§ The Duke of Clarenceobserved, that on a former evening, a subject was agitated, which was of that nature, as that not only upon public grounds, but from his private feelings, he was induced again to call the attention of their Idp.'s to. He alluded to the circumstance of his noble friend, (earl St. Vincent) then in his place, having enquired, whether it was in the intention of his maj.'s present ministers to investigate any enquiry into his conduct, while he held the high situation he had lately filled under his majesty? He had known the noble earl during twenty-six years, and though, on some certain points, he had had occasion to differ from him, yet it was always with the deepest regret. However, while at the head of the board of admiralty, the conduct of his noble friend was such, that he should defend it, if necessary. Seeing a noble viscount in his place (Sidmouth), who was lately at the head of his maj.'s councils, and at present held a high situation therein, he would beg leave to ask the noble vise, plainly and decisively, whether the noble vise, could say, or could not say, that, so far from, its being 479 the intention of his maj.'s present ministers to institute any enquiry into the conduct of the late minister for marine affairs, that here existed no ground for setting on foot an enquiry into the conduct of one of the most honourable, dignified, and illustrious naval heroes of the country:
Lord Sidmouth,after shortly adverting to the point, how far he might be warranted in point of parliamentary usage and practice, to answer, in his place, queries of such a nature as that put to him by the noble duke, stated, that with respect to the particular question which his R. H. did him the honour to ask, he had no hesitation in saying (and if he had any hesitation in saying, he should belie every feeling, both private and public, which he possessed with respect to the noble earl, and which all those who knew his character arid conduct must feel) that in his conscience lie believed there existed no ground or reason whatever for enquiring into the official conduct of the noble earl; but, on the contrary, he thought him every way entitled to the approbation and the gratitude of his country.
§ The Duke of Clarencereplied, that he never yet heard any answer within the walls of that house, which had given him such complete satisfaction, as well in a public as a private point of view; he should therefore, on that subject, never more trouble their ldps. Before he sat down, however, his R. H. observed, there was another question of importance, and which he would wish to have decisively answered; namely, whether it was intended by ministers to make any alteration in the system of the volunteer corps? He rather put this question to his maj.'s secretary of state for the home department; because he conceived the description of force in question was more particularly within the province of that minister. He should possibly have occasion to move for the production of certain documents on the subject; but at present, he would simply ask, whether or not it was intended to make any alteration in the volunteer establishment of the United Kingdom.
§ Lord Hawkesburyobserved, he would not then enquire how far it could be expected from him, upon' parliamentary grounds, to answer to such questions as those put by the royal duke. He should now only observe, that, if it should be the opinion of his maj.'s govt. that any further alteration was necessary or expedient to be made in the volunteer, or any other ser- 480 vice connected with the defence of the country, they would, at a proper time; give every due explanation on the subject. At present, he deemed it his duty to decline giving any further answer.
The Lord Chancellorleft the woolsack, and declared, that he must enter his serious protest against questions and conversations which were inconsistent with the order and regularity of their lordships proceedings.
§ The Duke of Clarence,after being so particularly alluded to by the noble and learned lord, could not refrain from saying a few words in his own defence. If noble lords who attended to their duty in parliament were to be denied all information but such as was agreeable to his maj.'s ministers, there would be no use whatever in their coming to that house; but notwithstanding his ldp.'s conscientious admonition, he should still persist in pursuing that course of proceeding which appeared to him to be right, until he should be convinced that it was wrong. This was the rule of parliamentary conduct which, he conceived, could alone tend to the honour of the sovereign, and the advantage of the state.