Star. — London, England, 1811-06-07 00:00:00

I V imr.••••. , PARLIAMENTARr PROCEEDINGS. --- - HOUSE OF LORDS, JUNE 6. The Committee of privileges met pro firma, this day, when the period for next proceeding with the cases before their Lord ships was taken into consideratioh. The result was, that It was detertfilned that the Committee should proceed with the further sonslderation of tlu: Berkeley case at an early hour to-morrow.— The Marchioness of Salisbury,pursuant to an order of their Lord ships, attended the House. She was ushereddnto the body of the House and sorted near the table, where the oath was administered Sher Ladyship by the Lord Chancellor. A question or two was then put, and answered by the Noble Marchioness. The further consideration of the Banbury case was adjourned tlito-morrow se'n rig ht. The House then resumed, and after some routine business was disposed of, the further consideration of the Roxburgh cause seas resumed. The Earl or LAUDER DALE delivered his sentiments upon this long pending cause, as it now stood before their Lordships. In the course of his speech the Noble Earl highly eulogised the learning, talents. and virtues of the late Lord President, Blair ; and concluded by moving a proposition, the effect of which was, to remit hack the case to the further consideration of the Court of Session, which his Lordship, opal' the whole, deemed the most eligible mode of proceeding. The LORD CHANCELLOR entertained a contrary opinion, and nude a variety of observations upon the legal merits of the ease. Hp deprecated all further delay, save what was indispen sably called for, and he feelingly urged their Lordships to consi der the interests of the parties who were so long before them. — An interval longer than even that of the renowned Siege of Troy ! He concluded by expressing his dissent from the proposition of the Noble Earl. After a few words In explanation from the Earl of Lauderdale, the question was put, and his Lordship's motion was negatived without a division. Qs the motion of the LORD CHANCELLOR, the further VlCOrp i e x a; deferred titto-morrow, when be should sub dons to the House with reference to t heir Lord 1114=on rESB UR Y (late Mr. A. Cooper, M. P.) " the ca s e . of on S was Moen, and took his seat according to the Peerage, in the room of his brother, the late Earl. The Irish and English Militia Interchange El% the Hides Duty, the Horse Duty Regulation, the Verdigrease Duty, the Irish Mi litia Non-commissioned Officers, and a few other Bills, were brought up from the Commons, by Mr. Lushington, and otbtr Members, and severally read a first time. On the motion of the Earl of LAUDERDALE, the Order for summoning their Lordships, for the consideration of the Irish Catholics' Petition, to. morrow, was discharged, and a similar Order made for Friday se'nnight. The Customs Office Regulation Bill went through a Committee of the whole House. The other Bills upon the table were respectively forwarded. VOTE OF CREDIT. The Order of the Day for taking his Royal High ' less the Prince Regent's message of yesterday, on this subject being read, The Earl of LIVERPOOL rose, for the pur pose of moving a corresponding Address to his Royal Highness on the occasion. He deemed it unnecessary to occupy their Lordships' time, by offering any pre liminary observations, as under the known circum stances of the time, the expediency, the necessity, and the policy of the measure proposed by the Message, were too evident to be dwelt on. He should, there. fore, reserve himself for any objection that might pos sibly be offered. He would, however, state the sum proposed, or to be proposed in another place, as the extent of the Vote of Credit, viz. three millions for England, and two hundred thousand pounds for the service of Ireland. He repeated that under such cir cumstances as the present, no rational objection could' be made to the placing, for the purposes mentioned in his Royal Highness's Message, at the disposal of his Majesty's Government, the sum alluded to ; to be expended by Ministers, on their responsibility, as the exigencies of the case might require. His Lordship then moved an Address corresponding with his Royal Highness's Message, and assuring him of the ready concurrence of their Lordships as desired. On the question being put, The Earl of SUFFOLK rose, not to oppose the motion, but for the purpose of adverting to a very important consideration connected with the subject. He had always been of opinion, that it was only in the Peninsula that the French were to be attacked with any prospect of success. From the successes 1 hitherto, he was induced to hope the contest would terminate in our favour. He wished, however, to be informed by the Noble Secretary of State, whether it was the intention of Government to adopt measures for the embodying and duly disciplining a sufficient number of the Spanish troops, without which the French could not be resisted with success, or effectual co-operation afforded. He deemed this a point of the highest importance, under the present circum ' I stances, and a satisfactory answer on the subject would relieve his mind from a great deal of anxiety. The Earl of LIVERPOOL observed, that their Lordships must feel the questihn to involve a point of considerable delicacy. He could, however, answer generally, that it was an object his Majesty's Govern ment had never lost sight of, and such steps as they deemed expedient had been taken on the subject ; but he could not speak more explicitly until such arrange ments should be completed as might be regularly laid before Parliament. He would say thus much, both with respect to the description of troops alluded to by the Noble Earl, and of the Officers who commanded them, that they were greatly advanced in point of discipline and general improvement within the last three months. And of this the occurrences at the late glorious action at Albuera, had afforded manifest proofs, by the gallantry, skill, and valour, displayed by that portion of the allied forces : forming a most ratkinal ground for confidence, that in due time these troops would answer every possible expectation. The question was again put, and the Address voted nem. dis. It was ordered to be presented, as usual, by the Lords, with white staves. Strangers were then excluded while their Lord ships btiefly proceeded to the consideration of a case - of Privilege respecting (we understand) some con duct of an individual to one of the Officers of the House. —Pending the exclusion, tlieii Lordships Ad. jourued till to-morrow. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Mr. BULI.ER brought in a B U fur the better pctwrving his Maj-sty's ships, &e. in the River Medy. Read a first, and ordered to be rt ad a second time to-m o r row. Sir E. O'BRIEN presented a Petition from the Gentry and Freeholders in the County of Clare, in favour at the Catholic Ordrred to Ile on the table. Mr. GRATTAN obtained leave to bring in a Bill to amend tete Bankrupt Law of Ireland. He then brought in the which was read a first, and ordered to be read a second time to morrow. The Report of the Irish Elections Bill was taken into further consideranon ; the Resolutions were agreed to, and the Bill or dered to be read a third time to-morrow. Mr. WHARTON brought in several Bills, wilds were read 8 int, and ordered to be reed a second time to-morrow. • W;F - al , 7 ,~. i ~t~ •. • . ~,, The Exchequer Ells Bill went through a Committ e e , the It e- scu di, in the ho p e of preventi ngd the Ju any thing being s eumstimee the House, to pass should without bringing it thin under the hat could Mr. BULLER brought up the Report of the New Forest Bill, . • • with a violation of his commission, and of the law, ; be said against him, and leave nothing to be said in his which was agreed to, and the Bill ordered for a third reasUng to morrow. and he would also prefer similar charges against the 1 favour. Thus much he thought it necessary to offer Capra' , BENNET moved for Copies of Memorials sent to Proctor and Registrar. The Noble Lord concluded, 1 for himself; but be would implore the House to coma s by moving for the Admiralty from several Naval Officers abroad, respecting der whe th er it could be justi fied in recognizingthis their pay, and the answers returned thereto.—Ordered. • Mr. RYDER obtained leave to bring in a Bill to enable Go- A copy of the appointment or commission of Dr. Sewell, to appointment, and thereby establishing upon its owe officiate as Judge of the Vice Admiralty Court at Malta. authority an insult against its °OD cktracter. Was 'remount to accept of the services of the Cornish Miners in it to be borne, that a public officer, driven to resi Ireland. A copy of the commission or appointment of Mr. J. Jackson, Ig- The Army Prize Money Bill went through a Committee, the to officiate as Marshal. I nation by the expected vote of that House, should, i after a lapse of scarcely two years, be reinstated again Report of which was ordered to be received to-morrow. A list of the Proctors, with the dates of their admission. Mr. LUSHINGI'ON brought up the Report of the Commit- A copy of the appointment or commission of Mr. Locker, as Registrar. in all his honours and emoluments ? Such was the ground upon which he called for the support of Par tee on the Fir Timber Duties, which was agreed to, and a Bill Copies of the several Deputations of the Marshals given to their . Lament. If there were persons in that House who ordered accordingly. Mr. W. POLE brought up the Report of the Committee on Deputies, together with the notifications from the Admiralty. wished . to seethe House vilified i n public opinion— Irish Breweiies, which was ordered to be taken into forth, r con- A copy of the table of fees established by the King in Council, meeratiop toonorrow. He also obtained leave tO bring in a Bill and furnished to the Vice Courts of Admiralty under the 45th of to repeal certain parts of several Acts of the Parffament of ire- hie present Majesty, Sr . any other Act. who wished to see it contradicting itself, and contra land, respecting the 'I oils paid by Coaches carrying more than a A copy of the authority by virtue of which the Judges alter the m dieting its Resolutions by means of each other, they ' certain number of passengers. He then brought in the Bill, established table of foes, or make a new table, to regulate the no doubt would . rejoice if no pers i? could be found ot to maintain its character i n this i nstance. It might as which w read a first lime and ordered for a second reading charges made cm the suitor in the Vice Admiralty Coe n at Malta. i Copies of all official demands made, or copies of the official to-morrow. correspondence between the Vice Admiralty Judges o f t he Courts be said that the fault of his Royal H i ghness was vat 1 he Coal-Meters Bill was read a third time and passed. of Gibraltar and Malta and the Court of Admiralty, requiring nial, and that it had been sufficiently punished by the PRIVILEGE OF THE HOUSE. deprivation of o ffi ce. In this he could not agree, for proper tables of the fees to he charged in prize cause s . M r . LOCKHART said, he held in his han d a Petition, which A List of the number of vessels prosecuted in the Vice Ad- . • ••• was painful for him to present, as the honour of a Member o f it aid not appear to him that deprivation of office miralty Court of Malta, which hadbeen liberatedby paying costs the House was deeply Implicated in what was stated therein.— AA _ amounted to punishment ; incapacitation from hold- The Petition was from a person named Bate!, an Elector for an" damages A copy of the appointment of --- Wood, Esq. late Secretary in o ffi ce was punishment, but deprivation was not. Stafford, who stated, that he had applied td Mr. M. Phillips, the to Lord Castlereagh, to the situation he now holds. It in March, 1809, it appeared by the Resolutions Member alluded to, to procure the discharge of a marine from the service ; this Mr. Phillips bad undertaken to do on receiving Mr. YORKE admitted that the Noble Lord had of the House of Commons that his Royal Highness 50 guineas, of which sum Mr. B att y pa id t o hi m a £5O note, made out a print.. facie case, which called for an in.l was unfit for the office of Commander in Chief— making part of the payment.: Some time after, the petitioner quiry. It was possible some reform in the Vice Ad- 1 what, he would ask, had since occurred to render e squired of Mr Phillips if Its had taken any steps towards pro- . =ratty Courts was necessary : and, feeling this, he 1 him more fit ? He was unwilling to say any thing curing the man's discharge; who replied, that he had paid the money to the proper person at the Admiralty. No discharge, was not at all averse to the motion of the Noble Lord. harsh or disagreeable of so high a personage, whose however, being procured, Mr. Batty nude some enquiries, and He objected to the production of Ale private cot- situation he thought it of importance to be distin. soon discovered that the £5O note had not been so disposed of ; eisspondence moved for. The Noble Lord must know guished by every respect and honour ; but if unplea. but had been paid by Mr. Phillips to a grocer, at Wimbledon.hi c oat some of the other papers must be procured from sant things must be said, it was his Royal Highness's ' liquidation of a debt. Upon this discovery, Mr. Batty preferred 1 a bill of indictment against Mr. Phillips for obtaining money un- Malta, and therefore the subject could not be gone fault, and not his (Lord Milton); and if any person der false pretences. 'Ehis took place about twelve months ago, into in the present Session of Parliament. He hoped in any situation should conduct himself wrong, he but Mr. Phillips had not yet put i n his p lea. Several Justices had the Noble Lord would bear this in his mind, and not was not one of those who could say that hilted acted been applied to for warrants, but bad refused to grant them, on impute to the House, from the de la y which must take rightly. He would ask again what had happened the grounds of Mr. Phillips 3 being privileged as a Member; and ,' even Lord Ellenborough had entertained the same opinion. Tile place, any disinclination to investigate the whole since the investigation to alter the nature of the case? I prayer of the Petition was, that the House would order M. business, and supply a proper remedy. He was aware that transactions had taken place, and ' Phillips to attend aid answer the indictment, or do what else it Sir. JOHN NICHOLL noticed the reflections verdicts had been obtained, since that period ; but should in its wisdom think fit. which the Noble Lord had thrown on the Judge.— while in one way they made in favour of his Royal The SPEAKER said, it was usual for the courtesy of the House, whenever a complaint was made against a Member, in He was not very intimate with him, but he had pmc. Highness, in the other they made against him. He his absence, to afford him an opportunity of attending to answer tised with him at the same bar, ar.d always thought would allow that their verdicts had proved him to ee for himself, by moving, that he be ordered to attend In his place him a man of high honour and strict integrity. From the victim of a foul conspiracy—(Heer ! hear ! from on a particular day. He, therefore, suggested to the Honourable the nature of the charges preferred, and the circum- the Ministerial silk); but those verdicts were obtained Member the propriety of doing so. Mr. LOCKHART thanked the speaker for his correction, stance of the Noble Lord having formerly failed to upon the evidence of the person who was the chief and moved 4 ' That Mr. Mansell Phillips be ordered to attend in establish that which he had pledged himself to prove, witness against his Royal Highness—Woo, brat ! his place on Friday sennight." he thought they ought to suspend their judgment on front the Opposition.) Those who were of opinion that The SPEAKER gave it as his opinion, that it would not be his character for the present. such verdicts could clear the Duke of York, must go proper to bring up the Petition at that time. The question was then put on the motion for ordering M n . Mansell Philips to Sir FRANCIS BURDETT thought the reflection upon the idea that a certain portion of character was attend in his place on Friday se'nnigbt, and agreed to without , made on his Noble Friend was unfair, as if he had divided between his Royal Highness and his accusers, opposition. , failed to redeem his pledge, it ought to be remembered and that according as one fell the other should rise PAPERS RESPECTING SIERRA-LEONE. that he had been denied the opportunity of substan- in ken view. estimation ; If nothing had but there could not be a more mis. Mr. W. SMITH rose , pu rsuant to notice, to move tiating that which he o ff ered to prove. ta the rescinding of a Resolution of the House. The Mr. ROSE could not say there were no abuses in evidence against his Royal Highness, he would ask Resolution he wished rescinded, was one fcr presenting the Admiralty Courts, but whenever any had come Ministers upon what ground they ventured, in the an Address to the Prince Regent, playing him to under his cognizance, he had immediately gone to teeth of a Resolution of that House, to appoint his cause certain Papers respecting the affairs of Sierra the proper authorities te get them redressed. He then Royal Highness to an office, which he must say that Leone to be laid before the House. He was induced not the former statements of the Noble Lord, he had disgraced. It might be imputed to him that to make this motion, from knowing that some of the which had been proved incorrect. He adverted in his (Lord Milton's) memory in this instance was too papers moved for contained certain gross libellous particular to the charge brought forward with respect good ; but while he felt for the honour of his coun. matter on persons in this country. The parties he to prisoners of war. On looking closely into this try, he must speak what he thought, and act accord. alluded to were very willing to meet tbe charges they subject, it was found, that of upwardsPf fifty thou. ing to what he thought to be just. He would re. contained ; but as they could not be gone in o this sand in this country, the number of sick among them mind Ministers themselves that they were parties to Session, if they were produced and laid upon the table was less in proportion than in the militia regiments. the Resolution, which stated as a reason for not go now, they must bear the unjust odium thrown on After a few words from Mr. Llrrerroa, Lord lug farther into evidence, the resignation of hit them till the next Session of Parliament, without Cocostatse replied at some length. Royal Highness. If it appeared to be so expedient having an opportunity of refuting the charges so pre. Some conversation took place on the various Reso- that his Royal Highness should then resign, he would call upon them to shew by what revolutioa of circure ' terra - . He concluded by moving that the Resolution lutions, in which Lord COCHRANE said, he was ready be rescinded. to prove What he had before advanced with respect stances it happened to be no longer expedient ? He The SPEAKER said there was some di ffi culty in to the prisoners of war; and Mr, Rose undertook to would not go into the question, whether personages point of form in assenting to the Hon. Gentleman's disprove the fact. Mr. BRAND, Mr. Yoaxa, Sir W. of such exalted rank should fill offices of such great motion. The original motion being for an Address SCOTT, and Mr. WHITBREAD made a few observations, importance, trust, and responsibility ; but this he to the Prince Regent, if that Address had been pre- after which the Resolutions, amended in some parts, would say, that the reappointment of the Duke of sented, it was too late to rescind the Resolution. He but not materially altered, were agreed to. York was a proof that they were not fit; for he would was informed the Address was now gone up to the THE DUKE OF YORK'S RE-APPOINTMENT. ask, would any other officer be replaced, under such 'Regent. He thought it might be as well to let the Lord MILTON said he was aware of the nature circumstanees ? The higher the person was, the more business take its course ; and when the Address was of the motion which he had felt it his duty to under- necessary was it that the House should not be brow. complied with, the Hon. Gentleman could move that take, and of the difficulties to which he was exposed beat by Courts or Ministers ; and he saw no reason the Papers should be impounded. in consequence of that undertaking. He regretted why the same Court, which would not restore Lord Mr. W. SMITH approved of the suggestion of most sincerely that some one of greater weight, expe- Melville, should think it necessary to restore his Royal the SPEAKER • and after a few words from . Mm . BY. rience, and abilities, did not adopt the task, in order Highness the Duke of York. DER and Mr. ' Huseissos, the subject was dropped. th at the subject might meet with that support which General HOPE rose here to Order, and submit. VICE ADMIRALTY COURTS. so well deserved. He was aware that the Execu- red whether the Noble Lord was warranted in sup- Lord COCHRANE, in rising to call the attention tive Government had a right to direct all appoint- posing that the House of Commons would not per of the House to the subject on which he had given' ments, but at the same time he knew that the Mi- suit the reappointment of Lord Melvilm—(Cliair, notice of a motion, did not intend entering into it at Ouster was responsible for the advice he thought proper Chair, Chair.) length, but he pledged himself to disclose abuses of to give. The long and laborious inquiry which that The SPEAKER gave it as his opinion, that what almost sufficient magnitude to paralyse the energies House had thought it necessary to institute into thel the Ho Member had said did not apply to any spies. of the nation. [He then read a letter from an officer conduct of the Illustrious Personage who was now re- tion con.rder.Har, hear.) in the East Indies, in which it was stated, that the appointesl, was known to every one: the different mem. General HOPE then apologized for the liberty he charges of the Vice Admiralty Courts were so exor- tions which that investigation produced, as well those had inadvertently taken, and sat dowr. bitant, that it required a good prize to satisfy them, I which were negatived, as those which remained on Lord MILTON proceeded.---The higher the per though nothing were left for the captors]. In one the journals of the House, were in the recollection of sonage was, the tnore cautious, he contended, the instance (his Lordship proceeded) a vessel bad been I , all. He had nothing to do upon this occasion with condemned which was worth 11,000 rupees ;—the ' that which was then produced, but he remembered House should be; and the nearer his alliance to Courts, and to the Crown, the greater should be the vigilance charges of the Vice Admiralty Court amounted to that an Address was moved, charging his Royal ' that pursued his conduct. Upon these grounds, and more than 10,000. After some observations on the Highness the Duke of York with personal corruption. conceiving that no reason coUld be add - uced to shed extent of the commerce of France, and the erroneous He remembered that he was also charged with condi- " statements made of English prosperity, his Lordship wince at corruption. Of those he was certainly ac that his Royal Highness was more fit in 1811 than in 1 1809, he brought forward his motion. He did not adverted to the charges made by the Proctor at quitted, and he ( Lord Milton) was one who concur: Malta. His bill on one occasion he stated to have red in the vote that acquitted him—but though he of Commons did not in many instances sacrifice their measured six fathoms and a quarter. [The Noble acquitted him of those charges, be was still obliged feelings to their justice, it would be impossible that Lord here produced a copy of the bill, which was im- • to End him guilty upon others. It appeared to him ' mensely long, and excited much risibility in the that his Royal Highness had been guilty of neei. ! the y 1 , wish to hurt the private feelings of anv individual, but he mast do his duty ; and if the ! Members of the House could discharge their duty to the people. He House while he unrolled it.] Whatever credit he gence, approaching to contrivance. There were many, ; might be disposed to give that person for his integrity, it was true, who did not agree in this opinion • but ` character upon this occasion : he hoped that it woul hoped the House of Commons would vindicate itsd he felt that something was due to his ingenuity. He most concurred inthinking that some resolutionshomild had contrived to unite in himself the two offices of be adopted, the effect of which would be to lead to shew that it was not to be treated in an insulting man. Proctor and Marshal, and in this double capacity, he the resignation of the Duke of York. He had been sacrificed to the caprices of an impure administraio. ner, and that the interests of the people were not to be feed, advised, instructed, and consulted himself ; prevented by peculiar circumstances from attending made affidavit, that he had so consulted himself', and upon the last day, but a motion was made by the ; a deliberate consideration of the recent circurestanc The Noble Lord concluded with moving "That atter extracted his own oa th for another purpose, for which Member for Bristol, which must have led to his Royal also he was paid. His Lordship here recounted some Highness's resignation, and which, if it had been put, command of the army in March 1809, it, appe ared t . ° under which the Duke of York had retired from t he of his (the Proctor's) charges for attendance on him- must have been carried. An Hon. Friend of his, that self, and asserted, an' annual saving of five millions however, proposed an Amendment, resolving, that Ministers to recommend to the Prince Regent to re. ight be made by a reform of abuses in the navy.— as his Royal Highness had resigned, it was not ne- House to be highly improper and indes; auto ;n appoint him to the office of Commander in Chief." When the Proctor's bill came to be taxed, 50 crowns cessary the House should go any further in the exa- i The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUEK were taken off, and for the trouble of doing this, the mination of evidence. From those facts it was plain " id s charge of the Court was 35 crowns. He then instanced that the resignation of his Royal Highness was the reasons which he should give for disagreeing from t ;_e_ the case of the Britannia, which was valued at 86001 reason why the House did not proceed to any further I that however full and, he trusted, complete E l l e motion of the Noble Lord might be, and however full crowns. Time charges made by the Vice Court of l consideration. This was no forced construction, it ' and complete, be trusted, they might appear to the Admiralty reduced the nett proceeds to 1900. The was the only construction as it appeared to him which Vice Admiralty Court, he contended, had no right the facts could bear. The ground upon which he made.' necessary for him to trespass any considerable time House and the country. he did not think it would . be he to alter the table of fees, nor to make one for them- his motion was to preserve the dignity of the House , selves. In one instance when the cargoes were taken of Commons, and he would call upon them to con- , course he meant to pursue, to screen himself and hi s upon their attention. It was not his intention, by out of some small vessels condemned at Malta, which cider whether the appointment to which his motion could not cross the sea, the charges of the Vice Ad- 1 referred, was consistent with the dignity of the House, tion imposed upon them, and which, in the resell miralty Court amounteal to no leas a sum than 3767 with the honour of the Government, or With the re- colleagues from that responsibility which their shoat crowns. Captain Brenton made a strong remon- specs which is due to public opinion? It might be at- ' would allow, and he was anxious to be tinders: :trance on this occasion, and so desirous were they tributed to him, that he was seeking for popularity case, they west fully prepared to encounter. (He in the most distinct manner, not to have the affair taken up in England, that in upon this occasion—it would be for time House to priety or impropriety was attached Iw o tile adviceh consequence of this proceeding on his part, they de- decide, whether such a character could be attri- whatever praise or censure was consequent upon the ducted from the charge 3504 crowns, contenting buted to him with justice ? For his own part, he act, they were responsible for all, being as much tu. themselves with 468 crowns, four reals, and four should conclude, that if he had permitted such a cir. advisers, in fast, u they were ia law and "I"' that wlatever pre-