§ On the question for going into a committee on the Custom-house Fees Regulation bill;
The Duke of Norfolkcensured the procrastination which delayed the bringing forward a bill of such importance, and disapproved of its being attempted to be passed through that house as a matter of course, as the bill went not only to affect those who held their places during pleasure, but the emoluments of those who held patent places; a description of tenure, which was always held as sacred as any other kind of property. Many of those persons were even ignorant of such a bill being before parliament; he should therefore propose, that the progress of the bill be postponed for a little time, until the parties alluded to should be aware of what was going forward.
The Earl of Westmorelandobserved, that he should not on his part object to postponing the committee till to-morrow.
The Duke of Norfolkthought this too short a postponement, in reference to what he had stated. It was at length agreed to postpone the committee on the bill in question till Friday.