Star. — London, England, 1809-06-16 00:00:00

In those times there emend Inch thittg to 'be found x's a writ ad:tressed to such a piece' St. Maw's, or ! tli the posts at 'Cotton. No, it ivas not until the pre rotative of the Crown was encroached upon at the Revolution, that this rotten borough system sprang I , up. rhe people being led to Ascribe all the evils of i the two former reigns to the prerogative alone, were I induced to acquietce in this innovation. Then it', was, indeed, that the ice pie committed a most feel , mistake —then it was, 'that they consented to an en ereaclerient upon that prerogative wh i ch was a ne cessary part of their constitutien, because they cell founded the abuse with the thing itself. Had that prerogative remained entire, had the power conferred on the Crown by the Conseitu:ion remained undimi nished, this lloute would now have been in a vet) , ' different state. It would have retained the functions belonging to it, and betas the true shield of the peo ple, against any improper exercise of the prerogative, • which was all the people had a right to expect from it. When James I. assembled his Parliament, none of - the writs he issued contained ant alltisi•n to rotten bo- ; roughs, nor do any other terits on record. But out of the encroachment I Live : t otted, a third power has ; arisen, the r ot ten-bo rc ti eh-mongers, who, by es tebli sh ingadominion over the kinw and - people, by mi srepresen ting the one to the other, by keeping up a perpetual jealousy between them, contrive to reign the arbiters of society. Therefore one of my first objects is to reunite the King and the people, and make the b•.nd of union allegiance on the one hand and protection • on the other. Lord Coke observed, thet when any sudden alteration takes place in the main principles of a government, serve grievous evils will follow , sooner or later ; and how strikingly is that observa tion exempl.fled in the consequences which have arisen out of the change that led to the establishment of 1 the borough-nionging system—the inconsistency of I which with our Constitution is obvious even from the terms of the writ of election. But the inconsistency of it is glaring in every point in which it can be viewed. No one can dispute the simple principle, that every man has the property of his own reeds and yet it is equally indisputable, that this principle is contra vened by the present frame of Representation in this House, to which 157 individuals have the power of returning a maj o rity, at whose disposal the whole property of the nation is placed. In fact to these in dividnais belong the sovereignty of the country. Can Inch an artengenient he called the Constitution ? Can the people be satittied with the legislation of such a power ?—impossible. Believe me that any discon tent that exists in the cenntry, arises principally out of the belief that the people have not that share of influ ence in the Constitution to which they are entitled— that they are not fairly represented in this House—that in fact you have an !raciest opposite to theirs. Re move this detect, and the advantages will Le imme diate and important. The people will then believe that all that is practictble f o r their benefit will he tone ; and frOm that belief they will naturally be reconciled to their burthees. Every part of the Em pire will fed the effect of the change. It will be telt particularly in that part to which my. atten tion is in a peculiar manner directed, whenever I re flect upon the st a te of the Empire. When I con sider what IreLtne has undergone, how long tie has been left without even a hope of having her condi tion ameliorated that country can never be out of my mind, although it may be seldom in my month. In deed I can hardly now venture to speak of it without feeling a fear of trespassing upon the rule which I have laid doWn for my conduct upon this ocea-ion— For this is a point which, I confess, I cannot discuss parish, , witboot wiritth. I would wish to have Iteland•uni- lin a clay, I cannot conceive how riots or mobbing sea wit h t hi s country, upon very differenteettets tioM I are to arise. Some Gentlemen may be adverse to thoie which nor exist : Of the Union.l will not isit the meetings of large collections of the people, bee much--salgee it that Ireland has been for a ventury I , cause they tend-to keep alive the spirit of liberty, and governed by tt systeni of the grossest intolerdrietc nal not, perhaps, 'front:tiny apprehension of rioting. In. that we'even ttow have a system of legislation fruit; •l deed no such this to .... -apprehended in this cash it were not a part of 'our Empire. That the Whele 1 —for what shbultilkeisibir a tit*? All entitled.to, of our policy towards Ireland is narrow - minded ,. it to !• rote would be known. The'tax-book must prevent all me qtritenhvioas •' but I wish not to dwell upon this disputes. mete teas no litiberY`er petjUry tole ap- 1 system; and shall only express my anxiout desire to ptehended ; for *liar 'emthitenipt anyrniitritiirdrer i put ad end Ye a. Is it to: he endured, that four Mil- bribe when the voters .beCime.to numerous.' How lions of 'people shall be treated as aliens in their na- must every good man retire. the prospect of putting tire lan3-4thall be put ant of the pale of the Consti- an end to those scenes Which disgrace vier elections tution? Is iteonsittent with reason--with common according to the present system; which in fat, are sense and polley,leavitvg.justiee out of consideration, often of such a nature 'as silthinf tti dfsittit: Men to tolerate 'such a system ? .It ought to beset aside, against freedom itself. But freedoM' 'CMS be;best'pte. mid it Is, f cbntend, in the power of -GOvernmetit: served without these degrading scenes. To-prevent very easily to remove it, artd.all the grounds of dis- their recurreneejs or* of the objects of Int 'propos ii' sati,faction'whi c h af fl ict that coentry. .4 fact, with. tion. Really.l knout not any one that ra n -:feel salt in. l ' cot yielding any thing, they may do every thing ; : tention of opposing such a pre . pesition; 7 lltit those' withclit arming any prejudice . , or offending' any ( whose undue interests may he affected by'itl tibt-the party, *tile) , can estiblish a common bond of union in 1 borough-monger," the listryer; - the attorney, and then Ireland, and sh ieeure the tranquillity- of that coin-1 King's Printer.' Thesteindeede alone ran -be Injure& try. This is within their reach, and simply by .the lor have reason to complain of such-a scheme of re adoptinn of a - system rtfrefbrin;-4sy putting down the i form. The three•latter Must of course be materially herhugh faction ; Wad by the same means they may I affected by a Measure which would put an end to li. not merely place a Crown upon the head of their .50.. ; tigation. At present, indeed, an election may wel vereign, but restore to hint the sceptre of which that : be said to be a contest and no choice, whereas under faction has long deprived him, leavinglim only the. : my phin it Would be a choice and no contest. But pigeainry and outward chew of political power.l one of the greatest evils to he removed by this propt* Instead, indeed, of allOi-ing to the King the topper- !' sition would be. what he Called the Election Laws.— tunity Of taking those exterstve views of our biter i est ! A?nOng these I' . haVe often heard the Grenstrille Act 'which form the duty; and; onght to occupy- the atten;. 1 Misch praised. By that Act the borough Faction gave tion of hie office, he is tompelled by this faction to i up the jurisdiction which they had confessedly abused. enga4,e himself in trying to keep his balaneein en=.! I. do not, however, see much to praise in this Act. 1 deavouring to conciliate the support of such and seat ; have not lutd such experience as would warrant pane a family of borough-influence, in hrder that GovCitt . - ; gyric; An know° mall, &c. Vader the opelratihnisf that Meat may be enabled to go on -.lu fact, tbe . bOrough. ; Act, I havesu6re.l a . greater perialtythrin the'llliiti fictioa have such sway, that the King is placed ra- : would inflict upon any offence whatever: 'SO -nd then in the situation of a rope-dancer than of a Mo- .7 for imbenefrt. If it were a benefit, a maw West , be 'Larch, as they snake it necessary for hint to be perpe- ; very rich indeed that could afford to enjoyle twice. wally on the alert to hold his slippery elevation and I (Herr, hear !) My object is to relieve osher'GentleMen to keep Ms pica e. Thus is he reduced ; instead of from such bstefiEs,by rendering such a litii useless by having Ms throne finely tix..d upon the rock of the ' . getting rid of all dispotetabont fancifullitles and ex. Cansntution, and bound to the hearts of every part' pent-es at an election.; -At all;events this must boa of the people:—Such is the situation in which I should: consequence . res,nhing- from. , the• plan I propOse; : wish to have the Bing placed, because I know that There may bp Gentlemen who think . that we thou ; the Constitution and lie People are his best security. not get a better Assembly in this Houte, bythe erne But whatever may be the effect of my wishes, or ; ration of thisplan-41tt eveneia,' the-evils we shbilla the insult of my propositiOn4, I hope chit 'at* this - het rictof by its . adoption'atte'suffitierittoreconutitaid day it will be asserted, or insinuated,. that:nacre ; it. Olbeeretalmerf coseeqUence muse attire' from it anyconceiled purpose - that I shrink &Om speaking 1 Those who complain of popular clamour-r,of• ' my sentiments frankly—that, in a word, I decline tot allying tbenwelves: trichahepeople against-01e:40.v act open and manly part, or that I have any de- meats and dee:Wiensof dais -House, would tielse to signs beyond those I avow. When it is reeollected i have any cause fur 7CrlnViaintbtCillte. ItVitiiiireit t that that the system I condemn had its origin ,as t ute RC. • of Leform , there writsiid-tie no 'such clamour or tali. rolutior.,and involved an encroachMent of the Kinrci- esti ; for thin 'the sense of the people wedittlie ebl-1 prerogative =when it is considered that this nation . ; lected Within these walls (Netir,4esk:// I haVitialeso now owes . se v en ef eight hundred millions, while at often telled a . desitagogn&-ttitttif f.*Were realty MS'T the Pirind I .monde t o it was not encUmberedyrith I one and contsidtting a tomtit ete feie , *(esiviti•thit prefosit' shilling of deht-u.and when the enormous _Ow* tffl lion, whiebia tntendedtd lint 04tAktliatO' alF*l4lkg oui lases is taken into view—when all the changes-I . goeues. )titwithstanding what thel.frergedi I. beg . • that ltive folic:Wet' the' ItOtien hue to repeat that , lam still ,ope; to . cosiviction—. Borough system are loo6d at, I Otilie@lffttel Sink that 1 that I am ready to listen to all fair reasoning —that the justification of my conduetVeiltbeiinNersally seen.' I bra .nothing t,o bias my mind from that which If a Reform were actteci, Kant confident that - great is strictifr right. .At the same tine it will naturally benefits wou'sd immediately flow to the equntry. lam be concluded that I have devoted tot) much of my certainly not one of tho s e who would apply a sponge reflections to this important subject, to be easily sha to our debt ; hut I am convinced it might be very ken by any thing that operates against the opinion much reduced by proper management, as might our which I formed, or that it can be affected by slight taxes also. But at all events this benefit would follow arguments. I have stated fay and clearly, and I from a Reform—that the people, if fairly represent- hope satisfactorily, to the House the remedy for pub ed, would he satisfied that nothing possible would be lic evil which I have been so often called upon to loft undone t relieve them, and therefore the evil produce. I have obeyed that call, and in that at that must be borne, would be borne without a mur. least I trust I have given satisfaction. The remedy tour, if not with cheerfulness. If the laws—if Magna I have proposed is short, simple, practical, and safe. Charta-- if the ergumen:s in favour of Reform were I think it calculated to satisfy the people, to preserve not so strong as not to require the support of any other the Crown, and to restore the balance of the Consti authority, I could cite many of the greatest weight. tntion. These, Sir, are the objects of my pursuit.. I could cite the names of the most distinguished men To these alone have I been always aspiring - higher this House has ever known—of the first men who ap- Ido not aspire, and lower lam not disposed to de 'peared in the course of the American War—of Fox stend. After a short recapitulation of his main and Pitt, whose talents, so successful in this House asguments, and an animated exhortation to the House, on other occasions, were unavailing when exerted in to satisfy the rational expectations of Abe people, by support of Reform. Bur the cause of their failure is an assurance, that a measure so long and so ardently easily solved, when we consider that a majority of looked for should. be taken into consideration early in this isions-• have an interest opposite to that measure, the next sessions,the worthy Baronet remarked in peen because they iv t ve an interest different from that of rally impressive terms upon the impropriety of decli the country. Before I prepare the plan of Reform ning to make this assurance,urging the House to consi. which I have to submit to the House, I naturally der, that the omission-to do that which is right, is the looked at all the projects which have been brought commission of that which is wrong, and might in this forward upon this subject, and have endeavoure' case particularly be an advance to ruin.—Sir Francis extract any thing which appeared to me advisable.— concluded by moving a Resolution, that the House My plan consists of a few simile regulations, which, would, at an early period of the next Sessions of Par befoie I proceed further, I will read to the House. figment, take into consideration the espediency of It is this, that all freeholders, copyholders, house- amending the present state of the Representation. holders, and others paying any direct taxsiti n for the Mr. MADOCKS seconded the motion. support of the State, the Church, or the Poor, shall 'The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER have the right of voting—that the country shall be thought it was not rational to expect the House would divided into certain portions, and that each portion give the pledge required. The Honourable Baronet shall return one Representative—that all the elections had spoken as if he bad been particularly called onto ' shall take place on the same day, and that the votes explain his conduct ; he did not knots- when, or by shall be taken in the respective parishes—and that the whom, he had been so called upon. He spoke as if ' duration of the Parliament shall be brought back the people required a` Parliamentary Reform' ;—the within constitutional limits. This is the simple prac- Honourable Baronet might La in the habit of con tical plan which I would propose for your consider- versing with persons who thought such a change ne ation. I cannot conceive any difficulty that could cessary, but the great body of the people were united arise in its execution, or anv objection that can be of against it. The Honourable Baronet thinks the l fercd to its principle—while the benefits it would pro- adoption of his regulations would prevent all contest duce are obvious. By adopting it, you would get ed elections. toid he suppose, that one person would rid of all the enormous trouble, travelling and ex- be found in everydistrict, for who in the people would peaces that are incurred by elections bn the present give ifiAr unanittnoui suffrages i that . thea* would scale ; you would get rid of 113 statutes which have be no opposition to his election ? Surely two persons • been enacted to preserve the purity of election, and would be likely to oppose each Other, when there which have been found quite ineffective to that ob- would be canvassing, and as much temptation to ject you would get rid of all distinctions that have bribe those electors as if they were forty shilling ones. heretofore existed, for I would exclude no man from These proposals, too, went to simplify the qualifi ' voting, not even an exciseman. You would get rct cations of an elector, every, person who paid to a tax of all those qualifications and disqualifications which in any one way. (Sir Francis here said, if he paid have been found- sp productive of litigation and direct taxes). Oh 1 i i(he paid the assessed taxes, the squabbling, and you would also get rid of such per- property tax, or th'eptior tax, he was to be a voter.— sons as the butcher and attorney alluded to .on a for- Why then it would be necessary that each vote: mer evening by a Right Hon. Gentleman below me should prove that he paid those, to substantiate his (Mr. Windham), for there would then be no stage claim to a vote ; and this must be proved at the elec tor the exhibition of such mock patriotism—no mar- tion booth. Yet this plan vists to simplify the whose ket for such traders—there would be no Mask to cover busineis of an election so much. If these regulations such persons, for there would be no mobbing. (Hear; had the effect of doing away 113 statutes upon his hear lon the Ministerial Benchet.) Do Gentlemen be- word, he thought some very large one would be lieve the contrary ? If so, I shall be ready to heap the wanted instead. It only seemed likely to prevent grounds of their belief. lam perfectly open to con- bribery, as it tended to render a seat in that House' viciion ; I have no interest to promote by withstand= so contemptible that it would be rather shunned than ing the truth. There is nothing to prevent my mind sought after. - Unless he could divest men's minds of from receiving any impression which fair reasonin : those passions by which they were now actuated, his is calculated to produce. But what I have.. state- regulations would be useless. He thought the pro does appear to me a self-evident ..proposition. The posal was net of suCieat consequenee to justify his election taking place in every - and terminating taking up the time of the House by - - farther into s , . TURTON would xote - for in,r , ntopsure.f plefige to take.into consideration the state of repro.,l - but he would not concur with the pl nof the lion. Barowt, to which in his mind theri were consi. !Arable objections. Mr. BARHAM explained. Mr. H. TRACTY defended the general ptinciplo of Parlianimtary Reform, and vindicated the meet ings of the people When constittitionally f:rmed. It was because Gentlemen connected with a !Tonsure of this kind, the horrors of a French Itc-voliiion, that they had objections to discuss it. Such an alarm, however, like the cry of invasion, and « N<. Po pery," he trusted, was at an end. The Hon. Barci net only required a pledge of giving c, n4ideration to this subject, which, from recent aurniss'ons in that . House, lie was disposed to think should be. seriously entered into. He should therefore give his decided vote -to the motion of the Hon. Baronet., The gallery tieing cleared for 'a division; die num bers were, For the motion . IS. . . Against it - 74 Majori'y against the motion - 7 -19 Strangers were then readmitted, but excluded again upon the question of going into e a. Committee on the Animal Cruelty Prevention Bill. The House divided on this question—Ayes 27—Noes 37-4 , l.ijoritr 10, The Bill was consequently lost.—The House then adjourned till Monday next. DUTCH AND FRENCH FiIPERS. On it.. t was r9erely to state that such g a pledge .conld trot be gtven. Mr. MADOCKS said, the question was, whether ttley should be amused by a shew of the Constitution or possess themselves of the reality. -He thought they could not do batter , than admit the respectable house- Wider to a. vote, , ,Had that House been filled with the seal Representatives of the Nation, many deci. siot wvi t i s k fiven in the course of the Session, he thought, hattlieen quite the reverse of what they were. Aditerting to the charge preferred against Lord Cas. tlereatili v he said, the facts of the ease were admitted to be tit* wjth the exception, that Lord Castlereagh did not require Mr-. Dick to leaVe his seat. In that case, the reidattion of 1789 had been : gtiite disre garded. A partial improvement he thought of no law There were strong grounds, in his opinion, for giving the pledze. ' Sir ROLIEIeT, WILLIAMS thOught the Hon. Baronet meant well but. that he .was inflamed by those who were inimical to the. Constitution. He was ever ready to oppose corruption, but did not approve bt a reform of that House being commenced out : of &Ors. He thought the Hon. Baronet ought not to have come forward on such a question. He under stood from reading; , “ Cobbett's Reigker," •that the Hon. Baronet had stated; that the only spot in Eng land where an Englishman iris `calumniated and treated with contempt was the Nouse. et. Covamons. If the Hon. Baronet had not madethat.assertion, he hoped he would sat so. • Sir 3: HALL opposed the motion. With an Hon. Gentknian, he would not consent to remove one brick from the fabric of our Constitution, lest the whole should be endangered. Mr.. HUTCHINSON thought the Hon. Baronet hierbeen Unkindly treated when he came forward to state his ideas of a Parliamentary Reform. Though they had just reason to fear losing that which was good,..seeiting something better, yet he felt' it his duty . tontate, that in his opinion a Parliamentary Reform was necessary. The Hon. Gentleman concluded by suYirliiiilith the motion. Mr. WESTERN hal been a constant friend to Parliamentary Reforms and lad voted for it, when - the measure was proposed. in the. years 1793 and '1797. Trovircireseht eittomstineesi he did not con. sider it as a tpeasnre oneia - netesatty.now than it was *then. - Upon the whole, he should be most happy: to fall in With. the. !notion i;f the Hen. Baronet:. • Mr. BARHAM.did not think there would be any hesitation in adopint What wOOld'f . e . 19'edy a measure ; creating disratisfactiOn on the past olthe people, on d led i ;Wirt.— account of thb ittodi of reprkentatiVni2iCatikh'itissa- tears, an tisfiection diclextin. DarAerieverthirrti*ute should hy.faths, five days march be again brought fOrirard, he shittitd be 'file r y age of lloneittrahle'Gentletheh aiiistPlinftfr they meant by restorhil the•Chinititiltiro: nal shape. fleiwas comp lataiy'ai a . : that orikinal Purity to veßd - Plokstrlitabli' advertea,-aail•he'Ht tvnthi s eithhitt in , fitce -be losers by Wing 'broirelf V seer state. THIRTEENTH BULLETIN. " Ebersaorf, Met ' During the night of-the 26th and' 2lig: 1 0/4 1 • bridges on'the Danube were carried •asry. by 'the. , waters and by the coating mills which were let loo s e. We had not time to finish the piles and fix the greet iron chain. To-day one of the - bridges has been re- • established, and we expect the other will be completed. to-morrow. " The Emperor spent yesterday; on the left bank,. surveying the fortifications which are raising on thed Island of Inder Lobau, rnd in order to inspect seine) regiments of the:Duke de Rivoli's corps, titatinfiecrie • 1 .: this sort of tete de pont. , • . " On the 27th, at night, Captain Bailly,Aide-clOl Camp of the Viceroy, brought the agreeable tidinge of the arrival of the irrt-ty of Italy at bruelc. Geed' ral Lar! - iston had been s,•nt in advance; ind . ta i • LI junction tcok place on tl:e Simerinberg. Achassqut of the nth, who was preceding as scout to a t:etaclne ment of the army of Italy, met a chasmur of a. toon of the 20th, sent by General Latirlstnn. - having observed . each other for some time, they dis-; covered that they were Frenchmen,eand embraced.--, The chasseur of the 20th proceeded to Bruck 'pair to th.: Viceroy, and the chasseur of the 9thlt*' paired to General Lauriston, to inform him of . .tW approach of the army of Italy. During twelye dap the two armies had received no intelligence of each other. On the evening of the 26th, (- eneral Lanxi ston was at Bruck, at the head quarters of the Viceroy, " The Viceroy has displayed, during the kholo campaign, a calmness and an extent of observation. which are the characteristics of a great. General. a In the relation of facts which have graced the army of Italy during these last twenty days, his Mai testy has marked with pleasure the destruction of th.. - corps of Jellachich. It was this General, whose ins . solent proclamation enkindled the fury and sharpened the daggers of the Tyrolese. Pursued by the Duke. of Dantzic—in danger of being flanked by the brigade ,of General Dupellin, whom the Duke of Auerstadt had dispatched by way of Mariazeli, he ran as iatqn,_ snare upon the van cf the army of Italy. a The Archduke John, who, so short a time since. in the excess of his presturption, degraded himself by h:s letter to the Duke of . Ragusa, evacuated Gratr, yesterday, the 27th, taking with him hardly .`25. or, MAW men, of the fine army with which he entered ,Italy. Arrogance, insults, excitements to revolt; all . his'ections which bear the stamp of rage, have turned to his theme. " When t h e papers were examined whipkhelcingeit to the •Inteadant of the Austrian ormb 4stho was at the head both of the Government and. thtPolice, and. which tvere ' taken at Padua, in four carriages, the prOOf of the love which the peopl . epir Italy bear to the Emperor was then discovered. Every, body re... fused the places offered to them ;.no.oue was willing to serve Austria ; and anteing sevest•Millions of 1116% • who compose the populatipn of . the kingeorr!, the enc.. my could not End more than threelteritpdpas who did. not repel seduction. d " The regiments of Italy, who hod distinguished themselves in Poland, and who had emulated in the campaign in Catalonia, the most a.tident French causk o paigns, covered themselves with glory in Om I go gagement. The people of Italy are marchastionitit rapid strides to the last period of a hippy chruge..-41 , - That beautiful part of the Continent, tb which are.' attached so many great and illusrribus recollectiOsia;; * which the Court of Rome, that. swarm of monks, en ' s!. . its own divisions, had ruined, is appearit‘g with befr:i. nour again on the theatre of Europe.. " The people of Italy have conducted themselves as the people of Alsace, Normandy, or Danpbitui would have deue. On the retreat of our soldienk they accompanied them with their VeWs and chair br ie' their array g sitids)higgi- lost their or the people, on ' Yot m,'such dissa- tears, and led itidiyiduals who had lost their *ay bye , $ itiiieltsure should br.paths,AW - C . fitys march to'their army ; and wheit td 'inclined to any Frelial . l l 4 tian. prisoneis were brctue3sl7. piing:ion of *hat ninn v • _in' 47e . Airfoil ki or i to L. towns. villages, *4 jib 4 l4 wog • sco , i fi t ; brolsesetiberl tails tance, • omit el tiring the I.l44iite • ene. . iftlitet6 ' . tOtisioise Otlip. *NIA in their !H a i otv id (ito , ~ • a 1'44014 4 W Hick to di& fOre , ; do. •