merly enjoyed. It was not to be imagined | under the direct management of the comthat this people could at once shake off pany's government, it may not be altogeinveterate habits, and betake themselves ther proper here to state the causes which to the quiet occupations of husbandry: have interfered with their prosperity. It employment is therefore found, by em- was very much wished to have obtained a bodying a number, as sibendies, under the modification of the treaties on which the command of an European officer. The company's connexion with them rests; zemindars are hereby deprived of the but obstacles have presented themselves. power of creating a disturbance, as here- As the whole subject is now under consitofore, whenever it suited their interest, deration, the effect of the measures in and the country is protected by those who contemplation will be more properly stated had been the invaders. on some future occasion. On the whole, I trust, it will appear, that the internal affairs on the coast exhibit, in a degree, the same symptoms of prosperity as those of Bengal: and, if a judgment of the external prosperity may I have been thus particular in order to show the zeal of the company's servants to carry into effect the ardent wish of their employers, that the various classes of the natives, under the British dominion in India, may enjoy every possible protec-be formed by the increase of customs as at tion of their persons and property. Many that presidency, it is evident, that the siother instances of that zeal, and of its tuation in this respect is no less favoureffects, might be adduced, but it would able. The newly acquired territories trespass too much upon the time of the under the management of the government committee. I would, however, beg leave of Bombay, have placed that presidency to add, that in the Poligar countries and in a more respectable point of view, and Southern districts, the inhabitants have have added to its importance, both politiexperienced the like beneficial effect from cally and commercially. The difficulties the present mild administration as those of in the way of any arrangement of the rethe North; and have, in some instances, venue system in the ceded countries apexemplified their confidence in the justice peared, on first taking possession of the of the government in a very striking man- districts, to be very considerable. The ner. The recourse to military force for inhabitants in some parts, were barely in the collection of the revenues, it has been a state of civilization: the life or death of remarked, is no longer in use in the Ben- the natives was at the capricious disposal gal provinces. Every alternative is re- of the petty rajahs; and the most cruel sorted to, that it may become unnecessary oppressions were continually practised, in these districts likewise; and the greatest both by those rajahs and the principal care is used to prevent the inhabitants landholders, on the inferior classes of the from being oppressed, either by the Eu- people: it was therefore no easy task to ropean or native servants of the company. introduce a system (however beneficial it The same attention to the interests of the might appear in its design towards the people is manifested, in the encourage- country at large) that would strike at the ment afforded, in every instance, where root of abuses, so long practised by the a prospect appears of increasing or ex- leading men of that country. It has, tending the manufactures, either by the however, been, in a great degree, accomabolition of duties found to be oppressive, plished by the zeal and exertions of the or by enlarging the field of employment present government of Bombay. Adaufor industry by introducing valuable plan- luts, or courts of justice, have been tations. In some of the ceded districts formed; the rajahs' dispensing power of considerable success has attended these life and death is taken from them: and by a measures: the cultivation of indigo and moderate display of just severity towards of the sugar cane, also the rearing the those who were refractory, the authority silk-worm, promise very favourably. In of the government had been fully estaother places the silk-worm, has almost blished, and the contrition and submission entirely failed; but success has generally of the offenders so far obtained, that reattended the cochineal insect lately intro-sistance was no longer expected against duced. The countries subject to the nabob of Arcot and rajah of Tanjore, I am led to apprehend, do not exhibit the same promising appearances; but as they are not [VOL. XXXIII.] the regulations which it was thought proper to introduce, either for the collection of the revenues or the administration of justice. I am, however, concerned to find, that by advices received within this [31] last week, the expectation in that regard has been disappointed, in a small degree, through the turbulency of one of the northen rajahs, which at first threatened serious consequences. Advices of a later date, received at the same time, have relieved my apprehensions, by the information afforded, that the rebellion was confined to a small part only of the district, and that there was every prospect of its speedy suppression. In the rest of the province, the natives manifested the most perfect attachment or submission to the company's government. The settlement with the rajahs for five years, commencing with the year 1794-5, having been noticed to the House on former occasions, I have only now to remark, that notwithstanding the above unfortunate circumstance, the payments stipulated have otherwise been made with an unprecedented degree of punctuality, and that the general collections, both on account of land revenue and of customs, had exceeded the expectation of the government of Bombay. The advices further state, that there is good ground to hope, that the effects of the arrangements for the internal government of the provinces would lead to the easy realization of the jumma formed by Tippoo, if the rajahs' intervention could be dispensed with, as the resources of the country were ascertained to be adequate. The treaty with the rajah of Travencore has been noticed, as well as the situation of the other small resources of this presidency.-Mr. Dundas then moved his several Resolutions founded upon the preceding statement; which were agreed to. Debate in the Commons, on the Bill concerning the Meeting of Parliament.] July 17. The order of the day being read, for going into a committee, on the bill to shorten the time, now required, for giving notice of the royal intention of his majesty, his heirs, and successors, that the parliament shall meet and be holden for the dispatch of business, and more effectually to provide for the meeting of parliament in the case of a demise of the crown." Mr. Wigley said, he did not know why this bill was now introduced. It gave to ministers the power of calling parliament together within fourteen days, in all cases in which they might think proper. That they should be so called together in case of rebellion or invasion, or imminent danger of invasion, was right; but to give this power to the minister, to be exercised at his will and pleasure, did not appear to him to be prudent. He objected there. fore to the Speaker leaving the chair. Mr. Pitt was surprised at the opposi tion to the bill. It could not be on any ground of constitutional jealousy against the executive government, for it only gave a power of calling parliament together, not of doing any thing without the advice of parliament. From the modern improvements in travelling, and the celerity of communication from one part of the country to the other; fourteen days was a sufficient notice for the meeting of parlia ment. He thought the executive government ought to have this power to call for the aid of the other branches of the legis. lature; and that it ought to be made matter of general regulation. Sir W. Pulteney said, that as a tempo. rary measure, he had nothing to say against the bill, because the circumstances of the times might make it necessary. But as a general measure, he must oppose it; for there might be cases in which the power the minister would by this bill have, might be extremely dangerous. He did not like the idea of the whole parliament being called at the will of a minister in fourteen days, in any case which he might think fit to call them together from distant parts of the country, to hear what he had to say to them. He had so much objection to the bill, that he must divide the House upon it. As there were not 40 members in the House there was no division, but an immediate adjournment. July 18. On the order of the day for going into a committee on the bill, Sir W. Pulteney said, he had no objections to it as a temporary measure, but he had a great many objections to it as a permanent one. It was contended that 14 days were a sufficient notice. But was a notice all that was required? Were members of parliament to be perpetual drudges in the service of the public, and were they to dedicate no part of their time to their own private concerns? This was not the situation in which members were intended by the constitution to be placed. They were appointed as representatives of the people, for the purpose of meeting on great occasions to control the executive government. The bill would put them upon the footing of a S The House divided: YEAS Tellers. Mr. Charles Yorke {Mr. Perceval Sir William Pulteney {Mr. Wigley :} 49 :} 3 The bill was accordingly committed; after which it went through the remaining stages without opposition. military corps, ready to be called out by | vation, that it was indecent that it should the minister at a moment's warning. If originate in the House of Lords, as its the militia could be called out in time of provisions were equally applicable to peace at the orders of the commanding both Houses, he saw no indecency in its officers, no gentleman of independant for- originating in the one more than in the tune would accept of a commission in the other. service; and in the same manner, if this new regulation was adopted, it would banish gentlemen of fortune from parliament. The bill would prevent a number of members from going abroad; in short, it would put them entirely on the footing of a standing army under the command of the minister. He thought it was not at all fitting that such a bill as this should have originated with the aristocracy of the country. He knew that the Lords might legally originate any bill excepting a money bill; but what was legal was one thing, and what was decorous was another. At all former periods when any infringement of the constitution was deemed necessary, it was done at first by way of a temporary measure; for instance, the Militia act and Mr. Grenville's act, were at first only passed as temporary measures; but in the present instance the infringement was to be rendered perpetual; for these reasons he should give his hearty opposition. The King's Speech at the Close of the Session.] July 20. His Majesty put an end to the Session, with the following Speech to both Houses: "My Lords and Gentlemen; "I cannot put an end to this session of parliament, without returning you my most sincere and cordial thanks, for the assiduity and zeal with which you have applied yourselves to the important objects which have required your attention, and for the wisdom and firmness which you have manifested in the new and difficult emergencies for which you have had to provide. Mr. Pitt said, that the bill did not go to vary the power vested by the constitution in the executive government; but "I must particularly express the just merely to narrow the time in which that sense I entertain of the salutary and effecpower might be exercised. The question, tual provisions which you made for then, was simply this, whether fourteen strengthening the means of national dedays was a sufficient notice to members fence, and the measures adopted for obof parliament? That is was sufficient the viating the inconveniences which were to practice of the constitution already esta- be apprehended to credit from the temblished, by giving the king the power of porary suspension of payments in cash by assembling parliament upon that notice, the Bank; as well as of the promptitude, when the militia were called out, or in vigour, and effect, with which you afforded cases of actual rebellion. The hon. me your assistance and support in supbaronet urged the propriety of not depart-pressing the daring and treasonable mutiny ing from the usage of our ancestors, forgetting the modern improvement in the conveyance of letters and travelling by post, by which a shorter notice was become equivalent to one of greater length in former times. And was there any resemblance between the king calling parliament to consult them upon the affairs of the nation, and putting them under martial law? Still less could it be an objection to the measure, that because two or three members wished to go abroad to spend the summer in another country, that his majesty should be deprived of the advice and assistance of the legislature at a critical conjuncture. As to the obser which broke out in a part of my fleet, and in counteracting so dangerous and pernicious an example. "I have the satisfaction to acquaint you, that, since the accession of the present emperor of Russia, the commercial engagements between the two countries have been renewed, in such a manner as will, I doubt not, materially conduce to their mutual interests. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons; "I must return you my particular thanks for the liberal and extensive provision which you have made for the various exigencies of the public service; and, while I lament the necessity which it increased them to so large an amount, is a consolation to me to observe the attention you employed in distributing the heavy burthens which they occasioned, in such a manner as to render their pressure as little severe as possible to my people. "My Lords and Gentlemen; "The issue of the important negotiation in which I am engaged, is yet uncertain; but, whatever may be the event, nothing will have been wanting, on my part, to bring it to a successful termination on such conditions as may be consistent with the security, honour, and essential interests of my dominions. In the mean time, nothing can so much tend to forward the attainment of peace, as the continuance of that zeal, exertion, and public spirit, of which my subjects have given such conspicuous and honourable proofs, and of which the perseverance and firmness of parliament has afforded! them so striking an example." Then the lord chancellor, by his majesty's command, prorogued the parliament to the 5th of October. It was afterwards further prorogued to the 2nd of November. SECOND SESSION OF THE EIGHTEENTH PARLIAMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN. The King's Speech on Opening the Session.] November 2. His Majesty opened the Session with the following Speech to both Houses: "My Lords and Gentlemen ; "It is a matter of great concern to me, that the earnest endeavours which I have continued to employ, since I last met you in parliament, to restore to my subjects the blessings of peace, on secure and honourable terms, have unhappily been rendered ineffectual. The Declaration which I have caused to be published, and the other Papers which I have directed to be laid before you, will, I am confident, abundantly prove to you, and to the world, that every step has been taken on my part, which could tend to accelerate the conclusion of peace; and that the long delay and final rupture of the negotiation are solely to be ascribed to the evasive conduct, the unwarrantable pretensions, and the inort dinate ambition of those with whom we have to contend, and above all, to their inveterate animosity against these king. doms. "I have the fullest reliance, under the blessing of Providence, on the vigour and wisdom of your councils, and on the zeal, magnanimity, and courage, of a great and free people, sensible that they are contending for their dearest interests, and determined to show themselves worthy of the blessings which they are struggling to preserve. Compelled as we are, by the most evident necessity, to persevere in the defence of all that is dear to us, till a more just and pacific spirit shall prevail on the part of the enemy, we have the satisfaction of knowing that we possess means and resources proportioned to the objects which are at stake. 66 During the period of hostilities, and under the unavoidable pressure of accumulated burthens, our revenue has continued highly productive, our national industry has been extended, and our commerce has surpassed its former limits. "The public spirit of my people has been eminently displayed; my troops of every description, have acquired fresh claims to the esteem and admiration of their country, and the repeated successes of my navy over all our different enemies, have been recently crowned by the signal and decisive victory with which Provi dence has rewarded the exertions of my fleet under the command of Admiral lord Duncan. No event could be attended with more important and beneficial conse quences, or form a more brilliant addition to the numerous and heroic exploits which, in the course of the present war, have raised to a pitch hitherto unequalled the naval glory of the country. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons; "I have directed the estimates for the ensuing year to be laid before you. The state of the war, joined to the happy con sequences of our recent success, will, I trust, admit of some diminution of expense, consistently with the vigorous efforts which our situation indispensably requires. In considering what may be the best mode of defraying the heavy expense which will still be unavoidable, you will, I am persuaded, bear in mind that the present crisis presents every motive to animate you to the most effectual and spirited exertions; the true value of any temporary sacrifices which you may find necessary for this purpose, can only be estimated by comparing them with the importance of supporting effectually our public credit, and convincing the enemy that, while we retain an ardent desire for the conclusion of peace on safe and honourable terms, we possess the means, as well as the determination, to support with vigour this arduous contest, as long as it may be necessary for maintaining the safety, honour, and independence, of these kingdoms. "My Lords and Gentlemen ; "After the experience I have had of your loyalty and attachment to me, and of your anxious regard for the interests of my subjects, I have only to recommend to you a perseverance in the same principles and conduct. "The events of every day must more and more impress you with a just sense of the blessings which we derive from our civil and religious establishments, and which have so long distinguished us among all the nations of Europe. These blessings can only be preserved by inculcating and enforcing a due reverence and obedience to the laws, by repressing with promptitude every attempt to disturb our internal tranquillity, and by maintaining inviolate that happy constitution which we inherit from our ancestors, on which the secu rity and happiness of every class of my subjects essentially depend." His Majesty then withdrew. Debate in the Lords on the Address of Thanks.] His Majesty's Speech having been read, The Earl of Glasgow rose to move an Address of Thanks to his majesty for his most gracious Speech. In examining that Speech, and the public Declaration to all Europe by which it was preceded, it was clearly apparent that his majesty had all along been actuated by principles of justice and moderation. Those documents pointed out, in a much better way than he could do, the insidious conduct of the enemy throughout the whole of the war. This conduct left it no longer in his majesty's power to indulge his beneficent inclinations towards peace. His majesty, had, however, lost no opportunity of prove ing the pacific intentions by which he had always been actuated. On every occasion that presented itself, he had renewed his attempts to restore the blessings of peace. In pursuit of this desirable object, he gone as far as was compatible with Lad the safety of his people, and the dignity of his crown. From a review of the overtures for peace, it was obvious that the prolongation of the war was to be attributed solely to the ambition of France. What was the avowed state of the negotiation so lately terminated? The enemy required a restitution of all the conquests made by the valour of our arms; and this not as the price of peace but of negotiation. What was the relative situation of the contending parties, when this arrogant pretension was advanced? Was it in a moment of humiliation, defeat and disgrace, that the enemy dared to bring forward their insolent demands? No; it was in the full career of conquest that these propositions were advanced. Their fleet was perfectly annihilated. We never had been successful on any occasion in the commencement of hostilities, and this ought to encourage our continuance, especially as the late splendid victory of lord Duncan showed what our navy, under discipline and wise management, could accomplish. And it was at the same time a pledge of certain prosperity always accompanying a dignified perseverance in the use of the means with which Providence had endowed us. He was decidedly of opinion, that the conduct of ministers was politic and wise, and such as would best conduce to a safe and honourable peace. His lordship concluded with moving the following Address: "Most gracious Sovereign; "We, your majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects the Lords spiritual and temporal, in parliament assembled, beg leave to return your majesty our humble thanks for your majesty's most gracious speech from the throne; and to express to your majesty the just sense which we entertain of your majesty's paternal anxiety for the welfare of your subjects, manifested in the earnest desire expressed by your majesty for the restoration of peace on secure and honourable terms. "We return your majesty our humble thanks for the communications which you have directed to be laid before us; and we assure your majesty, that we shall proceed, without delay, to the consideration of those measures which the circumstances of the present crisis require; and that, while we participate with your majesty in the concern which your majesty feels at the failure of your earnest endea yours to procure for your people the blessings of peace, we are fully confident, from |