§ Mr. Huskissonregretted that the noble lord (Howick) was not present, to whom he had last night addressed a question respecting the omission in the grant of a pension to the late Irish Chancellor (Mr. Ponsonby) on his retiring from office, of the usual clause respecting the pension, should he again accept a situation of trust or emolument. He had since received information that this was owing to a mistake in the grant on this side of the water, and that in the warrant issued from the Treasury in Ireland, the proper clause was inserted. He trusted that no one was less disposed than himself to throw out an unfounded insinuation on any man, or any set of men. But he had been deceived by the mistake in the grant, which certainly did exist. He therefore moved, that the order which had last night been made for the production of the grant be discharged. Ordered. Soon after,
Lord Howickentered the house, and observed, that his anxiety on this subject had been so great, that on the adjournment of the house last night, he had lost no time, but had called on Mr. Ponsonby, to ascertain the truth of the hon. gent's, assertion. Mr. Ponsonby could not inform him whether or not the grant contained the clause alluded to; but he assured him that he had never the slightest idea whatever of accepting the pension, without the usual conditions; and he had since then written to lord Hawkesbury, stating, that should the clause actually have been omitted in the grant, he was ready to surrender it for the purpose of its insertion. He (lord Howick) confidently appealed to the gentlemen of Ireland, whether there had ever been a chancellor, who had discharged the important duties of his high office with greater ability, diligence; and advantage to the public? When he first succeeded to the office, the Chancery Court of Dublin was in arrears for six years of Notices, for 600 Motions, and for 427 Causes; when he quitted office, he had got under all the notices and motions, and had 732 brought down the causes to 200, besides going through with the current business. Had he remained in office a few months longer, not a single cause would have been left undetermined. He wished that the hon. gent. would, in future, be more cautions in preferring his accusations; it would have been more candid, had he carefully inquired into this subject; before he brought it forward for the consideration of the house of commons.
§ Mr. Huskissonrepeated his former statement. The clause had certainly been omitted in the grant on this side of the water, and be was therefore justified in imagining that it might have been omitted in Ireland, and that it was intended to be so.