has been long in possession, it is too sweet to resign easily; and the fermiers-généraux are too important to be offended, especially when the state is necessitated to have recourse to their assistance. In saying this I give full credit to Monsieur Neckar for his attempt to improve the revenue of France, and that too when the attempt is surrounded with so much difficulty and danger.The revenue of this country, Sir, has not suffered by the American war; the surpluses of the sinking fund are as great as during the state of perfect peace with America. Other countries have taken from us those manufactures which we exported before with bounties to America. As I think Britain is still equal to resist, and, I trust, to subdue, all its enemies, I am clearly for the motion which has been proposed, and seconded, by the Honorable Gentlemen, with so much credit to themselves, and with so particular a desert of the approbation of their country. GENERAL CONWAY.-Mr. Speaker, I beg pardon for troubling the House with one short word, Sir, at this late hour of the night, Sir, when there are many gentlemen very desirous—and much more capable than I am, of speaking-upon so material--so important-so comprehensive a business-I may say, Sir, as that which now immediately comes before us for our deliberation In doing this, Sir, in offering my poor sentiments-upon this matter, Sir- I own I feel some degree of warmth at the supinenessat the coolness-I may say-of the ministers in so dangerousso hazardous—and, God knows, probably so destructive an hour And, Sir, I hope I may suggest my thoughts at so critical a period, when, indeed, all Europe and America are convulsedand shaken-by the imbecility, the inattention, and the indecision of ministers; who have so supinely, so cooly, and so indecisively sat with their hands before them, waiting for events-and contingencies. In saying this, Sir, I mean not to throw any reflection upon any of them. Most of them I know to be men of honor and ability-but, Sir, I beg pardon, Sir, for taking up the time of the House, Sir; I think the moment is past when any system can prevail, I mean on the part of this country, over America. Your West India islands are unprotected-Dominica is gone-who knows but Jamaica is gone too? What force have you at Antigua ? I understand Admiral Barrington is gone from Barbadoes. What is to become of St. Vincent's and Grenada? Good God! Sir, will the nation sit still under these apprehensions? Have ministers taken care of Ireland? Does the noble lord underneath me know the state of Guernsey and Jersey? Will they be able to resist Count Broglio with 50,000 men? Is your force, particularly at Jersey, equal to resistance-Sir, at this moment I tremble for Jersey.' In one short word, Sir, I beg pardon-I do trust in God, Sirin the king, Sir-and in the spirit of this unhappy nation, Sir, that we shall be relieved from these dreadful apprehensions and difficulties, and that we shall see once more peace, harmony, and wisdom, resume their order in this country, in the stead of weakness, irresolution, wavering folly, absurd doubts, and indecision, Sir. Mr. Sawbridgeblood-sister Macly-republicanism-Washington, greatest man in the world-will be heard-tyranny at Warley Common-militiamen turned to road pioneers-undermining trees-sand in breadwaste of powder-Middlesex election-vast expense of flintstriennial parliaments-body politic-ill humors-state surgeonsexample-axes-tower-bloodDa Capo.) -Example-impeachment-axes-tower The question being now called for with most violent impatience, the House prepared to divide.. -The Editor cannot but lament that the eloquence of the day is compriseable in so small a compass. He regrets, with many others, the silence of those who might have been supposed, from attachment, from principle, and a sense of honor, to have taken a more decided part in the debate. Probably it might be considered too severe to impute the conduct of those gentlemen to the precariousness of the times, to the expectation of new administrations, or to the fretfulness of an insatiable avarice of wealth and power. Little more remains to add, than that the House having become very clamorous for a division, at half past three the question on the amendment being put, the motion was rejected by a majority of 261 to 148. Tellers for the ayes, Mr. T. Townshend and Mr. Byng; for the noes, Sir Grey Cooper and Mr. Charles Townshend. -The main question being then put, the original address was carried in nearly the same proportion. Immediately after the division the House were much astonished at Mr. Charles Turner's calling their attention to a most libellous, nefarious, and enormous pamphlet, entitled Anticipation, calcu lated to misrepresent the debates, and vilify the proceedings of Parliament; observing, that the publication of Honorable Gentlemen's speeches before they could possibly have been spoken, was infinitely more dangerous to the constitution than mistaking them after they had actually been delivered; as not only the public were IN:B: General Conway is Governor of it. Query, Whether he had not better be there at this dangerous crisis? thereby much more likely to be deceived, but many country gentlemen were most illegally hurried up to town before the time, to the great annoyance of themselves and cattle. Besides, what struck at the very heart-strings of debate, many good speeches were marred thereby, and Honorable Gentlemen stopt from repeating their own words, lest they should authenticate the said publi cation. For all which reasons, he humbly moved, that the publisher of a pamphlet entitled Anticipation, be immediately taken into custody by a messenger of this House, together with all papers in his shops and warehouses, in order that this House may be enabled to discover the author or authors of this very black conspiracy. He moved also, that the several statutes against forgery, coining, and uttering knowing to be false, forestallers, and regraters, &c. &c. be forthwith all read. And furtherBut the laughter having now become intense, the remnant of his oratory was cut short by a most clamorous repetition of adjourn, adjourn; so that it was impossible for the Editor to collect the result of this important motion. And then the House adjourned till the morning, nine of the clock. |