156: ANNUAL RE 
adversé to wars in general, yet 
considered this war, as one that 
could not be avoided. He did not 
think it was sé much the rock of 
Malta, that was the question, as 
the rock of the British constitution, 
which the first consul meant to 
attack. 
Mr. Lascelles, expressed his con- 
viction, that this war was brought 
on by no fault of our own, and that 
the conduct of France, ever since 
the peace, had been atrocious in 
the extreme. 
Sir W, Pulteney, agreed with him 
in opinion, and felt eonyinced, from 
a perusal of the papers on the ta- 
ble, that ministers had neglected 
no moderate means, to secure the 
blessings of peace. 
On the 26th, upon sir W, Scott’s 
moving the third reading of the cler- 
gy bill, 
Sir Francis Burdett, opposed the 
bill, as he thought, it threw the 
body of the clergy, at the mercy of 
the bishops, and also at the mercy 
of the minister of the day, inasmuch 
as many of the clergy voted for 
members of parliament, and could 
be acted on by the influence the 
bishops obtained by this bill. It 
was well known, that the bishop of 
St. David’s had, previously to an 
election, sent circular letters round 
to his clergy, to influence their 
votes. He thought the bishops re- 
quired regulation themselves, as 
well as any other description of the 
clergy ; for instance, the bishop of 
Landaff, was regius professor at 
Cambridge, had a \iving in Hunting- 
donshire, an archdeaconry some- 
where else, and resided himself in 
Cumberland. 
After a few observations from 
GISTER, 
1803. 
other members, the bill was passetl, 
by a majority of 50 to 5. 
On the 27th day of May, in the 
house of commons, 
Mr. Vox rose, to make his pro-. 
mised motion, relative to the me- 
diation of the emperor of Russia. 
He had, on a former day, stated 
his opinions very fully, on the ge- 
neral question, and a great majo- 
rity of the house had differed from 
him; to the decision of that ma- 
jority, it was his duty to bow, and 
as the country was now actually at 
war, he should give that war the 
best support in his power. But, at 
the same time, he thought no body 
would deny, that it was desirable 
to bring that war to an honorable 
conclusion, as soon as possible. 
The proposition which he then ins 
tended to submit to the house, had 
that object only in view. It hay- 
ing been understood, that the em- 
peror of Russia had offered his me- 
diation, he wished to persuade the 
house, to advise his majesty, to 
avail himself of the friendly dispo- 
sition so manifested. Nothing could 
be more respectable, or hkely to 
be more efficacious, than the medi- 
ation of a sovereign so powerful, 
and universally respected, as the 
emperor of Russia. Should such 
a mediation be accepted by us, but 
fail from the unjust pretensions of 
France, then, in the prosecution of 
a war evidently necessary, we might 
reckon upon the support of the 
great mediating power, and the 
public opinion of Europe and the 
world, would be in our favour. It 
might also be supposed, that a 
power, so great as Russia, might 
be able to mediate on all the points 
at issue, between this country and 
France, 
Pn a ee 
