§ On the third reacting of the Mutiny bill.
Earl Grosvenorobjected to the amount of the force with which the country was burdened, but he did not mean to op-pose the bill in the present state of the public business He could not, however, look with any satisfaction at the termination of the present parliament, when he reflected upon the various measures that might have been taken into consideration with advantage to the public, but which would be interrupted by the dissolution; and when he considered also that there was in reality nothing, so far as he could understand, that need have prevented the session from being carried on to its usual termination. Amongst the important questions which ought to have been taken into consideration and determined upon, was the civil list; instead of which, the dignity of the Crown was actually left without any provision for its support. Connected with this subject there was also another important question relative to the situation of the queen; which whenever it did come under consideration he should discuss with the utmost freedom. He put it to the noble lords opposite, whether they ought not, before dissolving the present parliament, to have considered whether they could not have brought forward some measure for' the amelioration of the condition of the people? It could not be denied that much 1637 discontent and irritated feeling prevailed amongst the people, not only here, but in foreign countries; and when they heard of the assassination of the duke de Berri in France, and of the atrocious conspiracy discovered here, said to have for its object the assassination of his majesty's ministers, by a band of desperadoes, there could be no doubt of the existence of an highly irritated state of feeling. It was, however, for ministers seriously to consider whether the measures they had not long since carried through parliament, had not had an effect which was predicted from them by some of his noble friends— that of inducing men who were deprived of the privilege of openly meeting, to associate in secret cabals, leading to the most mischievous consequences? It had been precisely so in France, where, whilst a liberal system prevailed in the government, there was a feeling of satisfaction on the part of the people; but when a disposition was evinced of resorting to arbitrary measures, then followed a highly irritated state of public feeling, and an atrocious assassination. And it was for ministers to consider whether the harsh measures they had resorted to, unaccompanied by any manifestation of a desire to alleviate the discontents of the people, had not a tendency to excite to acts of assassination.
The Earl of Lauderdalespoke to order, observing, that it was highly improper to charge any body of men, whether on the ministerial or opposition side, of the House, with conduct that tended to excite to assassination.
Earl Grosvenordisclaimed the slightest intention of imputing to any persons conduct that tended to excite to assassination; he only meant to dwell upon the expediency of resorting to such measures as might tend to alleviate the discontent of the people: he did not mean that any effort should be made to satisfy wretches who conspired assassination, but that conduct should be pursued to conciliate a considerable portion of the people who were suffering under distress, arising from, the great pressure of taxation.
§ The, bill was passed.