Mr. Alexandersaid, that as he was the person who presented his majesty's message upon this subject, he thought it his duty to state, for the consideration of the house, certain circumstances which had come to the knowledge of the late admi- 164 nistration, since this message was recommended. These circumstances were of such a nature as strongly to urge the propriety of reconsidering the limitations contained in the bill before the house. Although he did not feel himself entitled to expect that any suggestion of his would be much attended to by his majesty's present ministers, yet upon this occasion he could not suppose that the grounds upon which his suggestion rested, could fail to interest their consideration. According to the limitations in the bill before the house, the succession to the annuity was settled upon the two next male heirs of lord Collingwood. But it appeared that this noble lord had no male children, his family consisting merely, of lady Collingwood and two daughters; who, in the event of that gallant officer's death, were likely to be exposed to a state of distress, which, no doubt, it would be the most anxious wish of that house and the country to prevent. With a view then to guard against such consequences, and to afford an opportunity of arranging more suitable provision for the family of lord Collingwood, it was his wish to suspend the progress of this bill for some time. He therefore moved that the report be taken into consideration on this day sennight.
§ Mr. Spencer Stanhope ,who stated that he had long had the honour of being acquainted with lord Collingwood and his family, recommended that, instead of the limitations at present in the bill, it should be arranged thus; that in case of the death of that meritorious officer, 1000l. a year of the proposed annuity should descend to his widow, and 500l. per year to each of his daughters, to be held by them during their lives. This plan would be infinitely more suitable than that which the bill contained, as lord Collingwood was not likely to have any more children; and sure he was that it would be much more agreeable to the family of that noble lord, and of course to the feelings of that noble lord himself. It would serve to relieve much of that anxiety which must naturally arise in the breast of a parent who is daily exposed to death in his country's cause, and who must he sorely afflicted by the idea that his death would leave his family with a very limited provision. Parliament, the hon. member had no doubt, would be happy and prompt to release the feelings of that noble lord from such an afflicting prospect.
Mr. Vansittartfelt the utmost satisfaction in acceding to the proposition of the noble lord, and he had riot the least doubt that the object to which it referred would meet with the fullest attention from his majesty's present ministers. They would of course not fail to take care that the family of an officer who deserved so well of his country should not be left without an adequate provision; and with that view it would certainly be necessary to provide, that, in failure of male issue, the proposed annuity should devolve on the other branches of the noble lord's family.
§ Admiral Harveyobserved, that it was no affair of his to consider with what the annuity mentioned in the bill originated; but it was to him an object of the most serious solicitude, that such merit as that of lord Collingwood should not go unrewarded, or that the family of such a man should not be left unprovided for. That the latter was likely to be the case, if the house should not reconsider the bill under discussion, he very much feared was but too true.—The motion was then put and agreed to.