Sitting of 25 March 1808

INDICTMENT BILL.
The Attorney General moved, "That leave be given to bring in a Bill for amending the law with regard to the course of proceeding on Indictments and Informations in the court of King's Bench in certain cases; for autho-
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rizing the execution in Scotland of certain warrants issued for offences committed in England; and for requiring officers taking bail in the king's suit to assign the bail bonds to the king."—Leave granted.

SUGAR DISTILLERY COMMITTEE.
Sir John Sebrightgave notice, that he would, on Monday, move, that the names of some additional persons be annexed to the Sugar Distillery committee.
Lord Binningthought it proper on this occasion to call the attention of the house to certain statements which appeared in the public newspapers, purporting that the Sugar Committee had come to a resolution to recommend the prohibition of the use of grain in distillation, and that the report would be made in a week. The committee had come to no resolution, nor could it be presumed what resolution they would come to. All he could say was, that the committee was pursuing the investigation of the subject with the diligence which the importance of the subject required, and the fidelity that the trust reposed by the house demanded. He could not say at what time the Report would be made, though the committee, for its own sake, would be anxious to terminate its sittings as soon as possible. He thought it right to say thus much, in order to correct any false or premature statements that might have gone abroad.
The Speakerinformed the noble lord, that it would be his duty to apply to that house for summary redress against any persons that should again so violate their privileges.
Lord Binningpledged himself to the house, that if such a circumstance should again occur, he would bring it forthwith before the house.

PATENTS.
The Earl of Lauderdalepresented three motions with respect to applications for continuing the terms of Patents, directing that notice of every such application should be given in the London Gazette, 6 weeks previous to the meeting of parliament; that no application should be received, unless the term of the patent should be within two years of expiring; and that the person applying should bring proof that he was either the inventor or the representative of the inventor of the invention specified in the patent. His lordship moved, that these motions should be taken into consideration
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on Tuesday, with the view of their being made standing orders.—Ordered.

JOURNALS OF THE HOUSE.
Lord Grenvilletook up the idea which of late had been frequently adverted to by many noble lords, Viz. that of taking some measure for procuring a more regular printing of the journals of that house, together with fit Indexes to the same; and concluded with moving an instruction to that effect to the standing committee of the journals.
Lord Hawkesburymost cheerfully concurred in the motion of the noble baron, and promised every support on his part, and on that of his colleagues, towards the accomplishment of so desirable an object.

ORDERS IN COUNCIL BILL.
The Orders in Council bill was read a third time.
Lord Grenvillere-urged several of his former arguments upon this subject, and contended that the evidence adduced in another place had proved the injurious effects of the Orders in Council, in the prevention of the export of our manufactures to America for the purpose of their being exported to Europe, and in the detention of American vessels bound to Europe, by which the remittances were to be procured, which Were to pay for our manufactures exported to America.
Lord Hawkesburycontended that the Orders in Council were calculated to benefit the trade of the country, and that they tended to that object was the opinion of the greater part of the merchants of London, and of the merchants of Liverpool, even those of the latter who were engaged in the American trade; and if the manufacturers in Yorkshire, or any other part of the country, had sustained losses, those losses were not to be attributed to the Orders in Council, but to other causes.
Earl Greyargued that the assertions with respect to the benefit to be derived from the Orders in Council were not proved.—The amendment was negatived.
A number of other amendments were subsequently moved by lords Auckland and Grenville, chiefly those which were moved and negatived in the committee. A long conversation took place upon them, which turned on the same points that formed the topics of discussion in the committee. The amendments were all negatived. —Upon the Clause for limiting the period for bringing actions again those who may have acted under the Orders in Council, Lord Grenville moved an extension of the time mentioned in the clause,

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as from the period specified it was impossible that any American who had reason to complain could seek redress. Upon this a division took place, For the Amendment 19; against it 52. The bill was then read a third time and passed.

PROTEST AGAINST THE ORDERS IN COUNCIL BILL.
The following Protest against this Bill was entered upon the journals:
"Dissentient; 1st, Because the Bill appears to us to have been passed in manifest violation of the letter and spirit of the Standing Order of the house, No. 25. A. D. 1702, the maintenance of which Order is essential not only to the privileges of this house, but also to the fundamental principles of the government. 2dly, Because, the unprecedented manner in which Commercial Regulations of the highest importance are in this bill coupled with matter of Aid and Supply, and the precipitation with which the Bill has been hurried through the house, when evidence is about to be heard as to the effect of the late Orders in Council, in furtherance of which the bill is passed, give to this measure in our judgments a character which we are always unwilling to attach to any act of parliament. 3dly, Because, various Amendments proposed to be made to this Bill have been rejected, although the same were obviously necessary to give effect to those very provisions which the bill was intended to establish, and to remove doubts admitted to exist as to the legal construction of some of its most important provisions. 4thly, Because, the object is to give effect to the late Orders in Council, which it declares to have been expedient and necessary. Whereas, we conceive them to have been wholly unjust and unnecessary, and in the highest degree injurious to the most important interests of the country. (Signed) Grenville, Ponsonby, (earl of Besborough), Nugent, (Buckingham) St. John, Spencer, Rawdon, (earl of Moira,) Erskine, Essex, Grey, Lauderdale, Ponsonby, (of Immohilly) Vassall Holland, Jersey, Clifton, (earl of Darnley,) Auckland."