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104. Annual Register

were obliged to apply for leave to continue their fittings during the summer. The result of these, and of the other enquiries that were made into the state of East India affairs, will appear in the their proper place, in the historical article for the ensuing year.

The ill temper which had so unaccountably taken place between the two houses in the preceding session, was continued during the whole course of the present, and except in the transmitting of bills from one to the other, there was no more communication between them, than if they had been the jealous councils of two rival states.

Apr. 30

In this state of things, the lords having, contrary to custom, sent a bill to the commons by a master in chancery and a clerk assistant, the whole house seemed to take fire at the indignity, and would not accept the message until they had examined the journals, to know if there were any precedents for sending bills in such a manner. In the course of a hasty and passionate debate which ensued upon this occasion, several gentlemen mentioned, that on the first day of the session, they had been rudely turned out the house of lords, even before the speaker got out of the door. A motion was accordingly made for a committee to search for precedents, of the manner of bills being sent from the lords, and also of the improper behavior of the lords to the commons. Exceptions were however taken to the word improper, as if it carried an appearance of prejudging the case, and after a warm debate, the word was left out upon a division.

Upon the report of the committee being given in, which contained resolutions of improper behavior and a want of respect, which out to be resented, a motion was made to send back the bill to the lords, assigning as a reason, that it had been sent by improper messengers. This was opposed by administration, as it was said it might lay a foundation for a quarrel, which might not be easily accommodated; and after a considerable debate, the motion was overruled upon a division, by 107, against 53. A motion was then made for a conference with the lords, which was over-ruled in the same manner, and after long debates, and several proposed amendments, the matter ended in a message to the lords, in which the impropriety of the messengers was the only complaint stated, which it was hoped would not be drawn into precedent; this produced an answer, that the bill had been ordered in the usual manner, and that the matter of complaint was occasioned by the illness of one of the persons who should have presented it; that a good correspondence was wished for, and that it was not meant to introduce any precedent contrary to established usage. Thus the sore was covered, if not skinned, for the present.

The inefficacy of the temporary corn bills which had been passed in every session for some years back, had occasioned the forming of a committee in the last session, for examining into, and considering, the whole state of the corn trade, and of the corn laws, and for framing such resolutions thereon, as might be the basis of a comprehensive and permanent law, which should take in all possible cases, with

105. For the Year 1772.

with respect to exportation, importation, prices and bounties, and thereby supersede the necessity of temporary and imperfect regulations. Several resolutions were then passed and approved of upon this subject, and the lateness of the season only, prevented its being carried farther. A bill was now brought in upon the same principles, and passed through the House of Commons, the former resolutions being in a great measure the foundation of it.

June 3.

This bill, together with another, for the levying of penalties on the killing of game, were returned by the lords with some alterations. This matter, in the present temper, occasioned a great ferment; it was urged, that the lords had no right to make the smallest alteration in any money-bill; and that it was telling the people by their representatives, that they were no longer to tax themselves: it was however said, that money levied by way of penalty could not possibly be considered in that light; but it was replied, that it was not the sum to be levied, nor the manner of levying it, but the precedent which it might establish, and the doctrines and principles it might here-after maintain, that were the matter of consideration; and that it was not for 40s that the glorious Hampden contended, but for the properties, privileges, and liberties of his countrymen. The bills were thrown out with extraordinary marks of contempt.

9th.

In the speech from the throne, acknowledgements were made of the temper and prudence which had governed all their deliberations; and particular thanks were returned for the fresh proof they had given of their affectionate attachment, in the additional security they had provided for the welfare and honour of the royal family. They were informed of the pacific disposition of other powers, and that there was the strongest reason to believe, that the tranquility of this nation was not in danger of being disturbed. They were heartily thanked for the chearfulness and dispatch with which they had granted the supplies, the ample provision that had been made for every branch of the public service; and that it was seen with pleasure and approbation, that the had at the same time been able, by a proper disposition of the public money, to make some further progress in reducing the national debt. No doubt was made but they would carry to their respective countries the fame principles, and the fame zeal for the public good, which they had already manifested; and that they would cultivate a spirit of harmony and confidence among all ranks of the people; to convince them, that, without a due reverence for the laws, neither their civil or religious rights could be enjoyed in comfort or security; and to assure them, that their interests are considered as inseparably connected with those of the crown; and that his majesty is and ever was persuaded, that the prosperity and glory of his reign must depend on his possessing the affection and maintaining the happiness of the people.

Vol. XV        [G]     CHRO-