THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI am about to give a Notice which may appear unusual under present circumstances, and I therefore desire to state the reason—that to-morrow I shall move for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the laws relating to the Inland Revenue. The Bill is one affecting particular interests, and if now brought in it may be printed and considered by the country before the new Government are called upon to form a judgment respecting it. At this period of the Session there will be great convenience in such an arrangement, and this is the only reason why I propose it. I may also now give Notice that I shall move to-morrow for the production of certain accounts of Public Income and Expenditure in each financial year from 1688 to 1801. These accounts have been two years in preparation, and will form a document of great interest. I have also to perform my last act in an official capacity in moving the adjournment of the House until to-morrow at the hour of five, which I understand will be the most convenient hour with reference to Motions which it is intended to make for the issue of certain writs, and with reference to the proceedings at Windsor, which will take place at an earlier hour in the afternoon. I shall therefore submit a Motion to that effect. Along with that Motion I wish to join a single expression which is really only the acknowledgment of a debt as respects the relations between the Government and a portion of the House of Commons; while, on the other hand, I am quite certain that any Gentleman who sits opposite, or who 723 sitting on this side of the House, has taken a different course, will not construe it as invidious, or as implying that any one has acted in a manner inconsistent with his honour, and against his conscience and his sense of public duty. Having regard to the length and tenacity of the struggle in which we were engaged upon the measure, which ultimately ended in the resignation of the Government, I hope I may, without offence, tender, in my own name and that of my Colleagues, the expression of our gratitude to those who with so much zeal and with so much perseverance supported us in the course of the struggle. I say that I tender these thanks in the name of my Colleagues, but very specially in my own name, because I am sensible that there may be many disadvantages under which they have had to act, in consequence of any part or influence which I may have had in the matter.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ House at rising to adjourn till To-morrow, at Five of the clock.