Monday, May 28 1804

The Master of the Rolls moved, that the thanks of the house be given to the Rev. Dr. Jackson, Canon of Christ Church, Oxford, for the excellent sermon he preached before the house at St. Margaret's Church, Westminster, on Friday last, being the day appointed as a general fast throughout the kingdoms.—Lord Castlereagh moved for an estimate of the profit and loss of the East India Company's sales, from the 1st of March 1803, to the 1st of March 1804. Ordered.—The report of the Corn committee was deferred to Thursday next, as was also the committee on the Scotch Militia Expences bill.—The Prize Agency bill was deferred to Thursday se'nnight.—Mr. Bankes moved for several accounts relative to the 4 per cent. Duties, which were ordered accordingly.—Mr. Shaw moved for leave to bring in a bill for the relief of Insolvent Debtors in Ireland. Mr. Alderman Combe said, he saw no reason such a bill should not be extended to England as well as Ireland. Leave was accordingly given to bring in the bill pursuant to the alderman's suggestion.—The second reading of the Cotton Manufacturers' bill was postponed to Thursday se'nnight. The house went into a committee on the bill to prevent the escape of Irish Offenders; the report was ordered to be received on Wednesday.—Mr. Whitbread gave notice that he would, on Wednesday se'nnight, move for a copy of the letter of the Lord Advocate of Scotland to the sheriff depute of Bamffshire, which was on record, relative to Mr. Morrison of that county, having discharged his servant for enlisting without his consent into a volunteer corps.—Mr. S. Bourne gave notice, in the absence and in the name of Mr. Pitt, who was not able to attend in his place, that it was the intention of his right hon. friend to bring forward, on Friday, a motion relative to the military force of the country. Mr. Addington requested to know from the hon. gent. who spoke last, whether the motion, of which he had given notice in behalf of his right hon. friend, on the subject of the military force of the country, was the same as that right hon. gent. had mentioned some time ago? Mr. S. Bourne replied, that he was not authorized to say it was the same, but he was inclined to believe it was nearly so.