cation and station in life, the situation of the curates, who were at present in many instances in a state of great distress, having large families to support with very inadequate means. His lordship combated the objection that this was an invasion of property, by observing that it was no more so than the property tax, or than the acts for making a better provision for curates, which the legislature had already passed, and it was a sound principle in legislation to make the appropriation of a portion of private property subservient to the public good. As to the power vested in the bishops, his lordship contended that a similar power had long been vested in them, which had never been abused. The Earl of Moura strongly objected to the bill, which he still considered as an unjust violation of private property. His lordship decidedly disapproved of the present bill, which he thought would tend to place the incumbent and the curate in continual hostility towards each other. Lord Harrowby defended the bill, which he thought calied for by every consideration of justice. The property of the church was, he contended, vested for the performance of certain conditions, and the object here was, that a portion of that property should be given to those who performed the duty. It was but just that the incumbent who did not reside should pay the portion of his income, which this bill prescribed to the curates who did reside and do the duty. Lord Viscount Sidmouth condemned the measure as harsh and unjust towards the incumbents, and as one not called for by the existence of any actual evil so far as appeared to the house. His lordship concluded by moving to postpone the second reading of the bill for three months. The Earl of Suffolk instanced two cases, in one of which the incumbent with a living of 1000l. per annum, gave his curate who did the whole duty 60l. a-year, with the addition of 41. for surplice fees, and in the other where the living was 500l. per ann. the curate had 50 guineas for doing the whole duty, and out of this the rector had deducted 5 guineas for the property tax, and the commissioners 5 guineas more, leaving the curate only 40 guineas. These instances, his lordship urged, were strongly in favour. of making the provisions prescribed in the present measure, which he thought a good bill, and which he should therefore support. The Earl of Buckinghamshire could not give his support to the bill, because no case was made out to justify its introduction, and in his opinion, it was neither more nor less than a bill of pains and penalties against the beneficed clergy of this country. It was also founded upon a principle which went to affect the security of the whole of the church property, a principle which, in times like the present, it was highly dangerous for a moment to countenance. The Archbishop of Canterbury supported the bill as being consonant to the ancient established constitution of the church, which recognized the same powers vested in the bishop by the present bill, and thinking as he did, that it was perfectly constitutional, and would not be attended with any of the bad effects which other noble lords were of opinion that it would produce, he should give it his support. The Duke of Norfolk was against the bill, as tending to violate property. Lord Lauderdale differed materially, in many points, from several of the doctrines laid down by a right reverend prelate (the bishop of Lon" don.) He thought that the residence of the clergy was very desirable, but it did not follow that it should Saturday, July 2. The royal assent was given by commission to the appropriation, the assessed taxes, the stamp duties, the annuities, the ale licenses, the oysters fishery,and several other bills. Monday, July 4. be enforced by act of parliament, with the utmost generosity and libemuch less by a bill such as that now rality. before their lordships, He thought it would be much safer to leave the relations between the curates and rectors upon the same footing with those which subsist between the manufacturer and the workmen whom he employs. Curates were generally young men, actuated by views of professional ambition; and by putting them at once in a comfortable situation, and thus annihilating this ambition, their lordships would be doing a material injury to the church! He should therefore vote for the amendment proposed by the noble viscount. The house then divided upon Lord Sidmouth's amendment.-Contents, 17-Non contents 36. The bill was afterwards read a second time, and committed for Thursday. Wednesday, June 29. Their lordships met shortly after three o'clock, and in the interim waiting the commission by which parliament was to be prorogued. Lord Suffolk rose to call the attention of the house to the critical situation in which we now stood with respect to Spain. It was generally understood that a large armament was to be sent to assist the patriotic exertions of that nation in resisting the tyranny that would oppress its liberty, end in enabling it to assert its independence. Who was to command that expedition? Its fate might, perhaps, be closely connect He The judgment of the court below in the appeal cause, Lucina p. Craw-ed with the auspices and command ford, was affirmed. The Welsh coals under which it was to serve. bill was thrown out on a division, did not know that we had now any 44 against 36. responsible minister. In former administrations Mr. Pitt, Lord Sidmouth, and latterly Lord Grenville, stood forward as the avowed responsible ministers of their day. Thursday, June 30. Earl Grosvenor put a question as to the rumoured erections in Hyde Park, but the discussion was thought unparliamentary. The stipendiary curates bill was negatived on the third reading without a division, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishops of Rochester, Bristol, and Carlisle were of opinion it would do more harm than good. On the third reading of the appropriation act, Lords Holland and Lauderdale, and the Duke of Bedford, reprobated in strong terms the diminished grant to Maynooth college. Friday, July 1. A short conversation took place between Lord Holland and Lord Hawkesbury relative to Spain, when the latter declared it to be the resolution of Government to act towards that country both as to the orders in council, and in every other respect, The Lord Chancellor rose, not to reply to the speech of the noble lord, but to order the black rod to the Commons, to desire their attendance in that house, to hear the commission read.. The Commons shortly after attended, headed by their Speaker, when, previous to reading the speechthe royal assent was notified to the sugar distillery bill, the Scotch judicature, and the Scotch local militia bills, and to one private bill.-The following speech was then delivered, in his Majesty's name, by the Lord Chancellor :- My Lords and Gentlemen, î being enabled, by putting an end to the present session of parliament, to terminate the laborious attendance which the public business has required of you. The measure which you have adopted for the improvement of the military force of the country, promises to lay the foundation of a system of internal defence eminently useful, and peculiarly adapted to the exigencies of these times. The sanction which you have given to those measures of defensive retaliation, to which the violent attacks of the enemy, upon the commerce and resources of this kingdom, compelled his Majesty to resort, has been highly satisfactory to his Majesty. His Majesty doubts not that in the result the enemy will be convinced of the impolicy of persevering in a system which retorts upon himself, in so much greater proportion, those evils which he endeavours to inflict upon this country. Gentlemen of the House of Commons, We are commanded by his Majesty to return his most hearty acknowledgments, for the cheerfulness and liberality with which the necessary supplies for the current year have been provided. His Majesty directs us to assure you, that he participates in the satisfaction with which you must have contemplated the flourishing situation of the revenue and credit of the country, notwithstanding the continued pressure of the war; and he congratulates you upon having been enabled to provide for the exigencies of the public service, with so small an addition to the public burthens. His Majesty commands us to thank you for having enabled him to make good his engagements with his allies; and to express to you the particular gratification which he has derived from the manner in which you have provided for the establish ment of his sister, her royal highness the Duchess of Brunswick. My Lords and Gentlemen, His Majesty has great satisfaction in informing you, that, notwithstanding the formidable confederacy united against his ally the King of Sweden, that sovereign perseveres, with unabated vigour and constancy, to maintain the honour and independance of his crown. No effort has been wanting, on the part of his Majesty, to support him in the arduous contest in which he is engaged. The recent transactions in Spain and Italy have exhibited new and striking proof, of the unbounded and unprincipled ambition which actuates the cominon enemy of every established and independent nation in the world. His Majesty views with the liveliest interest the loyal and determined spirit manifested by the Spanish nation, in resisting the violence and perfidy with which their dearest rights have been assailed. Thus nobly struggling against the tyranny and usurpation of France, the Spanish nation can no longer be considered as the enemy of Great Britain; but is recognized by his Majesty as a natural friend and ally. We are commanded to inform you that communications have been made to his Majesty from several of the provinces of Spain, soliciting the aid of his Majesty. The answer of his Majesty to these communications bas been received in Spain with every demonstration of those sentiments of confidence and affection, which are congenial to the feelings and true interests of both nations and bis Majesty commands us to assure you, that he will continue to make every exertion in his power for the sup port of the Spanish cause; guided in the choice and in the direction of his exertions by the wishes of those in whose behalf they are employed. In contributing to the success of this great and glorious cause, his Majesty has no other object than that of preserving unimpaired the integrity and independence of the Spanish monarchy. But he trusts that the same efforts which are directed to that great object, may, under the blessing of divineprovidence, lead in their effects, and by their example, to the restoration of the liberties and peace of Europe. A commission was then read for proroguing the parliament. The Lord Chancellor in his Majesty's name, and by virtue of the said commission, declared the parliament to be prorogued to Saturday, the 20th. day of August next, to be then and there holden. The lords commissioners withdrew from the house, and the commons retired from the bar. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Wednesday, June 8. Mr. Brand presented a petition from John Cartwright, of Enfield, against the local militia bill, as ineffectual for the attainment of its object, and contrary to the spirit of the constitution.-Ordered to lie on the table. In a committee of supply, the following sums were voted :—foreign and secret services, 1808, 68,7871. 10s.-Expence of buildings on Tower Hill, 54,000l. Salaries of officers in houses of Lords and Commons, 1,9131, 12s. 4d, -Bounties on fish for supply of the Lon don markets, 6,000l.-Caledonian canal, 51,2501.-Works about both houses of parliament, 12,100l.-French emigrant clergy and laity, 20,000l.-For our settlements on the coast of Atrica, 23,000l. Mr. Curwen thought this a proper opportunity to mention the valuable discovery of Capt. Manby, for saving the lives of seamen and others, which had been proved an effectual preservative in shipwrecks on the coast, by throwing a rope over the vessel from a mor tar on shore. Admiral Harvey, Mr. Yorke, and Mr. Perceval, agreed in thinking that the invention would answer. Its efficacy, however, had not yet been certified by a reference to the admiralty board. Mr. Curwen hoped, that though the gallant officer asked nothing, his merit would not be over-looked. IRISH BUDGET. In a committee of ways and means, Mr. Foster stated the various items required for the service of the year in Ireland, amounting to 9,767,000l. and to meet this, enumerated the ordinary revenue, 4,800,000l. -The loan for Ireland negociated in this country, 2,780,000l. Irish currency; the loan from the bank of Ireland, 14th. million; and the loan to be raised in Ireland 750,000l. making together, 9,768,000l. The interest of these three loans was 280,4621. which he proposed to provide for by extending the malt duties to raw corn used in distilling, which would produce 333,000l. a duty on foreign spirits, 22,500l. and by an improvement in the management of the public debt, he calculated on a saving of 7,5001. making together 363,0001. and thus exceeding the interest required by 82,5381. The Irish loan he stated had been concluded in the 3 per cents. on termis equally advantageous with the loan concluded in England, namely, at an interest of 41. 14s. 6d. per cent. He then put his several resolutions, which were agreed to. He also obtained leave to bring in bills for the better regulating and collecting different branches of the Irish reven;ie. Mr. Perceval moved the order of the day for going into a committee on the curates' bill. On the question of the Speaker's leaving the chair, a debate eusued, when Mr. Perceval moved for leave to withdraw his first motion, that he might move that it be an instruction to the committee, to make provision for extending the bill to Ireland. Sir J. Newport at first opposed this, but afterwards assented to it, and it was ordered accordingly. The question being again put, that the Speaker do now leave the chair. Lord Porchester conceived that there was no call for the bill. This was a case of reform; and he asked if there ever was a question of reform agreed to without the case being made out. When the worthy baronet near him(Sir F. Burdett) as he himself should be inclined to do, called on the house to reform abuses of which he complained, what was the language of the very persons who now pressed the present measure," That he must make out his case." This he now called on those gentlemen to do, which not having done, he must esteem the present to be a measure altogether uncalled for, and unnecessary. Mr. Tyrrwhit Jones strongly supported the measure. The question being called for, the gallery was cleared for a division. The numbers were-for the original motion 131, against it 17. The house went into a committee, when Lord Milton urged most forcibly his objections to the proposition of Mr. Perceval, for extending the operation of the bill to Ireland. Lord H. Petty, Mr. Windham, and Sir J. Newport, followed on the same side. Mr. Perceval defended his proposition, and was supported by Sir A Wellesley, Lord Castlereagh, Mr. Huskisson, &c. Upon a division the numbers were→ Ayes 55, Noes 18. Thursday, June 9. The report of Mr. Palmer's annuity bill was brought up. Mr. Bankes moved two amendments to the preamble, and one to the body of the bill, upon which the gallery was cleared, but they were negatived without a division. The report of the select committee on Mr. Palmer's account was brought up and ordered to be printed. Mr. Beresford presented a petition from the Roman catholics of the county of Waterford, praying the removal of the disabilities under which the catholic body labour.—Ordered to lie on the table. Mr. Rose submitted to the house a resolution expressive of the advantages resulting from vaccination, and of the necessity, of a central institution being formed in London, under the authority of government, the beads of which to be chosen from the college of physicians and surgeons, to whom all cases of failure should be submitted,and who should be empowered to grant certificates to proper persons, to enable them to propagate vaccination according to the most improved method. Mr. D. Giddy thought the discovery should be allowed to take its course without any legislative interference. Sir T. Turton and Sir F. Burdett thought at all events, that a committee should first be appointed. The house divided-Ayes 60, Noes 5 Mr. Parnell withdrew his motion relative to the commutation of tithes in Ireland, on understanding that government was to take it up. Mr. Huskisson obtained leave to bring in a bill for the better prevention of smuggling. The report on the Dublin police bill was ordered to be received on Monday. Friday, June 10. Mr. Canning delivered to the house a message from his Majesty to the fol lowing effect: "G. R.—His Majesty thinks proper to inform the house of Commons that he has concluded a treaty of alliance and subsidy with his Sicilian Ma jesty,a copy of which he has ordered to be laid before the house; and his Majesty trusts that his faithful Commons will make good the engagements contained therein." Ordered, on the motion of Mr. Canning, that his Majesty's Message be referred to.the committee of supply. Mr. Cunning said, that although the 'treaty was not laid before the house till now, it was by no means a new matter, but one which had been entered into so long ago as the year 1805, and under which it was agreed to pay to his Sicilian Majesty a sum of 300,000l. a year, to aid in the defence of Sicily. On the question being put for the third reading of the local militia fine bill, Mr. Windham, in a long speech recapitulated his former objections, and spoke on the danger of lessening the value of military distinctions, by extending them to those who were not really officers. Sir F. Burdett said, that he was unwilling to detain the house, but he could not let this last opportunity go by, of expressing his objections to a measure the most unconstitutional and obnoxious which he had ever heard proposed in that house. In his opinion it united every possible evil. It was a measure oppressive and severely burdensome, and yet it was without energy. This bill deserved the name of a bill of pains and penalties, rather than a bill for the defence of the country. It created no less than eleven new penalties, besides exposing the persons liable to it to im prisonment, transportation, and all the provisions of the mutiny act. When he looked at the present situation of this country, loaded with taxation, and covered with tax-gathers, and still more oppressed by the present bill, he thought it would not be in the power of the |