Star. — London, England, 1819-03-30 00:00:00

, • .S London, who wtre decidedly hostile to the Bill.- 1 They had net yet had time to express their senti-1 ments, but he knew that as soon as they should have • an.opportunity, upwards of fifty Petitions would'be sent up by them against the measure. He trusted that a Bill imposing a fresh Tax upon them would not be thus hurried on without affording them an ample opportunity of appealing to Parliament. The Bill had only been introduced last Thursday, and it was impossible for them to be acquainted with its contents. All they could yet know was, that its ob ject was to lay a new burthen upon them. A desultory conversation then took place on the propriety of postponing the second'reading, in which Sir WILLIAM CURTIS. Mr. GURNEY, Mr. Alderman WOOD, Mr. WILBERFORCE, Mr. GM:L6tIII9, Sir J. NEWPORT, Mr. LAstsrox, and Mr. liters, partici cipated. At its close, Sir WILLIAM DE CRESPIGNY moved, that the second reading be postponed to this day se'nnight The House then divided—For the Original Mo tion, B'2—For the Amendment, 34—Majority for the Second Reading, 48. The Bill was then read a second time. Mr. BENNET then stated that he had never seen an attempt that had more the appearance of smug . gling a Bill through the House. After a few words from Sir J. GRAHAM, Mr. S. WORTLEY, and Mr. LAMBTON, there being no ques tion before the House, the SPEAKER called to order, and the conversation dropped. ASSESSED TAXES. Sir WILLIAM DE CRESPIGNY complained that the Board of Taxes had thrown every kind of obstacle into the way of the inquiry of which he had given notice. He had moved on the 10th in stant for certain Papers relative to defaulters in the collection of the Assessed Taxes in the County of Kent, and those Papers which were in the possession of Government, and might have been produced im mediately, had not yet been laid before the House. He should therefore move that they should be laid forthwith on the table. Mr. LUSHINGTON stated, that from the mo ment the motion had been made, the Clerks of the BitArd of Taxes had been employed in making up the Returns. This very morning they were not completed. •It was therefore not the fault of the Board of Taxes, who were as anxious for an inquiry as the Honourable Baronet could be. In fact, he (Mr. Lushington) ha no doubt that when that Ho nourable Baronet should have read the Papers for which he had moved, he would entirely change the opinion he had entertained on the subject. Sir W. DE CRESPIGNEY thought that a suffi cient number of the documents were now ready for the object he had in view. Of this he was convinced, from having seen them. Mr. LUSHINGTON said, that one-tenth of the Returns moved for were not yet ready. Sir EDWARD KNATCHBULL said, he was ces6 fain that there was no just ground of complaint against the Commissioner or his Clerk, in the Kent District : they were men of strict integrity. The Papers were ordered to be produced forthwith. LONDON CLERGY. Mr. Alderman WATIT 11MAN presented a Peti tion from the Parish of St. Michael Ba%ishaw, against the London Clergy Bill. The Petitioners stated, that their small Parish only contained one hundred houses, and that the Rector had a stipend of 4:220 a-year, besides Surplice Fees—that he let his house for 60 per annum, had one living in Es sex, another in St. Sepulchre, London, and was Se nior Minor Canon of St. Paul's. Yet he was the Chairman of the Clergy, and had principally been active in setting them to work in their present appli cation for an increase of Income. He (Mr. Waith man) gave notice that, if this application of the Lon don Clergy were granted, he should move that the situation of the Clergy . of the whole Country be taken into consideration.. The Petition was then read, laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. Mr. Alderman WAITHMAN then presented a Petition against the same Bill from the Parish of St. Matthew Bridewell, and one from the Ward of Far ringdon Without, praying for au alteration in the Coal Duty.—Laid on the table. MR. WYNDHAM QUIN'. On Sir ROBERT WILSON'S motion, the Order of the Day for taking into consideration the matter of the complaint against Mr. Wyndham Quin, was read. Ile then moved that the said matter of cont. plaint he now mien into consideration. Mr, WY NDIIANI QUIN stated, that when he had last addressed the I louse, he had confined himself to the matter of the Poition of which he held a copy, and had declared that the charges of corruption brought against him were not founded in fact, and that he was not guilty of the practices laid te. his account. He had been accused of breaking up the emoluments of the odice of Clerk of t.:1;: Peace, in order to distribute them among persons whose influ ence would be at his command. It was true that he had put one charge upon that office. It was but one, and was for the benefit of young Grady himself. It was, therefore, hard that • that particular charge should be brought against him as a crime by the very person for whom it was intended. It had not . even originated with himself. It had been suggested to him by others, and he had adopted the suggestion with pleasure, because he wished well to young • Grady. When he had proposed the £2OO a year to Mr. T.W. Grady, however, it was without any stipu lation whatever, or any contract for his political sup port. It was Solely out of regard to him, and not in consequence of any claim founded on any promises which he had given. He was aware that an alleged promise formed no part of the charge against him ; but as it had been made to appear that if he had not made a promise, he had said something so near it as to lead Mr. T. W. Grady astray with respect. to his intentions, he trusted the House would allow him to say a few words.on the subject.—(hear, hear.)--He had never, never intended to lead young Mr. Grady astray. He had never said any thing which could bear that interpretation. He knew that when parts of sentences were, brought together they might be made to express what had never been intended. Even Mr. Grady, sen.'had attempted to put on him a state ment of a conversation which had taken place be tween them the day before, .which was entirely in correct. A letter which he had Written to Mr. Grady on that occasion would show that he had sever en deavoured to 'mislead either of those Gentlemen. It was in answer to one from Mr Grady, who stated that he had suddenlriv , en called from Dublin or LiverpooL He then read, a , letteia in.which, after stating that the pretended recapitulation of their pre vious conversation was incorrect, be added, " if you understood that what r said amounted to a promise of noe disturbing your son, yon are utterly mistaken. I neveirmade your son any promise to give him office or not to remove him. On the contrary, I told him that 1 might be obliged to remove him, and I have informed' Mr. Richard Smith, that if I have the power, I will appoint him Clerk of the• Peace. This I shall certainly do." Whatever the House might think of him on other subjects, he should feel still more hurt and galled at the idea that he had led any one astray. Mr. T.W. Grady had never dis. charged the duties of the office. He (Mr. Quin) had appointed one who would, and did discharge them, and who, therefore, now kept the situation. The pro posal had been communicated to young Grady with out au reservation whatever. At first he had not seemed inclined to accept it, but afterwards two Gentlemen had called ou him (Mr. Quin) and dis cussed the suliject in such a manner as to leave him with an impression that it was agreed to by all par ties. It was under such an impression that he had quitted the country. This was in the month of July, and as they had stated that young Grady conceived that he could not be removed, and, would be much embarrassed if the removal took place immediately, against his expectations, he (Mr. Qum) had postponed it, and suffered two months to elapse without making out the new appointment. In September he had re ceived a letter from Mr. Carew Smyth, entreating that he would call on him, as he (Mr. C.) entertained an expectation that he could shew that he (Mr. Quin) could not remove Mr. T. W.,Grady. The answer sent to this letter was, that he (Mr. Quin) should be happy to see Mr. C. Smyth, but that he should imme diately appoint. Mr. Richard Smith to the office of Clerk of the Peace. Mr. Carew Smyth had called on the 21st September, and after all had been discussed distinctly, had said something about political support. He (Mr. Quin) had then stated, that he hoped and expected Mr. Grady would continue to give him his support. He would, perhaps, have been a more pru dent man, had he never entertained or expressed such a hope ; but he had never thought of making it a condition ; neither had he conceived that the Peti tioner or any others could possibly take it in that point of view. Had his motives been corrupt he would have gone very differently to work. That, however, had laid the foundation for all the misre presentations which had since been circulated. For it had been assumed by the Petitioner, that he had stipulated for his political support, though he (Mr. Quir.) had repeatedly informed him that that was not the case. He (Mr. Quin) had been threatened with hostile treatment, and with lampoons and insults, which were to be showered upon him by Mr. Grady's father. Under such circumstances, could he (Mr. Q.) be considered as entirely a free agent ? He begged of the House to turn its attention to the intrinsic na ture of the evidence, and it would see how impossible it was that he should dream of stipulating for support from Mr. Grady, for Mr. Grady had scarcely any to give. He held no fee-simple ; his freeholders were registered on four farms, each of which was held under a different landlord, and on the life of an aged individual. One was his own property (Mr.Quin s). If he had divided the office in order to increase his influence, he would lace bestowed the £2OO a year on some individual whose interest would not have been so likely to melt away in a very few years.— Neither would he have so stipulated, when he alone held the power which could make such a stipulation effective. Mr. C. Smyth had asked leave to take mi nutes of the conversation that passed between them. He had done so, and the next day he (Mr. Q.) bad received and returned them, telling Mr. C. Smyth that he wished for no such compact. He had kept no copy of those minutes, and had refused to sign them. He had gone to the country a few days after, when the Petitioner had called on him. He then (Mr. Q.) had repeated in presence of Mr. Roche, whose evi dence proved the fact, that he did not want to stipu late for any political support, and bad refused to hold further conversation. Mr. Carew Smyth had come down subsequently, and a report had preceded him, stating that he was bringing an hostile message. He regretted the prevalence of such a report, and still mote so that Mr. Smyth bad not sent a person to him to state how he understood what had passed between them, as to such a person he would have no objection to explain every misunderstanding which might have taken place. He then contended, that in conversing with the friends and advisers of Mr. T. W. Grady, it was their object, and not his, to obtain a stipulation. They wished to gain from him a pledge that he never :could, on any occasion, take the £2OO a-year from Mr. Grady, junior. This he at first refused, and the Ho Ise had seen enough of that Gentleman's conduct to think him justified in pausing before he put him self in the power of so vindictive a man. In fact, the question had never been reduced to the narrow limits of one of votes, until it had been done by Mr. Gab bat, who urged, that though he (Mr. Quin) said that young Grady might vote as he pleased, yet a different construction might afterwards be given to the affair. It was then that he (Mr. Quin) had con sented to bind himself not to deprive Mr. T. W. Grady of the £2OO a-year, whatever vote he might give. When he had thus completely shewn to the world that he left the petitioner entirely free, it was l hard that he should be charged with having acted corruptly. It had, been alledged, that the impliec: political support formed the chief, if not the sole ols• stasle to the arrangement; but when that questioa had been set at rust, what motives could induce Mr. Grady, junior, to refuse it? The House were aware of the threat of the Petitioner's father, that if he were , I not bought off by the restoration of his son to office, he would bring the sulaject before Parliament, and had been encouraged to do so by a large body of the Opposition—!Hear, hear, hear.) He (Mr. Q.) only despised such a threat, which was rendered ten times more contemptible by the calumnious insinuation which it conveyed. He should not say that his. defy ing Mr. Grady to bring on his charges was a proof of his innocence, but surely it was at least a strong presumption in his favour ; for if he had not felt conai scious of innocence, would he have brought himself before the House, wl)ere be must be convicted, if . • with Mr. whilst he had the power of comphlng Mr. Grady's demand, and rewring soo had not done it, because hi felt himseN innocent—. J He had disdained the ignominious safety offered him, and had preferred throwing himself upon the e now only repeat, that he did not feel him self ' judgment of the House—Wear, hear.) H go sh il e ty t the charges of corruption brought against him. If it , wrong, let it be deemed an error , appeared to the House that he had of judgment, for bad not wilfully intended to act improperly, Some might think that it was unjust to put any charge on e ft n h g e the office: he only begged of them to rece:lect in what situation he had been placed. Having offere d these explanations, he would leave the ca-y to t... i fair consideration, and to the candid and impartial judgment of the House, and would say no more.— The Honourable Member was loudly cheered at the close of his speech. He then bowed to the Spcaker and to both sides of the House, and retired. Sir ROBERT WILSON hoped that the favour which had been shewn when he first brought this subject forward, and which had been cont.nued through the whole of the examinations which had followed, would not now be withdrawn from him when he was about to enter upon the last most pain ful, and most difficult part of his task. In doing this he disclaimed ;J1 political animosity towards the I lo nourable Member whose case was before the Ilouse; and if to have no vindictive feelings to gratify, no personal considerations to influence his conduct, could entitle a person placed in his situation to say his motives were honest, such, he had a right to say, were his. Hitherto he had appeared as the advocate of the Petitioner, but now it was his painful duty to stand forward as the public accuser, responsible for the opinions he might express, and the infezences which he might feel warranted in drawing from the evidence which had been given at their Bar. As in the inquiry which had taken place, he had °lily sought to arrive at the truth, so in the present stage of the business,' he trusted the House would sec that in summing up it was not his object to disguise the facts, or in any way to mislead the judgment ofthose who were now to decide on this important question. The Honourable Member who was the subject of the charge which he had to prefer had withdrawn, to await their decision. That he should do so, might be perfectly proper ; and since he was no longer pre sent, it would be his cat e to comment on no part of the evidence to which he had not already had an op portunity of giving a reply. The charge preferred against the Honourable Member (Mr. W. Quin) went to impute to him, that he had been engaged in mak ing a corrupt bargain, in order to securethe influence of the Petitioner at the ensuing election, thereby tak ing a course inconsistent with his duty as Custos Ro tulorum, in breach of the privileges of that House, and in violation of the Statute Law of the land. He should, in what he had to say, confine himself to the evidence immediately bearing on the act charged; against the Honourable Member; for though justice required that he should not shrink from the perform ance of his duty to spare individual feelings, it did not require that he should inflict an unnecessary wound. He then proceeded to state the case, such as it had been detailed by the Petitioner, and such as it has been repeatedly given to the Public in THE STAR. From this it appeared that the Petitioner, after holding the situation of Clerk of the Peace for fifteen years, had been dismissed from it in 1818 by Mr. W. Quin, the office being then given to a Mr. Richard Smith ; but it was proposed by the former that £2OO per annum should be deducted from its etnnhussents, and paid to Mr. Grady, on condition that he should support Mr. Quin with his interest in the County. This offer was rejected by the Petitio ner. He next went over to the evidence of Mr. Ca rew Smyth, which corroborated the statement of the Petitioner with respect to the offer made by Mr. W. Quin, and the rejection of it by Mr. Grady. Ile par ticularly dwelt on that part of the evidence which set forth a conversation between Mr. Carew Smyth and Mr. Wyndham Quin on this subject,. which had been reduced to writing by the former, which rsi-. nute, with some little alteration, had been approved as correct by the latt.T. A letter addressed to Mr. Goold, stating it to be never y that some provision should be made for the continuance of Mr. Grady's annuity, in the event of Mr. Quirts decease, the Ho nourablo-Member commented on, as one that, from the language it contained, could not have been re ceived by the party it was addressed to, without calling forth a refutation of the serious and criminal charge there implied, had the party been guiltless.— The postscript of the letter, in which Mr. Grady, sen. threatened to make the conduct of the Honourable Gentleman the subject of Parliamentary Inquin, which he had " the means of doing through Sir Ro bert Wilson," required some explanation. niough as he (Sir Robert Wilson) had stated on a former oc, casion, he knew nothing of the parties, or of the peti tion, till a few days before the latter was put into his hands to present to that House, yet, from the peti tioner being connected with persons who were their common friends, he might be justified in supposing that he (Sir Robert Wilson) would bring the subject forward. The conduct of Mr. C. Smyth while under examination he described to have been in every re spect most praiseworthy. Though severely cross examined, he had steadily maintained all he had ad vanced. No one had been able to shake him in the slightest degree. He seemed to stand on the rock of truth, and every effort to move him had served but to fix him more securely there. He owed it to him self to say, that he could not approve of the advice which Mr. p. Smyth had thought himself justified in giving, but; be was aware that there were many cir cumstances to be urged in extenuation of his conduct. He next proceeded to notice the evidence given by Mr. Goold. Considering it essential to the ends of , justice that all persons should be heard at the liar efl that House who could throw any light on the trans- I action which was the subject of the present charge ; l u d o b o e ld deprived he had d cawed of tlre Lim benefit of and considering that it was un f a i r t h at t h e Honour tbabeleteGattoenmyaonf should to be as Tb o a n t e ( ol en t t h ie e m m a i t t i n , summonedpetitioner. eh ow ever, h e w p b a e part before the the House, was so much agitated in his mina, an d i n I cae uen, as it should - seem, was unfortuna:ely I visit with such a total failure of his recollection, a appeared bo t e o v e r r e n e w hat abl e h a t o d r n e e c v o e u r e h r a t p b p e e t i n i e g d . and lie had not only fo rgo tt en w h at did occur, b ut had o r n t. bee n r pre ,sent at a conversation in which the condition attached by Mr. Quin to the proposed grant had been made a i sistew pop, Aftergiving the subje c t th e utmost I atteAtlol . 4 Ilse WAS of opinion that that. Gentlynuas evidence ought to be erased and excl...kS from the consideration of this case. I/ at W 012,1 a. * thin he had a right to require f:rat eviden ce 4 1 rejected, which, by his cArit conftmsion, a Tt e . statements of others, had been pro ve d to k w qtz, neous and so unfoundeJ. lie brkfly sunnedue"*.,l evidence given by the witnesses who had f 0 r,.." Mr. Goold. To him (Sir Robert Wilson) from all the evidence, that till the lOthia ct ,47' :loin had never trina .fidt t cieased Mr. G ra d e i, the condition which he had fi rst annexed to 6, - posed annuity. Whether cr not he did it Eter,-; be a matter of doubt; but as it was a matte (If dv he was disposed to give it in favour cf the llr t able Gentleman. lie wished he coold avoid , conclusion to which regard fo r t h e h,• crn -- House, the interests of the community, a2d thee. of justice obliged him to conic, namely. :hr. i ll ,. duct of the ll..mourable Gentlem an had beer, sistcnt with his duty as Custos Ito•xl ortim , 411 time of the freedom of election. and a breach s i privileges of that House. It was not for lima te out the steps which the House ought to take to dicate its character in a case like the preicnt, inexri-r:ence would, he hoped, plead his mute shotild be thought he did not go so far as le, to go, and he trusted it would not :r p e. , r shrunk from the performance of hi s duty, painful tha duty uTight bz. Ile conclil 7 .L ing the following Resolutions : That it appearTto this House that the rons-..z1,1, (bin was, in July 1818, appointed (\twos County of Limerick by flit Lord lieutenant ef tue f which ofliet he was empowered to annint • c the Peace for the said County. " That some time in the month of .S.Tteinher, th.l • \V. Quin appointedllichard Stri:h to be Cirtk tho r:ioin ut T. IV. GraLty, who was retiviscd by h.: " That :he said W. W. Quit) did stipulate with lid P. that out of th-• ttnoluments arising from the ufsct nt C the i l tt3Ce, ;mounting in the whale to AW pi- astr. yearly sum of .{.:X9 should be paid to the said T. 'S. (in Several Resolutions succeeded, which mereli to decline the other facts of the case as alleged a the ilono;trable Member, and closed as fullow " That it appear. to :his 110 uh,.• th;:t the c , ;;Nket of t! W. W. Quin was incon,istent w;:h his duty as Cr.str• 1 rutn of the Cutt:ity, in 'violation cf eke rie:t Llection, and a breach of the Priciit•i• s cf this nom Mr. BOOTLE WILBRAHAM appladt manner in which tl:e Honourable Gutlenun brought this subject forward, but diared frot. in the view which he took of the evidence, ead more as to the Resolutions which he had sabr to the House. He was perfectly unacquainted the Hon. Member who was the subject cf thr tion, and his so;c reason for standing forwan an anxious wish that the House, in its de ire right, and correct. abuses, should not do wre visitin ,, indiscretion with too pouch severity. Gentlemen were inclined to believe the How): Member :Mr. Quin) the victim of a conspirz: this was not his opinion. Ile had such eonfil the honour of Mr. Carew Smyth, that he con believe that that Gentleman would have lent hi to the views of the Gradys, if such had realh the character of their proceedings. For Mr.. he would say a little. It should be remembered he was a man of great abilities and high honour. appeared that he had been 28 years at the Irish and if he mistook not, 13 years at the head Munster Circuits. The last circumstance proved high estimation in which he had been held, was hard that the charac te r of such a nia3 be blasted because his memory had failed him point, which, after all, was not oue of great ance. He wished the different situations in that Gentleman and Mr. C. Smyth stood Lobe dered. The latter was the near relation of the tioner, anxious for his success, and liLc y to ju , all that might forward his views, and to renanni it. The former, who was only the legal advi one of the parties, might not be so deeply ion:, me circumstances which fixed themselves memory of Mr. C. Smyth, as that Gentleman been. On reading the evidence without an) either way, as he had done, he felt much co4l There was not enough to acquit on the one ' nor to convict on the other. In all legal cases a doubt existed, that doubt was given in favour the accused. Ile would only ask for Mr. Qui, he should not be dealt wi:h more harshly there he would be any where else, and he hoped the' would pause before they came to a decision, so in its consequences, that it would not only him here, but would sink him below his present in society. A diffeience of opinion existed whether the office of Custos Rotulorum sv prohibited by law from interfrting with electit Ile knew not whether it was so or not. Tht was one of difficulty ; but the Resolutions 124 presently to propose would, he hoped, meet tho of all parties. lie wished it to be observed, the House proceeded in the present instance t( nish the Honottralde Gentleman, they would him not for an act committed, but ibr an tended to be committed ; and between the two he must remark there was a very material diffe He would admit that there might be, fora ton an inteation.on his part to do that of which accused, when Mr. C. Smyth came to make Fain with him (he hoped he might be allowed this), but for this it would be hard to visit the severe displeasure of the 1101.12. He CC;i ,t, to move, after the third Resolution, that the fol . ing be adopted:• " That in the month of July, IR ltt, it appeared that Q:1111 did offer to T. W. Grady au aunuity of out ernoltimenti et the o:fice of Gicrh of the Peace for the Co., Limerick, without declaring that he ihould expect from t W. Grady any political support, nor does it appear motive was to secure such political support." " That in the month of September, ins, the said W• 11 .• did admit to %lr. C. Smyth, iu au interview sought by the that he expected the piratical support of the said T. W. ' in conNiekration of his reciiving the A7aNiper annum; but 10th of October, he disclaimed any intention of deprivii of the said allowance in the event of his Withdrawing tical support." 0 That this Hour cannot but consider the int ention to suit the act specified highly improper, and Lich at i i p ersers in, instead of being disclaimed, would have n:e:itcd its be censure." The SPEAKER said, the House mist be that these Resolutions, as they were to. follow. 0 : Resolution, could not be put, till the three t:A solutions had been in some way dispoted 4 . Mr. F. DOUGLAS felt himself compelled to for the resolutions uf his gallant Friend near lii The House could not but remember that the cb f in the first insulla, hid been most clearly 80 f s .ral id !?*lt r, 11 4 ftrai t dr* id 4 lit, te t, .e r. 1.111: ,n,t4 f c . •CLiG P. L;rsty." ely I agist f :he r• :des ::an I rcm h; nd uhmi s. tett trgl the it) :Lad eat re o 7re:7 br nourthle but iielce °old nit himself illy bees 7. Gcdd :red that roar. It rish Bar, d of the loved the !, and it , should Um on import- -3 which be consi- the Peti. attend to :member dviser of r.p: essel es in the Lill had my bias :onfuged. le haqd, es where avour of loin that ere that le }louse , so fatal y irjure Lot level d as to Was Or.e ttuni he Ea he viral that to pu- -1 ism,ish o actts- wo case; frerenct arthight, lie e a bar- d to Sat ijul : t w. ~ nut of tat co._ut a cm the . ad g hi, the 'ar.e. V. Grad!. tor altb' firing hire his P ci. I to cell' erserc,d • bacrc....; ar3re the RC - P) SS' : hirer char; td C. • tine