splendour and importance. Sir, I
think he is an instrument in the hands of Providence to make the English
love their constitution better, to cling to it with more fondness, to
hang round it with truer tenderness. Every man feels, when he returns
from France, that he is coming from a dungeon, to enjoy the light and
life of British independence. Whatever abuses exist we shall look
with pride and pleasure on the substantial blessings we still enjoy. I
believe, also, that he is an instrument in the hands of Providence to
make us more liberal in our political differences, and to render us
determined, with one hand and heart, to oppose any aggression there may
be made on us. If that aggression be made, my honourable friend will, I
am sure, agree with me, that we ought to meet it with a spirit worthy of
these islands; that we ought to meet it with a conviction of the truth
of this assertion--that the country which has achieved such greatness,
has no retreat in littleness; that, if we should be content to abandon
everything, we should find no safety in poverty, no security in abject
submission; finally, that we ought to meet it with a firm determination
to perish in the same grave with the honour and independence of our
country."

On the 21st of December, a bill was passed for appointing commissioners
to inquire into frauds and abuses in the several naval departments, and
for the better conducting the business of those departments. No other
business of importance was transacted before the Christmas recess.

TRIAL OF COLONEL DESPARD.

{A.D. 1803}

During the month of November in the preceding year, a conspiracy against
the king and government was discovered. This originated with Colonel
Despard, an officer of courage and ability, who, having been reduced in
circumstances, on account of the abolition of an office held by him on
the coast of Honduras, organized a society in London for the subversion
of that tyranny which he attributed to the ministers of his sovereign.
In the scheme proposed by him, his objects were the constitutional
independence of Great Britain and Ireland; an equalization and extension
of rights; a liberal reward to all who would exert themselves in the
cause of the people; and an ample provision for the families of those
who might fall in the cause. Despard, however, with twenty-nine of his
followers were arrested in the act of deliberating on the execution of
their designs; and in the month of Febr