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neighbouring country into this, render- the convention of El Arisch; that they ed the Bill neceffary. The principles had practised a grofs deception upon the and practices of a number of these, and Ottoman Government, and amuled them their machinations against the really free with hopes from a negociation which conftitution and mild government of they broke. His Lordihip concluded this country, were too well known to with giving his negative to the motion. need recapitulation; there were num Earl Darnicy declared his doubts whebers of Aliens at the fame time in the ther, in point of policy, ministers were kingdom, doubtless of a different def- justifiable in throwing obitacles in the cription. Under these circumítanees, way of the French army evacuating Esuch extraordinary and peculiar powers gypt. were deemed expedient to enable Go. Lord Hoburt said, he thought that a vernment properly to discriminate be- more striking instance could not be se. tween these descriptions of perfons ,and lected, of the determination of Governto guard against the deftructive conse- ment to adhere to good faith, than in quences of treasonable machinations; the instructions which they had ârst giv-and he muft obferve, that never, to his en to prevent the French returning from own personal knowledge, or even as far Egypt, and afterwards in acceding to as he could learn from information, did the Convention of El Arisch, permitting any of these instances of abuse against that return. innocent persons, alluded to by the no- Lord Holland said, the noble Secretable Lord, exift.

ry supposed that he (Lord Holland) had The different clauses and provifion's said, that if the French had evacuated were then passed by the Committee Egypt, there would have been no obstas without amendment.

cle to the late proposed negociation. He EVACUATION OF EGYPT.

certainly could not have stated a propoLord Holland rose to make his promi- fition fo contrary to his opinion, for he fed motion for the production of certain considered the demand of a Naval Ar. papers relative to the above subject. He mistice by the French as a very extraordescribed the fubject as one of the great. dinary, novel, and insuperable obstacle to est importance, whether it was viewed the negociation. with regard to the immense quantity of The House then divided, contents 2, blood that was spilled in consequence of (Earl Darnley and Lord Holland.) the infraction of the Treaty, with regard Non-contents 12. Majority 10. to the security of our East India posses. fions, with regard to the negociation Lord Holland rofe to oppose the bill. for peace, or with a reference to the He contended, that it was highly imcharacter of t is country for good faith. proper at so late a period of the Session, The moft serious consequences were ob- to introduce a bill which went to add aviously to be apprehended to our Eaft nother to the long list of capital punishIndia possessions, should Egypt be a ments. This practice of making severe French Colony; and all these calami. laws upon temporary occasions, either tous circumstances, he insisted, took defeated their object, or were productheir rise from the fatal infraction of the tive of great mischief; for either the treaty of El Arisch. He then moved great severity of the punishment deterfor copies of certain orders, instructions, red Juries from finding them guilty, or and communications sent out to Lord else, if the paslions of men were indulKeith, commander in chief in the Me- ged, the lives of persons might be sacriditerranean, and to Sir Sidney Smith. ficed to a temporary cause.

Lord Grenville faid, there was no folid Lord Grenville faid, the question then ground for bringing a charge against his before the Houfe was, not whether there Majesty's ministers, which was intended was or was not in our Penal Code, too by the noble Lord's motion. He trufted many capital punishments, but whether there was no occasion to take up the the bill before the House ought to pass? time of the House, in endeavouring to There were but two points which the refute positions, which upon the face of House had to confider:-first, whether them were so ill supported. He feared this was an offence that ought to be puno contradiction in asserting, that the nished with death? And, fecondly, whecontinuance of the French Army in E- ther such a punishment was likely to ogypt was occafioned by the breach of perate as a prevention of the crime?

ARMY AND NAVY SEDUCTION BILL.

a

with respect to the first point, he did not for the several branches of the public conceive that a doubt could exist upon service, till that period, when your Maa the subject ; in fact, this offence was jesty will receive the advice and affiftnearly allied to the greatest crime that ance of your Parliament of the United could be committed against fociety, Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland. namely, Treason; and so far was it from Impressed with a well-grounded confibeing of a temporary nature, that it seem- dence in the strength and resources of ed to him to be a measure at all times the Empire, and partaking, as they earneceflary for the security of the State. nestly do, of that folicitude or the refAs to the period of the Sellion at which toration of peace, of which your Majeity it was brought in, the noble Lord would has given a recent, though unavailing recollect that this bill was not now proof, your Commons are convinced, brought in for the irst time, and that it that nothing can contribute more effechad repeatedly met with the sanction of tually to the accomplithment of that Parliament.

great object, than to manifeit the ability The bill then passed the Committee and determination of this country, to be without any amendment.

fully prepared for the further profecuWednesday, Dec 24.

tion of a contest, the continuance of The bill for granting bounties on the which may justly be ascribed to the unimportation of wheat, barley, rye, oats, warrantable pretenfions of the enemy. India corn, &c. was read a second time, “* But on no occasion nas the attenand ordered to be committed on Friday. tion of your Parliament been more deep..

The other orders of the day being dif- ly and anxiously engaged, than by thele posed of, the Houle adjourned to Fri- important contiderations, to which it day.

was peculiarly directed, at the o, ening Friday, Dec 26.

of the present Sellion, in confequence The bills on the table, among which of your Majesty's paternal concern were the coarse bread and corn bills, for the welfare and comfort of your went through their respective stages, people. To alleviate, to the utmost and several were left for a third reading of their power, the pressure upon all 80-morrow, when the House adjourned. descriptions of their fellow-subjects, Saturay, Dec. 27.

and upon the poorer classes in particuTheir Lordships met pursuant to lar, vour Commons have deemed to be adjournment, and read a third time the first, and the most urgent of their dunine public bills and several private ties. The measures, adopted for this ones, preparatory to their receiving the purpose, are those, which they trust, are Royal affent, and thus terminating the best calculated to afford substantial and business of the Sellion. Among the pri- extensive relief, and to provide for the vate bills were the bill for ascertaining necefiary demands of the year. Much the population of the country, the stale of their efficacy muít, however, depind bread bill, the quarantine bill, and the upon that temper, good sense, and fortiEast India undrefled hemp-bill.

tude, which this country has displayed Tuesday, Dec. 30

under the severest trials, and which were The Lords only received one private never more confpicuous than at the prebill, and adjourned till to-morrow. fent conjuncture. Wednesday, Dec. 31.

“ These, Sire, the last proceedings of your Parliament, previous to the Great

Æra, now on the point of commencing, This day at three o'clock, the King are the indication and result of that Comcame down in the usual itate to the

mon Interest, and Fellow-feeling with House of Lords, and being feated in his the people, by which it has ever been royal robes on the throne, and the Com- actuated, and which are the beft Safemous having come, the Speaker, on guard of all that is most valuable in focoming up to the bar, and presenting the city. To that Æra your Commons Exchequer-bills bill, addreiled his Ma

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THE PROROGATION.

throughout every part of the United the Parliament of the United Kingo Kingdom, the full benefits of the Consti- dom. tution, which has been proved to be fa- “ The early period which I have apFourable, in an unexampled degree, to pointed for that meeting, will afford a the enjoyment of Civil Liberty and Pub- speedy opportunity of completing whatlic Profperity, and which cannot there- ever you may have necessarily left unfore fail to animate the zeal and deter- finished, and of considering what meamination of those who may share its fures may tend further to alleviate the bleflings, to cherish and maintain it, in pressure on my people, or to prevent the their cwn times, and to tranímit it, as danger of its renewal. the best inheritance, to their posteri- “ Gentlemen of the House of Commons, ty."

I thank you for the readiness with His Majesty was then pleased to deli- which you have granted the fupplies ver the following most gracious speech necessary, under the present circumfrom the Throne :

.ftances, for the public service. His MAJESTY'S SPEECH.

• My Lords and Gentlemen, My Lords and Gentlemen,

“ The detention of the property of “ I cannot close this Seslion of Parlia- my subjects in the ports of Rufiia, conment, without returning you my parti trary to the most folemn Treaties, and cular acknowledgements for the distin. the Imprisonment of British Sailors in guished induttry and zeal with which that country, have excited in me sentiyou have applied yourselves to the in

ments, in which you, and all my subjects teresting object which, at the com- will, I am sure, participate. mencement of the Sellion, I most espe

I have already taken such fteps as cially recommended to your attention. this occafion indispensably required; and It has been my earnest wish that nothing it will afford me great' fatisfaction, if should be omitted, which could tend to they prove effeciual; but if it shall be relieve the preiture occafioned by the neceitary to maintain, against any comprefent dearth of provisions, and to in- bination, the honour and independence fure a fufficient supply till the produce of the British Empire, and those Mari of the next harvest can be brought into time Rights and Interests on which both use.

our Prosperity and our Security must “ The diligence with which your in- always depend, I entertain no doubt, quiries have been conducted, has afford- either of the success of those means ed you the best means of ascertaining the which, in fuch an event, I shall be entrue circumitances of our present situa- abled to exert, or of the determination ticn; and the extensive measures which of my Parliament and my people, to afyou have wileiv adopted in consequence, ford me a support proportioned to the for diminishing the consumption of grain, important interests we have to mainand procuring an increased supply, will, tain." I doubt not, be found productive of the Then the Lord Chancellor, by his moft falutary effect.

Majesty's command, faid: “ Much, however, muft depend on the disposition which will, I am confi

My Lords and Gentlemen, deni, be manifested by all those who “ It is his Majesty's command, that have the means of carrying into execu- the Proclamation declaring his Majesty's tion my folemn recommendation and in- molt gracious intention that the Memjunciion, ifiueit at your desire, for the bers of Parliament composing this Par-' adoption of all practicable economy in liament, should be the Members of the the use of those articles which are necef- Parliament of the United Kingdom of sary to the fulfiftence of the poorer claf- Great Britain and Ireland, on the past fes vf my subjects.

,

form. The Sword of State was borne any flour which had not undergone that by Earl Spencer, and the Cap of Main- process. tenance by Lord Viscount Hood.

The report of the habeas corpus sufHOUSE OF COMMONS.

pension bill was received, and after fome

conversation between Mr Jolliffe and Mondny, Dec. 15, 1800.

the Solicitor General, ordered to be read The bill for giving to the port of Am- a third tiine to-morrow. sterdam, in the island of Curacoa, all the The land tax redemption and alien privileges of a British port, was read a continuation bills went through a Comsecond time, and ordered to be commit- mittee. The alien bill is to continue ted.

in force for fix months after the concluMr Pitt brought in a bill to continue fion of a general peace. the act of the 37th Geo. III. for punish- In a Committee on the navy and aring perfons attempting to seduce our my seduction bill, Mr Pierrepont sugsoldiers or failors, or inciting them to gested, whether it ought not to be made mutiny.

perpetual? Mr Abbott moved that it The bill was read a first, and ordered ihould, as in Ireland, continue for seven to be read a second time to-morrow.

years; but the Attorney General obTuesday, Dec 16.

ferving that the House was then too The Secretary at War brought up the thin for such a discussion, the Chairman accounts of the quantity of hay, straw, reported progress, and obtained leave oats, &c. purchased for Government last to fit again. year.

Thursday, Dec 18. Lord Hawkesbury introduced a bill to prevent bread being sold until 24 hours

The House resolved into a Commitafter being baked; which was read a

tee on the Navy and Army seduction first time, and ordered to be printed.

bill. The House resolved itself into a Com

Mr Abbott, according to the notice he mittee on the poor relief bill, and en

last gave, rooved, that instead of extendtered into a resolution to allow salt to be ing to the fetlio: s, it should coincide with imported free of duty.

the Iriih bill, and extend to the term of The alien bill was read a second time

seven years. and committed for to-morrow.

Mr Habboulf opposed the motion, and The navy and army feduction bill thought the common law, if carried into was read a second time, and committed execution, was fully fufficient to punith for to-morrow.

the offence. Any man, he said, found The House refolved itself into a Com- guilty of the crime, was, by the committee on the habeas corpus suspension

mon law, ordered to be imprisoned fix biil, and fixed the period of its extenfion years, and to stand twice in the pillory. to be fix weeks after the sitting of the

Mr Tierney opposed the motion; he next session. The report was ordered said he thought that under the circumto be received to-morrow.

stances in which the bill was passed it Wednesday, Dec. 17.

was a very good and a very wholefome

bill, and no Member made any objecA bill for allowing salt, duty free, to tiors to it; but now that there was no be used in falting fish in barrel or in bulk, disturbances in the army or navy, he did was brought in by Mr Rose, read a firit, not see the neceflity of all at once pafand ordered to be read a second time to- fing it for leven years.

Mr York supported the motion. Mr Ryder brought up the fourth re- The Attorney General did not think it port of the Provision Committee, which at present neceffary to make the bill was ordered to be printed. The purport perpetual, but perfectly coincided in the of it was to prohibit the fifting of four, motion of the Hon. Member. except in cloth No. 2. or 85. od. cloth, Lord Hawkesbury supported the moor in a wire machine, which Mould have tiun. a corresponding effect. By this process, wir Pierrepont said, it was owing to as nothing would be excluded but the this law, and others passed about the coarse bran, this would be a saving of fame time, that they now lived to dis46 lb. in every bushel; and that it ihould cuss the subject; and faid, that the la.v be prohibited by law to make bread of ought never to have been temporary,

and

morrow,

morrow,

and would with that, instead of 1807, it Mr Nicholls gave notice, that on Weds was 1870.

nesday he would move an Address to his Ihr Kolicitor Genera said, that a bill Majesty, praying that he would take intended for the preservation of the peo- mealures for restoring to this country ple could not be any burden on themy; the blessings of peace. he did not see any thing in the proposed Mr Long brought up the Report of object of the bill that in any measure the Committee of Supply,--that for went against its being perpetual. every barrel of flour imported from As

Mr Ellison supported the motion. merica, weighing 170 lb. per barrel, a

The question was put, and the blank bounty should be granted, making the was filled up to the ist of August 1807. price equal to gos. and so in proporFriday, Dec. 19.

tion. On the motion of Mr Abbott, the a- Mr Nicholls observed, that giving 100 mendments made by the Lords in the shillings for the quarter of wheat, might population bill, were ordered to be tak- occalion the loss of perhaps 40 thillings en into consideration on the 31st instant. a quarter to the country, especially if After which, leave was given to bring peace thould be speedily restored. He in a new bill for the same purpose. doubted whether the House was aware

The hemp importation and alien bills of this. were read a third time and passed.

Mr Pitt said, if that did happen, the Mr Long brought up the report of the Hon. Gentleman did not seem aware, army and navy seduction bill, which was that in any treaty of peace an article agreed to, and, as well as that for allow- could be included, ftipulating that the ing falt duty free for the curing of fish, high bounty fhould not be given. Nowas ordered to be read a third time to- thing was more erroneous than to sup

pose that, even in a state of peace, any The mixed bread bill was read a fe- material supply could be obtained from cond time, and committed for to

mr- France.

Mr Nicholls faid, he did not allude to Saturday Dec 20.

France only, he knew that the Hon. The several bilis on the table were Gentleman could guard against that difforwarded.

ficulty by treaty, but that he could not Monday, Dec. 22.

guard against it, with respect to AmeriOn the question being put, that the If the Right Hon. Gentlemen said House, at its rising, adjourn to Monday he was certain we were not to have next,

peace, he would acknowledge he was Mr Robson oppofed it, and was pro- answered. ceeding to state various arguments a- Mr Pitt said, his answer would not gainst it, when he was twice interrupted be, that it was certain we should not by different messages from the House of have peace, but that it was uncertain Lords, and the Speaker's going up to at- whether or not we should have it, for the tend the Lords Commissioners,

refioration of that blessing did not deThe Speaker, o his return, informed pend upon our own disposition only, but them, that the Royal Affent had been on that of the enemy. The tendency of given by commission to the Edin- the Hon. Gentlemen's objection, were burgh poor relief hill, the other bill for it to be adopted, would be to prevent the better relief of the poor, by diminish- the country from receiving any supply ing the consumption of wheaten flour for several months unless a peace should and bread, and the bill for the accom- be made. modation of the members of both Houses The report was agreed to. of Parliament.

Mr Sheridan wished to know, whether After going through the other orders the House was to expect any comof the day, and the bills upon the table, munication from his Majesty respecting the House adjourned till the 29th init. the situation of this country with regard Monday, Dec. 29.

ca.