§ The Duke of Leinster moved the third reading of this bill.
The Earl of Lauderdalesaid, it was for their lordships to consider whether it would be proper to amend this bill, or to postpone it to another session. He was for the latter alternative; but, he thought it fair to acknowledge, that the parties had made more concessions than any of the other companies.
The Lord Chancelloragreed in the propriety of postponing this bill to another session; but was of opinion, that in no session ought such a bill to pass without much and considerable amendments.
The Earl of Lauderdalewas glad to understand that the learned lord intended to introduce a bill, and that one of its objects was, the preventing the sale of the actions of such companies until an act of parliament for forming them had passed. If their lordships had all attended as closely as he had done to the committees on these bills, they would have no doubts as to the manner in which these companies were got up. The noble lord then referred to the examination of a witness, in which it came out, that he was invited to a meeting, at which every one who attended was made a director, a secretary, or appointed to some office.
The Lord Chancellorsaid, he had in- 1479 tended to bring in the bill this session, but he had felt some difficulty on the subject, which induced him to delay it until the next. In the mean time, he doubted whether the transactions referred to were not altogether illegal.
§ The question was negatived; and the bill consequently lost.