Sitting of 26 March 1804

MINUTES.
The bill for increasing the capital Stock of the Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland, was read a third time, and passed.—Sir G. Cornewall brought in a bill for the prevention of Bribery in the Borough of Aylesbury, and making several' regulations, respecting Elections in that Borough in future. Read a first, and ordered to be read a second time on Monday, the 16th of April next.—Sir John Newport stated, that he had moved for the production of certain public accounts on the 2d of Feb. last. These accounts had not yet been presented, and he therefore renewed his motion, "That there be forthwith laid before the House accounts of any and what sums that have been raised by Grand Juries and paid into the hands of the Treasurers of Counties, Counties of Cities or Towns in Ireland, towards the support of Houses of Industry in the years 1801, 2, and 3, respectively." Ordered.—A person from the General post Office presented Accounts of the amount of Money received by the different Postmasters within the last year, and the balance now remaining m their hands. Ordered to be printed.—The annual accounts of the London flour company were presented, and ordered to lie on the table.—An account of the Distribution, of Two Million Pounds sterling, which was voted in the last session towards the service of the year, was presented, and ordered to he on the table—A Petition was presented from certain inhabitants of the Borough of Chippenham, stating that a Select Committee had decided on the case of
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the late contested Election for that Borough, on principles which they with deference conceived to be materially different from the ancient usage of that Borough, and praying that they might be heard by their Counsel on that head. The petition was ordered to be taken into consideration on Tuesday, the 8th of May.—Mr. Dent gave notice, that he would, after the recess, move, that the House take into its consideration the situation of the Holders of Loyalty Loan Debentures.—The order of the day being read for going into a Committee on the Irish Militia Families Bill, a short conversation ensued between Mr. Foster and Mr. Corry, respecting the allowances to be made to the families of the militia-men, after which, the Bill went through the Committee, and the report was ordered to be received to-morrow.—Mr. Kinnard having, adverted shortly to the paper, containing the account of the Distribution of Grants for the year 1803, moved, "That there be laid before: the House an account of the sums at present remaining in the Exchequer; and the sums to be raised, distinguishing the different heads." Agreed to.—Mr. Corry moved, "That there be laid-before the House, an account of all Salaries and Pensions on the Irish Establishment, paid at par in England, from Jan. 1803to Jan. 1804, which account was afterwards presented, and ordered to be printed.

BANKERS' INDEMNITY BILL.—
On the order being read for the House resolving itself into a Committee on the Banker's. Indemnity bill,
Mr. Vansittartmoved, that it be an instruction to the Committee that they make a provision to extend the time of hearing appeals on surcharges made under the Property Tax.
Mr. Princepobjected to the whole principle of the bill. He was of opinion, that many innocent persons would suffer by the passing of such a law; as they would not be able to make their returns within the proper time in many instances, where they resided at a distance in the country. It would be more regular for the agent, when he got his dividend warrant, to go into another office, pay the assessment, and: obtain a certificate accordingly. If the principals had any claim to exemptions, they should prefer such claim themselves.
Mr. Dentobserved, that the bill only went to the prevention of an evil, which it never was the intention of government that

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the parties should suffer. If the measure was not adopted, the greatest inconvenience would ensue in transacting the business in the manner which the hon. member had described, lie then asked the right nun. the Secretary of Stale if any oilier alteration was not intended to be made after the holidays.
Mr. Vansittartdeclared, that he was not at present aware, of any such measure being in the contemplation of his Majesty's ministers. If, however, any sufficient ground was stated, some other regulation might be adopted in the course of the session.—The bill was then passed through the Committee, the report received, and the bill ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.

KING'S MESSAGE.—
The Chancellor of the Exchequerplaced himself at the bar of the House, and presented the following message from his Majesty, viz. "G.R. His Majesty thinks proper to acquaint the House of Commons, that the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the several regiments of the Militia of Ireland have made a voluntary tender of their services to be employed in Great Britain, during the war, his Majesty has received with great satisfaction this striking proof of their affection and attachment toward his person and government, and of their patriotic zeal for the general interests of his United Kingdom; and conceiving that his being enabled to avail himself of this distinguished instance of public spirit may be attended with the most important advantages at the present con-juncture, he recommends it to his faithful Commons to adopt such regulations as may enable him to accept the services of such parts of the militia forces of Ireland as may voluntarily offer themselves to be employed in Great Britain, for such time and to such extent, as to the wisdom of Parliament may seem expedient."—The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved that the message be taken into consideration on Wednesday next, on which day he wished to give notice that his right hon. friend, unless prevented by indisposition, would state to the House the measures proposed to be adopted for increasing the military force of the country.

MINUTES.
Counsel was heard relative to the cross appeal, F. Abercromby v. Fleming, viz. Mr. Alexander, at some length, on the part of the appellant. The further consideration of the case was adjourned till Wednesday.—Three private bills were received from the Commons, and severally read a first time.—Mr. Bishop presented certain accounts from the London flour and meal company, directed annually to be laid before Parliament.—Mr. Irving, from the Inspector General of the Imports and Exports Office, presented sundry accounts from that department.—Mr. Stately, from the General Post Office, presented an account of the arrears due from certain officers of that department,

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on fee 5th of Jan. 1804; and also an account of the balances in hand from the month of Oct. 1803, to Jan. last.—These documents were severally ordered to lie on the table.

IRISH MILITIA.—
Lord Hawkesburypresented a message from the King relative to the tender of the Irish militia regiments to serve in any part of G. Britain, similar to that delivered to the Commons. The message being read, his Lordship moved, that the same be taken into consideration on Wednesday next, and their Lordships summoned for that day.
The Earl of Limerickrose, not by any means to oppose the motion of the noble Sec. of State, but to express his most cordial approbation of the circumstances which gave rise to such an auspicious communication from the throne. He had to congratulate the inhabitants of both parts of the United Kingdom upon the occasion; his countrymen, upon their coming forward in a manner, so truly patriotic, and which redounded so greatly to their honour, and offering to identity their interests and their fate upon such an occasion as the present, and the inhabitants of G. Britain upon such an important accession to the active and efficient force of their country, lie felt assured, that in eases of the like necessity, the militia of G. Britain would freely come forward, and volunteer their services to any part of Ireland. He regarded this event as a most favourable opening, and which, he trusted, would lead to further interchanges and co-operations of the respective forces of both parts of the United Kingdom.
Lord Carletonmade a few observations to the same general effect as those which fell from the noble Earl.—The question was then put, and the motions of the noble Secretary of State ordered accordingly.

VOLUNTEER CONSOLIDATION BILL.
Lord Hawkesburymoved, that the Volunteer Consolidation Bill, be read a second time to-morrow.—Ordered.
Lord Grenvillesaid, that he had several motions connected with this measure to submit to the Mouse, but which he trusted would meet with no opposition. His motions were, for copies of the circular letters issued by the Secretary of State, on the subject of volunteer corps. 2dly, for the number of volunteer corps who had waved their right to exemptions, 3dly, for
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the number of volunteer corps, whose offers of service had not been extended to the whole of G. Britain, distinguishing the places to which such service was limited.
Lord Hawkesburysignified, that he had no objection to the noble Lord's motions.—The questions were then put, and the motions severally agreed to.
Earl Spencermade a few observations relative to the future progress of the volunteer bill. He called the attention of the House to the great variety of important clauses and provisions which the bill contained. He did not think it probable the measure could be thoroughly discussed in a committee before the recess; he was therefore of opinion, that the detailed discussion of the bill should be postponed until after that period. He adverted to the circumstances of the very important information which was necessary to the due elucidation of the measure just moved for by his noble friend (Lord Grenville), which most probably could not be presented early enough for that part of the discussion, supposing it to come on before the recess. Upon the whole, the noble Earl seemed to think, that as there was no probability of the bill's getting through the committee before the recess, it would be preferable to postpone it, as a partial discussion of the measure before that period, in a committee, would rather be a disadvantage than of a beneficial tendency.
Lord Hawkesburyobserved, it was his wish that the bill should go through a committee. As to the probable length of the discussion in that stage of the bill, he could not venture an opinion, as he could not tell what clauses or provisions any noble Lord might have to propose, or what objections may be offered to the existing regulations of the bill; but if he found that it was not possible, or very improbable, that their Lordships could get through with that stage of the bill fully before the recess, he should be rather inclined not to propose it, as he agreed with the noble Earl in deeming, that in such a case the proceeding would be rather disadvantageous than otherwise.

IRISH SALARIES AT PAR.—
The Earl of Limerickmoved for the production of an account of all sums, &c. paid at par, to persons in and from Ireland, on the part of the government thereof, since the Union, and distinguishing the sums so paid, in the present session of Parliament, with an account of the

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average of exchange during that period, together with a statement of the orders from the government of Ireland, under which such sums were paid, &c.
Lord Kingexpressed his wish to amend the noble Earl's motion, by the addition of account of all sums paid in specie in Dublin, to the same, if any were so paid." This was shortly objected to by the Earl of Limerick, on the score of irregularity, and as it may form ground to the noble Lord for a separate discussion.—And after a few words in explanation between these Peers, Lord King declined pressing the amendment—The question was then put upon the Earl of Limerick's motion, which was ordered accordingly.