no the Militia Bill was a money-bill. It
was insisted by some that it was such to all intents and purposes; that
no amendment of the lords could be admitted in such a bill, without
a surrender of the most valuable privileges of the commons; and that,
therefore, the bill must be totally rejected. It was decided by a
majority, however, that it was not a money-bill, and consequently it
passed.

BILL FOR THE IMPRESSMENT OF SEAMEN.

On the 23rd of June, at a late hour of the night, the attorney-general
moved for leave to bring in a bill for manning the navy, by resuming
protections granted to certain descriptions of seamen, watermen, and
their apprentices, and by taking away the right of _habeas corpus_ from
all persons of those classes impressed before the passing of this bill.
The late hour at which this motion was made was purposely chosen, in
order that the effect of the press-warrants might not be impeded by the
disclosure which the newspapers would have made throughout the country,
and in order that the fleet, on which the safety of the country
depended, might be manned without impediment. The attorney-general
admitted this, and the opposition could not deny the necessity of
dispatch, or that there were no other means of manning the fleet;
but they denounced the bill as a violation of sacred rights, and a
treacherous irruption into the dwelling-houses of citizens. The bill,
however--which was called the "Indemnity Bill," from its retrospective
operation--was read twice on the same night, and when the house met
again it was passed and sent up to the lords, who agreed to it, after
inserting a clause in favour of colliers: it immediately received the
royal assent.

{GEORGE III. 1779-1780}

PARLIAMENT PROROGUED.

Several attempts were made to bring about an address against a
prorogation, but many members were now gone on their summer rambles, and
those who remained were chiefly impatient for repose, whence all these
attempts failed. On the 3rd of July, therefore, the king prorogued
parliament. In his speech the king returned his warmest thanks to both
houses for their great services and their long attendance; and at
the same time expressed his entire approbation of all they had done,
particularly of their measures respecting Ireland. The events of the
war, he said, had not given France cause for triumph, and he trusted
that that ambitious power would be compelled to wish that she had not,
without provoca