of a full attendance of the Members of that Houfe; and here he would take an opportunity to obferve, that he expected to have it in command from the Throne to bring down a Meffage to morrow, relative to the "Overture of the Enemy," accompanied by feveral papers connected with the bufinefs of that Overture, and which he should at the fame time move to be taken into confideration on Monday

next.

Mr. Tierney then gave notice, that he hould make the faid motion to-morrow. Mr. Long prefented feveral public accounts relative to the Finances, which were laid on the table.

Mr. Abbot moved for feveral Accounts of the Produce, Expenditure, &c. of the Public Revenue; which were ordered. Mr. Tierney moved for the following Accounts, viz.

No. 1. An Account fhewing how the Monies raifed by Exchequer Bilis, on the Votes of this Sethion, have been applied.

No. 2. Shewing how the Money given for the Service of 1799 was em ployed, didinguishing the application, &c. and what furplus, if any, remains.

No. 3. Amount of the Debt outstanding on Exchequer Bills, to the 5th of January, 1800, diftinguishing, under different heads, the Funds chargeable with the Payment of them, and the Funds remaining to fatisfy the fame.

No. 4. Amount of the actual Produce of the Tax on Income, to the 5th of April, 1800, diftinguishing the Amount affeffed by the Commercial Commiffioners, as far as the fame can be made Out.

No. 5. Income of the Confolidated Fund, and Charges on the fame, for the 5th April, 5th June, and 10th October, 1799, and 5th January, 1800.

No. 6. Amount of the Contribution raifed in Aid of the War, and of the Duties on Exports and Imports.

No. 7. Of the Diftribution of the Sum of 2,500,000l. voted for the Extraordinary Services of the Army in 1799. After a few words across the table between Mr. Pitt and Mr. Tierney, thefe feveral Accounts were ordered.

Mr. Tierney next moved→

"For an Account of the Advances made by the Bank of England to Government, on Account of the Duties on Malt, Sugar, &c. and alto the Amount of the Advance to Government by the Bank on Government Securities, for 21st Sept. 21ft Oct. 21 Nov. 21 Dec. 1799, and art Jan. 1900.”

Mr. Pitt objected to the general nature of this Account. After fome converfation between him and Mr. Tierney, an amendment, leaving out the words "relative to the Sums on Government Sccurity," was moved and carried; and the Account, in its amended state, was or dered.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 22.

Mr. Pitt prefented his Majetty's Mel fage (fee page 59), which was read, and ordered to be taken into confideration on! Monday next.

CALL OF THE HOUSE.

Mr. Tierney role to make his promifed motion on this fubject. It was not his wift, he faid, to harafs the distant Members by calling for an enforced attendance; but he would afk, whether there was, in the recollection of the Houle, a Sellion of more importance than the prefent. An Hon. Friend of his (Mr. Sheridan) had given notice of a motion for an enquiry into the conduct of the Expedition to Holland. It would, in his opinion, have been a fufficient motive for a Call of the Houfe, to afcertain where the blame of that difaftrous expedition fhould be made to reft. This was of itfelf a very important queftion, but there were others of equal magnitude. There was that of the Union with Ireland. He concluded by moving, that a Call of the Houle fhould be ordered for the 5th of February, to which day he was authorized to fay, that Mr. Sheridan had agreed to poftpone his motion.

Mr. Jones faid, he fhould certainly fupport the prefent motion, though he should be left in a minority of two, as he was on a fimilar motion in the early part of the Seffion, when it was asked that the Militia fhould be broken up to ftrengthen the forces in Holland. He was then told by the Miniiler, that the Expedition was bottomed on principles founded in human nature!" That Expedition, however, had failed, and the propofed enquiry certainly demanded the collective attendance of the House. The war and its calamities called for the at tention of the National Affembly (a laugh)

he meant the National Reprefentation: he had not the fame command of words as fome Gentlemen had on the oppofite fide. He thought a coercive Call was neceflary, as he had never feen what might be called a full attendance of that Houle but once on a Partridg Bill.

The Maiter of the Rolls was against the motion. Mr. Tierney replied: after which the Houfe divided-ayes 32noes 115-Adjourned to Monday.

SPEECH

I

OF

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, HAVE received his Majefty's commands to affemble you in Parliament. Upon a review of the important and glorious events that have diftinguished the period which has elapfed fince I laft addreffed you, the moft gratifying and encouraging reflections prefent themselves to our confideration.

By the brilliant courfe of victories achieved by the combined Imperial Armies, the various kingdoms and states of Italy have been delivered from the ravages and the tyranny of the French. The Throne of Naples, and our friendly connection with that kingdom have been restored.

The French Expedition to Egypt has been checked in its career by the exertions of the Turkish arms, alfifted by a fmall detachment of his Majefty's forces, and the gallantry of their heroic Commander.

The hoftile plans of the common enemy in India have terminated in the total destruction of the Power which had been misled by their artifices, and through the timely, vigorous, and decifive counfels of the Marquis Wellesley, and the confummate skill and valour of his Majesty's Generals, Officers, and Troops; the British poffeffions in that quarter of the globe have been beneficia ly extended and effectually fecured.

By the defcent of his Majesty's forces and of his Ruffian Allies on the Coast of Holland, the Dutch Fleet has been happily rescued from the power of the enemy; and although the season, pe uliarly unfavourable to military opera tions, produced the neceflity of relin quifhing an enterprize fo fortunately began, and prevented the complete acsomphfhment of his Majefty's views, yet the refult of that expedition has been peculiarly beneficial to this kingdom, in removing all fear of attack on our coats from a quarter whence it had been fo often planned, and in enabling his Majefty's fleets to direct their vigi Jance exclufively to the fingle port from whence the enemy can attack this country with any hope even of a temporary fuccefs.

My utmost care has been exerted to carry into execution the extraordinary powers which you have committed to my difcretion, with vigour, and at the fame time with moderation. All tendency to infurrection has been effectually repreffed; but it gives me true concern to acquaint you, that the painful neceffity of acting with feverity has been too frequently impofed upon me; and although public tranquillity has been in a great measure reftored, yet I have to lament that a difpofition to outrage and confpiracy ftill continues in feveral districts; that much industry is ufed to keep alive the fpirit of difaffection, and to encourage among the lower claffes the hopes of French affift

ance.

I truft that the recent Revolution in France cannot fail to open the eyes of fuch of his Majefty's fubjects as have been deluded by the artifices which have been unremittingly employed to withdraw them from their allegiance; and that it will restore and increafe the love of conftitutional order and of regulated freedom, by demonstrating that the principles of falfe liberty tend ultimately to depotism, and that the criminal struggles of democratic factions naturally clofe in military ufurpation.

So long as the French Government, under whatever form it exerts its influ ence, fhall persevere in the schemes of destruction and projects of ambition, fubverfive at once of the liberties of Europe and the fecurity of his Ma jefty's dominions, there can be no wife alternative but to profecute the war with increasing energy. It is by great exertions alone that either their views of aggrandizement can be frustrated, or a folid peace procured. His Majefty has therefore availed himself with peculiar fatisfaction of the cordial and great affiftance which has been afforded him by his faithful Ally, the Emperor of Ruffia, and has thought right to make every exertion for augmenting the difpofeable military force of his own dominions; his Majesty therefore has been highly gratified in accepting the fervices fo generally offered by his English Mi

ditias

litia; and I am to exprefs to you the entire confidence which his Majefty feels, that the zeal and loyalty of his Militia of this kingdom, in forwarding at this important crifis the active operations of the Empire, will not be less prompt and confpicuous.

The apprehenfion of general scarcity which fome time fince took place, called for my early attention to that most important fubject; and I was induced, A with the advice of the Council, to offer #premiums for the early importation of grain. This meafure will, I flatter my felf, meet your approbation; and I have full confidence in your wifdom, if shall be neceffary, to refort to any further extraordinary means for procuring a Supply.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF
COMMONS,

The evident neceflity of fecuring this kingdom from every danger, whether foreign or domeftic, and of rendering the fuccefs of invafion, it attempted, impracticable, will demonftrate to you the wildom of continuing that enlarged fyftem of defence you have fo wifely adopted.

I have therefore ordered the Public Accounts and Eftimates for the enfus ing year to be laid before you, and have the fullest confidence that in the fupply which fuch a fituation fhail appear to you to require, you will equally confult the fafety of the kingdom, and the honour of his Majesty's Government.

I am induced to hope that the great increase of the Revenue which has

taken place in the prefent year, mảy enable you to raise the fums which may be wanted for the current service with out any diftreffing addition to the bur thens of the people.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

I recommend to your ufual attention the Agriculture, the Manufactures, and particularly the Linen Manufacture of Ireland; and I doubt not that the Pro teftant Charter Schools, and thofe Public Inftitutions, whether of Charity or Education, which have been protected by your liberality, will still receive a judicious encouragement.

It will be for your wisdom to confider how far it will be neceffary to continue any of those extraordinary powers wich which you have strengthened the autho rity of his Majefty's Government, for the more effectual fuppreffion and punifhment of rebellious confpiracy and outrage.

His Majefty places the most entire reliance upon your firmness and wisdom, and he has no doubt that you will anxiously purfue fuch measures as fhall be beft calculated for bringing the prefent war to an honourable termination, and for restoring the country to perma nent tranquillity.

It will be my conftant object to attend to your fuggeftions and advice, that L may, by this means moft beneficially accomplish the commands I have re ceived from his Majefty, and most ef fectually forward the interefts and hap pinefs of this kingdom.

already contrived to carry on a tacit and regular correfpondence, by means of figns, with fome women, who could fee us from their apartinents, and who feemed to take the most lively intereft in our fate. They propofed themfelves to affift in facilitating my liberation; an offer which I accepted with great preature and it is my duty to confefs, That notwithstanding the enormous expentes occafioned by their fruitlefs attempts, they have not lefs claim to my gratitude. Till the time of my departure, in which, however, they had no ere, their whole employment was endeavouring to fave me; and they had The addrefs at all times to deceive the xigilance of my keepers. On both fides we ufed borrowed names under which we correfponded, theirs being taken from the ancient mythology; for that 2 had now a direct communication with Thalia, Melpomene, and Clio. I

"At length I was removed to the Temple, where my three Mufes foon contrived means of intelligente, and every day old me new fchemes for effecting my escape. At first I eagerly accepted them all, though rerction foon deffroyed the hopes to which the tore of liberty had given birth." I was allo refolved not to leave my Secretary in prison, and still lefs poor fohn, whole ty was more deaf to me than my

over emancipation.

In the Temple John was allowed to enjoy a confiderable degree of liberty He was lightly dreffed like an English jockey, and knew how to allume the manners that correfponded with that character. Every one was fond of John, who drank and fraternifed with the turnkeys, and made love to the keeper's daughter, who was perfuaded that he would marry her; and as the little Englth jockey was not fuppofed to have received a very brilliant education, he had learnt, by means of Rudy, fuficiently to mutilate bis native tongue,

"John appeared very attentive and eager in my fervice, and always poke to his matter in a very refpectful manner. I fcolded him from time to time sib mub gravity; and he played his part fo well, that I frequently furprifed myfelf forgetting the friend, and friously giving him orders to the valet. At length John's wife, Madame de Tr, a very interefting lady, arrived at Paris, and made the most uncommon exertions to liberate us from our capti.

vity. She dared not come, however," to the Temple through fear of difco. very; but from a neighbouring housethe daily beheld her husband, who, as he walked to and fro, enjoyed alike in fecret the pleasure of contemplating the friend of his bofom.. Madame de Tr now communicated a plan for delivering us from prifon to a fentible and courageous. young man of her acquaintance, who immediately acceded to it without hesitation. This Frenchman, who was fincerely attached to his country, faid to Madame Tr, I will farve Sydney Smith with pleature,” because I believe the English Government intend to restore Louis XVIII, to the throne; but if the Commodore is to fight against France, and not for the King of France, Heaven forbid I should at him?

"Ch. L'Oifeau (for that was the name our young friend affumed) was connected with the agents of the King, then confined in the Temple, and for whom he was also contriving the means of escape. It was intended we should all get off together. M. La Vilheurnois being.condemned only to a year's imprifonment, was refolved not to qut his prelent fituation; but Brothier and Duverne de Profle were to follow our

example. Had our fcheme fucceeded, thus Duverne would not perhaps have

cealed to be an honeft nang, for till then he had conducted himself as fach..

His condition must now be truly deplorable; for I do not think him formed by mature for the commiflion of crimes.

“ . Every thing was now prepared for the execution of our project. The means propofed by Ch. L'Oifeau appeared practicable, and we refolved to adopt, them. A hole twelve feet long was to be made in a cellar adjoining to the prifon, and the apartments to which the cellar belonged were at our dif pofal. Mademodelle D, rejecting every prudential confideration, generoufy came to refide there for a week, and being young, the other lodgers attributed to her alone the frequent vifits of Ch. L'Oifeau. Thus every thing feemed to favour our wishes. No one in the houfe in question had any fuípi. cious; and the amiable little child Mademoifelle D had with her, and who was only feven years old, was fo far from betraying our fecret, that the always beat a little drum, and made a noife, while the work was going on in the cellar.

"Means

*Meanwhile L'Oiseau had continued his labours a confiderable time without any appearance of day-light, and he was apprehenfive he had attempted the opening confiderably too low. It was neceffary, therefore, that the wall fhould be founded, and for this purpose a mafon was required. Madame de Tr recommended one, and Ch. L'Oifeau undertook to bring him, and to detain lim in the cellar till we had efcaped, which was to take place that very day. The worthy mafon perceived the object was to fave fome of the victims of misfortune, and came with out hesitation. He only faid, 'If I am arrested, take care of my poor children.'

"But what a misfortune now fruftrated all our hopes! Though the wall was founded with the greateft precaution, the last stone fell out, and rolled into the garden of the Temple. The fentinel perceived it; the alarm was given; the guard arrived; and all was difcovered. Fortunately, however, our friends had time to make their escape, and none of them were taken.

"They had, indeed taken their measures with the greatest care; and when the Commiffaries of the Bureau Central came to examine the cellar and apartment, they found only a few pieces of furniture, trunks filled with logs of wood and hay, and the hats with tricoloured cockades provided for our flight, as thofe we wore were black.

"This first attempt, though extremely well conducted, having failed, I wrote," continued Sir Sidney, "to Madame de Tr, both to confole her and our young friend, who was miferable at having foundered just as he was going into port. We were fo far, how. ever, from fuffering ourselves to be difcouraged, that we still continued to form new schemes for our deliverance. The Keeper perceived it, and I was frequently to open as to acknowledge the fact. Commodore,' faid he, your friends are defirous of liberating you, and they only discharge their duty. I am alfo doing mine in watching you still more narrowly.' Though this Keeper was a man of unparalleled feverity, yet he never departed from the rules of civility and politeness. He treated all the prifoners with kindness, and even piqued himself on his generosity. Various proposals were made to him, but he rejected them all, watched us the more closely, and preferved the pro

VOL. XXXVII. JAN. 1800.

foundeft filence. One day when I dined with him, he perceived that I fixed my attention on a window then partly open, and which looked upon the street. faw his uneafinefs, and it amufed mes however, to put an end to it, I faid to him, laughing, I know what you are thinking of; but fear not. It is now three o'clock, I will make a truce with you till midnight; and I give you my word of honour, that till that time even, were the doors open, I would not escape. When that hour is paffed, my promife is at end, and we are enemies again." Sir,' replied he, your word is a fafer bond then my bars and bolts: till midnight therefore I am perfectly easy.'

"When we rofe from the table, the keeper took me afide, and fpeaking with warmth, faid, 'Commodore, the Boule vard is not far. If you are inclined to take the air there, I will conduct you," My aftonishment was extreme; nor could I conceive how this man, who appeared fo fevere, and fo uneafy, fhould thus fuddenly perfuade himself to make me fuch a propofal. I accepted it, however, and in the evening we went out. From that time forward this confidence always continued. Whenever I was defirous to enjoy perfect liberty, I offered him a fufpenfion of arms till a certain hour. This my generous enemy never refused; but when the armistice was at an end his vigilance was unbounded. Every poft was examined; and if the Government ordered that I fhould be kept clofe, the order was enforced with the greatest care. Thus I was again free to contrive and prepare for my efcape, and he to treat me with the utmost rigour.

"This man had a very accurate idea of the obligations of honour, He often faid to me, Were you even under fentence of death, I would permit you to go out on your parole, because I fhould be certain of your return. Many very honeft Prifoners, and I myself among the reft, would not return in the like cafe; but an Officer, and efpecially an Officer of diftinction, holds his ho nour dearer than his life. I know it to be a fact, Commodore; and therefore I should be less uneafy, if you defired the gates to be always open.'.

My keeper was right. While I enjoyed my liberty, I endeavoured even to lote fight of the idea of my escape; and I fhould have been averfe to em. ploy for that object, means that had oc

K

curred