126 
but when, on the 10th of May, the 
report was brought up, 
General Tarleton, compared the 
situation of those coroners, with 
that of brave and meritorious of- 
ficers, who lived on much smaller 
incomes, and scorned to come to 
parliament, for an increase of their 
half- -pay. 
Mr. Shaw Lefevre, alae opposed 
it, on the ground of its being noto- 
nds; that the situation of coroner, 
was one much sought after; and 
that, in the present situation of the 
country, salaries ought not, un- 
necessarily to be increased; he 
concluded, by moving as an amend- 
ment, that “ the bill should be 
read a third time, this day six 
months.” 
The amendment was adopted, by 
majority of five, and the bill was 
consequently lost. 
The 24th, lord Folkstone rose, 
in pursuance of a notice he had 
formerly given, to move for copies 
of the different orders which had 
been issued, respecting the evacu- 
ation or retention of the Cape of 
Good Hope; as also, for an ac- 
count of the discussions, relative to 
this subject, between the governs 
ments of this country and France, 
previously to the last orders sent 
out for its surrender. It had ap- 
peared, that a variety of contra- 
dictory orders had been sent out 
by ministers: sometimes they wish- 
ed to retain it, at other times they 
determined to ahandon it: and yet 
no reasons for those sudden changes 
of disposition, had been stated to the 
house! The orders for retaining 
the Cape, did not asrive there till 
after the Dutch troops had landed ; 
and were executed, ante by are- 
gapture, than a retention. News 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 
1803. 
of this capture, had only arrived iw 
England, twenty-four hours, or, at 
most, not more than forty-eight 
hours, before the message was de- 
livered. It therefore, appeared, as 
if ministers had sent the messagey’ 
merely from a consciousness, that 
they had committed an act of hos- 
tility, and not at all for the reasons 
therein alleged. This act of hos- 
tility, in re-taking the cape, must 
certainly have produced much dis- 
cussion; although it were true, 
that orders were sent out, after the 
business of Switzerland was over, 
that the cape should be again re- 
stored. He concluded, by moving 
for the copies of the papers, before 
mentioned. 
The chancellor of the exchequer, 
professed every desire to give in- 
formation, but declared, that if 
the papers were granted, they would 
require explanations, which could 
not be giyen, at the present mo- 
ment, with safety to the public in- 
terest: he had no objection to 
granting the information sought for 
by the motion, as soon as it could 
be given, with safety. He thought 
it his duty then, to move the pres 
yious question, 
Mr. Windham felt convinced, that 
his noble friend had no wish to em- 
barass the proceedings of govern- 
ment;’ and, therefore, would not 
press for any information, which 
his majesty’s ministers had des 
clared to be prejudicial to the pub- 
lic interest; he was sorry however, 
that the reason given by ministers 
was such, as must debar the house 
from jnformation, so long as they 
should think proper to tithes 
hold it, 
Lord Hawkesburry, thought oN 
impossible to discuss the question, , 
sespecting 
