HC Deb 17 December 1812 vol 24 cc317-8
The Chancellor of the Exchequer

presented the following Message from his royal highness the Prince Regent:

"George P. R.

"The Prince Regent, acting in the name and on the behalf of his Majesty, having taken into his serious consideration the accounts which he has received of the severe distresses to which the inhabitants of a part of the empire of Russia have been exposed, in their persons and property, in consequence of the unprovoked and atrocious invasion of that country by the ruler of France, and of the exemplary and extraordinary magnanimity and fortitude with which they have submitted to the greatest privations and sufferings in the defence of their country, and the ardent loyalty and unconquerable spirit they have displayed in its cause, whereby results have been produced of the utmost importance to the interests of this kingdom and to the general cause of Europe, re commends to the House of Commons to enable his Royal Highness, in aid of the contributions which have been commenced within the Russian empire, for this purpose, to afford to the suffering subjects of his Majesty's good and great ally the emperor of Russia, such speedy and effectual relief as may be suitable to this most interesting occasion. G. P. R."

The Chancellor of the Exchequer,

when the Message was read, proposed that it should be referred to the Committee of Supply.

Mr. Whitbread

said, that we ought to begin by relieving our own starving manufacturers, as he saw no reason why, in this instance, charity should not begin at home.

Sir F. Burden

said, that this Message was not only extraordinary, but insulting to the people of this country.

Mr. Stephen

differed much from the hon. baronet, and thought the grant recommended in the Message advisable in the highest degree.

Mr. Ponsonby

said, that the Message, whatever might be its propriety, appeared to him, or rather came upon him, as a matter of complete novelty. Though some of his friends might have done so, he confessed that he had not, as yet, formed his opinion on the subject, but said, that he should do so before to-morrow.

Earl Temple

said, though he had not as yet decided, that, at present, the strong inclination of his mind was to support the grant.

Mr. Lockart

spoke in support of the grant, and was hostile to the remarks of the hon. baronet.

The Message was then ordered to be referred to the Committee of Supply tomorrow.