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these articles related to the same subject; first, they respected the means of applying the public money and the particular uses; then they adverted to the defendant's knowledge of such application to a corrupt pur. pose; and then they concluded with the fact, that all vestiges of proof were destroyed. The Learned Counsel hoped, that in this short outline, he had at least stated the charges fairly; and he admitted that the subject was of the greatest magnitude and importance. What he principally lamented was, that some of the transactions were at so remote a date, as to be beyond the ordinary reach of the human memory, and

the witness to them had descended into the grave. A part of the charges were of a more modern date, were more capable of having light thrown upon them, and they had the advantage of a living witness, who was himself a party, and who, during two days, had undergone examination before their Lordships.

The question before the Court was not, whether Lord Melville had placed an indiscreet confidence in Mr Trotter, but whether he was guilty of those crimes; yet, who was this Mr Trotter against whom the public clamour had been raised? In the year 1786, or at the latter end of the preceding ye just after the death of Mr Douglas, Mr Trotter was introduced to Lord Melville, to whom he had before been personally known. He was a gentleman, stated to be not only of creditable, but of opulent connections, and the brother of a partner in the firm of Mess. Coutts and Co. He was a man acknowledged by the Hon. Manager, independently of these transactions, to be in all parts of his character, whether private or public, free from all imputation. Besides, he was in high estimation in the office, his probity had been repeatedly tried, he had a ready and comprehensive mind, and was peculiarly fitted for his situation, from a facility in arithmetical computation, in which his assistance was very material to his Noble Employer. Whatever objection might be made on the part of the defendant to this witness, none could be suggested on the contrary side; for there never was a witness produced in a Court of Justice who had more cogent motives to establish the guilt of the accused.

The Learned Counsel next took a com prehensive retrospect of all the principal transactions, and connected them with the history of his Lordship's political life.

August 1806.

He shewed that the Noble Defendant, in the generosity of his nature, had refused even the stipendiary emoluments of office, instead of indulging that eager desire of gain, which had been so falsely attributed to him in these charges. Was the alle gation of corruption supported by the evidence? This was the enquiry which was of most importance to the honour of the defendant. How was it supported? Was it by the testimony of Mr Trotter? He deposed in the most positive terms, not only that Lord Melville was wholly ignorant of any advantage drawn from the public monies, but that he was not even acquainted with any benefit Mr Trotter himself derived from that source. Was this deficiency of evidence to be supplied by the hypothetical arguments of the Hon. and Learned Manager? There was nothing left to support the charge but his ingenuity, and however successful it might be on many other occasions, it could not maintain these serious charges before their Lordships. When the immense variety of the items of his accounts, and when sums of such vast magnitude were contemplated, instead of being surprised at the insula ted transactions which were selected, their Lordships would be astonished that more numerous matters were not alledged to constitute new crimes, during the long period that his Lordship was engaged in his official duties. The present charges might be considered as

Rari nantes in gurgite vasto, and he trusted that they would be sunk for ever in the abyss.

The Learned Counsel concluded with a solemn appeal to the justice of their Lordships. They had a great and important duty to discharge, and they would fulfil it in a way honourable to themselves, and satisfactory to their country. The Noble Defendant had, during a period of thirty years, been actively engaged in the public functions of life, and the greater part of this period had held very ostensible and dignified situations in the service of the state. He was now in the evening of life : he would soon descend into the valley of the shadow of death, and appear before another tribunal. He had the fullest reliance on the justice and wisdom of the Court before which he had appeared to its decision he should bow with perfect re signation, and in the consciousness of his own integrity he should await its sentence with composure.

[To be concluded in our next.]

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PRO

626

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Friday, June 6.

ORD H. Petty, in a committee,

must say) and resign your country. Enter the wide world, and forget the soil of your birth. Leave your fathers and relatives to their romantic hills and

Launced his intention of abandoning and curul vales, for to them you shall me

the tax on private brewers for the present; at the same time he thought it a fair tax, as tending to produce an equalization of the price of beer to all orders of the community, and he certainly in tended to bring it forward next Session. In the mean time, as a considerable diversity of opinion prevailed on the subject, he should propose, in room of it, an addition of ten per cent. on the assessed taxes.

Mr Windham moved the third reading of the mutiny bill. Mr Wallace expressed his disapprobation of the new regulations introduced into it, as calcu lated to abridge the prerogative of the Crown, to interfere with the functions of the other House of Parliament, and as unprecedented in any good times.

The Lord Advocate of Scotland argued that limited service was the most successful way of procuring men; and to suppose they could not judge of the advantages of limited service, because they had not sustained the character, was as absurd as to imagine that a young vir gin could not be acquainted with some of the blessings of marriage, because she had not before entered into that happy

state.

In the country of which he was best informed, the men were not obtained by hanging a purse upon a hal. bert; they took rational views of their situation, and on these formed their determination. With those Gentlemen on the other side, who had considered perpetual service so acceptable, he should be glad to handle such a weapon, and engage on the recruiting duty with them. What would be the arguments they had to offer to the generous youth of the northern mountains, who loved the wilds of which they were natives, because they were the favourite seat of liberty? Hasten with us (they

ver return." Such must be the invitation they must employ. But what would be the language to which he would resort?"Young men (he would exclaim,) the love of your country clings about your hearts; lial duty, honour, and affection, are dear to you as existence; you revere the fraternal attachment, and will surrender none of the sacred obligations of domestic life. I know you will despise all danger in the defence of these fond objects of your solicitude: advance then with me to the field of virtue and glory, and if you survive the conflict, you shall return to the arms of your relatives, and to the bosom of your country, covered with those laurels which shall command the respect, and the gratitude of your com. patriots."

With such an inducement, and such hopes, thousands would flock to the standard of their Sovereign; nor would they cast" one longing lingering look" towards their native homes, until the war was terminated; for they would know, that if they presumed to relinquish the scene of their duty, they would return to parents and relatives, who would consider their appearance amongst them derogatory to Scottish valour. When Gentlemen talked of the future and remote disadvantages of the plan proposed by his Right Hon. Friend, they reminded him of a dispute regarding a Canal between Edinburgh and Glasgow, for the supply of coals. In one direction it passed through a vale without the smallest interruption, on a perfect level, and the track through which it was to pass contained a supply of coals for three centuries: in another it was to be obstructed by sixty-seven locks, and to be elevated 750 feet above the surface of the sea, but the supply of

coals

coals was sufficient for five centuries. It was a disgrace to the good sense of the country, that, like this Bill, the former channel had numerous opponents. The temper of the hardy Caledonian, to whose bravery the nation had been so often indebted, was little known. Tell him to abandon the fond scenes of his youth for ever, and he will retire to the deep recesses of his mountains: indulge the expectation, that he will, after a term of peril and fatigue, revisit his domestic hearth, and he will accompany you round the globe. His wants are few, but without freedom nothing can satisfy his desires. His Lordship concluded by giving an English version of Donald's three wishes- Snishan, and drink, and mair ̧snisban.”

General Tarleton acknowledged the bravery of the Scotch troops, which he had often felt a pride in commanding; and the Lord Advocate, in explanation, said he was sure the Scotch troops had as high a respect for the Hon. General as he had for them.

Mr Johnson, Mr Canning, Mr Perci. val, Mr Rose, jun. and Mr S. Bourne, opposed the Bill. The latter moved an amendment, providing that no soldier should be discharged during war. The amendment was opposed by Mr Whitbread, Lord H. Petty, Mr Fox, &c. and negatived on a division; there being for it 103-against it 195. The Bill was then passed.

Monday, June 9.

Bills were brought in for the interchange of corn between Great Britain and Ireland, and for assessing the proprietors of lands in Caithness-shire in a proportion of the expence of making roads and bridges in the Highlands of Scotland.

In a Committee of Ways and Means, Lord Henry Petty moved a resolution to raise 10 per cent. on the amount of the Assessed Taxes. He proposed however to allow to persons having small incomes and large families, a deduction of 4 per cent. for every child above two, on these taxes under the amount of 401. As far as the ratio extended, this would apply to incomes up to the amount of one thousand, or between one and two thousand pounds. This would embrace the whole of the exemptions that could

have been claimed on this account under the property tax, and besides, it possessed the advantage of being more full, general, and permanent, the exemptions under the property tax being necessarily temporary. By this means he avoided all the inconveniences which would attend the granting of such ex-1 emptions under the property tax; and when he resisted the exemptions in that form, he had something like the present plan in contemplation. The resolu tion was agreed to.

The

Mr Fox then rose, to move a resolution respecting the Slave Trade.-He dwelt very forcibly on the cruelty and injustice of this infamous and degrading traffic, pointed out the various artifices by which the unhappy natives of Africa' were entrapped :-- First, by false accusations of crimes; and, next, by delusive and untrue charges of witchcraft. He then alluded to the conduct of Mr Pitt and Lord Sidmouth, while in their respective Administrations. The first supported an immediate abolition; and the latter, tho' he only wished it gradually abolished, nevertheless entertained the most complete abhorrence of sa detestable a trade. It was now a long time since the first resolution had been agreed to, declaring that the trade should expire in 1800, and we were now in the middle of 1806, and yet no step had been taken to put an end to this most degrading commerce. Right Honourable Gentleman, then moved a resolution of a general nature, so as to comprehend almost all descrip tions of persons in its support. It declares the slave trade contrary to every principle of justice, of humanity, and sound policy, and, without pledging the House to the manner or period of the abolition, declares, that they will, with all possible expedition, take measures for that purpose. The principle of the trade was generally, with the exception of the Members for Liverpool, admitted to be bad; but considerable difference of opinion prevailed as to the best mode of abolishing it. The resolution was agreed to by a majority of 115 to 15. Mr Wilberforce afterwards moved an address to his Majesty, requesting him to concert with foreign powers the necessary means of abolishing the slave trade; which was carried without a discussion.

Thursday

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Thursday, June 12.

Mr Fox obtained leave for a Bill to prevent any ship from clearing out from any port of Great Britain for the Coast of Africa, for the purpose of taking Slaves on board, unless such as have been previously engaged in the trade, or already contracted for.

Monday, June 16.

On the motion of Mr Whitbread, a Committee was appointed to inspect the Lords' Journals relative to Lord Melville's trial. Mr Fuller gave notice of a motion on the subject of the re-. payment of Lord Melville's expences on his trial, an expectation to that effect having been held out by a Noble Lord on the other side.

In answer to a question from Sir H. Mildmay, Lord Howick distinctly stated, that no regular exchange of prisoners had yet been agreed to between France and this country. The sum of 25,000l. was voted to Messrs. Chalmers and Cowie, to indemnify them for the loss of a quantity of Swedish herrings in the Baltic.

Wednesday, June 18.

The House resolved itself into a Committee on the Assessed Taxes Bill. Mr Vansittart moved, that the bill should be divided into two parts; one part to allow the exemptions from the Property Tax, and the other to levy the 10 per cent. This motion was agreed to.

Sir John Sinclair rose, and after advert ing to the many misfortunes which had lately occurred in consequence of so many passengers being allowed on the outsides of stage coaches, moved that leave be given to bring in a bill to alter and amend the present act, and to regulate the conduct of the drivers, Leave was granted.

Monday, June 23.

Lord H. Petty moved for leave to bring in a bill for better auditing the public accounts. He said that 534 millions still remained unaudited; and in order to get through this mass, it is intended to consolidate the present existing Boards, and to add four Commissioners, which will make the whole number 10. These are to form three Boards. The first, consisting of 4 Com

missioners, is to audit the current aç, counts; the second, consisting of 3 Commissioners, is to have the charge of the accounts now under examination; and the third, also consisting of 3 Commissioners, is to audit those accounts that are entirely in arrear, and not at all entered upon. The Treasury is to be empowered to direct the labours of these Commissioners, as circumstances may require. None of them are to be replaced, in case of a vacancy by death, till reduced to five, without an applica tion to Parliament. Some additional Inspectors are to be chosen from the most meritorious half-pay Commissaries, by which the half-pay will be saved to the public. Every Accountant is to deliver in his accounts and vouchers every year, within three months after the 31st of December, in each year, so that the accounts will be henceforth annually balanced like those of a merchant, There are also some other subordinate provisions tending to facilitate the au diting of the accounts.

Tuesday, June 24.

Lord Howick explained the measures which it was intended to propose for the benefit of seamen, The out-pensioners of Greenwich Hospital are to receive from 71. a-year to 181. 5s. or 1s per day, according to their wants and merits.-The disabled seamen on the chest to have a proportionate advance, A provision to be made for a certain number of post captains, masters and commanders, and other officers, who may be disabled in the service. To defray this additional expence, 51. per cent. is to be taken from all prize-money and droits of Admiralty; 1. 13s. 4d. to Greenwich hospital, and 31. 6s. 8d. to the chest. Resolutions to this effect were agreed to unanimously.

Wednesday, June 25.

Mr Vansittart obtained leave for a Bill to prevent evasion of the Post-office Acts, by the conveyance of letters in brown paper covers by stage coaches. On the second reading of the Militia Bill, Mr Windham signified that it was not at present to extend to Scotland, but to be limited to England. A motion for extending it to Scotland was nega tived by a majority of 76 to 38.

Friday, June 27.

In a Committee, the Lord Advocate of Scotland moved a resolution, that it would be extremely desireable and advantageous to the trade on the Scotch Coast, that a Light House were erected on the Bell Rock, between the Friths of Forth and Tay. The resolution was agreed to. The House also voted (July 9) on the motion of Sir John Sinclair, the sum of 25,000l. for the erection of the said light house, on security being given for repayment of the same.

Wednesday, July 2.

Lord Howick called the attention of the House to a subject of the deepest interest, although unconnected with political systems or parties-Vaccine Înoculation; the discovery of which, he said, was one of the most important benefitswith which Divine Providence had ever favoured the genius and scientific industry of man; it was made by Dr Jenner in 1777. By the patient and vigilant experience of twenty years, that illustrious physician farther ascer tained and perfected it. In 1798, when its truth and inestimablę importance had been, to his mind, fully established, he, with free beneficence, published it to his country and to the world at large. After noticing its extension to every quarter of the globe, and the happy effects with which it had been attended, he lamented, that in this country, in which the discovery originated, the progress of vaccination had been checked, partly by prejudice, and partly by the artifices of interested persons; in consequence of which, the annual deaths by Small pox, in London, which had been reduced from 1811 to 611, had again risen to 1685. His Lordship said he would not now propose any thing Compulsory on the people of this country in favour of vaccination. But he would move the house to address his Majesty, "to direct his College of Physicians, to enquire into the state of the Vaccine Inoculation, and its effect in destroying the small-pox; and to report the evidence upon this subject, and upon the causes which retarded the progress of Vaccination in the United Kingdom; that such evidence might be laid before parliament." He hoped, that the evidence might be ready at the Commencement of the next Session.

Should it be favourable, it would then be for the House to consider what measures should be adopted to render Vaccination more extensively beneficial in this country; and what farther reward ought to be granted to the man, who, by devoting his mind, for thirty years, to the discovery, had become the author of such invaluable benefits to the present, and to all future generations of mankind? The motion was unani. mously agreed to.

Friday, July 4.

The House resolved into a Committee of Supply, to take into consideration a message from his Majesty, relative to making provision for the younger bran ches of the Royal Family. Lord H. Petty trusted there would be no hesitation in making adequate provision for the remaining younger branches of the Royal Family.

His Royal Highness

the Duke of York, already provided for by the liberality of Parliament, had of course declined being included in the proposed arrangement. He proposed that the income of the other Royal Brothers should be increased from 12,000l. to 18,000l.-That of the Princess Charlotte of Wales from 6000l. to 7000l.-those of the Princesses from 5oool. to 6000l.-of the Duke of Gloucester from 8000l. to 14,000l. To the Duchess Dowager of Gloucester, hitherto unprovided for, it was proposed to grant 4000l.-and a like sum to the Princess Sophia. The resolutions were unanimously agreed to, as were several others for pecuniary grants.

A debate of some length followed respecting the propriety of proceeding to a decision upon the charges against the Marquis Wellesley. The Member who has brought forward the accusation (Mr Paul) thought it a strange thing, that after every delay and interruption had been opposed to him by the friends. of the Marquis in every stage of his enquiry, they should now wish to hurry so violently to a decision, when the necessary documents and time were not allowed. The friends of the Marquis complained of the hardship of lying, under charges of a criminal nature for a length of time. It was at length agreed to postpone the consideration of the charges till a future day.

In a Committee, resolved that the stamp

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