Lord North got up and said, that having a matter of some importance to communicate to the House, he could wish their attention for a few minutes; it was upon a business which ought not to come detailed before so thin a House, but there would be several s tages of the business which would give opportunity for ample discussion ー the thing, was this; ー there had been, during the present war in America, many prisoners made, who were in actual commission of the crime of high treason; and, there are persons, at present, guilty of that crime, who may be taken, but perhaps for want of evidence cannot be kept in gaol. That it has been customary upon similar occasions of rebellion, or danger of invasion from abroad, to enable the King to seize suspected persons; he would not be thought to hint at any necessity of trusting ministers at present with such a power in general; indeed, the times are different; we are very far from having any rebellion at home; and as to an invasion, we have not the least prospect of it; ー for these reasom., it is not meant to ask the full power, usual upon former occasions of rebellion. But as the law stands, they were well informed, that it is not possible at present, officially to apprehend the most suspected persons. Another circumstance is, the persons made prisoners from the rebels, and also in the act of piracy, on the high seas; at present, they can be legally confined only to the common gaols, which would be entirely impracticable. ー It is necessary for the Crown to have a power of confining them like other prisoners of war. These and some other matters should be attended to in the bill he purposed moving, which was this:

"That leave be given to bring in a bill, to enable his Majesty to secure and detain persons charged with, or suspected of the crime of high treason committed in America, or on the high seas, or the crime of piracy."

Leave was given accordingly.