Star. — London, England, 1808-04-28 00:00:00

PARLLIMENTART PROCEEDINGS. HOUSE OF COMMONS, APRIL 27. Lord BARNARD presented a Petition from the Debtors in Cork Gaol, praying relief. Ordered to lie on the Table. Colonel STANLEY brought ups Bill for making certain Alter ations in the Poor Laws. Read a first, and ordered to be read a second time on the 16th of May. Mr. Alderman COMBE rose, pursuant to notice, to move for leave to bring in a Lill to make Child-Ste lit z , an indictable offer... e. Leave given. The Bill was brought in, read a first time and ordered to be printed and read a second time on Monday. The LORD ADVOCATE of SCOTI.AND moved for a Com mittee to consider so inueh of an Act of the 26th of the King as related to the Stock of the Court of Session. In answer to a question from Mr. CREEVEY, he said that the design was to ascertain the amount of the Stock, and to consider the most proper mode for applying it. Agreed to. He then moved, that the I louse should to-morrow resolve itself into a Committee, to consider the 27th Report of the Finance. Committee of the 16th of June, 1798, relating to the Courts of I uati::e. In answer to a quotient- from Lord H. PETTY, he said, the 0 . ..)j,.c*. was to make a provision for Scotch Judges retiring, similar drat which existed in the case of the English Judges. Ordered. The Acts for making Provision for British Judges were referred to the Committee. Mr. HUSKISSON brought up an Account of the effective strength of the Volunteers and Militia for the Years 1801-2-3- +,5-6-7 and 8. Ordered to lie on the table, and to be printed. Mr. PARNELL moved for a return of the Civil Bills respect ing Tythes that had been determined in Ireland by the Assistant Barristers during the year ending January 1808. Ordered. Mr. ROSE presented anAccount of the proceedings of the Privy Council respecting the Gratuities taken for TradingLicences, and respecting certain alterations as to Fees. Ordered to lie on the table and to be printed. t;;lnnel SHIPLEY, according to notice, moved for returns of the OCicers and Men wanting to complete the Militia, and of the men wantin,,, ,, to complete the Volunteers up to their original esta blishment. Ordered. Mr. LONG gave notice of a motion for accelerating the audit ing of the Accwants of the Pay Office. Mr. WARD presented an Account of Prize Causes. Ordered to be printed. LOCAL MILITIA BILL. Colonel SHIPLEY asked, whether it was determined to press the second reading of the Local Militia Bill on Friday, and inti mated a desire that it might be postponed. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER intimated that he was not prepared to answer fur the intentions of the Noble Lord; he, however, believed it was his intention to purses the progress of the BEL Mr. WINDHANI said a few words in favour of the pus:t rent:went. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated, that he did not see any very particular reason for complying with the request ; there had been a long notice given of the intention to hare the Bill read a second time on Friday, tt:Al if Gentlemen thought it so important it was in their power su to regulate mat ters as to be able to attend. CALL OF THE Housr. The SPEAKER acqu:..inted the House, that, as an Election Ballot stood for to-morrow, he would proceed to count the House over. IWAD BODIES FRAM WRFChg. Mr. TREMAINE rose, pursuant to notice, to move for leave to bring in a bill to enforce the Curial of Dead Bodies cast ashore from Wrecks, &c. lie had been induced to make this motion by strong re presentations from the County for which he was mem ber (Cornwall), of the nuisance occasioned by a glect on this head upon its coast, and winch must prevail,to a greater or less de Tree in every nrritime county. It often happened that bodies were cast ashore among poor and ignorant people, who were pre vented by the expence from burying them. I-Te men tioned two cases in which this had happened ; ibe one on the bars of the Anson frigate, the other on the loss of a transport with troops from Buenos Ayres. The bodies were either left unburied, or were buried in heaps. The provisions of the Bill would be to encou rage the giving notice of such cases to the nearest parish officers, to compel the officers to bury the bodies in the parish church-yards, and to reimburse them, in certain instances, from the treasury of the county. Leave given. ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. Mr. WARDELL gave notice, that on Monday he would move several Amendments to the Assessed 'faxes Bill. Mr. Wardell said, he wished to know from his Majesty's Ministers whether any alterations had been made in the Medical Department, in con- , sequence of the sth Report of the Military Comn:is sioners, and whether the offending persons had been dismissed from their situations ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that the Report Was under consideration, and when it was recollected how voluminous it was, and the multiplicity of other duties which the Members of the Government had to attend to, he hoped no charge of neglect or remissness would attach to them, though nothing had as yet been finally determined upon in consequence of that Report. Mr.WA RDE L L was not satisfied with the answer, and unless the Right Hon. Gentleman took up the matter, he would feel it his duty to give notice of a :lotion on the subject. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER v- objection to a notice being given by the Hon. for bringing the Report uncle' the consi r:ion of the House at a reasonably distant day. FL A X-SEED. fir JOHN NEWPORT had heard a ntmour, hat in consequence of the great-want of Flax Seed in Ireland, that which had been sent to Great Britain to be crushed into oil, was intended in some instances to be sent back to Ireland to be sown. He adverted to this in order if it was not correct to have it contra dicted as publicly as it had been asserted. The report, whether true or false, had not itito the newspapers. Mr. W. FOSTER had first heard of this in the newspapers. It was natural for persons who had Flax Seed in this country to send it to the best market, but care had been taken none should be admitted to Ire land. except what was in hogsheads—the seed for crushing being always in bulk. IRIS!! MINT DRAWBACKS. The House resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill for perpetuathlg the Irish Spirit Drawback Bill. Sir JOHN NEWPORT wished to know when the error in the Union Act, which gave rise to the original Bill now proposed to be continued, was to be adjusted. Mr. FOSTER answered, that it was intended to be brought forward before the end of this Session he hoped in about six weeks. Sir JOHN NEWPORT consented to a delay of six weeks, but protested against a further delay. Mr. FOSTER rejoined, that the only reason why he mentioned the latter end of the Session was, the connection of this measure with another, namely, the ion of the distilling of sugar instcai of cc rn, .n itish distilleries; and he couli not say wl.en the don of that measure would c:ast. Sir J. NEWPORT said, that these DieasUres were distinct.; atvd it.wo.ald not follow, that because the distillery of sugar was deemed necessary in England, it must also be adopted in Ireland, which was not bound by the Act of Union to any such measure of assimilation ; but the people of that country had strong cause of complaint on the head of distilleries, espe cially for a gross infringementsof the principles of the' Act of Union. The fact stood thus : by an error in the wording of a clause in the Act of Union, respec ting the liberty of reciprocally importing from one country into the other the produce of their respective distilleries, on paying duties equivalent to the inter nal rate on either, the words , g Great Britain," which included Scotland, was inserted instead of the word England. This was productive of inconvenience by no means intended ; and while it was injurious to the distillery of Ireland, it was equally so to the reve nue of England. It became necessary, therefOre, to expbrin this matter by - an Act which passed at the latter end of the last Session, without any opportu nity of discussion., •Wltt:eby the drawbacks to the Irish distiller, upon sending his goods into this country, were suspended ; and the only boon whi.:h Ireland de rived from the Union, in return tOr the m any and im portant sacrifices she had made, and Which was really considered a boon of importance to the Irish distille- ries, was done away. He :e ;s sorry to be driven to observe, that not only in this, but a.most every other instance, when the interests of Ireland can into com petition in that House, those of Ireland must always give way, and those of Enema preponderate. If this practice continued, it must teach the people of that country to consider the measure of Union rather as a curse than an advantage, as had been too gene rally the case already. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, he could not suffer the assertions just made to pass unnoticed—assertions which were calculated to produce mischief between the two countries. After such general and unqualified assertions, he hoped at least to hear the Hononrab:e Baronet state some of those numerous instances he alleged, in support of his assertions ; and to bring fairly betbre the House a full and fair investigation how far so unjust a prin ciple had bean acted upon : but on that point he had thought proper to he sileut. For his own part, how ever, he could declare it to be his own principle, and that which he had ever understood to be the uniform principle and practice of that House, that on all ques tions involving any competition between the interests of Great Britain and Ireland, the scale should deci- dedly turn in favour of Ireland. As to the measure now bei4e the House, it originated with the Right lion. Baronet himself; and was introduced at a time when he had a seat in 11:S Majesty's Government, and did not oppose it. A discussion of some length ensued, in whit.% Sir JOHN NEWPORT still adhered to his assertion, and rested upon the case of the distilleries as one strong in stance in support of his assertion. The measure of which he complainel, as a viaation of the Unian, was adopted at the instance of the great body of British distillers, who represcw ed that they coul•I not stand against the advantages allowed to the Irish distillers; and hmce the only advantage ,11 the Uhioht to Ireland w,:s immediately suspended. __.. . . . Mr. M'NAUC HTUN Li...lared, that the assertions of the Right Honourable B.!ronet were calculated to produce in Ireland the most mischievous effects, and he ped the Right Honourable Baronet would either revoke his assertion, or specify some of those innume rable instances of the practice he alleged ; but the very reverse of which, he had uniformly observed to be the principle and practice of that House, in every measure respecting Irelant,l ever since the Union. Mr. WIL•BERFORCE spoke at some length, to the same purpose. He said he could answer for his own principles and wishes ; and so far as he could judge of those of the House, they were guided by justice .and favour in all cases towards Ireland ; and he thought it would be impossible for that House to act injuriously or partially to the injury of Ireland, without injuring the whole empire, inasmuch as an union of common interests and affections was the last hope for our common security. Such assertions there-. fore as he had heard coming this night from a person of the Right Honourable Baronet's character and consideration must go forth, if uncontradicted, with the most mischievous tendency. He hoped, there fore, the Right Honourable Baronet would explain away assertions made in the warmth of debate, and which, upon cooler reflection, his own good sense must tell him were not f•anded in fact. Sir JOHN NEWPORT Nrsisted in h's assertion, avowed every defenrice to the opinion of the Hon. Gentleman, but said he could not be deterred by any imputation's upon motives, from making his corn- I plaints in that House, where they might be ans wered or redressed; rather than out of doors, where they could only excite murmurs and discontents. Mr. FOSTER defied the Right Hon. Baronet to state any single act in support of his assertion. He knew that he could state none. Sir JOHN NEWPORT read an extract from the Spirit Drawback Bill -now in existence : and he com plained that thereby the Irish distiller was obliged to refund upon the spirits lie exhausted, the bounty allowed him by the Irish Revenue Board by law, in considera tion of distilling in stills of not less than five hundred gallons. Mr. FOSTER skewed that this, so far from being a just ground of complaint, was absolutely necessary to place the English and Irish distillers in their respec tive markets reciprocally, upon the precise footing sti pulated by the Act of Union. Mr. PARNELL contended, that his Right Hon. Friend (Sir John Newport) was right in the supposi tion, that the Act would tend to injure the Irish dis tillers. If the Act of Union gave an advantage in one point to one of the countries, he supposed it gave an equivalent to the other : that was matter of consi deration at the time of its enactment, and certainly it would be highly unjust now to alter any of the pro visions which were advantageous to Ireland. He thought the imputation cast on this Act was perfectly justihed by the circumstances : as to the surprize which the Chancellor of the Exchequer intimated, at the supposition that this bill went to injure Ireland, he did not see any particular gzounds for it : the re port of the Committee now sitting on the subject of distillation he thought might tend, together with the operation of this Act, materially to prevent the sale of Irish manufacture.. _ . Mr. DENNIS BROWNE also expressed his . dis- appei3bation of the language used by the Honourable BarOnet, and of declamations against the Union. 's After some further conversation on tilis,subject be tween Mr Rose, Mr. Parnell, Mr. Leslie Foster, Mr. W. Taylor, Mr. Marriot, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the regulations' were agreed to, and or dered to be reported to-morrow. COMMITTEE OP SUPPLY. Mr. FOSTER moved that there be granted to his Majesty a sum not less than 10,0001. Irish currency, to defray the eipence of publishing proclamations and advertisements in the Gazette, and other Papers, for the year 1808. Mr. PARNELL rose for the purpose of moving, that the words 46 and other Papers," be left out. He stated that these proclamations were extended by Go vernment to other Papers merely for the purpose of undue influence. There was no necessity for this ; it entailed an exorbitant expence . on the country, which was increased as much as possible by the Edi tors of Newspapers, for their own emolument. He instanced three cases out of many in which old pro clamations were actually inserted for no other pur pose ; one of theni was of so old a date as 1805, warning all his Majesty's good and loving subjects in 1808, of a fever which raged in Gibraltar at. the first issuing of the proclamation.---CA laugh.)—A second was also inserted in 1808, giving notice of a limita tation to the exportation of goods from Ireland, which limitation expired in. 1807. A third was lately in sertect also, giving notice of a supply of seamen wanted in 1805. Such was the service for the support of which Parliament was now solicited, if he did not miscal that a service which was in itself unnecessary, or made necessary only for the purposes of corruption. Sir ARTHUR WELLESLEY contended, that there. was no additional expence incurred by the re publication of those old proclamations which were alluded to, as the Editor; were genes :ally paid en matte, and not for each particular publication. As to any attempt at influence, he disclaimed it as far as con cerned himself altogether ; nor did he think the pub lication of those proclamations any proof of such an intention. It was notorious, that amid a variety of Irish papers there were many . particularly aclofrie to the Government of the 'day, which contained these proclamations. Mr. NVINDH A M saw plainly that the Honourable Secretary could not deny the fact, and yet did not attempt to state any justification of it. He did not see any reason why the publication of Proclamations in Ireland should be different from that mode adopt ed in this country, where it was not extended beyond the Gazette. The Irish Editors, however, seemed to have a strange propensity to Pr oclamations, since it appeared they even dished up the old ones a second time. —(A laugh.)—Surely it was a natural affection they cherished for them, for indeed they could not convey a very lively interest to their readers. He thought the fondness in this instance might be very leconomical to the nation ; and, indeed, it would be very foolish to pay them for reprinting old Procla mations, when, ten to one, but their friendship for them would tempt them to print them once, at all events, for nothing, and that would answer every ne cessary purpose.(4 laugh.)—He hoped a stop -,vould be put to such an unnecessary expenditure. Sir A. WELLESLEY said, he could not see how the grant of that money was in any degree abused ; and it certainly was not his fault if the Editors.made a bad selection of Proclamations; he had not the su perintendance of the Editors of Ireland, ankhe hoped he would not be made responsible for their Ilsults. Mr. PARNELL said, there appeared to him to be a regulhr traffic carried on between the Press and the Government in Ireland ; it 'seemed as if the first step of each succeeding Ministry ought to be to see what each Editor would sell for ! '1 here was a peculiar loss attending the insertion of these proclamations; in. asmuch as - they paid no stamp duty, and so prevented the insertion of advertisements which did. As to the 'arguments made use of to shew the disinterestedness of Government by extending the proclamations to Oppo sition papers, he thought they made against those who produced them, as they shewed not only an in clination to increase the expence to the country, but also to try to the utmost what temptation could do. Mr. CROKER said, that being intimate with an Editor of an Irish newspaper, he had remarked to him particularly the circumstance now alluded to, that of re-printing old proclamations. The answer the Edi tor gave was--A , Faith, to tell you the truth, we often arc so barren of news, and so pinched for want of pa ragraphs, that we consider ourselves very well off when we can make shift with a convenient proclama tion ; it is not very interesting to be sure, but then it serves to fill up the paper" (a laugh ;) he said inferior newspapers only republished them. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the expence was not so very unnecessary as had been stated, since there were also advertisements pub lished, which, if paid for separately, would cost per haps more than they did at present;—the expence might be greater too, as in that case it could not well come under the notice of the House. If they wished for the diffusion of • the proclamations, and withheld their publication from other papers, the consequence would be, that they would be obliged to send the Ga zette gratuitously about, and so incur a monstrous expence. It ought to be observed, however, that the Amendment did not go by any means to a diminu tion of the expence, but only to the mode of incur ring that expcnce, by limiting the emolument to the Gazette. After a few remarks from Sir John Newport, the question being put " that the original words do stand," it was carried in the affirmative without a division. Mr. FOSTER then moved as follows : 25,0001. for defraying the expences of criminal prosecutions in Ireland. 9971. for defraying the expeneei of the Gold-mines In the County of Wicklow. 20001. for defraying the expences of the Cork Institution. 18241. for finishing the Repairs, and defraying the expellees of Madame Stevens's Hospital. 40881. for erecting Additional Buildings to Sir Patrick Dunn's Clinical Hospital. 5121. Bs. for repaying to Edward lent so much Money paid into the Treasury in his own wrong. 44341. for the Salaries of Lottery officers In Ireland. Mr. FOSTER Intimated, that he should then proceed to the Mynooth College ; on which • Mr. ELLIOTT observed, that in so thin a House, he hoped the Right Hon. Gentleman would not bring forward a matter of so muck importance. Mr. FOSTER answered, that If the Hon. Gentleman thought it would occasion any debate, ►e would not then press it; acd after a few words from Mr. Elliott, this part of the business was post poned to Friday.—Rreport was ordered to be received to-morrow. COMMITTSII olf MATS AND NIIIIANt • The House having resolved itself into a C.cauni te of Ways and Means, Mr. HUSKISSON rose to move for leave toad the surplus of the taxes for the last year to the ser v i ce of the present year. He said there was actually ; deficiency last year of 109,0001.: but the Commit tee would recollect; that his Right Hon. Friend hadp io .. posed to fund the sum of 4,000,0031. which had b eet done; and in order to excite competition, all h o ld ers. of Exchequer Bills outstanding, should be allow e 4 to fund. The consequence of this wasp there v ras thereby created a surplus amounting to 2,883,00 t which were chargeable on the war taxes of 1807, and' which released the aids from that sum ; so th at t h e 'deficiency of 109,0031. having been substracted from, 2,363,G001. left 'a balance of the sum now p ro p osed to be voted towards the service of the present year. He moved therefore, and it was resolved, • That the sum of 2,253,000). a surplus of the last yar, be en ua l to hls Majest) flr the service of the present year. lie also moved that the clothing of the Militia for 1808 Awl he defrayed out of the money arising by the Land-tn.—On:eta Also tha the allowance to Officers of the Militia, and the pry of (liJhauded Serkants from the 'Militia, duttng pact, aloal,tbe paid out of the Land-tax.—Ordared. Also that the pa; ;.rd ch , thing of the of Inland shoal& Ua paid tut a Consolidated Fund.-01slaed. • 'l'hz lionsa was rAtnnetl, and the report or.kred to be rs. ceived v.-morrow. Mr. FOSTER raw notice that ha would on ;,, Committee of Way; :tnd hf.r.g forward the rooltitiacs which he had tl.i4 t!'ght pos!pc:r.:l. Mr. LUSIIINOTON moved for an account cf the gustultv at Oats, Bariti, and Rye imp:-.rted into Lng!and s:nce 1795; 'fro the sums paid for the same.—Ordered.—Adjol:tucd. TI K EV EN NG STAR. LONDON. . ndoptic the Brit discussi THURSDAY, APRIL '2B. PRICE. OF STOCI:`; THIS DAY A; CNL O'CLOCK. Consols, for money, 6611—for account, 661--Reduced 6511-- Exchequer Bills, Bs. to 10:•. preen.—lndia Bonds 3s. to 41. F. PRICE OF STOCKS YESTERDAY. 3 per Cert. Red. 651; - India Stock 1801 3 per Cent. Cons. 661-1 India Boni.L, Ss. Ss. pr. 4 per Cent. 821 891 821 Lxcheq Biilr, N. 11s. pre. 5 per Cent. Navy, 9911 English Tickets SOL It:, Long Ann. 18 7-I6ths 5-16ths Cons. for acc. ta4ll WEST INDIES. A Leeward Island Mail arrived -this morning, brought to Falmouth by the WINDSOR CASTLE Packet. 6 . She brings no news, her arrival having been antici pated by that of some merchant vessels, by which we have received the journal of our Correspon dent in the . West-Indies to the 27th March. The islands have not of late been so healthy. The newly arrived regimcnts, the 25th and 63d, have suffered the most. The Scotch Royals had likewise been un healthy at Tobago, and the 37th at Trinidada.. Mr. GRANT, the Staff Surgeon, lately died there ; . he was , extremely regretted ; he had served many years with . great credit as Surgeon of that renowned corps the 421 regiment. *Lieutenant-Colonel Booms, of the Royal West-India Rangers, likewise died, after an ill ness of only two days : he was a young officer of very great promise, and the regret for his death was great and general throughout the island. More troops were called for, as some regiments like the 70th, were mere skeletons ; and others, like the 64th, 90th, and Wth, were prodigiously worn out. " BERMUDA, MARCH 26. " On Thursday last arrived, after a short passage of 40 days, from England, 28 transports and victuallers, under convoy of the Pr .N El.O en and another frigate. On board the transports were the troops destinod for this W.and and Halifax. The latter proceeded on their voyage immediately, without coming into port. We believe they are the regiments menioned in a late Gazette, with the addition of the 101st. four transports, with the 13th re* ment on board, came into hlurray's anchorage, and a victuallet into StGeor:::c's harbour. The regiment, it is said, will land to. morrow. We tinderatand that the I larriet transport, with a past of the 43d regiment on board, parted with the convoy in the Bri tish Channel, and it is supposed put into Coat. We have heard nothing more respecting the Rochefort squadron. " Yesterday arrived his Majesty's ship Columbine, Captain Dawns's.% w, from Jamaica, and the Jamaica packet, homeward bound, in distress, having run ashore on Crooked island. Captain Cox, of the Humming Bird, which arrived this week is 10 days, from Trinidad, informs us that there was a report there cf French squadron having got into Guadaloupe.'! VII ♦• c 4 • - • • • ! t+ itiors e l " *sous caIAQ wogs 00 111°1 ! spi* OW lion t° ll* 4 this d 11 11 : 1 O rdl 0" VFW siner Ista E . Musa SPAIN. A letter from Cadiz to an eminent, mercantile house in the city, states the particulars of an insurrec tion which has taken place in that city in consequence of the late Revolution - in the . Spanibh Government. From this letter it appears, that a number of people had attacked those houses in Cadiz, which were sup posed to contain likenesses of the PRINCE of the PEAtez, and the proprietors of which were considered as partial to that personage. In one house a statue of this Prince was found, which the proprietor refused to surrender, and therefore it was destroyed, which, it is said, would have been the fate of the proprietor, had he not contrived to escape by very extraordinary dexterity. The houses of Messrs. STRANGE and SHIELDS were also attacked by the populace, but no evidence of respect or regard for the PRINCE of the PEACE being found in those houses, no injury 14 as done. From all that we have heard we are induced to think that the PRINCE of the PEACE was very gene rally odious in Spain—to the Nobility, by his arro gance ; to the Monied inter ~ by his avarice ; to the religious, by his profligacy ; and to the popula tion, by the suspicion of his devotion to France. Of course his fall was likely to De gratefully hailed by all classes. He appears to be universally hated, and no degree of French influence seems employed to break his fall. 11 vac 117 al Ai . .~