would support him
when he was in trouble.

ADOPTION OF A PLAN OF FORTIFYING THE WEST INDIAN ISLANDS.

The first subject that engaged the attention of parliament after his
majesty's recovery, was a plan, formed by the master-general of the
ordnance, for the fortification of the West Indian Islands. This scheme
was condemned by General Burgoyne, Sheridan, and other members of
opposition; but on the 18th of March L218,000 was granted for that
purpose.

BILL FOR THE COMMEMORATION OF THE PEOPLE'S RIGHTS, ETC.

On the 24th of March Mr. Beaufoy moved for leave to bring in a bill
"to establish a perpetual anniversary thanksgiving to Almighty God, for
having, by the glorious revolution, delivered this nation from arbitrary
power, and to commemorate annually the confirmation of the people's
rights." It was argued in opposition to this bill, that the event was
sufficiently commemorated in the form of prayer appointed for the 5th of
November; but the house seemed to think otherwise, for the bill was not
only brought in, but carried through all its stages, and sent up to the
lords. In the lords, however, it met with a more successful opposition;
for, on the motion of Bishop Bangor, who pointed out the several
parts of the service of the 5th of November, which had been added and
altered, for the purpose of commemorating the revolution, the bill was
thrown out without being once read; a ceremony to which a bill proposed
by a peer is considered as a matter of right, and which is usually
accorded to any measure sent up to the lords by the commons, as a matter
of courtesy.

SHOP-TAX REPEALED, ETC.

On the 3rd of April Fox renewed the attempts he had made, in several
successive years, for the repeal of the shop-tax; and as Pitt did not
now oppose him he was this time successful. Mr. Dempster also proposed
and carried the abolition of the additional tax and restrictions which
had been laid upon the hawkers and pedlars.

{GEORGE III. 1789-1791}

MOTION RESPECTING THE CORPORATION AND TEST ACTS, ETC.

On the 8th of May Mr. Beaufoy again moved the repeal of the corporation
and test acts; being prompted thereto, he said, by the confidence which
the dissenters reposed in the disposition of the house to do justice
to the injured, and to afford relief to the oppressed. This motion was
warmly supported by Fox, who laid it down as an axiom of policy, that
no human government had any jurisdiction over opinions as su