one of the most active members of this special committee; but
nothing further was done during this session beyond hearing of evidence;
every mode of procrastination being resorted to on the part of the
slave-merchants and planters. The bill of Sir William Dolben, for
limiting the number of slaves to be transported in each slave-ship, was
renewed for another year; and the further consideration of the subject
was adjourned till next session.

DISPUTES WITH SPAIN.

Although both Pitt and Dundas had so recently spoken confidently of the
long continuance of peace, yet, on the 5th of May, a royal message was
delivered, announcing circumstances which indicated the approach of
war. The circumstances from whence this message originated were briefly
these:--In his last voyage of discovery, the celebrated navigator,
Captain Cook, had touched at Nootka, or Prince William, on the Western
coast of North America, where his crew purchased some valuable furs,
which they disposed of to great advantage in China. In consequence of
the recommendation of Captain King, who published the last volume of
"Cook's Voyages,"' some mercantile adventurers from the East Indies,
with the consent of the governor-general, undertook to supply the
Chinese with fur from these regions. For this purpose they fitted out
two small vessels; and the trade proved so advantageous, that, in 1788,
the adventurers resolved to form a permanent settlement. A spot of
ground was accordingly procured from the natives at Nootka Sound, and
a regular establishment was formed, which was defended by a slight
fortification. This was, however, regarded by the Spaniards as an
encroachment of their exclusive right of sovereignty; and two Spanish
ships of war arrived in the sound, seized two English vessels with the
crews, and then took possession of the settlement. The British flag was
removed; the Spanish commandant declaring, that the whole line of coast
from Cape Horn to the 60th degree of north latitude, belonged to the
King of Spain. These incidents were notified to the court of Great
Britain by the Spanish ambassador; who, at the same time, requested that
measures might be taken for preventing his Britannic majesty's subjects
from frequenting those coasts, and from carrying on their fisheries in
the seas contiguous to the Spanish continent, they being, it was stated,
the rights of the Spanish crown. The claims of Spain, in reference
to her right of dominion and soverei