CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

HC Deb 26 March 1806 vol 6 cc539-40

Mr. Vansittart

it was impossible that the laurels which our moved the 3d reading of the bill for regulating the trade of the Cape of Good Hope.

Mr. W. Keene

supported the motion, making a number of observations, tending to shew his sense of the importance of that settlement, and the expediency of retaining it in our possession in the event of a peace. Lord Garlies took the opportunity of asking the gentlemen opposite, whether or not it was intended to take any parliamentary notice of the brilliant achievement of those gallant men by whose zeal and exertions that important possession had been reduced. A considerable part of the honour attending this exploit belonged to the military. Perhaps the conquest not being completed might be the cause of apparent tenderness in calling for the sense of the house on this subject.

Lord Henry Petty

observed, that as none of his hon. Friends who were more immediately connected with the military department were present, he felt some difficulty in answering the noble lord's question. He was not aware that any motion, of the nature alluded to, was in agitation; and he had no hesitation in giving it as his opinion, that such a motion would be premature until the conquest had been completed.—It may seem paradoxical to say that this mode of increase is preferable to one more gradual and less alarming to the public. A gradual rise would have led to the supposition that this was a fund to be drawn upon to an idenfinite extent, but being raised at once to its nature limits, there will be less suspicion of future augmentation.

Lord Castlereagh rose

to submit to administration the propriety of proposing of proposing a vote of thanks to the gallant officers alluded to, Towards the close of the last war the thanks of the house were not delayed to the conquerors of Egypt until the conclusion of the campaign. In his apprehension the degree in which our troops had distinguished themselves on the opening of the business was sufficient to induce parliament to express a grateful sense of their conduct.

Lord Henry Petty

repeated that as the conquest was incomplete, such a vote would be premature.

General Tarleton

pressed the propriety of an immediate vote of thanks for the gallant services that had been rendered, and deprecated the idea of forbearing until the whole conquest was completed. Should a large body of the enemy land at the Cape, it was impossible that the laurels which our brave troops had gathered should be withered by that event; but they might be deprived of that honourable distinction which he was desirous should be conferred on them.

Lord Henry Petty

observed, that, instead of a conversation like the present, it would be better for any hon. gent. opposite, who wished, to bring forward a precise motion on the subject.—The bill was then read a 3d time and passed.