, a month or fix weeks, until fome regulations could be agreed on.

After fome further debate the blank of the bill was filled up by the words, "fift of Auguft;" of courfe the bill is to continue in force until that time.

Mr. Fox prefented a petition from the Electors of Westminster, worded nearly the fame as his own, with the additional com plaint, that they were deprived of their le gal reprefentation, and of course were liable to have heavy burthens impofed upon them, without enjoying any fhare in the reprefentation of the kingdom, and praving for relief. Mr. Fox moved, that the faid petition lie on the table.

A defultory converfation then took place, in which Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox spoke several times; the chief fubject of difpute was whether the petition fhould be heard at the fame time Mr. Fox's was, or be referved for a future day. However, after about one hour spent in the debate, the motion with the amendment was carried; and, in order to give time to the electors to inftruct counfel, the further hearing was adjourned. JUNE 1.

Agreed to the report of the refolutions of yesterday on the fupply.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, after the common bufinefs of the day was ever, moved, that leave be given to bring in a bill for more effectually enforcing the pay ment of the Land Tax; and another billion recosering certain debts due to the Crown; which

which were agreed to, and the bill ordered to be brought in.

Mr. Moreton from the Eaft-India Company prefented feveral accounts.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer then moved, that the accounts prefented should be referred to a felect committee, with the fame powers given them as the committee of the 15th of March laft.

A very fhort and trifling converfation arofe on the subject, when the motion was agreed to.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer afterwards moved, that the fame gentlemen who fat as the committee last year fhould be appointed; but as they did not happen to be all returned for this new parliament, he would, with fubmiflion to the House, name four gentlemen to be fubftituted in place of those who were absent.

The gentlemen propofed to fill up the committee were, Mr. Dundas, Mr. Brett, Mr. Call, and Mr. Anftruther.

The motion was agreed to, and the House adjourned.

JUNE 2.

Read a third time, and paffed, the American Trade Bill.

Mr. Rofe moved, That the fum of one million and a half be granted to his Majesty, to be raised by way of Exchequer Bills; and afterwards, That the fum of one million and a half be granted to his Majefty, to make good the fame; which was agreed to. The Chancellor of the Exchequer then rofe. He obferved, that after the great pains that had been taken in hearing evidence, and compiling reports relative to the illicit trade carried on in this kingdom, it would be expected that fome fteps fhould be taken for the purpose of carrying into effect many of the regulations fuggefted in the various reports that had been made to the Houfe by their Committees. He faid he intended to introduce thefe regulations into a bill; and he concluded by moving, that the chairman be directed to move the Houfe for leave to bring in a bill for the more effectually preventing the practice of fmuggling. The queftion was put, and carried without any debate.

Lord Mahon prefented a petition from feveral electors of Westminster, the prayer of which was, that the Houfe would be pleafed to fuffer the High Bailiff to proceed in the fcrutiny. His Lordship then moved, that it should be taken into confideration at the fame time with the petitions of Mr. Fox and other clectors of Westminster. After fome debate this was agreed to.

The order of the day was then called for, and counsel were called to the bar; when Mr. Douglas and Mr. Garrow appeared as coun

for the electors of Westminster, friends of Mr. Fox. The former fpoke for two hours, and fhewed great knowledge of the

laws and the constitution. He entered into a variety of arguments to fhew that the High Bailiff was compelled to make a return, and that it was extremely hard for the city of Westminster to be taxed and unreprefented.

Mr. Garrow followed his learned brother, and in a fpeech of upwards of an hour ar gued ftrongly in favour of his client.

Mr. Douglas examined Sir Bernard Turner to one point. He asked him if any meffage had paffed between him and his colleague, Mr. Sheriff Skinner and the High Bailiff, relative to the return of his Præcipe. Sir Bernard replied, that, on Saturday before the meeting of Parliament, he and his colleague fent a meffage to the High Bailiff, to inform him, that they intended to return their writ on the Monday or Tuesday at fartheft; and that therefore they expected he would return the Precipe directed to him by them, in order to enable them to make the return of their writ complete.

After Mr. Douglas and Mr. Garrow had been heard on behalf of the petition, and Mr. Mingay having replied, Mr. Watfon was proceeding to call witneffes to fupport the measures of the High Bailiff, by proving that 400 bad votes had been given for Mr. Fox in two parifhes alone; when,

Mr. Fox having obferved, that the name of the Secretary of Lord Hood's and Sir Cecil Wray's committee (Mr. Atkinfon) had been mentioned, rofe to inform the House, that having been on the day before in another place witness to a fyftem of evidence that he fufpected in fome degree to have been cherished in that quarter where Mr. Atkinfon prefided, he could not avoid warning the Houfe to be cautious how they should attend to any thing that could come from a quarter from which the most infamous evidence had iffued to attach a crime of the greatest malignity on an unhappy person, with a view to facrifice his life to an abandoned malevolence.

This produced a long conversation, which was further enlarged by a motion of Lord North's, that "the counfel be reftrained from giving any evidence to impeach the legality of votes given at the late election for Weftminfter."

This motion was oppofed by the Maer of the Rolls, Mr. Wilberforce, and Mr. M'Donald.

Mr. Pitt propofed an amendment to the noble Lord's motion, by moving, that before the word votes be inferted the word parti

cular.

when the Houfe divided on Lord North's motion, which was negatived by a majority of 135. Ayes 77, Noes 212.

Mr. Atkinfon was then called to the bar and examined by Mr. Watfon, counsel for the High Bailiff, who afked him, Whether he did not know of many illegal votes that had got themselves admitted on the poll?" to which he anfwered - Not of his own

knowledge." The fecond question was, Whether he did not know of lifts of voters having been given to the High Bailiff, which fince the 17th of May, the clofe of the poll, he had found to be illegal?"

Mr. Fox objected to this queftion upon various grounds, and a long converfation enfued, in which Mr. Lee, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Sheridan. Mr. J. Grenville. the Mafter of the Rolls, Mr. H. Dundas, the Attorney General, Lord North, &c. &c. took part.

At laft Lord Maitland moved, "That counfel be reftrained from examining witneffes touching the legality of any defcription of votes, unless on questions that immediately related to the exculpation of the High Bailiff."

This was oppofed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mr. H. Dundas, and ably

defended by Mr Sheridan.

Lord Mulgrave moved the previous queftion, after defcribing the poll to have been procraftinated by bafe arts and fhuffling tricks.

Mr. Fox replied. After which a defultory debate enfued; in which the old tirefome arguments were recapitulated, till the previous question was put, and carried without a divifion.

Counfel and Mr. Atkinson were then called again to the bar, when the examination of the witnefs to a variety of queftions recommenced, all tending to prove that the High Bailiff had granted the fcrutiny on the idea that was given him of unfair practices having been used at the election.

Mr. Fox contended, that no evidence which had arifen fince the final clofe of the poll could be admitted as an excufe for his having granted the fcrutiny; therefore unless the Bailiff could fhew, that at the time of granting the fcrutiny he had fufficient reafon, certainly all the reft muit fall to the ground.

The Ministry infifted, that evidence of all kinds fhould be heard that the Bailiff thought proper for his defence.

The counfel and the evidence were called in, and ordered to withdraw backwards and forwards every five minutes, between which period there was an altercation on the part of the Electors of Westminster by Mr. Fox, Mr. Sheridan, Col. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Lee, Lord North, Lord Maitland, Mr. Dempiter; and on the part of the High Bailiff, by Mr. Pitt, the Master of the Rolls, the Attorney

and Solicitor General, the Lord Advocate, Treasurer of the Navy, Paymaster of the. Forces, and Surveyor-General of the Ord

nance.

The last difpute refpected the admifii. bility of an affidavit voluntarily fworn by an elector of Weitminster, fetting forth, that he knew of illicit practices in the election; which affidavit was declared by that elector to the witnefs, and by him given to the High Bailiff the day before the final clofe of the poll, and which was alledged to be part of the reafon for his confcience not being fatisfied. The paper was at last admitted, but not read, on account of the latenels of the hour, and the want of time to examine the witness to it.

At fix o'clock in the morning the Houfe adjourned the further confideration of the bufinefs, having not more than half examiLed one w witnefs.

JUNE 3.

Received petitions complaining of undue elections for Bodmin, Wendover. and Honiton; alfo from the debtors confined in the Fleet, Ivelchester, and Bristol prifons.

Agreed to the report of the refolutions of yesterday on the fupply; that 1,000,000l. be granted for paying off Exchequer Bills made out in 1783; and that 1.500,0001. be granted for paying off Exchequer bills raíced by loans in 1783.

The Committees of Ways and Means and the Supply to fit again on Monday.

Mr. Sawbridge rofe to recal to the remembrance of the Houfe the motion which he had promifed to make refpećting an inquiry into the prefent flate of parliamentary reprefectation. The bill which he meant to bring in would, he confeffed, have come with a better effect from the right hon. Gen tleman on the Treafury-bench; but as he had not fhewn any degree of forwardness to introduce fuch a bill, he could not, he thought, be blamed for bringing in the best one which his abilities could frame. Out of refpect to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, he faid, that if he thould be informed of any day, though fomewhat diftant, on which he purposed to bring forward a bill to regulate the reprefentation of the people in Parliament, he would (even in that stage of the bufinefs) lay afide the defign which he had formed. If no fuch information was given him, he was refolved to move for bringing in his bill on Monday next.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer thanked the honourable member for the refpect which he had been pleafed to fhew to him. There was no one object whatever which he believed to be of more importance to this nation than a reform of the reprefentation in parliament; and there was none to which he could turn his attention with more chearfulnefs. But this, in his humble opinion, was not the feafon for attempting fuch a reform.

The

The prefent ftate of public affairs did not readily admit of giving the priority to a reforming bill.

Lord North thought that the proposed bill would appear in that House abundantly foon, if it appeared by the Kalendas Græcas. If an earlier day fhould be thought of, he hoped none previous to Tucfday could with propriety be mentioned.

Mr. Sawbridge now regretted that Mr. Pitt could not undertake the talk which he had laid out for him. He averred that a conviction that the prefent is the most proper time for bringing forward his bill, was the only incitement which he had for being fo precipitate in the bufinefs. He then moved for leave to bring in A Bill for inquiring into the prefent State of Parliamentary Reprefentation," next Tuesday. Leave was granted.

The order of the day was read for the Houfe to proceed further in confidering the petition of the right hon. Charles James Fox, and the other petitions relative to the Wellmintter election. Counfel were called to the bar accordingly, and the affidavit produced in the morning by Mr. Atkinfon, the witnefs, read at the table. It turned out to be the joint affidavit of three men, who fwore it before Mr. Eames. The purport of it was an allcgation, that one Budd, or Byrne, offered the deponents a guinea cach to go to the Huftings, take upon them the characters of Weflminfter houfe-keepers, and poll for Mr. Fox.

Several queftions were put by Mr. Fox, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and other gentlemen, touching this affidavit; after which Mr. Marriot, a student of the Temple, was put to the bar and examined.

Mr. Marriot ftated, that he drew the affidavit, and affigned as a reafon for procuring it, that he did not choose to truft the depoas to the facts alledged, on their

nents, words.

It being the lat day for receiving petitions complaining of undue elections, petitions were received from the following places, and ballotted for a hearing as follow: Hereford, June 18 § Dumfries, Nov. 9 Bridport, Marlow, Canterbury, Grimby, Hastings,

Oct. 21 Dartmouth, 12

26

28

Nov. 2

Caernarvon, Fife, Truto,

16

18

- 23

-

And petitions from Cricklade, Bridgewater, Elgin, Hindon, Honiton, Bedford, and Kirkwall.

A motion was made for leave to bring in a bill for enabling Sir Afhton Lever to difpofe of his museum as now exhibited at Leicefter-house, by way of chance, in fuch manner as may be most for his benefit. Leave was accordingly given.

Petitions from the infolvent debtors confined in Newgate, Norwich, and Warwick, were prefented to the Houfe and read, and ordered to lie on the table.

The Committee of Supply and Ways and Means were appointed for Wednesday, and then the order of the day at fix was read for counsel on the Westminster election.

Counfel was called to the bar and witnesses examined. The first witnefs of coníequence called by the High Bailiff's counfel was Jeremiah Myers, who proved that he faw a man attempt to poll who he believed was not an inhabitant of Weftminster; but on being cross-examined, he could not tell whether he did vote.

The next was Francis Grojan, Deputy Bailiff, who gave a long and strange evidence, in which he declared, the reason why fome votes were admitted, was owing to the threats and menaces ufed by Mr. Fox and his agents; but on being cross-examined, he declared that he could not be intimidated by any man, or fet of men. He proved that the High Bailiff had, during the poll, received frequently from Sir Cecil Wray and his agents lifts of bad votes on Mr. Fox's fide; on his crofs-examination he acknowledged, that thofe lifts were never fhewn to Mr. Fox or his agents, and that the ligh Bailiff, to fhew his impartiality, paid no refpect to the lifts he received. He alfo acknowledged, that he ufed his own difcretion in the admiffion or the rejection of votes; but on being asked, whether he conceived himfelf refponfible for his conduct in so doing? he answered in the negative. He was asked, who would be the perfon to fit as Bailiff, if the fcrutiny was fuffered to go on, and the High Bailiff fhould be taken ill? He replied, that he confidered himself as the proper perfon. He was further afked, whether he had ever fuffered a perfon to vote whom he believed to be a bad vote? He evaded the

queftion by answering, that he had frequently been flopped in afking the voters questions,

by