Star. — London, England, 1830-05-28 00:00:00

■ If L ^~, U~ ROYAL SEA-BATHING INFIRMARY. The King's Most Excellent MAJESTY, Patron. The Right Hon. EARL DARNLEY, Proaident. - - - -- - -f-T(Q'. 110 c 01$1117T U 3. 2 . 0* 30 9 0 OVEIN. . Mr. Secretary PEEL said that it vas r fan that hi all r,asen where useful improvements were contemplated, even though those Improvements might be detrimental to peetassions/ gentlemen gene. rally, whether in the legal Or medical professions, miniver' &lumps met from those gentlemen the warmest and most liberal IttlppOrt. Mr. BROUGHAM fully coincided in this opinion, a:•cl trpatAl the same liberality would be found amongst the Eng'ish bar a s h a d distinguished the ir brethren in Scotland. Mr. Secretary PEEL said that he had never applied to any gcn. Semen at dm bar that he had not received the most liberal oilers of gratuitous assistance. After a few wards from Mr. Fgaorsox, Sir JOHN NEWPORT moved for a return of the amount of TIM Governors and Friends of this Charity are respectfully informed, that the Noble President has fixed to take the Chair, at the ANNIVERSARY DINNER, on SATIll• imy, the 19th Jvitz next, at the LONDON COFFEE-HOUSE. Ludgate-Hill. JOSEPH RAINBOW, Secretary. 28th May, 1830. HOUSE AND ESTATE AGENCY OFFICES, No. 57, CONDUIT-STREET, REGENT-STREET, AND No. 95, BISHOPSGATE•STAEET-WITHIN. FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 28, 1830. HENRY L. COOPER, grateful to his Friends and the Public for the very distinguished patronage conferred on his House in Iffishorpte-street for a period of nearly half a century, feels himself called on by the increasing interests entrusted to him in his Agency Department, to meet the views of his Friends, by affording those facilities hitherto unattempted by any, and embracing at once the whole of the Western as well as the Eastern parts of the Metropolis, he has consequently established an Agency Office at No. 57, CONDUIT-STREET, REGENT-STREET, In'ticoneetion with the original Cabinet and UpholateryManufactory in BISHOPSG ATE-STREET, presenting to the Fashionable and Commercial World the imposing advantage of registering their Properties in Two situations, the most eligible in their respective localities, and commanding the attention of Capitalists. Sales effected by Auction, Appraisementa, &c. A STOCK of Splendid LOOKING-GLASSES, of superb dimensions, and in frames of corresponding magnificence, are con tinually on sale at both the Establishments. No. 57, Conduit -street, Regent-street, and No. 93, Bishopegate-strpet Within. AUGUSTUS TOMLINSON. Such is the name of one of the interesting dramatis persona of " Paul Clifford," the last production of Mr. By LwEit, and of which we gave a short notice some days ago. The following fragment is a mere episode in the life of AVOUSTUS TOMLINSON, one of the mast amusing and satirical sketches we have met with in the whole series of contemporary novels. " I went now to him with the penitential aspect of the prodigal son, and, 'faith, he would not have made a bad representation of the taut(' calf about to be killed on my return; so corpulent looked hi, and so dejected ! 'Graceless reprobate !' be began; • your poor father is dead !' I was exceedingly shocked ; but—never fear, Paul, lam not about to be pathetic. My father had divided his fortune among all his children ; my share was 5001. The possession of this sum made my penitence seem much more siocere•in the eyes of my good cousin ; and after a very pathetic scene, be took me once more into favour. I now consulted with him as to the best method of laying out my capital and recqvering my character. We could not devise any scheme at the first conference ; but the second time I saw him, my cousin said with a cheerful countenance, Cheer up, Augustus, I have got thee a situation. Mr. Asgrave, tic banker, will take thee as a clerk. He Is a most worthy :use; and having a vast deal of learning, be will respect thee for thy acquirements.' The same day I was introduced to Mr. Asgrave, who was a little man, with a fine bald benevolent head; and after a long conversation which he was pleased to hold with me, became one of his quill.drivers. 1 don't know how it was, but by little and little, I rose in my master's good graces : I propitiated I fancy, by disposing of my 5001. according to his advice.— lie laid it out for mc, on what he said was famous security, on a landed estate. Mr. Aegrave was of social habits : he had a capital house, and excellent wines. As he was not very particular in his company, nor ambitions of visiting the great, he often suffered me make one of his table, and was pleased to hold long arguments me shoat the ancients. I soon found ant that my master trio great moral philosopher; and being myself in weak health, sated of the ordinary pursuits of the world, in which my experience had forestalled my years, and naturally of a contemplative temperament, I turned my attention to the moral studies which so fascinated my employer. I read through nine shelves full of metaphysicians, and knew exactly the points in which those illustrious thinkers quarrelled with each other, to the great advance of the science. My master and I wed to hold many a long discussion about the nature of good and evil; and as by help of his benevolent forehead and a clear dogged voice, he always seemed to our audience to be the wiser and better man of the two, lie was very well pleased with our disputes. This gentleman had only daughter, an awful shrew, with a face like a hatchet ; but philosophers overcome personal defects : and thinking only of the coot' her wealth might enable me to do to my fellow.creatures, I •.credy made love to her. You will say, that was playing my mss. we hut a scurvy trick in return for his kindness—not at all, my nia•ter himself had convinced me, that there was no such virtue as 4noitude. It was an error of vulgar moralists, I yielded to his .a4uinents, and at length privately espoused his daughter. The al!er this took place, he summoned me to his study. ' So, Au -4115.U5.. said he very mildly, ' you have married my daughter: nay, never look confused; I saw a long time ago that you were re solved to do so, and I wu very glad of it.' •• I attempted to falter out something like thanks. Never inter. :apt me !' said he. I had two reasons for being glad t first, be. my daughter was the plague of my life, and I wanted sonic inc to take her off my hands ; secondly, because I required your "stance on a particular point, and I could not venture to ask it any one hut my son-in-law. In fine, I wish to take you into partnership ! ! • Partnership !' cried I, falling on my knees. ' Noble —gene. us man!' - • :Any a bit ' continued my father.in.law. What funds do au think requisite for the carrying on a hank ? You look puled Nit a 51 1illing I You will put in just as much as I do. You will :int in rather more ; fur you once put in five hundred pounds, allich has been spent long ago. I don't put in a shilling of my own. 1 I'v.! on my clients, and I very willingly offer you half of them • Imagine. dear Paul, my astonishment, my dismay ! I saw •rs•elf married to a hideous shrew—son.in.low to a pennyless seoisn- Atlll cheated out of my whole fortune ▪ As Mr. Asgrave was an indolent man, who passed his mornings lrtulatinns on virtue, I was made the active partner. I spent '1: day at the emoting-house ; end when I came home for react %n. Hy wife scratched my eyes out." "Olt course I assumed, in all my changes, both Aliases and : t, ) :lm•. ••. And, to fell you the truth, my marriage s o a lt ere d me, •-it %bat with a snuff-coloured coat, and a brown scratch wig, with pel in my right ear, I looked the very picture of staid respects- Niy face grew an inch longer every day. .• 11°,11, we wen: on splendidly enough for about a sear. Moan 'hilt' I was wonderfully improved in philosophy. At length, un for my fame (for I contemplated a magnificent moral his ot man, which had she lived a year longer, I should have corn. 11 ""( 1 -) my wife died in child-bed. My father-in-law and I were Over the event when a bit of paper sealed awry, was given ','? partn, r. H e looked over it—finished the discussion, and fold ine our bank had stopped payment. • Now, Augustus.' he. lighting his pipe with the bit of paper, you see the good having nothing to lose !' •• li r did not pay quite sixpence in the pound but my partner "'whaled so u ttt itt tomtit that the British public raised a subsaip lut 111 01, and he retired on an annuity, greatly respected, and , ry flinch compassionated. As I had nut been so well known as a ' and had :tot the prepossessing advantage of a bald hoe ..ilent head.. fluting was done for me, and I was turned come more oa foe wide world. to moralise on the vicissitudes of fortune. Illy e"n•ltt the bookseller was no more, and his son cut me. I took a "net in Warwick.,:ourt, and with a few books, my only consols ' 111 endeavoured to nerve my mind to the future. It vu at this ' , 11 1 , e. Paul, that my studies really availed me. So soon as my mind i'• made the grand iscovery which Mr. Asgrave had made behove .ae, tha t one should li e according to a system—for if you t d wrong, h then your system that errs, not you - I took the road, without -;:y of those stings of comfeierice which had hiiherto annoyed tae in ucit adventures. I formed one of a capital knot of Free Agents,' 'lit I sum rose to distinction among them. But about six weeks nnt less than formerly preferring 'brways to highways I at. t "Iced to pUblw,S myself of a carriage, and sell it at discount. I % . 4 • l lrquitted on the felony ; but sent hither by Justice Burnfial on ' r,. .t•derntianotir. Thus far, my young fr iend, bath as yet Pm -1,1 the hie of at itgustus Tomlinson." No. 13,486. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS-Tii u RSDA Y. The House did not open for the admission of strangers until half past five o'clock. Sir A. GIANT and other Members from the Commons brought up three private Bills. Petitions were presented by— • Earl FITZWILLIAIII from s pariah in:Yorkshire, against Ne gro slavery. The Marquis of BUTE front the mctufacturers and merchants of Stroud, in tanucestershiv, against the East India monopoly. Earl GREY presented a petition from the Protestant Dissenters of Birmingham, against a clause in the Ditnougham Free Grammar School Bill, which excludes all hut umbers of the Church of Eng land from becoming Directors of thattinrity. The petitioners pray ed to be heard by Counsel at :Ere Bar against the Bill. After a few 4servadans from the Bishop of , itchfield slid Coven- try, Lied Eldon, the Lord Chaecallut, son Lord Holland, the peti don was laid on the table. SIGN MANUAL BILL. The LORD CHANCELLOR rose pursuant to notice, and moved that certain orders of the house be suspended, for the purpose of advancing the Bill to enable his Majesty to appoint certain per eons to affix his Royal Signature to public instruments. The orders having been suspended, The LORD CHANCELLOR proposed the second reading of the Bill. The Earl of WINCHILSRA said it was not his intention when he entered the house, to address their lordships, but understand ing as he did, the importance of the bill before the house, and the consequences resulting prospectively, he could not resist the de sire he had .to claim their attention for a few moment. Most deeply did he participate in the painful feeling and anguish which pervaded every breast in and out of that house, in consequence of the indisposition of his Majesty, stated in the message which had led to the measure before their lordship.. Most sincerely did he hope, through the blessings of Divine Providence, that his Ma jesty might be restored to health, and be able to resume those func tions which they were about to delegate to other hands. He could assure their lordships that no private feelings could have induced him to trespass one moment on their lordships time. He felt the importance of the subject most deeply. He looked upon the bill in two points of view :--First, as giving relief to our afflicted So vereign. --and, secondly, as establishing a precedent in future cases for the house to act on, in case it should ever be placed in the: pain ful situation in which it now stood. If he could look on this bill in the first point of view only, he would not offer a single indivi dual objection to their lordships. There was not an individual living more ready than himself to give relief to his Majesty's afflic tion, but he looked at this measure in two points of view. With respect to the general enactments of the bill he had no decided ob jection ; but he did certainly regret that this bill was not accom panied by some evidence from the medical attendants of his Ma jesty stating the nature of the complaint under which his Majesty suffered. He did not wish to bring the pain and sufferings of the sovereign wantonly before the Parliament, but he did think some evidence should have been laid on the table, signed by the medical attendants, stating that his Majesty's painful sufferings were not of that character which would impair the full power and vigour of the royal mind.—(Hear.) The noble earl impressed upon their lord ships that a future application might be made of a very different character, and he asked their lordships whether if in future this power should be given to a minister who was inclined to use it in a manner not only Injurious to the tights of the monarchy, but the best interests of the country, Parliament might not be reproached for having established a most dangerous precedent. He should say they ought to look to it cautiously. Thai knits eat whether days might not come when a minister armed with such a power might not be inclined to trample on the rights and liberties of the country. All he hoped was that the house would take care the bill should be again brought under consideration during the present session of Parliament. If the power was to be continued to the next session, without the evidence to which he had alluded, Parliament would not discharge its duty. He thought evidence of the nature he had re. ferred to ought to be laid on their lordships' table before they pro. ceeded further with the measure. In saying what he had, he begged it to be distinctly understood that he had no private feeling or in. terest in view. No man had a greater veneration for his sovereign than he had, and he trusted that the time was not far distant when the measure now proposed would be altogether useless.—(Hear.) The Duke of 11'EL LINGTON.—My lords, I cannot suffer the observations made by the noble earl who has just addressed your lordships, to pass in silence, the more particularly after some of the I ablest, the most experienced, and the most learned in the medical profession, have stated to the public the nature of the complaint with which his Majesty is affected, and in which statements there is not the most distant hint of the additional misfortune to which the' noble earl has thought proper to allude. Your lordships are aware that his Majesty, under the royal sign manual, has desired your lordships to take into yo ur ser i ous cons id erat i on t h e i n di s position under which his Majesty has laboured, and has also desired your lordships to consider of the best means of giving him relief, so as to enable him to carry on the public service whilst labouring under an affliction which has not the most remote connection with what the noble earl has thought fit to allude.—(Hear, hear.) Your lordships also know that the minister who took his Majesty's pleasure upon that occasion, and who submitted his Majesty's signature (I leave it to the noble earl to say whether such is not the case)—is responsible to your lordships that the applies lion the noble earl has referred to did not exist, either at the moment that that signature was given, or his Majesty's commands I were submitted to parliament—(llm, hear, hear.) Under these circumstances, I certainly am astonished, my lords, that the noble earl should have alluded to any such affliction, as that too plainly insinuated in the observations of the noble Earl. His Majesty has asked your lordships to enable him to carry on the public business, and his Majesty's Government, in obedience to his ,Majesty's commands, have brought forward a measure, guarded in such a way as to render abuse abnost impossible. Then the noble Earl comes forward and says that it is possible the power may be abused in another mode—that is, my lords, it may be abused by his Majesty's ministers, and his Majesty's physicians be guilty of the grossest dereliction of their duty—(Hear.)—Under these cir cumstances, I certainly feel, and I should not do my duty if I did not express my feelings—(Cheers.) The Earl of WINCH ILSEA said the noble Duke had com pletely misunderstood his observations, for, from what he had said, no one could suppose that he ever for a moment entertained the opi nion attributed to him by the noble Duke. All he meant to state simply was this, that his Majesty's medical attendants had not put the house and the public in possession of the nature of his Majesty's disorder, and that it was positively establishing a dangerous prece dolt to put so great a power into the hands of ministers without the evidence of physicians to warrant it. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE, after having listened with great attention to the observations of the noble earl, said, that he did not understand the noble earl to make that allusion attributed to him by the noble duke. What he understood the noble earl to state was, that it would be desirable that the house should take means of informing itself as to the facts upon which they were now called upon to grant this power • and he (the noble marquis) confessed that if he thought tha t if the vote were to continue In the hope In which it now was, and remain in force until after the commencement of next session, he would agree with the noble earl that it would be indispcnsablenot to proceed upon the responsibility of Ministers, without taking the best evidence of the necessity of such a measure; but as he understood it was the intention of the noble lord on the Woolsack to propose to the committee upon this bill a clause to enable that house to re-consider the measure at tome period before the termination of the present Session of Parliament, he was prepared to agree to the measure, to that limited extent upon the responsibility of the King's ministers. He was also ready to add, that he NAM no ground for imputing to his Majesty's ministers the having done more thin the necessity of the case required. The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be com mitted. The House accordingly went into Committee on the Bill. The LORD CHANCELLOR, on reading the firm dense. said it would be sufficient security to provide that persons preseist at the affixing of the %tan:p should be members of the Privy ta.'• The noble and learned lord moved an amendment, that Use persons pre sent at the signing should be members of the Privy Council, and that one should attest the signing. —The amendment was agreed to. The noble and learned lord also moved that the stamp should be affixed by his Majesty's command, given by word of mouth.—This also was agreed to. PRICE 7n. Earl GREY proposed that the second clause should be amended by the introduction of words enacting that his Majesty should know , the nature and meaning of the instrument before the stamp is affixed. His object was to prevent the sign manual being a ffi xed to any thing his Maje s ty did no t u nd erstan d. The beat way would be to have a memorandum indorsed upon the instrument, with the necessary explanation. Lord MALMESBORY thought, as the bill was to be of short duration, as much relief should be given to his Majesty as possible. The LORD CHANCELLOR did not °plume the preposition, and introduced an amendment having the effect desired by the rioble, earl. The LORD CHANCELLOR also proposed. that in the case et military commissions, the commander-in-chief for the time be em. paltered to endorse the instrument, instead of the ministers of slats requited by the bill In other cases. Motion agreed to.—The noble and learned lord on the woolsack then proposed, that the bill con. tinue In force till the end of the present session, subject to revision and re.enactment.—Agreed to. 'I he remaining clauses were severally agreed to without remark. ',The house then adjourned during pleasure. In the course of the evening, Lard MELVILLE moved the third reading of the Sign Manual Rill, which was read a third time ancordingly. The evidence on the East Retford Disfranchisement Bill was spin resumed, and continued till the usual hour of adjournment. HOUSE OF COMMONS-THURSDA V. A house was, with some difficulty, made at four o'clock. Mr. H. DAVIS presented a petition from certain inhabitants of Bristol, relative to the Irish Steam Navigation Bill Mr. DIONCK presented a petition from an individual named Taylor, against the Sale of Beer Bill. Lord EBRINGTON presented a petition from certain inhabi tants of a parish in Cornwall, against the Mast India monopoly ; also one from Tiverton, in Devon, against the duty on coals. Mr. W. PEEL presented the twenty-third report of the Commis sioners for inquiring into the Charitable Institutions.—Ordered to be printed. Mr. Alderman WOOD presented a petition from the parish of Christ Church, against the Scottish and Irish Poor Removal Bill. Mr. O'CONNELL presented several petitions from parishes in the county of Cork, against the Vestry Act ; also a like petition from the parish of the Holy Trinity in the city of Cork. Mr. HUME importaned the house to interpose in time, and not to surer the complaints of so many parties to remain unredressed— Ordered to be printed. 31r. O'CONNELL presented a petition from Mr. Staunton, pro. prietor of two newspapers, complaining of the proposed increase of duty on newspapers in Ireland, and of taxation generally. lie then moved for returns respecting newspaper stamps and advertisements, and the sums received from them up to the 3th of May, 1830. Ordered. Mr. BRIGHT moved for a return of the amount of surcharges on the assessed taxes for the last ten years.—Ordered. IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT. Mr. HUME presented a petition from an individual of the name of Gilbert, a prisoner for debt in the Isle of Man, praying for an alteration of the law relative to the imprisonment for debt.—Ordered to be printed. Mr. HUME presented a petition from the Corporation of Pctth, praying that the bill now before the house on the subject of the Perth Navigation Bill, might not pass into a law.—Referred to the committee on the bill. Mr. P. M'QUEEN presented a petition from the county o: Bed ford, praying for protection for the home flour trade. Sir J. NEWP4 )ItT presented a petition from the parish of Glam mom, Kilkenny, against the imposition of additional taxes upon Ireland. REGISTSAIL Of DUDS (IRELAND.) Sir J. NEWPORT observed, that in consequence of the demise of Lord Kilwarden, the office of Registrar of Deeds in Ireland bad become vacant ; therefore no vested interest now existed to throw any obstacle in the way of Improvement ; and he trusted he could receive same answer on the subject as to what was to be done. Sir R. PEEL replied, that the 'Whole subject was about to be fully considered. lie admitted that there was now no vested in. teregts ; he further believed that as the law stood, the discharge of the duties should be personal. Colonel EVANS presented a petition from the town of Rye, praying relief from an abuse of magisterial powers, and unconstitu. tional employment of a military force, by Herbert Curteis, Esq. a Magistrate of the county of Sussex, to protect, he said, that which had been declared to be a nuisance. Mr. BURRELL said, that the petitioners had little if any claim to the consideration of the House. NVith respect to the interference of Mr. Curtels, it was a matter of necessity ; inasmuch as a lawless mob had assembled, with an intention to destroy works that had cost nearly 20,0001. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL observed that both parties had acted incorrectly, as the matter was still pending before the Court of Chancery. Mr. HUME complained that the Rye Harbour Bill was smuggled in, to defeat the proceedings in the Court of Chancery; and that the provocation of the parties ought to be considered. Sir E. KNATCHBULL observed that the object of the bill was to improve the harbour, and he hoped that it would have such effect. That Mr. Curteis did was most proper ; at least he would hare so acted had he been similarly circumstanced. Sir R. PEEL said that be wished to express no opinion on the bill. As to the conduct of Col. Cutteis, it was clearly correct, for the destruction of property had been threatened, and still continued to be threatened. The coast blockade had been called in ; now, without any insinuation against Rye, he must observe that the coast blockade was a species of force that could be least spared from their regular duty : he, therefore, had sent troops, and he consi. dered that the conduct of Col. Curteis had been most temperateand correct. As to the petitiofi, he was quite sure that the house teould not interfere while the question was pending in a court of law. Sir C. BURRELL also held that the introduction of the military was perfectly justifiable. Mr. 0. CAVE observed that the bill before the house was to de feat the decree of the Court of Chancery, and that the parties at this time had no representative, and -that the object was to ruin the bo rough as much as possible. Ith.TRANT said that the interests of hye would have been pro tected although they had no representative at the time. Petition presented. Col. EVANS said, that the law might be against the parties, but who could doubt as to their being morally justified ? They had pro. seeuted their claims for seventeen years, and had in all instances gained verdicts against their oppressors. As to the calling in of the military, it was doubtless dangerous, and never more dangerous than when called in to support pecuniary and personal interests.— The bill was a most impudent and audacious bill, and it was bad for members to attempt to legislate where they had personal inte rests at stake. The people had thought that they were acting le gally. To be revenged on the people, parties had removed the market to Winchilsea. The peace of the town had never been die turbed—the military were kept there to protect a nuisance. He moved that the petition be printed. Mr. 0. CAVE said the question was whether the house would or would not allow the harbour of Rye to he ruined? Dlr. HUIIIE suggested that the printing of the petition should be postponed, as the case was pending in a court of law. If the facts were true the Minister ought to interfere to prevent the Bill from passing. Sir R. PEEL said that ministers endeavoured to keep aloof from all private bills. The military were in attendance to preserve the peace, not to defend a nuisance. Petition ordered to lie on the table. A Message from the Lords announced that their lordships had agreed to the Glasgow Roads Bill, &c. Mr. BROUGHA It presented a petition against alterations of theConsistorial Courts of Scotland t the petition was from the so. licitors of that court.—Ordered to be printed. He then presented • petition from the Dean and Faculty of Advocates of Scotland, against the Acotch Judicature Bill, praying its delay till the next session. The faculty only required delay; they wee not, however, wholly against the bill. On the contrary, many were in its favor. The LORD ADVOCATE said, that what was now stated only conllnnod whit he had be(ors heard, that the Faculty were generally favourable to hie bill. 11., was 'rejoiced' at that circumstance—but aissiderfog that the bill would be mot useful, he thought he should not do his duty if he did not permeate with the bill.— ( Hear.) lin FERGUSON thought there was no immediate pressure for lamented that it was two to be postponed. • ENNEDY reammende4 lostponetecnt of the bill site a future session, milieu it mold be 100.41044 brought for ward. duty on soap and candles, kr Ifs ran, in Great Britain ; and also other returns connected with the smite subject. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he should not object to the returns moved for by the Right Hon. Hart. Mr. HUSIE recommended the reduction of the duty on soap. it could easily be *hewn, that owing to die high duty on this article, no less than one half the duty was lost, owing to the prevalence of smuggling. MICISAG6 11110M_ THE LOUD& A tine was brought hem the lieds stating that their lard hips had ag reed to a bill to enable his majesty to affix the sign manual by commission to such bills, and documents Night require it, and their Lndshipa request ed u Night concurrence of the commons house of parliament to the said bill. The SPEAKEII having maim" the message to the house, Mr. Secretary PEEL - said that in moving the reading of this bill be must repeat hb deep regret in common with the whole nation at the circumstances which rendered this application necessary. It was painful to Ma Majesty on account of the illness under which he was le. touring, to attach his signature to those bills which required it, though notwithstanding the painfulness of the attempt he still endeavoured wherever it was necessary, to place his signature. He trusted, therefore, that the house would spare hint the pain which the signing of these bills inflicted upon him. The present bill enabled hie Majesty by warrant containing the sign manual, to empower two persons to affix two stamp, one engraved " George IL and the other "G.R." to such papers as required it. These persons were to o i l ti i : the prasenee of his Majesty, and of three oat of seven of hls r offices' of mile, who were to be tea and were ego to sign it, one of these three being one Of his asety's principal secre taries of state. As *further precaution the parties affixing the tamp were to take an oath prescribed by the bill,whlch was calculated oily for the present session,and he sincerely trusted that it might be wholly unnecessary to renew any measure of the. kind. There was also a clause enabling his Majesty whenever he chose to sign any paper he thought proper, so that lie might resume the full exercise of his prerogative whenever he thought proper. There were precedents for adopting such a measure in former reigns without application tea Parliament ; but it was deemed the safest course to come at once to both houses with the present measure. It was desirable to pass the bill with as little delay as possible, and he should therefore move it be read a first and second time that night, and it might go through its remaining stages to.moirow, so as to receive the royal assent on Saturday. Lord ALTHORP said he saw no objection to the bill, under the circumstances, but as this measure would be cited as a precedent, he thought it advisable that the house should have evidence ut the state of his majesty, which might be adduced by to-morrow evening. Mr. Secretary PEEL said that his majesty himself had stated to the Houses of Parliament his inability, and lac trusted, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, the nole lord would require no further evidence.—(Hear.) Lord ALTHORP would not press the suggestion farther. Sir C. WETHERELL said, that his Slajesty might use Re stamp with his own hand, which might be as efficient as if he signed in manuscript. though Lord Coke was certainly of a different opi. nion. He should deprecate the changing the constitutional mode of affixing the sign manual, and affixing a stamp instead of band. writing, for a stamp might be lost or misapplied. Still lie admitted that a case of necessity had been made out, and he also admitted that there were sufficient safeguards agairst the abase of the powers conferred. He thought there ought to be a clause in the bill. making it forgery to counterfeit the stamp, and high treason to affix such counterfeit to any official paper or document. By an act of Mary there was such a clause against the forgery of the sign ma. nuat, and if It applied to the forgery of the sign manual it ought also to apply to this stamp. Mr. BERNAL admitted the correctness of the facts stated by the hon. and learned gentleman ' - but be thought it quite unnecessary, there being so malty safeguards in the bill that there was no chance whatever of such an occurrence. Still if it would not delay the bill, be would not object to such a clause; but if it was to delay the bill for a single day, he would decidedly object to its introduction. Mr. Secretary PEEL said, that a precedent had been discovered yesterday, in the reign of Philip and Mary, and it was very curious that the measure which was adopted on that occasion was in all its parts precisely similar to dile present, although it was not disco vered until after the preparation of the present bill. With all the safeguards provided by the bill, and considering the short duration of the bill, and the number of signatures that was to be forged, it was scarcely possible that any forgery could be executed. If it should be necessary to make a more permanent measure, it might then become necessary to make some such provision as that MOM. mended by the hon. and learned gentleman. Mr. LENARD said, he should be sorry to see any additional treasons enacted. Sir R. VYVYAN thought the bill ought to be printed before it was read a second time.—(No, no, no.) • The bill was then read a firs t and second time, and ordered to be committed to-morrow. Colonel SlBTHORPDpostponed his motion for the better ac commodation of reporters, until Tuesday the 22d of June. MALT AND BEER BILL i I I:INLAND). Mr. D IWSON brought in s bill fort reduction of the duty on malt and beer.—Read a first time. ISLAND Or CEYLON. Sir H. STEWART moved for a select committee, to inquire Into the revenue and expenditure of the island of Ceylon. The government of Ceylon was half a million in debt, and the re. venue falling short itf the expenditure 100,0001. per annum ; with such a burthen of debt, it was quite sufficient to justify the house in the appointment of a select committee to in. vestigate the subject. There was a close monopoly of the trade of the colony, and the expense of the government was immoderate. The judicial department of the island also required material alteration, and the first step towards placing it on • proper footing, would be to render the judges of the Supreme Courts independent of the local Government. There were two circum stances respecting Ceylon which must secure it the sympathy of two powerfill bodies in that house—the supporters of Catholic man. eipation and of the abolition of slavery. In the year 1806 the C'atlio. Be inhabitants of Ceylon were completely emancipated, and in the year 1816 the slave-owners voluntarily came to a resolution that all children of slaves should be born free. That resolution was unani mously adopted by all the slant-owners, amounting to 701, and had since given freedom to upwards of ten thousand children; nor had it been violated in a single instance.--(Hear, hear.)—The house knew how their recommendations for the amelioration of the condi tion of slaves in the West Indies had beer. met by the slare.owners, and yet their produce was protected in this market, while the sugar and coffee of Ceylon was met in the British market by a prohibitory duty.—(Hear hear.)—The hon. gent. concluded by moving that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the revenue,expindi. hire, and commerce of Ceylon. Sir GEORGE MURRAY said he should not follow the hon. gentleman into all the topics he had introduced, but would at once admit that the inhabitants of Ceylon had long laboured under con. aiderable difficulties, arising front the monopoly system, the es. penaivenesa of the establishments, and other causes. Trade, bow. ever, was much improved, and a considerable reduction of expense had taken place; and lie had received dispatches from the com missioners now on the island which led him confidently to expect that they would close their inquiry, and make their report in the month of July next. He agreed with the hon. gentleman in all he had said in favour of Ceylon, of the salubrity of its climate, and adaptation foe trade ; but as the public at large were not well in. formed on that subject, he supposed it would not be preferred by emigrants to other colonies. As we were to speWily to have the report of the commissioners, he thought it would not be advisable to bring the subject under the consideration of a committee till that report should be received. He must, therefore, oppose the motion or the honourable gentleman. Mr. O'CONNELL %aid, the hon. member for Beverly had made out a triumphant ease for immediate inquiry. He had shewn that the revenue was 1010001. less than die expenditure, and that the ex penditure was eight times more than was necessary, and also that the will of the Governor was the sole law maker. These facts we .e not denied, and yet inquiry was refused. Before the Dutch CU! uttered Ceylon, the Jesuits had converted most of the inhabitants to Christianity. The Dutch on chatplethig their conquest commenced a persecution against the Chrfstians, and sent an embassy to Siam to have a college of priests of the idolatrous worship established in Ceylon. There were now but 26 Catholic priests in Ceylon, but, to their honour, they had refused` stipend. from the English govern ment, preferring to the on their Own i.u.psl means. The pubfii not being acquainted with the adiantages ut Ceylon, was a powerful reason for Immediate intpairy. • Mr. RUME said, the crime submitted to the house cried aloud for realm. . The speech of his honm.rable • Mend did him the Man boom, and he trusted peed's@ the best Abet. A Rees As p could not eerhelpefore pettiness( Laid Bathurst said, rv a % ago, it was the duty of I:=aent Dot onsopre. void any seesatulatton of debt , but to fee the ex tinction of the existing debt: A dab* fund srus • than foamed for the k par iFbut like the debits Atria at hone, 1 . 1 was swallowed' up L rlarcle bpi& i T it e in•autexk l . this state tl e . c g on y kept, oui cokieles . irere kept, \N