May 21. Mr. Burke having delivered | custody of the Gentleman Usher of the the said Message at the bar of the House Black Rod, or his deputy or deputies atof Lords, tending that House, and be kept by him or them till the farther orders of the House." Lord Walsingham rose and observed that there was no branch of the functions of their Lordships House in the exercise of which they ought to be more cautious and circumspect than in what related to their judicial character. They ought, also, to be singularly vigilant in such cases, in their attention to the conduct of the other House. The House of Lords was, he said, the most august and respectable of any tribunal upon earth. Of all criminal proceedings that by impeachment was the most solemn; and the impeachment then before them was, considering the magnitude of the charges, and the consequence and rank of the person accused, perhaps the most important that ever had been entertained in that House. He had two motions, he said, to make: the one relative to commitment, the other relative to bail. He went at some length into the nature of the criminal jurisdiction of that House, and its origin; and gave a short history of bail in general: which he defined to be a delivery of the person of the accused into the custody of his friends, to be by them produced according to the terms of his recognizance, either from day to day, or at any fixed time, as the court, out of whose hands he was taken, should appoint. Bail was a matter of common right, and was formerly allowed in all cases, treason and murder not excepted, but was afterwards taken away in those cases by statute. The admitting persons impeached to the privilege of bail, had however been the uniform practice of that House. The bail he should propose would be Mr. Hastings's own recognizance in the sum of 10,000l. and that of two sureties in 5,000l. each. The sums he had stated were the greatest that had ever been demanded by that House on similar occasions, as far as he had been able to ascertain it, and he had searched for precedents with considerable diligence; but perhaps other noble lords might have made more successful inquiries; if so, he hoped they would state any farther precedents that might have come within the reach of their investigation, as it was highly necessary that the House should proceed upon the fullest possible information. He then went into a general statement of the several precedents that had come within his knowledge, and concluded by moving, "That Warren "That Warren Hastings, esq., be taken forthwith into the The motion being agreed to, sir Francis Molyneux, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod appeared a few minutes after at the bar, and informed their lordships, that Mr. Hastings was in his custody. It was then ordered, that he should be brought to the bar. Mr. Hastings accordingly appeared at the bar, where having bent his knee, the Lord Chancellor directed him to rise, and ordered the Articles of Impeachment to be read over. After the clerk had proceeded some way, sir Francis Molyneux said, it was Mr. Hastings's request, if their lordships thought proper, that the Articles might be read short, and Mr. Hastings said, "My lords, I request," and then stopped. The Duke of Richmond desired that the Articles might be read at length, declar ing that he was a stranger to their contents, since be had thought it his duty not to look at them, nor inquire about them, till they came regularly before the House; and therefore, as it was a judicial proceeding, he hoped their lordships would not pass it over without due solemnity, and attention to every part of it. The Lord Chancellor said, he had ordered the Articles to be read over, and he had no reason to think the clerk would not do his duty. He believed he had hitherto read them at length, and was proceeding so to do when the noble duke had risen. The reading clerk then went on, and was occasionally relieved by Mr. Cooper. At half past nine lord Dunmore moved, that Mr. Hastings might be indulged with a chair, which was immediately consented to by the House. The reading of the sixth Article being concluded, lord Townshend expressed a wish that the remainder might be read short. The marquis of Stafford said, that it was not consistent either with the dignity of the House, or the honour of Mr. Hastings, that the charges should not be gone through. The duke of Richmond was also against the remainder of the charges being read short, and wished rather that the reading might be postponed than not fully gone through with; for unless the Articles were fully read, it was impossible to judge what bail it would be, proper to admit. The Lord Chancellor said, that peached to procure, then punishment would be oppression, and the effect of an example would be lost. He concluded by saying, that in his opinion it would be proper to adhere to the precedent of sir John Bennet on their Journals, to prevent their being led astray, and therefore he moved to admit Mr. Hastings to bail, himself in 20,000l., and two sureties in 10,000l. each. according to the rules of the House, the reading of the remaining Articles could not be postponed. The clerks then proceeded with the remaining Articles. At eleven the Articles were finished, and the Lord Chancellor demanded of Mr. Hastings what he had to say in his defence. Mr. Hastings answered," My lords, I rely upon the justice of this House, and pray that I may be granted a copy of the charge, with a reasonable time to make my defence. Likewise that I may be allowed counsel; and that I may be admitted to bail," The Black Rod having then withdrawn with his prisoner, Lord Walsingham moved, "That Warren Hastings, esq. be admitted to bail, himself in 10,000%., and two sureties in 5,000l. each." This being agreed to, and the other parts of Mr. Hastings's request granted, he was again called in, and kneeling at the bar, the Lord Chancellor addressed him to the following purport: "Mr. Hastings; the Lords have allowed you one month, and until the second day of the next session of Parliament, to make your answers to the charges alleged by The Duke of Norfolk conceived the the Commons of this kingdom against you; bail not to be sufficient; the highest bail you will therefore prepare what you have on their lordships Journals was 40,000l. to urge in your own defence before that The charges exhibited against Mr. Hast-period. They have also admitted you to ings were of great enormity, and deeply affecting the national character; he submitted it to their lordships, therefore, whether out of respect to the House of Commons, and in consideration of the magnitude of the charges, it would not be proper to have bail to the amount of 50,000l. He admitted, that in all cases excessive bail was bad, and contrary to Magna Charta, and declared that if Mr. Hastings, or any of his friends, should object to that bail as excessive, he would not persist in his motion. The Earl of Hopetoun was of opinion, that the bail moved for was sufficient; but for the purpose of preserving unanimity, and to prevent any disagreement appearing on their lordships Journals on so solemn an occasion, he acquiesced in the bail proposed by the noble duke. Viscount Townshend seconded the motion of the noble duke, assigning as a reason for so doing, the extent of the charges and the enormity of the offences Mr. Hastings was charged with. At the same time, he believed, that the difference of bail would be no consideration to Mr. Hastings. The Lord Chancellor observed, that as the Articles contained very weighty charges, it was necessary to have sufficient bail, but that excessive bail was always to be avoided, as by such bail any person might be imprisoned, by not having it in his power to procure sufficient sureties. If such excessive bail was demanded, as it was not in the power of the person im bail, on the terms of your binding yourself in twenty thousand pounds, and your friends in twenty thousand pounds more, as a security for your abiding the issue of process: they have likewise allowed you counsel, and you will be so good as name them." Mr. Hastings then bowing, said, "I thank your lordships for the great indulgence which you have shown me: I am now ready to produce my bail; and my counsel are the following gentlemen, Messrs. Plomer, Law, and Dallas." He then offered as his sureties Messrs. Sullivan and Sumner, who accordingly justified at the bar, and their recognizance being taken, Mr. Hastings was ordered to with draw. The remaining Articles of Impeachment were agreed to by the House of Commons without any debate, and on the 28th of May were presented by Mr. Burke to the Lords; and Mr. Hastings being ordered to attend, they were read the same day, and copies of them ordered for his use. The Speaker's Speech to the King on presenting the Money Bills.] May 30. His Majesty went in the usual state to the House of Lords, and being seated on the Throne, the Commons were sent for. The Speaker addressed his Majesty as soon as he came to the bar, and stated, that he had brought up with him two Bills, by which the House of Commons had granted to his Majesty an additional supply. He said, that it was with the highest satisfaction that his Majesty's | "I see, with particular satisfaction, that faithful Commons had been able to provide for the services of the current year, without being obliged to have recourse to any new loan. He mentioned likewise that the House had attended to the arrangement which his Majesty had lately recommended, and had unanimously voted the necessary provision for a distinguished branch of his own family. He then proceeded to enumerate the transactions of the session. He said, that they had taken such measures as appeared to them most likely to carry into effect the several articles and conditions of the Treaty of Navigation and Commerce with France; that the state of the revenue had engaged their most constant attention; that it had been an especial object with them to secure it in such a manner as should best support the national credit, and add to the prosperity and safety of his Majesty's dominions; and that they had passed bills containing regulations for the ease of the merchants, and for simplifying the public accounts in the various branches of the revenue. The King's Speech at the Close of the Session. The royal assent being given you have, at the same time, been able to furnish the sum annually appropriated to the reduction of the national debt, without imposing any new burthens on my people. "My Lords and Gentlemen; "I reflect, with peculiar pleasure, on the measures which you have taken for enabling me to carry into effect the Treaty Most Christian King; and for facilitating of Navigation and Commerce with the the collection, and simplifying the accounts of the various branches of the Revenue, which, I trust, will be productive of the most beneficial effects. And I rely upon your using your best endeavours, effect the measures which have been taken in your several counties, to carry into for the prevention of illicit trade, and to promote good order and industry among every class of my subjects. the 31st of July. It was afterwards farThe Parliament was then prorogued to ther prorogued. FIFTH SESSION OF THE to the several Bills, his Majesty put an SIXTEENTH PARLIAMENT end to the session with the following Speech to both Houses: "My Lords and Gentlemen; OF GREAT BRITAIN. November 27. His Majesty opened the King's Speech on Opening the Session.] Session with the following Speech to both Houses: "I cannot close this Session of Parliament without expressing my entire approbation of the zeal and assiduity with which you have applied yourselves to the im"My Lords and Gentlemen; portant objects which I recommended to "At the close of the last session, I your attention; and at the same time re-informed you of the concern with which turning you my particular thanks for the I observed the disputes unhappily subproofs which you have given of your affection for me, and for my family and go- vinces. sisting in the republic of the United Pro vernment. "The assurances which I receive from foreign powers, of their good disposition to this country, and the continuance of the general tranquillity of Europe, afford me great satisfaction; but dissentions unhappily prevail among the states of the United Provinces, which, as a friend and well-wisher to the republic, I cannot see without the most real concern. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons; "The cheerfulness with which you have granted the necessary supplies, and the ample manner in which you have provided for the several establishments, demand my sincerest thanks. "Their situation soon afterwards became more critical and alarming, and the danger which threatened their constituits consequences to affect the security and tion and independence, seemed likely in interests of my dominions. "No endeavours were wanting on my part to contribute by my good offices to the restoration of tranquillity, and the maintenance of the lawful government; and I also thought it necessary to explain my intention of counteracting all forcible interference on the part of France, in the internal affairs of the republic. Under these circumstances, the king of Prussia having taken measures to enforce his de changed at Versailles, to be laid before you. mand of satisfaction for the insult offered to the princess of Orange, the party which had usurped the government of Holland applied to the Most Christian King for assistance, who notified to me his intention of granting their request. "In conformity to the principles which I had before explained, I did not hesitate, on receiving this notification, to declare, that I could not remain a quiet spectator of the armed interference of France, and I gave immediate orders for augmenting my forces both by sea and land. "In the course of these transactions, I also thought proper to conclude a treaty with the landgrave of Hesse Cassel, by which I secured the assistance of a considerable body of troops in case my service should require it. "In the mean time, the rapid success of the Prussian troops under the conduct of the duke of Brunswick, while it was the means of obtaining the reparation demanded by the king of Prussia, enabled the Provinces to deliver themselves from the oppression under which they laboured, and to re-establish their lawful govern ment. "All subjects of contest being thus removed, an amicable explanation took place between me and the Most Christian King, and declarations have been exchanged by our respective ministers, by which we have agreed mutually to disarm, and to place our naval establishments on the same footing as in the beginning of the present year. "It gives me the greatest satisfaction that the important events which I have communicated to you, have taken place without disturbing my subjects in the enjoyment of the blessings of peace; and I have great pleasure in acquainting you, that I continue to receive from all foreign powers the fullest assurances of their pacific and friendly disposition towards this country. I must, at the same time, regret that the tranquillity of one part of Europe is unhappily interrupted by the war which has broken out between Russia and the Porte. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons; "I have ordered the estimates for the ensuing year to be laid before you, together with an account of the extraordinary expenses which the situation of affairs rendered necessary. "I have the fullest reliance on your zeal and public spirit, that you will make due provision for the several branches of the public service. I am always desirous of confining those expenses within the to the public safety will permit; but I narrowest limits which a prudent regard must at the same time recommend it to your particular attention to consider of the proper means for maintaining my distant possessions in an adequate posture of defence. "My Lords and Gentlemen; "The flourishing state of the commerce and revenues of this country, cannot fail to encourage you in the pursuit of such measures as may confirm and improve so favourable a situation. "These circumstances must also render you peculiarly anxious for the continuance of public tranquillity, which it is my constant object to preserve. "I am at the same time persuaded that you will agree with me in thinking, that nothing can more effectually tend to se-.. cure so invaluable a blessing, than the zeal and unanimity which were shown by all ranks of my subjects on the late occasion, and which manifest their readiness to exert themselves whenever the honour of my crown and the interests of my dominions may require it." Debate in the Lords on the Address of Thanks.] His Majesty having retired, The Earl of Harrington rose and observed, that it was with peculiar satisfaction he requested the attention of their lordships on the present occasion, though he was convinced that it was not necessary for him to say much to induce them to agree to an address which he should "A Convention has been agreed upon have the honour to move; nor did he between me and the Most Christian King, conceive that it was requisite at any great explanatory of the thirteenth Article of length, to urge their lordships to give the last Treaty of Peace, and calculated their approbation to measures, the result to prevent jealousies and disputes between of which had proved so fortunate for the our respective subjects in the East Indies. honour and interests of Great Britain.. I have ordered copies of the several Trea- Every man who beheld this country rising ties to which I have referred, and of the from depression, to that rank among the Declaration and Counter-declaration ex-nations of Europe in which she had long flourished, must feel a glow of satisfaction in contemplating the present auspicious moment. The measures which had been adopted, as a natural consequence of the alarming interference of France in the dissentions which unhappily disturbed the constitutional government of the United Provinces, had not only restored the public tranquillity, but defeated the deep designs of an enemy which we ought perpetually to watch with a jealous eye. To gain an ascendency in the councils of Holland had been the invariable policy of France for a long series of years; and it was unnecessary for him to say how fatal those designs, had they succeeded, might have proved to this country. Happily they were now frustrated, he hoped, for ever. He would, for a moment, suppose, that the party against the House of Orange had prevailed, and, to support their cause, had thrown themselves into the arms of France: what would have been the natural consequences? The Austrian Netherlands, which were at so great a distance from the seat of empire, would probably have been the first sacrifice to the pride and ambition of their new ally. And would not this country have had every thing to dread from the junction of the marine of Holland with that of the House of Bourbon?-Upon this occasion, no inconsiderable degree of praise was due to ministers for their active and spirited exertions against an opposition so formidable in its nature. Had they lingered in negociation, their endeavours would probably have proved fruitless, and we might have again been plunged into a ruinous war. It was, therefore, with the most unfeigned satisfaction that he again beheld his country in so flourishing a situation a situation which had been purchased without the blood of her armies, or the expenditure of her treasures. He heartily congratulated the sovereign on an occasion so honourable to his councils, and so grateful to the nation at large, and he hoped he would long enjoy those honours which now fell thick around him. The noble earl then entered upon a short detail of the motives which had induced the king of Prussia to take a decided part in the disputes of Holland. He complimented the prince of Brunswick on the good conduct which had distinguished his operations in re-establishing the constitutional government, and concluded with moving, "That an humble Address be pre sented to his Majesty, to assure him that his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords spiritual and temporal, in parliament assembled, beg leave to return his Majesty their humble thanks for his most gracious Speech from the throne: That they acknowledge with heartfelt gratitude his Majesty's constant regard to the interests of his people, which could not be more fully manifested than by his attention to the disputes lately subsisting in the republic of the United Provinces: That the danger with which their constitution and independence were threatened, could not but affect, in its probable consequences, the security and interests of his Majesty's kingdoms:That they beg leave, therefore, humbly to express their highest approbation of his Majesty's just and wise determination to counteract all forcible interference on the part of France in the internal affairs of the Republic; and that they acknowledge, in the fullest manner, the propriety and necessity of the declaration made by his Majesty in conformity to these principles, when the intention of the Most Christian King to assist the party which had usurped the government of Holland was notified to his Majesty. And that they cannot but heartily applaud the wise and vigorous steps taken by his Majesty for the augmentation of his forces by sea and land; measures which, while they prepared the country for the emergency which might arise, were the most likely to prolong the blessings of peace :-That they learn with particular satisfaction, the rapid success of the Prussian troops under the auspicious conduct of his serene highness the duke of Brunswick, which has obtained for his Prussian Majesty the just reparation which he demanded, and enabled the provinces to deliver themselves from the oppression under which they laboured, as well as to establish their ancient and lawful government :-That the important events which have taken place, without disturbing his Majesty's subjects in the enjoyment of the blessings of peace, afford matter of cordial congratulation to his Majesty; and that they are happy to see his Majesty enabled to enter into an agreement with the Most Christian King for disarming, and placing the naval establishments of the two countries upon the same footing as in the beginning of the present year:-That they beg leave to return their humble thanks to his Majesty for ordering the several treaties and conven |