Nundcomar fhould be immediately executed that fome of his friends had offered one of the Judges a bribe of 30,cool.-fo that Nundcomar was murthered to fhew that Sir E. Impey was not guilty of corrupt motives; but he proved, that if he had not acted legally, he must have been actuated by corrupt motives. Mr. Fox next observed, that it had been adduced in palliation of Sir Elijah's guilt, in the immediate orders for putting Nundcomer's fentence in force, that the delay of punishment was taking away from the effect of the verdict, and from striking that terror into the natives, which its immediate execution was meant to enforce. But the contrary is the fact. For fo far has the crime of forgery ceafed being committed in India, that it has often fince occurred; and even fo late as the year 1785, when Sir Wm. Jones, one of the Judges of Bengal, in delivering his opinion, stated, that he was very doubtful whe ther the crime of forgery, as ftated by the laws of this country, extended to India. The execution of that fentence had, however, in a most energetick manner, had this effect: that it should be a warning to every native, however high in rank and authority, how they dared accufe a Governor-General of crimes and misdemeanors, for not one perfon had fince been heard to bring a charge of corruption against a man in power. It should be particularly obferved, that the first profecution of Rajah Nundcomar, though it was for a crime committed many years preceding, was brought forward two days after he had charged Mr. Haftings with bribery; there was therefore the strongest reason to fufpect that the charge against him was contrived to fupprefs Nundcomar's evidence. Mr. Fox concluded by obferving, that it had been urged against this impeachment, of not being brought forward till fo long after the crime alledged against Sir Elijah Impey had been committed. This argument he fet afide by faying, that his Honourable Friend who brought forward this profecution; had, like many other men, been deluded in his opinions. That even the worthy Baronet would not himself have known fo much of Indian affairs, had it not been that he had informed himself by attending the Committees, in order to fupport Mr. Hastings against any charges which might be brought against him. By this attendance, and an enquiry into the fubject, he was obliged to know more of Mr. Haftings's conduct than he would ever have fufpected; and in fearching for arguments to efpoufe his caufe, he difcovered his criminality. The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved, that this Houfe will early in the next feffion, take into confideration the petitions against the Slave Trade, and deliberate on what may be proper to be done in that refpect; which was agreed to: MAY 14. This day the House met pursuant to the laft adjournment. The County Election Bill was committed, and the blanks filled up. Mr. Joliffe, who did not come into the Houfe till the bill had paffed the Committee, gave notice, that he would, on a future day, move that it should be re-committed, because, in its prefent form, he conceived it would deftroy the rights of electors, which it was brought in to protect. The flocking bill also paffed through the Committee with this alteration, that the clause making it death to destroy the stocking frames, was expunged on the motion of Mr. Grenville, who ftrongly objected to the further extenfion of our penal laws, already, too numerous. MAY 16. The Honferefolved itself into a Committee on the Petition from feveral inhabitants of the Province of Canada. Mr. Powys moved, that Mr. Limburner fhould be called to the bar. This gentleman stated the various hardships which great numbers of the inhabitants of Canada felt under the prefent conftitution of that country.When the witness had withdrawn, Mr. Powys laboured to prove that from the great change which had taken place in Canada, fince the loyalifts had been invited to fettle in it, a change in its conftitution appeared to him to be abfolutely neceffary; and for this reafon he moved, "That it is the opinion of this Committee, that it is neceffary that an immediate enquiry be inftituted into the prefent ftate of Canada,” Mr. Pitt faid, he was forry that the Hon. The Attorney-General and Mr. Pitt spoke Gentleman fhould have made a motion, which he from a fenfe of duty muft oppofe; L112 ftrongly against the impeachment. and and he was the more forry on this occafion, as he was a friend to the propofed enquiry: the ground of his oppofition was fimply this, that neither the Houfe nor his Majefty's Ministers had as yec fufficient information on the fubject, to enable them to form any final arrangement refpecting the conftitution of Canada. Such information might be expected from the inftructions fent out to Lord Dorchester to collect opinions on the fubject, and tranfmit them to Government at home. Therefore, though he admitted that fomething must be done refpecting Canada, yet as this was not the moment when Parliament had fufficient grounds to proceed upon, he was of opinion that the business should pafs over to the next feffion; and for this purpose he moved the previous queftion. Mr. Fox condemned the procraftinating fyftem of Mr. Pitt; he thought that he ei ther concealed the information he had received from Lord Dorchester, or neglected to obtain any; and he was fure that Parliament was as well prepared now, as it was likely to be next feflion, to decide upon this bufinefs. Mr. Powys faid, that if his motion for an enquiry this feffion should be rejected, he would follow it with another, that the bufinefs fhould be taken up early the next feffion of Parliament. Mr. Pitt obferved, that to fuch a motion he could have no objection. After much converfation on the fubject, a divifion took place, when there appeared For the previous queftion 104.-Against it 39.Majority 65. The report from the Committee of the whole Houfe on Mr. Bearcroft's Bill for regulating County Elections, by caufing freeholds to be registered, was brought up and read. Mr. Joliffe moved that the bill should be recommitted, because there were defects in fome of the claufes, which could be remedied only in a Committee. After fome converfation the bill was accordingly recommitted, and the alterations propofed by Mr. Jolife were made. MAY 20. The House in a Committee adopted, on the motion of Mr. Rofe, feveral refolutions for the better indemnification of revenue officers; one of which was, that 10s. per ton be allowed upon every veffel condemned for illicit trade. Mr. Burgess moved, that the Solicitors employed by the Managers of the prosecution against Mr. Haftings, be directed to prefent to the Houfe a particular account of the fums expended in that profecution, fpecifying to whom, and on what account, the refpective fums had been paid. In fupport of this motion, he obferved, that the account lately prefented by the Solicitors, in confequence of his former motion, was very general and indefinite; and that as he withed for complete information on this head, he hoped the Managers would have no objection to give in a more particular statement of expenditure, He did not mean, by this motion, to infinuate that there were any grounds for cenfure. His motive was merely to remove all doubts about the propriety of the application of the public The original motion made by Mr. Powys money on this occafion. was of courfe loft. The Houfe was then refumed, and that gentleman moved, that this Houfe will early in the next feffion take into their confideration the state of Canada. This motion paffed unanimoutly. MAY 19. The order of the day for the third reading of the Wool Bill having been moved, Sir John Thorold in the name of the wool growers oppofed it; he faid, that without any neceffity for fuch a meafure, it impofed very great hardships on that defcription of perfons: to get rid therefore of a bill, which, in every point of view, he muft condemn, he moved, that the third reading of it should be deferted to that day three months. Sir Peter Burrell feconded the motion, and ufed many arguments in fupport of it. Sir William Dolben rife to fecond the motion of his Hon. Friend, which, he was convinced, was not intended in the way of cenfure, but as a ftimulus to caution and pru dence. Mr. M. A. Taylor was of opinion, that the motion was meant more as a check to the profecution, to which the Hon. Mover was well known to be unfriendly, than as the means of removing any doubts which might have arifen in his mind refpecting the expenditure of the public money. Mr, Sheridan obferved, that the managers had been cenfured for being too prodigal of the public money in the profecution. But thefe cenfures teemed to be grounded only on the idle trash that appeared in the daily prints on this fubject. He, on the contrary, conceived, that no further charges had been in The Houle however rejected it on a divi- curred than fuch as were neceffary; and that fion, Ayes 24, Noes 72. the folicitors had been very œconomical on The bill was then,read a third time, paffed, the occafion. He thought the motion came and ordered up to the Lords. from a fufpicious quarter, as the mover had been been exceedingly adverfe to the profecution of duty payable on Scotch fpirits imported into Mr. Haftings. Mr. Fox concurred with his Hon. Friend (Mr. Sheridan) in his opinion of the ceconomy which had prevailed in the courfe of the profecution. With regard to refponfibility for any improper expenditure, he thought the Managers were only accountable for the fervices which they directed to be performed, and not for the particular mode in which thofe fervices were executed, or the quantum of expence arifing from fuch mode. As to the motion, he had no objection to the production of a very particular and specific statement of the expences incurred by the profe cution now pending; but he would not give his vote on either fide of the question. The Chancellor of the Exchequer thought it very proper for any gentleman who enter tained doubts concerning the application of any part of the public money, to move for complete information upon the fubject; and he should be ready to agree to any motion of this nature, provided no danger was likely to arife to the caufe from the production of fuch intelligence. He had no wish, however, to check, in any degree, the application of any fums which the Managers might deem neceffary for carrying on the profecution wil vigour and effect. Mr. Burke conceived, that to call for an account of every particular article of expenditure, pendente lite, was highly improper; not that he thought the prefent motion would be of any real detriment to the profecution, but that it would furnish a precedent which might afterwards be practifed on occasions where it might prove very prejudicial. He fhould not, however, oppofe the motion, though he did not approve the spirit from which it feemed to originate. Indeed, he thought the caufe in which he and his brother Managers were engaged, had been flurved from the beginning. Sir Peter Burrell was unfriendly to the motion, which, he apprehended, was unprecedented during the progrels of a profecu England, be raised from 2s. 6d. to 25. 9d. per gallon, to take place at the expiration of the one now in being on this head. The motion paffed in the affirmative, and the Houfe was refumed. Sir John Miller moved that a Committee be appointed to enquire into the expenditure of the money voted year after year for the buildings erected on the fcite of Somerset House. Mr. Pitt, who faid he would not ult mately oppofe the motion, even if what he was going then to propofe should be rejected, recommended to the Houfe to call for all the official papers on the subject, instead of going into a Committee of enquiry on the fubject. After fome converfation, the Houfe divided on Sir John's motion, which was rejected, Ayes 31-Noes 76. Sir William Dolben informed the House that he had converfed with the Gentlemen concerned in the Slave Trade, and they told him they would not oppofe the bill that he was going to move for leave to bring in. He then remarked that thousands of the wretched Africans, purchased to be carried as flaves to the Weft Indies, perifhed annually on the paffage, from their being crouded in fuch numbers on board the fhips: to prevent the lots of fo many lives, he moved for leave to bring in a bill to limit the number of flaves that thall in future be embarked on board of any fhip in any one voyage. After fome converfation, in which Sir William faid he did not mean by his bill to affect the Slave Trade in general, but merely to introduce one falutary regulation into it, the motion was carried. Adjourned. MAY 22. The Speaker ordered a new writ to be iffucc by the Clerk of the Crown, for the election of a Burgefs to ferve in Parliament for the town of Cambridge, in the room of John Mortlock, Eiq. who has accepted the Stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds. Mr. Bearcroft moved, that his county election b.lt be read a third time. The queftion being put to this purport, Mr. Baftard obferved, that it was, in his opinion, an expedient measure to appoint fuch perfons as were collectors of the landtax to regifter the names of the county electors. There were many of thefe collectors, in different parts of the country, who might not collect more than about 3col. a year of the land-tax; which at the rate of 14d, in the pound, would net produce to them a fufh.ient fom to counter-balance the expence attending the quarter-feflions in confequence quence of the provisions of this bill, unless fomething were allowed them for this addi tional trouble. In this refpect he objected to the bill. The bill was then read a third time; and Mr. Bearcroft brought up a clauíe to be annexed as a rider to the bill. investments; as, instead of paying the debts in India, he thought it most adviseable to make them payable in England; when, by laying out there in investments the money that should be appropriated for the discharge of them, and fending it home in goods, the means of payment must of course be increased This claufe being added to the bill, it was by the profit arifing from the fale. Within paffed, and ordered to the Lords. Adjourned. MAY 23. Mr. Pitt laid upon the table a copy of the Treaty with Holland, in the Dutch Language, together with a tranflation of it. At the fame time he gave notice that on the first open day he would propofe to the Houfe, that the trade with the United Provinces fhould be put upon the fame footing with that of France, The House having refolved itself into a Committee, Mr. Dundas rofe to lay before them the ftate of the revenue arifing from the British poffeffions in India. The amount of the revenues of the three prendencies of Bengal, Madras, and Bombay, from the ift of May, 1787, to the 1st of May, 1788, he stated to be 7,154,2821. fterling. The demands upon this revenue for the fupport of the civil and military establishments in India, including Bencoolen and the Prince of Wales's Inland (of both which he gave the moft flattering ac count) he faid, amounted to about 5,154,2821. fterling, fo that there would remain a furplus of two millions fterling, to provide investments, and anfwer the other exigencies of the Company. From this furplus, he obferved, 154,000l. must be deducted to defray the charge of the four regiments lately raifed for the Company's fervice. The railing and fending out thofe regiments appeared, he faid, now to be the more judicious, as the laft letters from Lord Cornwallis ftated the propriety, and even the neceflity of fuch a measure. A further deduction of 14 lacks, he said, must be made to fupply the place of certain government customs, which orders had lately been fent out to abolish; and also a further fum of 74,000l. to answer fome military contingencies in India. After all, thefe deductions, there would remain a clear fum of 1,802,000l. to be difpofed of by the Company. How fuch a fum fhould be applied was the next confideration. Two great objects claim ed a fhare in it, the purchase of investments, and the discharge of the Company's debts. If these two objects should come into competition, it would be but juftice that the debts fhould be ditcharged firit: but for his part, he thought that the best way to provide for the difcharge of them was by the increate of the left year, he faid a debt of 109,8751. had been difcharged; and there was the most flattering prospect that the investments would in future be still greater than they had ever been in any period before. This very flattering profpect, he admitted, was founded on the continuance of peace; but the last letters from Lord Cornwallis encouraged him to look for a continuance of that bleffing, from the very fatisfactory account they contained of the internal ftrength and fecurity of our provinees. Mr Dundas concluded by moving a ftring of refolutions on the difpofal of the furplus of the revenue. Mr. Huffey thought the Committee not fufficiently informed to warrant any refolution till fome more papers fhould be laid upon the table. Mr. Francis faid a country could not be faid to be in a profperous fituation, if its revenue did not exceed its expenditure; and this he contended was not the case in India, notwithstanding the glofs the Right Hon. Gentleman had put upon our affairs in that quarter. It would be in vain to talk of the prosperity of our provinces in India, when it was a known fact that there was an annual drain from Bengal only, of one million ster. ling; a drain, which muft in the end ruini the most opulent country. After fome converfation between Mr. Grenville and Sir Grey Cooper, the resolutions were carried, and the Houfe adjourned. MAY 26. It having been reprefented that a petitioni from the owners of ftage coaches was to be very fhortly prefented to the House, against parts of the bill for limiting the number of outfide paffengers to be carried in future by stage coaches, it was ordered by the House that the bill fhould be recommitted, for the purpofe of giving the coach-owners an opportunity of prefenting their petition in time. The refolutions of the Committee on the finances of India were reported, and after fome little converfation, agreed to by the Houfe. Mr. Pitt obferved, that this country had always afferted and enjoyed the fovereignty of Newfoundland, and of the furrounding sea, from the time of their first difcovery, till it had been found expedient to allow the French to fith upon the coaft: that liberty was fe cured cured to them by the treaty of Utrecht; and by the last treaty of peace, it had been agreed that the limits within which the French fishery was confined by the treaty of Utrecht fhould be enlarged; and further, that within the limits fo enlarged, there should be no interference on the part of the English to the detriment of the French. Now, though ftrictly speaking, the former were not excluded from fishing within the limits affigned to the latter, ftill he was of opinion that in found policy it ought to be enacted that we fhould not interfere with the French in those parts, but leave them the undivided liberty of fishing within the limits in queftion. Many motives urged him to adopt this opinion: if our ships were mixed with thofe of France, it might not be a very easy task to preserve peace and harmony between the two nations; and, on the other hand, the French might have an opportunity of corrupting our fea men, and inveigling them into their fervice. For thefe reafons, therefore, he moved for leave to bring in a bill to empower his Majesty to send out directions to his Governors and Commanders at Newfoundland, to reftrain the English from fishing within the limis affigned to the French by the late treaty of Paris. After fome converfation the motion paffed; the bill which Mr. Pitt had ready prepared was brought up, read, and ordered to be printed. Sir William Dolben brought in his bill for limiting the number of flaves to be carried in each ship belonging to this country, from the coast of Africa to the Weft-Indies. The bill was immediately read. Sir William then moved that it should be rend a fecond time, Mr. Gafcoigne amended the motion by moving, that the fecond reading should be on this day three months, These motions were likely to produce a debate, which was, however, prevented by the Attorney-General, who moved that the House should be counted: it was accordingly counted, and found to confist of fewer than forty members; an immediate adjournment of courfe took place, and the business was dropped for this day. MAY 27. A Committee of the whole Houfe was formed, to confider of the admiffion of the Dutch to the fame privileges, in point of trade, which are granted by us to the most favoured nations. The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved, that it is the opinion of this Committee, that, in the export and import of goods between Great Britain and the United Provinces, the privileges of the most favoured nations be granted to the latter. This motion was affented to; and the Houfe refumed itself. Mr. Burgess observed, that, on account of the advanced state of the prefent feffion, it would be advifeable to defer the further confideration of his arreft bill till the fucceeding feffion of Parliament. He would therefore move, that the order of the day for the commitment of the faid bill, be deferred till this day three months. The question being put, his motion was agreed to. The order of the day being read, for the confideration of the Eaft-India Company's petition prefented yesterday to the Houfe, for the extenfion of their credit and capital, the Speaker put the question that he should leave the chair; which heing agreed to, Mr. Gilbert took his feat at the table as chairman. The Chancellor of the Exchequer rose, and intimated the reasons which induced the EastIndia Company to apply to the House for permiffion to extend their credit. There were two motives that gave rife to this application. The first arofe from the numerous demands upon the Company, in confequence of the late war, which had embroiled their affairs fo muth, that the effects of it were still fenfibly felt by them. The fecond reafon was, the very confiderable augmentation of their trade, which had taken place fince the peace. These reasons rendered it very defirable for the Company to extend their credit. They wished to be enabled to raise 1,200,000l. by bonds. Of this fum, they intended to employ 300,000l. in the China trade, 500,ocol. in the liquidation of a debt due to the public, and the remainder in other ufeful purpofes He concluded with moving, that the Eaft-India Company be permitted to raife a fum not exceeding 1,200,00cl upen bonds, over and above the fums which they are now authorifed by law to raife in that way. Mr. Hufley was of opinion, that the Company fhould not be fuffered to extend their credit, unless there were proved to be strong grounds for it, without any rifque to the public of non-payment. Sir Grey Cooper was unfriendly to the motion He did not fee any neceifity for ac ceding to the prayer of the Company's petition. There was fome danger of tl eir finding a difficulty in ditcharging this additional debt. Mr. Nathaniel Smith entered into a flatement of the affairs of the Company, in which he endeavoured to demouitrate the probability of a fpeedy difchge of their debts. He alfo fhewed the reasonableness of their application to Parliamen for an extenfion of their credit, on account of the increase of their trade. The |