A petition was presented by Mr. Alexander, from the merchants of Glasgow, against the bill now pending, for withholding the Drawback on foreign Linens exported from this country; which, with two other petitions, from other merchants, to the same effect, were ordered to lie on the table until the second reading of the bill, which, upon the motion of Mr. Foster, was deferred till Wednesday next.—A new writ was ordered to be issued, for the election of a representative for the county of Somerset, in the room of W. Dickenson, esq. deceased.—Sir J. Anderson presented a petition from the curriers of London, against the bill for repealing the Flaying Act.—The house, upon the motion of lord Temple, resolved itself into a committee for taking into consideration the Foreign Thread Lace Duty act, and the propriety of increasing the duties thereon. Resolved, that it was expedient to increase the several denominations of duties. Ordered to be reported on Friday.—A message from the lords announced their lordships' concurrence in the Irish Spirit Duty bill, the Irish Butter Regulation bill, and several private bills.—Mr. Speaker acquainted the house, that in answer to the communication of the thanks of the house voted to admiral sir Richard Strachan, and the officers, seamen, and marines, under his command, for their gallant services against the enemy, he had received a letter from that officer, dated on board the Cesar, at sea, the 19th of May, 1806; and which he should read. The letter, in substance, acknowledged the receipt of the letter from Mr. Speaker, communicating to sir Richard the honour done him by the house of commons, in their vote, approving the services of himself and the officers and seamen under his command; that he should feel sincere pleasure in performing the duty entrusted to him, of communicating the sense of the house of Commons to the officers, seamen, and marines under his command; 366 and as to himself, he begged leave to express his hope, that his readiness, on all occasions, to devote his life to the service of his country, would prove him not unworthy the honour conferred upon him.