Lords Sitting of 6 June 1811

VOTE OF CREDIT.
The order of the day for taking into consideration his royal highness The Prince Regent's Message of yesterday, on this subject, being read,
The Earl of Liverpoolrose, for the purpose of moving a corresponding Address to his royal highness on the occasion: He deemed it unnecessary to occupy their lordship's time, by offering any preliminary observations, as under the known circumstances of the times, the expediency, the necessity, and the policy of the measure proposed by the Message, were too evident to be dwelt on. He should, therefore, reserve himself for any objection that might possibly be offered. He would, however, state the sum proposed, or to be proposed in another place, as the extent of the Vote of Credit, namely, three millions for England, and two hundred thousand pounds for the service of Ireland. He repeated, that under such circumstances as the present, no rational objection could be made to the placing, for the purposes mentioned in his royal highness's Message, at the disposal of his Majesty's government, the sum alluded to, to be expended by ministers, on their responsibility, as the exigencies of the case might require. His lordship then moved an Address corresponding with his royal highness's Message, and assuring him of the ready concurrence of their lordships as desired.—On the question being put,
The Earl of Suffolkrose not to oppose the motion, but for the purpose of adverting to a very important consideration connected with the subject. He had always been of opinion, that it was only in the peninsula, that the French were to be attacked with any prospect of success. From the successes hitherto, he was induced to hope the contest would terminate in our favour. He wished, however, to be informed by the noble secretary of state, whether it was the intention of government to adopt measures for the embodying
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and duly disciplining a sufficient number of the Spanish troops, without which, the French could not be resisted with success, or effectual co-operation afforded He deemed this a point of the highest importance, under the present circumstances, and a satisfactory answer on the subject would relieve his mind from a great deal of anxiety,
The Earl of Liverpoolobserved, that their lordships must feel the question to involve a point of considerable delicacy. He could, however, answer generally, that it was an object his Majesty's government had never lost sight of, and such steps as they deemed expedient had been taken on the subject; but he could not speak more explicitly, until such arrangements should be completed as might be regularly laid before the parliament. He would say thus much, both with respect to the description of troops alluded to by the noble earl, and of the officers who commanded them, that they were greatly advanced in point of discipline and general improvement within the last three months. And of this the occurrences at the late glorious action at Albuera, had afforded manifest proofs, by the gallantry, skill, and valour, displayed by that portion of the allied forces—forming a most rational ground for confidence, that in due time those troops would answer every possible expectation.
The question was again put, and the Address voted nem, dis.