HC Deb 04 July 1805 vol 5 cc738-61

The Committee appointed to draw up Articles of Impeachment againt Henry Lord Viscount Melville, have, pursuant to the Order of the House, prepared several Articles accordingly: which Articles are as follow, viz.

Articles exhibited by the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, in Parliament assembled, in the name of themselves and of all the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, against Henry Lord Viscount Melville, in maintenance of their Impeachment against him for High Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Whereas the office of Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy is an office of high trust and confidence; in the faithful and uncorrupt execution whereof, the subjects of this kingdom are most deeply interested: And whereas the ancient constitution of the said office of Treasurer of the Navy, and of other offices concerned in the receipt, disbursement, and controul of the Public Money, having been found to be highly inexpedient in con- sequence of the increased expenditure of the country did become the subject of frequent long and serious deliberation in Parliament; And whereas by an Act of Parliament made and passed in the 20th year of the reign of His present Majesty, and by several subsequent Acts of Parliament, for appointing and enabling Commissioners to examine, take, and state the Public Accounts of this Kingdom, and for other purposes therein mentioned, certain Commissioners were constituted and appointed for examining, taking, and stating the accounts therein particularly mentioned, and also for examining and stating in what manner, and at what times, the receipts, issues, and expenditures of the public monies were accounted for; and for considering of and reporting by what means and methods the public accounts might in future be passed, and the Accomptants compelled to pay the balances or monies due from them in a more expeditious, more effectual, and less expensive manner: And whereas the said Commissioners did inquire into and report upon the Public Accounts by the said Acts referred to their examination, and did discover and point our various abuses in many of the Public Offices entrusted with the receipt and expenditure of Public Money, and in particular in the office of the Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy; and did propose and recommend sundry good and wholesome provisions and regulations for the reformation of the same, and particularly for preventing the Public Money issued for navy services from coming into the possession and custody of the Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, or the officers or persons employed under him; for depriving him and them of all opportunity of using and misapplying the Public Money to private purposes, and thereby exposing the same to the risk of loss; for making the Bank of England the sole place of deposit for the same; for removing, from thenceforward, all temptations and inducements to applications for more public money than was necessary for the public service; for preventing all unnecessary delay in passing the public accounts of the Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, and in restoring to the public the balances remaining in his hands: And whereas the House of Commons having taken the Reports of the said Commissioners into consideration upon the 19th day of June, 1782, did (among other things) resolve, that some regulations ought to be adopted for the purpose of lessening and keeping down the balances which appeared to have usually been in the hands of the Treasurer of the Navy; and did further declare their opinion, that from thenceforward the Paymaster General of His Majesty's Land Forces, and the Treasurer of the Navy for the time being, should not apply any sum or sums of money imprested to them or either of them, to any purpose of advantage or interest to themselves, either directly or indirectly.

And whereas, for the more effectually carrying into execution the said Resolutions of the House of Commons, His Majesty, by warrant under His Royal Sign Manual, bearing date the 22d day of June, 1782, was most graciously pleased to augment the income of the Right Honourable Isaac Barrè, as Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, and to add thereto the sum of 2,150l. that the said income might in future amount to 4,000l. which His Majesty was then graciously pleased to grant to the said Isaac Barré, clear of all deductions, in full satisfaction of all wages and fees and other profits and emoluments theretofore enjoyed by former Treasurers of His Majesty's Navy: And whereas by Letters Patent bearing date the 19th day of August, 1782, His Majesty was graciously pleased to give and grant unto the Right Honourable Henry Dundas, now Lord Viscount Melville, the Office of Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy Royal and Ships, and Receiver General of all sums of money appointed, or from time to time to be appointed, and payable for the support, maintenance, and reparation of His Majesty's Navy Royal and Ships; for emptions and provisions appertaining to, and necessary for the said navy and ships, and for wages, salaries of officers, servants, and other persons whatever, belonging to the said Navy or Ships, or any other matter or thing whatsoever in any manner touching or concerning the Navy Royal or Ships; and for the exercise and occupation of the said Office, and for and in satisfaction of all wages and fees of three pence,of lawful money for every pound to be received and paid by the said Henry Dundas, by virtue of his said office, His Majesty was further graciously pleased to give and grant unto him by the said Letters Patent, an annuity or yearly payment of 2,200l.

And whereas the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville represented, or caused to be represented, or it was represented to His Majesty, that the said annuity or yearly payment of 2,000l. after deducting all charges, taxes, and expences thereon, would not produce to him the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville more than the sum of 1,850l. in each year, or thereabouts; whereupon His Majesty, by warrant under His Royal Sign Manual, bearing dare the 23d day of October, 1782, was graciously pleased to declare that the income of the Treasurer of the Navy should be augmented with an additional allowance of 2,324l. 6s. 6d, in order to make together with the said sum of 1,850l. the said income to amount in future to the sum of 4,000l. And His Majesty did thereby direct, authorize, and empower the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville to take and apply out of such monies as were in, or should come to his hands, or to the hands of his Cashier, arisen, or to arise by the sale of Old Naval Stores, the said sum of 2,324l. 6s. 6d. which, together with the before mentioned sum of 1,850l. would make the said sum of 4,000l. which His Majesty was graciously pleased to grant him, clear of all deductions, in full satisfaction of all wages and fees, and other profits and emoluments theretofore enjoyed by former Treasurers of the Navy; the same to commence and be computed from the day of the date of the said letters patent, and to continue during his continuance in the said office: And His Majesty did further direct, authorize, and empower the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, in case the said additional allowance of 2,324l. 6s. 6d. together with the said several allowances before stated, should not produce in each year the net sum of 4,000l, to charge the deficiency in the annual amount of monies disbursed by him for fees of divers natures: And whereas the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville held and enjoyed the said office of Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, under the said Letters Patent, from the said 19th day of August, 1782, until the 10th day of April, 1783:

And whereas by Letters Patent, bearing date the 5th day of January, 1784, His Majesty was graciously pleased again to give and grant unto the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville the said office of Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, in the same terms as in the said former Letters Patent of the 19th day of August, 1782; and upon a similar representation made or caused to be made by the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, or otherwise made to His Majesty as that hereinbefore stated, His Majesty Was graciously pleased, by warrant under His Royal Sign Manual, bearing date the 16th day of January, 1784, to augment the income of the said office of Treasurer of the Navy with an additional allowance of 2,324l. 6s. 6d. in order to make the annual income of the said office amount to the said sum of 4,000l. and which said income His Majesty was thereby graciously pleased to grant to the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, clear of all deductions, in full satisfaction of all wages and fees, and other profits and emoluments theretofore enjoyed by former Treasurers of the Navy, and to secure and provide for the due payment thereof in like manner as in the said former warrant of the 23d day of October, 1782, is provided:

And whereas the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, under and by virtue of the said last-mentioned Letters Patent, held and enjoyed the said office of Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, from the said 5th day of Jan. 1784, until the 31st day of May,1800:

And whereas on the 17th day of February, 1785, the House of Commons ordered that leave should be given to bring in a bill for better regulating the office of the Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, and that (together with other Members of the said House of Commons) Mr. Henry Dundas, now Lord Viscount Melville, should prepare and bring in the same; and, in pursuance of the said order, the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, on the 29th clay of April, 1785, did present to the House of Commons a Bill for better regulating the office of the Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy; and the said Bill having passed the House of Commons, was, in pursuance of an order of that House carried by the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville to the House of Lords; to which Bill he (in the name of the House of Commons) desired the concurrence of their Lordships:

And whereas the said Bill, in the 25th year of His Majesty's reign passed into a law, intituled "An Act for better regulating the office of the Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy;"—The 1st, 3d, 4th and 5th Sections whereof are as follows:

1st Section, "Whereas it appears by the Reports made by the Commissioners appointed to examine, take, and state the public accounts of the kingdom, that regulations are necessary for better conducting the business in the department of the Treasurer of the Navy: Be it therefore enacted by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that from and after the first day of July 1785, the Treasurer of his Majesty's Navy for the time being, in all Memorials to be by him presented to the Treasury for Money for Navy Services, shall pray that such sum as he requires may be issued to the Governor and Company of the Bank of England on his account, and shall transmit with each Memorial a Copy of the Letter or Letters from the Commissioners of the Navy, Victualling, and Sick and Hurt Boards, directing him to apply for such sum or sums; in which letter or letters the said Commissioners shall, and they are hereby required and directed to specify for what particular service or services the said money is wanted, and shall also state the balances then in the hands of the Treasurer of the Navy under each head of service respectively; and the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury for the time being, by their letter from time to time, shall direct the Auditor of the Exchequer to issue to the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, on account of the Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, naming such Treasurer for the time being, the sum for which such letter shall be drawn upon the unsatisfied order at the Exchequer, in favour of the said Treasurer, for which the receipt of the Cashier or Cashiers of the said Governor and Company shall be a sufficient discharge; and all sums for which letters of the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury shall be drawn, shall be issued to the Governor and Company of the Bank of England in like manner as they have been heretofore issued to the Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy; and all such monies to be issued to the Governor and Company of the Bank of England shall be placed on an account or accounts to be raised in the books of the Governor and Company of the said Bank of England, and to be intituled, 'The Account of the Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy,' inserting the name of such Treasurer for the time being, for the paybranch, cashier's branch, and the victuallingbranch; and on receipt of all such monies at the Exchequer, the Treasurer of the Navy shall immediately certify to the Commissioners of the Navy an account of the whole receipt under the respective heads of service, and shall also certify to the Commissioners of the Victualling and Sick and Hurt Boards, the particular sums received and applicable to those services respectively."

3d Section.—"And be it further enacted, that from and after the 1st day of July, 1785, no money for the service of the Navy shall be issued from His Majesty's Exchequer to the Treasurer of the Navy, or shall be placed or directed to be placed in his hands or possession; but the same shall be issued and directed to be paid to the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, and to be placed to the accounts above-mentioned, according to the services for which it is craved and issued."

4th. Section.—"And be it enacted, that the Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy for the time being, by himself, or the person or persons in his office duly authorized by the said Treasurer, from and after the first day of July, 1785, shall draw upon the Governor and Company of the Bank of England for all Navy services whatever, and shall specify in each and every draft the head of service for which the same is drawn; and no draft, of the said Treasurer, or the person or persons authorized as aforesaid, shall be deemed a sufficient voucher to the said Governor and Company of the Bank of England, unless the same specifies the head of service for which it is drawn, and has been actually paid by the said Governor and Company of the Bank of England."

5th Section.—"Provided always, that the monies to be issued unto the Governor and. Company of the Bank of England, on account of the Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, shall not be paid out of the Bank unless for Navy Services, and in pursuance of drafts to be drawn on the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, and signed by the Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy for the time being, or the person or persons authorized as aforesaid; in which drafts shall be specified the heads of service to which the sums therein mentioned are to be applied; and which drafts so drawn shall be sufficient authority to the Bank to pay such money to the persons mentioned in such drafts, or to the bearer of them."

And whereas the provisions contained in the said last-mentioned Act of Parliament, were thereby directed to take place on the 1st day of July, 1785: But the execution of the said Act, with respect to the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, opening an account or accounts with the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, as thereby directed, was postponed by him until the 13th Day of January, 1786, when the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville opened an account with the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, intituled, Right Hon. Henry Dundas, Act of Parliament New Account;" and which said account was continued by him until he quitted the said office on the 31st of May, 1800, and was the only account kept by the said Henry Lord Viscount Melvilleas Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy with the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, under and in pursuance of the said Act of Parliament for regulating his said office.

And whereas on the 10th day of January, 1786, whilst the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville held and enjoyed the said office of Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, he did constitute and appoint Alexander Trotter his Paymaster; and the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville did, on the said 10th day of January 1786, duly authorize and empower the said Alexander Trotter to draw on the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, for and upon the account of him the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville as Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, all and every sum or sums of money that then were or should thereafter be wanted for the Public Services, under the care of the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, the said Alexander Trotter being particularly careful to specify in each and every draft the service for which the money should be drawn.

And whereas it was the duty of the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, during all the time he held and enjoyed the said office of Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, to abstain from applying himself, and to prevent all persons acting under him from applying, any part of the money issued from His Majesty's Exchequer for Navy Services to any purposes of advantage or interest to himself or themselves, either directly or indirectly, or to any other purposes than for Naval Services, and from deriving any profit or emolument therefrom: and from and after the passing of the said act of parliament of the 25th year of His Majesty's reign, for better regulating the office of the Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, it was the duty of the said Lord Viscount Melville to observe and pursue the provisions and directions of the said act of parliament; yet the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, not satisfied with the ample revenue so provided for him as aforesaid, nor regarding the duty of his high and important office, or the express provisions of the said act of parliament, did, whilst he so held and enjoyed the said office, act and conduct himself fraudulently, corruptly, and illegally, in the several instances herein set forth.

FIRST ARTICLE.—That the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, whilst he held and enjoyed the said office of Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, and previous to the said 10th day of January 1786, did take and receive from and out of the money imprested to him as Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, from His Majesty's Exchequer, the sum of 10,000l. or some other large sum or sums of money, and did fraudulently and illegally convert and apply the same to his own use, or to some other corrupt and illegal purposes, and to other purposes than those of the Public Navy Services of the kingdom, to which alone the same was lawfully applicable; and did continue such fraudulent and illegal conversion and application of the said sum or sums of money after the passing of the said act of parliament for the better regulating the office of the Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy. And the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville has declared that he never would reveal the application of the said sum of 10,000l. and in particular he did make such declaration in the House of Commons, on the 11th day of June, 1805; and then and there added, that be felt himself bound by motives of public duty, as well as private honour and personal convenience, to conceal the same; all which conduct of the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville was contrary to the duty of his said office, a breach of the high trust reposed in him, and a violation of the laws and statutes of this realm.

SECOND ARTICLE.—That the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, disregarding the duties of his said office, and in breach and violation of the said act of parliament for better regulating the same, did, after the passing of the said act, and whilst the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville continued to hold and enjoy the said office, connive at, and permit and suffer the said Alexander Trotter, under and by virtue of the said authority so given to him by the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville as aforesaid, illegally to draw, receive, and take from the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, for other purposes than for immediate application to Navy Services, large sums of money from and out of the monies before then issued unto the said Governor and Company of the Bank of England, on account of the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, as Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy: and the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville did connive at, and permit and suffer the said Alexander Trotter to place the said last-mentioned sums of money, or a great part thereof, so illegally drawn, received, and taken by him from the Governor and Company of the Bank of England as aforesaid, in the hands of Messrs. Thomas Coutts and Company, the private bankers of the said Alexander Trotter, in his own name, and subject to his sole controul and disposition: all which conduct of the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville was contrary to the duty of his said office, a breach of the high trust reposed in him, and a violation of the laws and statutes of the realm.

THIRD ARTICLE.—That after the passing of the said act of parliament for better regulating the Office of the Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, and after the said 10th day of January 1786, and whilst the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville held and enjoyed the said office, large sums of money were, from time to time, issued and paid to the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, and placed on an account raised in the bo[...]ks of the said Governor and Company with the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, intituled, "Right Hon. Henry Dundas, Act of Parliament New Account:" And the said Alexander Trotter, under and by virtue of the said authority from the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, did, from the said 10th day of January 1786, during all the time the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville afterwards continued to hold and enjoy the said office of Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, draw upon the said Governor and Company of the Bank of England for and on account of the monies so issued and paid to them and placed to the said account so raised in their books, with the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, as such Treasurer as aforesaid: and the said Alexander Trotter did receive and take large sums of money so drawn by him from the said Governor and Company of the Bank of England as aforesaid:

That the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville did, after the said 10th day of January 1786, fraudulently and illegally permit and fuffer the said Alexander Trotter to place many of the said sums of money so drawn, received, and taken by him from the Governor and Company of the Bank of England as aforesaid, in the hands of Messrs. Thomas Coutts and Company, the private bankers of the said Alexander Trotter, in his own name and at his own disposal: and the said Alexander Trotter did thereupon, with the privity, by the connivance, and with the permission of the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, apply and use the said last-mentioned sums of money, or great part thereof, for purposes of private advantage or interest, profit and emolument; and did place the said sums of money, or a great part thereof, in the hands of the said Messrs. Coutts and Company, mixed with and undistinguished from the proper monies of the said Alexander Trotter, whereby the said last-mentioned sums of money were not only applied to and used for purposes of private advantage or interest, profit and emolument, and for purposes other than Navy Services, but were also exposed to great risk of loss, and were withdrawn from the controul and disposition of the Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy: and the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, by so conniving at and permitting and suffering the public money to be withdrawn from the Bank of England, and used and applied in manner aforesaid, acted in breach of the great trust and confidence reposed in him in violation of the said act of parliament made for regulating his said office, contrary to his duty, and against the laws of this realm, and to the evil example of all persons entrusted in the great departments of the public service, with controul over the application and expenditure of the public money.

FOURTH ARTICLE.—That after the said 10th day of January 1786, and whilst the said. Henry Lord Viscount Melville held and enjoyed the said office of Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, be the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville did fraudulently and illegally, for the purpose of advantage or interest to himself, or for acquiring or obtaining profit or emolument therefrom, or for some other corrupt and illegal purposes, and for purposes other than Navy services, take and receive from the Public money placed in his name at the Bank of England, as Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy, the sum of 10,000l. or some other large sum or sums of money, and did fraudulently and illegally convert and apply the same to his own use, or to some other corrupt and illegal purposes:

That during the time the said Alexander Trotter held and enjoyed the said office of Paymaster to the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville as aforesaid, and whilst the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville held and enjoyed the said office of Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy as aforesaid, he the said Alexander Trotter kept with the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville an account current, entered in certain books of account, containing entries of all the sums paid and received by the said Alexander Trotter on the account of the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, and by agreement between the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville and the said Alexander Trotter, bearing date the 18th and 23d days of February 1803, it is stated that they had either mutually delivered up to each other, or resolved and agreed mutually to cancel or destroy, all the vouchers or other memorandums and writings that at any time theretofore might have existed, passed, or been interchanged between them relative to the said accounts, and the different items and articles of which the said accounts were composed or consisted: and the said books of account containing the said account current, together with all vouchers or other memorandums and writings in the possession of the said Alexander Trotter, and also of the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville relative thereto, were burnt and destroyed by the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville and Alexander Trotter: and the said stipulation contained in the said agreement for the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville and Alexander Trotter mutually delivering up to each other, or for mutually cancelling and destroying all the said vouchers or other memorandums or writings relative to the said account, was so entered into; and the said books of accounts, vouchers, memorandums, and writings, were so burnt and destroyed, with a view to conceal and prevent the discovery of the several advances of money made by the said Alexander Trotter to the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, and of the several accounts or considerations for, or upon which the same were so advanced: all which conduct of the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville was contrary to the duty of his said office, a breach of the high trust reposed in him, and a violation of the laws and statutes of this realm, and to the like evil example as aforesaid.

FIFTH ARTICLE.—That after the said 10th day of January, 1786, and whilst the said Alexander Trotter so continued the Paymaster of the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville as aforesaid, and with such privity, connivance, and permission as aforesaid, so applied and used the said sums of money, or great part thereof, for purposes of private advantage, profit, and emolument, as aforesaid, the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville fraudulently concealing the illegal use and application of the same, did procure, obtain, and receive from the said Alexander Trotter, advances of several large sums of money, which were made to him the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville by the said Alexander Trotter, in part from money so as aforesaid illegally drawn by him the said Alexander Trotter from the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, and in part from sums of money so placed by the said Alexander Trotter in the hands of the said Messrs. Coutts and Company as aforesaid, when mixed with and undistinguished from the proper monies of the said Alexander Trotter: and for the purpose of more effectually concealing the said advances of money, the said books of account, vouchers, memorandums, and writings, were so as aforesaid burnt and destroyed.

SIXTH ARTICLE.—That amongst other Advances of money so as aforesaid obtained and received by the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, from the said Alexander Trotter, the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville did procure, obtain, and receive from the said Alexander Trotter, a sum of 22,000l. or some other large sum or sums of money, advanced by the said Alexander Trotter to the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, without interest; part whereof was so advanced exclusively from public money so as aforesaid illegally drawn from the Governor and Company of the Bank of England by the said Alexander Trotter; and other past whereof was advanced from the said mixed fund, composed as well of public money so as aforesaid illegally drawn by the said Alexander Trotter from the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, and placed by him in the hands of the said Messrs. Coutts and Company as aforesaid, as of the proper monies of the said Alexander Trotter in the hands of the said Messrs. Coutts and Company, which had been mixed therewith, and remained undistinguished therefrom: and for the purpose of more effectually concealing the said advances of money, the said books of account, vouchers, memorandums, and writings were so as aforesaid burnt and destroyed.

SEVENTH ARTICLE.—That amongst other advances of money so as aforesaid obtained and received by the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville from the sad Alexander Trotter, the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville did obtain and receive a sum of 22,000l. or some other large sum or sums of money advanced to him by the said Alexander Trotter, and for which it has been alledged by the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, that he was to pay interest: and for the purpose of more effectually concealing the said last-mentioned advances of money, the said books of accounts, vouchers, memorandums, and writings, were so as aforesaid burnt and destroyed.

EIGHTH ARTICLE.—That during all or great part of the time the said Alexander Trotter held and enjoyed the said office of Paymaster to the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville as aforesaid, and the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville held and enjoyed the said office of Treasurer of His Majesty's Navy as aforesaid, he the said Alexander Trotter did gratuitously, and without salary or other pecuniary compensation, act in and transact the private business of the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, as his agent, and was from time to time in advance for the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville in that respect to the amount of from 10,000l. to 20,000l. or to some other great amount: and which advances were taken from the said sums of money so placed by the said Alexander Trotter in the hands of the said Messrs. Courts and Company, consisting in part of Public Money, drawn by him from the Governor and Company of the Bank of England as aforesaid, and in part of his own private monies mixed therewith, and undistinguished therefrom as aforesaid: by means whereof the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville did derive benefit and advantage from the aforesaid illegal acts of the said Alexander Trotter.

And the said Alexander Trotter did so gratuitously, and without salary, act in and transact the private business of the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, and make him such advances of money as aforesaid, in consideration of the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville conniving at and permitting and suffering the said Alexander Trotter so as aforesaid to apply and make use of the said sums of Public Money so drawn by him from the Bank of England, and applied and appropriated for purposes of private advantage, or interest, profit and emolument as aforesaid: and the said Alexander Trotter would not have been, and was well known to the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville not to have been able to make such advances of money to the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville as aforesaid, otherwise than from and by means of the said sums of Public Money so drawn by the said Alexander Trotter from the Bank of England, with the privity, connivance, and permission of the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville as aforesaid, and applied by the said Alexander Trotter for purposes of private advantage, interest, profit, and emolument. All which proceedings and conduct of the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville were contrary to the duty of his said office, in breach of the great trust reposed in him, and in gross violation of the laws and statutes of this realm, And by all and every one of the aforesaid acts done and committed by him the said Henry Lord Viscount Melville, he was and is guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors.

[TROTTER'S INDEMNITY BILL.]—0n the third reading of the bill to indemnify all persons for the evidence they may give on the Impeachment of lord Melville,

Mr. Whitbread said, that as Mr. Trotter must necessarily be a very material evidence in this case, on account of the many transactions which were only known between him and lord Melville, he had a clause to move, for making his exoneration more comprehensive than was first intended. Several great and eminent lawyers, he said, held the opinion, that, notwithstanding any Civil Process against him, Mr. Trotter could not refuse, but may be compelled to answer any questions that may be demanded of him on a Criminal Prosecution.—But, as there were other lawyers of considerable authority, who maintained a contrary opinion, he wished to obviate any difficulty that may occur—and, in doing so, he made no doubt of being supported by an hon. gentleman opposite to him (Mr. R. Dundas, son of lord Melville), who had shewn a moderation and temper, throughout the whole of these proceedings, which entitled him to his respect, and to every consideration from the house. The clause he had to propose was as follows: "that any evidence which Mr. Trotter might have given before the Committee of the House of Commons, or may hereafter give in the Impeachment against lord viscount Melville, should not be brought against him in any Civil Suit instituted by the Attorney-General, by order of this house."

Sir W. Elford did not think that the clause proposed was sufficient for its object. It could not relieve Mr. Trotter from all embarrassment in the delivery of his testimony; for though it would prevent its being brought as evidence against him in a civil process, it might make a very unfavourable impression on the minds of some of those who might have afterwards to decide upon his conduct as a jury. There was a great diversity of opinions between lawyers on this subject, and he begged leave to read one, of a gentleman of considerable eminence, Mr. Dancey, which held, that in criminal and civil cases, in the situation of a witness, in neither case could he be compelled to give evidence which might criminate himself. That opinion also referred to Mr. Peake's book for authority, and cases to support that doctrine. He admitted, that he was one of those, who did not think this a subject of any prosecution—but, as the resolutions of the house remained yet unrescinded, and as the object of every man must be, that the ends of substantial justice should. be obtained, the witnesses ought to be relieved from any sort of embarrassment, that they might have no hesitation in freely answering such questions as may be put to them on their cross examination by his lordship's counsel. Hitherto the civil process against Mr. Trotter had only been suspended, and might, by their vote, be renewed again; but, in order to put him in a situation of protection against all consequences of his evidence, he thought it right that the civil suit should be given up altogether.

Mr. Whitbread replied, that if the hon. gentleman would propose a clause to the effect he mentioned, it would be for the house to decide whether they would adopt it or not.

Mr. Rose observed, that though by Mr. Whitbread's clause, Trotter's evidence or the impeachment could not be produced against him, yet it might afford subject of inquiry to the attorney-general; which would lead to the production of other evidence that might equally affect him.

Mr. S. Bourne argued, that, notwithstanding this indemnity against any civil process, yet it could not protect him against an indictment for perjury if he should contradict any part of his former evidence.

Mr. Serjeant Best did not consider this as affording a favour to Mr. Trotter, whom he did not think entitled to any, but as meant to render him a more competent and better evidence than he otherwise might be. The clause provided, that any evidence he may give should not afterwards be brought against him; but as it was never meant to place him in a situation of complete comfort, it was sufficient to protect him against the effects of his own evidence, and he deserved nothing more, nor any peculiar indulgence whatever.

Mr. S. Bourne explained, that Trotter's evidence might possibly afford matter of inquiry to the attorney-general, which would afterwards operate against him.

Mr. Robert Dunaas (son of lord Melville) did not wish to give any opinion as to the clause. All he asked of the house was, that if Mr. Trotter's evidence was to be taken at all, it should be taken in such a manner that he should be freed from all sort of apprehen sign and embarrassment. Without this, the evidence could not have its proper weight. All he asked was, that it should be complete.

Mr. Whitbread said, his wish was to put the witness in such a situation, that as little bias as possible might exist. This clause was drawn up by an able lawyer, who did not think it sufficient to answer the purpose. It was impossible to satisfy all the lawyers.

Mr. Alexander did not wish to do away the vote of the house on this case, but he Wished that the third reading of the bill should be postponed till the house had time to examine and consider the articles of impeachment. This would be more consistent with the dignity of their proceedings.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer had no objection to the third reading of the bill on this day, if it could be done consistently with justice, but the house must be aware that the full benefit of Mr. Trotter's evidence could not be obtained, if he was sill liable to any civil prosecution. His evidence must furnish materials, from which he law officers would frame their proceedings against him. It was delusive to any individual to say, that his own evidence would not be taken against him ; while it was certain, that it would furnish grounds for questions to which he could not demur. This was so simple, that the force of it must instantly be perceived. The evidence could not be fully procured without stopping all civil prosecution. No teem could doubt that it was the invention of the house to drop the civil suit as far as lord Melville was concerned, and the object could not be attained without stopping that against Mr. [...] also. Some distant proposition ought, therefore, to be brought forward for discontinuing the civil process altogether.

Mr. Whitbread said, that if such a proposition was brought forward, he was not inclined to oppose it.

Mr. Charles Wynne said, that he had no intention to oppose the proposition, though it did not apppear to him absolutely necessary.

Sir William Burroughs thought it was necessary to go farth[...]r than had as yet been proposed. The mere stopping of the suit would not be sufficient, for his majesty might order one to be carried on notwithstanding this. It would, therefore, be necessary, in order to remove all bias, to enact, that no civil action should be instituted.—After a few words from Mr. Wilberforce, who agreed in the propriety of the proposition, Mr. Whitbread consented to withdraw his clause, under the impression that the hon. baronet (sir W. Elford) would to morrow bring forward such a clause as would answer his intention.

[FINANCIAL PROPOSITIONS.] Mr. Johnstone presented, without any comment, the following Financial Propositions. After the house had agreed to the first Proposition, the debate, on the motion of Mr. Huskisson, was adjourned to Tuesday next.

  1. That the total amount of the public funded debt of Great Britain was, on the 1st February 1803. 567,008,978l.;—of which 67,255,915l. had been purchased by the commissioners for the reduction of the national debt, and 19,180,587l. had been transferred to them on account of land tax redeemed; leaving a funded debt unredeemed of 480,572,476:—and, that the amount of annuities charged on Great Britain (after deducting what have fallen in) was, on the 755 1st February, in short annuities and for lives, 539,979l.; and in long annuities 1,015,410l.
  2. That the total amount of public funded debt created in Great Britain for account of Ireland was, on the 1st February 1803, 22,348,000l.;—of which there had been purchased by the commissioners for the reduction of the national debt 1,123 415l.; leaving a funded debt unredeemed of 21,224,585l. together with long annuities to the amount of 9,791l.
  3. That the total amount of public funded debt created in Great Britain for account of the emperor of Germany was, on the 1st February 1803, 7,502,633l.;—of which 375,137l. had been purchased by the commissioners for the reduction of the national debt; leaving a funded debt unredeemed of 7,127,496l. together with annuities to the amount of 230,000l. which will expire in 1819.
  4. That the amount of the outstanding demands unprovided for on the 5th January 1803, exclusive of unfunded debt, and of the anticipation of certain duties annually voted, was, 592,630l.: that the deficiency of ways and means for the year 1802 was, 171,431l.;—making the amount of demands unprovided for on the 5th January 1803, 764,061l.
  5. That the unfunded debt in exchequer bills unprovided for, or charged upon funds which proved insufficient, was, on the 5th Jan. 1803, 9 827,400l. including 3,000,000l. in the bank, which bear no interest, in consideration of the renewal of the charter.—That the unfunded debt in navy bills was, on the 5th January, 1803, 3,105,648l.
  6. That the total amount of the public funded debt of Great Britain was, on the 1st February 1805, 603,925,792l.;—of which 89,003,759l. had been purchased by the commissioners for the reduction of the national debt, and 21,794,307l. had been transferred to them on account of land tax redeemed,leaving a funded debt unredeemed of 493,128,726l. And that the amount of annuities charged on Great Britain (after deducting what have fallen in) was, on the 1st Feb. in short annuities and for lives, 509,353l. and in long annuities 1,047,494l. And that a further debt, amounting to 34,400,000l. capital stock, has been created by the sums borrowed in the present session of parliament, and 1,660,529l. by 5 per cent. annuities, created in 1797, subscribed into other funds.
  7. That the total amount of the public funded debt, created in Great Britain lot account of Ireland, was, on the 1st of Feb. 756 1805, 33,738,000l.;—of which there had been purchased by the commissioners for the reduction of the national debt, 2,175,099l. leaving a funded debt of 31,562,901l. together with long annuities, to the amount of 16,208l. And that a further debt amounting to 4,660,000l. capital stock, and to 75,000l. per annum in long annuities, has been created in sums borrowed in the present session in Great Britain on account of Ireland.
  8. That the total amount of public funded debt created in Great Britain, for account of the emperor of Germany, was, on the 1st February 1805, 7,502,633l.;—of which 550,228l. had been purchased by the commissioners for the reduction of the national debt, leaving a funded debt of 6,952,405l. together with annuities to the amount of 230,000l. which will expire in 1819.
  9. That the amount of outstanding demands unprovided for on the 5th January 1805, exclusive of unfunded debt, and of the anticipation of certain duties annually voted, was 1,817,863l.: that the surplus of ways and means for the year 1804, was 1,192,115l.; reducing the amount of demands unprovided for on the 5th January 1805, to 625,748l.;—the whole of which has been paid off or provided for in the present session.
  10. That on the 5th January 1805, there were 3,375,488l. in exchequer bills, charged upon the aids of 1804, to the discharge of which the aids of 1804 were insufficient; 12,000,000l. charged on the aids of 1805; and 3,000,000l. payable in 1806, which are with the bank, and bear no interest in consideration of the renewal of the charter; making a total of exchequer bills unprovided for, of 18,375,488l.;—of which sum 3,375,488l. has been paid off or provided for in the present session.—That the unfunded debt in navy bills was, on the 5th January 1805, 5,001,567l.
  11. That the variations in the state of the public debt between the 5th January 1803 and the 5th January 1806, being three years of war, may be estimated as follow:
    12. The public funded debt of Great Britain unredeemed, which on the 1st Feb. 1803 was 480,572,476l. will amount to 516,689,255l. after deducting 12,500,000l. for the operation of the sinking fund during the current year; being an increase of capital stock of £. 36,116,779.
    The public funded debt created in Great Britain for account of Ireland unredeemed, which, on the 1st Feb. 1803 was 21,224,585l. will amount to 35,562,901l. after deducting 750,000l. for the operation
    757
    of the sinking fund during the current year; being an increase of capital stock of £.14,338,316.
    The long annuities of Great Britain, which, on the 1st February 1803, were 1,015,410l. will amount to 1,047,494l.; being an increase of annual charge of 33,084.
    The long annuities created in Great Britain for account of Ireland, which, on the 1st February 1803, were 9,791l. will amount to 91,207l.; being an increase of annual charge of 81,416.
    The unfunded debt in exchequer bills, which, on the 1st February 1803, was 9,827,400l. will amount to 15,000,000l. being an increase of 5,172,600.
    The unfunded debt in navy bills, which, on the 1st Feb. 1803, was 3,105,648l. will amount to 5,001,567l.; being an increase of 1,895,919.
    The funded debt created in Great Britain for account of the emperor of Germany unredeemed,which, on the 1st. Feb. 1803, was 7,127,496l, will be reduced to 6,852,405l. after deducting 100,000l. for the operation of the sinking fund during the current year; being a diminution of capital stock of 275,091.
    The short annuities of Great Britain, which, on the 1st February, were 539,979l. will be reduced to 486,099l.; being a diminution of annual charge of 53,880.
    The outstanding demands unprovided for, which, on the 1st February 1803, were 764,061l, will be reduced to 625,748l.; being a diminution of 138,313.

The sum applicable to the redemption of debt,—which, on the 1st Feb. 1803 was, for the debt of Great Britain, 5,834,986l.; for debt created in Great Britain for account of Ireland, 258,434l.; for debt created in Great Britain for account of the emperor of Germany, 47,947l.; making a total of 6,141,367l.;—will amount to 7,599,172l. for the debt of Great Britain; 473,612l. for the debt created in Great Britain for account of Ireland; 56,199l. for the debt created in Great Britain for account of the emperor of Germany;—making a total of 8,128,983l.; being an increase of 1,987,616.

  1. That the annual charge on account of the public funded debt of Great Britain, after deducting the interest and the charges of management on stock transferred to the commissioners for the re- 758 duction of the national debt, for the redemption of the land tax, was, on
    2. the 1st Feb. 1803 £.23,510 967;
    1st Feb. 1804 24,110,475;
    1st Feb. 1805 24,928,336:—

And that a further charge has been incurred on account of the sums borrowed in the present session, and by 5l. per cent. annuities subscribed into other funds, a-mounting to-1,430,901.

  1. That the sum annually applicable to the reduction of the national debt of Great Britain, in pursuance of the several acts relating thereto, was, on the 1st February 1803, 5,834,986l.; being about 1/82nd part of the unredeemed debt existing on that day; on the 1st February 1804, 6,311,626; being about 1/77th part of the unredeemed debt existing on that day; on the 1st February 1805, 6,835,625l. being about 1/72nd part of the unredeemed debt existing on that day.
  2. That the net produce of the permanent taxes, existing on the 5th Jan. 1803, was 28,246,681l. including 1,957,340l. for taxes imposed in the year 1802; on the 5th Jan. 1804, 30,754,724l. including 4,584,445l. for taxes imposed in 1802; and, on the 5th of January 1805, 28,555,634l. including 76,689l. for the purchase of legal quays.
  3. That the net produce of the war taxes was, in the year ending 5th of April
    4. 1804, £
    Customs and Excise 3,377,442
    Property Tax 363,877
    3,741,319
    April 1805,Customs and Excise 7,868,078
    Property Tax 3,919,108
    11,787,186
  4. That the official value of all imports into Great Britain, in the year ending the 5th January 1803, was 31,442,318l.; and on an average of six years, ending the 5th January 1803, was 28,419,626l.

That the official value of all imports into Great Britain, in the year ending the 5th January 1805, supposing the imports from the East Indies (of which no account has yet been made up) to be the same as in the preceding year, was 30,342,047l. and on an average of six years, ending the 5th January 1805, was 29,996,736l.

  1. That the official value of British manufactures, exported from Great Britain in the year ending 5th January 1803, was 26,993,129l.; and on an average of six 759 years, ending the 5th of January 1803, was 22,942,800l.

That the official value of British manufactures exported from Great Britain in the year ending the 5th of January 1805, was 23,934,291l.; an on average of six years, ending the 5th of January 1805, was 24,544,625l.

And that the real value of British manufactures, exported in the year ending 5th of Jan. 1803, may be estimated at 48,500,683l.; and in the year ending the 5th Jan. 1805, at 40,349,642l.

  1. That the official value of foreign merchandize exported from Great Britain in the year ending the 5th January 1803, after deducting the excess arising from the valuation of coffee, was 14,418,837l. and on an average of six years, ending the 5th Jan. 1803, was 11,651,333l.

That the official value of foreign merchandize exported from Great Britain in the year ending, the 5th January 1803, after deducting the excess arising from the valuation of coffee, was 10,515,574l. and on an average of six years, ending the 5th January 1805, was 11,619,987l.

  1. That in the year ending 5th January 1803, the number of British vessels entered inwards in Great Britain, was 13,622l.; their tonnage 1,793,333; and the number of men employed in them 108,669:—that the number of British vessels cleared outwards, was 13,012; their tonnage 1,625,966; and the number of men employed in them 102,427:

That in the year ending the 5th Jan. 1803, the number of foreign vessels entered inwards in Great Britain, was 3,733; their tonnage 480,241; and the number of men employed in them 27,737:—and that the number of foreign vessels cleared outwards was 3,352; their tonnage 461,823; and the number of men employed in them 26,749.

  1. That in the year ending the 5th Jan. 1805, the number of British ships entered inwards in Great Britain, was 10,508; their tonnage 1,395,387; and the number of men employed to navigate them 82,970:—That the number of British ships cleared outwards, was 11,131; their tonnage 1,463,286; and the number of men employed to navigate them 93,748.

That in the year ending 5th January 1805, the number of foreign ships entered inwards in Great Britain, was 4,271; their tonnage 607,299; and the number of men employed in them 30,744:—That the number of foreign ships cleared outwards, was 4,093; their tonnage 587,849; and the number of men employed in them 30,507.

  1. That the number of British ships built and registered in the several ports of the British empire, in the year
    2. Ending Number. Tonnage.
    5 Jan. 1803, was 1,231 137,508;
    5 Jan. 1804 1,402 135,349;
    5 Jan. 1805 940 92,091.
  2. That the total sum to be raised in Great Britain, within the year 1805, may be estimated as follows:
    3. Interest on public funded debt, charges of management, sinking fund, on the 5th Feb. 1805 24,928,336
    Interest, charges of management, &c. to be paid between the 5th February 1805 and 5th January 1806, on stock created by loans of the present session to the amount of 34,400,000l. and on increase of stock by repayment of loyalty 1,430,901
    Interest on exchequer bills, the amount issued and bearing interest exceeding 20,000,000l. 1,000,000
    Civil government of Scotland, pensions on revenue, militia and deserters warrants, bounties for promoting fisheries, &c. estimated to be the same as in the year ending the 5th Jan. 1805 930,336
    Charges of collecting and management of the revenue, estimated to be the same as in the year ending 5th Jan. 1805 2,135,176
    Proportion to be defrayed by Great Britain, of the civil list and other charges on the consolidated fund of Great Britain (the charges on the consolidated fund of Ireland, which is likewise a joint charge, being included in the supplies) 15/17ths of 1,366,851l. 1,206,045
    Supplies voted in 1805 for Great Brit. exclusively £ 4,534,000
    Supplies voted in 1805 for Great Britain and Ireland
    Navy £.14,645,630
    Army 18,580,124
    Ordnance 4,846,994
    Miscellaneous 1,619,781
    Foreign Subs. 3,500,000
    £.43,192,529
    Deduct the proportion of charge to be borne by Ireland, 2/17ths 5,081,474
    38,111,055
    42,645,055
    Interest for loans to the Emp. of Germany 497,528
    Making in the whole the sum of £.74,773,377

There has also been borrowed in Great Britain, for the service of Ireland, 4,000,000l.; and 5,246,506l. will be levied parochially for the maintenance of the poor, estimating the sum required for this purpose to be the same as was required in the year ending Easter 1803.

  1. That the funds applicable to discharge the sum required to be provided by Great Britain for the year 1805, may be estimated as follow:
    2. The gross receipt of the permanent revenue, hereditary revenue, Imperial monies repaid, (after deducting the re-payment of over entries, drawbacks, &c.) estimated to produce the same as on an average of three years, ending 5th January 1805 34,065,512
    Estimated produce to the 5th January 1806, of the permanent taxes imposed in the present session 1,200,000
    Malt and personal estates 2,750,000
    Lottery, after deducting the proportion of Ireland 300,000
    War taxes, estimated to produce to the 5th April 1806 14,500,000
    Surplus of ways and means for the year 1804 1,192,115
    Loan 20,000,000
    £.74,007,627.

There has likewise been a loan of 4,000,000l. for the service of Ireland; and 5,246,506l. will be levied parochially for the maintenance of the poor, estimating the sum required for this purpose to be the same as was required in the year ending Easter 1803.