just nor politic,
since it interrupted one of the most valuable branches of the English
commerce, at a time when the nation groaned under the pressure of heavy
debts, incurred by the former long expensive war. He therefore moved for
an address to his majesty, desiring that the instructions given to sir
George Byng, now lord Torrington, should be laid before the house.
This motion being likewise, upon the question, rejected, a protest was
entered. They voted an address, however, to know in what manner the king
had disposed of the ships taken from the Spaniards. Disputes arose from
the bill to prevent infection. Earl Cowper represented, that the removal
of persons to a lazaret, or pest-house, by order of the government,
and the drawing lines and trenches round places infected, were powers
unknown to the British constitution; inconsistent with the lenity of
a free government, such as could never be wisely or usefully put in
practice; the more odious, because copied from the arbitrary government
of France; and impracticable, except by military compulsion. Those
obnoxious clauses were accordingly repealed, though not without great
opposition. Indeed, nothing can be more absurd than a constitution that
will not admit of just and necessary laws and regulations to prevent
the dire consequences of the worst of all calamities. Such restrictions,
instead of favouring the lenity of a free government, would be the most
cruel imposition that could be laid on a free people, as it would act in
diametrical opposition to the great principles of society, which is the
preservation of the individual.

PETITION OF THE QUAKERS..

The quakers having presented a petition to the house of commons, praying
that a bill might be brought in for omitting in their solemn affirmation
the words "In the presence of Almighty God," the house complied with
their request: but the bill gave rise to a warm debate among the peers.
Dr. Atterbury, bishop of Rochester, said he did not know why such a
distinguishing mark of indulgence should be allowed to a set of people
who were hardly christians. He was supported by the archbishop of York,
the earl of Strafford, and lord North and Grey. A petition was presented
against the bill by the London clergy, who expressed a serious concern
lest the minds of good men should be grieved and wounded, and the
enemies of Christianity triumph, when they should see such condescension
made by a christian legislature to a se