HC Deb 03 March 1840 vol 52 cc861-2
Sir F Burdett

rose to move the consideration of the petition of John Dillon, for prize-money, for the capture of a smuggling vessel, which the petitioner alleged, although not actually captured by him, had been taken through his instrumentality. The hon. Baronet referred to the facts of the case,* and contended that justice required particular attention should be paid to the claim of Mr. Dillon. He moved that a select committee be appointed to inquire and report upon the claim of Mr. Dillon.

The Chancellor

of the Exchequer thought the claimant might much better employ his time than in repeating his attempts, from year to year, to obtain, under such a pretext, public money from the House of Commons. There were not the least grounds for the claim, only made, be it observed, in the year 1829, though the facts on which he founded his claim took place as far back as the year 1822. An inquiry by the proper authorities had been instituted under different Governments, which negatived the claims; it therefore became his duty, as the guardian of the public purse, to oppose the motion.

Mr. Warburton

thought that the lapse of time between the capture of the vessel and the period when he, on his return from the West Indies, first made his claim, ought not in fairness to be permitted to defeat the justice of his demand.

Sir F. Burdett

said, the capture of the vessel in question was entirely attributable to Mr. Dillon's attack upon her, and forcing her thereby to take refuge in Kinsale harbour, which ended in the condemnation of the vessel. He should, under the circumstances, conceive it his duty to press his motion to a division.

The House divided;—Ayes 15; Noes 42: Majority 27.

List of the AYES.
Bentinck, Lord G. Ellis, J.
Broadley, H. Jones J.
Butler, hon. Col. Lowther, J. H.
Courtenay, P. Miles, P. W. S.

* Hansard, Vcl. Xlvii. Third Series, p. 745.

Perceval, Col. Round, J.
Plumptre, J. P. Vere, Sir C. B.
Pryme, G. TELLERS.
Rae, Sir W. Burdett, Sir F.
Rolleston, L. Warburton, H.
List of the NOES.
Adam, Admiral Hobhouse, T. B.
Aglionby, H. A. Hume, J.
Aglionby, Major Hutton, R.
Baines, E. Knight, H. G.
Baring, F. T. Labouchere, rt. hon. H.
Bewes, T. Lemon, Sir C.
Brodie, W. B. Morpeth, Viscl.
Brotherton, J. Richards, R.
Busfeild, W. Rickford, W.
Callaghan, D. Rundle, J.
Clay, W. Russell, Lord J.
Craig, W. G. Salwey, Col.
Davies, Col. Stansfield, W. R. C.
Elliot, hon. J. E. Stewart, J.
Finch, F. Strickland, Sir G.
Fremantle, Sir T. Verney, Sir H.
Freshfield, J. W. Vernon, G. H.
Gordon, R. Vigors, N. A.
Goulburn, H. Wood, C.
Greg, R H.
Heathcoat, J. TELLERS.
Hector, C. J. Stanley, hon. E. J.
Hindley, C. Parker, J.