Sitting of 17 December 1812

PRINCE REGENT'S MESSAGE RESPECTING THE INVASION OF RUSSIA.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerpresented the following Message from his royal highness the Prince Regent:
"George P. R.
"The Prince Regent, acting in the name and on the behalf of his Majesty, having taken into his serious consideration the accounts which he has received of the severe distresses to which the inhabitants of a part of the empire of Russia have been exposed, in their persons and property, in consequence of the unprovoked and atrocious invasion of that country by the ruler of France, and of the exemplary and extraordinary magnanimity and fortitude with which they have submitted to the greatest privations and sufferings in the defence of their country, and the ardent loyalty and unconquerable spirit they have displayed in its cause, whereby results have been produced of the utmost importance to the interests of this kingdom and to the general cause of Europe, re commends to the House of Commons to enable his Royal Highness, in aid of the contributions which have been commenced within the Russian empire, for this purpose, to afford to the suffering subjects of his Majesty's good and great ally the emperor of Russia, such speedy and effectual relief as may be suitable to this most interesting occasion. G. P. R."
The Chancellor of the Exchequer,when the Message was read, proposed that it should be referred to the Committee of Supply.
Mr. Whitbreadsaid, that we ought to begin by relieving our own starving manufacturers, as he saw no reason why, in this instance, charity should not begin at home.
Sir F. Burdensaid, that this Message was not only extraordinary, but insulting to the people of this country.
Mr. Stephendiffered much from the hon. baronet, and thought the grant recommended in the Message advisable in the highest degree.
Mr. Ponsonbysaid, that the Message, whatever might be its propriety, appeared to him, or rather came upon him, as a
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matter of complete novelty. Though some of his friends might have done so, he confessed that he had not, as yet, formed his opinion on the subject, but said, that he should do so before to-morrow.
Earl Templesaid, though he had not as yet decided, that, at present, the strong inclination of his mind was to support the grant.
Mr. Lockartspoke in support of the grant, and was hostile to the remarks of the hon. baronet.
The Message was then ordered to be referred to the Committee of Supply tomorrow.

Preamble
The Bishop of Chester presented a Petition from the clergy and certain inhabitants of Manchester and Salford, against the Catholic Claims. His lordship stated, that the Petition was signed, in addition to the clergy, by 1,000 respectable inhabitants and several dissenting ministers.—The Duke of Montrose presented a Petition from the corporation and inhabitants of Grantham, also against the Catholic Claims.—Ordered to lie on the table.

INVASION OF RUSSIA.
The Earl of Liverpoolpresented a Message from the Prince Regent, expressing his royal high-ness's desire to render aid to the people of Russia, suffering in consequence of the invasion of France, and recommending to the House to concur in that object. [See proceedings of the Commons].
His Royal Highness's Message was ordered to be taken into consideration tomorrow.

INFORMATIONS EX-OFFICIO.
Lord Hollandgave notice of his intention, at an early period after the holidays, to present a Bill relative to Ex-Officio Informations. The noble lord stated, that he should not have again pressed this subject had his former Bill been under the consideration of a large portion of the House; but the fact was, it was brought forward at a late

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period of the session, when the attendance was thin, and therefore he proposed to renew the measure at an early opportunity after the recess.