propriated had really been spent in the manner intended, and when extraordinary votes were asked for, they would be able to see whether the sums expended had or had not been distributed in wastefulness and corruption.[1]
The motion of Shelburne was supported by the whole Opposition, amongst others by Lord Caermarthen, who spoke amid much applause on the indignity to which he had been subjected by his recent dismissal.[2] On a division the Opposition vote was the largest which they had registered for some time past, for they numbered fifty-five. The motion was however rejected.
The same day Sir George Savile presented the Yorkshire Petition. On the 11th, Burke introduced his plan of Economic Reform in a speech which, to borrow the words of Dunning, must remain "as a monument to be handed down to posterity of uncommon zeal, unrivalled industry, and invincible perseverance."[3] On the 14th Sir George Savile brought in a Bill to take away several sinecure places and pensions which Burke had proposed to spare, and Barré, following the example of Shelburne, gave notice that he would move for a Commission of Accounts to improve the method of accounting for the expenditure of public money. On the 21st Sir George Savile moved for an account of pensions granted during pleasure or otherwise. The debate was warm. North was defended by the Lord-Advocate Dundas and by Wedderburne, both of whom were Scotchmen. Colonel Barré thereupon said that no Englishman could be found to defend the Government. Dundas retorted by asking him "if it was not as honourable to be the King's pensioner as Lord Shelburne's, which Barré notoriously was." Greatly excited, Barré exclaimed, "It is false! It is false!" The House was instantly thrown into a ferment, and the Speaker had to interfere. Finally Barré declared that in what he had said he had meant nothing personal, and the matter terminated.[4] On the 24th Sir
