Lords Sitting of 26 March 1804

MINUTES.
Counsel was heard relative to the cross appeal, F. Abercromby v. Fleming, viz. Mr. Alexander, at some length, on the part of the appellant. The further consideration of the case was adjourned till Wednesday.—Three private bills were received from the Commons, and severally read a first time.—Mr. Bishop presented certain accounts from the London flour and meal company, directed annually to be laid before Parliament.—Mr. Irving, from the Inspector General of the Imports and Exports Office, presented sundry accounts from that department.—Mr. Stately, from the General Post Office, presented an account of the arrears due from certain officers of that department,

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on fee 5th of Jan. 1804; and also an account of the balances in hand from the month of Oct. 1803, to Jan. last.—These documents were severally ordered to lie on the table.

IRISH MILITIA.—
Lord Hawkesburypresented a message from the King relative to the tender of the Irish militia regiments to serve in any part of G. Britain, similar to that delivered to the Commons. The message being read, his Lordship moved, that the same be taken into consideration on Wednesday next, and their Lordships summoned for that day.
The Earl of Limerickrose, not by any means to oppose the motion of the noble Sec. of State, but to express his most cordial approbation of the circumstances which gave rise to such an auspicious communication from the throne. He had to congratulate the inhabitants of both parts of the United Kingdom upon the occasion; his countrymen, upon their coming forward in a manner, so truly patriotic, and which redounded so greatly to their honour, and offering to identity their interests and their fate upon such an occasion as the present, and the inhabitants of G. Britain upon such an important accession to the active and efficient force of their country, lie felt assured, that in eases of the like necessity, the militia of G. Britain would freely come forward, and volunteer their services to any part of Ireland. He regarded this event as a most favourable opening, and which, he trusted, would lead to further interchanges and co-operations of the respective forces of both parts of the United Kingdom.
Lord Carletonmade a few observations to the same general effect as those which fell from the noble Earl.—The question was then put, and the motions of the noble Secretary of State ordered accordingly.

VOLUNTEER CONSOLIDATION BILL.
Lord Hawkesburymoved, that the Volunteer Consolidation Bill, be read a second time to-morrow.—Ordered.
Lord Grenvillesaid, that he had several motions connected with this measure to submit to the Mouse, but which he trusted would meet with no opposition. His motions were, for copies of the circular letters issued by the Secretary of State, on the subject of volunteer corps. 2dly, for the number of volunteer corps who had waved their right to exemptions, 3dly, for
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the number of volunteer corps, whose offers of service had not been extended to the whole of G. Britain, distinguishing the places to which such service was limited.
Lord Hawkesburysignified, that he had no objection to the noble Lord's motions.—The questions were then put, and the motions severally agreed to.
Earl Spencermade a few observations relative to the future progress of the volunteer bill. He called the attention of the House to the great variety of important clauses and provisions which the bill contained. He did not think it probable the measure could be thoroughly discussed in a committee before the recess; he was therefore of opinion, that the detailed discussion of the bill should be postponed until after that period. He adverted to the circumstances of the very important information which was necessary to the due elucidation of the measure just moved for by his noble friend (Lord Grenville), which most probably could not be presented early enough for that part of the discussion, supposing it to come on before the recess. Upon the whole, the noble Earl seemed to think, that as there was no probability of the bill's getting through the committee before the recess, it would be preferable to postpone it, as a partial discussion of the measure before that period, in a committee, would rather be a disadvantage than of a beneficial tendency.
Lord Hawkesburyobserved, it was his wish that the bill should go through a committee. As to the probable length of the discussion in that stage of the bill, he could not venture an opinion, as he could not tell what clauses or provisions any noble Lord might have to propose, or what objections may be offered to the existing regulations of the bill; but if he found that it was not possible, or very improbable, that their Lordships could get through with that stage of the bill fully before the recess, he should be rather inclined not to propose it, as he agreed with the noble Earl in deeming, that in such a case the proceeding would be rather disadvantageous than otherwise.

IRISH SALARIES AT PAR.—
The Earl of Limerickmoved for the production of an account of all sums, &c. paid at par, to persons in and from Ireland, on the part of the government thereof, since the Union, and distinguishing the sums so paid, in the present session of Parliament, with an account of the

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average of exchange during that period, together with a statement of the orders from the government of Ireland, under which such sums were paid, &c.
Lord Kingexpressed his wish to amend the noble Earl's motion, by the addition of account of all sums paid in specie in Dublin, to the same, if any were so paid." This was shortly objected to by the Earl of Limerick, on the score of irregularity, and as it may form ground to the noble Lord for a separate discussion.—And after a few words in explanation between these Peers, Lord King declined pressing the amendment—The question was then put upon the Earl of Limerick's motion, which was ordered accordingly.