LORD SEATON'S PENSION. (Hansard, 31 March 1840)

§ Mr. J. Parker
brought up the Report on Lord Seaton's Pension.

§ Sir R. Inglis
said, in the absence of the noble Lord, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, he gave notice, that in a subsequent stage of this bill, be should 300 call the attention of the House to the unequal measure of justice which had been awarded to another governor of that colony, Sir Francis Head. He did not object to the honour awarded to Lord Seaton, but he felt also that in the case of Sir F. Head—[Mr. Hume;—Hear.] He could understand that cheer perfectly from the friend of Mr. Mackenzie. When he considered how that man was put down not, as had the day before been stated by Sir J. Colborne, but by Sir F. Head, he could understand that what he had stated should be disagreeable to the hon. Member. He considered that under Providence, Sir Francis Head had done great service to this country, and he trusted that there would be found some occasion in which he might justifiably call the attention of her Majesty's Government to the meritorious services of that Gentleman. He was most unwilling to make that House the dispenser of the favours of the Crown. He held that they should come from the unprompted liberality of the Crown, and the unprompted sense of public services; but when he saw such services so long neglected, he felt that it was due to the public character of this country to draw the attention of her Majesty's Government to them.

§ Sir C. B. Vere
said, whenever the House should be called on to assent to any declaration of the services of Sir Francis Head, he hoped it would be by a measure totally distinct and separate from any other.

§ Mr. Hume
said, that when this motion about Sir Francis Head should be brought forward, he should be quite ready to prove that that man who had been branded as "a traitor" to his country, would, under circumstances of success have been called a "patriot." He could prove, and would pledge himself to prove that Sir Francis Head did not deserve the character which the right hon. Baronet had given to him. He should be very glad to prove, when the right hon. Baronet brought forward his motion, who were the parties who did put down that rebellion.