Commons Sitting of 22 March 1808

WESTMINSTER ELECTION PETITION.
The time appointed for taking into consi-

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deration the Petition of the right hon. Richard Brinsley Sheridan, complaining of an undue Election and return for the city and liberty of Westminster, being come; and no counsel, agent, or party, appearing on the part of the said petitioner, the house was moved, That an Act, made in the 28th year of his present majesty, for the further regulation of the trials of Controverted Elections or returns of members to serve in Parliament, might be read:—and the same being read; the Order for taking the said Petition into consideration was discharged.

GREENWICH HOSPITAL.
Sir C. Pole, pursuant to notice, called the attention of the house to some appointments on the establishment of this hospital, in which due regard was not had to the preference which ought to be shewn to persons who had served in the navy. He cited all the commissions relative to Greenwich Hospital, from the first under William and Mary, to shew, that such a preference ought always to be given; and concluded with moving an Address to his majesty, praying, that he would be graciously pleased to give directions, that all the appointments belonging to the said hospital should henceforth filled with persons who had served in the navy.
The Chancellor of the Exchequersaid it must be the object of every one to promote as much as possible what the hon. baronet was desirous to accomplish. But there were offices for which persons properly qualified could not be found in the navy, such as clerk of the works, who should be an architect; auditor, who should be a lawyer; organist, brewer, clerk of the cheque, surveyor, and others. With these exceptions, he thought no other office should be filled otherwise than from the navy, except when, after a month's notice in the newspapers, no naval person should present himself with proper qualifications to fill the office vacant. He should propose an amendment, adopting the hon. baronet's idea, with this limitation, and he should, in the event of the amendment being adopted, propose an Address to his majesty, praying that he would cause a corresponding alteration to be made in the Charter of Greenwich Hospital.
After some observations from Mr. Whitbread, Mr. Rose, Mr. N. Calvert. and Mr. R. Ward, sir C. Pole agreed to the exceptions proposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the motions were passed accordingly

PETITIONS AGAINST THE ORDERS IN COUNCIL.
On the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the house went into committee, in which the adjourned consideration of the Petitions against the Orders in Council was resumed. The following witnesses were then called in and examined, Mr. Wm. Bell, Mr. Thomas Martin, Mr. Alex. Forrester, and Mr. Abraham Mann. On account of the lateness of the hour, and there being then five other witnesses to examine, the further consideration of the question was postponed till tomorrow.