Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/257

 GRATTAN. 253 contrary to the rights of the people, inconsistent with the independence of parliament, and in violation of the fun damental laws of the land.’” This very severe and pointed attack was resisted by the chancellor of the exchequer, for want of evidence to ground any specific charge upon : simple assertion and common fame were totally insufficient: therefore, to the crime alleged, they pleaded not guilty, and put themselves upon their country to be judged by their actions. The prime sergeant found the motion of so extraordinary a nature, of such alarming magnitude and novelty, and introduced in so strange a manner, that no man could, consistently with the principles of justice, or the dictates of his conscience, accede to i t. When the attention o f the House was bespoken for that day, gentlemen, accord ing t o the usual course o f parliamentary proceedings, requested t o know the intended subject o f debate: a l l information was withholden, and a general reference made t o the former debates. I f the minister i n either country should introduce a proposition o f s o much novelty without a previous information, there would b e stronger ground than common fame t o suspect a n intention t o surprise the House: i f the measure b e s o self-evident, why had i t been kept back, and introduced after five days’ preparation, with a reference t o several authorities t o support i t s propriety And among others, one from the inauspicious reign o f Charles I . a reign, i n which the other House o f Parliament was voted useless, and which terminated i n the sacrifice o f the king t o hypocrisy and faction. I f any better authority could b e produced, the honourable mem ber would have recurred t o it: but even that precedent, a s cited, did not g o s o far a s t o say, that the House o f Commons o f that day, instituted a committee t o fish for evidence, whereon t o ground a n accusation; a species o f proceeding, i n his judgment, inadmissible. A very severe debate ensued, about the close o f which, Mr. Grattan rose t o reply:—he was indignant that i t should have been said i n debate, that the facts rested upon h i s