80 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1803. 
worthy of the management of a 
large income, by his prudence, 
which was the only virtue he was 
ever charged with wanting. 
After some observation from Mr. 
Banks, who thought that the prince 
ought to prosecute his petition of 
right, the resolution moved by Mr. 
Addington, was unanimously agreed 
to in the committee. 
His majesty’s message on this 
subject, was taken into considera- 
tion in the house of lords, on the 
25th of February. 
Lord Pelham, after a very few 
preliminary observations, moved an 
address to his majesty, similar to 
that moved in the house of com- 
mons. 
Lord Carlisle seconded the mo- 
tion for the address, but wished 
the question, had been decided on 
the petition of right. 
After a few words from lord 
Moira, in praise of the conduct of 
his royal highness upon this ocea- 
sion, the address was unanimously 
agreed to. 
On the 28th Mr. Tyrwhitt 
brought down a message from the 
prince of Wales, in which his royal 
highness, after expressing his gra- 
titude for the liberality of parlia- 
‘ment; declared that there were 
claims still upon him, both in ho- 
nor and justice, fur the discharge 
of which, he muststill set apart a 
considerable sinking fund. 
Mr, Calcraft gave notice of a 
motion, to enable his royal high- 
hess immediately to resume his 
state and dignity ; which Mr. Ers- 
kine declared was without the 
prince’s ‘knowledge. 
On the same evening, a bill for 
extending the period for exercising 
the ~ militia from twenty-one to 
; 
‘twenty-eight days annually, was 
brought into the house of commons, 
by the secretary at war, and was 
passed there without any serious 
opposition. ike 
' It was brought into the house of 
lords, on the 3d day of March; 
and, on lord Hobart’s moving for 
the second reading of the bill, 
The duke of Montrose took a 
view of the relative and positive — 
strength of France, in the present 
moment, which made the proper _ 
training and discipline of our mi- 
litia, a very serious and impor- 
tant consideration. He considered 
twenty-eight days too few, and 
wished that at least one third of the 
militia, should be exercised double. 
that number of days. He thought — 
it necessary to augment the na- 
tional defence, in proportion to the 
increased danger of the times. . 
After a few words from lord Ho- 
bart, who complimented the zeal 
shewn by his grace upon the present 
occasion, the bill was read a se- 
cond time, and afterwards passed, 
without any opposition whatever, 
On the 4th of March there was 
avery long and interesting debate 
in the house of commons, on the 
motion of Mr. Calcraft, respecting 
the prince’s establishment. That 
gentleman began, by stating, that 
the motion he was now to bring for- 
ward, originated solely with him- — 
self, and that he had not communi- 
cated with any person on the sub- 
ject, previously to his giving the 
notice. He said the country was 
anxious, to see the heir apparent 
resume that state and dignity, due 
to his exalted rank ; -which, . not- 
withstanding the liberal grant of © 
parliament, could not now be done, | 
unless there were some arrangements — 
made — 
