House of Commons
Friday, February 1, 1811.
Dr. Thornton's Lottery Petition
A Petition of Robert John Thornton, member of the University of Cambridge, and Doctor of Physic, of Hinde Street, in the county of Middlesex, was presented and read; setting forth, "That in order to produce some scientific works that might prove a national concern, the Peti- tioner, in the year 1791, selected the science of Botany as advanced by Linnaæus and subsequent authors, which were to be executed by the first painters and other eminent artists of this country, and printed on paper the manufacture of this country, and with a type also superior to that of any other nation; and, that, to accomplish this purpose, the Petitioner formed a series of books, which were acknowledged by the professors of the science of Botany in the different Universities to be works unrivalled; and he has invented a new species of engraving and printing of flowers in colours, whereby, a great advancement is made in the progress of the fine arts, and much profit may arise to the nation in a commercial point of view; and that, owing to various circumstances, the Petitioner finds that the sources of assistance upon which he depended have entirely failed; and that, after expending a very ample fortune to complete his views, he has incurred a considerable debt, without any present hopes of remuneration; and praying, that leave may be given to bring in a Bill to enable him to dispose of his collection of paintings, drawings, and engravings, and also the copies of his books yet unsold by way of Lottery."
Ordered to a Committee, with power to send for persons, papers, and records.
Issues of Money From the Exchequer
rose, and seeing the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his place, begged leave to state a fact which had come to his knowledge since the last sitting of the House. He had been informed, that there were two or more warrants in existence for the issue of money from the Exchequer, signed by his Majesty's hand, and bearing date between the 25th and 30th of October, 1810. He wished to have the answer of the right hon. gent. touching the fact, because upon that answer would depend whether he should or should not bring forward any motion upon the subject.
answered, that he understood from report, though not from his own knowledge, that there were two warrants in the Exchequer, signed by his Majesty's hand, for the issue of small sums bearing date the 29th of October, 1810. The one for an issue of a small sum to the Commissioners of the Treasury, the other for a small sum to Mr. Chinnery, who was officially in the habit of issuing payments for public purposes. He must, however, accompany this statement by an explanation, that it was usual, in the course of business, to send blank warrants to his Majesty at Windsor, for his signature, with the dates not filled up; and they came back signed by his Majesty, and the dates were usually inserted on the days such warrants were sent to the Exchequer. He understood, also, there was a Privy Seal warrant in existence, signed by his Majesty, and bearing date the 27th of October; on the evening of which day sir Henry Halford, one of his Majesty's physicians in attendance, first declared his Majesty's mind to be in a ruffled state: and these were all of which he had received any information.
said, he apprehended the right hon. gent. to state that the King's signature was obtained to those warrants in the ordinary course of proceedings, and that it was not unusual to obtain his Majesty's signature to such warrants without filling up the dates. He thought, however it would be expedient to know at what time these warrants were given, and whether there were more blanks left in them than for the date. From what the right hon. gent. had stated respecting the other warrant under the Privy Seal, he had evinced a disposition to communicate all he knew upon the subject. He should feel it his duty, however, to move for copies of all such warrants or papers, signed, or purporting to be signed, by his Majesty subsequent to the 26th of October. He would make the motion now, if the right hon. gent. had no objection; or, giving his notice now, bring it forward upon any future day most agreeable to the right hon. gent.
submitted to the hon. gent. that it would, perhaps, be more convenient if he would submit his motion to the House on a future day.
said, he had no wish now to press it, if not quite convenient to the right hon. gent. he would therefore, postpone it to a future day, and give the right hon. gent. notice of his intention to bring it forward.
Adjourned till Monday.