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CHAP.
LIX.

1786.

Moves an amendment.

Debate.

vote.

tions? He could not repress his indignation at the idea of tearing the ensign of British glory from the mast-head, and fixing it to a standard on the ramparts of a military garrison. He therefore moved an amendment, declaring fortifications, on the extensive plan proposed by the Board, inexpedient.

In an animated debate, the proposition was best defended by the Honourable Captain Berkeley, Mr. James Luttrell, Lord George Lennox, Lord Mahon, and Mr. Dundas; and most vigorously attacked by General Burgoyne, Captain Macbridge, Colonel Barré, Mr. Courtenay, Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Fox, Lord North, and Mr. Windham. The speech of Mr. Sheridan was eminently argumentative and powerful, and acknowledged to be so by Mr. Fox.

On a division, which took place at seven in the Motion lost by the Speaker's morning, the numbers for and against the amendment were equal*; the casting vote, therefore, devolved on the Speaker, who, after a debate so protracted, declined stating his reasons; at that late period, he had too much respect for the House so to occupy time, but voted for the amendment; and thus the proposed measure miscarried†.

16th June. Woods and forests.

5th July.

In consequence of a message from the King, a bill was brought in for effecting some regulations respecting woods and forests belonging to the Crown. A portion was to be sold, and the residue placed under the care of commissioners. It passed the House of Commons with little discussion, and without a division. In the upper House, it was severely censured by Lord Loughborough, who objected to the hasty manner in which all the antecedent proceedings had been taken, and condemned the bill as hostile to the rights of the subject and injurious to the interests of the Crown; and he divided the House; but the bill passed‡. A

* 169 each.

Mr. Burke was absent from this debate, through indisposition; and Mr. Fox, in moving to postpone a motion of which his honourable friend had given notice, said it was a fortunate circumstance for the Speaker, as it had given him an opportunity of gaining immortal honour by his casting vote.

Contents 14, proxies 14; non-contents 11, proxies 7.

protest was entered on the journals, signed by the noble judge and four other peers.

CHAP.

LIX.

1786. Alteration in

the militia

Other measures of less public interest engaged the attention of Parliament, and were disposed of in a summary manner. A change was effected in the laws. militia laws, rendering that service less onerous to individuals, and less expensive to the nation, than it had been, by enacting that only two thirds of the number 31st January. balloted and enrolled should be called out. An un

successful attempt was made to deprive certain officers 30th March. of the ordnance of their right to vote at county elections. A similar fate attended a bill which was 5th July. brought in for disposing of the bodies of convicts, which provided, among other things, that those who were executed for burglary should be delivered to the surgeons to be dissected. Lord Loughborough distinguished himself by his opposition to this measure; and, on his motion, the bill was rejected without a division.

In closing the session, his Majesty, after the usual approbation of the proceedings of Parliament, and thanks for the supplies they had granted, expressed his hopes that the friendly disposition of other nations would ensure the duration of peace, and of the benefits with which it had been attended.

11th July,

Close of the

session.

CHAPTER THE SIXTIETH.

1786-1787.

Commercial views of England and France.-Plenipotentiaries appointed, and a commercial treaty concluded. - Convention with Spain.- Political feeling.—The treaty with France much scrutinized.- Reflections cast on Mr. Eden.Attack on the King by a mad woman.- Death of the Princess Amelia.-Meeting of Parliament.-Address in the House of Lords.-Address moved in the lower House. -Speech of Mr. Fox.-Mr. Pitt.-The Treaties discussed. Conference. Debate in the House of Lords.-Regulations in the revenue. Consolidation of duties moved by Mr. Pitt-highly approved by Mr. Burke-Sir Grey Cooper.— Bill passed.-Farming of the post-horse duties.---Regulation of lotteries.-Debts of the Prince of Wales.-State of the Prince. Observations on his expenses.-Arrears of the duchy of Cornwall.---Pecuniary distress of the Prince.-His retrenchment. His reported marriage.-Mention in Parliament of the Prince's embarrassments.-Motion of Alderman Newnham.--The Prince's supposed marriage adverted to by Mr. Rolle.-Explicitly denied by Mr. Fox.- Message from the King.-Supply voted.-Mr. Beaufoy's motion on the test and corporation laws.-Proceedings of the Dissenters. Speech of Mr. Beaufoy.-Lord North. Mr. Pitt. Mr. Fox.-Sir William Dolben.- Motion lost.Observations. Attempts to improve the condition of criminals. --Change of the place of execution in London. -Transportation to New South Wales.- Close of the

session.

Two arrangements, arising out of the restored peace and friendly feeling between this country and her late antagonists on the continent, were effected at this period, portending, as it was hoped, a lasting amity to the contracting parties; a commercial treaty with France, and a convention with Spain, relating to the evacuation of some territories on the Mosquito shore. That two neighbouring and highly-civilized communities, each possessing natural productions and manufactured luxuries, wanted, or at least much desired, by the other, should find mutual advantage in commercial intercourse, seems to be a proposition so evident, that, far from wondering at the formation of such a connexion, astonishment would rather be excited that benefits so obvious should be overlooked, and that pride and misdirected selfishness should so long have prevented two discerning nations from securing them. But where rivalry has subsisted for many generations, where jealousy in each of aggrandizement in the other has become a ruling principle, and where colonial interests and compacts with other nations interpose difficulties, much consideration is necessary in planning, and much address in perfecting, treaties in which a fair reciprocity of benefit may be expected.

Since the restoration of peace, the French government had been anxious to form useful commercial establishments, and to commence or renew connexions with foreign countries. Attempts were made to establish a new East India Company; treaties were concluded with Russia; and, if judicious enterprize had not been restrained by the distressed state of the finances, and the growing, although as yet slightly noticed, operations of faction, there is no reason to doubt that political wisdom would have been displayed in many more improvements in the political state of the country.

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A commercial intercourse with Great Britain, con- Plenipoformably to the eighteenth article of the treaty of tentiaries peace, having been resolved on, M. De Reyneval and Mr. Eden were appointed plenipotentiaries to conduct

appointed;

CHAP.
XL.

1786.

and a commercial treaty concluded. Sep. 26th.

July 14th.
Convention

with Spain.

the negotiation. By their judicious activity, a treaty was concluded; its basis was the discontinuance of prohibitions and prohibitory duties, so as to secure solid advantages to the industry of each nation, and put an end to contraband trade, which was equally injurious to the revenue, to legitimate commerce, and to public morals. The subjects of the contracting parties were free to import, in their own vessels, into the European dominions of each other, every kind of merchandize not particularly prohibited. They and their families might reside, either as householders or lodgers, free from every restraint with respect to religion, and from any exaction under the name of headmoney, or argent du chef, and under no other obligation than that of duly conforming to the laws. They might travel throughout the country, and depart from it, without licences or passports; buy all lawful kinds of merchandize from manufacturers or others, and freely dispose of their own goods in warehouses or elsewhere, only paying the same imposts as the inhabitants of the place, or those established by this treaty. The wines of France were to be admitted into England, subject to the same duties as those of Portugal, and the existing rates on vinegar, brandy, and oil of olives, were to be reduced. A moderate ad valorem charge was made on beer, hardware, cutlery, cabinet ware, turnery, and all works of iron, steel, copper, and brass; cotton and woollen manufactures, including hosiery, sadlery, gauzes, made up millinery, porcelain, earthenware, and pottery; and on plate-glass and glass-ware in general. Provision was made for giving the best effect to these stipulations, and the interference of either nation in hostilities in which the other might be engaged, by equipping privateers, or other means, was distinctly renounced*.

A convention was concluded with Spain, founded on the fifth article of the treaty of peace, in pursuance

The treaty at large is to be seen in the Journals and Debates, the Annual Registers, and various other publications; also Macpherson's Annals of Commerce, vol. iv. p 112. et seqq.

† See Chapter 49, vol. iii. p. 148.

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