The National Register. — London, England, 1823-03-23 00:00:00

90 , Ai Jn trial Varlittaltnt. 000AE 0 IDS. 310 N DAY, MARC • Sir Thomas Acland, and several Members from the Commons, brougid up the Turnpike Act Amendment Bill. Mr. Wilbraham also brought up the Dish Yeomanry Corps Bill—Both were read a first time. A person from the Office of Chief Secretary of Ireland pre sented returns, pursuant to an ordie of the house. Mr. Audi., from the Superintending Committee of the Pod. tentiary, Millbank, presented a report of the state of that institu tron.—Lisid on the table. litsoLvENT Dcwrons' ACT.—Lord ELLENBOROUGH presented N petition, praying for the repeat of the Insolvent Debtors' Act. The noble lord expressed a hope that the noble and learned lord who gave his name to the hill, would direct qui attention to it, although he was persuaded that learned lord had really little to do with It. No bill had done mote mischief. The 1.0111) CIIAN',.:ELLOR said, the noble and learned lord would not admit the bill huh routved his NINClitNi. That noble and learned lord never gave his name to the bill. The vriginal bill was spoiled ly iummeementi elsewhere. The Earl of SHAFIESBURY presented a similar petition from the Mayor and Corporation of OxfoilL —Both petitions were read, and laid on the table. 'llse Irish Assessed Taxes Repeal Bill, and Irish Arms Bill, were read the second time.—The house adjourned. TUESDAY, MARCH 18. Lord CLIEDF:N presented a petition from the merchants and traders at Witney, Oxfordshire, against the Insolvent Debtors' Act. Lord MORLEY presented a pctitition from the merchants, traders, and ship owners, interested in trade, at Plymouth, against the Insolvent Dobtore Act. The petition was signed by the Mayor and Sou inhabitants. The above petitions were read, and laid on the table. SLAVE TRADE— . the Earl of LIVERPOOL laid on the table an additional article to a treaty between this c-ountly aad the Netherlands, respecting the slave trade. The noble earl also produced certain papers moved for by a noble can (Darnley>, respecting the supply of stationery in Ire land. AIESsA6E —Mr . Pee). and several other Members from the Commons, brought up the King's Property Bill. Mr. Brogden also brought up the National Debt Reduction Bill Mr. Blackburn brought up a private bill. On the motion of the Earl of LIVERPOOL, the King's Pr iperty Bill was reart the tint time. Lord LIVERPOOL also moved the first reading of the bill for the reduction of the National Debt. The bill was accord ingly read the first time, ordered to be printed, and read a beyond time on Thursday. The Irish Arm. Qlil pawed through a committee, after which the house adjourned. weuxtanar, 1/AaCII 19. The royal assent was g i ven by commission to the Transfer in Ai Is Bill the Taxes Reduction, the Irish Assessed Taxes Re peal Bill, the C4tatacellor of the Exchequer for Ire land's Appointment Bill, and one Retch Creditors Bill. The Earl of DERBY presented a petition from several traders at illackburn, Lancashire, against the Ilawkers and Pedlars Act, also a .petition fiQIU Liverpool, against the Insolvent Debtors' Act. . _ Lord ItEDESDALE said, the law u it steed with lupus to Insolvent Debtors had occasioned great inconventence—heoould not admit he was the author of the law. The trasseuve be intro duced was of* diffivent description. Lord LANSDOWNE presented a poti:ion from Darlington, against the Insolvent Debtors' Act. The petitions were read, and laid on the table. FRANCE AND SPAIN.—The Marquis of LANSDOWNE nsc, for the purpose at imploring the noble earl (Liverpool) and the King's Ministers, in the present unfortunate state or nego • nations for the preservation of peace, to lay before Parlianient those papers upon which the negociauon had been conducted. Parliament were justly entitled to t4PC the documents at the earlteit moment with the public interest. lle was desirous. therefore, of asking whether Parliament, before the holidays, might expect to be put in possession of die information they were entitled to receive, and whether any discussion would be resorted to aft;r the I olidays. That house and the country called Mr a full examination of ail the circumstances. . . . The Karl or LI V E RPOOL said, at the first opportunity his Majesty's servants would lay before the house toe documents connected with the important uegociations relative to France and Spain. It would be incumbent en them to produce with the documents a declaration or their policy, which would enable Par liament and the country to nom a correct judgment. It was undoubtedly stated elsewhere, and he was prepared then to state o the Mouse, that unless sonic untbresetai occurrence should take place to put the ()Wexner:a between the two Governments in a train of speedy settlement, it was t h e intention of his Majesty'; Government to advise the 'sovereign, on the first early opportu• MIS titter the recess, to lay before Parliament the documents showing what had beta the policy of Government. He did not state this on the ground of personal convenience—on parlia mentary ground, the proposed delay was highly expedient. The noble marquis bad inferred, that all hope of amicalde proceed ngs was at an end—the noble marquis bad ken misinformed on Gait point. I t was undoubtedly stared, that the hopes of Govern ment on i'at subject had abated, but it was not true that all hopes ha. expired. lidine the holidays he should name an early day after the • ac's, for stating the policy of his Majesty's Minis ters. and the difficulties of the negociation. The National Debt Reduction 13W was ordered to be read a second unto to-morrow, and the Lords stomitoned for discussion of the messaga on Friday. THE KING'. LIERARY.—On the order of the 1111 for the second reading of the King's Property BM, Lord ELLENBOROUG II adverted to a measure in the other house film the disposal of the late King's library, and objected to such proceeding, on the ground that his lite Majesty died with out a sill, and that hei present Majesty had no more power over it than in er what property subject to firs I oratr. lie appealed hi the noble and learned lord (Eldon) tor the law on the ques tion. The C lIANCEI,I.OII said. if the noble lord would r ut. the question to hint, respecting the power of the King to dispose of perstAal cliuttah, lie would IlfaiVlCt him, but nut at that moment. Ths I'lll of LIVERPOOL conceived that his 11lajeaty was fully entitled to dispose or the library in am way he might think ' , roper. It we., liowevei. • lib, id act 011 the putt of the King to give it to the public, and Parliament might say which was the be t mode of Lliiveiing of it. Atter some tur.lier conversation ott the subject, the King's Property BM was mut the stand time, and ordered to be Finites!. The Yeomanry Corps of Ireland Bill went through a Cons. ulittee.—Adjounied. 101TnshAY. MARCHE 20. Mr. Tomlin from the treabory presented at the bar an ac• count of all monies received as drum of Admiraltf.—Laid on the table. The general Turnpike Act Amendment Bill was read the tiaid tims. The Vcoatartry Corp* of Ire:and BM was read the third time. The 1%1 ir,y e read the svond time. The h.ahonal Prix lieduction Btll was rcud the second time. '1 he Ittim'h ty Bill went through a toinonittee, and was reputed vatltuat ozotaclateut to the fit„t►o.—ddjotuttcd. THE NATIONAL REGISTER, FRIDAY, DlARcii 21. Mr. Tomlint, from the Treasury, brought up certain annual accoonts. ..... land Althorpe and Mr. D. Gilbert brought up from the Commons two private hills. ELLE NBOILOUGII said, he understood the third reading of the bill respecting his Majesty's property was fixed for Wednesday ; he should therefore postpone a question be had to put relating to his Majesty's literary. until that day. APPEAI.9.--rThe Earl of DARNLEY called the attention of the house, and particularly that of the noble and learned lord on the wools ack, to a 'paper in his band, by which it appeared, that 225 appeal casts, then before die house, remaineu undecided. lle gave credit to his noble and learned friend for due diligence, but tic thought it impossible for that noble and learned lord to get rid of the arrear in the present mode of juditial proceeding. In 1821, 5G causes were detailed ; in 1822, 35 were decided; and proceedings during the present and future years, to decide in the seine ratio, it would take seven years to get through the arrear. The noble earl asked, under this s ate of things, what possibility the subjects of this country had of obtaining justice.? lle found that the greater number of those appeals cutne from Ireland and Scothoxl. The Scotch appeals were three to one compared with English causes. Ile considered the subject well deserving the attention of the house. The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, the paper to which the noble lord had alluded had been laid on the taule in consequence of a motion made by himself, and it was his intention, after the recess, to call the attention of the house to the important question. The Lords were aware that in 1813 the sykitzt came under consideration, and the house came to a resolution that three days in every week shoal l be devoted to appeals. 'first rule had been strictly adhered to. The linti.e had done its duty. The noble and learned lord had done Ins duly; but sorry he was to say, that the evil, instead of bein diminished, had been aggravated. Complaints were made of delays in Chancery. and the whole cause of the evil was the appeals in that house. It they could get rid of Scotch appeals, the Lord Chancellor would have time to discharge his important duties in the Court of Chancery, and the public, as well as the suitors in that house, would not have cause to complain of deler. Early after the recess he should bring Howard the subject. The noble earl then moved, that the papers alluded to be printed for the information of the house.—Ordered. NATIONAL 13EVIT REDUCTION BILL.—TIN Earl of LI . VELIPOOI. rose, on the order of the day for going into a com mitt,e on the National Debt Reduction Bill, and observed, that lie should address a few remarks to the house, to chew the pro priety of adopting die principle of the measure. He did not mean to take up the Uwe of the house by going into a long dis cussion on the question. The subject of the national debt, so far as it was connected with a sinking fund, had been frequently belbre Parliament. Tho noble earl knew that doubts had arisen on the utility of a sinking fund, but having been. sailed on by the public duty of his situation to attend to the subject, lie had never seen vny reason to alter the opinion he had formes on the expediency of such a financial measure. That opinion was formed by statesmen in 1746 and 1792 It was found not expedient to carry into effect the provisions of the measures fur a sinking fund to the extent they were carried in 181.8, but the present circum stances of the c.untry rtaidert.-.1 the bill then before the house peculiarly aulvannigeous to the country. The Marquis 01 LANIFJOWNE, Lord KlllO, and I.old EIL. LENDOROD4/1 opposed .the bill, on the ground that it held out a delusion. It purported to apply a siatplus of income amounting to 3,000,0001., when in fact the surplus did not ex ceed 3,000,0001. _ . After the question had undergone considerable discusbion, the bill passed dm ash a committee.—Adjourned. MONDAY, MARCH IT. Mr. W. WHITMORE postponed, till April 21, his motion respecting East India Sugars. The it Hcia Gas Light Bill was read a second time. Mr. 1.11 - 14 G presented Petitions from St. Paul's, Middlesex, against the Insolvent Debtors' Act, and from St. George's in the East, again. the Ditty on Coals. The London Bridge Bill was read a second time, and or dered to he referred to a Committee above stairs. Thei Sheriffs of the City of Loodun presented a petition praying, on the part of the Corporation, fur leave to bring in a bill to amend tie Iltli Cho. 11, for making certain improve ment iu tlie City. At person from the Milbank Penitentiary presented a Report re*pectging the recent Coroners' Intitiesta. Otdered to he printed. Dr. Plaillimore's Bill respecting the Maraiage Act was post poned till this day week. a Sir T. LETHBRIDGE moved the second reading of the Diviaions of Counties Bill, observing that be ~could nut press the Committee till after the recess. Sir M. W. RIDLEY thought that the bill was not neces sary. He moved that it be read a second time this day sin. months. Mr. S. BOURNE deemed the principle of the hill to be good, but considered that it might be untended in a Commit tee ; lie therefore treated that the amendment would nut be pressed. Sir M. W. RIDLEY withdrew hie amendment, after which the bill was read a second Niue. Ordered to be committed April 1. 'listKing's Property Bill was read a third time and passed. Sisgr•L Fut:lL—The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHE QUER mowed the third reading of the Nation"! Debt Reduc tion till Mr. BENNET again opposed the Bill, submitting that to acquiesce is this measure would 1101 be obeying the wish and prayer of the country for reduction of taxes. lie concluded with moving an amendment, that the Bill be read a third time this day six months. Mr. W. WiIIIMORE held that a Sinking Fund was necee. nary for the advantage of the public faith and service. The annuity (or " dead weight" plan) Was ridixmlous, and he had Loped that the absurdity would he abandoned ; but if it were to be retained, cunsidvring tue utility of a Sinking Fund, he must support the bill. Mr. WWI E said, it was a deluriou to maintain a Sinking Fund without a surplus revenue, and it was equally fallacious to suppose that it would enable the country to reduce the fives. The fund had been • sham fund, a delusion in every sense of the word. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCIIILQuEIe said, he bad little to observe in addition to his explanations of this bill. In reply to the statements made, he had only to repeat, that in lAIO tbe funded and unfunded debt was ti 64,000,0001, ; in January last it wan 100,000,0001. ; so tbat there had been a reduction of 2.1,000,0401. dela, and 3,000,0001. barge. Ile therefore submitted to the house whether, as so much had been done, they ought not to carry suck principle further?—(hear, hear !) Mr. TIERN Ey was against the bill ; but he regretted tilt he proposed postpone meet was not six weeks instead of six months, to allitrd fliceopportunity of seeing whether some ar rangement could nut b made. Ile OWlltli ,lie was favourable to &Slaking Fund, if there were sorp'us revenue : hot, under the circumstances of the country, tic was disposed to let , it have theadvaologs °lnduction of taxation. Part of the Lbaa4;el- lor's calculation was two millions from the annuity plan, se that it was borrowing from the Sinking Fond to lend to the Sinking Fund. 'Why not save the country the expense of smelt machinery The details of this bill were thus contradictory. TGe principle of a Sinking Fend was to relieve posterity, but part of lids bill was the reverse—ii efani *.!!!trlttives by the dead weight seberne, by imposing a portion of the burdens on posterity. He hoped there would be nu objection to a post. pimpernel', of six weeks. (Hear, hear !) Mr. Iik.SKISSON said, whatever differences there might be on some points,. all appeared to admit the necessity of hay. Mg a surplus revenue, and of appropriating the surplus. He thaught the house bad wisely determined on a fixed sum to be applied fur the reduction of debt ; if the sum were left uncer tain in its amount, so much success would not attend the fund.• Alter some further discussion, the house divided on M;. Bennet's nmendittent—Ayes, 59 Noes, 109 Majwity against it, 50. Mr. RARING then moved to reduce the specified amount of the Sinking Fund from 5,00 1 1.0001. to 3,000,0001. the latter being the acknowledged amount of surplus revenee. The house divided on it—Ayes, 72—Noes, 100—Majority %mined it, 28. The Bill was then read a (bird time and passed. Mr. CREEVEY then 'nought forward his annual motion on the subject of the .1!, per cent. or li.trbadoes and Leeward Island Duties ; and proposed, as be did last Session, an Ad dress to the throne on the subject. A desultory con►ersation followed, and a division took plane, when tee timelier& were—For the motion b 6 --against it 80. THP ORDNANCE ESTIMATES.—The }Louse then went into a Committee of Supply. Mr. It. WARD proposed the first item of 40,0941. for the establishments at the Tower and Pall Mall. Mr. HUME took an early importunity of declarin g that, as he perceived there was a desire on the part 01 Government to introduce economy wherever it was practicable, and serial; that to be their wisb, be would eat detain the committee by going through the estimates item by item, as he did last years hut would coutent himself with directing the attention of gen tlemen opposite to any particular items which might appear to him to call for observations, without dividing the committee.— The Grin resolution was then agreed to. Un the item fur Malta and the lonian Islands, Mr. HUME strongly objected to it, and censured the con dom of Sir Thos. Maitland, who, he sAid, was permitted to squander the revenue of those islands ou his owa whims and vagaries. Alter a few words from Mr. Wm Smith, the ♦ote was agreed to. . . w On the resolution for granting 241,0001. for the staff of thee royal artillery, Mr. HUME pro,.oved to reduce the vote to 226,0001. After some conversation the amendment was negatived, and the resolution agreed to. The other regulations were also adopted, and the report was ordered to be received to-morrow. The other orders were disposed of, and the House adjourned. TUESDAY, MARCH` 18. Gen. GASCOYNE pire-nted • petition from Liverpool against the continuance of a lottery. Ordered to be printed. Sir R. WILSON moved for various r •turps respecting dis coed of requests in Southwark, the fees, &c. Ordered. Mr. CALVERT presented a petition from St. Saviour's, Southwark, against the duties on coals carried roadways.— Ordered to be printed. Mr. DUGDALE presented a petition from Birmingham against the Insolvent Debtors' Act. The hon. member observed that if some alteration did not take place, the honest creditor would be driven out of the market. Ordered to be printed. Foat:IGN AFFAIRS.—Mr. CANNING (who evidently ap peared to bare buffered much from indisposition, and who bad one ■rm in • sling.) presented himself at the bar with papers, by command of his Majesty. The impels having been laid upon the table, be explained the nature of them. They con sisted of two additional articles to existing treaties for the abolition of the slave trade. By the first, proof of negroes having been on board vessels would be held sufficient on ques lives regarding their condemnation. That article bad been ap proved by the Netherlands—but Spain had not ratified it—The other article regaided the fitting up of ships:—if they were so fitted up as to leave no moral doubt that they were prepared for purposes of slave trading, such fact was to be deemed suf ficient proof. That article had also been ratified by the Netherlands, hut not by Spain; and he was not prepared to say whether there was any Lope of Spain ratifying nuch articles. —lle had also to add, that though no paius Lad been spared, they had not been able to get the Portuguese Government to adopt such articles. Sir J. MACKINTOSH amid, lie would avail himself of Ole opportunity to pot some questions to the Foreign Secretary.— Though they were not too early, Le trusted they were not put at an improper time. He had delayed putting inch questiomn in compliance wit*. long previous caution and loathes:mice, he might say aliuost silence ; the delay arose not from any want of proper Kelimr, or anxiety on the subject, but because neither he nor those with whom he acted, desired to embarrass the Government in negnciationa that perhaps were as burdensome as had ever been imposed on the shoulders of suy Ministers. the question not only endangeriug the peace of Europe, but exposing to danger the British dominions. He hoped the Government had conducted the negotiation with due regard to natioual independence, and to the principles of the balance of power, which secured the independence of nations. lie also trusted that due attention had been paid to the security of those allies with whom we were in treaty. He trusted that the !flexions of Elizabeth's reign, rather than those of the Charities and Jameses, had been acted upon. Having made these preli minary remarks, he wished to ask, whether Ministers thought there were any reasonable hopes of p ting the aggre ss i on , the unprovoked aggression, or Spain by F rance? If that en quiry were answered in the negative, be then :would ask when the house might expect the papers respecting the nego clatioue to be laid before Parliament? When that period should come, he hoped that ministers would allow sufficient time for their consideration, before any discussion on the papers was pressed, in order that the conduct throughout the great crisis night not be in any way injured or prejudged. Mr. CANNING admitted that it would have been competent to any member to put questions at an earlier period, bat cer• Wed, the forbearance that had been observed had been found ed on wise policy. As to preliminary observations of the hop : land learned gentleman, lie trusted, when the conduct of ministers came to lie investigated, respecting what had justly been described to be one of the most awful questions that could be agitated, that the government would be found to have liven watchful of the interests of the country, the safety and independence of nations, and the balance of power in Europe. Lie desired only to be judged by the standard that the hoe. and __........... Ilmm