Sitting of 24 November 1803

MINUTFS.—
This day the Speaker cams to the house at half past two, according to the adjournment of the preceding day. Very few members, however, gave their attendance, and at twenty minutes past three, when the Chancellor of the Exchequer arrived, there were not above thirty members present. The de>pair of making a house was at this time very great. At length, about a quarter before four, Mr. Serjeant, who had been sent in quest of members, arrived with the member necessary to enable the speaker to take the chair, several of whom had been called out from the drawing room for that purpose.—Lord Charles Somerset appeared at

39
the bar, and announced that His Majesty having been waited upon to know when it would be his pleasure to receive the address voted the day before, had appointed that day at half past three o'clock.—The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved the order of the day for taking into consideration His Majesty's speech from the throne. That part of His Majesty's speech which expressed a reliance on his faithful commons for making provision for the expenses of the ensuing year, being read, the Chancellor of the Exchequer moved, "that a supply be granted to His Majesty; and that the house should to-morrow resolve itself into a committee to consider of that motion." Ordered—The house then adjourned, and, preceded by the Speaker, went up to St. James's 'with the address.