The National Register. — London, England, 1820-05-08 00:00:00

a . 4 • 1441 t 1.•11 • 2inperial 13artiaMellt. HOUSE OF LORDS. MONDAY, MAY I. The Martinis of Dowashire, Earl Fitzwilliam, and the Bishop of I lereford, took the oaths. The I.onl Chancellor read his Majesty's Answer to the Address presented on Friday. Mr. Irvin. from the Customs, presented Accounts relating to t'.e Trade and Revenue of the Kingdom. Mr. Winchester presented an Account of Balances in the hands of the Deputy Post master General up to the 5d of .lantutry. Mr. Massey presented a Report relating to the Insolvent Deb. tors Court —The above returns were laid on the table. The Earl of 1. AUDE RDALE moved fora number of Papers on the subject of Finance. The Eurl of SHAFTESBURY presented a Petition from the manufacturers of Norwich. praying a repeal of the Act to prevent the Importation of Foreign Wool.—Laid on the 'fable. The House adjourned. TUESDAY. MAY 3. Mr. CH ARLES DAVENPORT presented Papers relative ' to the Northland Peerage. On the motion of the Earl of SHAFTSBURY it was ordered. that no Petitions for Private Bills be received after the 15th of Dray. and no reports of the Judges on Private Bills after the 506. On the motion of the same Noble Earl. the Lords were sum moned for Thursday, to take into consideration certain Standing Orders of the Howse. Mr. Clarke, fntin the Insolvent Debtor's Court, presented an Account so f the Balances' in the hands of the Receiver, made up to January. Lord AUCKLAND gave notice that he should move on Fri day, to appoint a Committee to enquire into the laws relating to Ihanor a nd Creditor. The House adjourned. WEDNE.VAY. MAY 3. After some unimportant Papers had been presented, on the motion of the Earl of Shaftesbury, the House adjourned. THURSDAY. MAY 4. Lord Erskine and several Lords took their oaths. CIVIL LIST. The Muria of LANSDOWN Rae for the purpose of asking the Noble Earl (Liverpool) what steps were to be taken relative to the Civil List, and whether it was intended to appoint a Com mittee for the investigation of that important question ? The Earl of LIVERPOOL said. it was not his intention to snore for a Committee to consider that subject He conceived the papers of 1816. wllich were laid b efore the House, would contain information sufficient to enable the Lords to discuss the question. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE moved that the papers of tiff& relating to the Establishment of the Prince Regent, be re-printed. 'f he Motion for re-printing the papers was agreed to. Tae Earl of DARNLEY gave notice Of his intention to move for a return of the patent for holding the office of King's Sta. mi lier in Ireland. together with the amount of salary paid to that officer during the last ten years. FRIDAY. HAY 3. Mr. Smith presented papers from the Commissioners of Rich naiad Bridge. INSOLVENT DEBTORS. Lord AUCKLAND rose to move for a committee to inquire into the state of the laws relative to insolvent debtots. As the propriety of some measure for the relief of these unfortun ate ast. before per- sons had been fully admitted when the subject was l the ' holm:, it was not necessary for him to trouble their Lordships e with Many.o b ser rations in support of his motion. A mistak 'had crept into the late bill, and the former law had thereby unfortunately been suspended. In consequence of this suspen -sion, the prisons had been crowded with debtors to such a degree, that there was danger of their berninin g • infectious. This state of things rendered a pro m p t inquiry ineftvensable ; and he was sure that, if any of their lordships entertained doubts of the pro priety of giving relief to the numerous debtors whom misfortune had rendered insolvent, these doubts would be banished when the eireurnsuinem of their situations were fully taken into con sideration. But at the same time that he wished to relieve r.-ally insolvent debtors, he was meet anxious to protect creditors against fraud, and hoped that means would be found to reconcile those objects. He then proposed that the committee should be an open one. The motion was agreed to.—Adjournoi. HOUSE OF COMMONS, MONDAY. MAY I. The SPEAKER, after having taken the Chair, communicated that on Saturday this House went up with the Addrtss to s Majesty. to which the King returned his warmest thanks for d e loyal and dutiful Address. &c. Mr. H. A. TAYLOR presented a Petition from lighteinien engaged on the Thames, complaining of the dangerous state of I.rron Bridge, and praying the House to cause a Bill to be brought in to remedy the evil. Mr. H. SUM N Eli afterwards presented two similar Petitions from Wharfingers on both sides of the River.—Ordered to be printed. Several Members took the oaths and their teats. Lord ww•rii EL presented a Petition from the manufactu rers, &c. of Kendal, against the Wool Duty.—Ordered to lie on tl.e table. Accounts of Tin exported and imported during the last year w. re ordered to be laid before the House. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved an Address to his Majesty, re urning their most mumble thanks for his Majesty's gracious answer to their Address having been the custom to adopt similar proceedings on the two previous accessions to the Throne.—Motion agreed to. Election Petitions were presented from C. Blake, Esq. com plaining of wr. undue return for the town of Galway—ordered to he taken into consideration May 30; of an undue return for Callington, Norfolk, (two petitions.) Ordered to be taken into consideration also on May 30. MT. RHOUGIi AM mortal for a copy of the Barbadoes Act of int.. 3, regarding the 4!, per cent. duties. The Hon. Member post poned his mended motion on the subject from T •ursday till Friday, to ill*Clllllll iodate a Noble Lord now absent (Lord Castle reagh).—Mo ion agreed to. Mr. H. SUMS Fdt, advert ng to the regulations requivel by Mr. Whitbread's Bill respecting Weights and Measures, ob served, that informations instituted in Surrey, and where c‘nvietions had been gained, had been quashed, in consequence or the divisions of weights and measures having been obtained from the City of London, instead of the Exchequer. Much in convenience had resulted and would ensue; and he now wi,lied to know .whether the Coverninent would bring forward any proceeding founded on the Commission witch had lk.en it.• tamed. The cliAscEt.t.on of the EXCIIEQUEIt replied, that delays had taken place. A general measure, he apprehended, eirtl.l not be expected this Session ; but he belimed bUllit: preit. urinary measure smirk be expected. Lord A. lIAM I LTON asked, in the event of arc ignmion of the fourth llama at the Exchequer in Scotland, whet'.er a new appointonni ois to take la aCe The 1.0 .s I 'VOCAL'''. replied that the appoimii: , lit had w:rewdy taken , ....e (Hear.) I. .rd A. !IA NII L'I'ON added. tl.at he should brine the sob. ivet betbre the House. (Hear, hear.) sir.). NE W PORT hoFed the Noble Lord would persevere .tml bring the subject befute Parliament. r. BROUG HA M asked win.iher certain offices in the Scotch ~ THE NATIONAL REGISTER • . • - -- -- -——•— -- Jury Courts—which were most complete jobs—had been filled up. The LORD ADVOCATE said, that the Judges had stated. that the business could not go on, without the appointnents in question being made. Mr. BROUGHAM was grieved that the Judges had lent themselves tojobs more gross, outrageous, and unnecessary than any that fuel ever taken place even in Scodtinel. He pledged himself for the accuracy of this statement, fond was ready to prove it whenever called upon. The LORD ADVOCA'TE hoped, that the House would pause before such opinions were adopted ; before it was believed that Judges would lend themselves to the adoption of improper measures. (I ' ear !) Lord A. HAMILTON gave notice, that on the nth of May he should move for a copy of die appointment of the fourth Berea. (Hear!) MALT DUTIES.—On the motion, that the House go into a Committee of Supply, Leird A. HAMILTON asked whether any decision had been come to respecting the Malt Duties in Scotland—the allowances that had been formerly made. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied in the negative, adding. that enquiries had beepmated, and that the subject merited attention. Report to-m CIVIL I.IST. Mr. TIERNEY said.he had understood that some objection existed to the motion he proposed respecting the 355,0001. made applicable to the privy purse. Th e CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied. that he should have no objection to a more partial and definite account. Mr. TIERNEY said, he should on the Ifs It move for the paper, imploring the attention of the House to it, as involving a most co: stoutioual mitution.--(llear.) Cul. DAVIS gave notice that on Tuesday week he should move for a Committee ou the subject of the Atmy Expenditure. Mr. B. BATHURST moved tor leave to bring in a Bill to remove all doubts respecting the continuance of the Insolvent Debtors Acts. Sir J. NEWPORT ask ed whether any Report had been received from the Archbishops and Bishops in Ireland respecting the Church Establishment there. Mr. C. GRANT replied, that some ansvrers had been received ; when all were obtained, he should communicate them in due course. Mr. I.USHINGTON presented the Accounts of the Ordinary Revenue for the current year. Ordered to be printed. Mr. B. BATHURST brought in the Insolvent Debtors' Acts Continuance Bill. Read a firs time. The remaining milers having been disposed of, the House adjourned. TUESDAY. MAY 2. Several Members took the oaths and their seats; among whom were Lord Milton, D. W. Harvey. Esq.. &c. D. W. HARVEY moved tin copies of all Reports yes pecting abuses in the Exche and Customs—of all inlbernauons tiled within the last year, &c. The latter were ordered ; the former postponed for the present. Mr. Lushington having observed. that the Reports were not yet made out.. Cot BAGWELL presented a Petition praying for leave to introduce a Bill to improve Cork Harbour. Referred to a Committee. Mr. HUME moved for a Return of Auditors of Accounts for C e yl o n, &c.—Ordered. SMOKE PROM STEAM ENGINES. Mr. M. A. TAYLOR brought forward his motion respecting those furnaces. the smoke of which annoyed almost all the king dein. Enquiries had been instituted, and it had been primed that the mamma might be removed, by compelling the proprietor, to construct those furnaces and steam engines to consume their own smoke. So great had the nuisalicebecome. that it had ren dered Londoi, Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham, almost uninhabitable. (A laugh.) • They might smile. but lie could prove tie fact, as individuals were compelled to get resi dences for dulr families at a distance front the furnaces and engines. Hecould also adduce evidence of instances, where the schemes for tench he contended were proved to be practicable ; and the consumption of the smoke promoted considerable laving, at least one turd of the fuel. So satisfied was he of the practica bility of the sc heme, that he would never ceas e his exertions till he accomplished the measures he contemplated. Many places in and about London. the breweries, dee.. rendered TWA' Ouse most utoomfortable and unwholesome ; and he trusted, if if he could show in a Committee that the nuisance might be abated. that Is should be justified in applying for a declaratory law on the subject. lie concluded with moving for a selecteom• mitteee toenqure how far it would be practicable to promote the health and comfort of the inhabitants. by compelling proprietor* to meet engines so as to consume their own smoke. Mr. Denmaa seconded the emotion. beating testimony to the success with which engines, within his own knowledge, had been erected u consume their own smoke. Sir C. MORDAUNT, &c. also supported the motion.— After which it was agreed to, and the Select Committee appointed. STAGE COACHES. Mr. M. A. TAYLOR aext brought forward his motion to snake the furious driving of stage coachmen a misdetneanor As the law now stood, however furious might be the driving, or whatever accidents resulted, the magietrate could only fine iol. which might be mitigated to 51. ; he proposed where furious driving should be charged, it should be referred to a Jury..—lle eorcluded with moung for leave to introduce a Bill for punishing criminally the MMus, driving of stage coachmen.—Motion agreed to. Lord ALTHORP moved for leave to bring in a Bill to relieve Insolvent Debtors, theowo main feature. of which were, first, to appoint Commissioners to enquire into the pro perty, &c. ; and secondly, to compel debtors, after a certain period of confinement, to apply for the benefit of the Act.— (Hear, hear !) Mr. LOCKHART observed. that, if other alterations were not introduced, he could not approve of the Noble Loral's Bill. — He complained of the slight way in which the petitioners were examined by the Court; indeed, if an opposing creditor hap pened not to appear, the debtors were hardly examined at till. Lord ALTHORP replied, that he hail not fully entered into all his views now, as he hoped :o present the Bill in a more per fect form on the second re ding.—Leave given to bring in the Bill. Mr. MABERLEY moved for Accounts (to which he under stood there would be no objection) of the net Revenue for the last year ; of the deficiencies in the Consolidated Fund ; the Charge; thereon, &c.—Ordered. Mr. MABERLEY then moved fur Accounts of Bounties on Irish and British Linens exported, fits.—Ordered. Mr. C. GRA NT moved fur leave to Bring in a Bill to regulate the Tr:mutt - sof Stock in I ieland by Courts Equity ;to regu lateEDW the Administration I if Assets. ttc.—Nlotio of n agreed to. ARDS. THE sPY. Alderman WOOO iose ..tau said, he had an important corn • niunication to make to the souse. He hardly kin w with what condos he shoat e, I a.... ; rte however might receive assistance !tom die Chair. ,to huil to elate that seven persons hail applied to Mid its a Magistrate, to ex hibit charges against George wank„ residing residing an Flat Street, and to have him taken up. So extraordinary amid important acre the facts, that lie deemed it right to let die ex,iiiiiiiiitions be private. Four of them deposed to facts which, anion,o ether things, materially affec.i'll tha Home. They set turd' that plots had been proposed by this George Edwards to destroy persons of the highest authority—plots to assassinate the Ministers, &c. ; but he should barely state what more particularly effected that House, vithout reading the der- - - sitions which lie held in his hands. for their lima onnitto .d were of the most horrible charactir. By those depositions it that Edwards had absolutely gone about from house io r illW t from public house to public house. inviting almost all sorts of persons with whom he might meet to come and join him in the execution of those plots, which he named and proposed. He suggested an attests on the House. in order to destroy served. the Mein. bent ; and he said the plot was practicable. as, at he ob that least six or eight could enter the house without being particu larly observed. There was no objection to taking books with them. it was not required of them to g o " dean. - Instead eft books, Edwards said they could have eases made like books, to bold gun barrels of about a foot long. These could be plugged —tilled with phosphorus. gunpowder. &c. ; and when the House was moat full these could be thrown amongst them and the d es truction of the Members thus ac com p lished. He said "This tlewood is the boy for us, and he will soon be out of Horsham Gaol." Thistlewood was soon afterwards released, and Edwards gut introduced to him at Preston's. the cobler. It was remarka ble that Edwards not only proposed the plot for attacking the Members, but he actually got time cases made, of whicn he bad before spoken ; and he also got other weapons. Ike. to provide his adherents with. It was likewise remarkable diet previously to this period, befote Edwards began to go about with proposals fo plots, lie was in such poverty that lie was reduced to abed of straw. and had not money to pay for a pot of porter; yet, after he embarked its these schemes, apparently tie was in no want, as he procured many of we destructive articles, and was able to lend money. It appeared that ail the plots came ftont Edwards, that he was the chief mover. Be-ides those depositions which he had taken. there were several other persons ready so bear testimony to the correctness of the facts; and the wort!,y Aide' Mall mentioned a Mr. Chambers as one person who had been invited to join in the abominable plots. He thought the best comae would be for the 'louse to refer dm:se matters to a Conimatee of Secrecy; but at prawn. lie should content himself with moving, that George Edwards be cull.d to the bar for a breach of privilege. he having plotted and contemplated the destruction of the Members. Mr. li. BATHURST and, he thought the case could not be deemed a breach of privilege. Whatever might be the offence. he thought Edwards, if the s ateements were true, was no less than an accomplice in the case of High Treason ; and how could they think of calling him to charge winself with such a.. offence? Mr. Alderman WOOD said. he had tried to get this ininvidnal prosecuted. He had carried the evidence opines Edeards„ ap plying for prosecution against that person—but lie had failed- He considered Edward: as the sole plotter of ail time Caw Street and other plots ; he stated thus much from the evidence he already possessed ,• and he thought if they got the man here other steps might be adopted • Mr. HUME seconded the motion. He observed that he thought something ought to be done to obtain justice against Edwards. Ilow had ledwanls got the money, he being before in abject poverty? (Hear.) Mr. BROUGHAM, although he thought the motion might be withdrawn was surprised at the levity with which Members opposite treat ed this subject. Toil man had plotted the destruc tion of tne House; and as to requiring hint to criminate himself. was it not a course similar to wha t was done re-girding libel ? The case was not brought forward in a pumper Shape but the question could not rest Isere. They had got the clue. and they ought to follow it. (Hear.) Lord Sidniouth bad said that the Government did not intend to prosecute Edwards. He believed that Edwards was a spy ; but that like other spies. he had pro. motel what he was only employed to watch. While such men as Thistlewood and Ings existed spies were necessary; end while there were such men, instigators were as unnecessary. (Hear.) If it appeared that Edwards instigated to a new offence, justice would be sacrificed without something being done agaitat Ed wards. Mr. CANNING observed. that whether the topics ought to. be considered by the House, it surely would be useless to pursue an unprofitable discussion. No usetal purpose, it was admitted, could be obtained now. As to levity, he had seen no disposition to indulge in it. He was glad to hear it acknowledged that it was the duty of Government to institute enquiries into the pm gess of plots, with the view of defeating them. lie should give no opinion as to what the Hon. Alderman might do • but he could not help remarking , into wha t extraordinary do these matters, if entertained, would lead them. Mr. Alderman WOOD begged to withdraw the motion, ob serving. that in a day or two he would be prepared to state what course he shook! propose to pursue. He thought a Committee of Secrecy woukl be most desirable. Motion withdrawn. Ufhe Howe was fuU at this time, and paid great attetstion to the communication.] CIVIL LIST. Time House having resolved into a Committee. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved thee there be granted fur England bao,COul.; h old la 410.0001. s to enable his Majesty to support lita house and to maintain time dignity of the Crown. Sir H. PARNELL thought there was not sufficient informa tion before them to warrant die adoption of these Resolutions. Colonel DAVIS observed, that the provisions tor his lave Ma jesty, the Privy Purse. &c. had ceased, yet no deductions ter them were to be node. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, that those deductions were taken into consideration. Mr. CANNING said. lie had understood that the debate was agreed to be taken on me Report; therefore detail now hail been avoided us unnecessary. Mr. TI ERN EY observed, that he lied been party to the sir. rangeinent alluded to—but it was expected the sums named would have been coupled wish some statement as to the grounds on which Government proceeded. the matter then bring buttered to stand over till the resort. He understood that the arrangements of ititfi (excepting tee allowances to his late Majesty, to the Custoe, itc.) were now to be proposed. Mr. CANNING. teacated, that the course now taken was in acquiescence we'd' proposals made from other (platers. whole of the arrangements. detail as well as principle, were to be left open to remark. 'lime CIiANCEI.I.OR of the F.XCHEQUER, observed, da.t the provision fur the Queer. would be made chargeable on the Consolidated Fund. Motion agreed to.—Report on Thursday. The teruaining orders having been disposed of, the House adjourned. WFDNESDA Y. NI es 3. Ace( ttttt is el Unclaimed PI ite.Nl.lney of the UnftioJeil Debt of the Empire, &c. were pirsented, and ordered to lie on the table Mr. SNIII.II front the Commissioners of Roads aiel amid Midges, presented the Sixth Report of Road* and Ilsidees in Scotland . Mr. J. WTI presented a Petition, playing for leave to introduce a Bill her the Lighting of the Ci t y of Nor wich with Gas. Mr. BY NG presented a Petition on the subjec: of the Mary-le-Roue, St. Primo:sus, and other coeds.—lleferre d to a Committee. Mr. CALCRAFT obtained leave to this and salvia two Act , lin Ike rebuilding of Dims-Isec Tlie.llll.. Leave' Was given to ill ilig in n Bill, rat Ilie Incorpora tion of the litoticester Gas Light C 4.11111.111. A Petition was presented rumple initig 01 an 'indite re turn fur Briditert..—Ordered to be takeu into considera tion Julie 1. Mr. Alderman WOOD gave notice, that on Tuesday next he 'Wald move for a Select Committee, to exec