80 



ANNUAL REGISTER, 180-1. 



when too severe, fail in their effect, 

 because no body can be found to 

 put them into execution. He con- 

 cluded, by condemnina; severely 

 the whole system pursued by minis- 

 ters ; and expressing a ^vish chat the 

 plan proposed by Mr. Pitt should 

 be taken into full consideration. 



The Chancellor of the Exchequer 

 (Mr. Addingcon) considered, that, 

 ^Ir. Windliam had been aU.ogetlier 

 inconsistent, in opposing the sus- 

 pension of a l)ill, which he had al- 

 ways ridiculed as a most ineffectual 

 one. The suspension was now pro- 

 posed, merely for the purpose of 

 augmenting the regular army. He 

 should not consider at any length 

 the very complicated plan proposed 

 by Mr. Pitt; he objected, however, 

 to the principles of it, as leading to 

 a large permanent military esta- 

 blishment. He was not able to see 

 any thing in that plan, which could 

 induce him to postpone the present 

 measure. 



Mr. Canning observed, that, the 

 chancellor of the exchequer was at 

 variance with the opinions of his 

 colleagues. They had all said, that 

 Mr. Pitt's plan was worthy of seri- 

 ous consideration ; but the chancel- 

 lor of the exchequer appeared to 

 consider, that it was absolutely 

 good for nothing, aijd endeavoured 

 to throw every kind of obloquy on 

 it, as unconstitutional and oppres- 

 sive. His colleagues in office, at the 

 same time that they allowed the 

 plan contained a great many things 

 they approved of, yet wislied to 

 take away the very foundation upon 

 which it was to be built. He con- 

 cluded, by alluding, with some 

 pleasantry, to (he expression of lord 

 Castlcreagh, who, he was perfectly 

 convinced, did like to have two 



STRINGS TO HIS BOW. 



Lord de Blaquiere opposed the 

 motion,, and Mr. Pitt said a few 

 words in explanation, when the 

 question being loudly called for, the 

 house divided. 



For the motion 2 10 

 Against it 203 



Majority for ministers 37 



This, was the last victory, if it de- 

 serve the name, of Air. Addington's 

 adminisfrarioa, in the house of com- 

 m.jns. Feeling that they could not 

 combat, with any chance of success, 

 such a great and increasing opposi- 

 tion, they wisely resolved on resig- 

 nation. It was then understood, on 

 all sides of the house, that such 

 being the intention of ministers, on 

 that account, no questions should be 

 discussed, which were likely to pro- 

 duce any great difference of opinion. 

 In the mean time the marquis of 

 Staflbrd gave notice of a motion, si- 

 milar to that which Mr. Fox had 

 made in the house of commons ; 

 and it was the general belief, that, 

 upon that question, ministers would 

 be left in a minority, in the upper 

 house of parliament, if they ven- 

 tured to meet it fairly. 



On the 30th of April, the order 

 of the day having been read in tiu; 

 h6use of lords, for the motion of 

 the marquis of Stafford, 



Lord Hawkesbury rose, in consi- 

 derable agitation, and entreated the 

 noble marquis to postpone his mo- 

 tion. He was ready to pledge his 

 personal character, both as a minis- 

 ter and a lord of parliament, that 

 the reasons whicii induced him to 

 make this application, were of such 

 a nature, as if known to the noble 

 marquis, would gain his read}' ac- 

 quies(.'encc : they M'ero, however, of 

 that delicate nature, that he could 



not, 



