The Statesman. — London, England, 1820-02-08 00:00:00

II ~: s Nu. 404._ T o pgiv I'IE MEE riNG of MERCHANTS, selatts. SHIP OWNERS, LIVERYMEN. sad the Frienis °fair WiLLl.trsl CURTIS. Bart. M.P. of the City of Leaden. held at the Loudon AtMA a' yam day of Folniary. ISO. 1111.L1.441 IttNNINO. Esq. M. P., in the Chair. PIIIIIIAFT, , jfrisha Perrhar. Ran. M.P. emi Alderman. sir it Nina, Leighton. Kat. and tlderniso. gir Cher.r. Flower. Bart. sod Aidericao emir' Stroh. Req. sad Aid XII, n. dristorwr Sluitla, FA + and Udernsan. Ms 'lntim. F.sq. and Aldermen nelstopher Mammy. Esq. sod Alderman. g o ) w rt Albion l'ol. Esq. and Alderman. frßobert Whereat. Bart. fie Thomas Neese. Bart. tie Charles Price, Bart. T. IP. Kati. bins, M. P. EM. T. J. PR. . 1...5em0. John, Esq. - ,'f!:.l7Esq. 1.0 , 14+, l'harks, E.q. •. ).n.h. Esq. I,uess. Judah. Esq. .4r.. Thosos:4. Esq. Laing, David. Esq. tr. Richard. Esc, Laing. David. jun. Esq. (harm Req. /.etta. Jabs. Rim. e lk,. John. UN. Moody, Matthew, Esq. 's wot . Wiliam. Esq. Poynder, Thomas, Jun. Esq. ,Jahn liet . POURS/ tt , litter y . Esq. MMus. Esq. Pratt. Witham, Kaq. Job. Esq. Mother. John. Esq. ,yo.—. Esq. Pitchman. —. Esq. _JAIL E 441. Parrey, Benjamin, Req. ' Awe'. Esq. Richardson. Christ. jan. Esq. ariaopher, Esq. Hesston. William, Esq. a..Esa. Smith, Robert, Esq. Robert. E , q. Sharp', Richard, Esq. IDIOMS, Esq. Shins, R. J. Nsq. ' '. e. &orphan, Esq. Sharp, R. S. Esq. * him. Esq. Sheddon, Thomas, Esq. 11 R. £.q. Stewart, Charles, Rol. , —, Esq. Sparks, R. 11. Esq. ' 1 LJ. Esq. Skipper, Peter, Esq. Wm. Esq. Steele. Joseph. Esq. .jos Frederick, Esq. Smith. James, Esq. -`" Riker. Esq. Simpson, G. M. Esq. Wiliam. Esq. Telford, Jolla. hp. Esq. Wilson, Thomas, Esq. Me. Esq. Wedrion, S. W. Esq. Job. Esq. Webster. James, Esq. mi ssed, Frederick, Esq. Whitmore. John, Esq. Ma. Esq. Ward, William, Esq. tibias, Esq. baited sasnimously,—That this Meeting, adverting to Mot Sir Williams Cottle Inv's( received be suffrages Wawa 4 and kalJO Liverymen during Use Mist Contest, I lilt Merelisuts, Bankers, Ship Ow nars.Traders, and , sitbsd'itc of Leadon, has publicly reeordesl their re. I that the Bosworth's, Baronet was not one ot those re , for the said City, at the late Election— is of amides. theta; William Curtis be Invited to oiler a C 4164410 to ha ON of the Representatives of the iti of Image, la Patilsessal. at the approaching Election ; that a public MOO" bosun toed of Sac retreads if the OLBanast,ollissaarkelious of promoting that object, to be Mid al So Lellph Tavern. Bishopsgete-street, on IMURRIMIIf setheill Das id s& precisely. % ~ • litasaimmady.—That ths Timm of the Moothig • **Whoa, for his al& ma isholoirecoik.ed. volvod ussoinovily.—That the foregoing proessalos 'A.4I k tie Morning sad gritting Papers. _ ___ _ pHs oeuRvER of SUNDAY last (Feb. 110 ROOMING, sad WILL RE ON SAL DURING RR WOW It cooties the Partieolers (to this mot of Mssobea Polio ('9lntans) Of the Lam lawns si Duro of oar Gracious Elosereign KING GEORGE WE THIRD, with a MEMOIR aq POLITICAL RF ridW Obis Majesty's Reiss, foriajorwitb the Dorinosots, a Istrrestiao Record for Presertitillo and fur future Refer se Seabee of Tan Oetssitrost 'AR be partleolorly rto toasts Readers sad P a m:7 mobbing Atwood. i lie Price of Tim °saute oaly vaspablished. in 8 villein., limo. prk• IL Is. in boards, or; Modes of Faith and Practice; a Tale. fly A I,IDY. ler T. (Well and W. Davies, Strand; tad W. ' Sdiabegli. - - PRICES, COMOTIO To FISIBOVANT, 1910. My van published. 6e Thirtieth /Widow. price M. of 'kW` BUILDERS' PRICE ROOK for wilt soarkisinr a eorreet :termini of all the present slimrei by the most eminent Surveyors ; also, a Abstract of the Building sad Paving Acts; the last foi oa Windows, with the Names and Residences of the Arm Pirreturi t inlay of Iltnterints and Workman6ip : Ries• of tabour only ; the Duty on Bricks, Tiles. Be. illy compiled By JOHN MIL/MPS; • immeted ilinangheet by as ENISIIIXT Scavat on. Lindoa: Printed, by assignment from B. and B. Crosby. hilbrin. traded', and Joy, Phternoster-row. [ WANTS a SITUATION, as SERVANT to lost. a Lady or Gentleman. a MAN of COLOUR. who bra lied to travel to the East lisetleiN Cape of Good it.; titoroosilly understands him bushier's in every lad eon give the Boat trodoolobio tofereame for sod ability. 6, pot paid, for J. P., at the Sagar-loaf, Great St. LTT 11091.if, 7 267 Tant;e4;oo;Th7CoVll*l-galdillt, Writs the attention of the Pantie to his superior tor waking Roots and shoes Water-proof, by pre lispossibility of any moisture paselredimp dirangh "ORLEY has not only to boost of an ***ltsemene evils stickling wet feet. but tkst the sad Mims stole by Wm are serbroiled in *Lip. sae ; for the troth of which delisfiies of refer to Ortillemen of the Ars, respectability, who tweeeree him wilt their derided approbation. 29t, . ALMON, ODY, and Co. STRAND most respectfully io ta the Public, Stet their PATENT SELF-A D.IIUST "VaIi matinee to he reeosnmended by all the most . 111 •ViAsta in Tow. sod Coestry. The springs are "Nontnildasto admit of increase or decrease is size sad ele Lamer for right or left side. *Bitola the l east to the wearer, requiring no ander-strap or tallboy bandage. I N,PATIVITIKIN have the honesty to 'apply the Army " /Y. the halal am& Military Hospitals. the bock-yards wafter, the Ma r i a . h e d rut ary. the Hnoourable East ore the City of London Truss Society. tbe Mary wieelleettohe. Bristol, and lisibigh InAraserlot, Ate. •s. din.. 4 1 1 11 .416 0 NY, 1411.iitra;d7i4.nden ; et • k Week du IX. e :ti,. o. tat, • Paris. V''' ll $ residing in the Country. seeding the ete 4Zsekif the bed; saws the him may depend IP epee Sited. 11utle y r and Mons, No. hi. heeWile-g"...' Deb see et sera Druggists In ever) principal Tows in . • • . . . r • .. - •••••••••..• - . fr..... • ..• ~..... . - ... 1 •-:. 4., ' , . . • . • % r 1.4 F P AAIr ir .. / 4 1, lbtit , ,a. „,,,7,..;...,„,,• , ...._ , . LONDON, TUESDAY - EVENING, FEBRUARY 8, 1820. " The COVINC for which lIAMPUEN felt id the Add. •ad SYDNEY died on the Scaffold!" • # PRiCF • TO THE EDITOR OF THE STATESMAN. LIBER7'Y OF THE PREY, IN ENULA.YD. how few criminal codes any approximation has hithert.) been made towards satisfying this proposition: !Mt re define a libel against th . e hate, correctly and legally, or, in other words, to draw &clear line et dettarcatiOn between the innocent use and the abuse of die press with respect to public affairs, is what really appears to as impossibly. If it could be done by three or fro tr set phrases—were it sufficient, for example, to declam whoever shill insnit the person of the sovereign with unbecoming expressions—whoever shall openly and expressly instigate to insurrection against the sovereign or his representative—whoever shall for himself. or others, disclaim obedience to the existing laws—and se forth, shall he liable to punishment, the difficulty would be easily overcome. At the same time it may be oh ssestrair:abat tbs. steak of tateetim, eseb teratt-snifiram I.erbern be very well spared for the coati in which tbey wield be trangressel could not At numerous, and' the offender, would he Etter fora mad-hosse then a prison. Bat when we descend from this extreme, sad enter the Su—Not doubting bat the followiag letter, as a cu riosity in itself, anti as proceeding from the pen of so justly-celebrated a genius as the late Dr. Benjamin Fratiklin.and addressed to the distinguished Methodist, George Whitfield, would be highly areeptable to the readers of the most liberal of oar daily prints, I have copied it from one of the few transcripts existent, for the purpose of Its reaching the Jiablie. filmset your utetlinnt. Every thing in England having reference to the use, And abuse of the press was formerly regulated by the Court of Star-t ham ber, and remained under its exclusive jurisdiction until the middle of the seventeenth century. rhe Star-Chandlier. which was an ancient tribunal re vived by Henry VII., was appointed, by authority of the prerogative, to take cognizance of ail offences against public enter and all transgressions of the police laws of tbe, kingdom, and pronounced judgment without the istervention of a Jury, and without respect to the ordi nary forms of procesi. This tribunal, which might he imnstiletad a sort of superior Court of Police, fixed the ocher of printers and presses, anal appointed an in oiseiseetwo seder the title of birettas!, without *hose consent nothing could be publisherln the year' 1641, not long before the breaking out of the civil war, a time when all the old royal prerogatives were over thrown, the Star-t limber was abolished. The Parlia ment then assumed that police authority over the press which had hither' been possessed by the Stu-Chamber, and continued during die Protectorate to exercise it, through the medium of Conindissionees. Two years alter the Restoration, the regulations of Cromwell's Par liament were again put in force, and were repeatedly re viewed under Charles 11. and James 11. The last of these measures expired in the year 169°, three years after the revolution which placed William 111. on the throne. It was, however, determined that It should be prolonged for two years more; the King himself re garded its existence as a matter of importance. At last, in the year 11194, Parliament declared against the far ther dlintinnatiee of the act. Thus, through the mere extinguishing of the old law, which took place almost in silence, and certainly without the importance of this negative decision to posterity being foreseen by any who participated in it, was the existing system introduced. We now proceed to the examination of this system, according to the preceding arrangement of its parts. I. STILTS OF VIC t. INr AGAINST OFFENCES or ens CRISP. The only hind of offences of the press, recognised in Englaavt, is that which comes under the description of rehininiors prid!i , wrion, or lad. Libels against private persons, and libels against the State, are, in there of tke English law, of one and the same nature, and are proceeded against on the same ground • nanwly, thst of &myrrh If Me pence. The punishments which have usually been applied to these offenees are fine, im prisonment, and pillory. The amount of the tine is left to the discretion of the Judge; there are recent rases of males to the extent of MN)!. and fowl. sterling, and the tentence, besides, often ludo • es bail for good be hsvinttr, during a certain time. Formerlv, the punish ment of imprisonment sometimes extended to ten years; hot modern practice has confined it to a year, eighteen naming, and, at the most, two years. Since the Rill of Ate. Taylor, which passed • few years ago, the indg see of' Me pillory is only promote-ea in cases of per 6tanintenk writers are tiae tics better liable to that The generous and philosophic "frit brerthodlineslo line of thn composition, and the *obit and eulighleitte contrast it presentato thogdomo of fanatiellin. ;ma the fal4e glare of religions and moral hypocrisy, give it, Is thy estimation, a high value: and a, it hath never, I believe, appeared its print, will, with every candid and ingenuous mind, be viewed a 4 diffusing a new ray of glory round the head of the most philanthropic and il lustrious benefactors of mankind. reginn of practical ;possibilities. or praetical probabilitlew,* the proposition assumes qnite another form. It is indeed instructive and likewise amusing, to observe the levity and temerity with which 'nosy persons who pretend to be the gn►d►s of their fel!o►vcititennl, in questions of this kind, call for " a good law on the liberty of the preset" with what coutidence they elate their eipectation, that this urgent want of the times will. fro. one quartet or another, from above or from below, h some certain leav be supplied ; and bow incapable thew seem of putScieurry manifestitif their surpris.•, that, whither through the In ability of the advisers, or the obstinacy of the holders of power. so salutary a work should be so long Marti. It is still more instructive, and not less amusing, to see legislators, statesmen, and well-meaning authors, *truss Kling and straining, and after a hundred abortive triak still renewint their attempts to conquer this rebeill problem. They would not spend their time and their' efforts more fruitlessly, were they to employ themselves in endeavouring to square the circle. Clo be coatinved retuaiii, Sir, pours, &c. Cousc roa. TO THE REV. GEORGE VVHITRIILD. SIR-11 received your kind letter of the !d inst. and are glad to hear that you increase in strength; I hope ysa will enntinne mending, till you reemet your former health and liminess. Let me know whether you Mill use the cold bath, and what elfect it has. As to the kindness you mention, I wish it could have been of uwre service to you, but if it had, the only thanks I should desire would he, that you might always be equally ready to serve any other person who should need your assistance ; and so let good offices go round ; for mankind are all of a family. For my own part, when I am employed in serviag , others, I do nut look upon myself as conferring favors, but as paying old debts.—ln my travels, and rime my settlement here, I have received much kindness from MOO, l 0 Whalli I shall never have any opportunity of making the least direct return ; and natuberless mercies from thud, also is infinitely above being benefited by our services.—Those kindnesses from area, I can only return to their fellow-men ; and I ran only show my gratitude for these mercies from God, by a readiness to help his other children and my brethren; for I do not think that despite and compliments, though repeated' weekly, eau ilialAargeoor real obligations to each other, and Emit lens to oar Cemstoe. Ton will ere this my notion CAN A D. 4. KtKorron, U. C. Dec. 21.—His Excet e ncy the Lieut. Governor in .Council , desirous of viatintr the sitoation of the4ssaaase class of settlers, has been pleased to order that they receive* gratuitous grant of 30 aerei..: land, with liberty to lease the re serves; to meet the &hove gratuity the following num will be exacted upo.i all grant. dor WO acres and up wards, which way be made subsequent to the l.t of Js 'miry 1.20: On grants of 50 acres. Sterling. Do. do 300 do. ell U 0 Do. do. 200 do. 30 0 0 Do. do. 31/0 do 60 o Il Do. do. 4110 do. 73 0 0 Ito. do. 31111 tjq, 0 0 - - - td. lOW Q Ito. do. 700 Jo. 175 0 0 c Ito. do. 5110 do. 200 0 0 Do. do. 9110 do. 225 It 0 Do. do. 1000 do. 290 0 0 Ito. do. 1100 do. 275 0 0 thi. do. 1200 do. 300 U Payable in three equal instalments. The l'pper Canada Gazette contains an adverting offering fur sale, at public unction, in the town of York, on the 4th, 15th, and 24th Mar, meg 16,1. June, ',wards ..of thirty thousand acres of latia, situated in various parts of the province, being' the property of certain traitors aliens, vested in his Majesty by an Act of the Pro- Parliatewnt. stole of happineis infinite in degree, and eternal in du ration ; I can du nothing to deserve such rewards. Ile who, for giving a draught of water to a thirsty person, should expert to he paid with a good plantation, would be modest in his demands, compared with those who think Auxerre Fiesta* fie the little pool they do es earth ---liven the mow imperfect pleasures we enjoy in this world are rather frosts God's goodness, than oar own merit : how much more the happiness of Heaven? For my part, I have not the vanity to think I deserve it —the fully to expeit it—or the ambition to desire it ; bet content flirter with submitting to the will and ilia posal of that tiod who me, who ha/hitherto pre served and blessed use, and in Otiose fatherly goodness oaf well ronede, that be will Rover mate use miser able, and that even the affliction that I may at any time snide, iriU torsi os my benefit. In a country where no la* or police regulations ape. rate toprevent the abuse of the press, and where so wide a Kelt% open to the activity, the restlessness, and the passions of all turn, libels of every kind cannot he un common. At the saute time, it cannot he denied that writings of this description are not only inimical to the and boner of individnals, but that they may vie. ate the severity anti dignity of the State; and, as we have shown, they are, according to the principles of British jurisprudence, necessarily treated with severit#.- 1 Under these circumstances, would not any one expert to filed the distinguishing marks, the legal character 01 , a libel, precisely determined by established nitre, or et leant defined with cinch a degree of correctness as to leave no uscertainty in ordinary calm, and to afford, even in ;Isaias might be doubtful, a certain guide to the inter. ,p/etation of the Judge? —Such is, however, by so lIISSaII all ease. The definitions given by the highest legal authori ties of the abuse of the press, or of what constitutes a libel. all bear, without exception, the stamp of the un certaiety of the law. We shall mow cite a few of the , most remarkable. Chief Jastice Coots's' says, in his i • Digest of the Laws of England," a:hool which is consi dered classical :—" A libel (libellee Asmara) is a con- i futilely or reproach, published to the defamation of the government. a inagiihmte, or a private person." The celebrated BlintbMose expresses himself thus :•••- 0 Every freeman has' air4ollldoebted right to lay what sentiments lie pleases iseltullinhe public : to turista this is to destroy the freedom Ile* press ; but if he pub. dishes what its improper, iim~llibes, or illegal, he most sake the essectesmences of WAWA temerity." herd Ellenbormieli, Chiefiffilitee of die Court of King's Bench, in the year I VW. every publica tion punishable, " whlrls tends t4t ir i el t ' e the discontent of the people, or, either by ceiumet#lll . sierisisin, to bring the established tilthorities of the gollienment into din esteem." One AM* latest-writers NO L A& %abject, whir is a dbopiy leareAlidlid practical laviltelgif dr 6 l'irolt • libel. saw with itot-lideli more prerisissilKllllllo his pro tiecespera. " 11,e I Aiwa. eineists in paldishirtrill %brines. or poifetell, or paintell4on, rendinsriblibpasit the mobile peace, by vilif y gnvvrnmenr, ,risereciting the selijetili." • so i it wield be a waste oftieVello dwell en the deflentiby, utwertainty, and worthlesseess of this, and all 'ohm-de finitions of the same demetption, or to enter into any detailed proof rat the very unfair anal severe treatment which authors must snfrer, or the serious dangers to which the State must he exposed, limier suds a complete enema. of the law, aceoriling as caprice or power may incline the balance to one side or the other. 'floe Gon station of the whole edifice, namely, the ambiguous formal , . " a breach of the King's peace," which is a mere legal fiction, is millheimst to (duce a cow Hien that kilowatt answer its object. Indeed the freedom of the pesos in England, under whatever point of view it might he contemplated, would appear most anfavaer ably situated, were it not, es will hereafter be shown, thattbe imperfection of the law is more or Ins compen sated by certain remedies. A error would be committed, were it so p .. that defects we have teethed belong exclusively tit the fish legislation on the press, or that they ha their origin in some peculiar property of the British l'on Anatol), and conseirsently, that under a evsteuistif government they could be easily These defects are attached to the nature of the allings and are its unavoidable and immediate results. It fog, perhaps. be reganied merely as a proof of the jest Awl flip sad lucky instinct of British Statesmen, that on this subject they have never attempted to strug gl e for the as nsesplishusent of impracticabilities. Every lawyer iraows beet Micah it is to_ specify with logical and • Wednesday being the day appointed to Earl Fitawilhana with the Address oat • Meeting at Wakefield, on the 13th November lad, op wards of lOU Noblemen and Gentlemen assembiad its the 'morning at Wealwerth-ilane. to *Geed the ► ration. The company were received into the pitlastld ball, and from thenve proreedird to the saloon. Irian Earl Fitzwilliam was waiting to reeeive the Adtiter; supported on his right by Lord Milton, and nn his lett by his Lordship's Chaplain, the Reverend J. Lowe. L .rd Althorp addressed his Lordship in an impressive s N ech, and then read the Resolutions and Addrao, sari concluded by ()horning, that the best testimony of the approval of his lone and faithful *niers leas evinced by the unsolicited sigoatares stagaranis of six shosaos4l of his frirnds and neighbours., , Lord returned an appropriate IMAM. The faith yos mention has certainly its use in the world. Ido nut desire to see It diminished, nor would I maiisooni to Imes it in any man. Bet I wish it were store prase/ire of good work, than 1 hare generally eon it. I sm. real good works—works of kindness. charity, mercy, and public spirit; net holiday-keeping, seemosi-reading, or hearing, and perfuctuing church ce remonies, or makiag long prayers idled wit► lottery, ever despised by wise men, and still much less capable of pleasing the Deity. The worship of vial is a rimy; the reading or hearing of sermons may be useful; but if men rest at hearing anti praying, es too wimpy do, it is as if a tree should rains itself on being watered, and putting forth leaves, thosigh it never produced any fruit. Your great Master thinight watch km of these outward appearances sail profussioas than wiany of his modern disciples. lie preferred the doers of the word to the mere Ammer*; the son who seemingly refused to obey his father, mill yet performed his cosoniatitis, to him Who professed his seediness, bat neglected his wont ; the lirretiesl but charitable Soesseitas, to the art- ' oh.tritithltt though orthodox priest and isuierified Levity ; and those who gave food to the bongs, drink to tho thirsty, r.iiiiient to the asked, entertainment to the stranger, and 'dirt to the sick, dimwit they rover heard of his name, he declares shall, in the lust slay, he ar- 1 cepted ; while those who cried Lord ! Lord who valise dissieelves upon their faith, though great enough to perform miracles, bat have rieglected good mocks, shall be rejected. He professed that he came sot to eall the righteous. hut simmers, to repentance; which implied his molest 1 opiolua, that there were some, in hie time, who thought themselves so pa, that they reed not eves hear him for luiproireummat l hat tiour•••iisy., we hove scene a tittle pagoda that done mu think it the duty of every was, within Ms rese►, tosit under his petty imititatinns, and that wharves omits theta Wands t7ed. 1 wish to such more lkstillitp, and to you health and happiness, being your friend sad seesaw, B. lhatiaLtst. Philadelphia, June Sib, 1733. The ronspany then retired from the saloon, sad more for refreshment were thrown .epea, w here upwards ol 1311 Gentlemen partook of an elegant cold collation. By an arrival from Trinidad, at Cork letters were yasterdav received from the Island of Margaritts, *I *hid; the followirq are exUncts:- 1114WiliAltirrb. uer. 6.—Tbe am-mats from the British legion at Abiturin are tntly gratifying. They get the belt of rations, said their pay regahirly from itegosears, and dedare themselves perfectly wirisewil and well pro vialeil for. They hare lost hat six toes dew lilif task np their position on the Mai., and not am oilier. be , neral Marino is waiting at Oahu. fur than ter join his. When they do, General Bernindes will have sh ds WI 3,11410 men, ready for service. Admiral Brine seems nies the troop' going from this place to the bilahL • argil simply of all kinds of provisioas has arrived Lett from the United States, and snore were expected. Ad' mire! *non had purehased them on his own credit. The Helium*, with 2041 men, is off Parnpatar. The Twatlik is now cooler, and the disorder has nearly ceased. Sw eau Ltsc.—A letter received from an Mar lit Cork, dated tiElth January, save—" The &nag gliug Preventive Service is at sat arranged to go on herr. James lionbniia, Esq. Is Inspector lieeeral, and Lieutenants de Illuntmoreney, Thomas Usher, W. H. Meggisson, tad T. C. Sherwin, Inspecting Commanders. Sauengliag is carried on most extensively: on the 10151, a ratter run a cargo near liallicotton; and ratters mid !riggers, from venous parts of Holland, Flushing, U.ere sey, Jersey. and America, carry on the illicit trade. In fart, no one in England can have an idea of the retest to which smuggling is carried on in Ireland. Regular agents are appointed all over the coast ; and when cargo is landed, the smugglers can command freesia to 11100 men, to carry it at once of. The boats of the Richmond revenue, cruiser, the other day, IpArded a cutter with 32 armed men, who had, au doubt, put a cargo. A smuggler has bees just taken by the Pan dora. These vessels sail so well, it is lenity possible for the cruisers to catch them. We have had motional Crest rod snow here the lad theee weeks, man thee have been remembered for 33 years : the roads am id. Rosebonii strawbopnies. Inn alretal t r prothseedat tit! of tie Nail tisk fruit is force a im dim a kotirge,lt airs Tag qmalityi "IWO!" ti r- af ion 1 ; or of