dea that the bill was framed to reach
disaffected persons within this realm; though, he added sarcastically,
for his own part, if it did operate in this direction, he should
scarcely consider it a fault. The commitment of the bill was carried by
a majority of one hundred and ninety-five against forty-three; but as
it was discovered that some of the clauses were opened to serious
objections, several amendments were made in committee, one of which,
moved by Sir Grey Cooper, secretary to the treasury, defined the places
and the extent of the offence, subjecting persons to the operation of
the act. This, however, by no means satisfied either the opposition or
the country at large. A petition was presented from the city of London,
praying that the bill might not pass, or if it did, that it might not
extend to persons resident in Great Britain. A clause to this effect was
adopted, principally by the efforts of Mr. Dunning, and another was also
carried, which exempted certain minor acts of piracy from the operation
of the bill. Thus amended, the bill passed both houses; and the
opposition felicitated themselves, that, notwithstanding their numerical
weakness, they had compelled ministers to accept their corrections of so
reprehensible and dangerous a measure.

MISCELLANEOUS DEBATES.

A series of debates arose on abuses in the commissariat, in the
chartering of transports, and in the contracts for supplying the troops
in America with provisions, rum, &c. These abuses existed to an enormous
extent, and they were laid at the doors of many members of the house of
commons, who invariably voted with the treasury-bench. These members had
been allowed to get profitable contracts, and they contrived to render
them still more profitable, by supplying unwholesome provisions to the
troops, and which was, therefore, deservedly condemned. Another violent
debate took place on account of a new demand made by the Landgrave of
Hesse for more money; and Lord North's situation was rendered still
more embarrassing by the necessity he was under of asking the faithful
commons for an increase to the civil list, amounting to upwards of
L600,000, in order to discharge a second debt incurred by his majesty.
Violent debates followed these demands, but both the Landgrave of Hesse
and his majesty were gratified eventually with having their desires
granted. The sum of L618,340 was granted, to enable his majesty to pay
his debts, and the further sum o