Sitting of 22 March 1814

FRAUD ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE.
The Hon. Cochrane Johnstonerose, from a sense of what was due to his own character, and more especially as a member of that House, to contradict certain statements which had appeared in the public prints, implicating him in an imposition that had lately been practised in the money market. For the present, he should content himself with solemnly declaring, that those statements were utterly unfounded; and that he had no hand in, and no knowledge of, the fraudulent transaction in question. It was his intention, in a few days, to publish a statement which would be found fully to confirm the declaration that he now solemnly made to the House.

COLONIAL OFFICES.
Mr. Goulburnrose to move for leave to bring in a Bill to amend an Act of the 22d of the King, which went to provide that no office in
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any of the colonies of the united Kingdom should be entrusted to any person who had not resided for a specified length of time in the settlement. The provisions of these Acts were very important; yet it had unfortunately happened, that certain abuses had crept in, which rendered these salutary provisions altogether nugatory. One of the chief defects which operated against these Acts was, that the governors and councils of colonies were empowered to grant leave of absence to persons, without limitation of time or other restriction. The object of the Bill which he wished to introduce was, to remedy this and the other defects, by which the provisions of the former Acts were eluded. It was his intention to propose certain restrictions on governors in granting licences to persons holding colonial offices who absented themselves from our colonial possessions; and also to limit the time to which the leave which could be granted by such licences should extend. He also intended that it should be enacted, that annual lists should be laid upon the table of the House, containing the names of those officers of colonies who were absent from the establishments to which they were by their offices attached.
Mr. Baringexpressed his satisfaction at the measure proposed by the hon. gentleman; but wished to know whether, or not, Gibraltar and Malta were to be within the scope of the Bill.
Mr. Goulburnreplied, that Gibraltar would; and Malta if it should become a cession to the crown.
Leave was then given; and Mr. Goulburn brought in a Bill to amend an Act of the 22d year of his present Majesty, intituted, "An Act to prevent the granting, in future, any patent office, to be exercised in any colony on plantation now or at any time hereafter belonging to, the crown of Great Britain for any longer term than during such time as the grantee thereof, or person appointed thereto, shall discharge the duty thereof in person, and behave well therein;" and the same was read the first time, and ordered to be read a second time upon Monday next.

MR. CHARLES GRANT, JUN.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerrose to move for a new writ for the borough of Inverness, &c. The right hon. gentleman stated, that his hon. friend (Mr. Charles Grant), having accepted the office of one of the lords of his Majesty's Treasury, had in consequence

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vacated his seat, and had been re-elected. He had, however, after his second election, neglected to take the oaths out of the House, before the lord steward of the household, his deputy or deputies; and had only taken the oaths at the table of the House; thinking that, owing to his previous election, he might dispense with, the first formality. For this, by the provisions of several acts of parliament, he had not only vacated his seat a second time, but had also incurred several penalties; from which, however, he trusted the House, with their usual indulgence, would indemnity him; and it was his intention to introduce a Bill to that effect.
A new writ was ordered for the borough of Inverness, &c.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer then brought up Mr. Grant's Indemnity Bill.
Mr. Wynneobserved, that no one could possibly have any objection to such a Bill. But the necessity of it, in the present instance, proved still more the propriety of doing away altogether the oaths taken out of the House. He had introduced a Bill to that effect in the last session; but it had been lost elsewhere; owing, as it was stated, to a most unaccountable fear manifested by what was called the Protestant interest, that Roman Catholics might, in the first session of a parliament, introduce themselves into the House, to influence the nomination of a Speaker—[a laugh.]
Mr. Grant's Indemnity Bill was then read a first and second time, and ordered to be committed tomorrow.