Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Report Of The Proceedings Of The British Parliament.
MESSAGE FROM HIS MAJESTY . Monday , 18 . Mr . Dundas brought up the following Message : ' His Majesty thinks it proper to acquaint the House of Commons , that the officers , non-commissioned officers , and privates , of several regiments qf militia have made a voluntary tender of their services , in aid of the regular forces of the kingdom , to assist in suppressing the rebellion that now unhapp ily prevails in Ireland . His Majesty has received , with the most heart-felt this of their attachment to his and
satisfaction , striking proof person government ; and conceiving that his being enabled to avail himself of tliis fresh proof of their zeal for his service , may be ofthe utmost importance for the prote & ion of the lives and fortunes of his Majesty's loyal Irish subjects , as well as for the defence of Great Britain itself ; his Majesty recommends to his faithful Commons , to consider of the means of enabling him , from time to time , and to an extent to be limited , to accept of the services of such Militia regiments as may wish to be so embodied at this conjunfture . '
EXCHEQUER BILLS . Mr . Rose obtained leave to bring in a bill to enable the Commissioners of the Treasury to issue a certain quantity of Exchequer bills ( to the amount of three millions ) to be paid out ofthe voluntary contributions , and the revenue arising from the protection of exports and imports , by means of convoys . HIS MAJESTY ' S MESSAGE . Tuesday 19 . Mr . Dundas moved the order of the day for the House to take
, into consideration his Majesty ' s Message . He said , the nature of the motion " which he would have the honour to make was so distinctly understood by the House , and as he was not aware that any particular objection could be made to it , be would not take up much time on the subject , but would reserve himself to reply , if any objections were made to the measure . He would therefore content himself with moving
ait humble Address to his Majesty , thanking him for his communication . The Address was , as usual , merely an echo of the Message . It was seconded by Mr . Windham . Mr . John Nicholls said , he could not , consistent wtth his duty , decline opposing the Address . Recalled on the House to recollect the principle on which the militia was originally established ,- it was embodied not less for the defence and safety of the kingdom , than for a safe-guard , in case that any
corrupt minister was base enough to employ a standing army against the liberty of the country . This sort of jealousy towards ministers may now be out of fashion , but it was a jealousy of which our ancestors never lost sight . The present measure , he said , was extremely exceptionable , because unconstitutional : and if the present plan was adopted , the militia would be no longer officered by country gentlemen , but by those who made a military line of life their profession . —The present rebellion , he saidwas one of great
, magnitude ; a great body of people had engaged in it , but no documents had been laid before the House , to shew the cause of these unfortunate disturbances . He was therefore of opinion that the subject should be seriously and deliberately enquired into , lest the blind perseverance in the present system mi ght lead to the disuniting the two kingdoms .
Mr . M . A . Taylor said , if the present p lan was sanctioned by parliament , it would shake the constitution to its very foundation . With respect to the voluntary consent ofthe parties , that was absurd , for a bill founded on this Address was in fait a bill of compulsion ; for how could those who were averse from leaving the country object , when a majority offered their services ? It was p lacing them in the most awkward situation imaginable , and t [ ie plan was altogether reprehensible , as being impolitic , unconstitutional , « nd compulsive . Sir L . Palk reprobated the measure , as repugnant to the constitution , and contrary to law . It would give a fatal Wow to the service : and , in future ^
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Report Of The Proceedings Of The British Parliament.
MESSAGE FROM HIS MAJESTY . Monday , 18 . Mr . Dundas brought up the following Message : ' His Majesty thinks it proper to acquaint the House of Commons , that the officers , non-commissioned officers , and privates , of several regiments qf militia have made a voluntary tender of their services , in aid of the regular forces of the kingdom , to assist in suppressing the rebellion that now unhapp ily prevails in Ireland . His Majesty has received , with the most heart-felt this of their attachment to his and
satisfaction , striking proof person government ; and conceiving that his being enabled to avail himself of tliis fresh proof of their zeal for his service , may be ofthe utmost importance for the prote & ion of the lives and fortunes of his Majesty's loyal Irish subjects , as well as for the defence of Great Britain itself ; his Majesty recommends to his faithful Commons , to consider of the means of enabling him , from time to time , and to an extent to be limited , to accept of the services of such Militia regiments as may wish to be so embodied at this conjunfture . '
EXCHEQUER BILLS . Mr . Rose obtained leave to bring in a bill to enable the Commissioners of the Treasury to issue a certain quantity of Exchequer bills ( to the amount of three millions ) to be paid out ofthe voluntary contributions , and the revenue arising from the protection of exports and imports , by means of convoys . HIS MAJESTY ' S MESSAGE . Tuesday 19 . Mr . Dundas moved the order of the day for the House to take
, into consideration his Majesty ' s Message . He said , the nature of the motion " which he would have the honour to make was so distinctly understood by the House , and as he was not aware that any particular objection could be made to it , be would not take up much time on the subject , but would reserve himself to reply , if any objections were made to the measure . He would therefore content himself with moving
ait humble Address to his Majesty , thanking him for his communication . The Address was , as usual , merely an echo of the Message . It was seconded by Mr . Windham . Mr . John Nicholls said , he could not , consistent wtth his duty , decline opposing the Address . Recalled on the House to recollect the principle on which the militia was originally established ,- it was embodied not less for the defence and safety of the kingdom , than for a safe-guard , in case that any
corrupt minister was base enough to employ a standing army against the liberty of the country . This sort of jealousy towards ministers may now be out of fashion , but it was a jealousy of which our ancestors never lost sight . The present measure , he said , was extremely exceptionable , because unconstitutional : and if the present plan was adopted , the militia would be no longer officered by country gentlemen , but by those who made a military line of life their profession . —The present rebellion , he saidwas one of great
, magnitude ; a great body of people had engaged in it , but no documents had been laid before the House , to shew the cause of these unfortunate disturbances . He was therefore of opinion that the subject should be seriously and deliberately enquired into , lest the blind perseverance in the present system mi ght lead to the disuniting the two kingdoms .
Mr . M . A . Taylor said , if the present p lan was sanctioned by parliament , it would shake the constitution to its very foundation . With respect to the voluntary consent ofthe parties , that was absurd , for a bill founded on this Address was in fait a bill of compulsion ; for how could those who were averse from leaving the country object , when a majority offered their services ? It was p lacing them in the most awkward situation imaginable , and t [ ie plan was altogether reprehensible , as being impolitic , unconstitutional , « nd compulsive . Sir L . Palk reprobated the measure , as repugnant to the constitution , and contrary to law . It would give a fatal Wow to the service : and , in future ^