The National Register. — London, England, 1822-05-05 00:00:00

I':9 9)n);t via' Varitaintrit. ••• ' 1101JSENW 1160,4141,. ' MONDAY. APRIL 29. • The fine of LAUDERDALE presented a petition frAn the owners and occupiers of land in ForLuskin:, complaining of awl cultund distress.--Laid on table. NORFOLK PETITIONS. The Karl of ALBEMARLE said, he had to present a number of petitions from owners of land in Norfolk, complaining of agriculture Hu that ucca.sion he shouid, however, only present one of the petitions, which was signed by some of the most re spectable farmers and others, in the county. The noble earl, atter a few genera remarks on the nature and cause of the dis tress, &live. al the petition. It purported to be from the owners of land, in the Hundreds of Blolield, and Walsingliani, in the county of Norfolk. The petitioners identified their case with that of the distress felt by the whole country, and prayed for relief. Lord CALTHOR PE bore testimony of the respectability of the personb front whom the petition ciune. All the noble earl Lad bald of the t so Hundreds arum whence it was sent was most accurate. _ - The Earl of ROSEBE3RY also added his testimony in proof of the responsibility of the petitioners. Lord SUFFIELD presented A petition from the Hundred of of Parham, in the county of Norfolk, also complaining of agri cultural distress. The above petitions were received, 4114 Lad on the table. DISTRESS IN IREI.AND. Earl DARNLEY said he was anxious, before the House ad journed, to make a few observations upon wle•t lie considered extraordinary silence kept by his Majesty's ministers, with re spect to great and important matters pressing so peculiarly at tins time upon the minds of persons an all parts of the united king dom. It was his intention, it the silence he deprecated continued much longer, to call the attention of the house to the great and alarming distress in Ireland. That distress now amounted to famine. Ile trusted the dreadful accounts from that unhappy country were exaggerated, but he believed that no person would doubt but there was great and general distress. II is object in waking these observations was to ask the noble earl (Liverpool), whether the account of this distress had reached his Majesty's government. It ceitainly would be a satisfaction if the House of Lords and the public had some assurance on the subject. The Earl of LIN'EIIt'UOL had no difficulty in answering the question. It was undoubtedly use, that in unit parts tit Ire land, though not to any great extent, there was a great deal of distre,s, and he had no hesitation in saying the subject had hot Cti(aped the vigilance of the govetnnient; measures had been taken iu cuntininity to former proceedings under similar distress, to provide &remedy. With respect to any general arrangement for the sale of abundant produee in this country,he knew of no thing that would go tocreate a famine in the long run, more than the interference of government in the subsistence of the public. It was by allowing individuals in follow their own speculations, that die markets of this country were so well suppled. A fo reigner of distinction had once expressed his astonishment how London was so well supplied without regulation, and lie found, upon inquiry, that the abundance and excellent supply was because there was no regulation. His Majesty's goveinnient were satisfied, trot CollllllWheillteht With the noble marquis at the head of the government of Ireland,. that every dung would be done to itleviate distress that could be +tone. The subject then dropped. A petition was presented from the members of the Chamber of Commerce at liclia.tt, praying fur Parliament to lay a duty on foreign butter.—Laid on the table- The Flax and Cotton Bill, and the Summary Law Proceedings Bill, went I dmzuugh committees, and were repotted without anietslineuts to the house.—Adjuumed. TUESDAX, APIIIL 30. The Duke of MONTROSE presented a petition font the Corporation of the Royal Burgh of Stirling, itainst tile exten sion or priviiegft to tile Roman Catholics.—The petition was read and hid on the table. Mr. 11. Davis. troll the Commons, brought up the Bristol harbour Hill, which was read the But time. The Flax:awl Cotton Bid, and the summary Law Proceedings Bill. was read the third time, anti passed. The houte then adjourned. WEDNESDAY. lAAY 1. A message from the Commons was brought up by several :Nlembers, inloruiing the Lords that D. H. Home, itsii.M.P. was peruutteu to attend a Cormnittee of Privikges on the itlandi laitint Peerage. Lord AIORLEY presented a petition from the ship owners of Liverpool, against impostlig additional duties on Canadian umber. The petition was read, and laid on the table. The Irish bank bill went turough a Committee, and was re ported without amendment. Several private bills were forwarded in the respective stages, and the UMW adjourned. THURSDAY, LAY 2. The Howe met at lour o'clock, in a Committee of privileges, upon the claim to the Marehmant Peerage, when 31t. Wether vill was heard for the claimant. After Gustavus Hume Rochefort, Esq. M.P. for Westineath, had been examined at the Bar as a witness, by Mr. Waugh/an, further proceedings were adjourned to a future day. Mr. Ellis, trout the Commons, brought up the Dublin Found ling Hospital bill. Several private bills were also brought up, and rum the first time. The Earl of TIiANET presented a petition from certain Dissenters, at Kendal, in Westmorland, praying to be telieveil trom disabilities imposed on thorn by the .%larnage Act. The Duke of BEAU FORT presented a petition signed by many respectable inhabitants in Stanersetshire, against the ex tension of privileges to the Roman Catholics. The above were read, and laid on the table. Tim Bank of Ireland Bill was read a third time, and passed. 'f he House adjourned. )'HIDAY, MAY 3. 111 r. Brogden brought up the Excise Licenses bill, and several private bills, which were read the first time. AGRICULTURAL PETITIONS. The Earl u. ALBEMARLE prevented a petition from the hundred of North Greenhoe, in the county ot Nurfolk, coin ',kilning of agricultural distress, and playing for relief. The petition was signed by the occupiers Of 24,300 acres of as read, and laid on the table. Lord SC I. FIELD supported the player of the petitioners. The Earl ot ALBEMARLE presented another petition from the owners and occupiers of land in the hundred of Kingcross, in Nortolk, complaining of excessive taxation. Lord SUFFIELD presented a petition from the hundred of Numb E. iinghanr, ir. Norfolk, complaining of taxation, and praying for retimn in the representation ot the people. The 1.-bie earl conelud.tl Ina statement of the prayer ot the petition, by moving it be read. The petition was accordingly read.—ln moving mat the petition do lie on the table, the noble earl stated that it was signed by all the respectable landholders in the hurl died of Erpinghant, but he bad no share in composing it. Earl Do It NLEY said, notwithstanding the utspiuring tone of the petitions, he had hope that much might be done tor the country by reduction of taxation. It was w the power ot par liament to sehere agricultural distraits by removing taxation. lie Expressed a hope that this session would not pass over without parliament doing manething with a view to /Wm.:ion or taxes. The petitini was Lid on the table. TM: NATTONA RE STEP Bf.4CTION OF SCOTCH PEERS. T au. The Earl o f ItOSEISEItr; ranob she order of the ,to all the :Motion of the I;oue .to_jbe election of Scotch rs. Hg wetheted tut bin which Be bTo*ht il last Milllllit e le ‘t . rnent, to rigulate thbelectlllons of Scotch Peers. Su • uent tb presenting that bill, a communication was made to him, Iging Vic bill might be suspended until the opinion of the Peen r respectively could b e taken. That opinion had been taken, and it induced him to bring it again before the house. Only two Peels di,sented from the bill. It was a matter of no surprise that the measure should almost meet the unanimous wish of the Scotch Peerage, because the practices at the election of Scotch Peers were of a nature to require the interference of the legisla ture. Since the Union, many had voted at the election who had no right to vote. 'lle question, as it related to a regular mode of conducting the election, was of great importance to the peerage of Scotland. Ilaving no hereditary right to sit in p..rhament, they were only allowed to sit by election, and it was a peculiar hardship to have th e ir right to attend ie house after election delayed by the irregular practice of suffering persons to vote who had no right to vote. At the election in two thirteen Peers only out of sixteen were returned to take their beats. The return of three was disputed, in consequence of improper votes, and during three years they were deprived of their nght to sit in the house. They were then allowed to have a good claim. This was but one of the many hardships it was his object to prevent in future. The noble earl concluded by moving two resolutions :-Ist, That no pesson relating to any Peer or Peeress of Scotland, except the son of such Peer, shall have liberty to vote at the election of the sixteen Peers of Scotland until he has proved his right to vote before a Committee of the House of Lords.—Secondly, It is resolved, that every person who holds the benefit and right to vote shall be subject and liable to legal objections, as if We first resolution had not passed. The resolutions were agreed to rune. dis. The noble earl then moved that the resolutions be referred to a committee of privileges, observing, that if the cominittax should accede to the resolutions, a bill would be introduced. The resolutions were accordingly referred to the committee of privileges to sit on Thurstay next. The: house adjourned to Monday. DOUSE Or COMMON 4. AAORIDAY, APRIL 29. This being the last day fur receiving of reports un private bills, much time was occupied in their presentation and con sidera t tttt . Sir .1. GRAHAM presented s petition, praying to be heard by Ciniusel against the Somers Tuwu New Church Bill. Mr. BYNG presented the report of the Somers Town (toad hill—and leave wits afterwards olituiued to make the thud report on or before May 7. AGRICULTURAL I.II:.TRESS.—.iIr. GOOCH presented a petitiou limn Foxley, Sutlulk, comphining of agricultural distreie. lie was for a ethic' ism of ta luta )))) ;—(hear,)-..-hut he did nut desire that reduction should take place till re. trenciiment had previously been accomplished.—(Hear, was of opinion that part of the distress had re sulted from superabundant produce now eillicting the w lode would.—(Hear!)—Tae lion. member them adverted to the labours of the agricultural committee. The last report, he admitted, af f orded no chauce of relief; however, he was of opinion that a graduated scale olimport duties would be more serviceable than the present prohibitory price, as he might term It. The Corn Bill was injuihrus. The gradu ated duties were nut what lie would wish; but except something were done, agriculture must be *holly ruined, and if agriculture were ruined, how could the country hold up its head on:Q.4;W nations I The petition also required reform, but he thought nothiug of it, became it wow(' nut put an extra sixpent e into the fat Mere pockets.—(Hear.) Mr. HUMIi expressed his astonishment at this hon. mein. tier's luct. Where was the use of petitioning; where was the advantage of expressing leadiness to reduce tax mewl, when lie was rthseut from divisions on mullein to !e -duce the establishments? The him. member thought of no thing—aimed at nothing but " high prices." (Hear, hear!) 'They could nut be obtained. If relief were desired, it would only be obtained by reducing the expeaditure of the comm . ). Measures to obtain that relief had been pioposed; but the bun. member was out found on those divisions. lie might say what he pleated, mid the Noble Marquis might propose what be liked ; but lie felt satisfied, that there was Ho chance of ()Wanting ielief except by a reduction of the taxes, which would be warranted, if that House would saaction a reduction of the establishments. Opportunities would soon be afforded for such purpose, and he then hoped that the bon. member would he bound to support the propo sitions for tetreachment. Petition ordered to lie on the table. Mr. GORDON presented petitions from Aberdeen, &c. praying fur the free exportation of spirits, &c.—Ordered to lie un the table. Mr. S. woRTLLy presented petitions from the West Riding of Yorkshire mid Halifax, against the bill tor 4110% log the importation of foreign woollen goods for the purpose of exportatiun.—Ordered 111 be printed. YORIII-.141KE POLLS' BILL.—Mr. S. WORTLEY pre. vented petitions from lfeeholdt - rs of Yorkshire (chidly from She oei,;libourhouil of Wakefield) in favour of the Yorkshire pulp —a measure which mid nut his approbation. Ile should hereafter slate his objections to the bill. 'f he second trading of the bill was postponed till Friday nest. Laid NORMAN B Y presented a petit aunt Whitby, in favour of the bill—a peiniou that lie considered to speak the sense of the county. Sir W. CURTIS pi mettle(' a petition ,rom ship-owners of the Port of London, against any relaxation of the navig.a. twit taus. Ordered lobe printed. Mr. Aldetunin WOOD preartited a petition from coal a haitiagers, &c. against an additional toll being impost il • fur the passing of barges under Looduia.blid4e. He wished the petition to be releo - red to a committee above stairs. Sir W. CURTIS said, this seemed to COlliC Iplute a new bridge—no new one sans intended. Kr. AWcriuira WOOD observed, that the petition said maim% about a new Midge; hut one might be built, for the bralAe.house estates produced 30,0u01. a year. Mr. T. WILSON questiotied whether there was so much properly; it ought to be seen that the bridge could be al; herded beture it was cominenced. Mr. M. A. 'PAY LOLL mid, in the struggles to prevent the building of a new bridge. there appeared to be onmetitiug very like a " ajob."—Lives and ruin were as molting com pared with the money that might be expended., lie was burr, and be had visitinined at a Ills engineer., that nothing but a new bridge could rule thy old tsue.—( Hear, hear.) — lie alto spoke ot• Continuo , the monopoly to the fish. market of liillingvgate as :mother proof of attention to their ow., totes eats, and not of tile etarauulty. leferred to the cumitiouily. Non ut. AGIt143:1:11111A L PETITION.—Mr. COKE said lot sewed another petittwt trum the It,mdreds of Norfolk; all of them had now pttitioned lot 441 it ohms' re its,ar awl taugua, Ile czytuttd au stilt( flow till noble Lord, who managed that and the country sinijets handed. The people now called for reforus—they VI Cie de. strous of procuring ices a remedy for the evils now over. whelmaig tier century ; but he was afraid it would nut be ob tained through shut house, though it would come. The was his upinitia, and he therefore expressed it.--(ller,) "flint.he should feel warmly on ut s subject could not be Oh, tonishing,,as he had devoted the whole of his lite to the noble science of ugricultuie; Maid he now sew agriculture to 0 state of I LOO. Mr. 1% ODCHOUSE said, that the report oa agriculture was 11110til I.lll64l.l4aCtilry. (Heart) lie admitted that there was little hope of relief. except theta was a diminution of the burdens un the people. (Hear, hear.) Some refusals had been given to demands made to magistrates to call meetings. The magistrates could clot forget what had taken plate it. Oilier counties ; nor could they but recuileet chat was occurriug in Norfolk. Two wen had been executed. and upwards of 100 were now in prison for transactions in Norfo:k—the men who were executed avowed their object to be to frighten the farmers to raise their wages. Besides this, Lord King had uttered unqualified praise of Mr. Con belt, and the speech so praising Mr. C, had beet. circulate hand bills through Norfolk. Mr. C. was no respecter of property, and he had been a good deal in Norfolk, because there was much ditties* in that county. Wan it thee derfal Chet niagis.rittes welt hot forward to call ;white meetings? Mr. IJLNLSON must flatly contradict the loin. member in what he reported of Lord King—lns Lordsinp had wit pronounced an unqualified paiiegpic on Mr. Cohneit.— fits Lordship spoke of Mr. C.'s peeve's iu waking clew till. tirult questions, and in being right in the it saarinnain on the distresses of the country, He (Mr. D.) agreed that 11r. Cobbett was right on one ; —that toe noble Lied would nut be able to eo.lect the via—let Lies. Mr. G. BENNET spoke iu the lake taliect ; also bore Ces• testimony to the ability of Mr. Couhrtt : unit Said, that he load ll:treed to the Li/Weenie of Lied King %Ito thdpu.t. Mr. WODIMOUSE ohs.. t vet, t hat thei c was sonic cause for alarm when such a m:111 as Mr. Ctiblrett wits held up to praise, and its the farmers' triend. u lien lust year that 11 r nor denounced the farmers us mean brutes. Petition rend, and ordered to be printed. Mr. COKE presented outfitter p • from a Hollered in Norfolk, which had beeu unestiiinumly tweed to. The petitioners said, if the present measures acre pursued, they expected there would he unanimous demand, tor the dor. mission of ministers, fur the dissolution of Parliament, and the 'acorn rut that House. Re hoped this petition would be at• eroded to by the noble Lord,—Petition read, and ordered to he priotrd, Petitions complaining of agricultural distress were also presented from Sussex, Berl. hire, Holderness, and North mulct laud. Read mid ordered to be printed. AGRICULTURAL REPORT. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY (the house having gone into a c '(tee on the Agricultural Report) brought forward, at an advanced hour on the evening, his promised motion on this subject. His lordship observed, that his opinions on this subject remained what he had in the catty part of the session expressed them to be; and although near ten weeks had elapsed /Ante he first brought the question under consideration, no tune had been lost in devoting to it all possible attention. The original plan, that of advancing money to parishes on the security of the rates, had not met with the support which lie had Wier paled. It was thought that to set apart one million to be advanced on the security of core of British growth, would afford more substantial relief to the forming interests the motley was to be advanced on the corn being ware housed. That plan lie had now to propose for the adop tion of the house. His lordship then went into a variety of other details connected with the distresses of the coun try, as well as relating to it: finances and revenues. 'llin Oliver 1111 l tint had contracted with the Bank for a loan of 4,600,(e)01. at the low rate of 3 per cent. interest. Of drat stun, 2,600,0001. went to pay oil the Five per Cent. Disstutients; 1,000,0001. would be appropriated to re deye the farmers, by advert:lug money ou their corn ; and the remaining 1,000,0001. would be placed in the hands of commissioners, to be astrauced for the promotion of such public winks as they might deem to merit loans to advance them. When streakier; of the Five per Cent. transfers. his lordship strongly eulogized that proceeding, and said it was a most gigantic transaction ; that nothing like it had taken place in the world; that the. Chancellor of the Exchequer had been enabled to adopt measures for " paying off" 150,000,0001. of the public debt. By the " conversion" of the five into four per cents. the country had been saved an surest expence of 1,300,0001. Illit it was not the saving alone that was valuable--it was the great precedent that had been thereby established, by means of which facilities were afforded for hereafter making other reductions in the amount oldie debt, and in the burden of its interest. His lordship added, that such great ineasine bad been accomplished w ithout affecting public credit, and they could now contemplate a real surplus of 0,000,0001.; and the revenue had gone on prospering—it had nicreased 001001. a week for the three weeks after the closing of the last quartet's accounts. — Has lordship next stated, that by the 10411 front the Bank and which was to be used in the way already described, the cur rency of the country v. wild be relieved to are ex teut el:4,600,0001. There would be that amount of relief to the existing pressure. To enable it to be of still mere perman. tit use to the country, the Guyer 1111 l ent were ire gociating with the Bank, regarding country banks and country bank notes. It was intended to permit English country banks to have more than six partners—to be con ducted, in fact, on the Scotch system. There was to be an extension of the time relating to country notes—front 152 i to 1633, the period when the Bank's existing charter terminated. But the change in the constitution of cooliti y banks was only to affect those that were inure 111411 miles front London. The Bank charter, it was proposed, should have a limited extension of ten years. (Hear, hear.) But the Chancellor of the Exchequer would, mu an catty dry, submit to the house resulistieue on this silo ject. His lordship having observed that a reductiou of the country's expenditure, to the amount of 2,00,0au1. had been effected, said, that it was in coutemplat 1111 l to separate what was called the dead weight on the army, navy, and ordnance esiimatcs. Ile meant the pensions, disc. which amounted annually to 5,000,0001. They formed no part of the cut tent services; they made the estimates appear to be upwards of 11,000,0001. annually, when dm actual expence was not more than between twelve and thirteen millions. Such charges on the country, which were in the nature of a debt, would henceforth be severed from the annual estimates. 'This might now be done, 19r ►t was bat kW); that nit: *tumid again be utvolved to such