Their attention and interest were soon called from the Walcheren investigation to the proceedings respecting Sir Francis Burdett. In the metropolis the popular feeling on this subject was exceedingly powerful, and at one time touched very closely on serious disturbance and riot. In other parts of the kingdom, the question respecting the Privileges of the House of Commons was viewed with more coolness, but not as of less importance and magnitude. What passed in the Country and in the House of Commons while this question was in agitation deserves to be carefully considered by all who wish to mark and understand the signs of the times. Towards the close of the year the unfortunate malady with which His Majesty was afflicted called forth the sympathy of an affectionate and loyal people, intermixed and divided, however, by an anxiety respecting the Government of the Nation, at, a period of foreign warfare and internal commercial embarrass ments. Of domestic events, not strictly political, the commercial embarrassments and failures that occurred, and the attention and investigation to which the Report of the Bullion Committee gave rise, are the most important. On account of their importance we have deemed it adviseable to step a little out of our usual plan in order to devote two chapters to what may be termed the History of the Political Economy of Great Britain during the year 1810. In our last volume we briefly referred to the disturbances that had taken place in our East India territories. ritories. In the present will be found a full, and we trust an accurate and impartial, account of the cause, the rise, progress, and termination of these disturbWe have spoken freely, but we apprehend neither uncandidly nor without good and sufficient reason, respecting the policy which dictates our public measures in that part of the world. The History of Foreign Affairs during the year 1810 is, perhaps, not so important in itself as interesting with regard to the events which the present year has witnessed. In the Peninsula, during the autumn and winter of 1810, Lord Wellington with admirable sagacity laid those plans, and with unexpected but no less admirable prudence persevered in them, of which he has now reaped the advantages and the glory. It will be remembered by the Readers of our former volumes, that we never despaired of ultimate success* in the Peninsula; we acknowledge that the events which have occurred in Spain have not answered our expectations but the affairs of Portugal have exceeded our most sanguine hopes. The Portuguese under British leaders have proved themselves worthy of fighting by the side of those who have repeatedly defeated the conquerors of Europe; while the Spanish troops, deprived by the blind and unaccountable obstinacy of their government of the same advantages, have hitherto made but small progress towards discipline or success. The people of that country have, however, in a great measure, supplied the defects of See Preface to the Volumes for 1808 and 1809: see also Chapter XVIII. of the British and Foreign History of the present Volume. their regular armies, and have withstood the immense power of Bonaparte with more perseverance and valour than most of the disciplined troops of the Continent. So long as they have arms in their hands their country can never become the peaceable or permanent prey of the invader. The common enemy may continue to pour in his myriads till he has even exhausted the population of his own country but they cannot avail against a nation determined to be free, and assisted by the British, who know how to appreeiate their own rights as an independent nation. The events of the present campaign; the glorious victories lately obtained by our countrymen Lord Wellington and Marshal Beresford, are, we trust, but preludes to still nobler deeds, in which Spain and Portugal shall, in a much larger degree, participate in the triumphs of the army of the United Kingdom, London, June 4th, 1811. CON Introductory Observations on the Importance of the Discussions in Parliament- Heads of His Majesty's Speech-State of other Countries-Debates on the Address to His Majesty in the House of Lords; and in the House of Com- mons-Mr. Whitbread's Motion on the Report of the Address-The Earl of Liverpool's Motion for Thanks to Lord Wellington-Mr. Bankes's Notice on the Question of Reversionary Grants-Lord Porchester's Motion on the Expedition to Walcheren-Navy Estimates-Mr. Bankes's Bill-Mr. Hor- ner on the Bullion Trade-Debates on Mr. Sheridan's Motion respecting the Standing Orders of the House-Motion of Thanks to Lord Gambier-An- nuity to Lord Wellington-Discussions on Sir Samuel Romilly's Attempts to CHAP. II. Debate in the House of Commons on Mr. Fuller's Motion for the abolishing of Sinecures-Mr. Bankes's Bill to prevent the giving away of Places in Re- version-Debate on Mr. Whitbread's Motion for the Production of Papers supposed to have been presented to the King by the Earl of Chatham-His Majesty's Answer Mr. Grattan on a Petition from some Irish Roman Ca- tholics Mr. Fuller's Outrage in the House of Commons :-committed to the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms; his Apology; and Debate on Mr. Perce val's Motion to discharge him -The Speaker's Reprimand of Mr. Sir Francis Burdett's Notice of a Motion respecting Captain Lake--Debate on the Embezzlement Bill-Debate in the House of Lords on His Ma- jesty's Message respecting Portugal-Mr. Yorke's Motion with respect to Gale Jones-Examination and Commitment of John Dean-Examination and Commitment of Gale Jones-Dean admonished and discharged-Sir Francis Burdett's Motion to discharge Gale Jones from Newgate--Mr. Brougham's Motion on the Slave Trade--Debate on the Marine Pay- Debate in the House of Commons on Mr. Whitbread's Resolutions to criminate the Earl of Chatham.-Lord King's Motion, in the House of Lords, respect ing Foreign Troops in British Pay.-Mr. Sheridan's Motion, in the House of Commons, respecting a By-law passed by the Benchers of Lincoln's Inn. 76 Mr. Lethbridge's Notice of a Motion respecting Sir Francis Burdett-Debate · on Privilege-Debate on Mr. Brand's Motion for Adjournment-Debate on Sir Francis Burdett's Motion respecting Captain Lake-Debate on Sir F. Burdett's Letter-Division on the Resolutions and Commitment of Sir Francis to the Tower-Letter from Sir Francis Burdett to the Speaker- Examination of the Sergeant-at-Arms-Opinions of the Attorney General- Debate on Sir Francis Burdett's Letter resumed-Lord Ossu ston's Question respecting the Verdict of Wilful Murder against a Life-Guardsman. 92 Walcheren Expedition-Debates on Lord Porchester's Resolution-Debate and Resolutions on Mr. Hunt's Dejalcation--Sir Francis Burdett's Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons--Sir Samuel Remilly's Motion for the Li- beration of Gale Jones-- Petition of the Electors of Westminster--His Ma- jesty's Message respecting the Duke of Brunswick, and Debate thereon. 123 CHAP. VI. Lord Grey's Motion on the State of the Nation--Sir Francis Burdett's No- tice to the Speaker--Alderman's Combe's Motion on the Rejection of the City Address--Alderman Curtis's Motion for the Admission of the City Petition and Remonstrance--Processes served on the Speaker, Sergeant-at- Arms, and Lord Moira, by Sir Francis Burdett-Report from the Com- mittee of Privileges--Mr. Wynne's Motion on Privilege--Petition from |