that the Hon. Gentleman would continue his exertions till the end of them was confpletely answered. Mr. Carothorne defended the House of Lords from the imputation of unnecessary delay thrown upon it. He considered the present bill as nugatory, and regarded the whole abolition system as supported by republicans and levellers. Alderman Newnham thought the question had been carried as far as it ought. He was against the motion, and he thought it was urged by those who were inimical to our constitution; it was part of a grand system moved by them. Mr. Pitt said, at the same time that he was disposed to pay every proper degree of respect to the other House, yet he could not help expressing his surprise and mortification, that the Lords had been able to afford only four days to the discussion of this momentous subject. But, whatever might be the reasons for this delay, it was, in his opinion, one of the strongest motives which could be urged for persisting in the mea. sure now before the House. The Speaker then put the question, "That leave be given to bring in a bill for prohibiting the subjects of this country from supplying other nations with slaves"The House divided, when there appeared, for Mr. Wilberforce's motion, 63; against it, 40. Toth. After some private and preliminary business had been transacted, Mr. Whitbread, jun. moved, that there be laid before the House a copy of the articles of agreement between the King of Great Britain and the Elector of Hanover, relative to the supply of a body of Electoral troops to the former," which was ordered. Mr. Grey made some observations on the recent disembarkation of the Hessian troops, and moved, "that the employment of foreigners in services of military trust, or bringing foreign troops into the kingdom, without the consent of Parliament, is contrary to law." Mr. Serjeant Adair wished the motion had not been made, and moved the previous queftion, which, after a debate that continued till eleven o'clock, was carried, on a division, Ayes 184, Noes 35. 11th. The report of the committee, which sat on the proposed measure for repealing the Glove and Birth and Burial taxes was agreed to by the House, and bills for the repeal ordered to be brought in accordingly. The Speaker acquainted the House, that he had received a letter from the Marquis Cornwallis, acknowledging the receipt of the thanks of the House, and expressing his gratitude and sense of the high honour thereby conferred on him. He then read the letter from the chair. Mr. Secretary Dundas, previous to his moving for a renewal of the Alien Bill, observed that any doubts which might have arisen as to the extent of its powers, may be rectified and explained when the new bill was brought in. The right hon. Secretary here alluded to some instances where aliens had procured friendly arrests against themselves for debt, in order to remain in the kingdom after being ordered away. He then moved for leave to bring in a bill for the regulation of aliens arriving or resident in this kingdom, which was ordered accordingly. The House resolved into a committee on the French Property Bill; the different clauses were agreed to, with some amendments proposed by Mr. Attorney General. The House then resumed, received the report, and ordered the bill with the amend ments to be printed. 13th The bill for imposing a duty on Attornies was read a second time. Mr. Jolliffe said a few words on the hardships to which certain clerks would be subjected. Mr. Rose said there was a pretty general misunderstanding as to part of the operation of this bill. There was a clause in it, which provided that any attorney, paying the duty on admission into one of the courts, should be admitted into all the others, if he pleased, without paying any thing further. The bill was then ordered to be coinmitted to a committee of the whole House on Monday next. 18th. Mr. Fox rose to bring forward his promised motion on the subject of Convoys, which he prefaced with a speech of considerable length, and concluded by mov 1 ing, That it be referred to a committee to enquire into the protection which the trade of his Majesty's subjects had received from Convoys during the present war.' Admiral Gardner observed, that in opposition to the voluminous details adduced by Mr. Fox, he would put in a general way the united and publicly avowed sentiments of the great mercantile body of the kingdom, which were unanimous in asserting, that, upon the whole, the trade to the different quarters had never received such effectual protection as during the present war. Major Maitland spoke at some length in supporting what had been advanced by Mr. Fox, and insisted on the necessity of an enquiry. The Chancellor of the Exchequer replied to the arguments of Mr. Fox and Major Maitland; some other Members spoke, and Mr. Fox explained, when the question being put, the House divided-For, the Motion 48-against it 202-and at two in the morning adjourned. 21st. Mr. Vaughan called the attention of the House to a circumstance, which, he was of opinion, involved the existence of our West-India possessions. He alluded to the very alarming steps which the French had recently taken towards the emancipation of their Negroes, and putting them on a footing to oppose the English in St. Domingo. He said, that such an example to our Negroes might be attended with the most dreadful consequences. He then moved an Address to his Majesty, that he would be graciously pleased to order such measures to be taken, for the tranquility of the British Islands in the West Indies at the present juncture, as in his wisdom he may think fit. Mr. Secretary Dundas replied, that he certainly could not countenance such a motion, as it tended to imply an insinuation of neglect on the part of Ministers at the present juncture; a charge which, he assured the Hon. Gentleman, had not the smallest foundation. Mr. Vaughan said, he was perfectly satisfied with the declaration, and with the concurrence of the House he would withdraw his motion; which was done accordingly. Mr. Sheridan moved, 1. That there be laid before the House Copies of all Letters, &c. received from Governor Wentworth, relative to the Colonies of Nova Scotia.2. All other official accounts received relative to the same.-3. All letters received from Major-General Ogilvie, relative to the same.-4. The return of the Garrisons, number of men and officers, &c. in the said Colony.-5. The Correspondence between the Ministers and General Ogilvie, and Governor Wentworth, respecting the said Colony," &c. Mr. Dundas objected to the 2d article of the Motion, which was negatived without a division; the other articles were successively agreed to by the House. 24th. Mr. Sheridan presented a petition from the Rev. F. Palmer, setting forth, the alleged grievances of his case, complaining of the conduct of the Court by which he was convicted, &c. and praying such relief as the House in its wisdom should deem meet. On putting the question for its being brought up, a conversation of some length arose between several Gentlemen. Mr. Pitt proposed, that the debate should be postponed to a future day, and mentioned Monday, which Mr. Fox objected to as too distant, and moved for Thursday, which was carried. Mr. Whitbread, jun. then moved for an Address to his Majesty, that he would be pleased to order, that the execution of the sentence of transportation against Messrs. Muir and Palmer should be suspended till after Thursday; on which a debate ensued, and the question being put, the House divided, Ayes 34-Noes 104. 25th. The House resolved itself into a Committee, to consider of Regulations to be made in the Penny-Post, on which a conversation of considerable length took place. Mr. Sheridan considered this as a new tax, under the title of a regulation of an old one; and that although the case was trivial in itself, yet the principle on which it proceeded was wrong, for that the regular conduct of Finance should be, first, a Supply was to be agreed upon to a certain amount; and then, after time being allowed to consider the case attentively, the Ways and Means for raising that Supply were to be proposed: And again, some time was to be given the House to consider on the mode VOL. II. F f of raising that Supply; and the whole being determined, there could not after that regularly be an additional Tax for that year. The present proposition was not a new Tax in point of form or name, but was so in point of fact, for it proposed an addi tional Tax on the Carriage of certain Letters under the title of the Penny-Post. Several résolutions for the proposed regulation were read and agreed to, and the report ordered. Mr. Sheridan gave notice, he should move some amendments on these resolutions on the report. Sir William Young brought up a Petition from the Planters of the West-Indies, and Merchants resident in Great Britain, trading to the Colonies, &c. complaining of the tendency of the Bill now depending for the Abolition of the Slave Trade from the Coast of Africa, in British vessels, or by British subjects, to foreign territories; stating, that such Bill, if passed into a law, would materially injure their Trade, as well as Commerce in general. Col. Tarleton also presented a similar Petition from Liverpool. They were both ordered to be laid on the table. Mr. Wilberforce then moved the Order of the Day for the second reading of the above Bill. Sir William Young opposed it, and moved an amendment, instead of the word 'now', this day six months.' Mr. Alderman Newnham supported the amendment, and expressed apprehensions of a dangerous effect from such a Bill as the present, as tending to encourage the new doctrines of Equality, and the destruction of all ranks and subordination in society. A debate then took place, in which Mr. Fox and Mr. Pitt spoke in favour of the Bill; and the question being put, the House divided-For the Bill 56-against it 38, The Bill was then read a 2d time, and ordered to be committed. 26th. The House resolved itself into a Committee on the Attornies' Tax Bill, and Mr. Hobart having taking the Chair, the different Clauses were proceeded with by the Committee, accompanied by a long conversation, in which the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Messrs. Sheridan, Adam, Jolliffe, Sir William Dolben, and Mr. Rose, bore the principal part; in the course of which it appeared, that such Clerks as were articled to Attornie's previous to the 5th instant, were to be exempted from the Tax 2 Sir W. Dolben wished that a provision might be made, exempting such Clerks as may be articled to their fathers from the first part of the Tax. The Chancellor of the Exchequer replied, that such a proposition could not be countenanced, as it would go entirely to do away the effect of the Tax. Mr. Adam confessed himself averse to the Tax, as deeming that it would go rather sto degrade a profession in the Public opinion, among which were as respectable and as useful Members of Society as in any other. ** The Chancellor of the Exchequer acknowledged, that, as in all other collective bodies, there were certainly some most respectable characters among the profession in ques<tion; but he contended, that in point of regulation the Tax must have a good effect, as by excluding indigent persons, it prevented all those who could not have the advantage of a liberal education from becoming members of it. Mr. Sheridan spoke in support of the observation of Mr. Adam. After which the different clauses and provisions of the Bill were agreed to by the Committee, and the House resuming, ordered the report to be received on Monday. 27th. Colonel Tarleton moved, that a list of all the ships cleared out from Liverpool to the Coast of Africa, from July 1793, to the latest dates, be laid before the House; and also of the number of Slaves imported into the British West India islands in 1791, 92, and 93. Mr. East moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the better regulation of the Poor Laws, the leading features of which were, to prevent in future poor persons from being removed from the place of their residence, until they became actually chargeable thereto. Mr. Alderman Anderson acquainted the House, that, in consideration of the expensive war in which we were engaged, it was not the wish of the Corporation of London to petition that House for the Repeal of the Duty upon Coals, at this time, though It was a Duty which was severely felt by all the poorer classes of the people. The Order of the Day being read for resuming the adjourned debate on the ques tion for receiving the Petition of the Rev. Thomas Fische Palmer, Mr. Sheridan said, that agreeable to the notice which the House had received of his intentions, and pos sessed of time to take into consideration the propriety and justice of receiving the Petition, he had no doubt of its being received. Mr. Pitt, after a few observations, agreed to its being received. Mr. Sheridan then moved, that the Petition may lie on the table, which was agreed to." 28th. The Speaker and a few of the Members attended Divine Service in St. Mar garet's Church, being the day appointed for a General Fast. A STRICTURES ON PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS. HAYMARKET, FEBRUARY 22. His NEW Comedy under the title of the Box LOBBY CHALLENGE made its first appearance here. There are but few men who possess greater abilities for dramatic writing than the reputed author of this piece (Mr. CUMBERLAND). Challenge is spirited, and he has managed the combat with effect most appropriate. The following is a sketch of the fable: Young Grampus, a young blocklead of fortune, is sent for to town, for the purpose of being launched forth on the grand tour. He falls into the hands of Fulsome, a parasitical author, and young Crotchet, an illiterate debauchee. The latter makes love to Miss Grampus, the maiden-aunt, and succeeds in cheating her out of her fortune, Crotchet insults, at the theatre, Letitia, a young lady under the guardianship of Old Grampus; he is chastised by Waterland, a young officer, and gives Fulsome's card. In his pursuit of his antagonist Captain Waterland gets introduced into the Grampus family, and to Letitia, of whom he has become enamoured, and, after the usual difficulties, obtains her hand; and, at the same time, Crotchet and Miss Grampus are also united. The dialogue is neat, animated, and pregnant with humour and well-managed equi. voque it contains some just and well-directed strokes of satire against the reigning follies of the times and, by its pleasantry, must excite mirth without corrupting the heart; we, therefore, heartily join our voice to the applause with which it was received. The following are the Prologue and Epilogue; the former spoken by Mr. Barrymore, the latter by Mrs. Goodall, PROLOGUE. BY THE HONOURABLE FRANCIS NORTH. 3 ་།། ร SURLY exclaims, eat up with gout and spleen, "Is this Sir JACOB's Son?" Old TOOTHLESS cries- At length the night, the awful night ensues, Fatal to many an offspring of the Muse; And hopes to meet no friendly Snarler here; His fortune's fairly made when judg'd by you, EPILOGUE. BY GEORGE COLMAN, JUN, ESQ. IN-days of yore, when Knights were cas'd in mail, When sparring Nobles challeng'd to the lists, Deem'd it ignoble e'er to spar with fists; Stout were their limbs, and sturdy were their blows→→ In modern Challenges, how heroes dwindle; In arms they're nothing and in legs they're spindle! Some Pugilistic Noble to behold? Who, when one brute his brother brute opposes, Who are you, Sir ?"—" Who am I ?—why I'm-phoq! |