HC Deb 04 February 1805 vol 3 cc223-4
Mr. Creevey

said, that understanding a commission had been issued, granting large and extraordinary powers to those to whom it was addressed, for acting on the reports of the existing commission of naval inquiry, he should move, "that an humble address be presented to his maj. praying, that he would be graciously pleased to order the proper officer to lay before the house a copy of the commission lately issued by the crown to sir C. Middleton and others, authorising them to act according as they should deem right, with respect to certain subjects contained in the reports of the commissioners of naval inquiry."

The Chanc. of the Excheq.

said, this commission did not answer either to the description given of it in the motion, or to that which the hon. gent. gave in the observation with which he prefaced the motion. The hon. gent. had described the commission as giving large and discretionary powers: it gave no such powers, it limited precisely the powers it gave, and the objects of those powers. The commissioners were only impowered to digest and report to the admiralty the beat means of carrying into execution such reforms as should appear to them to be proper, in consequence of the reports of the commissioners of naval inquiry. This was the whole of the discretion granted to them. He had no objection to the production of the commission; he only said thus muck, to prevent its being understood that such an unlimited discretion was given as the hon. gent. supposed. A copy of the commission was ordered.

Mr. Creevey

gave notice, that on an early day he should make a motion for information, whether any proceedings had been instituted by the lords of the treasury against John Fordyce, esq. who appeared indebted to the public in the sum of 80,000l.

The Chanc. of tie Excheq.

said, if any motion were to be made on this subject, it would be perfectly competent to the hon. gent. to make it now. It happened that Mr. Fordyce was one of the persons to whom the commission lately adverted to by the hon. gent. was issued, as one of the fittest persons to carry it into execution; and he had no doubt of his appearing blameless, with respect to the deficiency the hon. gent. meant to make the subject of his motion.