The National Register. — London, England, 1819-12-06 00:00:00

2niptrial 13atliatnent. HOrSI LW Lonos. MONDAY, NOV. 29. earl GROSVENOR presented a Petition from a person Ruined Braidiord. of Aliddleton, in she County Palatine oe ►.an. water. praying the noose to allow hint to rove at their Bar nisny strinbt facts relating to the transactions at Manchester on the 16th of August. The Noble Earl presenting the Petition, professed himself an advocate for Parliamentary eniiiiry into the subject alluded to by the Petitioner, and expres.•ti alt Lion that the only w:,) , to support the honour of the Magistrates rod satisfy the Public, was to bring the snbject outer the con. aiiltiration of Parliament as early as possible. Tne Petition was rend and ordered to lie on the table. -......--... TRAVERSE BILL. . The Lord CHANCELLOR rose to present a Bill to prowidre rot the better Administration of Justice. The noble and Lear ned Lord assures! the House that his pmposition did not arise from the state of the times. It was his intention long since to introduce a Bill of the dawription he held in his hand. In mat sws of intOmiation in Ole Court of King's Bench. the del aulant. by the practice of the law. has a right to say I will not plead in e,Fieirs cases uU ne , 4 Term. In consequence of that right his Vial is frequently •j e l a y e d to a per i o d w h en t h e o bj ect o f the law Sto defeated. Wjsether it was right or nut for the Lords to adopt the regulation ~ itopoved cm this subject. he should submit to the 'louse at the R'XA)II , I reading. The object of tie Bill was to sake away. ; di all instances , except in pleading in licit cases, the Them of putting °tithe •ime cot pleading, unless the Judges be of 0pt..19n tla.o tile trial ought to be postponed. The Noble ail Lej:lii.sl Lord concluded by moving the Bill be read it first time. I iota itOLLAND said, he ttntlerttoo.l the Bill was framed t 4 Tees:lnt de's! in proceeding to trial in cas..s of information. lie wished to ask the Noble and Learned Lord, whether it was *a extend to all misdemeanours, or to ex-officio informations, *led by the Attorney-Gencal. The Noble Baron also asked, whether it was to contain any provision for furnishing a defen dant with a copy of his indictment at the public expence.— If the Noble and ',earned Lord meant to amend the law of misdemeanours, he had no doubt materialamcndment might be made; but, if it was only to remove iticonveniences on one side, with respect to informations, and nut on the other, then the principle of the Bill would be unjust and must impo tt tie. The Lord CII.INCELLOR said. the Bill extended to all misdemeanours. With respect to iinparlanee or traversing. he meant to allow defendants to traverse, if the Court thought proper to permit it. The Bill dill rat apply to cx of f icio infor mations. With respect to copies of indictments the Bill SW not • . e any provision. The defendant in a:I cases ought Ifs be we,. furnished with the charges against him before he .ads, hut whether that furnishing was to be at the public ctpence the [louse might determine. the Bill was read a first nine, and ordered to be read a second Woe on Thuralsy. The Lords were summoned for Thursday on the occasion. THE NEW klEaSllf:S. Viscount SI ft NIOCT IL rising to introduce the intended New fifessures to the Haire. said —tt In the rpeerli delivered from tto Throne, his Royal :liglitiess the Prince Regent State* the circumstances which induced him to summon Parliament. Ills Highness states that it was his &sire to assemble Perlis a.m. for the coo dileration of such measurer as may be n• cessary for the counteraciion of a system, which, if not checked. must tillW confusion and ruin on the nation. His Royal. Highness the Regent's confi servants have thought it- inctimbent tin thein to prepare nu wires fur the consideration of your Lord ships and the oilier House of Parlianient. It is with giiet I have to state, and with grief your Lordships silt feel, it i, from the Press the great oil we complain of has ~risen, It has brouseht the Country into the state it now is. The provision in this 13111 is not to increase the punishment fur pub. 3:est-on of soli:ions and blasphemous libels, but in the case of rspe:ition of the offence. it will be in the judgmem of the Omit ta punish with imprisonment. lianichisamt, or transportation. ae Bill gives _power to wise any set - ducats topic. in print. or Eat.plie mous libel. It is in.ended also to lay a ditty on publica tions of less than a given number of sheets, equal to that on newspapers. It will be for your I.onblipr to decide whether this provision is not only just, but necessary, with a view to 'yap the baneful effect of cheap miblieations. scattering poison in every direction. It is futther provided, that persons engaged ri innting and publishing this sort of works shall be required ta enter into recognizances for their ability to pay any penalty pa which they may he liable, the same as in the case of stamps. One of the effects of the-e publications was to bring ksolAe together in large bodies in different parts of the ingdom. As the law stood, it was in the power of any individual signing his name to a placard, to bring to t gather all the idle, disaffected, and curious, in any part of the eatintry, on any day. No state of civil society could exist if tii'ec practices were to remain. The Noble Viscount then ad verted to the agitation in manufacturing districts,. occasioned by the l'ress, and harangues of Demitgognes The new law was to re• mealy the cell In luture, any meeting might legally assemble on menet of the same nieeeng being sent to the magistrates, Sheriff, re Is iliiFof the el .- strict. by seven householders. 1: will be un- Iswful tin any person to assemble at such meetings, unless they 1.-long to the parish or township where the meeting is held.— The magistrates are to consider a 1 meetings illegal where flags. Cams, and military array is olwervetl. It was also privostal to puisibit military exercise in any part of the Kingdom, without the eunsent of the Cord Lieutenant of the County. A Bill for that shject would hays no effect witho ut another, allowing the search for arms. It was known persons in manofacturing districts pos sessed arms. mai it was to gave to the magistrates power to seize Willa in difKrent districts, mid also to seize persons-having arms, allowing them the power of appeal to the quarter sessions.— Having suited the objects of the Bills. he expressed a hope that world adopt the p opined measures. If any better auea-ure coon he proposed by ally Noble Lotd. it would be "zero al with respect and gratitude. The Prince Regent's Ministers knew. that to coneecte would be to increase tse ilaagm isy wished to avoid inilaary g ine.rnment, and to establish a government of law. The Noide - Viscount coiteluded by moving the fins read:sg of his Bill, entitled an Act to prohibit the use of military arms and mibt try exercise. The Bill was read .1 fin , : time, and o:tiered to be read a scemid time tin Friday. Earl 1111 F.V considered the meagre@ described by the Noble Viscount ill calculated to inert the danger the Noble Viscount described Ile should be ready. Le said, to agree to diem, but lookin,; at the danger, and bolieving this system of forte, corr. En, and ter. or now to be e aablished in this fret couture. was lan C.1..11140:I to allay bud increase the clanger. settled elisrrisst, sad want of c loth:I-nee in the prueeedings in Parliament had 0-taidoned, lie should enter his protest against them, and contend that they were calculated to bring ruin to the country. It is such a Ai nees , in :he history of dna country hail been given by any orbit arse NT; •diter. Before the Noble Viscount called on th on to :ideas new laws for the protection of Government, was lie nr h rind so shew that the old laws were quite insufficient, pr Tarty exercised f It there were donands at th 7 part of the ppert, de, wnicit reason required the Government should grant. thdae d: meals ought to he complied with. A disposition 01 the put u: ?a l• to tedrew the wrongs and distresses of the pest le we nie,sores of conciliation required, Stith pro cee 'logs •' auccerd infinitely.boyond coercioa. The Noble Earl protested against the ale ese earl of LI VERPOOII.. said the Noble Earl had treated 4 se.: as treasures of swetcion, he (Lord Liverpool; was THE NATIONAL REGISTER. ready to contend they were measures of protection. There was a loud and general call on the part of the loyal for protec.ion. There was only one Bill which went to abridge the fair rights of Englishmen, namely the search Arms Bill. The Seditious Meetings Dill, se f.se from being AL Bill ad verse to the rights of the people to assemble for fair discussion.w.is a Bill fur the protection of them, by preventing tumultuous Nleetings, which were a nuigince to the a hole com munity. With respect to the licentiousness of the l'ress, rt would be impossible to restrain and punish the publishers of poisonous cheap pamphlets. without stranger laws than those now i•I fiIICC., The measure respecting arms was a tem:'urary and local measure similar to that passed some time . ago. He was anxious that two of the Bi ll s, respecting ' !'s a lving and Starch for Arms, should pass as quickly as possible. It was then arranger) that tile Lord I..disnceller's Rill is to be discussed on'l'hursdne. The Search for Arms and Training Prohibition Bill on Mon day.—The House adjourned. TUESDAY. NOV. SO. BANK PAY ME NTS. The r-at of LAITIIIIHDVI:I7(ob,er;t4. that a totnatr had gone thrill Of the intention of Government to apply bollle ttua• sure with s view to defer the return of the Bank U) cavil pay. mews at the time limited by parliament. He wished, tb, retire, to a.lt the Noble Earl whether liUdi was the intention of Go vernment. _ _ The Eurl of LIVERPOOL said, he could mane him, that his Royal Highness the Prince Regent's Government had not the lea►t intenUOU of interfering with the arrangement, made by the Governor and Company of the Bunk, relutive to useturn to c4t.sh payment. STATE OF THE COUNTRY The Marqui;M*l.ANSl/OWNEsaiii, lieftete in pursuance of notice to move for the appointment of it Select Committee to enquire into the Suite of the Country; and more particularly into the cause of distress which prevails In the manufacturing di trite . 'i'he question for the Lords to consider was. whether the dangers and difficulties were of so plain a nature that Peut liament had no other remedy than to pass such Bills e.s the Go vernment might lay before them, and then return to their places of residence ? No Iran ought to doubt that violence and stxlition ought to be echtlued, but it was the duty of parliament to ex amine into the cause of violence and sedition. !Unless they cxa• mined the cause, all they might do would be useless. The same spirit would break out again—the same miseries would occur.— He, fur one, believed that distress was the foundation.—(tlear. hear.) That spirit, called ItAdicalism, had taken root, and floutished in proportion to the distress which had prevailed. In the manufae.uritse oistriets, where distress most existed, the spi rit of Raditalism had arisen to ita highest point. the warentan hail no means of relieving hiinsell in peace, and upwards of nine hundred thousand families were thrown into a 'tete of distress. Could it be expected that nien in such a situation should not listen to the harangues of demagogues, promising relief from their burdens. In the nieletwholy business of Jlanehater, Mi. Hay, the magistrate, stated in a leter, that only part of the mob were the reforming party. This being the case, the unfortunate were strongly intitled to feeling and humanity. If the middling classes of society once found th..t Parliament was cowl and in different to public distress, not all the levies of soldiers they coukl raise would save the Constitution. A rigid enquiry into pubiie burdens and retrenchment might be made the means of affording temporary relict. Timete were certain duties whirl' might be taken off in several counties with great eifeet. In the article of tea. If the duty was taken off; a very great relief might be afforded, and perhaps by the extra consumption the amount of revenue night not be diminiehtel. Much might be done in a commercial point of view—exports might be allowed, which at the present nine would afford relief.. Ile fad yet to learn bow the Crown Officers had so long suffered the most detestable libels to grow to t at state which threat-ned the entire overnrow of the country. To slew how libels had been neglected. the Noble Nfarquis cited one, published in a work. inn/led The all. glum. lie read the words to the house. Alluding to the person of 101 Hoye( Highness the Prince Regent, it stet el, that it he persisted in shewing indifference to the surferiegs of the people, they had but tine course, nAmely4to act in ti At spirit whica drove away the bigot James from the throne. It went on to recommend aeete sinstien. and destruction of property? It was also just to punish the leaders before the populace. If the Manetester Mecumig was illegal. why was not Mr. Hunt arreeted before the Aleetitig ? eV by slid not the Magistrates take measures to prevent an illegal meeting ? It was clear the people were led to suppose they were safe btfore the interruptiou took place. All the untortenate oun cornitants connected with the...l:loam* of the Magistrates ought to be the subject of Parliamentary enquiry, In the year 1717„ after a riot at Orford, at which no life was lose, on the matter be- Mg mentioned to the House, the Lords went into a Committee to investigate the subject. In the case of Captain Porteous. in the riot at Edinburgh. the Reselution of the House to bring the Authorities of Scotland to the liar, was unanimously agreed to. Tne stone course ought to be adopted now, and, to give grace to the laws. lie asked their Lordships to proceed to enquiry. The Noble Marquis concluded a long and able speech by moving. .* Theta Select Committee be appointed to enquire into the State of the etiuntry, and more particularly into die State of Distre connected with the manufacturing Districts, as well as the execu tion of the Laws respecting Public Meetings." The Marquix N ELLESLEY adverted to the general confi dence with which the most respectable part of the nation looked at this time to Parli onent..—Atilidst the great events which had happened. the question would naturally arise, what is the duty Parliament have to discharge? A direct project hattbeen emend for its destruction, and they met not only to protect themselves. but to maintain the Constitution. to give public seenrity. and pro- tect property from violation. Tha Noble Marquis had said, if the Meeting had not been interrupted, it would have gone off peaceable, They would no doubt have quietly voted the destruc tion of the constitution. He beheld the scene with silent terror. There was no time fur long examination of causes. He did not think it was possible to form such a Committee 11.4 the Noble Load proposed. It must be formed by all time talent amid integri ty of' the House. and would they hays time to make icsearclies, end meet the existing danger? Enquiry ought not to take pre • meaner of the hills so properly introduced. 'lnc Noble Alarquis nitre( strenuously orpostel the motion. Lead ERSE I NE derendetithe argument of his Noble Friend who made the motion. He called upon the Holltle to (embitter whether they had evidence enough before Mein to usury coer e measure ; _t if they had, they ought to pass the Bill introduced by' the Noble Viscount. He (levered he never felt to much re gret es he did at the rejection of the Amendment moved by Isis Noble Fenno! (Earl Grey) the first day of the Session. He would have suffered death if Ministers hail not received the benefit of it. Tne people would !levee:yen up their eleeongs, heeling that Parliament was disposed to do romething fur mean The Noble lend supported tic motion. Lords if RENVILLE and LlvEnpool. spoke against the motion for euquiry. and Louis GREY and DARNLEY in fa votir wf it... _ _ The Marquis of I.ANSDOWN F. replied. He war perfectly ready to admit that lie ails favourably disposed I.r tne principle of some of the measures about to be adopted, but to OiIICTS of lie wits deCidedly averse. Whatever opinion might be ente• tamed of them could not alfem t l .e propriety of the twiny lie preplaxl, which Mould be houotrable to the !louse, sath..firemrt to me coun try, and ito ld rive to the magistrates an opportumy M vindi cating their conduct. 'rue then divided, when there appeared— Ncm Cor.etnts present 110 flower 6B 178 DEC. d Contents_prescnt is rroxies 12-47 Majority for Alinistani l3l Adjourned at One o'clock. WEPNESTIAY, DEC. I. The LORD CHANCELLOR ftttentleil the House soon after four o'clock, when Lord Stamford and Warrington took the °Atli and his scat. Mr. Bur. Lock preterites'!, pursuant to (neer of the Ilettoe. Return.; reLting to the Jimmie, noted fvr by the Eistl of Lsot !tickle. be House adjourned at five o'clock. 'flit v' Dec. r. F.X.OFFIIIO INFORMATIONS. ... . The Marquis of LANSDOWNE moved. that an arrount et" an rs.oflitio inforniations, between the years 1813 and iSip, fur blasphemous and seditious libels. be laid before the [lows and secondly. That an account of all indictments for blaaphe. mow and seditious libels between 1813 and tat% be laid before the [low :v.—The motion was agreed to. TitAIING PREVENTION BILL AND snancit FOR ARMS BILL Viscount SID:110iA'1l rilsei(;n;;;elie second reading of the above Bills. He observed, that the House permitted them to b: read a lint time on Twesilayi and in moving the second reading this day, it was not his intention to occupy more than a shim portion of their time, by restatement. The provisions of both these Hills were contained in the 52t1 of the by their Lordships when a conspiracy prevailtal in the Northern parts of Cie kinklom to tl. suoy machinery. The provisions however, of that Bill were more rigorous Coln the fills under discussion. lie concluded by moving the Bolls be read a strand time. Lord EIISKINE objected to he provisions of both Bill,, and sugge.tixl several amendments, with respect to the punish. merit of transportation and the liability of persons to be prose. toted for being present at any Alerting for training. iti; intention was to propose atnendinents in the Committee. Ilia Lordship expressed an °Onion. founded on experience, that written evidonee laid before Parliament was not to be dependel on. In 179., the evidence laid before the House was found The Lord CHANCELLOR said, when he found it his duty. as Attorney-General in 794, to prefer indictments against !Lorne Tooke and others, for High 1 reason, he did not do it on written evidence, but what passed rite wore before hint in his official situation. Ile had been charged with want of attention to the liberty of the subjec t. cstati'd,hed in the Bill of Itigh•s. The citsege was .unfonnded. •I'he intenticts of th:r• Bill was not to depnve men of arms sui•able to their condition. It was to deprive them of arms dangerous to the Constitution. He rcmenthered the speech of a great man now no more; he al'udid to Mr. Burke. when he used the dag.:er in the Ifoum of Commons. Tice Lord Chancellor aided, lie knew where die dagger was at that moment. It was net in possession of any person dangerous to Parliament. and it would always remind him of the great man who by the very act convinced the House or the anger of his country.—Did the Noble Lords require a effort to convince them of the pre.ent State of the Cam try ?—A Noble and Learned Lord hat argued that men atten ding training, ought to have notice that they were cointnitting an illegal art. lie would say, if men are i. u •nng anti training for the purpose of giving to numerous ineqtiligN an appearance of phyartal torte, it was an (seen act of High Treason. That . was his decided opinion. Lord 11OLLANn said, if he had (putted Burke time dagger would not have been selected. It was not, in his humble judg ment, the best instance of his eloquence and talent. One am tcnce Burke uttered which he never could forget. It was this:— " If the people are greatly disr.fficted, we must be a very bed people, or we must have a very bad administration." The Bill brought is by the S.'ole Viscount could not have his unquali fied approliauon, yet he did not say sonic such law as that with nspect to training, ought not to be adopted, in order to even•. tcract military proceedings which became an offence. The Noble Lord did cot wean to press any great opposition to either 11111. The Marquis of lIIICKINGIIANI said. it was a bill to prevent the people thing the arms they had a right to hold for their own defence against the Constitution. The moment a man used arms against the Constitution, l'arliament ought to restrain him. They could not admit the evil and neglect the remedy. He had heard it said it was the tkuy of the House and Govern ment to conciliate the people ; but his Noble Friends did not, till very lately, tell what that conciliation was. They at last stated it to be a Refortu in Parlitunerd. On that Reform the Radicals themselves could not agree. They were at valiance with the Noble Lord's. 111/LLANO, in explanation, intimated that be bad never declartd Reform in Parliament to be conciliation. _ . I di. Woke of SU t51.1.--•'• l save iu cosia.•qurnee of the line of argument taken by a Nobk ‘lairquis e hes tames, that the System of Reform, or Radical Reform, is supported by as. I malty aith any Noble I,ld sipeakisid, of its, oisul.l ha correct its Misquotation, vri h respect to the Rills under dis cussion thi , cv.• g. 1 take the opportunity of statist", my general acquiess•ence in the Rill% proposed. 1 nosy be al lowed lit tiles:tone tisr.c to express it is ait h re-dre't I hear th 1111 n out Cr. the opposite side of tic 1110 the on opinion that ee a. eiii i i nical to the litters-eta of floe State. We feel vte tut contending for the tranimilii a of the country us 111111 h• as the Noble laud sloes. Thowei I dilfer from an, Noble Lend, I will state my sentimenta a el h that reapers due to Mm. and avoid isidaming the public mind, wh•ch caution should be now dal. otaeived. Upon any subject enisiccted a ith the Rill of It Nlagna 1 hatta, and other 'wile.% of the Constitution, l cannot speak anht.ut feeling deep interest and the Noble and 1,,e0,0vj Lord a ill allow sue to speak with respect upon one point. Whim he vtates there nine pro ceeding, o Nxt respect to training t. loch he risioidered ti amiable, lmay say Isl Id have test alai' if he had been Atiorlicy-(i.lwrA of the C tvy, leer me if that ispio ion had heeit originally promulgated it would have a ived us Isom massy dohs - Mtn% 1 atate to the Noble Min quit, dint not a Radical. 'sly npiuiuns are Its constitutional as 111 P, 11111 a hell I hllll proper courses have not hero piir.sed, soma say, those ph sit lase o lei do out look to thi• quip cans of a dbeiise, way give plt)sii , but never cure toe de!. order. Ilse Kiirt of slit A 111a101111 read a letter, r erived f (Aen.) Net' , 111 A Ir. It ava, iu stubatioce : •• Twenty factimis aho nog!" to hr hati4ed or snrarcerut.ll, hits e chow moth sit %chief in 111rCat1111:. disnf. f. titan and rebellion. The JuNtices of the I leave basash.s,pid to leave their h moss. and take refiaie a tilt tlieie Limber. this too ii.'*—The NAtioe End exist, •iied a hope that n woe no::,ot be lea ht p :pa lig the H. Ali would be unavailtitd, unl the incosusee propmse4 on its 11rIsi acre carried solo execution. 1•1116 C.• 111111 %ere dsv 131'11 into 111 1 : 1 14. or IterW a, has retch is Is hi. read to them 41 • Vk.."lres... Watch 1)a 1/1:."—" the itrlintille 3 n* " -- I tee C:sp of Isihert," or • • iitio•r work ula ssimil leselencs • 'ramie acre oot le-a thus 14.1 1 0., twa 1111 ape , if li.r I etc and Weir, aliissea in o stale of open ress Ile it ridlit i•s mos. • t m 46.11%4 is to the flume, toe me ...Ines .s. . ioves Hamm, Both Bias acct. then Pail asi coed It e and colum , ttett [Or to-mon ovs.—.l4.arned..