The National Register. — London, England, 1811-06-23 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL RF.GISTER. given to the Catholics by the Ministers of the " he the crime which might be imputable should venture to make a pledge that the adept any particular measure ? To awicit urged the expediency and policy minds of the people in gratifying their reap It had been the fashion of late, to accuse . the cause of the Roman Catholics, as Men who did not understand the value of the interests of the Es tablished Church t he, therefore, felt himself called upon to say a few words in reply to those unfounded and injurious opinions. Hr considered the Roman Catholics as numerous and respect abie a body'of men as ever lived, and.in any other civilize d na tion they would have been admitted to those rights which they claim without any of that bigotry, distrust, and which so unhappily existed in this country. He would refer choir Lordships to the example of America, of the Austrian General, at the head of a Roman Catholic Army, and to the edict pro mulgated by the late Emperor of Germany, and to compare these with the conduct of this country towards the Ro man Catholics of Ireland. In those cases to which he alluded, the Roman Catholics were admitted to high military appoint ments, without regard to any principles of religious opinions ; but whit was our conduct towards the Roman Catholics of Ire land? Year after year petitions were presented expressing their sentiments and feelings, which they could not controul, but without effect. •It had been stated that he had incorsistently differed from the great body of the Establi,lied Church upon this subject—that he differed from those around him wai true, that lie did it with sincere regret wa , , also most true, for no man could willingly differ from those wise and good men who were of the same profession with himself; it was sonic conso lation, however, :hat if he differed with them, be agr, ed with inany of those great and wise characters who Wrre faVutll able to the measure ; in their opinions he incst heartily coincidtd. He conceived that a union of heart and hand was loudly called for—that union which was the bond of peace, security and prosperity. The Bart of BociciNGUANISIIIRe opposed the nip' ion. EaTI SPENCrx professed himself the anxious friend of the Pe tition. The LORD CHANCELLOR and Earl CAMDEN opposed the measure. • Lord GREY supported it. Lord R EDESDA LE said a few words in opposition to the Bill. Lord HOLLAND in support of the question, asked whether the revolution in 1688 was not a contest between the Crown and the people, whether it was not then decided that the Govern ment baoliged to the governed, and not to the Governor f front which . he contended that the granting of this motion would not be a violation of the Bill of Rights. He warmlysupported the motion. Lord WESTMORELAND opposed it. Earl MOIRA said, he certainly should support it on the grounds which lie had formerly done. 'Hu.) , had not come now as they had done before, but thry have now come to de raancl their birth-right, a right which vraa acknowleged by the Toleration Act, and, in his opinion, what they ought to enjoy. Lord •Doxououmoas briefly explained; after which the fidusoe divided, when there apr.ired—For Lord Donoughmore's motion,—Contents, ; .Promes, 145—.62 ;4—,A;ainst the motion, Non Contents, ; Proxies, s—. 4l2l.—Majority against the Motion, 50.-.... Adjourned at one o'clock. WEDNZSDAY, JUNE 19. Their Lordships met, according to previous adjournment, in a Committee of Privileges on the Beckrhry Peerage. The So licitor-General proceeded to seini up tai•• general evidence which had been adduced - in thaCcause, when the further consideration wio postponed till to-morrow. The Vote of Credit Bill were read the third time, and the various Other 13:11s were forwarded.---14.)urned. Tiit/RSDAT, VINE 20. Their Lordships met at about two o'clock, in a Committee of Privileges on the Berkeley Peerage'. The Bills on the Table went through 'their respective stages, and the House adjourned. 7111 DAY, juNr 21. THE BERKLLEY PEERAGE ition of the House this day, and hay eneral - iu reply, on behalf of the Laimant, it was further adjourned to 'aths and his seat, having suc- was read a second time, slid Cour sel heard against it. It was ordeud, however, to be cons. mittcd on Monday. The Militia Interchange Bill was read a third time and pass. ed.—Adjourned to Monday. ' HOUSE OF COMMONS. TUESDAY, JUNE 18. MILITARY CORPOREAL PUNISHMENTS. - --- - Sir F. Buerierr rose to claim attention to a bare statement of facts on the existing mode of Military Puniihment. ft would be remembered, that he had formerly made a motion. on the mode of punishment in the militia, but he withdrew that motion in order to make one which embraced, at a wide sweep, all the punishments which awaited the armies iN the employ of Great Britain. The circumstances of Taylor's case were fresh in The minds of many, but he desisted from bringing only a portion•of military grievance before the Commons, when he found that the same, with aggravated circumstances, existed in the departments of the line. Men of eminent literary abilities had believed that the British soldiers were degraded by the severity of unmanly punishment, and that the British service was made by it the worst in Europe.—( No, no, no! Hear, hear ! )—lt was a motion abrut which no man could hesitate, when he found that British opinions were corroborated by the evidence of foreigners. Sir M. Woof, interrupted the Hon. Baronet by saying, should he persevere in such dangerous assertions, he would move that the Galleries he cleared. Mr. BROUtlit MAN said, did the Hon. Baronet (Sir M. Wood) persevere in his inotho to clear the Galleries he would move the adjournment of the House. Strangers were ordered to withdraw; but when the Gallery was nearly emptied, Sir M. Wood dropped his motion, for osi instant re-ad ni is. ion we found the Hon. Baronet (Sir F. Burdett) eagerly rc-isierting his former opinions, in which he had been interrupted. He had held converse with British Officers, who a'l expressed equal detestation with himself, on the severity of flogging. The country had excellent and virtuous instances of men, who knew how to conduct their regiments to discipline and to glory, without the infliction of corporeal punishment; and he was also sorry to say, that the country had instances of regi ments utterly spoiled, by uncharitable correction. He felt him self proud to nettlesome of those who had ameliorated the condi tion of their regiments, by acts of humanity. His Royal Highness of Gloucester was a notable instance of moderation :Lod lenity; he had brought his regiment :o that degree of obedience and discipline, that for tlree years corporeal punishment had not ex.. isted. Sir Robert Wilson had intimated in his r amphlet, that the present Commander I:1 Chief Milled to get el of the system of flogging; and he was convinced that his Royal Highness the Niece Regent had equal feelings to his brother, on the evil tene dency of military nu nisliments.—(Heur, hear, hear! J The Hon. liarostet instanced the regiment commanded by the Duke of Grafton, which for nine years, during the command of Lord Euston, never had a lash laid on the back of its soldiers. These exan 'pies of lee; ty would do more with the House than the flourish art orato-y. No doul-t the House expected him to make inst ance of gross and strong :anise before that they stened to his motion, and el. ry should !,.ive enough to sustain his cause. As instances of punishments in abominable practice there was a soldier who had a lefect in les sight, and who was really flogged because he was blind ! The soldier was of the Isle of Wight, and the surgeon informed him (Sir Francis) that he reported the soldier's blindness to the Colonel, bet the chief surgeon had be lieved the soldier's blindness was si:uply a sham to obtain his dis charge. The chief surgeon's assertions were believed, though another surgeon on cross-examination trade remonstrance against it, and the poor man, for the crime of blindness, received one hundred laslies—( No, no ! )--:l'hey seemed to disbelieve • the surgeon was ready to attest the truth of what he assert ed.— ( Nome him, name hint !) --If inquiry be allowed to be made, I shall name him—(f - fear, hear ! )—Another instance of severity occurred at Gibraltar, where two men, to procure their discharge, 'had chopped off each of them one of their hands, but instead of being discharged they were unduly punished, and driven to drag out their remaining days in penury and wretchedness. Another mall, who had waxed grey-headed in the service of his country, was severely flogged for being only a little in liquor, and who had never before even been committed to the guard-room. He bared thoie wounds which he received in his country's cause but they appealed in vain; at the same time a boy of only 16 years of age was Clogged. Vain was the remonstrance because of his youth, fur neither age nor youth had reverence nor lenity shown them.—( Hear, hear I)—He hadwitnessed himself a man flogged who had honourable wounds for the cause of his country, of 27 years er.durance, and of another of equal length of service, who had his skull pieced with silver, and because that he had . tasted a little too much beer, he was - punished also. He con fessed) that he could never have bad any idea of the severity of 386 ilk / Adage had been giv day; but what would to any Minister who Parliament should ad The Bishop of Nu of conciliating the mi tunable expectations. -thOge Who advocated Again occupied the attention c• ing beard Mr. SolicitOr-Genera younger brother of the Clainm Mon •) 1 , „ - • took the 6: / - ib "!► " ui rrtAr Bill - P th. A ' AV* •• 4 1 tftl.o • rit ZS . t4 W .} • 46 . ilkw. • 'ez :Ix' •