House of Commons
Monday, July 30 1804
Minutes
A message by the black rod required the attention of the house in the House of Peers. The Speaker, on his return, acquainted the house, that the royal assent had been given by commission to the Corn Trade bill, and the Insolvent Debtors bill.—New writs were ordered, on the motion of Mr. Sturges Bourne, for the election of burgesses for the boroughs of Trogon and Bradford, in the room of the Marquis of Blandford and Sir E. Nepean, Bart. who, since their election, had accepted, the former the office of one of the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury, the latter of a Lord Corn missioner of the Admiralty.—Mr. Irwin, from the office of Inspector General of the Exports and Imports, presented at the bar, au Account of the official, and likewise the real or current value of all imports and exports between G. Britain and Ireland, since the Union, as estimated by the proper officer, distinguishing each article. Ordered to lie on the table, and to be printed.—A message from the Lords informed the house, that their lordships had agreed to the bill for defraying, out of the Consolidated Fund, certain sums hitherto charged on his Majesty's civil list, without any amendment.—The Sec. at War, from the bar, acquainted the house, that his Majesty had been waited on with the several addresses voted on Thursday last, and had been graciously pleased to give directions accordingly.
Prisoners of War and Captain Wright
then moved "that the house do now adjourn."—On the question being put,
rose, not for the purpose of opposing the motion, but to ask for information with respect to the situation of prisoners of war in France, and particularly with respect to Capt. Wright. The last accounts which had reached this country concerning that gallant officer, were, that he had refused to answer certain interrogatories, to which he was not bound by any law of war to give an answer; that a broad hint had been given out on that occasion, that extremities should be resorted to, if he did not answer in the manner expected; and that he had been in consequence committed to the Temple.
Before he should institute any proceeding on this subject, he was anxious to know, whether his Majesty's govt. had taken any steps towards procuring the release of that officer, or whether the hon. gent. opposite could state any satisfactory information which might be in possession of his Majesty's ministers relative to this subject.
said, he was extremely sorry he could not give the right hon. gent. the information he desired. The fact was, that he had none to communicate on the subject.—Adjourned.