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Mr. Ackland reported the addrefs to his majetty's speech, yesterday; lord John Cavendish then moved to recommit the fame. This brought on a long debate, on that part of the addief's which mentions his majetty's intention of sending Hanoverian troops to Gibraltar and Minorca. The houfe divided, when the numbers were 176 to 72.

Lord North then moved for "leave to bring in a bill to empower his majefty to call out the militia when a rebellion appeared in any part of his dominions," which was carried, and the House rose immediately. Saturday, October 28.] James's, and prefented the following addrefs of thanks to his majefty for his fpeech: The humble Addrefs of the Heufe of Commons to the King.

Moft Gracious Sovereign,

Went to St.

WE, your majesty's molt dutiful and loyal fubjects, the commons of Great Britain in parliament affembled, beg leave to return your majefty the humble thanks of this houfe for your most gracious fpeech from the throne. Permit us, Sir, to affure your majefty, that, we have long lamented the condition of our unhappy fellow fubjects in America; feduced from their allegiance by the groffeft mifreprefentations and the moft wicked and infidious pretences, they have been made the inftruments of the ambition and traitorous defigns of thofe dangerous men, who have now led them step by step to the ftandard of rebellion, and who have now affumed the powers of fovereign authority, which they exercile in the moft defpotic and arbitrary manner, over the perfons and properties of this deluded people. Your faithful commons took a fincere part in your majefty's benevolent and paternal defire, rather to reclaim than to fubdue, the moft refractory of your Colonies: and, excited by your majefty's great example, we were anxious to prevent, if it had been poffible, the effufion of the blood of our fellow-fubjects, and the calamities which are infeparable from a ftate of war; we still hoped that your majesty's people in America would have difcerned the traitorous views of their leaders, would have confidered how ruinous even their fuccefs must be to themselves, and been convinced that conftitutional fubjection to Great Britain is the freeft and happiest condition of any civil fociety in the known world: but we now fee with indignation, that no other ule has been made of the moderation, and forbearance of your majesty and your parliament, but to ftrengthen the preparations of

this defperate confpiracy; and that the rebellious war now levied is become more general, and manifeftly carried on for the purpose of eftablishing an independent empire.

We beg leave to affure your majesty of our entire concurrence with your majefty, that it is now become the part of wisdom, and (in its effects) of clemency, to put a speedy end to thefe diforders by the most decifive exertions; and that we learn with the greatest fatisfaction, that for this purpose, your majefty has increated your naval eftablishment, and greatly augmented your land forces, in fuch a manner as may be the leaft burthenfome to your kingdoms; and we will chearfully and effectually fupport your majefty in fuch neceffary measures, and enable your majesty, when the occafion fhall require it, to avail yourself of the friendly offers, which your majetty has received, of foreign affiftance: We thankfully acknowledge the gracious confiderations which induced your majefty to fend a part of your electoral troops to the garrilons of Gibraltar and Port Mahon, in order that a number of the established forces of this kingdom might be applied to the maintenance of its authority: And we are bound in duty to return your majefty our particular thanks, for pointing out to us, om the throne, the conftitutional resource of our well-modelled and well-regulated national militia, which, upon every great emergency, cannot fail of affording fecurity to your majefty's realm, and of giving at the fame time, extent and activity to your military operations.

It is with the highest fatisfaction and gratitude we hear the declaration of the father of his people, that, when the unhappy and deluded multitude against whom this force fhall be directed, fhall become fenfible of their error, your majetty will be ready to receive the misled with tenderness and mercy; and your majesty's gracious communication of your intention to give authority to certain perfons on the fpot, to grant general and particular pardons and indemnities, in fuch manner, and to fuch perfons as they shall think fit, and to receive the fubmiflion of any province or colony, which may be difpofed to return to its allegiance, demands our warmest acknowledgments; and we shall be ready to give our concurrence to fuch meafures as may beft contribute to carry your majefty's wife and humane intentions into execu

tion.

Every motive, and every intereft, that can animate the hearts of loyal fubjects, call upon your faithful commons to grant to your majefty Tuch fupplies as the circumstances and exigency of affairs may require; and, being fully convinced that the fecurity of every benefit and advantage derived to the commerce, the manufactures, and the navigation of your majefty's kingdoms, from the American colonies, muft ever depend on their being held in that due fubordination to the legislature of GreatBritain in which the conftitution has placed them, we should be wanting in the duty we owe to our conflituents, ourselves, and our pofterity, if we did not engage, with our

lives and fortunes, to fupport this great and important caufe, in which the rights of your majesty's crown, and the interests of your people are fo effentially concerned; and we hope, and truft, that we fhall, by the bleffing of God, put fuch strength and force into your majefty's hands, as may foon defeat and fupprefs this rebellion, and enable your majefty to accomplish your gracious wifh, of re-eftablishing order, tranquility, and happiness, through all the parts of your united empire. His Majesty's Answer.

"Gentlemen,

"I return you my hearty thanks for this
loyal and dutiful addrefs. I promise myself
the most happy confequences from the very du-
tiful and moft affectionate affurances of the
support of my faithful commons on this great
and important conjuncture; and I have a firm
confidence, that by the bleifing of God and
the justice of the caufe, and by the affiance
of my parliament, I fhall be enabled to fup-
prefs this dangerous rebellion, and to attain
the most defirable end of reftoring my fubjects
in America to the free and happy condition, and
to the peace and profperity which they enjoy-
ed in their conftitutional dependence, before
the breaking out of thefe unhappy difputes."
[To be continued.]

The Hiftory of the prefent Seffion of the Irish
Parliament. (Continued from p. 614.

T

HE houfe being met pursuant to adjournment, Mr. Redmond Morres faid it appeared by the public accounts that the charges of managing the collection of the ftamp duties amounted to very near half the grofs produce of the receipts. He therefore moved, that the proper officer should lay before the house the particulars of this charge.

Mr. Ponsonby obferved, that the charges were not likely to be fo great in any preceding year as at the first commencement.

Mr. Mafon alfo faid the fame, and that at the out-fet a great expence was incurred by purchafing and fitting up a house, getting proper implements for carrying on the bufinefs, and laying in a large ftock of paper, vellum and parchment, for fuch ftamps as would be immediately called for. The motion was carried without oppofition.

The order of the day for the houfe to take his excellency's fpeech into confideration was read, as was the fpeech. Mr. Malone then moved, that a fupply be granted to his majesty, and that the houfe fhould to-morrow refolve itfelf into a committee, and the speech and all the accounts brought in fhould be referred to the faid committee. All these were carried without a negative,

Mr. Chapman faid, that in the arrear returned by the accomptant-general, many articles were specified that had no exiftence, but were merely fictious, particularly an article of upwards of 20,000l. for the fupport and cloath ing of a militia for two years. He therefore moved, that the proper officer return an account of the real arrear, as it appears to the vice

treasurer.

Mr. Clements replied, that no arrear ap

peared to him, and he could not make any such return. Mr. Langrishe then explained how the accomptant-general made up his account of the arrears; and there could be no return but what he gave. That he took notice of the grants from which he deducted the payments certified by the vice-treasurer, and left the re mainder as an arrear: but that if any article appeared improper to be continued, the houfe alone, on an examination thereof in the committee of accounts, were empowered to strike it off, and then the real arrear would be afcertained. Mr. Clements added, he could make a return of nothing but his receipts and payments, which he had done already; and Mr. Chapman withdrew his motion.

Mr. Robert French prefented to the house heads of a bill to regulate the election of members to ferve in parliament, which were committed for next Thursday. He obferved, that by thefe heads of a bill theriff's would be empowered to appoint deputies, and thereby fhorten the time of the poll; and also the forty fhillings a year rent charge freeholders would be cut off from having votes.

Wednesday, Oct. 25.] The houfe ordered their chaplain, Dr. Thomas Carr, to preach before them at St. Andrew's church on Sunday fe'nnight, the 5th of November, and that Mr. Burke, jun. and Dr. Clement should ac

quaint Dr. Carr with this order.

This refolution was in confequence of a motion of Mr. Burke, jun. who obferved as the fifth of November happened to fall this year on a Sunday, it would not hinder any business of the houfe to celebrate that day as it ought, in thankfulness for two great deliverances from deftined flavery and from popery; the first by the horrid popith gun-powder plot, and the fecond from the arbitrary and bigotted measures introduced by a popifh and tyrannical king, by the arrival of king William the third.

A committee was appointed (on the motion of the fame gentleman) to enquire into the management of the Foundling Hospital and Workhoufe.

A petition from the fociety of the protestant charter fchools, praying aid of parliament, was prefented by Sir Charles Bingham.

Mr. Clotworthy Rowley, Mr. William John Skeffington, Mr. Robert Stewart, and Mr. Alexander, presented petitions from numbers of diffenters in different places, praying relief from the claufe in the act for repairing churches, which prohibited their having votes in parish veftries.

Mr. Berresford obferved, that laft feffion of parliament his excellency had referred to the house the memorials for and against building a new cuftom-houfe below Batchelor's-lane, and the house after long examination and folemn debate, had come to two refolutions; on which a bill had paffed through the house to empower the commiflioners of his majefty's revenue to purchase lands and houses, or take leafes of the fame, in order to build this cuftom-houfe, and make proper and convenient approaches to the fame, but that bill fome how milcarried on the other fide, fince which, from the dan

gerous

gerous ftate of the prefent custom-houfe, the bufinefs of the revenue had been carried on at the peril of men's lives: he therefore moved for leave to bring in heads of a similar bill. Mr. Redmond Morres faid the meafure of removing the fite of the cuftom-house was fraught with ruin to many citizens of Dublin; and therefore hoped time would be given to oppole it in every stage of its progrefs through the house.

Mr. Monk Mafon replied, that it was not defired or intended to do any thing by furp.ize, and that every neceffary time would be allow ed. Leave was then given to bring in the faid bill.

The house then went into a committee of fupply, Mr. Malone in the chair, when the lord lieutenant's fpeech, and the accounts referred to the committee were read, and the committee refolved, on the motion of Mr. Attorney General, that it was the opinion of that committee a fupply should be granted to his majefty. The committee then broke up, and the report was ordered to be received to-mor

row.

Sir Lucius O'Brien faid, the legislature had now opened a door for granting favours to this kingdom, and had paffed a bill which would be of great fervice to the staple manufacture thereof, namely to grant a bounty of ten thillings a hogfhead on all flax-leed imported into Ireland. Whilft this bill was depending, it was oppofed by fundry manufacturers of linfeed oil; and the Irish gentlemen then in London were con sulted whether a clause should not be inferted, to bind the fubjects of Ireland from ufing flaxfeed in any other manner than for the purpofe of raifing flax: But the gentlemen, particularly a right honourable member (Sir John Blaquiere) were of opinion rather to lofe any advantages that might refult from the bill, than give ground by fuch a clause to the reftraining or binding Ireland, in any form whatfoever, in the English parliament; and the act paffed without any fuch claule. For this reafon, it was for the honour of the houfe to do that themselves which the English houfe had forborne to do; and fince the fole defign was to affift the linen manufacture, and not interfere with England in that of linfeed oil, nor get the bounty for fuch flax feed as was fit only to make oil, he moved for leave to bring in heads of a bill to prevent any frauds in obtaining the bounty on the importation of flax feed. This motion met with no oppofition.

Mr. Chapman moved, that the proper officer do lay before the houfe an account of all the payments that had been made for pentions fince the 25th of March, 1773. He laid, he made this motion to alcertain the truth of a report, that Mr. Jeremiah Dylon's penfion had continued to be paid, notwithftanding it had been ftruck off by the houfe, as it had been refolved not to provide for fuch penfion.

Sir John Blaquiere propofed to amend that motion, by adding to it that the king's letter, dated December 29, 1774, should alto be laid before the house.

Mr. Pontonby laid he was now convin,

by the addition to the motion, that the report was too true; and fince that penfion had been paid in despite of a vote of the house, if the houfe did not act with vigour on this occafion, it was no longer worthy of fitting in; for it was in vain they could be faid to hold the purfe of the nation, whilft the ftrings of it were under the command of others.

Mr. Wood oppofed this motion as unneceffary, fince all the knowledge intended to be acquired thereby, would be obtained in the committee of accounts in the ordinary courfe of bufinefs. If this, penfion had been paid, it was not contrary to the vote of the house, for the house had not provided for it. And if it was the king's pleafure to continue it, it was no hurt to the public, as there was no fund to pay it, and it had been given out of the king's own hereditary revenue, fettled from the reign of Charles the fecond. Befides, it was for the intereft of Ireland, confidering its dependant ftate, to keep fair with the crown; and not to irritate it by entering into nice diftinctions and difquifitions about its preroga tive.

The motion of Mr. Chapman, and that of Sir John Blaquiere, were then agreed to, but in two feparate motions, as the fame officer could not make both returns.

Mr. Gorges Lowther moved to appoint a committee to enquire into the ftate of the civil and military penfions; and that the committee be empower ed to examine on oath. This motion was oppofed by Mr. Mafon, as it would tend to lay every penfioner's private affairs open to the infpection of the committee. Mr. Chapman replied, that he could never think the expenditure of public money a private affair. Mr. Malon urged there was no precedent of fuch a committee ever examining on oath; if any fuch could be found he would give it up. No precedent was produced, and Mr. Edward Tighe maintained no fuch autherity could be given; nay, even confiflently in any other cafe. The house itfelf was not au thorised to adminifter an oath, and whenever that was done in the British parliament, a juftice of the peace was called in for that purpose; and if the houfe had no fuch power, it was impoffible it could delegate to any of its com mittees an authority which it did not poffefs itself. On this Mr. Lowther agreed to let that part of his motion ftand over, and the former part, for the committee, was refolved.

Thurfday, Oct. 26.] Mr. Malone reported from the committee appointed to confider his excellency's fpeech, that it was their opinion a fupply be granted to his majefly, which report was agreed to by the houfe.

Mr. Malone moved, that the house do on this day fortnight refolve itself into a committee to take the fupply into confideration, which was ordered.

Mr. Gorges Lowther defned the clerk to turn to the journals of the house for the year 1759, where an exact precedent was found of a committee that was appointed to enquire into the state of the penfions, which was empowered to examine en oath. He, therefore,

moved that the like committee ordered yefterday should have the fame powers, which was carried, and then the house adjourned til tomorrow, when the committee of accounts will open.

Friday, October 27.] The committee of accounts began to fit, Mr. Maton in the chair, when part of the public accounts were read and paffed through, without producing any motion.

Afte near three hours had been spent in this committee, it adjourned, and the speaker took the chair.

Mr. Chapman obferved, that the state of the pensions was a bufinels of the utmost importance; that the committee appointed to take it into confideration, had adjourned for fome days; and that when their report should be made, it would be very expedient to agree on fome particular day to enter into a full difcuffion of that matter. Sir John Blaquiere declared he was ready to enter into that bufinels on any day the house should think proper. On this, Wedneiday fe'nnight was fixed upon for that purpose.

Mr. Yelverton recited two acts of parliament, which specified that the number of twelve thousand effective men fhould always remain in Ireland for its defence, and that the royal word was alfo pledged for the fame purpote; but he had heard it reported, and it was currently believed, that that number was not kept up. This was the more ala. ming, when the different powers of Europe were all encreafing their, armies, and Great-Britain thould lock with a jealous eye on thoie monarchs who had divided amongst them the greatest part of the dominions of a weak, but honelt king (Poland) and had enflaved the once free city of Dantzic. To afcertain how far the report was true, he moved that the proper officer do lay before the houte an account of fuch regiments as had embarked for foreign fervice face the first day of April laft, fpecifying the number of men in each regiment, and the dates of their emba:kation.

Also an account of what regiments had been placed on this establishment fince the firft of April, the number of men in each, and the date of their respective landing.

Saturday, Oct. 28.] The committee of accounts met again, and went through the examination of all the remaining accounts on the table. Notice was taken of an artificial arrear that appeared on the accounts, but did not exiit in reality. Sir John Blaquie.e faid many of thofe articles had been continued on the accounts which ought to be ftruck off, but that on Wednelday next he would flate to the house what was the fictitious, and what the real arrear, when fome method fhould be propofed to ftrike off what was not real; and then it would appear, that on the half-pay article there had been a faving of 9000l. and above 4000l. on the article of the linen board.

In the course of the converfation Mr. Barry Barry took notice of a report that papifts were to be recruited to fill the regiments going to America. On which col cel B.owae replied, November, 1775

that he should always think it were better to export papitts than protcitants; for his part he did not much trouble himself about articles of religion, but thought papifts the fittest to be fent abroad, that we might be defended at home by proteflants.

Mr. Barry Barry anfwered, that if papists were to be trained as foldiers, when they returned back again they would become the more dangerous;that it was contrary to our laws to arm papifts, as they were not permitted to bear arms.

Major Boyle Roche replied, he thought himself particularly obliged to fpeak, as he had been on the late recruiting fervice; that his inftructions were to recruit protestants, and he would fhew his instructions to the house whenever called on; but he must obferve, in the late war, feveral recruits were railed in Corke and other parts of Munster in the year 1757, without any fcrupulous examination in relpect to their religion; that a great number of papills were railed, and went to America, and he called on every military gentleman in the house who had been on that fervice, to declare whether any men behaved better; and although they fought againit papitts (the French) yet their religion did not influence them to defert, but they did their duty, and were as amenable to difcipline as any men in

the army.

When the fpeaker had taken the chair, Mr. Yelverton repeated his motions of yesterday, as fome doubt had arifen who was the proper officer, and to them Sir John Blaquiere added another, which was for a return of the number of effective men remaining in Ireland on the first of October in every year fince 1771.

Mr. Gardiner then a ofe, and faid it was painful to him to introduce a petition into the house which would cause a confiderable expence to the nation, as he should be ever more spaiing of public money than of his own, fince he thought a breach of truft a greater c.ime than the highest degree of private prodigality; but there were fome cales, where the merit of the perfon, and the eminent lervices he had rendered, made the bringing in fuch a petition not only excufable, but an act of justice. Such was the prelent cale: He was deputed by the.. corporation inftituted by act of parliament: that this petition fet forth, a memorial from them was prelented laft cffion of parliament, ftating the eminent fervices rendered to the public by Mr. Benjamin Houghton; and that notwithstanding he had no recompence ther, he continued his unwearied attention to the house of industry ever fince. Hic expatiated on the riques of his life, which Mr. Houghton continually underwent in putting the law in execut on, and the lois of his own bufinets for three years and a quarter, by his clofe attendance to the houfe of induftry. Mr. Gardiner then entered into a detail of the evils exifting befo e this act was executed, and the pleating change at prefeat. That in molt inftances Ireland copied its regulations from England; but in this cafe it has taken the lead, and the Τεεε refelations

refolutions relative to the poor, lately entered into by the British parliament, were founded on this fcheme.

He then prefented a petition under the corporation feal, which was read, recommending Mr. Houghton's fervices and loffes to the confideration of the house; and it was referred to a committee.

Sir John Blaquiere faid, he thought himself bound to further the defire of this petition, as in the last feffion he had oppofed it, from an opinion that the practicability of the fcheme was not then fufficiently afcertained; but now the cafe was different, the fcheme was eftablished, and its utility fixed and certain; for this reafon he should heartily concur in giving the thanks of the houfe to the rev. dean Woodward for the falutary plans he has propofed for the benefit of the poor.

Mr. James Browne faid, a law had been made to oblige tradesmen to be honeft, and pay their debs, by a ftatute of bankruptcy; but it was alo juft to make a law by which tradelmen might be enabled to pay their debts, by enforcing the payment of what is due to them. He, therefore, moved for leave to bing in heads of a bill for the promotion of trade, by allowing to all tradefmen an inte eft of fix per cent on all book debts that have been due one year; and the heads of a bill were ordered in acco dingly.

The provolt arole to define gentlemen would attend on the day the above bill would be committed, as it was an affair of importance; and he was yet uncertain whether he should enforce or oppofe it, till he had time to turn it in his mind.

Monday, 08. 30.] His majesty's anlwer to the addreis of the houfe was prefented by Sir J. Blaquiere. In it his majefty thanks his faithful commons for their profeffions of loyahy and attachment to his peston and government; receives with fatisfaction their expreffions of abhorrence of the unnatural rebellion in America, and their grateful acknowledgment for the arts parfed in their behalf, and affures them of nis conftant protection and favour to his fubjects of beland.

Mr. Talbot faid, the act which had paffed the femon before aft, to take away the privilege of parliament, which icreened members from paying their juit and lawful debts, did honour to the prefent parliament, and that honour would be encreased if it also made that act perpetual; he therefore moved for leave to bring in heads of a bill for that purpole, which were orde.ed accordingly, and the motion was feconded by Mr. Edward Tighe and Mr. Pontonby.

The heads of a bill, ordered laft Saturday, for the promotion of trade, by allowing an intereft of fix per cent on all book debts, which had not been paid within one year after their being contracted, were prefented by Mr. James Browne, read, and ordered to be committed on this day fe'naight,

Thursday, Oct. 31.] The committee of accounts lat, after the adjournment from last Monday, when Mr. Yelverton moved to refolve That the debt of the nation at Ladyday, 1773, as voted by the houfe of commons the 19th of November, 1773, was the fum of 994,890l. 10s. 10d. 1-8th." As Mr. Yelverton had a number of papers in his hand, feveral gentlemen were apprehenfive this felfevident refolution was only introduttive of tome conclufion which might th ow a charge on adminiftration of want of economy, on this ground it was oppofed by Mr. Langrifhe, Mr. Burke, jun. Mr.Carlton, Mr. Wood, and colonel Browne, who called on Mr. Yelverton to declare what other motions he had to make; but he remained firm in his refolution not to impart them, and was defended therein by Mr. Ponsonby, Mr. Burgh, and Mr. Conolly. However, when the queftion was put, it was carried in the affirmative, Nem. Con.

Mr. Sibthorp moved for heads of a bill to amend the act for repairing the road from Dundalk to Dunteer, in the county of Lowth.

Mr. Yelverton then made his fecond motion, viz. "Refolved that the debt of the nation on Lady-day, 1775, as returned by the accomptant general, was the fum of 976,1171. 6. 3d. h. exclufive of 265,000l. borrowed on the credit of Tontines."

Mr. Carlton oppofed this motion, as founded on error; fince as the fum of 265,000l. was never to be paid in a grofs fum, the debt on that head could only be the annual fum paid as intereft; befide, that would appear not to be the real debt, fince in it all national debts are voted to be a furn not exceeding fo much.

Mr. Yelverton replied, he did not mean it as the real debt, but only as the return of the accomptant general, and to prove that the tontine debt was not included in that return.

Mr. Serjeant Hamilton joined in oppofing the motion, which was defended by Mr. Ponfonby; and then Mr. Carlton moved to amend the motion, by leaving out the last claufe: and Mr. Wood moved for a prior amendment, by prefixing the words, that it is not neceffary ta refolve; but foon after he withdrew his amen!ment, on finding Mr. Yelverton had no objec tion to it, and Mr. ferjeant Coppinger faying it was not neceffary. Mr. Burke and Mr. Langrishe joined in favour of Mr., Carlton's amendment; when Mr. Huffey Burgh said he would reconcile both fides by altering the mo tion, and making it run thus in the last fentence:

In which the fum of 265,0ccl, fubfcribed fer life annuities quas not included.”

Sir John Blaquiere faid he perceived the drift of this motion, as would doubtless appear by the fubfequent motions, which they declined to produce, was to let forth that notwithtlanding the fem of 265,0col, had been raifed to pay off arrears, the nation was as much in debt as heretofore, which he should fhew to-morrow was not the fact; therefore if there motions were to take place, they would preclude him from laying the fate of the nation before the houfe, fince the efolutions of this day would be contrary to what would be refolved if they knew what the real arrear was.

Mr. Huffey Burgh faid, upon that confidepation he thought it would be better to poftpone

the

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