§ Lord A. Hamiltonpresented a Petition from the ship-owners of the ports of the Clyde, praying, that the mates of ships of 50 tons and upwards may not be subject to 1031 impressment. His, lordship wished to know from some of the gentlemen belonging to the Admiralty, whether the orders of the Admiralty for impressment were generally given; as he understood there ware complaints of much partiality being exercised with respect to different places.
§ Mr. Finlay, in seconding the petition, said, the subject was deeply interesting to those parts of the country from which the petition bad proceeded; and he hoped some measures would, be taken to prevent any further proceedings.
§ Lord A. Hamiltonsaid, as no answer had been given to his enquiry, he should move, after the recess, for a copy of the orders of the Admiralty. Should this proceeding be disagreeable, the right hon. gentlemen would have themselves to blame for it. He understood that great partiality was exercised as to some ports.
§ Mr. W. Dundassaid, he was certainly justified in remaining quiet on the subject till he had ascertained these circumstances, rather than in giving any supposition of his own on so delicate a question. He should certainly enquire.
§ Mr. Finlaycontended, that it would be a great object to have the practice converted into some specific law which would bear equally on all, and which all might know. The object of the petition was, to prevent the masters of vessels of 50 tons being exposed to be taken by captains of his Majesty's ships, contrary to the spirit of the practice.
§ Mr. W. Dundassaid, they were only protected while on board; and might, according to the practice, be taken when on shore.
§ Mr. Barhamexpressed his astonishment that no answer had been given to this question. If this practice were persisted in, there would be an end to all the functions of the Commons. They must, he contended, have an answer; and he hoped that the gentlemen, by consulting together, would be able to give the information required.
§ Mr. Hornerthought that the treatment which had just been received from the right hon. gentlemen opposite, was not such as the House was accustomed to. When questions had been twice put by 1032 two hon. members, and two persons in office, who should be able to answer them, were in the House, it was not usual for questions so put to be so received. It was contrary, at least, to the courtesy of the House, as far as he was acquainted with it.
§ Mr. W. Dundasinsisted, that it was entirely new, in the practice of the House, to ask questions not relative to the subject of debate. The question of the hon. member (Mr. Bennet) had no relation to the Petition of the noble lord. He (Mr. Dundas) was not to be frightened by menace or big words into giving an answer, this was a new parliamentary course.
Mr. C. W. Wynncalled to order; for the purpose of preventing, what appeared to him, angry discussion.
§ Mr. W. Dundaswould repeat, that he thought this way of putting questions, a new parliamentary mode of proceeding He would, however, answer, that the hon. gentleman (Mr. Bennet) was perfectly misinformed.
Mr. C. W. Wynnsaid, that nothing was more parliamentary, and nothing more convenient, than this way of putting questions; as it often prevented unnecessary discussions.