HISTORY) OFC EUEOF E. 
Andividual in Great Britain. It was 
therefore naturally to be expected, 
at the opening of parliament, 
that different parties would seize 
the opportunity of delivering their 
opinions on the situation of the 
country. Although there appeared 
no strong systematic or united op- 
position to the minister, yet many 
unequivocally expressed their hopes 
of Mr. Pitt’s return to office; and 
without disapproving of the speci- 
fic measures proposed, yet appeared 
to consider the present administra- 
tion not sufficiently able or vigorous 
to conduct the affairs of the coun- 
try, at sucha crisis. 
On the next day, the 3d of De- 
cember, after the usual course of 
business in the house of peers, 
The earl of Moira rose, in pur- 
suance of a former notice, to call 
the attention of their lordships to 
the affairs of the Carnatic. The 
unfortunate prince, whose rights and 
interests he had undertaken to de- 
fend, was now beyond the reach of 
any farther calamity! 
After life’s fitful fever, he does well ! 
Treason has done its worst ! Nor steel nor 
poison, 
Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing 
Could touch him further! 
He therefore could now make no 
motion for the purpose of restoring 
him to his throne; but would call 
the attention of their lordships to 
the necessity of controling the Kast 
India company, in their system of 
excessive agerandizement and in- 
crease of theirterritories; and in their 
unjustifiable measures of making 
war for conquest. We had found 
fault with France for invading and 
_ Oppressing all the feeble states about 
her; and now, by the conduct of 
the East India company, we allowed 
37 
that opprobium to be retorted 
and to attach upon ourselves; and 
it was held up to all Europe, that 
we pursued in India that same con- 
duct, of which we so loudly accused 
France. He concluded, by mov- 
ing for papers, for the information 
of their lordships, respecting the 
assumption of the government of the 
Carnatic. 
After a few observations from 
lord Hobart and lord Grenville, the 
motion was agreed to. 
On the 6th and 7th of December, 
the principal business which occu- 
pied the house of commons, was 
the presenting several petitions re~ 
specting the Middlesex election: 
the first was, a petition from Mr. 
Mainwaring, complaining of the re- 
turn of sir Francis Burdett; and 
stating that it was owing to the 
partiality and misconduct of the 
returning officers; and the corrupt 
practices of sir Francis and his 
agents; that there was a colourable 
majority against him upon the elec- 
tion. There was also a petition from 
the freeholders in the interest of 
Mr. Mainwaring, against the elec- 
tion, on the grounds of bribery and 
treating. On the other hand, a 
petition was presented by the free- 
holders, in the interest of sir Fran- 
cis Burdett, against the petitions of 
Mr. Mainwaring and his friends. 
This counter petition stated, that 
*“ Mr. Mainwaring was not a person 
competent to have been returned, 
both on account of not being pos- 
sessed of property amounting to a 
qualification, but by being also 
further disqualified, by holding cer- 
tain offices.” It also charged him 
with bribery and corruption; with 
abusing his powers as a magistrate, 
to obstruct and prevent the frec- 
ee oa holders 
