Lords Sitting of 21 January 1805

MINUTES.—
The Earl of Caledon,one of the Irish representative peers, was sworn, and took his seat.—Lord Ellen-borough moved the second reading of the bill for rectifying omissions in the insolvent debtors bill; it was accordingly read a second time, and committed for to-morrow.—A number of naturalization bills were introduced, read a first time, and ordered for a second reading.—Mr. Williams, from the commissioners of naval enquiry, presented the ninth report of that commission; which was ordered to lie on the table.—Mr. Johnson, from the secretary of state for Ireland's office, presented the 2th, 28th, 29th,, and 30th reports from the commissioners of national accounts in Ireland: ordered to lie on the table.

CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION.—
The Earl of Suffolksaid, that it was his inten-

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tion, last session, to have given notice of a motion respecting the state of Ireland, but upon communicating with some noble lords, he had thought it advisable to defer it for the moment. Circumstances had since undergone an important change. Fortunately for this country, fortunately for Europe, and, he trusted, fortunately for that part of the united kingdom, a minister was placed at the head of affairs, who had pledged himself, in some measure, to support the cause of that country. As the thing stood at present, he wished, as far as was practicable, to ascertain the intentions of govt. on that important point before he should proceed further, or to see what steps the executive govt. should take in the business. Another consideration with him would be the result of the petition on the part of the Roman Catholics in Ireland. If the prayer of it was acceded to, he should not, perhaps, have any occasion to trouble their lordships on that point. But, should no petition be presented, or, if presented, be rejected, then he should feel it his duty to make the motion, of the necessity of which he had long been convinced by observation and experience. Indeed he could not well bring himself to imagine that it would be opposed by a minister who had given a solemn pledge to use his best and incessant endeavours in support of the measure which he was anxious should be submitted to their lordships; more especially when he recollected, as their lordships must also recollect, that without the influence of that pledge and promise, that minister could never have succeeded in bringing about the great measure of the union.

Additional Force Bill.—
Earl Darnleysaid, that he was desirous to be acquainted with the effect of a measure brought forward last session, commonly known by the name of the additional force bill. He had reason to apprehend that this measure was far from having attained its object, or rather that it had proved wholly inadequate to it. Should there be no objection to such a motion, he would now give notice, that it was his intention in a few days, to move, That there be laid before the house, an account of the number of men raised through the operation of the said act. That motion he should follow up with another, respecting the operation of the same measure with regard to Ireland. The noble lord was desirous to make the motions separately; because,
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with regard to Ireland, at least it would appear, that the provisions of that bill were net only inadequate for the defence of that country, but proved moreover, an onerous and oppressive tax on that part of the united kingdom, and fat beyond that proportion which by the articles of the union, it was bound to bear.
Lord Hawkesburydid not conceive there would be any objection to the motion; the noble lord might make it now, if he thought proper, nor was it necessary, in his opinion, to make separate motions on the same subject respecting the two countries.
Earl Darnleyacquiesced in part of the noble secretary's suggestion, but persisted in dividing the two motions. His lordship then moved "that an humble address be presented to his majesty, praying that his majesty would be graciously pleased to give directions, that there be laid before the house an account of the number of men raised in pursuance of the additional force bill." This motion was agreed to, as also a similar one with regard to Ireland.

CONDUCT OF JUDGE FOX.—
The Marquis of Abercornpresented again the three petitions against Judge Fox, which were submitted to the house last session; namely, one from Mr. Hart, one from the Grand Jury of the county of Fermanagh, and one from the High Sheriff of the same county, which were severally read, and ordered to lie on the table. His lordship then presented the heads of the charges made against justice Fox, and concluded by moving, that the house should resolve itself into a committee on Thursday next, to consider the said papers.
The Lord Chancellorobserved, that the business before the house was one of the most important that could come under their lordship's deliberation. It was therefore of the greatest importance that they should consider well what mode of proceeding ought to be adopted. By the act of the 1st of his present majesty, by which it was enacted that the commissions of the judges should not be terminated by the demise of the crown, it was proved that a judge might be removed upon an address to his majesty from both houses of Parliament, praying for such removal. The question, therefore, in this case, must ultimately be, whether the facts alledged against Mr. Justice Fox were such as to-call upon their lordships to concur in as

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address for his removal. An important question, however, arose as to the mode of proceeding, in the first instance, and it would probably become a subject for their lordships deliberation on Thursday next, whether they should call upon Judge Fox to answer to the facts as alledged by the noble marquis, or whether they ought not first to proceed some length in the investigation of those alledged facts, in order to ascertain if such a case was made out as entitled them to call upon that judge to defend himself. This was a subject of the Utmost importance, and demanded grave and serious consideration. He was happy that this was the only instance that had hitherto occurred since the passing of the bill alluded to of the conduct of a judge becoming the subject of a discussion like the present, and it was certainly incumbent upon the house to determine as to the mode of proceeding with the greatest caution and deliberation.—The motion of the noble marquis was then agreed to; and their lordships were ordered to be summoned for Thursday.—Adjourned.