Star. — London, England, 1811-02-22 00:00:00

,~.- ~~~'; ,~y , ;t ROCEADINGS. INS, FEB SI. A Person brOughi . hi Returns from the Mint of all the Gold imported fora certain period, distinguishing Bullion from Foreign Coin, agreeable to the order of the House, which were ordered to be laid on the Table 711/41 to be printed. The CHANCELLOR. of the EXCHEQUER fixed his motion for the better regulating the priority of Notices to Orders on cer tain days, and the psecedenee .f Orders before Notices, on other days, for the more convenient dispatch of business, for Tues day next. He statcil k that the proposed regulations should not Interfere with the right of making a notion without any notice. Mr. WHITBRKAI) moved for the production of certain Minutes of the Exchequer, respecting certain removals, in con sequence of the Report of the Exchequer Bills Committee. — Ordered. Mr. LUSHINGTON brought up the Report of the Committee of Supply, when the several Resolutions were read and agreed to. Leave was given to bring in a Bill to enable the Kent Water. Works Company to improve their works. Qn the motion of Mr. CREEVY, a great variety of papers, rioting to the Affairs df the East India Lompany, were ordered to be laid before the House. Mr. W. W YN NE stated tt to be his intention, to bring forward the Motions of which he gave notice on Monday, to.morrow. Mr. LOC K HART brought iu the Commercial Dock Bill, which was read a first, and ordered to be read a second time. Lord pALMERSTONg gave notice, that he would, to-mor row se'nnight, move for taking the Army Estimates into further conoldeistion • WEAVERS. On the motion of Mr. ROSE, the Acts of the 90th and 32d °I the King, relating to the disputes between Weavers and their Masters, were read. 'llse Right Hon. Gentleman then obtained leave to bring in a Bill to amend these Acts Hums CONVENTION BILL. Mr. WARD wished to know whether the papers already before the House on the subject of the Convention Bill, were all that were necessary to comprehend the proceedings lately adopted in that country. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, be be lieved that they comprehended all that could with propriety be distlosed, but he certainly had no objection to grant other..., if they were necessary, and could be furnlihtd without detriment to the State. Mr. WARD observed, that he should move for some further papers on the subject to-morrow, previous to his moving for the tepeel of the Bill. PAYMASTERS OF WIDOWS PENSIONS. Mr. HENRY MARLIN asked if the 4alary of the Paymasters of Widows Pensions had been increased; if so, in what propor tion, and Whether the increase had been in consequence of the re commendation of the Board of Admiralty r Mr. WARD replied, that the Salaries bad been increased. He could not say iti what proportion; and the increase was not in consequence of a recommendation front the Board, but of a Me ninrial front the Paymasters, setting forth the great Increase of business. COLVILLE, THE PRISONER IN coLDBATH-PIELDS. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, pursuant to notice, moved (or the appointment of a Secret Committee to in spire Into the circumstances which lad to the detention of Colville, now a prisoner in the Horse of Correction, Coldbath- Fields. Lord FOLKSTONE thought that the inquiry should not be confined to the detention only, but should extend to the cir cumstances which led to the capture ; if what had been rumoured ° i ~~ t Tr - .., . • hands of proper trustees. HE concluded by sa r , the motion of Sir John Anstruther, of having the for two years instead of severs. Mr. HORNER stated, that from all the intelli gence which he could collect. there prevailed a strong opinion throughout all Scotland, that amendments on their Laws of Debtor and Creditor were Aso; lilt+ necessary for the prosperity of commerce and the insurance of industry. He deemed it much owl expedient, till proper amendments were furnished, to continue the present law from year to year. but as it; then was he would support the Amendment proposed by his Hon. Friend Sir J. Anstruther. The LORD ADVOCATE of SCOTLAND ac. quiesced in the amendment proposed. Mr. HORNER said, he was glad to find that the Noble Lord had given up his original motion. He was assuredly of opinion, that the Lord Advocate of ' Scotland ought to have proposed amendments on the laws of his country, which even he himself had al lowed to be wanting ; and he was convinced that the courtesy of the House would have deemed them so useful as not to oppose them. The LORD ADVOCATE of SCOTLAND said that the Hon. Member had assumed a lofty tone,'and said he considered it as his (the Lord Advocate's) duty to propose and get amendments ratified. He could pot see where the Bankrupt Law of Scotland was any way deficient in fulfilling its purposes. It was certainly much superior to the Bankrupt Law of England. They had observed both the excellen cies and defects of the English Bankrupt Law in the formation of the Scottish, and had profited by the knowledge, as a candid comparison would convince any person who had the resolution to examine them. There had been no murmur in Scotland, nor coin : plaint ; nor was Scotland reduced to the necessity of accepting tiv Hon. Gentleman's comparison or aid. —He had been more recently in Scotland than the Hon.*Genticman, and had better opportunities of knowing the opinions of the people. He had heard none of those murmurs nor discontents urged on by , the ingenious Gentleman ; and since no proper sys tem of permanent establishment had been produced. he would continue in the present opinion he entertai ned of the goodness of the Law, until he saw a bet ter produced. Mr. HORNER observed, that it was not on the opinions of the Scottish people that they were argu ing; but certainly had the Lord Advocate properly observed the opinion of the Commercial Company of Glasgow, he would not have asserted that the Scots did not murmur. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER could not see any ground the Honourable Gentle man could have for the accusation which he had brought against the Lord Advocate of Scotland, for the Honourable Gentleman believed they differed in - - re•pecting his capture was true, it would be a disgrace to the rm. I --- 1 ---- tional character. point of law when they differed in point of fact.— The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that the ori- (A l aug h.) ginal complaint was not only on account of tli manner in which Mr. ABERCROMBY said that he wished to call this man had been taken, hut also the mode of his treatment since ~,,, bis imprisonnwpt. Hr was however glad to find that the charge Ls. the Lord Advocate's recollection what opinion he of bad treatment was now altegether abandoned. The taking, was of when the Bill was produced. When the No bewever, ought not to be censured in such unqualified terms, till ble Lord brought forward the Bill s he wished it only it w as known whether this person had been taken as an open as a temporary law ; for he stated it -would need im enemy or as a spy. The Nuble Lord would be able to satisfy - of improvement when the Bill was to be continued ; rovement. He came aftewaids with the s am e bloom', a s he iute...ded to propose that the Noble Lord should tale be one of the Committee. Mr. YORKE said, that having himself seen Lord George and has again come to the House with a like conies- St ewart, he wa n el ,ZblCli to contradict the state= et that had gone sion, that it needs amendment. The charge of his abroad, of WI having invited Colville to dinner. The Noble Lord Honourable Friend was extremely just, unless greater liqwever, (Folkstonr) would Dave an opportunity of examining . . before the Secret Committee. explanation took place which could overthrow it.— _Tee Motion was then agreed to, and the Secret Committee He would wish to be distinctly understood when he stands thus i—mr. Robert Dundas, Sir Francis Burdett, Mr. stated that the Lord Advocate, not having followed Clarks Long, Mr. Williams Wynne, Mr.Willsrrforce, Mr.l.el- u p I • o h's p romises of amendment on the Ban kr up t cuter, sir Arthur Pigott, Lord Folkston *, Mt. Bonner , Mr. Law, had certainly not complet el y fulfilled his duty GForge Ellis, and Mr. Lambe. SCOTTISH CREDITORe BILL. to Scotland. -On the motion of the LORD ADVOC ATE of Mr. ADAM wished that the L ord Advocate of SCOTLAND, the Hotse resolved itself int o a Com. Scotland would turn his whole mind to that im p or. !nit* on the Scottish Creditors' Bill. tint subject. ,Mr. itAgg.cßomßY co m plained, that for the The Amendment was agreed to ; and the House last SO years, though alterations and amendments having resumed, the Report was ordered to be recei were absolutely necessary in the Bankrupt Law of ved to morrow. Scotland, no such thing had been attempted by the THE PRINCZ REGENI'S HOUSEHOLD. Ministry, though such had been moved Sty Members The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER of the House. He said, that the whole business which' rose tor the purpose of adverting to a former notice he had given eespecting the Household to be proviel decided between debtor and creditor hung on a tern ed for his Royal Highness the Prince Regent. It porary Bill, and he could wish to see those claims, might be recollected, that in the course of the discus which insured public and individual property secured on a more permanent basis. He wished to know for sions on the Regency Bill, he had alluded to the course which, in his opinion, would be most eligible what length of time the Noble Lord would propose to continue those Law; longer in the present state ? for the House to pursue in the establishment of the The LORD ADVOCATE of SCOTLAND Regent's Household. He had accordingly been pre answered, that it had been dee med expedient, on a paring to submit a plan which , b y the tem p orar y re., due consideration of the whole, to propose to conti- duction of the office of Chamberlain, would enable, out them in their present state for seven years longer. the Country to provide and maintain such an estab. . lishment, at the low rate of 12 or £15,000. When JOHN ANSTRUTHZR said, that the Bank rapt Law of Scotlan d had been on consideration of his Royal Highness was pleased to signify his deter amendment by the M i n isters for these serentren urination of continuing in the service of th e C rown the persons then carrying on the Government , he (Mr. years past, and during a ll that _p eriod little had been Perceval) felt that it became his duty t o la y the p lan d o ne worthy of noticing. T he ob j ections.wh i ehhad of an Household before the Regent; but upon an an• been formerly made to the Bill were all very Sound, and be could wish to see most material amendments dience with his Royal Highness, he learned that his al Highness remained fixed in a perfect tha t h i Made en a subject of such national interest ; and he ROI concluded by moving, That it should only be con - nation of adhering to his former sentiments upon that subject. For the nature of those sentiments his Royal tinged fur two years, instead of seven , in its present =fate. -.• .. Highness was pleased to refer hie) to a Learned and r. mr. DUNDAS said, that the present proposi- Honourable Friend of his opposite (Mr. Adam). - 1 M went no farther to bind th e H ouse than for thel By him he had been informed, that from the moment lion i that he (Mr. Pereeval) had Fret communicated his present year ; and that if su ch material amendments I intention respecting the course meant to be pursued were deemed so necessary, there would be abundance of leisure to bring them forward by the next Session I by him respecting the Household, his Royal High-' of Parliament. tress had communicated to that Learned Gentleman Sir J. ANSTRUTHER said; he coMpletely dis. his determination not to add to the burdens of the to his public tented frcni the resolution of prolong,* them in their people by accepting of any addition Pi as Regent of the United Kingdom (Hear, hear.) present state seven years moreo.,nd deat.he would op pose it with all his power. .• . He felt' satisfied that neither that House nor the pub. i lic would hare felt any indisposition in contributing The LORD ADVOCATE of SCOTLAND to the ex pence of the due support of the state and said, he had considered every measure , which had Wen originally followed, and had maturely weighed dignity of the Prince Regent (Hear.) At. the same altwhich had been urged on the necessity of amend - time, the country would not be backward in duly Royal Highness could acknowledging this instance of self-denial on the part ing the Bill, and the result was; that be could not conceive how that law was liable to greater objections( of the Prince (hear), and his t han any other law. In 1792, the B ill had been brought I not fail to find that such refusal will, in point of fact, 1 splendour than could be borrowed from any pageantry, forward and was then only considered as a temporary throw reund his 'character and station more real i however brilliant (He.tr, hear, hear): that external measure, and was received in Scotland with no great regard. Though amendments might be necessary, they were bar trivial , and could be brought on in the i magnificenee, calculated to dazzle the vulgar gaze, next Session of Parliament. For his owl) part, he and catch the giddy admiration of the populace, th e (a general thought it proper that the present law should be re- ' Prince did not hesitate to sacrifice to those solid good newed for - seven years. 1 qualities which have long since won, and promise to Mr. ABERCROMBY wished to , know, what run - secure to him, the affections of the people fives could have induceel the Lord Advocate to with- cry of Hear, hear.) Having stated these circumstan. hold the rnaking permanent that law which teas ° ces to the House, it was of course scarcely necessary bf such use to Scotland ? lie was sure, that if the Bill ; for him to add that it was not now his intention to had been urged leefore, it would have succeeded, its submit to them any such plan ; and he had now only chief object hein to secure the debtors' money is the .-t t o 94 urn the Ltarnedcrepskaaj; to w ho m be hid Thimmummon. II I 111 II I I II 7 • . . es • • ?ARLMMRW ART PROC.& HOUSE OP COMMONS, FE] ~ . i r t , . . • ' • ' $ i I • .. i 1 I 1 . t • • P • I * '. ~. 1 4 i } ,5 ' 41 . , ~..: 41 , 14 . ite such part sk the eilloott his knowledge enabled him to say was 10111111 rate, to correct any mis-statsmehts into which he might hive inadvertently fallen. Mr. ADAM accordingly rose and confirmed the statement of the Right Honourable Gentleman, which be pronounced to be so accurate as to relieve him from troubling the House with more than his confir mation of it. He said, that previous to the day on which the Right Honourable Gentleman moved his motion in that House, his Royal Highness had deli vered into his hands, copies of the letters from that Right Honourable Gentleman to the Prince, and of the Prince's answer, accompanied with written in structions to him (Mr. Adam) requiring him, in case any thing should be stated relative to the establish ment of an additional household to the Prince, to state on behalf of the Prince, that it was his Royal Highness's wish to discharge the duties of a tempo / rary Regency without adding unnecessarily to the burthens of the people—and that he must, therefore, decline the intended establishment ; such he knew to have been his Royal Highness's determination in the question of a temporary Regency. In case, how ever, of such circumstances occurring as might lead to a permanent Regency, he conceived that the ques tion would then be open anew to the consideration of his Royal Highness. He added, that he had had long opportunity of becoming minutely acquainted with the views and intentions of his Royal Highness respecting his domestic economy, and that his deter mination in this particular instance, was but confor m mable to the principles which had governed his Royal Highness's conduct ; it was not then a time to go into a detail of such circumstances, but whenever the opportunity should come, he would be enabled to give the House the most satisfactory information on this bead. INDIA PAPERS. Mr. CREEVEY rose to make the motion of which he had given notice. He said he had, in the course of last Session, brought forward some motions relative to the conduct of Sir George Barlow, in the affair of the disturbances of the Madras army ; and from cir cumstances which had since transpired, and the sub sequent proceedings of the East India Company in restoring Colonel Holmes to the situation from which he had been dismissed by Sir George Barlow, some further documents would be necessary ; and besides those he should move for to-night, he should reserve to himself a right, at some future time, to call for such papers as may be necessary to elucidate the cases of Colonel John Bell, Major Storey, and Colonel Compton, all Officers in the Madras army. Besides the papers relative to this most important transaction he felt it his duty to move for other papers relative to an extraordinary trial which had taken place in the Court there, the particulars of which he would shortly state. There had some years ago been established at Madras, a fund for discharging the claims made on the Nabobs.of Arcot, which fund was to consist *of five millions. No sooner was it set on foot, than claims were very soon put in to the amount of thirtymillions, many of which were downright forgeries. Among these, a person of the name of Reddy Row was con victed of the forgery of a bond to a verylargeamount, and also of a cheat and conspiracy as to another bond. That, in the course of investigatinK this business, Sir George Barlow actually identified himself with Reddy Row ; and to screen him from the prosecution, wrote a letter to three Gentlemen, high in the Council, say ing, that if they took any part against Reddy Row, they would incur the severest censure of the Gover nor. He ordered also that the expences of the trials against Reddy Row should be defrayed out of the fund of five millions set apart expressly to discharge the just claims of the Nabob's Lona fide creditors.— And, notwithstanding the verdicts of two juries, com posed of Englishmen of character and respectability acting on oath, who found Reddy Row guilty of the crimes imputed to him, he evinced what was the se verest censure of the Governor on those who did their duty, by removing Mr. Roebuck, an old and infirm man, from the situation he held at Madras, five hun dred miles from thence to a most unit holesome place, and where he died in consequence, and where his emoluments were not half what he enjoyed at Madras. He next removed Mr. Metcalfe (or Maitland), the magistrate who committed Reddy Row ; and a third ; he sent to England without any notice. Sir George Barlow had also insisted that, notwithstanding t he bond had been declared by a respectable Jury to be a forgery, the Commissioners had nevertheless a right to pay the money out of the fund. That through the representations of Sir Thomas Strange, th: Chief Ju stice of Madras, Reddy Row had obtained a pardon in England ; but before it arrived in India, he had saved his friends all further occasion to trouble them selves on his behalf, by administering to himself a dose of poison. If by the papers moved for he was borne out to any thing like theextentstated, be should, in the course of the Session, move for the recal of Sir George Barlow. He concluded by moving for copies of the correspondence between Sir George Barlow ' and the Council relative to Reddy Row. Mr. C. GRANT said he did not rise to oppose the motion, but only to observe, t 4 tt he had never heard a more aggravated or exaggerated statement than that . just made by the Hon. Gentleman. The public 'lliad long known that the debts of the Nabobs of Ar cot had been a source of corruption for upwards of -50 years. Mr. Maitland, the Justice of Peace, did F not do his duty as a Magistrate, and therefore ought '•to be removed ; and he believed in the course of the whole transaction the Government of Madras had no j other object but to promote public justice. The his- I tory of Reddy Row was this : —Amon g many of the claims brought against the fund was one of a consi derable sum by a man of some consequence in his own country, and of great intrigue and knavery, call ed Copich Bramilly, who was prosecuted for forging i the bond on which he founded his claim trived ; this man, 1 by means of his agents an d creatures, con' s ' set op a counter-prosecution against Rtddy Row, who had long been a faithful servaat of Covet nment ; and it was to protect him against this prosecution that Sir George Barlow had ordere d those measures to be pur sued which had taken place. With respect to the removal of Mr. Roebuck, there were reAsons for it which Sir George Barlow conceived sufficient ; but so far from his being sent to an unwholesome place, it was acknowledged to be one of the most salubrious climates in that part of our sett l e ments. The bond for which Reddy Row was prosecut ed had received no elucida tion in the course of the tr ial. Whether he fe couldll by biS on ba44s or by the course of oatute, he .. . rant not tell, but CopichCopich l3 y Mi. also nude a tuddeo fait, and it might be that poison was as fairly to be *prbated to him as to the other. If the last Session !bad continued a little longer all the papers would have been before the House. He hoped they would 1 speedily be so, and very seem after investigated ; and though doubtless many private interests , passions, and prejudices would therein be displayed, yet he was convinced the more they were investigated the more clearly the public would see that the Government of Madras had acted for the furtherance of public Jus. tice alone. With regard to Sir George Barlow, whose recal the Hon. Gentleman had intimated he would hereafter move for, he could say, that he had long been an attentive observer of his conduct, from the whole of which, during many years arduous service, he was convinced that Sir George Barlow, had most eminently discharged the important duties reposed a t him, and was entitled to the high approbation of his country. All he now wished was a suspensioa of opinion till the papers were before the House. Lord FOLKSTONE agreed with tAe last speaken that the matter ought to be investigated thoroughly, ) and without prejudice, and he would have said *aching at present had it not been for one or two inaccuracies into which the Hon. Gentleman had fallen. With regard to Roebuck, was it consistent with the stale. glum the Hon. Gentleman had pronounced upon Sir G. Barlow, to admit that this Governor had removed an old sickly man from his connections and comforts without communicating any reason to the public, or even to Roebuck himself, though humbly and ear. neatly petitioned to do so ? Was it the part of a clear. sighted Governor, to support Reddy Row after the convictions for perjury, forgery and conspiracy ? 'With regard to the military transactions in India, the Honourable Gentleman had given great credit .0 Sir G. Barlow. That he had conducted himself with great coolness and courage, and suppressed this un fortunate rebellion, the No ble Lord admitted ; but then it was a rebellion of his own making. No one who observed the repeated acts of his government towards the army, would wonder that the agitation bad taken place, though he certainly did not justify this insurrection. He was not prepared, therefore, to admit the claim of Sir George Barlow to the character of a great Statesman. But lie hoped Gentlemen would thoroughly apply themselves to the investigation of this subject, and that the canvass and solicitations. usual on Indian questions would not be necessary is the present instance. Mr. WALLACE approved of the entire of Sit George Barlow's conduct, in the difficult situation in which he was placed. He must, however, except from his approval certain particular parts.—(Hear, hear. and a laugh.)—He must except Colonel Cap per's dismissal, (Hear), and some other things. But the army were inflamed by the conduct of General Macdowal, and it was to that inflammation that so much of the evil was to be traced. The prosecution against Copich Bramilly Ives stopped by bis death, and the other ones were stopped by the threatened disturbances of the times. , Sir THOMAS TURTON said, that India, which seemed to some persons a jewel of the Crown, seemed to him a dead weitht. India had been gained by our Icrimes, held by our injustice, and would he lost by our folly. He had studied India affairs, though when- I ever he addressed the House upon the subject he had I the misfortune to do It in a thin House. ILord ARCHIBALD HAMILTON said, that as far as the papers enabled him to judge. this was a case worthy the attention of the House. As to what had been said respecting the prejudgment of the cause of Sir George . Barlow, it was the worst argument that could be adduced in favour of a man who had pre judged so many others, and had sent them to banish. ment without notice or trial.—(Hear, hear).—ae deemed the intemperate conduct of Sir George Bar low to be in a great measure the occasion of the dis turbances in the army ;of this assertion his.own dig. 1 patches bore testimony. There had long existed a rule, that no servant of the East India Company should be dismissed from either a civil or military si tuation, without the cause of his offence being stated, and an opportunity given to defend himself; this rule had been Frossly violated. He also stated, that after the trials had taken place, an application was made for permission to print them ; this was answered with the usual observation, " it is not expedient . " — When he observed a disposition here not to enquire into the affairs of India, and when he considered the acts of tyranny which were practised in that country, he thought it to be his duty to exact the attention of the House. Mr. ROBERT DUNDAS said, that in his opi nion it would have been much better, had the Hon. Gentleman who made the motion, abstained from en tering upon the discussion of any of the topics con nected with it, at a time when the House were not in possession of any knowledge upon the subject, and were therefore unable to form any judgment upon it,. Such a conduct was not fair to the absent individuals whose names had been mentioned, and whose causes mere dies prejudged ; neither was it fair to the Hoiaa He would merely advert to one or two points which bad been touched on that evening. The m entfaa a General M'Dowal's conduct had been blame.l ; but he would ask those Gentlemen who deprecated the introduction of General M'Dowal's name, haw it was possible to advert to the cause of the Inds in dacon tents,. w i t hout naming him ? He spoke in prase of Sir Thomas Strange, the Chief Justice, and of his -conduct in the trials which had been mentioned this night. That Judge had charged the Jury to acquit. which they did not think proper to do; and he trans mitted the reasons of his opinion. not appealing to his Majesty's mercy, but to his Majesty's justice. How was it possible not to listen to the recommendation of such a Judge, under all the circumstances of the case, when a Jury, whase respectability had been extolled, had been one or two days incapable of acting from intoxication? With respect to a statement lately made in the House by the Honourable Gertleman (Mr. Creevey) of the manner in which a grant to the East India Company had been passed through the House, he would take that opportunity of answering it. He said that Bill had been in the House from the 11th of May to the 14th of June ; and upon the third read ing, when the Honourable Gentleman stated, and a Noble Lord (Folkstone) joined him in diet statement, that it was previous to the usual hour for discussing public business, and that there was not a sufficient House, so far from that being the case, he would say that a good deal of public business had been that night previously discussed ; and in particular a discussion on