mons? My principle does not go to influence the political opinion of any man. But I think it a duty to declare my own, and your Lordship will do me a great deal of honour by communicating these as my sentiments to the Committee either individually or collectively, if those of absent persons shall be alluded to."[1]
Zeal on behalf of reform was not without danger. During the debate on the 8th of March, Shelburne had alluded to the recent introduction into the Army of what was known as "occasional rank," by which, in Militia regiments, persons of no military experience were given the superiority in command over regular soldiers. As an illustration he cited the case of Mr. Fullarton, a Scottish gentleman, formerly Secretary to Lord Stormont at Paris, but now a Lieutenant-Colonel, and he was understood to apply the word commis in a sarcastic fashion to the newly created officer.[2] On the 20th Mr. Fullarton, who was in Parliament, made a warm and abusive attack from his place in the House of Commons on Shelburne. He said that he had been Secretary to the Embassy in Paris, and that Lord Shelburne, having been Secretary of State, must have known the falsehood of his own assertions when he described him as a commis. Here Fox rose, and asked that Fullarton should be called to order for naming persons, and for referring to debates in the other House. He concluded by expressing his regard for Shelburne, whom Barre also defended, hinting to Fullarton that he had better seek satisfaction elsewhere. Fullarton, again rising, denounced Lord Shelburne's "aristocratic insolence"; but was again called to order. The same evening he wrote a report of his speech, adding what he had intended to have said, had he not been called to order, and sent it to the Public Advertiser, in which it appeared next morning. Lord Shelburne's conduct was described as "false, insolent, and cowardly," and he was accused of being in correspondence with the
