The National Register. — London, England, 1820-06-04 00:00:00

178 mniperiat parliament. 110PSE OF LORDS. Tursnav, MAY :$O. Earl cf I.lVE.RPO6kpresented eeftato„..acconnts of the as ewe pricatf Cortgrona Igte tag Itastog s die value of. 'Barley. tke: • - • The !hike of DEVONSHIRE presented a Petition from the Agriculturists of Derbyshire, complaining of distresses.—Laid ran the table. Cte tr. Ltair BILL.—The Earl of LIVERPOOL moved the third reading of the Civil I.ist Bill. l.ord DACRE rose to object the last claust: of the Bill, which enacts " that an account of the amount of the Droits of Admi ralty shall annually be laid before Parliament," and moved as an amendment. to insert words. declaring that no part of the money which shall hereafter orig• in respects of limits of Admiralty or casual Revenue, shall he applied to any purpose enumerated or provided fur in this Bill. 1 The Earl of LIVERPOOL could not agree to the amendment. On the present occasion there was a clause obliging the Executive I Government to state annually the amount of this fund; he therefore asked, whether, with this additional security, the Douse would act with more suspicion than had ever existed before. His Lordship concluded by opposing the motion. Lord ELI,ENBOROUGII expressed a wish that this Fund h id been given up by the Sovereign, beeause it would base made his Majesty still more popular. These Droits left in the hands of the Crown an enormous sum, which might induce a Monarch to go to war, not like an bonoutable man. but a pirate. The amendment of the Noble Lord leg to the Government the restitution due from captors. His object was to prevent in tuttire the misapplication of this fund. The question was then put, and the House divided—For the Amendment. 18—Against It. 57—Majority, including Proxies, 59.—The Bill was then read a third time and passed. The Marquis of I.ANSDOWNE, as Chairman of the Com mittee on i'oreign Trade, moved for a variety of documents connected with that important inquiry, which were ordered. The House adjourned. INEDNYADAY, NAT 31. The Mavis of DOWNSH IRE presented a Petition from Kildare, praying relief under the pressure of Agricultural Dis tress. The Noble Marquis expressed an opinion, that the Petitions on this subject ought to be discussed as a national question free from all prejudice.—The Petition was read and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. Brogden brought up the Civil List Bill from the Corn nrona.—The House adjourned. THURSDAV,JVNE L The Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND presented a pe titimt the Merchants and Manufacturers of New. cartle-upon-Tyne, praying that no alteration may be made m lab respect to the ditties on wool.—The Petition was eead and ordered to lie an the table. Lord KENYON presented a Petition from the merchants and manufacturers of Little Bolton, for freedom of trade. Lord KE DESDALE brought in a Bill fur the recovery of Small Debts iii the County of Middlesex. The questions at issue are to be decided by four Jurors, summoned by Justices of the Peace. Copyholders and Leaseholders are liable to verse. The Judge will be regularly appointed. The Noble Lord entered into it description of the intended operation of she Bill. and concluded by inoviug it be read a first lime.— It was accordingly rend. The House thee adjourned. VILIDAY, JIM* it. REMARILABLZ Occuaaance.—The LORD CHAN CELLOR brought in a Bill to indemnify the Earl of Winelielsea for having sat and voted in that Henn with out taking the oaths.—The Bill was read the first time. Mr. Wynne, from the Commons, brought up the Glebe Lands Exchange Bill. The Earl ut BOSEBERRY brought in a Bill to regu late, in certain caws, the Election of Peers in Scotland. The Noble Earl intimated, that he should state the prin ciples of the Bill at ihe second reading. The Bill was read the first time. 1 a Ism Ban as.—The Alarq ais of LANSDOWNE, seeing the Noble Earl (of Liverpool) in his place, wished to ask whether any communication had been made from the local Government of Irelsud in regard to the distressed state of the South part of that country? The distress was almost incalculable, in consequence of the failure of the South Baults.—'There was no circulating 'medium. nor means of carrying on ordinary business. One Ralik, which hail broke for 260,0001. was not expected to pay one shilling in the pound. The whole country was, short, thrown into a state of alarm. The Noble Marquis expressed a hope that some communication would be made from use Irish Government, with a view, in concert with the limit. of Ireland, to remedy the evil. The Exa I of LIVERPOOL said, some account of the distress which took place in Cork had reached hint; at the same time, in the department to which he belonged. no of lamination had been received. The attention of Government was not officially drawn to the subject. In case any communication should be made, it would meet with due attention. The Earl of LAUDERDALE deprecated all interfe rence of Gavel. ttttt riot in a matter of this tort. It bail beet' long the policy for Government not to interfere be. tweed the Bank of England and the public, and lie expressed a hope that the same policy would be pursued in Ireland. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE did not mean to say the Government ought to interfere for the purpose of creaming any regulation of the note system, bat to influ ence the Bank of Ireland to stand forward as the Bank of England had occasionally done. The Howe adjourned to Monday. HOUSE OF COMMONS. TI:IISDAV,_ may There being three ballots fitted for to-day, the gallery was not opt ned till half-past five o'clock. The Essex Quarter Sessions ILO, to divide the Sessions between Chelmsford and Colchester, was brought in and read a first time, after some remaiks from Mr. Western, Wildman, Mr. 1). W. Harvey, &c.—Ordered to be read a second time on Thursday se'nnight. Mr. BROUGHAM brought in the Bill to facilitate the ratans of removing Slaves from Antigens, &c. to South America. Head a first :ime, and ()offered to be read a seemed time. Ile afterwards postponed his motion re snectiol the Scotch Jury Court to Tuesday, June uo. This of lay was requisite, in consequence of the debate going no out of doors by means of printed bills and eattiut Mr. I)EN SI4)N bronght in the St. Mary Hotherithe Barial Ground doil.—Read a first time, and ordered to be read a It-COLoti tune. _ _ _ Mr. Sheriff HOTHWELL presented the Petition from the Lourrann Council, praying rut a Parham:l:awl Re. form. THE NATIONAL REGISTER. Ordered to be printed oil the motion of Sir W. Curtis. Mr. Sheriff BOTHWELL presented a Petition from the Common Council. praying to be heard by Counsel respecting the Berkshise and TlLatw Canal Bill. Mr. ) UGHAALiostponed "iflitirstlity week motion r ectigil"lttratlgn of—diallogier.sgeasPKty, welt t i ,Ite Zxpctetflthe Education-digest would be printed and ready for delivery. Om LIST BILL.—Lord CASTLEREAGH moved that the house agree to the Lords' Amendments to the Civil List Bill. One amendment was to introduce 140,1001. instead of 140.0001. The SPEAKER said that this alteration was merely to con ect a clerical error —to correct a wrong casting np of the figures. Lord MILTON was snaking to guard against any pre cedent being drawn from this circimistance, although the error was only clerical. The Amendment was then agreed to; it being also en tered on the Journals, that it was to correct a clerical error of the Clerks of the Commons. SCOTCH COURTS, &c.—Lord A. HAMILTON observed, that the Commission for Enquiry into the State of the Scotch Courts had prentatuiely ceased; had the Ministers any objection to produce the correspondence between the Government and the Board? Lord CASTLEREAGH would answer the question to morrow. Mr. WODEHOUSE presented a Petition from the Ship• Owners of Great Yarmouth, praying that there might be no alteration in the Navigation Laws. Mr. F. ROBINSON presented a Petition f ro m W. Anderson (of Norwich), praying that the House would repeal all the laws affecting the Corn Trade. Read, and ordered to be printed. CORN LAWS. —Mr. H. SUMNER moved that the Peti tions complaining of Agricultural distress be referred to a Select Committee. Mr. F. ROBINSON opposed the motion, contending that even the agitation of the subject at the present mu mead was a misfortune to the country. The farmers had great protection, and more would not benefit them, be sides unnecessarily keeping bad lauds in cultivation. As to the average, change would not be improvement; and as to the effect, there had been the largest importa tions when the peke was at e 94. Mr. COKE observed, that many petitions had been presented to that House from time agriculturists of Nor folk, complaining of distress, and lie had no doubt that their complaints were true. He felt that they were dis tressed, but he should nevertheless oppose this minims. He was sorry to be obliged to differ (ruin so many whose opinions he respected, but he. did not think the motion tar inquiry would answer the intended object; and he had rather it had not been introduced at all. He had always delighted in agriculture; he had spent nearly his whole life in its practice; but he (lid not see how much worse the agricultu • were thee any other class—then the manufacturers sod the merchants. He should rather see the inquiry on a broader basis, so as to include the commercial and manufacturing interests. He would have preferred a more general one—one of inquiry into the state of the nation. There were too many proofs of the distress of the manufacturing classes to doubt of the necessity of inqniring into their sitnation also. The Petition from Kirkeaton, presented that even ing by a Noble Lord (Mittou), was a melancholy proof of the distresses of the manufacturers in that and other places. Members bad talked of the general distress, and attributed it to various causes. He considered heavy taxation as one great cause of distress to all; but to the laud-owner aaJ occupier tithes were a most grievous burden. The effect of tithes was to occasion a with drawing df capital from the poor lands, which could nos be aapporSed without artificial manure; and it was well known that the clergymen never contributed any to those or any other lands.—(Hear, hear.) He again said, that' he was sorry lie could not agree to the present motion, out of respect to the petitioners; but be did not think it would be productive of any good. Mr. ELLICE wished to understand, whether it was the intention of the Honourable Mover to press this question to a division; for, after what they had heard, amid not doubting that the object of it was to aggravate the gene ral distress of the country, those who opposed it might think it their duly to move the previous question on it. Mr. HOLME SUMNER did not see any good effect which could result from not pressing the question to a division. Mr. ELLICE then moved the previous question. Mr. MANSFIELD supported this aniendmeid. Mr. BROUGHAM supported the motion for a Com mittee, in a %keels of considerable length. Lord CASTLEKEAGII said, that its order to get rid of the ori„isial motion of the Honourable Member fur Surrey, he should vote fur the previous geestiou. Mr. E. WODEHOUSE made some observations, which were bleeds' k in the gallery ; and Mr. H. SUMNER replied— Tbe House then divided. Fur the original motion For the previous question IOI Majority in favour of the motion for a Committee 49 Mr. BARING moved the adjournment of the House, in order that the Committee aught he appointed at a time when there could be a full attendance. Sir 11. WILSON seconded the motion for adjournment. After a very long debate the motion of Mr. Baring was put in the following form, and carried unanimointly '• That this debate be adjourned till this day." Adjourned at War o'clock. WEDNESDAY, MAY SI. COMMITMENT FOR CONTEMPT. Lord ALTHORP presented a Petition front persons committed by the High Court of Chancery, on aeconnt of informalities. One person (a woman) was aged 81, and had been confined .14 years; another was aged 61, and had been confined 19 years; and others had endured extensive hardships. They prayed to have extended to them provisions similar to those provided by the Insolvent Debtors' Act. Mr. G. BENNETT observed on the hardship that many of those persons committed for contempt endured ; and thought that some arrangements ought to be made for the hearing and adjudication of such cases once ur twice in each year. Mr. LOCKHART was against any provisions on the subject being introduced into the Insolvent Debtors' Bill. Petition read, and ordered to lie on the table. BREACH OF PRIYILEGE.--NIF. C. W. WYNNE ob served that ha was nappy to 6a4 the notice takea in dint House of the action commenced against the Warden of the Fleet for the alleged escape of R. C. Burton, had been attended with proper effect. The action was with drawn, and the parties guru ready to make every apt). W,,Citirl 4 gillthhtice,for Tit tdOk • 1 ‘ , we think hAaiNfur Nave to brio/ in a Bur ter regulation of the City Jails. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER weed: that the House should now resolve itself into a Committee of Ways and Means. This motion being agreed to, and the 'tense having accordingly resolved itself into such Committee. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated his anxious wish to bring the subject before the House as soot, ss possible aloe' its conclusion, it being intimately connected with the maintenance of public faith. He lett particularly satisfied with the remit, because it was so advantageolos to the public. The loan was to be effected by funding Exchequer Bills to the amount of 7,000.0001. The total amount of Exchequer Bills out standing amounted to between 35 and 3ii,000,0001. Be sides this 411101111 i, titers were four onillions of Irish Trea sury Bills. The soon, making 39,000,0001. was abort 10,900,0001. less than the outstanding at the cor responding period of last year. Detlnciing thp amount of Exchequer Bills in the hands of the Bank, &c. there were from 16 to 10.000.0001. in the possession of private individuals. This application ass made to the state of the Exchequer Bills. previously to the transactions of the present day. It cal deemed convenient and advise able to call in part of such amount, and that was to be done by converting 7,090,41. 01. of those Exchequer Bills lotto Siock. lie calculated that the unfunded debt, by the operations of the toreaent year, would be reduced to 18.000,0001. and 5,000,0001. in the hands of 'solvate in dividuals. The terms of the present function( were to receive 991 Stock, fur every 1001. principal of Exche quer Bills; and the transaction would be an obvious ad vantage to the subscriber of g per eastern. Whn ther it was frum this advantage, or a calculation of the rise of Stock, he knew nut; but so eager was the contest, that the list was filled in a quarter of all hour. The resolution which lie should move would go to a consummation of the bargain thus coneluded:—the resolution was, that those persons who had caused their names to be entered on the books, on depositing 201. per centuon, 8101 be entitled. fur every 1001. aubscription entered, to receive 991. stock, and interest at per cent. &c. Mr. P. ORENFELL did not clearly understand what would be the result to the debt of 11xt Country by the proposed funding; by one mode the increase of the debt would be 6,000,0001. by asollier it woeld be 7,000,0001. Mr. MABERLEY • onsidered that the amount of the unfunded debt was nearer 49,000,0001. than that stated by the Right Host. Gentlentan I and this lie should have been able to sliew had lie those papers before him for which he had formerly moved. The revenue in the April, quarter hail not increased, and if the same were the case • at the end a the July quarter, there would be an in creased deficiency in the Consolidated Funtl—a fund that was already in arrear about 7,00,0001. If the revenue were nut better by July, then the Consolidated Fund would be in irrear about ten millions. This ought to be guarded against, because that fund was the security for the payment of the dividends. Mr. J. surni observed, that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had said that lie should not want a luau be yond five millions for 1810 ; was the present proceeding to operate as a loan of live or seven inillious? That was • simple inquiry, yet it had not toren explained.—(Hear.) After :mine remarks from Mr. Martin, &e. the tesolu lion was agreed to.—Report to-morrow. Several Petitions having been presented, Lot d CASTLEREAGH got leave to bring in the Alien Bill. COMMITTEE ON AIMICULTERAL DISTRESSES.—Mr. H. SUMNER moved the order of the day for resuming the adjourned debate on the appointment of a Committee on the state of agri culture. He them handed to the Speaker a list of gentlemen. whom he proposed as members of the Committee. The SPEAKER read them in the following order : Mr. Sumner, Right Hon. J. Foster, Righ t . lion . G. Canning. Right Hon. F. Robinson. Right Hon. Fitzgerald, Right Hon. W. Fluskisson. the Lord Mayor, lord Milton, Sir J. Newport, Sir Thomas Arland, Mr. John Fame. Mr. Western. Mr. C. Dundas, Mr. /hire, Mr. Smokes. Mr. Brougham, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Irving, Mr. Coke Mr. Gooch, and Mr. F. Lewis The SPEAKER next proceeded to put the question on each name separately; when he arrived at that of Sir C. Dundas, . - Mr. BARING rose, and observed that he could not allow even the reading . of the names to be concluded without expressing his decided opinion that a Committee so formed could not leave a moment's doubt as to the nature of the report at which they would arrive, even before they proceeded to examine a single witness, or to inspect a single document. ( item, hear.) At the same time he begged merely to enter his protest against being supposed to consider this committee so appointed as likely to do any wing to elucidate the subject, or to benefit the country. He knew as well as ilk were now upon the table, what kind of a report would be nuidc, and the whale formation of the Committee was such as to excite the most just a!ann in every part of the kingdom. (Hear, hear.) Mr. H. SUMNER complained that he had not been quite fairly dealt .ith. The Hun. Member opposite, (Mr. Banng) bad desired time lust night ;or the choice of the names, to which he intimated that he should not object: under these circutustaaces an objection from hint came rather ungraciously. Mr. W. SMITH said, that when he voted last night, as he was ready to avow that lie bad cone, m favour of the Commit tee, he wished to be undcrstoial that .II he meant was, that lie could not reconcile to his judgment or to his feelings to refure to so large a proportion of the Malta bents of the country an inquiry into a subject which appeared to them to be of so much im. porttnce. He did not know how to tell the agriculturists, who stated themselves to be starving, we will refuse to take your case into consideration." Ile had never intended by his vote to hold out an expectation that the Committe e would be able to grant a partial relief beyond what the agriculturists at present enjoy. If the cultivators of the soil could make out a ease, he did not wish to deny them the opportunity. As he had before remarked, lie had no objection to the appointment of a Com. mittee. the majority of the Members of which should have a general leaning in their mitlns to consider the case, but not to grant further protection. (hear.) Mr. SUMNER added. that lie knew there was a certain num ber of gentlemen in the House who were determined to resist all inluiry, and to refuse all telief. Others entertained a different opinion, and in the list lie had handed to the chair he had only taken care to secure a majority of those who had thought that disttess existed. and that endeavours ought to be used to afford • remedy. Mr. CAI.CR AFT said, that when he had voted against the amintment of a Committee, he was aware that a certain degree of Mitres, prevailed among the agriculturists, but he could not CYBKIII ttjesepatrykrthes b e b ear d its advocates