The National Register. — London, England, 1819-04-12 00:00:00

114 2niptrial Parliainot. HOUSE OF LORDS. MONDAY, APRIL 5. Several Petitions were presented against the Insolvent Debtors' Att. REPORT or THE BANG CONNITTEL.—The Earl of Halt- Sower, as Chairman of the Secret Committee appbinted to en quire into the state of the Bank. presented die report of the Committee, and moved it be real. The Clerk at the table acconlingly read it to the Howe : The I.ord's Committee stated in substance. that having been appoint ed to enquire into the state of the Bank, with a view to the expe diency of returning to cash payments at die time fixed by law, and other matters, they had proceeded on the said investigation. In the prosecution of the enquiry the attention of the Committee was drawn to the circumstance of die obligation which the Bank was under to pay cash for specific notes issued anterior to 1817. The effect of such payments has occasioned a deficiency in the treasure which the Rank ought to atcumulate, in order to meet general payment when the restriction may be taken off. T , Committee hope the Mouse will allow them to abstain from a statimient of particulars until they shall be able to make a full report as to their opinion respecting the day it may be advisable for Parliament to fix upon, for the return to cash payments. — The Committee are distinctly of opinion. that partial payments in cash rather delay than accelerate a return to general payments in cash, and they recommend that all partLl payments be suppres. sad foe such time as Parliament shall name. " • The Earl of Ilattiower, after the Report had been read, stated, that it was the intention of his Majesty's Government. in pursuance of the above recommendation, to proposes measure to their Lordship*. and as it was desirable that no tune should be lote in passing the same, lie should naive to-monow to dispense with the Standing Orders, which require Bills to go through the usual stages. The Noble Earl then moved. •• That this House do tomorrow take into consideration the Standing Orders 54 and infi." Earl Gar.Y expressed his surplice at the statement just made by the Noble Earl, who called on the House to dispense with their most valuable Orders without assigning a reason. He di , l not know what course to take under the unexpected nature of the communication ; so unexpected, that it deprived him of the calm deliberation and judgment of the House. After the statements of his Majesty's Ministers upon the measures which the Bank had taken, lie did not expect to hear that its small advances were snore likely to retard than advance several payments in cash. It appeared to the Noble Earl necessary that sane explimation might bare been given to enable the House to come to a proper conside ration of the question to-morrow. Ile called the attention of the Lords to the tune elapsed since the first suspension of Bank Payment in cash. l'he original plea was necessity. and it was at last arranged that the suspension should conclude in six months. It was then continued for one and two years, and at last the Noble Louis on the opposite side of the House thought if that tame was given the Bank would be able to return to the tussahs circulation of the country. When the state of the affairs of the Batik could be disguised no longer. and they were led to believe enquiry would give to Parliament and the country a general view, which would restore public confidence (upon which all the pros perity of a commercial nation must depend), they discovered that the Bank had conducted their affairs with folly. In what situa tion were they placed ? On thefaceot the Report it appeared, not withstanding the boast of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Noble Lords in the Government, that the Bank had acted with folly, fraud, ignorance, or deceit. Were his Majesty's Mi nisters struck with blindness, that they could not see and under stand the affairs of the Bank, or was it to deceive Parliament and the Public. that they were told the partial. payments of the Bank was proof of their prosperity and general ability to return to cash payments. It was ignorance or fraud if the Bank could not pay the notes of lal 7, which they voluntarily contracted to pay He entered his protest against the novelty introduced by the Noble Earl. It was novel, and differed from the precedent of 1797. With all his respect ter several Members of the Commit tee from which the Report came, it was impossible to give up his duty in consideration for any man. He held it to be inconsistent in the Committee to enable Ministers to ask for a law which should release them from responsibility respecting the continu ance of restriction. The Committee had lent themselves impro perly to the views of Ministers, who seemed io be interpoeing with Parliament between thanselves and their responsibility, intro ducing a new principle of practice which might lead to conse quences more dangerous than any thing they could expect. The Earl of LAUDERDALE said, atter what had tellers from the Noble Lords, he would not avoid stating a fact. He, as one of the Secret Committee. had nut concurred in the Report. The Noble Earl added, that he expressed his therein from the Report, and gave it his strong opposition. Lord HOLLAND considered the proceeding adopted by the Noble Lord irregular in point of form. He did not wish to speak on the merits of the measure to be introduced, because it was im possible to know what it would be; but he was ready to contend this was not an instance in which the Standing Orders of the House could be dispensed with. It was said the Bank had net acted wiscly, in contracting to pay their notes in 1795. If it was so, in whose hands were they Ream to trust the safety of the pub lie creditor? In the hands of the Bank, which had either acted with folly or fraud. On the whole he could not, as a Member of Parliament. concur in the measure then proposed to the House: The Noble Earl had no right to come to Parliament and call on than to enact laws, when they did not know the principle. The Earl of LIVERPOOL supported the motion. Earl Gorr moved an adjournment. The question was put:—Earl Grey's motion for adjournment was negatived without a division. and the original IDOIRM car ried. The Lords, on the motion of the Earl of Ilarrowby, were then enmmoned fee to-morrow, and the House adjourned. TVIESDAT. APRIL 6. BANK RteTRICTION BILL.—'Ir. - Peel. and other Members from the Commons, brought up the Rill to suspend partial issues of specie by the Governor and Company of the Bank. Sir Mar tin Foulkes and others, also brought up two Private Bills. 'The Earl of IlallkOWDY robe. pursuant to the Order of the Day, for taking into consideration the Standing Orders which re quire Bills to pass through the regular and usual stages. The motion was put and carrA, the Standing Orders were dispensed with. and the Bill pa,sett through all tie stages gab sir "tin On the nation of the Earl of Liverpool a Message was sent to the Commons to interim them, that the Bill had been agreed to without amendment in the !louse of Lusa. Preparation was then made to give it the Royal Assent. The Lord Chancellor left the Wouback to put on his Parliamentary Pnbes, as ore of the Lords Comm i*SiOACTS. Sonic time after the Fail of Liverpool, the Earl of Shaftesbury. and Lord hldutt tank their seats on she: Wuulsadt. as Commissioners The Commons attended at the Bar. when the Cotionis,inn was read. and the Royal Assent was declared to the %Sri/Moir Fata bti Bill, the Bank Restriction Bill. the Maidstone Paging nil. the Nottingham Gaa Lig:u. the Cheltenham Gas Light, and tight Private Bills.—lte house adjourned. Wrionrso.st. APRIL 7. flovot. .tegr.4T.— The Itito.l A,,rnt was gives by Csni rll22lo:l to the Game sad Coke Co.»inay Bill, and date l'riy3te • • "TIE NATIO-4AtAEGISTEIt. - •61 , Bills. The Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Shaftesbury, and Lord Redesdale. lalgu BANE RESTRICTION BILL.—Me. LUSSIINGITON and oimer Members from the Commons. brought up die Bill so enable the Bank of Ireland to suspend partial payments in cash i also the Chancery Appeals Bill. The Irish Bank Restriction Bill was read a first time, and the Earl of LIVERroOL gave nonce, that it was his intention to move to-morrow that the Standing Order be suspended. as in the case of the English Bank Restriction Bill. The Noble Earl did not anticipate any opposition to the principle of the Bill, which was Similar to t:iat so recently discussed by the linage. Be ac cordlnglf mbecd.' that:the Standing Orders be taken into consi deration to morrow, and the Lords summoned for to-morrow. Ordered. The House adjourned. Tumoral', Aram A. IRISH BANK RESTRICTION BILL.—The Earl of LIivITOOL moved the second reading oldie Irish Bank Restriction Bill, and pursuant to no:ice, moved to di,pente with the standing orders. for the purpose of carrying it insliudter through the remaining stages. The orders were accordingly ►uspended without oppo sition, and the Bill read a third time. A Message was then sent to Me Commons, to say, the Lords had agreed to the Bill, without amendment. ROYAL ASSENT.—At Six o'clock the Earl of Westmorland. the Lord Chancellor. and the Earl of Shaftesbury took their seats as Lords Comini.sioners for thwlaring the Royal Assent to several Bills. The Commons were then required to attend the House, consequently the St eaker, and a considerable number of Members came to Are Bar. The Commission was immediately read in the usual manner, and the Royal Assent was given to the Irish Bank Restriction Bill, the Freight Distribution Bill, the innkeepers Rates Bill, and five Private Bills. After the Commons withdrew, several Hills on the table were forwarded, and the House, on the motion of the Earl of Shaf tesbury, adjourned to this ihiy fortnight. HOUSE OF COMMONS. MONDAY, APRIL 5. Sir R. Wilson, Mr. Wilson. and Mr. l.ambton, presented sells ral Petitions against the London Clergy Bill. Coss LAWS.—Mr. 11. SunsEa presented a Petition from numerous Growers of Corn in Surrey, praying the House to adopt protecting duties--He knew not why they should shrink from coreadering this question now. it being a period of profoutid nesee ; and he could not see what were the " prudential reasons which ought to induce the House not to inquire into the ease and distresses of large bodies of sufferers. It they were to give way to the popular cry for cheap bread , they would Lure the evils so to increase, till at last there would be no bread at all. Mr. DICKENSON coincided in remarks that had fallen from the preceding Member, and contended that it behoved the Minis ters.to look the evil in the face. If they did not, they would soon find the Revenue affected ; for the !prosperity of the laud stvi tained the revenue. If the revenue thus failed, r. bat would become of the fundholder ! lie repeated that he thought the Ministers were bound to look the evil in the face. Lord A. Haut VIVI; observed, that he never had been friendly to the Corn Laws—Petition read. FTWALE CONVICTS.-Mr. BENNP.TT gave notice, that on Walnesdarnext he should move for ari Address Co the Prince Regent, to restrain the sailing of the vessel laden with Female Convicts for Botany Bay. Mr. WYNDItA3t tat:lN.—Mr. A. ELLIS begged leave to withdraw the notice of it Motion. which he had given a few gays ago, fur an Address to the Prince Regent to dismiss the lion. W. Qain from his office of Castor Retukrem for'Litnerick ; he being now satisfied with what the House had already done on this subject. Bartit ArTaras.—Mr. PEEL presented the first Report of the Committee of Secrecy appointed to enquire into the State of the Bank Affairs; but it being similar to that laid before the Lords, it need not be repeated. Ile concluded with moving for leave to bring in a Bill to restrain the Bank from paying cash under cer tain notices.—(The Bill to have effect during the present Session of Parliament. Mr. PEEL remarked that it would be obvious that such a Bill should pass with all possible rapidity ; and he therefore trusted that the House would s:e the propriety of dispensing with the usual forms, and of allowing the Bill to ;pus through all its stages during the present evening. Mr. BROUGHAM expressed his astonishment at the manner in which this extraordinary measure was brought forward ; on the artial statement of the Right lion. Gentleman , instead of fol lowing sonic responsible on 'err of proceeding of the Ministers.— The precedent of 1797 was not followed, and, except it was declared that there would be such a drain on the Bank in the coursed three or four days, as would render this measure nuga tory, he should not consent to dispense with the established forms of the House. After observations from Lord Castlereagh, Mr. Tierney, Mr. Canning. &c. the Motion was agreed to, and the Bill was after wards introduced arid passed through its several stages.— Adjourned. 71•ESDAY. APRIL 6. Mr Ma/twine presented a Report from the Camelford Elec tion Committee. which stated, that they had committed John Evelyn, a witness examined by the Committee this day. to the custody of the Serjeant at Arms, for having given false evidence. Mr. MANNING then snored, Mat the said John Evelyn he committed to Newrite for his said obence.—Agreed to. HAY-MARK ET.—Mr. G. Laion presented a Petition from Inhabitants in the Haymarket and neighbourhood thereof in fa vour of the Hay-Market being removed ; they prayed far leave to present a Petition to bring in a Bill for the Removal of the Market The Petition was mail and referred to a Committee. LOTTERIES.—Mr. I.TTTLETON po•traried his motion till May 4, regarding Lotteries, in consequence of the Member for Bomber (Mr. Wilberforce) being unable to attend. BASIN' AITAIRS.—Mr. Peel wished co correct an erroneous report that had gone forth, regarding what he said yesterday ; namely. cl.at he hoped to present a phi) after the recess. by which. soon alter she present Session, he trusted cash payments might be then resumed by the Hank. The House would motion that he had said nothing or the kind...o.km, hear.) The remaining Orders being disposed of, the House adjourned. WEDNESD ST. Aran. 7. Ilav-atarteEE.—Mr. G. LAMB presented the Report of the Committee; after which he moved fro leave to bring in a Bill to remove the Hay-market to Portland-road, Regent's Park. Mr. 1 1 . Somer. Mr. BYne. and Mr. Mellish opposed the motion ; after which the House divided. The numbers ere— Ayes 85—Noes 53—According to which leave was given to bring in a Bill. AuJourtereasyr or TIM 1101T5E....1.0rd CAST/ EREAGII as it would be uocessary to meet tomorrow. on account of th e Irish Bank Bill, lie should then move that the House do ad. joura to Wednesday week. FEssaLE Coveters.--Mr. BENNETT moral, that an Ad dress be presented to. the Prince Regent to stay the sailing of the reml no•eladen with female convicts, about to premed to Botany Bay. Ile made this mown on the ground of the state of the Colony, and the teak of conveying the wativiett. The put APRIL It*, oniiilaint was, that the system encouraged ageneral state of pen s . tuition ailiOngst those villoSe characters were already sogi e i tnil , low. There was a onnplete absence of the means of refornT The Punishment too, was not such ought to be desired ;fa ; to some it wisthe greatest favour that could be garotted, a bil e to others transportation was s cruel anti grievous punishwent. g e _ sides, as far as the fekales weseconcetned, there were not the means ofretumw England. except the women subjected themselves to ac. tual but degrading prosutution How hardwas this upon the ?yen' convicts—a punishment that never was intended by the frug al of the original Act, Mr. Blackstone and Mr. Howard. The men under such sentences were seldom sent, but the women seldom escape. The conveyance of females to London, was also attended with many cruelties and hardships) many of them being chain. ed, and it afterwards being obliged. in some instances, to s aw the ehsids ME The scenes that took place during the voyage, had been most horrible; the corrupted were made worse, and those who were sot completely abandoned before, became lost to every sane (impiety. In answer to all this, he might be told, that it weal eo loom be the case ; but after all the evitleoce that had grand behre the MAW, could the House rest sets. tied with embeesteesentl , The Hon. Member then entered into some details of semerneefol efforts made be Mrs. Fry and ber friends to promote sumification on some of these vessels, regala. tons to which the wonsen,&c. submitted with aniatiag readiness. He also mentioned the testimony of a Missionary, who y o k e o f the oaths and severities used by the persons having autumn) on the vessels. Ile added, that such was the badness of the system. such the degrading nature of the usage, to which the convicts were exposed. that he could not consent to one more vessel cording to )totany Bay under such ruinous and such degrading citcumstances. lie would not consent to any . human being, be he man or be he woman (Some laughter) being torwarded to scenes of such certain disease, corruption, and turn. To render some assistance, there had been plar ned an hospital at Payment; but it also was of most ruinous and degrading tendency, from an indiscriminate and vicious admixture of the sexes, of thesdis. eased, and of the abandoned with the icpcntant. He was against this other vessel proceeding. because he was against inflicting ess convicts an unnecessary increase of pains, and because he disap proved of the mode of conve) ing them. Under all these feelings, he moved an Address to the Prince Regent, praying that be would be graciously pleased to give orders to suspend the order for the ailing of the vessel bound for Rouny'Bay, with convicts , on board. Mr. Wri.ntsteonct seconded the motion, although he did not agree in all the statements that had been made in support of it. As enquiries were going forward connected with thia subject, he thought it adviseable to stay the sailing of the vessel; as remedies for the evils complained of might be provided. The subject was undoubtedly of great importance, and when such dreadful abuses came to their knowledge, he deemed it adviatabie that the sailing of the vessel should be stayed, if it were only for a few weeks. Under all the circumstances, he united all would acquiesce in the propriety+ of the motion. Mr. B. Salim asT oppo sed the motion, observing, that the two supporters of it had done so on different grounds. One had opposed it because a Committee was sitting that might propose some new regulation; but the lion. Mover Ind confined himself to this one vessel containing females. Why was not the exernp. ton extended to the men; was it because women could be kept here with greater convenience? (Much laughter.) He also contended that, whateverplans might be proposed, there was no realloo, therefore, to detain this vessel. After observations from Mr. H. Clive, Mr. Goulburn, Mr. Buxton, &c. the motion was negatived without a division. Mr. Trxwisom presented a Petition complaining of a breach of privilege in undue interference of toe Duke Of Mariberougit in the late election for Marlborough. _ _ Mr. B. BATUURST opposed it. as the Election Petition fir Oxford had been abandoned, and the house could do nothing now, even should the return have a slur thrown oh it by provitg the facts of this Petition. It was, however, moved, that this Petition should be adjourned till April 27, it being of importance ; but it trainegativesi division—Ayes 11, Noes 33. • - The bringing up °lobe Petition was afterwards negati‘ without a division. Mr. BUXTON moved for a series of =mutts regarding roccnt Lotteries. Ordered.—Adjourned. THURSDAY. APRIL 8. WOOL. Tit ADE.... , Mr. S. WORT LEY presented a Petition from the Cloth Workers of the West Rididg of Yorkshire, praying the House to appoint a Select Committee to ascertain the propriety of taking off the Stamping of Wool. ADJOURMENNT Or THE HOUSE.—Mr. F. ROBINSON moved that the House on its rising do adjourn to Wednesday se'nnight. Mr. BROUGHAM was proceeding to complain of the delay of those Ministers in bringing in the Irish Cash Payments liii!, who said, that any delay would be most prejudicial, if nor fatal; when Sir T. Twnwure summoned the House to attend in the House of Peers, to hear the Royal Commission read. The SrEAIER, on his return, stated, that the Howe had been into the House of Peer., and had heard the Royal Assent given to the Irish Bank Cash Payments Bill, dc.—See Lords. Mr. BROUGHAM resumed. but said he had no further remarks now to make respecting the Bill on which he was speak • ing. Motion agreed to. ILAYMARKET.—Mr. G. LAMB obtained leavo to bring in a Bill for the Removal of the Haymarket to the East Side of r!.r Regent's Park. The remaining Orders being disposed of, several of them beirg postponed ull of the Holidays. eke House adjourned to WO, nmday se'nnight. TI R. MARNADVILE LAWSON. We understand that the following reason induced Mr. Lawson, the We and the present member for l3oroughbridge, to vacate his seat by accepting the Chiltern Hundreds. The Duke of Newcastle, who is the patron of the borough, had ejected front thetr tenements all the burgesses who, at the last election, opposed his in. (crests, and supported the cause of Mr. Law:,on. This circumstance occasioned great distress smong the lower classes at 13oroughbridge, and in natter to al eviate it, Mr. Lawson agreed with the Duke of Newcastle that lie would vacate his seat, if the no ble Duke would restore to their tenements thmc burgesses who had been, or were to be, ejected. The consequence of this generous conduct, on the ,part of iltr Lawson, has been that the burgs +c+. with st!II greater generosity, have again conic fo - ward in his behalf, and returned him to Parliament ip the teeth of all the Newcastle i.Viutoce. \ 1. Nli 46, \