The National Register. — London, England, 1820-01-10 00:00:00

~, '~'tYL:r::~se~ 111 (4%• PAR 1.14.41 E T.lll Y Milt' EN CE. Cottu, who stands high in the annals of French literature, was deputed by the French Go varnment some time ago to visit England for the purpose of possessing himself of every information nn the subject of our laws. He has published a large volume on the subject, " De l'Administration de la Justice critninelle en Angleterre, et de I'esprit du Government Anglabr" The remarks are very good —those on our criminal law are too long for our present purpose; but his description of Parliamen tary influence is too just to be passed over. He says,— " In England public tranquillity is founded upon the equal means of attack and defence possessed by different parties; and it is on this account that Par liament always evinces so much difficulty in adopt ing any changes that are proposed in the constitution of the kingdom. This body understands, as well as any other, the specious good which those changes promise; but it is restrained by the fear that their sonsequences may derange the relation of powers actually subsistingolestroy the political equilibrium, and throw the whole system into confusion. Ad. verse pretensions are balanced in the actual state• of things ; and it is in this that the wisdom and per tbetion of government are to be finmet. Whatever tends to disturb that even state is eheurd, and may cause the destruction of the political machine. " Every Englishman is therefore exalted by this reflection—that it is only by his courage and de votedness that be can preserve his rights ) as well as his property, for ever threatened by the attacks of innovators. He well knows that the loss of hit liberties wonld soon be followed by the loss o' his property, and there is no reason why the one should be respected more than the other. Ile is, in con sequence, always ready to defend theta, ether v:ith his person or his purr - . Very unlike us French men, who, accustomed peaceably to enjoy the fruits of our industry, or the inheritance of our fathers, rely on Government for the save of protecting them : the English, on the contrary, make this care the first of their duties, and the most important bu siness of their lives. They are born, re it were, soldiers fur this kind of t'arfare , and their whole education is directed with a view to reader them capable of managing it with SUCCOSE. Such is the true source of their so much boasted patriotism. I would net wish, however, to dispute what is called their public spirit, and the dispesi. lion which they manifest to sacrillec all their pos sessions to the defenee, and even to the glory of. their country ; but this . sztttiment that aedresses itself so powerfully to their hearts (et critical occa sions, is not that to which 1 conceive nu ought ex clusively so attribute the ordinary preeision with which they perform their civil duties. This preci sion flows from their individual interest, end the opinion entertained by all—some that their liberty and others that their rank and fortune and privileges depend on the uninterrupted exercise of those rights which they derive from the mortitutiou. It is • this feeling which prompts the chief proprietors in every county eagerly to procure their names to be enrolled on the list of grand jurors, or in the com mission of the peace, and to charge themselves with the painful fie Aaiun* of the magistracy. The same sentiment renders 'those who enjoy the elective franchise so jealous of rights, is which, ex I shall afterwards prove, they find a daily source of at. tention and benevolence on the part of the first gentry in the country ! and inspires petty juries with so generous a devotion to their duties, in the assurance %%Mill guy have, that Ly these means their fortunes, liberticr. and lives, are secured against all ate assaults of power and tyranny. .1 It is also from a similar motive that the Pons of farmers, or proprietors of moderate fortune, are de sirous of registering themselves amongst the Yeo manry, and form a body of cavalry, whose principal object is to keep the peasants and artisans in subor dination ; and that the suits ot mere wealthy pro prietors place themselves at the disposition tof the sheriff, in order to serve as special coosti.bles, when ever public tranquillity has been disturbed by any sedition. Once eloth:d with this temporary office, they are seen to precipitate tileins,_lves, arnied only with a simple stall, the di,tinctive sign of their authority, into the midst of the most tuniultoes as. semblages, endeavouring. to diverse them by exhorts Mtn , ; amt if they iltrinot prevail, arroaing the distorts r.; at the peril of their lives. And let it not be supposed that the oiler which they make of their )(must:nice may be quite illu•ory, and that in the moment .1f da.i i ..,er it may be ea , y to withdraw from the obligation which they have contracted.— flat the cult of the sherd! . they should not instantly repair to the aecne of disorder, they would not dial w be severely punished, .on the rerun:mica of trail- Till NATIONAL REGISTER. quillity, as guilty of negligence in the exercise of their functions; and they would inevitably be con demned to snake a reparation according to their means, and to their culpability. " All these cares, embarrassments, and dangers, are not felt by the English as oppressive burdens, but are regarded as the necessary consesuenees of their liberty, and are converted into a sort of occupation into an abject both of interest awl pleasure. Their rights and privileges become even more estimable in ' their sight from the fatigues attending them, as a child is often more endeared to its mother by the searing, which its birth occasioned, and by the ingnietude produced in its tender age. Without the sort of agitation wbieh rult* from these differ ent causes, they would perish in their vast mansions with abundance, happiness, and ennui. " But all the sacrifices which I have described are as nothing when compared with those mode by the principal country proprietors, whether to pro cure their own election as Members of Paha- ---- ment or the election of their friends and depen- dents. , g When I formerly beard in France of the im mense sums which the English expended in order to be returned to Parliament, I found it ditacult to imagine what was the equivalent advantage to be derived from their nomination, or what ream pence it could procure. them. Where, indeed, was to be found the compensation for one or two million of livres? This formed a problem which I could no...then explain ; but at that time I was untie. quamtod with their manners. Accustomed to pass their lives on their caates, ' the first want which they experience is that of public consideration---tiot of that modest considera tion foundftl solely on an esteem for private virtues, but of that brilliant and envied estimation which is the fruit of credit and power. Then, co the strongest evidence of this credit is to be named Member of Parliament, there is nothing which an Englishman is not ready to sacrifice in order to at- %lain it. .6 An election to mere its Parlktmens has more over this particular attraction—that besklm its being the roost certain mark of the actual inlateuce which the member exercises in his district, it fur. nishes the means of acquiring a new influence, especially when he happens to be in-the interest of the Ministry. He then becomes the dispenser of all the vacant employments in his own tamely. There may not, perhaps,. be one that will not ha granted to his recommendation—eecleriastical bene fices. offices with and withottt duties settees/al to them, posts in the excise, favours of every descrip tion; nothing is refused, and the Ministers reap the double advantage of thus dmwing closer the bowl s.hich attacleee the member to their cause, and ot assuring to thems?lres the continuance of his sup port in the next parliament, because the numerous services which he has rendered in his county hr.ve already prepared' his re-election. " There arc several zreat homilies whe; devotee: in this manner to the governee.ent from hither to son, appear to have tamtracted with it a secret en gagement, by virtu: of which they hall thentsalees bound to emph.y every means in their inures- tc procure the return to r Ailment of a relation or a friend, upon the condition :hat in ex change for the sacrifices they Leek- they shall lirve almost the absolute disposal of all the offices in their county. Thus, when Lord Lonsdale, for example, spends 50,0001. or 40,0001. in order to bring about the election of 11;s son, or one of his depend ants, to a seat in the House of Commons, it is not sa much the honour of reprer..otatita. that he pur chases ut so exhorbitant a price, es it is the crown itself of Westmoreland. " In the cities and counties where the side ct op position is embraced, a return to Parliament is nut less eagerly sought after, inasmuch as it is a shining token that the successful cantlidavt is luoied upon in his district au the ehiefof his party, or as the man most competent, by kis talents and his influence, to oppose, or perhave defeat, the enterprises of administration. " But as this much envied credit with electors, like all other popular affectiels, is extremely subject to alteration, it is only by a continual course of benefits that it can be preserved entire; awl it is thus that the love of authority - and supremacy, which amongst all other nations is the most fre quent cause of pubic mistiertunes and individual grievance, becomes in Lagland an inexhaustible source of good offices and of protection. In order to turn eerily • conception of the whole extent of the benefits which those who aim at in fluencing elections engage to distribute over their counties, it should let known that the right ot voting is not confined in England as in Frunee to a small...n(6'liter Hi citizens. It belongs to every citizen who possesses 40s. of revenue (freehold t, (about 48 livres French); and in some char tered towns, it is only necessary to be a part of the corporate hotly, to ertjoy the elective franehist: so that it may be said, with the ezeep. tion of the low people, whose influence over elec tions is still very considerable, as I shall hereafter show, that every citizen has a right to assist in thsr appointment of members of Parliament, ( To be cootioutd4 PROM SATURDAY NIGHT'S adzsrra. WHITEHALL, Jan. Jan. 7. His Royal Highness the Prince Regent has been pleased, in+ the name and on the behalf of hie Nlajesty, to appoint the Rey. James Campbell to the church and parish of Traquair, in tlw Cbytery and county of Peebles, in the room of the Rev.Janiss deceased. . Ili, Royal Highness the•Priner Regent has been pleased to approve of the nomination of ch:rles Wrty, Esq. Rarristts at Law, to be Recordar of King.ton upon Run. ST. liotrze,z Dtc. SS. His Roy al 14ighneo the Duke of Clarence has been pleased to appoint If:. William Mont.;emery Royton. of Spring Gardens. Wesuuinster, to be one of his Royal liighneses Physician& ID- Ordinary. BANKRUPTS. E. flurry, Freemada l'atirt, Cornhill, merchant. Solicitor . Mars. Swain, Stevent, Maples, Peane, and Hunt, Frederick,' Place, Old Jewry. J. IL Fowles, Prcaosn's Court, Cornhill, rnerchant.• lois. Messrs. Swain, Stereos, Maples, Pearce, and Hunt, •Ftaderick'o PlseC. old Jewry. .1. Taylor, Hedon, York,dealer. Sol. Mr. Ilindmak-Basings ball Street. J. Peck, Blackhe: th Hill, Kent, carpenter. SDI. Idi.Sandoto, Slatle's Place, Deptiold. I. 11. Belcher, lisCield Broad Oak, Essex; linen draper, Sol. Mr. Gomerti:rd , CcpthaltCourt, Throgromton Street. T. Noeatrip, Cateaton Street, warehouseman. Sole. Mesas. Walker and Bamkin, Old Jewry. W.. Ave., Watson. Norfolk, grerer. Sala Messrs. Smith and• La•vfortl, lhopers* Hall. J. P. Butler, Holston, Stafford, baker. Sol. Mr. W. C.Smith. Altlernisibuvy, Postern. T. E. Bartlett, Banbury, mere. r. Sole. Messrs. Merrick and Broderip, lied lion Square. G. Payne, Neap,: Strut, hatter. Sol. Mr. Oldham. Earl Street, Blaeklrian. S. Lacy, Liverpool,. brasier. Sol. Mr. Wheeler,. Castle Street.. C. Aimpaon. Stretford. nurseryman. and Johnson. Temple. A. 31illigsn. V. olverhampton, tea dealer. Sol. Mr. E. Chesser, Staples Dm. W. Wynn. Dean Street. Soho. watch maker. Soh. Messrs; Primer and France. Bedford row. D. Gevra.d. Hid Cavendish Street, milliner. Soh Mr. lisivx Street 4 H. S.slen, Burnley. cotton spinner. Soh. Me.-srs. Hurd sad Johnson. J. Livelzy, Farnworth, paper maker. Sol. Mr.Moddowaroft., Cray's Inn. W. Bradfield. North Ehnham. Norfolk, baka. Sala. Mcrae. Diann and ti-n. Gray's Inn. hlowidock, B. Glitinn,and J. Uniseke, Liverpool. merchants. Sole. Messes.. Lows and Bower. Southampton Buildings. DIVIDILNDS. . Sole. Meow. Rued Jaa. N. A. Graham. Haslingdon, Lancaster, draper.-19. J. Limit, I;reat JIM.* Slicer, linden' Now, tailor-4. W. Woods, Eaughten Street. Clare Market, coal merchant—lS. J. Gistreux, Mincing Lane. broker—SS, J..Jonea, Upper Brook Serer. Grosvenor Square, tailor-4, T. Holmes, J. Harris. and .1. 1). English, Lung Ace. coach makers-119. B. J. Mons G-ntomile Sweet,. uterchant—t9. A. H. Uhr, Great' ?rescues Stsce!, Goadidan's Fields, merchant-19. C Soothes. DeVIMI... sh're, Square. nirrcham-41, T. Sumner, Preston. corn titer chant—Feb. 1. W. and F. Gorey. Albion Coal Wharf. Christ Church., Surrey, cow merchant.-7, A. Broadbent. Manchester . v:cturiller-5. G. and G. Evans, Hugh Street, Southwark. lyty merchant-1, J. Canumin. Manchester.merdtast. CERTIFICATES to be granted Jan. S 9. • T. Ambrose and T. Fawell, Botolph Lane. wine merchants— J. Wrangle. Antwell, Hertford, coach mastei—lt. Hunt and J. Sharp. Lombard Street, broken—lt. Carom. Frame Selwood. t.3.lmenet,. linen draper—lt.Oswald, Deceits. Sutfolk. tanner— !'. N. Blackwell. Houghton. Huntingdon. miller—.l. Zimmer. Wein:tit Street, Cavendish Square merchant — W. Prat and J. Wooiner, Lawience Footnote ) . Cane, corn tatters—L. Lyons,. Lor.er brewer—l. Drakely and E. CLenteoteen. Mar ket Leicester, beaten—J. Azinitage, Wakefield. York. weolalpler—W. and J. Detey. Coal EICIISUIF"111 h o gm of IIIitOCUA. Sank Stock 1 Otuttatun G. 3 prr Celli. Red. es{ Itui.. 3 per Lent. 64 11,tr CCIII. Cnni.. 744 li.dte Bonds Sib. dlr. ii pet Crut. 744 I titt k 4 per Cent. U. le'Arttetiarr Bills Ss. ffif. 5 prr Crist. ,1 .ss 103 e Cons. tot At. 694 . i..ottc Alto. W Lothrt s I tt krt. £l9 ISt. TUE NATIONAL REGISTER. LOllOOl4. MONDAY. JANUARY 10. In pursuance of our promise, we this day give copies sad abstracts of some of the recent extraor dinary enactments, and .which we have no doubt our readers will peruse:with great interest. We mean to give the remainder as soon as we can procure copies of the Acts themselves. As to giving ab stracts or copies of the Bills as they are iuttodu . ce4 or as they proceed throue the two nooses, we think it nearly useless in of importantx ;:fue in their progress they are often so changed that the person intrutlucing them can scarcely recognize them. From the" Searching fbr arms Act," which we give ta-day, our millers will perceive, that an Englishman's house is no longer his castle--that upon the inlimuation of any ONE permin, however infamous he may be, a magistruse may issue a war =ant to search fur arms 'by day or eight; and thai T