§ Mr. Broughamhoped, that the state of the public business was such as would enable the chancellor of the Exchequer to accede to the request which he was about to make. It was, he observed, proposed to vote on the present evening the sum of 2,000l. to Mr. M'Adam; and he wished that motion to be postponed, that gentlemen might have a better opportunity for discussing its merits. The question, in his view of it, was one of a most important nature; and they ought to pause before they sanctioned such a precedent. He pledged himself to demonstrate to the House, that if it were carried, there was no one invention made, or that might hereafter be made, by any man, which appeared beneficial to the country, that might not be advanced as a good ground for a grant of public money. If this motion succeeded, he certainly would propose a large grant of money to sir 1353 Humphry Davy, for his discovery of the safety-lamp; than which a more useful or a more important invention had scarcely ever come under his observation. Sir Humphry, he believed, had not made any money by his invention; but, as it had been the means of saving many lives, and was, in fact, a discovery of great public utility, he conceived the inventor was as worthy as any other person could be, to receive the bounty of parliament.
The Chancellor of the Exchequersaid, he felt no anxiety to bring the subject on at the present moment; at the same time, he must observe, that adequate notice had been given of his intention to do so. In the first place, he had given notice that he meant to move this grant prior to the Easter holydays It was then postponed, at the suggestion of others, and fixed for the present day; when, it was supposed, the House would be competent to discuss the subject. He knew not, therefore, why he should now put it off; at the same time, he wished to consult the convenience of the House as. much as possible.
§ Mr. Broughamadmitted, that the right hon. gentleman had given due notice; but he was one, of many, who would be much convenienced if the subject were postponed to Friday week.
§ Mr. H. Sumnersaid, that, on the 19th of May, last year, he had moved that there be laid before the House a return of all emoluments received by Mr. M'Adam and his family from public bodies, for his services. He found that no such return had yet been made; but he thought it must by this time have been prepared. If [so, it was but fair that the House should know what remuneration Mr. M'Adam had already received, before a sum of money was voted to him. He therefore hoped that his right hon. friend would agree to postpone the grant.
Mr. Maberlysaid, that this question had been examined by a committee. The right hon. gentleman was about to propose the grant on the recommendation of that committee; which recommendation was nearly unanimous. The right hon. gentleman objected originally to this grant; and would not consent to it until he had a meeting with all the members of the committee. Due notice was then given, that the grant would be proposed; and therefore he thought that it ought not now to be postponed. Mr. M'Adam conceived that, after the report of the committee., he had a claim on the House. 1354 He ought to be at once informed, whether, that claim would or would not be recognized; instead of being kept in a state of suspense.
The Chancellor of the Exchequersaid, he had no objection to postpone the consideration of the grant to that day fort-night.