Commons Sitting of 17 February 1806

MINUTES.
On the motion of Mr. Francis, a new writ was ordered for Apple-by, in the room of Mr. Courtenay, who has been appointed one of the lords of the treasury.—A new writ was ordered, on the motion of Mr. Pole Carew, for Worcester, in the room of Wm. Lygon, esq. now lord Beauchamp.—Mr. Fox was introduced by lord Henry Petty and Mr. Whitbread, and took the oaths and his seat.—Sir P. Stevens presented, pursuant to order, an account of the contracts for spirits, with the terms, &c. from 5th July 1803, to 5th Jan. 1806.—A bill for erecting a workhouse, and making certain arrangements with respect to the poor in the parish of St. Sepulchre, was brought in by sir J. Anderson, and read a first time.—Mr. Lee moved, "that there be laid before this house, an account of the number of writs issued out of the courts of King's Bench and common Pleas, in Ireland, for the last 4 years, commencing the 1st day of Michaelmas term 1801, and distinguishing the numbers issued out of each court during each year." Ordered.—Lord H. Petty gave notice, that he would, to-morrow, move that the house do adjourn to Monday next; and also, that on that day he should move for a revival of the committee for investigating the joint account between great Britain and Ireland.—Dr. Duigenan moved for leave to bring in a bill for enforcing the residence of spiritual persons on their benefices in Ireland. Ordered.—The 5 millions ex

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chequer bills bill was read a third time, passed, and sent to the lords.—The bill for ascertaining the population of Ireland was brought in by Mr. Fitzgerald, read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on the 3d of April, and to be printed.—A bill for more easily obtaining the partition or inclosure of land in Ireland, was brought in by the same right hon. gent. and read a first time.

UNION WITH IRELAND.
Mr. Alexanderavailed himself of the appearance of a right hon. gent. in his place (Mr. Secretary Fox) to put a question to him on a subject, which he looked upon as deeply interesting to the empire. In a late debate (see p. 128,) that right hon. gent. had expressed some opinions respecting the Union with Ireland, which had excited a considerable sensation, and given rise to much agitation in different parts of the empire. The request, therefore, that he had to make to that right hon. gent. was, that be would distinctly state the tenor of those opinions, so far as they might lead to any practical result, with a view to put an end to the agitations which they had already excited.
The Speakerfelt it to be his duty to remind the house, that, for any member to put a question to another, with reference to any expressions that might have been used by him in a former debate, was wholly irregular and inconsistent with the received practice of that house. It would, however, rest with any hon. member to use his own discretion how far he should deviate from the received usage, and comply with such an irregular proceeding.
Mr. Alexanderwas fully aware of the irregularity of his application, and therefore pressed for an explanation, as a particular favour, rather than as a right, with a view to quiet the apprehensions which appeared to have been excited.
Mr. Secretary Foxthen rose and observed, that he had many apologies to make to the house for saying any thing on the subject. The words which the hon. member had alluded to, as having been used by him on a former night, applied particularly to the question then under the consideration of the house, and so far as they referred to that, appeared to him sufficiently clear and explicit. He had felt himself bound to express himself in than manner, to prevent any misunderstanding, because a very respectable member of that house had said, that he could not consent
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to the motion then under discussion, for voting posthumous honours to marquis Cornwallis, as he could never approve of the measure of the union, which had been effected by that nobleman. He agreed himself with that respectable member as to the measure of the Union, though he differed from him, as to the effect of his supporting the motion; which he had clearly evinced by his vote for the honours to be paid to the memory of the noble marquis. But he had at the same time begged of the house clearly to understand, that by voting in that manner, he by no means expressed any approbation of the principle of the measure of the Union, or of the manner in which it had been conducted. His opinion on that subject remained the same as it had been, and he saw no reason to look to any alteration of it; at least, he had yet not heard any thing to make him alter it. But he had not on the occasion alluded to, expressed one word prospectively. His observations applied purely to the measure as it arose, and to the manner in which it had been conducted. But it did not follow, that, because a man had felt that a particular measure, and more especially the manner in which that measure had been conducted, had been exceptionable, he was therefore bound to undo it. There are, said the right. hon. gent., many measures which may originally have been bad, and yet cannot be remedied by a repeal of them; and if ever there was a measure, the enactment of which is not connected with its repeal, it is precisely this measure of an incorporate Union. For, however objectionable the manner under all the circumstances under which it was carried, it is impossible to remedy any objections which might have originally existed against it, by its repeal.
Mr. Alexanderdeclared himself fully satisfied with the explanation of the right hon. gent. and again disavowed any other object than that of setting the public mind at rest on the subject.