Lords Sitting of 10 July 1806

MINUTES.
The Irish Roads bill, the Irish Peerage bill, the Irish Revenue bill, the Land Tax Commissioners' Mistake bill, and the Postage bill, were read a 2d time, and committed for the next day.—The duke of New castle took the oaths and his seat.—On the 2d reading of a bill for allowing the conveyance of a certain quantity of Coals to London by the Paddington canal, the earl of Suffolk said a few words in favour of this mode of supplying the metropolis with coals, which, he thought, did not go far enough. If an unlimited supply by the Paddington canal were allowed, it would tend materially to decrease the price of coals in the London market. Lord Eldon observed, that there being no duty on the coals by the Paddington canal, and a very heavy duty on the Newcastle coals, if the former were allowed to be brought here without limitation, they would drive the latter out of the market, and thereby destroy the nursery of those seamen to whom we were indebted for so many victories. The bill was then read a 2d time, and committed for the next day.—In the case of "Lucina v. Crawford," lord Eldon, lord Ellenborough, and the lord chancellor, concurred in the opinion, that a venire facias de novo ought to issue, in order that the cause might be again tried in the Court of King's Bench. The further consideration of the cause was postponed till the next day.—On the 2d reading of the Slave Ship Restriction bill, Mr. Plumer and Mr. Scarlet were heard in behalf of the island of Jamaica, and also of certain

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merchants and planters, who had petitioned against the bill. They objected to it, on the ground of its being an attempt to abolish the slave-trade by a side wind. They also urged several objections against the clauses of the bill; and submitted that, if it was determined to pass the bill, it would be more expedient, that it should continue for one than for two years. Mr. Plumer expressed a wish, to be a allowed to call evidence in support of the allegations of the petitions. This was objected to by lord Grenville and the bishop of St. Asaph, and supported by the earl of Westmoreland. It was over-ruled by the house. Counsel having finally withdrawn, lord Grenville moved the second reading of the bill, which was accordingly done.