§ Lord Henry Petty,previous to moving for a committee on his majesty's message relative to earl St. Vincent, acquainted the house, that he had his majesty's commands to recommend to them that the annuity now limited to the two heirs male of the noble earl, should be extended to the two next heirs of the peerage in succession. It was his duty to add, that when the pension was first granted it was so continued, but it had happened that in proceeding through the house it became limited, He thought it right, distinctly to state this, to shew that it was no new favour granted to earl St. Vincent, 233 although he had no doubt if it were so, that the undiminished zeal with which at his advanced period of life, the noble earl was sacrificing, his ease, and devoting himself to the service of his country, would induce the house cheerfully to accord with such a proposition.
Mr. Rosecorroborated the statement of the noble lord, that it certainly was intended when the grant was first conferred on earl St. Vincent, that it should devolve to the two next heirs of the peerage in succession. He felt it a duty which he owed that noble earl to declare, that when the subject of extending it was first mentioned to him, he had said that he felt himself sufficiently rewarded, and requested, that if any thing farther were in contemplation, it might be done without his interposition.—His majesty's recommendation, as just communicated by the noble lord, having been ordered to be referred to the same committee, the house resolved itself into a committee on his majesty's message respecting earl St. Vincent; when a resolution was agreed to, in conformity with the said message; and the house having been resumed, the report was ordered to be received tomorrow.