The Chancellor of the Exchequersaid, that a copy of the proceedings of the Privy Council, respecting the ships captured at Toulon, in the course of the last war, had been some time lying on the table of the House, and he gave notice of his intention of moving in the Committee of Supply on Monday next, for a grant of a sum to carry into effect the recommendation of the Lords of the Treasury, in order that the sum should be distributed among the captors of those prizes.—The right hon. gent, afterwards rose again, and observed that finding he was mistaken in supposing the report of the proceedings of the Privy Council reflecting the captures at Toulon, to which he had before alluded, were printed, said, he should propose the printing of this document; and, in order to give time to the House to examine it, should withdraw his notice for Monday, and defer until Wednesday the motion in the Committee of Supply.
§ Mr. Johnstonethought this a subject of so much importance, and one so likely to give rise to considerable difference of opinion, that the proposed motion of the right hon. gent, ought to be postponed till alter the recess, in order to give time for consideration, and that the discussion and attendance should be full and satisfactory.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerstated, that from the nature of this business, all unnecessary delay-should be avoided; and he was certain, that did the hon. member know the extreme anxiety felt by the seamen and others interested in the subject, he would himself be among the first to press that it should be decided on as soon as possible.
Mr. Rosewas not aware, before this day, that any such papers as those alluded to by the right hon. gent, who had just sat down, were on the table of the House; nor was he either that any such claim had ever been preferred by those engaged in taking ships, &c. at Toulon, although he was long in office after that event. The subject appeared to him to be of much importance, and he was therefore inclined to agree with the proposition for farther time to consider it than the right hon. gent, had mentioned.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerstated, in proof of the urgency of the case, and the propriety of expedition, that many of the persons interested in the discussion only wailed the result, to set off for different stations in the service of their country. If, however, it should appear that the attendance should be thin on Wednesday, and that the proposition was not, therefore, likely to receive an ample discussion, he certainly should comply with the wish expressed, for putting it off till after the holidays.—After a few words from Mr. Rose and Mr. G. Vansittart, the conversation dropped.