Sitting of 20 March 1806

MINUTES.
Mr. Baker presented a petition from the Debtors confined in New-gate.—Mr. Martin presented a petition from the Maltsters of Tewkesbury.—Sir P. Stephens presented the Papers relative to the Naval Commissioners moved for by Mr. Whitbread.—Sir M. W. Ridley presented a petition from the Shoe-makers of Newcastle against a bill now pending in parliament for abolishing certain societies of their craft.—On the motion of Mr. Vansittart, the 10½ Million Exchequer Bills bill was read a 2d time.—The Irish Militia Service bill was read a 3d time, and passed.—The 1½ Million Exchequer bill was read a 2d time.—Mr. W. Wynne presented Copies of the Circular Letters from lord Hawkesbury to the lords Lieutenants of Counties, relative to the Additional Force act.—On the motion of Mr. W. Wynne, that the Dublin Paving bill be read a 2d time, a conversation arose, in which lord De Blaquiere, Mr. Alexander, and Mr. Ormsby, opposed the bill, on the ground that it was a job, interfering with the legal rights of creditors. It was defended by Mr. W. Wynne, and Mr. J. La Touche; ultimately, the 2d reading was deferred till Tuesday.—After a short conversation between Mr. Dillon and Dr. Duigenan, it was ordered, that the account which had

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been laid before the house in July, 1803, of the resident and non-resident Clergy in Ireland, the different parishes, benefices, churches, glebe, houses erected, and erecting, &c. be reprinted.—On the motion of Mr. Lee, a return was ordered of the number of Common Law Subpoenas, Writs of Habeas, &c. issued by the Court of Exchequer in Ireland, for the last 4 years.—On the motion of M r. Fitzgerald, an account was ordered of the quantity of spirits distilled in Ireland, and imported into Great Britain, during the years 1801, 2, 3, 4, and 5, together with the amount of the duties for each year.—On the motion of Mr. Rose, accounts were ordered to be laid before the house, of the quantities of Sugar and Coffee imported into this country from Tortola.

MILITARY ESTABLISHMENTS.
General Tarleton wished the right hon. secretary (Mr. Windham) would have the goodness to inform him, whether or not he meant, according to that half notice he had given, to bring forward on Monday next?
Mr. Secretary Windhamsaid, the hon. general was certainly correct in calling it a half notice: he had not given any regular notice, because it was not in his power to pledge himself that he should be prepared to bring it forward by Monday. Notwithstanding the great anxiexy which the hon. general and his friends might feel upon the subject, or which might be felt out of doors, he could only say, that it did not appear to him that any inconvenience would result from a little delay. He did not see any necessity for hurrying measures of such vast importance and delicacy, and which required the maturest deliberation. Although the expectation of the hon. general might have been disappointed by this apparent delay, his was not. It appeared to him, that the object of the greatest importance was, to give the fullest consideration to any changes that were to be proposed, before the subject was introduced, and he saw no other inconvenience that could result from the unavoidable delay, than that it would disappoint the curiosity, and the anxious expectation of a number of persons.
General Tarletonmentioned, that considerable anxiety must necessarily be felt on the subject, both by the gentlemen of the army and the volunteers.
Mr. Secretary Windhamsaid, that as soon as he was prepared to bring the
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business forward, he should name the day.

MINUTES.
The American Treaty bill,
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the Mutiny bill, the English and Irish Militia bills, the Militia Subalterns bill, and the Militia Adjutants bill, passed through committees, and were reported.—On the third reading of the Woollen Manufacturers' Penalty Suspension bill, Mr. Harrison was heard on behalf of certain clothiers of Yorkshire, petitioners, against the duration of the bill. The object of his speech was to induce the house to alter the term fixed for the duration of the bill from 12 to 6 months, in order that there might be a better chance of some permanent measure relative to the subject being adopted during the present session. Counsel having withdrawn, Lord Auckland declared his opinion with respect to the bill to be unaltered by what had fallen from the learned counsel. Whether any permanent measure was adopted this session or not, the duration of the bill for 12 months could have no effect in either case to retard or accelerate that measure. He did not see therefore any reason why the term of its continuance should be altered.—The bill was then read a 3d time and passed.