Sitting of 6 July 1805

MINUTES.
The house resolved into a committee on the Smuggling Prevention bill, lord Walsingham in the chair. Mr. Adam was heard at considerable length, as second counsel, on behalf of the petitioners in the islands of Guernsey and Jersey, against certain clauses in the bill. After the learned counsel had concluded, a short conversation took place between lord Holland and the lord Chancellor, relative to the clauses in question. The former peer thinking the points they involved of so much importance, as to require the attendance of the judges, when the bill should be next taken into consideration, which was proposed to be on Monday. To this proceeding the lord Chancellor objected: at the same time he admitted the importance of the points adverted to, either as they respected executive and legislative power, relative to the islands in question; if, by the law and constitution, of the country, no such right existed, or, on the other hand, the abandonment of the exercise of the right of it did exist; upon these points, he meant then to offer no opinion: future opportunities would arise in the subsequent stages of the bill; as also for the discussion of the clauses objected to. Lord Holland wished the question to be put upon his proposition for the attendance of the judges on Monday, which was accordingly done; it was negatived; but the result was, that the farther consideration of the bill, in a committee, was fixed for Monday.—The bills upon the table were forwarded in their respective stages. Among these, the Irish Revenue Regulation bill, the Irish Assessed Taxes, the Sugar Duties Drawback, the Public Accountants, the Irish Spirits Warehousing, the Irish Linen Duties Drawback, the Plate Glass Duties, were severally read a second time, and ordered to be committed.—The Dublin Paving, Lighting, and Cleansing bill, went through a committee of the whole

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house, received some amendments, and was ordered to be reported on Monday.—Lord Mulgrave, by command of His Majesty, presented a Copy of the proceedings in the Privy Council, &c. on the Petition of John Duke of Atholl, which, on the motion of the Lord Chancellor, was ordered to be printed.—Adjourned.