The National Register. — London, England, 1818-04-19 00:00:00

•• I itk4,;4' ) lAf -, /e‘7 id/i(1 / 44 . ( * V ii 1 ter.; 4,,if No. 532.—V0i.. X.I. POLITICAL DISQUISITION. ROYAL MARRI GES. 'louse of Ceremons hove been this week em discuesing the most delicate of all subjects-- tile revenues stud expenditure cf the Royal Family, svith a view to the making at. odditiena: provision far such members cf it as should enter into the married state. It was the original intention of the Ministers to propose en increase of 20,0001. per annum to the Duke of Clarence, and 12,000 i. to the Du .es of Kent, Cum berland, and Cambridge. Upon submitting this, how- ever, to the consideration of a meeting of their friends, it was deemed too liberal, and the respective stuns were in consequence reduced to one:halE Our Parliamentary Report shows, that the House of Commons considered even this too ;Large, rad made a further reduction of 4,0001. in the ease of the Duke of Clarence, putting - a negative altogether on the grant to the Duke of Cum berland. We shall not stop to enquire whether the principles of abstract justice were sufficiently attended to in this refusal, while a similar sum was voted to the Duke of Cambridge, but proceed to treat of the ques tion upon general grounds. Much was said in the lleuse respecting the impropriety of making invidious distinctions, and we certainly think that those Gentle men acted most consistently who either supported or opposed both the grants. From the whole proceedings, many reflections arise, and some of a very gratifying nature, as they regard the excellence of our Constitution, and tile proud pre eminence which it enablea us to enjoy over the nations of the Continent. In what other country couldiuck a discussion have taken place ?—.Where would the claims and resources of a ruling family have been freely can vassed, and partially rejected, but in Britain ? Look ing at the question is this point of view, and with strict impartiality, we have no hesitation in saying -that we rejoice at the result, as it affords a convincing ,proof otthe independence of our countrymen, and a triumphant answer to the assertion that the House is always guided by the Minister. Former instances of vir.essful opposition are indeed sufficient to repel this, but the preceut is perhaps the most decided, as it em braces what may be 2upposed the feelings of the Royal Family, upon a subject of delicacy, and overlooks them for the more exalted and truly. British feeling of puhßc duty. We repeat, that this conclusion is gratifying, inn:winch as it proves thwundaunted spirit, and the ra.. lite of the I louse of Commons ; and we arc persuaded that both the Illustrious Family and the Ministry will cheerfully submit'to the decision, produced, es it un doubtedly was, by the votes cf those men who have been always accustomed to place thesreatesteonfidence in their measures; and. whose opposition, on the pre sent occasion, could not possibly be consecte3 with any party tindiug, or disposition to derogate from the just splendour and dignity of the town. One circum stance we do regret—and that is, the abandon nunn of the treaty of marriage which was entered into for the Duke of Clarereee but which, Lord Cnstlerea;:h stated, his Rot-al Highness now telt himself obliged to decline, as he did not conceive the sum allowed by the House, to be eufficicest fn supporting the degree of s . ,ilendour tvlddit his rank and altered circumstances would require. Now, we must sal that we are net convinced that this is altoectlier correct, for if 60:101 were considered as sufficient r.,r the ether Royal Dukes, why should it not be so tbr all ? This, of course, is without reference to the id..sa or his Royal Highness being entitled to additioaal consi:leration as Heir Pre itniptire. We cannot agree with the Opposition their view of the state of the sueeessien. It is a law fire, ns renittri:c.l liv Lord Liverpool, that mine of hih children have. any imuc, and we think that oa 1.111.0 al. - ..:01:111, the marri.sges of C. 1% noyu , 1-44 Aito it Our laina,Conotatition ant itriVac.l% SUNDAY, APRIL 19, ISIB. thers are highly desirable, and while the principles of ectunomy are generally adhered to by the Government, we do not think that a few thousands a year can be put in competition with the greater na*nal interest of continuing the line of Brunswick to the latest posterity. We have always seen that a young scion of.promiso is ioobed up to by the people with gtl4,4ftection, and we have uo doubt but that oks , lialrOra yoll'ag Prince or Princess, nut very far removed in lire of succession from the Throne, would awaken s:niilar emotions at this time. It is, therefore, to be wished that suitable alliances for some of the Royal Brothers should take place, that the Illustrious Ileum may not be said to hold " A tarren Scertrt is t. gripti" During the discussions, some animadversions were bestowed on the Marriage Act, with which we do not entirely agree. It is very easy to fed that the Mem bers of the Royal Family are placed in a situation of hardship and restraint.; and it is equally easy to say flue things upon the subject, but in our opinion, the evils that would result from its.abolition, are of infi nitely more importance than any that at present exist ; happy indeed must every one be, when, u in a late instance, public welfare and private feeling can be con sulted together, but when not so concurring, there can be no hesitation in deciding which ought to have the preference. We trust, therefore, that the late decision will not throw any obstacles in the way of future ne gotiations, being convinced by the votes that mere agreed to, that the House of Commons would be ready to do all that was reasonable to promote the arrange mentr. Respecting the case of the Duke of Cumber land, we sherli only mate out bX two olasefitticeis. It was scarcely to be expected that the Honse'Would con. tradict itself, and it was very eviddnt, from the manner in which Lord Castlereagh brought it forward, that he felt he was discharging his duty upon a point he scarcely hoped to carry,when the ill-advimd interferenez of a friend (Mr. Forbes) compelled him to proceed to a division, which it had been clearly more prudent and delicate to avoid, thus verifying the old saying, " that an injudicious friend is often the worst enemy. COPYWRIGHT ACT.—According to the returns made to the Ilouse of Commons, the Universities of Oxtbrd and Cambridge have claimed, under this Act, a eon sidenible number of books which they have not ad mitted into their libraries. Considering the prosperous state of these sets of learning, the principle of each'. sion might have Leen carried much farther; and even if till claim in question were abandoned, very little expeine would be incurred in procuring all the supplies of literature that ought now to be requisite there : fur who does not see that to scud books to Oxford and Cambridge woulll be as presumptuous as to pour water into the " Pierian spring ;" " to add," as. Shakespeare says. " a perfume to tl,a violet ;" or, according to the common adage, to carry coals to Newcastle ! DEd.ITF. ON TUE WOOL-TRADE.-..-There was an er ror in all the papers respecting the division upon this question. The truth is, that the bill was lost ; the Ayes fur the Select c.:unitaittee being only 80, (not 88) and the N.)es Str Charles ~ . .Imonstcne, the present Member for the County of will be orT, - . , .ie.1 by Mr. Stewart Nicholson. The Chanceliorof the I:x6er:tier's plan of nnanet! lies been coniraunicated Jfficially. The following auc its chief particulars. FLAW TOR MXZHANOIPM 5 PEA Ct. - .`7T. CON3O/.3 OR ILMICED TOR A 3,1 rEs. et.N•;. STOCK. Ever . ; lt Fuoteriber to transfer 101. Cer..sols, or Iteriecti, all pay the money tr be 11. per cent. and the ectrts'.ader in terts, 21. per carb to to ,'eat. nn the ..;°:!: o: t }nil to t•!•i. • •7'. I•ef7::c 7, ar.:l the lzpo it tube 131. rer 42a 831 pa mt. befare i'ith of Noven:her. rabf,-.4lvet• to have the option or fiarAlin;: . rxchcqner Bills to lz the at/lotto. of money sUheeli.:""d by him, and roaiiic for CV•77V 10 3 % f'!;4•.1.• per !41111 Consn:s, a.;4 11` ttai neltt.n , s ct . niclvy h sulverilted, no fart,er fivniing et xelwq. t0n41,1 ,. ... 1. t !c!.. , 11, 1011, at an) rate cocain:6 ft 4 cast. ;all tanner itibratireis to have eue velereiza. Pracz ".; 42. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS. Diovn.►v, vim. 13. The only occurrence of imports:ace w.►s the Message fro.' the Prince Regent, respecting the ,larricgcs of tix Resat' Dukes.—(See Vag Convaone.) 'AE4E/AY. ROYAL MA lIKIAGVA • Lord Ltser•,rnet. wiolied to postpouretke considaration of this subject for another day. The Marquis of I.Aysuow•xr thonzist that respect to the Crown demanded WI hnsuediate reply. It was the fault of. the Ministers ifttrey were nut prepared to discoss the stoiect, Lord LIVERPOOL said, they wished nut to tale the 11y-so by surprise. Lord Hoer. IND considered the notion and the argnmen:s in its suppot tas equally extraordinary. The Noble Lord lyi acted in u disrespectful way to the House, by calliag a !lull Parliament of his own. He supposed Mi ll iliters wished I. time that they might tamper with those who were to deci‘lc. upon the question. He concluded by musing an Amendment to the Address, similar to that moved by Mr. Brougham ut • 'Alund.y m the Commons. - - Lord SIDATOUTII said, the reasons fur the postponeimnt would be given on the next day. Lord Kidd should vote for the Amendment. JAM' LAUDERDALE could net do so, as it mould place lie Howe in as. awkward dilemma. The Marquis of LassixicrsE supported the Amendment. Lord HOLLAND replied. and the house divided.—For ti.e. Amendment t2—Against it 51—Mjoriiy ; 1 0. Lord LAVDENDALL moved for an itruottlit of all advanr's made by the Bank to the Government, which Was orposi4 by Lord Liverpool, as improper to tae made and finally negatived.—Atijoiorned. WEDNESDAY. Lord LAUDERDALE pOsipOa;dh/s. Motion reverting the Carreney till 3tonday. The Alarqiiii o• Dorrottitte moved au Address to the. Prince Regent for an account of the Incomes of tiuc R0,).41 Family, which was agreed to turd. dig. '' ROYAL MARRIAGE;. Lord LtvEnroolMOvetl an Answer to the Prince Regent's. IMessage on this subject. The Noble I,urd 41,u.tril to Princess Charlotte's death, and the urcessitv Nt 6..etaing '; succession by the marriagcs of tin: ; .)eng4r Oriiicesses, it W. !WPM, both aceortiing to reason arid pree. , lant,tlot .n the •-t 'cases some addition should he male t.) tieir indmltes, am/ Majesty's !Ministers had intended to propoo• t1::r.: the of the I).tke of Clarence should receive .11: roltlitinti of and that of the Dukes of Kent, Cumbet hind,and Cambri•lr‘., 1201;1. it wonl,l be very unfair to omit the Doke of Ct.. .. bet land in this armogentent, as there had been nothing iu Vs conduct, or that of the Duchess,since her arrival in this c 0:;... try, to warrant it. He reminded the liuuse that :11 a sly it time a considerable stun would he saved to the country ty the lignitlation of the Prince Regent's debts. Lord E.tuto moved an Amendment which expressed Pt hors that no new burdens would be noceroary :is co tJecineitee, 'fife Marquis of But.::ittit.A.vltt felt iiimself hound to vote kr the Amendment. The Marquis of LASC - ,IIOWNF. uhserved that :t was not nec-s -nary for hint to say much after having e x pr•sscd his oi•••!i• a on a former night—the marriare or any Mcntaer of the ieu,: I Family might to he a source of,',oy, bnt. it would not be :a, •f it OCrail tttt t tttt fresh burdens. Lord East('Nc. did not think this a proper time for the Amendment. Lord Hot.r.aNn shoul.l support it, as lit thonglit the sc door of the crown might he maintained at much Let ^/; ,,- . - e titan at present,and ought to be accommodated to the :ate ..f the country. Lard 1.. s upeb DALE could noa support the Arneudinnt, and after sonie observations from Earl Grosvenor, the Amr-.d. mein was negatived without a division, mad crig..aal Ad dress carried.—Adjourned. 'thcrr.so Av. Nothing of particular intere4t occurred this day. F am A's• The llouse rroececlell in app;l;,an ear...llsl were :.sari at E. - ,:cat length in the Queenshary eguse. Sevcral private }tills were brought fro-n the C.,---r-rnons, :7 M... Shaw, l.ctevre. and others, and read a rirta Cone. A person fnnn the Seeretary of Stzte!• oTtf.c fo; d c :Ince went presented an account of the nuv..,ber of p4ruens the bet to years, and the fees paid thereon. On the Nlotion of the Manlius of I.mes., railc3 NOCre ortkred to be yriuttAl.—Adjotirood to Mcr.C.2.. HOUSE OF COMX(.•.VS. ,IrivrT. 1:. General GA:TOWNE bualizlit in a lien, to prevent frivolous actinut for itemenlia, eke. in Ml/elm' C'enr:s. • Mt. num GU tm, after pre:eittin; r • ('one`' from Newimey complaining of the sm.: of the (-Atm the re observed that he had Dery firtst r o t i :!! ll7g, , ,i /;; ". eni i the prov i,i o „„ o r his o d o eati,a. 11:11, to tv'tatever.- - tie should not do this ai I to scut, bit if tbe. It.rt wet.. find beneficial, he loped iti the next ties Mott it ttoold bc 10 LX. tended. The bill \‘3i read a ..:11 time. -SC.O . l* FCT Sir S. it o , st i.yy prer.emed t Petition from Wigmare Seettand, coati -Mining of the c.tate of it.. eel r(ratinn Awl re :WI pia) ing for t d to DL laid on the table. MARRTAGF.q. Lord r A.LTLERFT.CIit brougitt d'iwn a ftles.m:e from the nuke seritishitioil. the House that treaties 0! Mar. 'a l 7 . , ;:M