,
the Earl of Shelburne gave notice that he would, after the Christmas
recess, move for a commission of accounts. In accordance with this
professed intention, on the 8th of February the noble earl, therefore,
moved for the appointment of a committee, to consist of members of both
houses, possessing neither employments nor pensions, to examine
the public expenditure and the mode of accounting for the same, and
especially to inquire into the manner of making all contracts; and at
the same time to take into consideration, what saving could be made,
consistent with public dignity, justice, and gratitude, by an abolition
of old and newly created offices, etc. In support of his motion the Earl
of Shelburne exposed the profusion pervading all branches of government,
and declared that his main object was to destroy that undue influence
which pervaded both houses of parliament. The motion was seconded by
the Earl of Coventry, who described the country as being in very
reduced circumstances: rents were fallen, he said, the value of land was
sinking, and farmers were on the high road to ruin. The Duke of Grafton
and the Marquess of Rockingham followed on the same side; the latter
declaring that a system had been established at the accession of his
present majesty, for governing the kingdom under the forms of law, but
really to the immediate influence of the crown, which was the origin of
all our national misfortunes. The motion was opposed by Lord Chancellor
Thurlow, and Lords Mansfield and Chesterfield, with other peers,
who urged that the motion was a violation of the inherent, exclusive
privilege of the other house to control the public expenditure. When
put to the vote it was lost by a majority of a hundred and one against
fifty-five.

MINISTERIAL BILL FOR COMMISSION OF ACCOUNTS.

Immediately after Burke had introduced his plan of economical reform,
Colonel Barre, after declaring that he did not consider that reform
sufficiently extensive, gave notice that he should, on some early day,
move for a committee of accounts, to consist of a few men only, who
would act with the consciousness that the eyes of the public were fixed
on them. To the surprise of all parties, Lord North applauded this
proposal, expressed his surprise that a measure of such obvious utility
had not been thought of sooner, and declared that he was anxious to
adopt any plan that appeared likely to promote economy, and reduce the
public expenses to orde