Sitting of 18 February 1806

MINUTES.
Lord G. Cavendishmoved for a new writ for the borough of Knaresborough, in the room of lord John Townshend, who had accepted the office of joint paymaster of his majesty's forces.—Mr. Creevey moved for a new writ for the borough of Aldeburgh, in the room of Mr. John M`Mahon, esq. who had accepted the office of chief storekeeper of his majesty's ordnance.—Mr. Vansittart moved for a new writ for the city of Waterford, in the room of Sir John Newport, bart. who had accepted the Chiltern Hundreds; and Mr. Whitbread moved for a new writ for Stafford, in the room of the right hon. R. B. Sheridan, who had accepted the office of treasurer of the navy; which were severally ordered accordingly. —Ordered, that the right rev. Robert Allott, dean of Raphoe, be requested to preach before this house, at St. Margaret's church, Westminster, on Wednesday, the 26th instant, being the day appointed by his majesty for a general fast in this kingdom.—Lord Henry Petty moved, that this house, on its rising, do adjourn to Monday. Mr. Spencer Stanhope said, that before the question was put, he would beg leave to ask the noble lord for an answer as to a single fact, which he would state without any comment whatever; and that was, whether lord Ellenborough, who is one of the privy council, was also allowed to sit and vote in that department of the executive government, which was in common called the Cabinet Council? Lord H. Petty said, he had no hesitation in answering the question of the hon. gentleman, and to inform him and the house, that the noble and learned lord he had named as being one of the privy council, had also been summoned to, and had attended more than once, the sittings of what was commonly called the Cabinet council.

PETITION AGAINST THE ADDITIONAL. FORCE BILL.
A petition of the noblemen, and the humble petition of others the vestrymen of the parish of St. Mary-la-
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bonne, in the county of Middlesex, was presented to the house, setting forth, "that the number of men required to be raised in the said parish, under the provisions of an act of the 44th of his present majesty, intituled, an act for establishing and maintaining a permanent additional force for the defence of the realm, and to provide for augmenting his majesty's regular forces, and for the gradual reduction of the militia of England, amounted to 225; and, notwithstanding every endeavour had been made by the select vestry, churchwardens, overseers of the poor, and other official servants, it had been found impossible to procure a single man in the manner and upon the terms prescribed by the said act; and that the said parish had therefore become liable to the several fines imposed by the said act, and had consequently, on the 23d day of Aug. last, been assessed in the enormous sum of 4,500l. in respect of such deficiency, which, for the reason before given in, was not possible to avoid; and that the sum of 2000l. had been paid to the treasurer of the county of Middlesex on account of the said penalties; and the petitioners have not been informed, nor do they believe that, since the said assessment, a man has been carried to the account of the said parish by the recruiting officer of the district in which the said parish is situate; and that, as the said act seems to have failed in its intended object in every respect, and to impose very heavy penalties upon persons without the possibility of their avoiding the same, the petitioners pray that the said act may be repealed."—Ordered to lie upon the table.

MINUTES
Lord Eldongave notice, that he should, on Monday next, move for the appointment of a committee to search for, and to report precedents of, the practice and proceedings of that house, in cases of indemnity bills with respect to witnesses
in the prosecution of impeachments.—Lady

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Nelson's and sir R. Strachan's annuity bills were severally read a third time, and passed.—Mr. Alexander brought up from the commons the bill for granting to his .majesty the sum of five millions, by way of exchequer bills, &c.; which was read a first time.