by dangerous and universal reports that his
majesty's sacred name had been unconstitutionally abused to affect
the deliberations of parliament, and that the appointments made were
accompanied by circumstances new and extraordinary, and such as did
not conciliate or engage the confidence of the house." A warm debate
followed this motion, which continued till past six in the morning,
when Dundas moved an adjournment, which, on a division, was lost by a
majority of fifty-four--the numbers being one hundred and ninety-six to
one hundred and forty-two. Nothing further, however, was done on this
occasion, and the house at length adjourned at half-past seven in the
morning. It met again on the 14th, when Pitt moved for leave to bring in
a new bill, for the better government and management of the affairs of
the East India Company. In the previous debates Pitt had declared that
he had accepted office upon one single, plain, intelligible principle,
by which he desired to stand or fall with the people; namely, to save
the country from Fox's India Bill, which threatened destruction to its
liberties. His own bill, which he explained at great length, was in its
turn severely criticised by Fox. No opposition, however, was made to
Pitt's motion, and it was read a first time on the 16th, with very
little debate on its merits. After this, on the same night, the
committee on the state of the nation resumed its functions; and Lord
Charles Spencer moved a resolution, expressive of "the necessity of an
administration that should have the confidence both of the house and of
the country, which, as the present ministers have not, their continuance
in office is contrary to constitutional principles, and injurious to
the interests of the king and people." Mr. Powys, though himself in
opposition, denounced this motion as premature, unprecedented, and
unjust; but it was carried by a majority of twenty-one, the numbers
being two hundred and six against one hundred and eighty-five. During
this debate Mr. Powys expressed a wish that there should be a coalition
between Fox and Pitt, and when the house met on the 20th, other members
joined in this wish. Fox, himself seemed to think that their union was
feasible, but Pitt repeated a declaration which had been made by his
opponent on a previous evening; namely, that a union not founded on
principle would be fallacious and dangerous. Pitt, indeed, was still
resolved to brave the storm; for, in answer to an a