472 
Mr.. Tierney, on the 11th of December: 
rofe, in confequence of the notice he had 
given of his intention to move, ‘*.That 
it was incumbent on his majefty’s mini- 
fters as aduty, to advife his majefty not to 
enter into any alliance with foreign pow- 
ers that may hinder his majefty from ne- 
gociating a peace with France, whenever 
fhe may be di{poled to enter on a fair and 
equitable negeciation.”” Mr. Tierney 
entered into a copious. and minute detail — 
of the politics of the continent, fronr 
which he inferred, that the ftated averficn 
of certain countries to the government of — 
France was ideal, and that the connection 
between the latter cotintry, and Auftria, 
and Pruffia, was unabated.. He faw no 
principle of refiftance or {pirit in Turkey ; 
whilft Ruffia, conformable to the fyftem 
it had adopted at the commencement of the 
war, comprilfed her hoftility in profeffions. 
Mr. Tierney, in referrimg to the alledged’ 
confederation againit Franee, gave it as 
his opinion, that fuch jarring interefts 
would never act in unifon, and drew. 
ftrong inferences from the former coali- 
tion, from which fo much had been ex- 
nected, and which had terminated in the 
defeat of fome of the parties, and the 
deftruStion of others. 
conduct of France,-refpecting Switzerland 
and Venice, he made fome obfervations- 
on the conduct of Auftria, towards the 
latter ftate.. He quoted the king’s decla- 
ration, that he was anxious on the equi- 
fable principles he bad propofed:to termi- 
nate the calamities of war; and added, that 
the prefent motion could not be conftrued 
into any thing that didnot perfeétly corre- 
fpond with the words of his majefty’s 
fpeech. He gave a retrofpeét of politics 
fince 1779; ftated that the lait fix years had 
added 120 millions to the national debt ; 
and mentioned his dilapprobation of fend- 
ing troops to the continent, or, of fubfid- 
ing any of its. powers for the purpoles of 
wild ambition. 
Mr, Canning oppofed the motion ima 
{peech of confiderable length, in which: 
heexpatiated upon the propriety of the 
interference of Great Britain,.in the af- 
fairs of the continent at this interefting 
rifis ; pointed out the fatality attending 
thele exiracrdiaary.motions, which celled 
upon the Houfe to fet up its privileges 
againft the prerogative of the crown ;—In 
ene inftance, in the year 1707, the Houfe 
of Lords paffed a yote that we fhould not 
make peace with France, while the crown: 
of Spain, or the French Weft India iflands, 
were inthe hands of the Houfe of Bour- 
bon. in another inttance, that Heute: 
State of Public Affairs: 
In reprobatine the- 
FDec. 
by a vote, déclared the imdépendence of 
the American ftates.. The firft was by 
fubfequent events rendered ineffectual,, 
and'the latter gave rife to much embar- 
raffraent when peace was negociated.. Sir 
J.. Murray, and Mr. W. Dicken‘en, 
{poke againft the motion. Mr. Jekyld 
was for it. The queftion being put, it 
was negatived without a divifion. Mr.. 
Piit, on the z4ath moved the further 
confideration of the report of the tax on 
Income Bill. Sir J. Sinclair, entered: . 
into a long train of judicious calculations, 
to prove that the propofed tax would be 
injurious and unequal in its- operations. 
Having taken notice of this bill” before,. 
we fhiall only obferve, that on the queftion: 
being put ** That: the fpeaker leave the: 
chair,”’ the Houfe divided.—Ayes- 183.. 
Noes: 23. 
Upon: tie moticn of Mr. Pitt, the 
Houfe of Coramons on the z1ft of Decem-. 
ber, took into confideration the fecond 
reading of the fafpenfion: of the Habeas 
Corpus Bill.. He faid, he abftained from 
bringing any arguments upen the fubje&,, 
from a perfuafion that the cireumftances 
which called for the a& of the laft fefiions: 
were ftill too frefh in every man’s mind, 
and applied too-much to the prefent fitua- 
tion of the couatry,, to render any argu- 
ments neceflary for its continuation. Mr.,. 
Courteney in a long and energetic fpeech; 
oppofed this meafure upon feveral grounds, 
particularly, upon that of the Habeas 
Corpus Bill, being one of the principal: 
bulwarks, to prote@t the liberties of the 
people. In the courfe of his fpeech, he 
took occafion to inveigh againft the mif- 
applied feverity of the prifon, in which; 
many perfons had been imprifoned on fuf- 
picion only, and reprefented it as an Eng 
life baftile.. Mr. Dundas,.on the con- 
trary, urged the propricty of continning- 
the fufpenfion. ‘The attorneyand folici- 
tor-generals, took the fame fide, and de- 
fended the prifon. Mr. Tierney, and Sir 
Francis: Burdet, oppofed the fecond read-. 
ing. The Houle divided, for the fecond: 
reading 06, again{t it 6. 
Several accidents have lately happened 
to the Britifh' navy and other fhipping. 
A dreadful fire broke out cn board La 
Coguille, near Plymouth, on the rath: 
‘of December, which ended in its- totak 
deftruétion,. 
The Coloffus man of war of 74 guns, 
captain G. Murray,. on the roth of De- 
cember, was: wrecked off Scilly; thes 
whole crew faved. She had been in the 
action off the Nile, and had on board a 
great quantity of treafure and flores.. 
THe. 
