Star. — London, England, 1819-02-17 00:00:00

r . i ~> I • : - STATE PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE •AVE_TRADE. A series of Documents connected with the efforts of the British Government to procure the universal Abolition of the Slave-Trade, have been laid before Parliament. They are very voluminous, and conse quently all that we can do is to give a faithful ab • stract of them : The Papers commence with the conferences which took place at London, in December, 1817, for the purpose of resuming the discussion, pursuant to the additional Article of the Treaty of Paris, of the 20th of November, 1815. These conferences were attended by the Ministers of Russia, Prussia, Auitria, and France, and they invited Count Palmella, the Por tuguese Minister, to be present at them. At one of . these conferences (February 4, 1S18), Lord Castle reagh read a Memorandum, in which, among other things, his Lordship stated, " That a considerable revival sof the Slavc-Trade had taken place, especially on the coast of Africa, north of the line, since the restoration of peace ;" that 4 ‘ the parties engaged in it had adopted the practice -of carrying it on in armed and fast-sailing vessels ; that " the traffic thus carried on was marked with increased horrors, from the inhuman manner in which these desperate adventurers were in the habit of crowding the slaves on board vessels better adapted to escape from the interruption of cruisers than to 'serve for the transport of human beings ;" and that, " the improvement of Africa, especially in a com mercial point of view, had advanced in proportion as the Slave-Trade had been suppressed ;" while, "with its revival, every prospect of industry and of amend inent appeared to decline." No conclusive arrangements, however, emanated from these conferences at London. The subject was resumed at Aix-la-Chapelle; and Lord Castlereagh, in a dispatch to Earl Bathurst, dated Aix-la-Chapelle, November 2, states, that in the conference of.the 24th October, he opened to the Plenipotentiaries the exist ing state of the trade in Slaves, and gave notice that he should, on a future'day, submit to them two pro positions: first, for addressing a direct appeal, on the part of the five Courts, to the King of Portugal, ur ging his Majesty to decree the final abolition of the Slave Trade in his dominions at the period already agreed to by Spain—namely, the 20th May, 1820; • and, secondly, that the Powers there represented should accept the principle of a qualified right of mutual visit. Ilis Lordship adds:—" It was impos sible not to perceive, in the short discussion which ensued, that there was considerable hesitation, espe cially in the French Plenipotentiary, with regard to the principle of the latter measure." The reserve of France on this point became subsequently the great obstruction to every definitive arrangement. In a subsequent sitting of the Congress (Nob. 4), a proposition, made by Lord Castlereagh, was adopte. unaai mously. " That a letter should be written to the King of Portugal, in the name of the Sovereigns, in the most pressing and at the same time the most affectionate terms,' in order to engage him to fix the 20th May, 1820, as the final term of' the traffic in his dominions. A copy of this letter is given. Lord Castlereagh also proposed that " it would be useful and perhaps ne cessary to consider the Trade in Slaves, as a crime against the Law of Nations, and to assimilate it to piracy." This was submitted as a matter for consi deration merely. In a letter from the Noble Lord to Earl Bathurst, dated Aix la-Chapelle, November 23, transmitting the Notes -of the Russian, French, Austrian. and Prussian Plenipotentiaries, upon the two propositions submitted to Congress, hi. Lordship says, " the result of these notes being extremely discouraging to our hopes, it was determined t 6 review the objections brought forward to the measure of mutually con . ceding the right of visit, especially by the Plenipo tentiary of France." " The modification whiCh I have finally urged of this measure, and, Y trust, with considerable hope of success, is, that in addition to the limitation of the right of visit to the coast of Africa, and to a specific number of ships of each Power, the duration of the Convention should be for a limited number Of years, say seven, at the end of which period the several Powers would again have it in their power to review their decision, after some experience of its conveni ence or inconvenience, of its efficacy to the object, and of the necessity of its being renewed, regard being had to the then state of the illicit Slave Trade. This arrangement would sufficiently meet our most pressing wants, whilst it would go less permanently to disturb the acknowledged principles of Maritime Law, as regulating the right of visit. By the aid of I this latter expedient, I flatter myself that I have made a considerable impression in removing the strong repugnance at first felt to the measure. The different notes above alluded to are given at full length. They shew the objections, real or as sumed, which are felt by the Governments of Eu rope with respect to the only measure that cats ever render the abolition of the Slave Trade complete. The result of all these delibei ations was, a decla ration on the part of the Allied Sovereigns, repre sented at Congiess, that they would instruct their re spective Ministers in London to continue the discus sions upon the subject ; and Lord Castlereagh, in his last dispatch to the Government at home, dated Paris, December 10, 1818, says, though " I cannot give hopes of any immediate progress, I venture, xielertheless, to indulge a sanguine expectation, that if the object be pursued with the same persevering and conciliating temper on the part of Great Britain, ashich has already achieved so much for the cause of abolition, the French Government may be brought, at no distant period, to unite their naval exertions with those of the other Allied Powers for the sup pression of the illicit ilave Trade, under the modified regulations submitted for this purpose to the Pleni potentiaries assembled at Ais-la-Chaptlle." I lete the iinportant question rests at present. The forthcoming Novel, THE METROPOLIS, by the Author of Link Hydrogen, or 7he Devil on Two Slicks in London, of which another edition is nearly sold off, is said to contain Sketches, many hundreds in num ber, of every personoof rank or fashion. It is full of curious Anecdotes, and is the production of a titled Lady of high distinction. We need scarcely add, that the eagerness expressed for its r-uc:11 fully equals the interest such a V. ork must nett •,arily excite. TO THE EDITOR OF THE S7'ARs • • STATE OF THE COTTON FACTORY qIJESTIO9; OR, AN APPEAL TO BRITISH JUSTICE. Sea—From the peat and acknowledged import ance of the subject of the Cotton Factory Bill now , pending before the House of Lords, as to the state of , the Children employed in the Factories for the Spin-1 nine of Cotton, as well as on the general principle of justice and benevolence which recommends itself to every uncorrupted mind, 13m tempted to hope, for a place in your columns for a few remarks on the history and present state of that question, which have not. perhaps, been sufficiently attended to. The origination of this measure goes as far back as the year 1815: it was in that year that Sir 11.0116 AT PEEL. first submitted the subject to the House of Commons, and it stood over for consideration unto the following Session. In 1816 the business was re ferred to a Committee, and much evidence heard, bothfor and against the question, which evidence was printed. During the Session of 1817, no progress was made, owing to the indisposition of the Honour able Baronet, which made his attendance as Chair man of the Committee impracticable. In 1818, a Bill was brought into the Commons, founded on the evidence before received; which passed the House by a large majority, and was sent up to the Lords. By their Lordships, it was referred to a Committee of their own House, and, at the instance of certain Petitions to that effect, the parties were ordered to be heard by themselves and Counsel. The opposing party were heard accordingly ; and their evidence was proceeding when the dissolution of Parliament supervened, ere their witaesses had all been examined. in this state were the labours of the Committee broken off. The opponents of the Bill were heard at much length—the petitioners to favour of it, not at all! The next thing is, the new Parliament assembles— the Lord KENYON, as Chairman of the Committee, moves for its re-appointment, to continue and com plete the hearing of evidence, which at present is all on one site. Can any thing be more equitable than the proposition? Yet this ts strenuously resisted hi the opponents of the measure. They plead, in the first place, for delay; this is conceded. The Motion at length comes on : they deny that any Committee at all is necessary, and would absolutely dismiss the business, without suffering the other party to adduce a single witness in support of their pretensions, which are, in fact, no other than the claims of a most nu merous and interesting class of British subjects—the claims of helpless, unoffending, and suffering infancy. Meanwhile, the question is once more deferred until the 22d instant. Now, Sir, give me leave to ask, can a decision founded on ex parte evidence be either fair or honour able ?—ls this conduct of the opponents of the Bill agreeable in any one sense to the accustomed rules and principles of British .iustice ?—Does it harmonize with that spirit of impartial eqnity which has gained for this country so large a share of its high renown, which pervades its constitution, and predominates in all its domestic policy?—Shall ts , e suppose that in the wisdom of the Legislature is not included its im partiality, or that political prudence may not be.con sistently just and humane? These suggestions, I trust, are neither unreason able, nor without importance. ! We ~. r .1% 4' 14 . • 4 ~' k 41. 1 ~~' , I 1 P! . Fi r r 1 '- A LOVER 01 JUSTICE. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. DOUSE OF LORDS, FEBRUARY is. The Los& COM:CELLOS took hi; seat on the Woolsack a quar ter before four o'clock, and after prayers (by the Bishop of Las sutra') were read, The Marquis of Burs took the oaths and his seat, the first time after his Lordship's attaining his Majority. The House then adpurned for some time during pleasure. On its resuming, several Private ox Local Bills were for warded in their respective stages. The Malt and Pension Duty SA was read the second time, and conipitted for to-morrow. After which, no other business beinebcfore their Lordships, an Adjonrument took place. lIOUSE OF COMMONS. Sir GODFREY WEBSTER presented a Petition from the Inhabitants of Brighton, praying for an alteration and amend ment of the I'oor Laws.—Ordered to lie on the table. Sir Wlt ! 1.1.31 BCC: INCY !•.ad leave of absence for six weeks. Mr. LIUMF, After some observations relative to the internal government of the Scottish Burghs, presented a Petition from the BurgLbses of Montrose, pra)ing to be restored to their Rights and Privileges.—lt was read and ordered to lie on table. Mr. CURW EN presented a Petition from the Inhabitants of Car:isle, praying for an Amendment of the Poor Laws.—Or dered to lie on the table. Sir C. MONCK, bolding in his hands a Petition from certain Occupiers and Proprietors of Land in the County of Northum berland, wished for the indulgence of the House while he en deavoured to explain the particular merits of it. He then shortly stated that the Petitioners gave it as their opinions, that our native soil was sufficient to support our population, and that the agricultural productions of other countries ought not to be al lowed to be imported into these kingdoms without extra duties. Although such a measure might tend in sonic degree to a prohi bition of the articles alluded to, yet it would operate as a pro tection to the produce of our own country. The Hon. Member ' thought that persons of the description of the Petitioners, the most valuable, perhaps, in the nation, deserved to be protected in their industrious pursuits as well as those in the mercantile' ' world.—The Petition was read, ordered to lie on the table, and to be print Al. Mr. HO WORTH presented a Petition from Mr. W. Gray, Agent for the Petitioner in the Worcester Election, praying a farther time to put in sureties under special circumstances.- I Mr. Gray having verified the facts of the Petition, time was allow ed until Saturday The Zg0,000,000 I•.ich4qu w er Bills' Bill WIS read a third time and pissed. • WINDSOR ESTABLJS/ISIENT. Lord cAsT C.Elt EA Gil observed, that as he understood the Committee yould pot be enabled to make their Report before a late hour to-morrow evening,Ar perhaps on Thursday, it was obvious, that the House would' desire some short time to con sider its contents prtvionaly to the intend.ed discussion. The motion, therefore, which his Lordship announced for Thursday next, be thought it iratmbent upon him to postpone till Mon day, in order to afford Gentlemen an opportunity of making themselves better acquainted with the subject. Mr. TIERNEY Mci no objection to the accommodation re quired by the Noble I ord for the postponement of his motion. lint he hoped that both his Lordship and his Friends would perfectly pnderstand, that he (Mr. Tierney) meant or the very same day to take tbe'sense of the I louse on his announced mo tion for the additlmal payment of the ZlO,OOO to be in future allowedlo the Duke of York (in his new office), to be paid out of the Privy Purse, instead of being dtfrayed by the INTarkTIONS TO THE MOUSY.. The SPEAKER thought it ificumbeut 011 him to state, that the parties concerned in petitionicg agaList the Oxford Election had neglected to complete their recoguizances in the time elkswed.--(The return is therefore confirmed.) The SPEAKER afterwards mentioned, that he had received a letter from Edward Quist, Esq. clued Dublin, the 13th inst. assuring him of his ur stool promptitude to obey the commanCs of the House; but that from a serious indisposition he despaired of being able to set out ott his journey before Sunday. lb tberefore hoped for some further indulgence as to his time of attendance. Sir 11.0131.4 1 T WILAN, agreeably to this intimation, aloe eti, 04 the time fur the attendaneolsf Edward Quin, Esq. be extended to to-morrow einnight.- r Ordered, that Mr. QI2IU do thou attend in his place. B kNIC 91 IRELAND. Mr. GRENFELL made some few remarks on the conduct of the Bank of Ireland, in which his contrast between that public body and the Bank of England was in favour of the former. He, however, con demned the extraordinary increase of paper issues !iv the Bank of Ireland. In the year 1797, the whole amount did not exceed £600,000 ; in the January 1818, it had risen to the enormous sum of four mil lions and'a half. An inquiry into the cause Of such a reprehensible augmentation of their paper currency was a subject worthy of the consideration of Parlia ment. For his own satisfaction, and for the idol.. mation of the House, he had several motions to offer. But however much he condemne3 this wonderful in crease of paper issues by the Bank of Ireland, he thought the Governors and Directors of that firm de served every encomium for their liberality in the management of the public debt. While the Bank of England charged Government enormously for their trouble in the management of the public debt, the Bank of Ireland gave their time'and attention to the same object without any expense to the public. Ile concluded by several motions relative to the issues of notes, &c. by the Bank of Ireland, and for the weekly amount of posting bills, and amount of notes under £5 now in circulation. Mr. MANNING vindicated the Bank of England from the insinuations of the I lonourable 11;eniber. lle issured the House and the Public, that the charges of the Bank of England were in every degree per 'feed), reasonable. The motions were then severally put and carried. SURCHARGES. Sir M. RIDLEY stated, that in several country parts of England, farmers who had sold horses, had been charged with fines for not taking out licences as horse-dealers. He did not mean to impute blame to official persons, when he stated that a system of surchargieg upon the assessed taxes of the country had been practised to an alarming extent.—(Hear, hear.) He trusted, that the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) would take the subject into his most serious consideration for the purpose of procuring some remedy to the great evil. If no attempt, however, were made, he would take an early opportunity, after the Easter re cess, to bring the matter before Parliament. He con cluded by moving, That Returns be laid before the House of the number of Surcharges on farmers, who sold horses without licences, and the judgment of the Commissioners on every case, for the last six Months ; also for a Return of the number of Sur charges on those who kept horses for the purposes of game, not duly authorised, for the last six months. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, he was ready to lend his support to' remedy what ever evil might be found to exist in any branch of the department to which he belonged. It was only very lately that he had heard of the Surcharges upon the specific subject alluded to by the Honourable Gen tleman, and he feared that the returns could not pos sibly be made for some time. During the interval, perhaps, something might occur to prevent any fur ther interposition of the House. Mr. Alderman WAITHMAN stated, that Sur charges were made to his knowledge to a very op pressive extent ; and he regretted much that they should be made at a time when the state of the pub lic burdens rendered it so difficult for many persons to endure their Surcharges.—These Returns were then ordered. PUBLIC OFFICES IN IRELAND. Sir JOHN NEWPORT said he rose to move for leave to bring in a Bill to extend to Scotland and Ireland the provisions of the 50th of the King, to regulate the taking of Securities for the holders of Public Offices, with respect to such offices as security could be taken for. He apprehended that he need only read the title of the Act to shew the justice and necessity of the BilL In every Act of th e Legislature he had wished that the care of Parliament should be equally displayed for one part of the United Kingdom as for another; and if ever there were a case which proved the policy of his wishes, beyond question, it was that for which he now proposed the remedy.— The Act alluded to was made in 1810; it was intro duced at the close of the Session, and carried through its different stages in so-short a time, and so private a manner, as to excite very little attention to the, circumstance of Scotland and Ireland having been left out of its operation. The Honourable Baronet concluded by making his motion to the effect he had already stated. Sir G. HILL contended that this was not a Bill to be extended to Ireland. The House knew that ample security was provided by those 'n-ho hold offices for receiving the revenue in Ireland. The Act in England extended to all offices, civil and military, and had no application to Ireland. The House had also to remember, that the Act of the .72c1 of the King to amend that of the 50th, in the second sec tion, expressly laid down that Ireland should be exempted -from its operation ; and this was deter mined after a patient and deliberate discussion of the claims which. Ireland might have had to be made a party to it—(Hear, hear 1. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHF.QUER assured the Right Hon. Baronet, that the Treasury had taken every proper and necessary step for secur ing the public money. Sir JOAN NEWPORT replied, that although the Treasury might be taking such measures, it did not follow that Parliament was not to adopt measures of security. One person in Ireland had defalcated in his payments; his securities died, and the money which had been collected was entirely lost. He hoped, therefore, that Parliament would do something by which the public money should be taken proper care of. In the case of a Mr. Hunter, who was Treasurer of the Ordnance, no securities were taken, and the money in his hand s was ent i re l y lost. Measures of security, therefore, should not depend on any Board of Treasury. Sir G. HILL said, that the. Treasury of . Ireland had taken every possible care. to make all Officers who received public money to give full arid sufficient securities for the safety of the same. Sir JOAN NEWPORT then withdrew his motion. SECURITY OF LIVES AGAINST SHIPWRECK. Sir JOHN NEWPORT, pursuant to -his notice, ' rose to move for leave to bring in a 13i11 for securing the lives of persons who might be shipwrecked. Ile observed, that, it ccording to the present law, all sons who saved the cargoes, or fart of the cario rL belonging to ships wrecked or stranded, were enth4 t i to a certain reward; but there was no reward — saving the lives of the persons on board. Therec ; i s there!or.:. reason to apprehend, that while people st•l io came to the a s..istance of *ships in distress were anxic4 to save the property on board, thermit;ht be c less about the lives of the p eo pl e . He Mould them fore propose that a reward %Lould be !jveri for sa y. ing the lives as well as dieeargo es , evei , i n a proportion; and .that in cases where no cargo saved, there should he a reward tor the saving levery life Ik hoped this measure would apn , 'just and necessary, that the House would not , to the principle of it. He concluded wi t h ni flv i n leave to bring in a Bill for the security of thelir seamen or passengers on board ships that wrecked or stranded, or in danger of being lost. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER s it he fully agreed in the principle of the measure, a being consonant to humanity and justice; althme t there might be some differences of opinion bere ft Gentlemen as to some of its details. Mr. DAVIES GILBERT observed, that the last Session he had given notice of his into ;; to bring in a Bill on this subject; but he was glad find that the business was now in so mach , hands. He wished, however, that the Honour,., Baronet would allow this Bill to lie by for some t!me, as is might be necessary to make some better rep lotions with regard to salvage. Sir J. NLW'I'ORT expressed his readiness to so; and leave was then given to bring in the NIL ELECTION PETITIONs. Sir JAMES MACINTOSH rose, in , of the notice lie had given, to move for leave t. large the time for entering into recognizauces in case of the Galway Election Petition. Whatevt strict letter of the law might be on this question, however it might operate against the petitioner, he should appeal to the equity and liberality of the House, whe:her the Act did not vest it with a tion to step beyond that letter in a case of particular hardship, where a petition came from so very remote a part of the kingdom as the county of Galway ; when it was considered that time might be los: sending the necessary communications from to London. There were two cases in which indulgencies had already been granted Ity the House those of Saltash and Dungarvon. He concluded - moving, that the petitioner might be allowed the 12th of March to enter into his recognizance& Mr. B. BATHURST observed, that in all cases it must be the wish of the House, that no form stand in the way of equity ; but when an Act of Par liament had laid down aprecise rule, the House must not break a positive law, however hard the obseiv ance of it might be upon the individual. In the two cases refetred to by the Hon. and Learned _ man, some good reason was assigned for the indul gence required; but in the present case, no reason whatever was given ; and therefore he considered the Motion as one which the House could not entertain. Mr. W. WYNNE said, he adhered to t!ie - nion which he stated yesterday : because he . vinced that the House ought always to discourage applications of this kind, when sufficient ground 1 ,- not laid for them ; and that it ought always to strictly to precedents. The Honourable Memt quoted several cases, to shew the caution the had' always observed on applications of this The question was then put and negatived. asteouxo EtEcrtov. Mr. BERNALL presented a Petition from demon of the name of Teed, in which it was that on that day the E::aminers appointed to into the validity (if the securities for prosecana, l 'Grampound Election Petition, had objected the sureties, on the ground of his being enga; mercantile adventure, the failure of which mi der him liable to all the debts and losses of the it further set forth, that the Petitioner was to his room by illness, and was, therefore, un take the necessary steps for procuring evi shew that this Gentleman, a most respectal chant, was in a perfectly solvent state. The tioner, therefore, prayed for a further enlargement the time, in order to be enabled to effect this " Witnesses were then called fo the Bar, who that Mr. Teed was confined to his room by i. Mr. DE MAN observed, that if Examiners allowed to make such objection to sureties which had now been stated, there was not a mere in the country whose credit might not be inn - Indeed, he thought it nimecessary to bring case as this at all befpre the House. The SPEAKER observed, that there were things prayed for in the Petition. The one give the Petitioner time to produce the proper reties; the other was to give him time with to himself. Mr. W. WYNNE said, he was ready to agree the prayer of the Petition. Mr. B. BATIIURST conceived that the ought to give the Petitioner the time he pra in order that he might be enabled to procui dent evidence respecting the validity of his s• Mr. WARD conceived that it was the rata pasty himself in not giving due notice. The SPEAKER said it was necessary House should come to some decision, for the of giving a clear interpretation to the Act of the King.—The Motion was then agreed to. Mr. BERNALL moved that the Petitioner be allowed till the 16th of March to enter hi. nizances, conceiving that a shorter time wool , duce inconvenience under all t!:e cireumstanc , Mr. W. WYNNE could see no reason Sr. House should agree to the motion cf the Member, and suggested that the opinieu of men ought to be taken as to the time which titioner could reasonably solicit. The SPEAKER.observed that it was not usual course for the recognicances to be eni the Speaker at another place, when the 1 ), was unable to attend the !louse, whether frol position or any other sufficient cruse. Mr. W. NVYNNE concurred in what had b. pressed from the Chair; and on the suggestioa C SPEAKER, it was finally agreed to allow the tioner till to-morrow week for himself, and till fr. day %sea for his recognizances. A &MOW . TAN C 3 UN 110 R LA. .1, On tk o c :kotiva of Nr. LUSIIINUT" for l t a h w e allpe% carg o ,. were enthg t d te , w ardi for c. ~„ a nem+ u . as . ! People u.h o were anxicasi ;ht be care. se Mould them , I :veu for sa t . in Vezer ) cargo w as to saving of Id appe 4r tvit ob'.eot morin-i, for If the lirei c ! :n should hag lost. ;QUER say., measure, al :e; althoasit lion betwe ea ` that den his intennos Was glad to much bette r 4 Honourable )r some time, better rca. diness to do a the bill. a consequence 2 leave to ea- zuces in the hVhatever the s inestion, ;:rd a setitioner, he rality of the ith a distre. of particehr very remote 3 2ialway; and at be lost is frcm which y the House' ncluded wit allowed um. >nizances. in all cases it form should n Act of Par- House must the ohms-- . In the two Lrned Gentle- 7or the indul- Sep no reason onsidered the of entertain. the same o 1 i- ! he was con- o discourage ground was tys to adhere Member then na the Hor..> this kind. red. from arc - t was stated, to exami:e secutiag the ted to one ci engaged in a h might ten- of the same; ✓as con i.ined re, unable to evidence :o !stable mer- The Peti- argement of this object. who proreil by illness. miners were !ties as that a merchant impeached. ring such a were two one was, to proper secu- with rega:d to agree to the licz.e prayed )curc s • - 'Us fault of t';.: ry that the the purpoe ot rad to. oner shoul T his rectg- would pm' cancel. lu why I. llotou'rab:e of m edical Acta the Pe- not an enteted by Petie.oner fora ad bcez 3tion el ✓ the Ind till tit'-f X, for :b4