HISTORY OF EUROPE. 
@especting the Cape of Good Hope, 
without also disclosing information 
respecting other points of the nego- 
ciation: he did not approve of de- 
tached motions of this sort; the 
house had a right to full informa- 
tion upon the proceedings between 
this government and that of France ; 
€s soon as that information could 
be given, without danger to the 
country, it should be done. It 
would clearly be the duty of minis- 
ters, at a proper time, to make a 
communicauion, stating every thing 
of information that appears to them 
giant if in the judgment of the 
ouse, or of any individual member, 
such communication should not be 
Satisfactory, it would then be more 
regular to cali for such farther in- 
formation as might seem necessary. 
Lord Foikstone thought, that the 
information which he sought for, of 
events that must have happened be- 
fore October last, could not have 
any bearing on those discussions 
with France, which commenced 
only a few weeks ago: he would 
not allow, that one gentleman hay- 
ing given notice of a general moiion, 
was at alla reason, which should 
prevent any other gentleman trom 
bringing forward another motion, 
on a subject connected with it ; if 
80, it would be in the power of a 
member, by putting off his motion 
from day to day, to prevent any 
other person from pressing for 
information: he was, however, rea- 
dy, after what was stated by minis- 
ters, to withdraw the present mo- 
ed ig 
Mr. Fox thought, that before any 
details of the conduct of ministers 
were examined, there were other 
questions which should first be dis- 
pesedof; namely, the general state 
191 
of the nation, and next the general 
conduct which led to that situation. 
Although he thought the general 
inquiry, should be previous to any 
detailed discussion; and that the 
present motion, as a question of de- 
tail, would come in its proper place 
when the general question came to 
be considered; yet he was free to 
acknowledge, that the conduct of 
the noble lord had been candid and 
fair. 
Mr. Martin said, that he found 
no reason hitherto to find fault with 
the conduct of ministers; but when 
he heard of their responsibility, he 
must say, that though it was a term 
often used, yet in his opinion it was 
always used to little purpose: for 
his part, he would not give a far- 
thing for the responsibility of any 
ministers in this country. 
The house then proceeded to the 
order of the day. 
On the question being put in the 
house of lords, on the 3d of May, 
that the Irish bank restriction bill, 
be read asecond time, 
Lord King delivered his senti- 
ments very fully onthe subject; he 
considered, that it was those re- 
strictions, which, by encouraging an 
enormous issue of bank notes, had 
produced their depreciation, and 
finally the rate of exchange so un- 
favourable to Ireland, Country 
banks had not done so much mis- 
chief, as was usually attributed to 
them; on the contrary, they had 
afforded great accommodations te 
the public, and he believed they 
were a very salutary check upon 
the bank of England, which was 
now, much more careful and vigi- 
lant, as to its notes, than probably 
it otherwise would have been. The 
country banks were also an excelient 
check 
