nuated this evening, they regretted, that while the trials were depending, they could not bring forward the proofs of existing conspiracies, of the treasonable mind within, and the corresponding danger from without. Happily, however, these auguries soon proved ill founded, and the verdict of an English jury declared the innocence of the accused. I do not say that the right honorable gentleman opposite to me thinks much of the verdict of a jury; but it is no unimportant fact, that the Judge who presided on that occasion, congratulated the jury on their verdict, and on the proofs that had been exhibited of those conspiracies, which once so much alarmed the public mind, being wholly without foundation, or only the chimerical offspring of a faction; men without arms, ammunition, or means of any kind, and even without zeal. Sir, I must think we are on the present occasion as little in danger of being overwhelmed with conspirators as we were then. But, though I think thus, the inference from the right honorable gentleman's observation must be obvious. It must be felt, that in substance the right honorable gentleman had insinuated that the prisoners are guilty. I have no knowledge of any of the prisoners except Mr. O'Connor; but I, Sir, regret that the trial at Maidstone was put off. I regret it for reasons very different, with feelings the reverse of those which appear to actuate the right honorable gentleman. I regret it, Sir, because I am convinced Mr. Arthur O'Connor is not a traitor, and is incapable of acting hostilely against this country or its constitution.Having said this, I shall now take the liberty of making some observations on the question immediately before the house. The right honorable gentleman has assumed, as a general proposition, the discretion vested in lords lieutenants; but all servants are responsible for their conduct. The whole question is, therefore, this-" Has my honorable friend made out such a case as ought to induce this

house to enter into the proposed inquiry, and as requires a justification of the conduct of my Lord Onslow?" I think this case has been made out; but so far from the right honorable gentleman meeting the question fairly, he has not in any one instance attempted to discuss it. Instead of this, a great deal of the right honorable gentleman's speech was occupied with efforts to throw odium on the resolutions of the borough of Southwark, which all comes to this" It is fit to tell the French, that England is not what England was ?" But, Sir, it was not necessary that these resolutions should ever have been passed, to give the French all the information on this subject they can desire. They cannot think it necessary to refer to the borough of Southwark to inform them, that we entered into the present war strengthened by an alliance with almost every power in Europe, that we have lost our allies one by one, that Belgium is annexed to their republic, and that we have sustained great and grievous losses in the West Indies. It is complained of, that these resolutions have become too public, and they would find their way to France. Sir, I do not know that this will be the case; but I do know, that if the declarations of the Borough Association reached France, no candid or intelligent Frenchman will doubt the determination of that portion of His Majesty's subjects to defend their country, and assert their rights against invaders, of whatever description.

But it appears to me, that language such as that held by the right honorable gentleman, is every way unworthy of himself. At one time the thirst was after unanimity; now we are threatened with schisms; and if ever any thing serious to this country should be the effect of party animosity, that right honorable gentleman, and those who like to vex and wound the spirit of individuals, will be alone to blame. It, indeed, is pretty evident, that no offer of service, no declared intention to support the executive government in the hour of peril, no

oblivion of political enmity, will do, unless we come forward to declare the present war just and necessary, although we had, in its commencement, and have uniformly since, opposed it as unjust and unnessary; that we must deny all our cherished and oldest principles; acknowledge those ministers to have capacity, whose incapacity we always have deplored; in fine, unless we bring along with us a certificate of our capacity, it appears to be the determination of His Majesty's ministers that we shall not serve our country, or be found in its ranks, fighting its battles in the hour of danger. I do not state this on light grounds. In my neighbourhood, instances have occurred of conduct on the part of ministers that warrant my conclusions. An honorable gentleman, a member of this house, than whom there is not a more loyal, gallant person in it, has made an offer of his services, but no notice has been taken of that offer. The whole of his political proscription can, therefore, only mean, that certain persons shall not be trusted with arms because they have opposed ministers. The right honorable gentleman says, that the resolutions of the inhabitants of the borough of Southwark tend only to invite the French to come and give them the fraternal-hug. But so little do they express a desire to receive the fraternal kiss, that the resolutions breathe a true English spirit; they contain expressions of undissembled love of their country, and tell the French, "if you come, we are determined to repel you with all our might." The right honorable gentleman has asserted with great boldness (I need not expect candor on that side of the house), that the motives of many persons who had offered their services were very questionable, and that the resolutions passed in the borough had not a tendency to produce unanimity. With respect to the last, the contrary of this is evident. And to hear men who have never been supported but from parsimonious motives, who have been buying at their price all that have ever es

poused their cause-to hear these men question the purity of motives is surprising. They habitually, if not naturally, ascribe those qualities to others which they know they inherit themselves. With respect to the tendency of the resolutions, I shall say once for all, that if I was an inhabitant of the Borough, attending at the meeting in which those resolutions were adopted, and there should come into the room a man who should state, that it had been said in the house of commons, that all reformers were friends to the French, and regarded as such by that people, the determination to resist them, expressed in one of their resolutions, would be to me the best proof that no such intention as that of assisting the French was ever entertained by the inhabitants of the borough of Southwark. From all these considerations, Sir, I must say, I think it not candid or prudent in ministers to shrink from this discussion, and refuse inquiry. I think they owe it to themselves; I kuow they owe it to their country.-Mr. Sheridan concluded with saying he heartily approved of the present motion, and would cordially

vote for it.

On a division there appeared for the motion 22; against it 141.

JUNE 19.

STATE OF IRELAND.

A message from His Majesty was delivered on the 18th, and this day Mr. Dundas moved, "That an humble address be presented to His Majesty, to return His Majesty the thanks of this house for his most gracious message: To assure His Majesty, that, while we deeply regret that the machinations of wicked men have induced any of His Majesty's subjects to commit acts of rebellion against His Majesty's government, we at the same time feel the highest satisfaction that this occasion has afforded a fresh proof of the zeal and ardor for the ser vice of their country which has ever distinguished the militia of this kingdom: That, conceiving it may be of the utmost importance, for the protection of His Majesty's loyal subjects in Ireland, for the speedy and effectual suppression of the present rebellion, and for the general defence of the British empire, that His Majesty should avail

himself of the voluntary offers of service which have been made by several regiments of militia, we will immediately enter into the consideration of such provisions as may be necessary for enabling His Ma-' iesty, for a time, and to an extent, to be limited, to accept the services of such militia regiments as may wish to be employed at this important conjuncture."

Mr. Banks moved an amendment, That the latter part of the address, giving the consemt of the house to the militia being sent to Ireland, be left out.

Mr. SHERIDAN-The motion which has to-night been submitted to the house is the most extraordinary in its nature that ever was heard within these walls; and the manner in which it has been brought forward, is to the full as extraordinary. Long as the house has been inured to be treated with contempt by the King's ministers, the mode in which they have been treated on the present occasion, is even more insulting than any thing they have yet experienced. The right honorable gentleman who moved the address, seems to have considered the measure proposed as one to which no objection could possibly be framed; and he introduced it as one which demanded neither apology nor explanation. I confess, that the subject should be viewed so much as a matter of course by that right honorable gentleman, does likewise a little surprise me. We cannot forget how lately the right honorable gentleman came down to this house, and stated the country to be in a state of imminent danger, which required the exertion of every heart and hand for its defence. It is, indeed, extraordinary, then, that after telling us of the danger of the crisis, after all the regular troops are sent out of the kingdom, and when twelve hundred more cannot be found, he should call upon the house to give their consent to strip the country of the militia forces on which it relies for its defence. We have not been told how this drain is to be supplied, what new securities are to be provided. All this the right honorable gentleman considers as a matter of course, which he is neither called upon to reconcile to former statement,