§ Mr. percevaldid not think it right that this measure should be now brought forward, the house being already exhausted by a long debate; he, therefore, hoped, that it would be postponed to a future day.
Lord Templefelt the force of what the learned gent. had said; but he did not think it too much to ask, though gentlemen seemed determined to give every opposition to the measures of his majesty's ministers, that the bill should be now read a second time, and that the debate should take place on the Speaker's leaving the chair.
§ Mr. Percevalcould not agree with the noble lord: he thought the bill of such importance that it should have the fullest discussion; and he thought it probable that he would have to divide the house, not only on the second reading, but also on the question of the Speaker's leaving the chair.
§ The Speakerreminded the house, that there was a petition on the table against the bill, and that there was an order to hear counsel.
Lord Templesaid he gave way, not to the suggestion of the learned gent. (Mr. Perceval), but to the convenience of the house.
Mr. Roseobserved, that his hon. friend had merely said, that it would not suit the convenience of the house, that a measure of such importance should come on at midnight.
§ Lord De Blaquieredid not think the noble lord should have spoken with so much warmth, as to tell his learned friend, that he did not give way to his suggestion. The house had a right to debate on every stage of the bill, and he demanded the opportunity.
§ Mr. Percevalthanked his noble friend, but declared that he did not think the noble lord had spoken so warmly as was supposed.
Lord Templesaid, that any warmth he might have manifested, was entirely owing to the rough manner in which the learned gent. had desired him to postpone the second reading.
§ Mr. Foxconceived the bill to be highly useful, but could not allow it to be by any means of the importance described. It was by no means a measure of a permanent na- 669 ture, but one altogether temporary. Neither was it without a precedent: 2O years ago the Navigation acts, among many others, had been suspended for a longer period, he trusted, than would be necessary on the present occasion.
Mr. Roseexplained that, on that occasion, it was only suspended during the then war. Here it was not for the present war, but a general suspension during every war in which we might be engaged.
§ Sir C. Pricealso disapproved of the bill.
§ Mr. Foxdeclared his readiness to confine the bill to the present war; and if his doing so could remove the objections of other gentlemen, who, from misconceiving the effects of the measure, opposed it, he would even consent to limit its duration for a time to be specified, or during the war.—The bill was then ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday.