The Earl of Liverpoolrose to lay on the table, by his majesty's commands, certain communications which had passed between his Majesty's government and the governments of France and Spain, relating to the provinces of South America. The subject had been adverted to in his majesty's Speech at the opening of the session, but the correspondence could not then with propriety be made public. As however, the causes which prevented them from being made public no longer existed, there could be no objection to their being laid before their lordships.
The Marquis of Lansdownwished to know whether it was the intention of the noble earl to found any motion on the subject of these papers, or to recommend to the House any proceeding respecting them.
The Earl of Liverpoolsaid, he did not intend to make any motion or propose to their lordships any proceeding connected with these papers. They were laid on the 706 table solely for the information of the House, and to enable their lordships to form their judgment on the subject.
The Marquis of Lansdownreminded their lordships, that soon after the commencement of the session, he had intimated his intention of bringing forward a motion on the state of the late Spanish colonies. He was not aware that the papers now laid on the table could contain any thing which ought to make him alter his intention; but having always been desirous of allowing his majesty's ministers to explain their system of policy with respect to those states, and not wishing to embarrass in any way the question, he should wait until he had read the papers, before he came to any final determination respecting his notice.
The Earl of Liverpoolsaid, he had given notice of his intention to move for a committee to take into consideration the office of Clerk of Parliament. It was then his wish to postpone this proceeding until two noble lords, who had always paid particular attention to the official business of parliament, should be both in town. He understood, however, that the attendance of one of those noble lords could not be obtained until an advanced period of the session; but as the other noble lord whose assistance he wished to obtain, was present, he did not think it proper to delay carrying his intention into effect any longer. He therefore now gave notice, that he would on Monday next move their lordships to appoint a committee.