6x 



ANNUAL REGISTER, 1S04. 



nnmber of balloted men, it increased 

 the numberof substitutes, by the mi- 

 litary spirit that it diifused so gene- 

 rally. 



Lord Auckland had by no means 

 such a gloomy idea of our prospects 

 in this war as some noble lords ap- 

 peared to entertain. He hoped the 

 war Mould end in abridging the 

 power of France upon the continent. 

 As to the defence of the country, he 

 thought abundant exertions had 

 been already made, and, both upon 

 the grounds of occonomy, and for 

 other reasons, he did not wish to see 

 the system extended beyond its pre- 

 sent limits. 



The bill was then read a second 

 time, and ordered to be committed 

 the first day after the Easter re- 

 cess. 



On the 28th of March, there was 

 a discussion in both houses on his 

 majesty's message, informing his 

 parliament of the oflcrs of several re- 

 gunents of Irish militia to serve in 

 this country*. 



Lord riawkesbury, in the house 

 of lords, moved the address of thanks 

 to his majesty, for his gracious com- 

 munication. He did not wish, at 

 present, that the house should pledge 

 itself upon this subjecft. The time 

 for discussion would come more re- 

 gularly hereafter. He considered 

 this patriotic ofl'er of the Irish mili- 

 tia, as likely to produce the most 

 important advantages. In the first 

 place, it would increase that unity 

 of sentiment and feeling, which 

 ought to prevail between the differ- 

 ent parts of the united kingdom. It 

 ■would also increase the strength of 

 every part of the empire, by mak- 

 ing its means more Jisposeable, and 

 by consolidating its forces. 



The duke of Montrose approveJ 

 highly of the spirit and loyalty from 

 which the offer originated, although 

 he generally disapprovd of encou- 

 raging this sort of voluntary oilers, 

 as it introduced the spirit of delibe-^ 

 ration among armed bodies of men. 



The marquis of Sligo rejoiced in 

 the prospect that was now held out. 

 of reciprocal service between the 

 militia of Great Britain and Ireland. 



The earl of Limerick considered 

 this offer of service as of great im- 

 portance. He thought it could have 

 only been obtained by a voluntary 

 ofler, as it would be a positive 

 breach of faith, to compel those 

 who had enlisted for one service to 

 undertake another. 



Lord Grenville agreed in what 

 had fallen from the duke of Mon- 

 trose. It ought not to have been 

 left to the patriotism of particular 

 regiments, to offer a more extended 

 service. VVh'n it was recollected 

 that the Irish- militia was raised by 

 bounty, and not by ballot, it must 

 be allowed that, at their formation, 

 it would have been easy to extend 

 their services to this country by law. 

 Ministers were advised to do so, but 

 rejected that wholesome advice. 



The question on the address was 

 then put, and carried without op- 

 position. 



In the house of commons, on the 

 same day, the address was moved by 

 Mr. secretary Yorke, who observ- 

 ed, that he did not apprehend any 

 opposition to an address of thanks 

 to his majesty, for his communica- 

 tion, or to an expression of the ap- 

 probation and satisfaction which the 

 house felt at the spirited itnd pa- 

 triotic offer of the Irish militia. He 

 thought this a proper opportunity 



* Vide " State Papers." 



(o 



