BILL FOR ALLOWING THE MILITIA TO VOLUNTEER INTO THE LINE, ETC.
Early in this session Lord Castlereagh introduced a bill for allowing three-fourths of any militia regiment to volunteer for foreign service, which bill passed without opposition. Parliament also gave its ready sanction for a loan of £22,000,000 as well as for subsidies to Sweden, Russia, and Austria. Previous to this, £2,000,000 had been advanced to Spain, two to Portugal, and one to Sweden: the sum to be allowed to Russia and Prussia was estimated at £5,000,000 and the advance to Austria consisted of £1,000,000, together with 1,000,000 stand of arms and military stores in proportion. At this time men of all parties, from a desire to humble our one great foe, concurred in supporting the foreign policy of our cabinet. The desired grants being obtained, parliament adjourned to the month of March.