The National Register. — London, England, 1822-06-30 00:00:00

..,.., -,..... ...ON, S :vinperiat Varttaintnt. HOUSE OF LORDS. MONDAY. JUNE 24. The royal assent was given by cornmiasion . I. the following Sills:—The Irish Malt Duties. the Navigation Laws, the West India and Colonial Trade Bills, the Colonial Securities, the Ancient Commercial Statutes Repeal. Importation of Goods, the Irish Revenue Inquiry, the Manslaughter Bill, the Warrants of Attorney. the Recognizance Bill. the Vagrant Bill, and ell p r ivate bills.—The Commissioners were, the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Shaftesbury. and Viscount Melville. The Marquis of HATit preaseated a petition from Stafford against the lore Bill. Karl VITAL/B(40K It presented three petitions from Somer set, Inc Earl of %Vestniorland seven front Notthanipton, the Marquis of Camden one from Kent. the Duke of Beaufort four from Monmouth, all on the subject of Agricultural Distress.— Laid on the table. Earl DARNLEY presented a petition from Henry Hondas Peron, late a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, complaining that he had been deprived of his commission, under a conviction produced by conspiracy aod perjury. The petitioner prayed that his case might be taken under the consideration of the house, with a view of restoring his commission. Lord MELVILLE did not object to the petition lying on the table, at the same time he could not avoid saying a few words. The petitioner was convicted, at the assizes for Kent. of obtain ing money under false pretences, in consequence of which the Admiralty deprived him of his commission. A writ of error was filed upon points of law, whist had not been decided in favour of the petitioner. In case the result should . prove conspiracy arid perjury against the witnesse s. the Adm iralty would restore his communion; until that result was known, they could nut restore it —The petition was laid on the table. The Earl of CAItNARVON presented a petition from the farmers and others, in the town of Itoinford, Essex, praying . for the repeal of Mr. Secretary Peel's bill , to thc operations of which they attributed the depreciation of the currency and all the distress of the country. The noble earl supported the view taken by the petitioners. The Earl of LI VERI'OOI. could not admit the depreciation of the currency had been occasioned by the bill of the right hon. gentleman alluded to. Lord I..AULIERD ALE stated a similar opinion. The petition was then laid on the table. Lord REDESDALE presented a petition from Warwick against the Corn Bill. head, and laid on the table. On the motion of Lord ELLEN BOROU(GH, the house went again into committee on the Marriage Act Amendment Bill. The remaining clauses were then discussed by the Lord Chan cellor, LorthEllenbolough, Lord Redestletle„ Lord Westmorland, bird Liverpool, and the Earl of Harrowby. The LORD CHANCELLOR iarimetted, that it was his lettermen to submit three clauses on receiving the report. Several amendments were made, and the committee got through the bill, with intention to debate it again upon the report.-.. The house then adjourned. TUESDAY. JUNE 25. The Kilmainham Hospital Bill, the Irish Window Tax, and the Insolvent Debtora' Bill, were brought up from the House of ttttt lions and read die first time. Lord REDESI)ALE presented three petitions from North umberland, Lord CALTIIOItP five from Suffolk, and the Marquis of LANSDOWNE several from Dorsetshire, against the Corn Bill. They were severally rend turd laid on the table. ARMY AND NAVY I'F.NSIONS BILL.TIIC Earl of LI- V ERPOtil proposed the second reading of the Army and Navy Pensions Bill and stated the object of the meaaure.—He said the question bud been fully stated in the House of Commons, and it was unnecessary to go into minute details. The House would find the measure an equitable arrangement for the good of the country.—lt would equalize the public burden for 45 years, and tall lighter on the country at that period. It was not un- Eddy :alining the burden, on posterity—because at the end of 45 year.. it wou'al stand exactly as it did now. When the subject was tinder the discussion of the South Seas Company and die Bank, it was thought tan to make the annuities extend to 45 jeers, and the interest was calculated upon terms favourable to the public. Having stated the general details, 1w observed, that no man who looked at the state of the country could avoid wishing a reduction of the national debt, and also a reduction of taxation pro Nutt); but with respect to the distraaaea of agricultute, lie did not believe n repeal of agricultural taxes would answer any good whatever. It might benefit one class,but it w wild add to the et ifficulties id other obo.es. lie wished the I louse and the couutry not to be deluded by the cry that reduction of taxation would reduce agricultural distress. That which removed the public front an artificial to a natural slate of things, must Isencht the public. The gradual reduction of the national debt could only :dhoti perniant tit and certain relief to the country. The noble Earl concluded by tootling the second reading tat the bill. The Marquis of LA NSDfI‘VN E said he could not withhold his assent to the general object of a ineaaure, which would cer tainly produce Wine relief to the burthens of the country, at the avenue of increasing the debt to be paid by posterity. The noble Earl had stated with confidence unworthy has great mind, that the measure did not cast an additional burthen on posterity.— W hat, in fact, did they create by the bill ? They created on uric braid a set of commissioners and trustees, whoa: duty it was 'o boy and sell debt. In that part tat the city of London where the stock was sold, called the market, the commodity was liable to fluctuation, increase and depression, The co 1111 l dasioners and trusties had an interest in operating in a way Caro must injure the public, rind ultimately a 14),A must fall on posterity. 'I he noble Earl had argued, that whatever might be absorbed by the tot asure would revert again to the country, but that plopraition he could not give his assent. Having reverted to the negotiation for the rer.ewal of the Bank charter, he declared that he sitould be happy to hear that project was abandoned, because the govern ment had wade a mast improvident bargain. The Earl of IA U DER DA I sunlit), hal the bill, and admitted that the operation of the measure would do much good. by in creasing the demand for commodities in the market. Every poor soldier, and half-pay officer, would be obliged to expend his little pension as soon as he obtained it. 'rile noble Earl, vaDIA he cut ported die bill, opposed the system of the sinking lund. After di.cussion the Bill was read the second time.— Atijouined. 'EDNESDAY. JUNE 2t. The Doke of POlt•I*1. A ND preseutixi two petition. from Nor. thtdrierlatal apititst the Corn 0111. Lord Erskine presented a petition from a number of persons residtng at l'oplar and Bromley, praying the bill to prevent cruelty to animals may pass intuit Law !—Laid on the table. Coe ars or .1 usirtue Alarquis to DoWN! , I I 'BE adverted to certain papers which he had moved too on a former day respecting fees in the coot t s of justice in Ire lamb The noble Marquis wished to know tile cause of delay in making the n turns, a n d whether the noble Earl could forward them ? lie took the opportunity of stating, at the same time, that great beuctit had been derived bona the labours of the cont. tailanooers ap t unmet to examine into Irish courts of justice. Mad saved the Natalie, since their appointmeat, not less then frfa,ottl. Ile expressed a hope that enquiry would be made into the practice of all the aunts in Ireland. 'lite more the affairs of that country were investigated the b tier would his Majeaty's tmveradoont find the administration of justice: The record office, est..6li.hal in 1810, would i 3 a proper subject of enquity, and a source front which moth might be derived. The Earl tit UV P.IIPOOI , visa sensible of the advantages to whreb ore noble 9laigtu. a 11441.1 Tue. cutuntiwtootts had , . . THE NATIONAL REGISTER operated - ly. With respect to the papers moved for by the noble Martini , ' he hail written to know the cause of delay, and the noble M arquia should be made acquainted with it as early as possible. MARRIAGE ACT ANIENDam s : e mist, Lord ELLENBOROUGH moved the order of the day for receiving the report of the Marriage Act Amendment Bill. The LORD CHANCELLOR entered into a detail of all the provisions of the Bill, and gave it his decided opposition, He was ready to admit. that a marriage once solemnized ought to be valid, but he could never agree to the retrospective clause in this. because it would break down the rights of individuals. who had exercised those rights under the sanction of existing laws. He could not consent to make a large portion of the population, who had offended the law, happy, and a larger portion. perhaps, who had not offended the law. unhappy. Having stated eases of hard ship which must occur under the bill as it then stood, die noble and learned Lord said he should not do his duty. unless lie went the length of maki4 a proposition to the Home. which would enable him to r on the journals, that he hid not given his recctassent to the ive part of the billl. Supposing it sight that marriages since 1754. should madegood and valid, what were they about to do by the bill ? They were making marriages good, hut unjustly taking away the rights and interests of persons in possession of rents and profits of estates on the legal notion that marriages were bad. If the delicacy of families could allow the great conveyancers of the country to appear at the bar, the House might know what injury the bill would do. In sonic instances persons intitled to interests and remainder for lift, had sold those interests, and be might ask what was to be done in those cases? ' The putchaser could not be defrauded of his legal purchase.— The hill bad passed over in the most indifferent manner the into in= the lower classes of life. paying a sort of axis r: motion . 'retention to the interests of higher classes. The noble ' and learbed.Load alluded to die defects in marriages by banns. — The }for woman deceived by the person who married her. giving a false name, .was as much intitled to have her feelings considered. and her marriage made valid, as those who were ir regularly married by licence. It was clear she could not know whether the person gave a right or a wrong name. The children were also innocent, yet snfliaers by the fraud. This case under marriage by banns was not provided for by the bill. They were leaving bud' marriages by banns, and net regarding them at all. If the House could make such a distinction lie never could. The noble and learnsal Lord proposed to move certain clauses. First. that nothing in the act should render valid marriages declared invalid by a competent court, before the passing of the an.— Secondly . , that no marriage.which appeared invalid by the result of any judicial proceeding previous to the passing of the bill, should he made valid.—That the act should not not make valid any marriage which before the passing of the act had been legally brought into question. There were other clauses with respect to deeds and die conveyance of property which protected the sante against the operation of the bill. AU these clauses lie proposed to submit, after the House should agree to the retrospective clause, as it stood amended by the committee. Lord ELLENBOROUG li defended the retrospective clause. After the noble and learned Lord and the house, had given their assent to the proposition, that a marriage once solemnised ought to be valid. the retrospective clause followed as the necessary consequence of that 84nm-slam He was ready to entertain the clauses pmpsed by the !ethic and learned Lord. and partfcularly a clause respecting marriages by banns, after the bill, as anundW, should be agreed to. The LORD CHANCELLOR had no objection to discuss clauses on the third reading of the bill. He declared his inten tion to woe against the retrospective clause. The Earl of HARROW BY supported the retrospective clause. but agreed with the Lord Chancellor that it might be modified. The LORD CHANCELLOR then put the question—ls it your Lordships' pleasure to :wee to the dauscs as amended by the committee ? The motion was carried. He then put the question—ls it your Lordships' pleasure that the clause so amended stand part of the bill ? The qeestion was decided in the alfinuative, and the retros pective clause was subsequently agreed to, with the single dissent of the Lord Chancellor. The Earl of LIVERPOOL then moved, as an amendment, that the bill should not extend to any marriage with respect to the validity of which any suit is now pending. The amendment was tuitetal to, and after some discussion the bill was ordered to be read a third time to-morrow, when the Lord Cliancallor'a classes will come under discussion. The House then adjourned. THURSDAY. JUNE 27. The Scotch Distilleries, the Brighton Pier, and the Westmin ster Improventent Bills, were brought up from the House of Commons, with several private bills. A message informed the Lords that the Commons had agreed to Doyle s Divorce Bill. Mr. Tyndal presented accounts relative to the revenue of Ireland. Coati Blass—The Earl of LIVERPOOL stated, that it would be convenient to several noble Lords if the discussion expected to ensue on the second reading of the Coin Bill, were deferred to another stage of the Bill, and all he wished to know was the time the House would appoint for the committal of the Bill. Lord ERSKINE said he had an amendment to propose on the third reading. The Earl of LIVERPOOL then asked if there was any ob• jection to the Bill being read a second time, with an undeistand ing that the discussion should conic on when the bill is commit ted on Monday. E. , rl GREY said he had no objection to the proposition of the the noble Lord. He hail then to pre ant a petition front North umberland, in which the paitioneistlisapproved of the Bill, and suited that it would be ruinous to the country. The noble Earl accordingly presented Ins petition, which was read and laid on the table. The Committee was then fixed for Monday, and the third read ing for Friday. Lord It EDESD ALE presented a petition from Surrey, com plaining of agricultural distress. Laid on die table. The discussion on the Marriage Act Amendment Bill was fixed for to-morrow. Lord CAW DOR presented a petition from certain acting justices of the prate in the county of Pembroke, playing fur par liamentary consideration of Welch judicature, with a view to the improvement thereof. The subject occasioned a conversation between Lord Cawdor, Lord Redmdale, the lord Chancellor. Lord Bute, the Marquis of Lansdowne, and other Lords, alter which the petition was read, and laid tin the table. The bills on the table were forwanhal in difibrent stages, and the House adjourned. FRIDAY, JUNE 28. The Home met soon after live o'cloek. I aird I' ITZ W I ILLI A NI presented several petitions from York shire, against the new Coin Bill. Laid on the table. The Earl of LAU DERDAL pmented a petition from a married woman named licoim, now a prisoner in the King's Bench, for a debt contracted before marriage, praying a consider ation of her case, which the noble Lord declared to be one of considerable hardship. It appeared that the petitioner had been arrested for a debt contracted when a widow, and previous to her marriage with her present husband. She applied to be discharged under the Insolvent Deb ors' Act, but the commisaioners laid that being unable. as a married woman, to make an assignment "l'imptrty, they were unable to g ive her, or her husban d the benefit a the act. The noble Ear moved that the petition he 14aid OD tile tgblc, ob,ct vin,; that a noble and learned friend (Load rd Retie. dale) W, t. apt 4.11 to taL II under hi., con 4th:ration, a was its the ea.ve ttuncti uut a. waa tximAd, t h e. ruble and learn Lord would doubtless make a provision In the MU thee belt* the !louse of Oummona to meet this peculiar ease. The petition was amordingly laid on the table. Several members from the Commons brought apthe Assessed _ Taxes Bin. - Mr. H. G. BENNET brought up the Ale Houses Limning Bill. which was read the first time. Mr. Robinson, from the Custom-house, presented an account of the amount of gold bullion imported up to the latest period. The account of the rates and tolls received from the royal mi litary canal. was also presented pursuant to an order of the House. MARRIAGE ACT. The House on the motion of Lord ELLENBOROUGH, re. sumed the discussion on the clauses of the Marriage Act Amend ment Bill. The noble Lord said, the first atuethdmisht he had to propose would combine in a few words the subject of the two provuos, which the House appeared to consider necessary. in the bill. The clause rum the - following effect—That nothing in the bill should make valid any marriage declared invalid by any judgment, decree, or order of any Court of Liter or Equity befire the passing of this act. The LORD CHANCELLOR stated, that the clause pro posed would not effect the object the noble Lord had in view. The Earl of HA RIIO W BY said, the House might safely prefer the clause, which he understood it was the intention of the noble and learned Lord to move. Lord ELLENDOROUGII obmwed, that hie object was merely to condense in a few words the proviso of the noble and learned Lord. Ho had no objection to the noble and learned Lord's clauses. The 1011 I) CHANCELLOR then proposed his first clause, in substance that nothing in the act was to render valid a mar which. before the passing of the act, was void.—The amendment was agreed to. The noble and learned Lord then said it was usual, when questions where right and title were con cerned, for Courts of Equity to direct an issue so try the fact, and if upon the trial of such fact the invalidity of marriage was made out, the court decided that the child or children were legitimate. In order to provide against any alteration of such legal decisions, he moved his second clause, namely, that the act should not ex tend to any marriage. the invalidity of which had been affteted by any issue in competent Courts of Justice. The clause was agreed to and added to the bill. The I.ORD CHANCELLOR then observed, that he was about to propose a clause, which he did not expect the House would agree to ; but it was his duty to propose it, and stand by IL The clause would relate Ito tides to property acquired by valid consideration. If the HQuae mole marriages good, it did nut follow that they ought to alter titles to property. Wills had I been made by parties who never exlected such, a bill as that be fore the House to pass. If they had contemplated the operation of the bill, they would have made different wills, and perhaps the House would not interfere with rights so acquired. The noble and learned Lord concluded by moving that, parties. the holders of rights and titles to real and persor.al estates, should not be affected by the bill. Lord LAUDERDALE strongly opposed the clause. Lord ROSSLY N said, the clause proposed woman unfair mode of defesuiwg the retrospective clause. The LORD CIiANCEL.LOR defended the clause; but on lie qu cation being put, it was negatived. Several other amendments were made by Lord Effenborough and Lord Redesdale I after which the report was agreed to. and bill ordered to be read a third time on Tuesday. Adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS. MONDAY, :UNE .2-1 L Mr. Quarme, the Yeoman fisher °film Black Rod, summoned the House to attend in the House of Peers to tier die royal assent given by commission to sundry public and private bills. [Sce Cords.] Mr. MONEY brought in fl bill to amend the laws on the subject of ballast on the River Tbamab, &c. Read a first time. Doyle's Divorce Bill went through a committee. Counsel appeared, and witnesses were examined at the bar. Mr. LUSIIINGTON presented the report of the committee on the colonial audit. It was rather balky. Mr. BENNET moved that the report be printed. Mr. LUSHINGTON adverted to the voluminous contents, and said, from the nature of the documents, perbaps the prints iug of selections from the report would answer every useful purpose. (Ilear.) Motion withdrawn for the present, to afford the opportunity of making the aelections. SALT TAX. --Mr. CALCRAFT presented a petition from Greenwich on the subject of the salt tax ; and in doing so, lie intreated the right boa. gent. to abandoa the whole of the tax, as so much had been done. Mr. CURWEN enquired when the right bon. gentleman was likely to bring forward his resolutions on the subject of the salt tax ? Tile CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that as the lion. and learned gentleman's (Mr. Brougham's) motion would this evening have precedence, be thought there would not be opportunity to bring the question forward before Friday. it, however, should then have precedence of the budget. Mr. CALCRAFT understood, that it was positively to he brought forward on Friday. He was sorry, however, that the budget was not to have precedence ; for otherwise, Ite the nourishing state of the income would have shown that this remnant of a tax was not required. The tea was not to be abandoned now ; it was to last for sit months longer, till Ja nuary mat ; he therefore hoped that it would be aces that such remains of a tax would not be required at that period. Mr. WI LLI AMS (of Lincoln) also belied that the Chancellor of the Exchequer would &bail& o the whole of the tax, and thereby relieve the manufacturing proportions of bis,Majest)'s subjects from the visitations of the excise. Ile had not too munch regard for the regulations of the excise. The salt trade required certain bonds to be given under particular circum stances; frequently they exposed the parties to the excise, " from the mercy of which God deliver him 1 .” Mr. CU RW EN repeated his hope, that the whole of the tax woud be abandoned ; if it were not, he should be e red to prove l that to get 150,0001. tax, it would cost the pa minim y 450,0001. or, that the poor man would be compelled to pay three halfpence instead of one halfpenny. Petition ordered to lie on the table. Mr. S. RICE presented a petition from the Grand Jury ot I Kerry, complaining of um:gnat assessments, Ile said lie should submit a motion on the subject, on July 4. Petition ordered to be printed. Mr. WILMOT presented the report of the committee on tho Canada trade eels. The resolutions were read. Gen. G ASCOT N E asked whether these resolutions concerned the consolidation of the Canadas. Mr. \V ILMOT answered, that the subjects were to be in corperiated in oue bill. Mr. 11111G11 I' said the measure was of great importance. — Resolutions argeed to. or I enli. SP.—The report of the committee of supply wa i . irei u ented. The resolut ion g ranted 100,0001. for the relict of rt,eh.siGASCOVN sand, he did not mean t o °l n e rt to the re solutiflll, but lie did think it ought to have been preceded by enquiry. From all he lied beard from Ireland, be did not be• benenciail •y • T.'