Lords Sitting of 13 June 1808

MR. PALMER'S CLAIM.
Lord Hawkesburyobserved, that seeing by the votes of the house of commons, that a measure was in progress there, relative to the Claims of Mr. Palmer, he thought it right to propose to institute an inquiry in their lordships' house in the mean time respecting those Claims. He therefore moved to appoint a committee to inquire into the nature of the Agreement entered into by government with Mr. Palmer respecting the improvement of the Post-Office, and the causes of the suspension of Mr. Palmer from the comptrollership of the Post-Office.—A committee was appointed accordingly.

TREATY WITH THE KING OF SICILY.
Lord Hawkesbury Lord Hawkesbury moved the order of the day, for taking into consideration his majesty's Message, respecting the Treaty concluded with his Sicilian majesty. The object of the motion with which he should conclude, would be to induce the house to concur in making good the stipulations by which his majesty was bound in that treaty; and to bring their lordships to acquiesce in that motion, only a very few observations, he thought, would be necessary. The present Treaty was in substance the same as that concluded and approved
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of by former administrations; but as what was proper and expedient two years since, might not be proper and expedient at the present moment, he should not rest his motion merely on that ground, but observe further, that as the circumstances between the two countries remained nearly the same as at that period, the expediency of pursuing the same line of conduct must also most probably remain. The sum stipulated to be granted was the same, viz. 300,000 l. for which reciprocal services were to be performed. Their lordships would no doubt recollect the circumstances out of which our connection with Sicily arose, and they would therefore be sensible of the fidelity and generosity with which the country must feel itself bound, strictly to adhere to its different stipulations. His lordship concluded with moving an address to his majesty, assuring his majesty of their cordial concurrence in the object of his majesty's gracious communication.
Lord Hollanddid not mean to find fault with the Treaty, although probably its policy or impolicy might at the present moment, in a great measure, depend upon circumstances, of which that house could not be informed, and which, indeed, it would not be proper to communicate. He readily admitted that some such treaty was called for by the claims which his Sicilian majesty had upon the generosity and honour of this country. At the same time, however, there were circumstances connected with the state of Sicily which afforded ground for much anxiety, and he was glad to find that precautionary provisions were inserted in the treaty; but he regretted that in addition to the two fortresses which our troops were to occupy, that of Malazzo was not also directed to be garrisoned by our troops, the latter fortress being of great strength and importance, and kept up at a trifling expence.—The motion for the Address was then put and agreed to.