A Lift of the French Squadron in the Engagement with the British Squadron in the baft Indies, on the 20th of June, 1783. Abstract of the Officers, Seamen, and Marines, killed and wounded on board his Majefty's Ships in the Action of the 20th of June, 1783. Ships. Superb Hero Gibraltar Monmouth Worcester Cumberland 8 14 Exeter 9 I 16 Briftol 13 Burford Account of the Proceedings of the Members; and the above answers being read, they came to the following refolutions: bers of the House of Commons, who met at the St. Alban's Tavern from time to time for the Purpose of promoting an Union of Parties, in January and February 1784. January 26th, 1784. Refolved, That the thanks of this meeting be given to his grace the duke of Portland, and the right hon. William Pitt, for the attention they have respectively declared A Meeting of fuch members of themselves ready to pay to the re the house of commons as with to promote an union of parties, is earneftly requested at the St. Alban's Tavern, this day, the 26th inftant, at 12 o'clock precifely. On Monday, the 26th inftant, a meeting was held at the St. Alban's Tavern, for the purpose of recommending an union of parties, when an addrefs was agreed to and figned by fifty-three members of the house of commons, and prefented by a committee to the duke of Portland and the right hon. William Pitt.The committee were, the hon. Mr. Grofvenor, the hon. Charles Marfham, Sir William Lemon, and Mr. Powys. The duke of Portland returned for anfwer: "That he fhould think himself happy in obeying the commands of fo refpectable a meeting; but the greatest difficulty to him, and he imagines ftill greater to Mr. Pitt, is Mr. Pitt's being in office." Mr. Pitt returned for answer: "That he will be very ready to pay attention to the commands of fo refpectable a meeting, and cooperate with their wishes, to form a ftronger, and more extended adminiftration, if the fame can be done with principle and honour." On Tuesday the 27th, the gentlemen met at the faid tavern, when there appeared to be feventy mem quifitions prefented to them in our names. Refolved, fecondly, That, in anxi. ous expectation of a cordial co-ope. ration of great and refpectable characters acting on the fame public principles, we beg leave to exprefs our moft earneft with that fome explanation may be had between the duke of Portland and Mr. Pitt, on any difficulty in the way of confidential intercourse. Refolved, thirdly, That we do not prefume to point out the mode in which fuch mutual explanation may be obtained, ftudiously avoiding any interference on our part, which may impede or counteract whatever fteps are taken towards that communication which it is our object to effect. Refolved, fourthly, That the chairman be defired to communicate the refolutions to his grace of Portland and Mr. Pitt. The refolutions being communicated to Mr. Fitt, he returned the following "anfwer: "Mr. Pitt having received from fo refpe&table a meeting an intimation of their wifhes, that fome explanation may be had between the duke of Portland and himself, on any difficulties in the way of confidential intercourfe, begs to affure Mr. Grofvenor (the chairman) that there are no difficulties on his part in the way of an immediate intercourfe with the duke of Portland on the the fubject of an union, confiftent I had the honour of flating to you, with honour and principle, which he agrees with the gentlemen of the meeting in thinking of the greateft importance in the prefent ftate of the country. If, on his grace's part, there are any objections to fuch intercourfe, Mr. Pitt wishes to have them stated, and will immediately give a direct answer with regard to them." The duke of Portland returned the folloving anfer (addreffed to the chairman :) Sir, Devon-house, Thursday, I did not think it poffible that fuch I have the honour to be, (Signed) Tho. Grofvenor, efq. Thursday the 29th. The gentlemen met; and there being above eighty members prefent, they came to the following refolution: Rejolved, That the chairman be requested to return our thanks to the duke of Portland and Mr. Pitt, for the additional favour they have now given of their attention to our withes. "As you have fo very obligingly communicated to me the affurances you have received from Mr. Pitt, "that there are no difficulties on his part in the way of an immediate intercourfe between him and me, on the fubject of an union of parties, and that he is ready to give an immediate and direct aniwer to any objections which I may have to fuch intercourfe," my fincere inclination to concur in the withes of the very refpectable meeting of which you fo worthily fill the chair, and my anxious defire to fee fuch an adminiftration formed, upon a folid and fecure bafis, as may restore harmony to this diftracted empire, and may be entitled to the confidence and fupport of every true friend of his country, make it neceffary for me to trouble you with To intimate to them, that after a repetition of the reatons which I thefe declarations, we are the more affigned to you and other gentle- ftrongly confirmed in our hope and men who delivered me the repre- expectation, that by the intervenientation and requifition of your tion of mutual friends, fome expe. meeting of the 26th of January, for dient may be advised, which may declining an immediate interview tend to remove the difficulty which with Mr Pitt, on the prefent arduis ftated to be the most material obous fituation of public affairs. ftacle to a communication between To express our cordial fatisfaction to find they agree in opinion with this meeting, that an union is of the highett importance, and is the object of their joint wishes. them, them, on the fubject of a cordial openly as he could do in any other and permanent union. (Signed) fituation." T. GROSVENOR, Chairman. Berkeley-fquare, 31ft Jan. 1784. Devon-houfe, Sat. 31st Jan. 1784. The members then adjourned to Monday next. [It is but fairness to add, that the duke of Portland had feen Mr. Pitt's anfwer, but Mr. Pitt had not yet feen the duke's.] St. Alban's Tavern, Saturday, Jan 31, 1784. At a meeting held by the gentlemen, members of the houfe of commons, who affembled from time to time, with a view to con ciliate differences, and to forward an union of the contending parties in parliament, the following anfwers were received and read: "Mr. Pitt has already had the honour of stating to Mr. Grofvenor, that there are no difficulties on his part in the way of an immediate intercourfe for the purpose of effecting an union confiftent with honour and principle. With regard to the embarralment ftated by the duke of Portland in his grace's letter, referred to in the refolutions of the meeting, arifing from Mr. Pitt's remaining in his minifterial capacity, it is an embarraffinent which Mr. Pitt cannot remove, by refig nation, in order to negotiate. In thefe circumfiances, Mr. Pitt has it not in his power to fuggeft any expedient, but is very defirous of learning whether the duke of Portland can propofe any thing which his grace confiders as fuch; and he begs at the fame time to add, that his prefent minifterial capacity is no obftacle to his difcuting every point that relates to the defirable object in queftion, as freely and Sir, "I am extremely forry that Mr. Pitt appears fo pofitively to decline fuggefting any expedient, on his part, to remove the difficulties which obftruct the conference you defire. I believe you will agree, that the continuance of the prefent miniftry, and the honour of the houfe of commons, are not very eafily reconcileable. "It was the fenfe of thofe difficulties, and my earneft defire of complying with the opinions of gentlemen, whofe fentiments clain my highest refpect, that induced me to fuggeft the poflibility of an expedient, which you will eafily difCern would not depend upon me. The recollection of fimilar events, in two fucceffive years, led me to flatter myself that there was a middle way between the actual refig nation of minifters, and the neglect of what appeared on the journals of the houfe of commons. I hoped that Mr. Pitt would have adverted will yet have due weight with him. to thofe events, and I truft they I fhall most certainly rejoice in any propofition that can promife to lay a bafis for the tranquillity and fet tlement, which are the objects of our common withes. "I have the honour to be, with great truth and regard, Sir, your moti ob. dient, humble fervant, (Signed) PORTLAND." Tho. Grofvenor, Efq. chairman. The The meeting, after dining toge ther, adjourned to Monday, the zd of February, at eleven o'clock.The chair to be taken precisely at twelve. The following Members of the Houfe of Commons, with others, whofe names we have not been able to ascertain, attended the meetings lately held at the St. Alban's Tavern, with a view to effect an Union of Parties, and thus lay the ground for a ftable and permanent Administration. THOMAS GROSVENOR, Efq.. Chairman. Francis Annesley, efq. Sir Rob. Salufbury Cotton William Drake, jun. efq. The hon. Geo. Keith Elphinstone Earl Eufton William Ewer, efq. Hon. Archibald Frazer Thomas Gilbert, efq. Ambrofe Goddard, efq. George Graham, efq. Sir Harry Gough Benjamin Hammett, efq. Hon. Thomas Harley E. Hervey, efq. Sir Harry Houghton Arthur Foldfworth, efq. Filmer Honeywood, efq. Sir Richard Hotham Sir George Howard Wi liam Hurley, efq. Benjamin Keene, efq. Sir Matthew White Ridley Cha. W. Boughton Roufe, efq. Sir George Shuckburgh Sir Thomas George Skipwith Sir Robert Smith Walter Spencer Stanhope, efq. St. |