The National Register. — London, England, 1820-05-28 00:00:00

SOCIETY FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF PRISONS 4 , THE REFORmATION OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS. _ _ On Tuesday n mot! numerous and respectable meetin; took place at the Freemasons' Tavern, for the purpose of entering into Resolutions for the improvement of ttttt and 114'0,1114f of the wifortimate children with whom the metropolis abounds. The Duke of Gloucester in the Chair. A great number of ladies attended, amongst whom we observed Mrs. Fry and several of Ilse Society of Frieods.— Amongst the Noldemen and Gentlemen, there were the Mar quis of Lau•doan , Lord Auckland, Earl Grosvenor, the Honorable Grey Bennet, Mr. Huston, Sir Thomas Graham, Dr. Lushlngtion, Ace. Ate. At one o'clock the Duke of Gloucester entered the room amidst time applanses of the company. Upon taking the Chair he regretted that he should out be able to remain long in that situation, as the slate of his health was by no means to be envied. He then stated ti.sit Mm. Buxton would inform them of the rise and progress of the Society, which ass so numerous, and bud already been productive of such ud von (ages to society. 14r. Buxton then addressed the Assembly. Time Institu tion,' I.e said, took its rise in consequence of the accideistal observation mole by a beisecolent iudividual, of the case of a buy under nine years of age, who had been sent to plum four times for different robberies. Upon esiqusry it was found t lint there were '4OO cases of a situtiar W hen this represeutatiosi nay made, sillily humane Contributed to fellellC poor chil-reu (mom the dreadful ple of experienced depredators. The stale tit time ianvuom in the metropolis at Out time wasp. horrible, that Inc mo ment a %smog person was committed, all hopes of reforma tion were lost, tnere be its mums.: of classineat Soo. and all setts of olf.aides s brio. huddle., tog, I hes vs a host mm tar/nut or discipline of any kiwi. The committee irises seed a scene of iniquity w Inch opesied their eyes. The plait they intended to adopt as., .o give youthful deltisqurnis proter lion, plaits food, amid rxnel 1111% . 10.11C, to Wilde/ thesrlisrtu atious by MI means enviable to poi t of furls, and to keep then, out of the re eh of contamination. P . ... nicely Newgicte war lUr scene of Oen, as, gasubliug, and polluttio. ; language, and of course CHUM be considered nothing ie.. lush a place of es.coursageniant to those vices w Inch caused lit inmates to be shut %hill') ssa walls. A diol•rrhl system had been lately ut test upon, and the gloi isms conduct of the ladies wMs visited the pris n had led to conseqneners extensive and admirable. An instance inf the luau. mice such eaansple had upon the female prisoners occurred some time ago, upon the ucraalun 011 which the w ttttt en w. re a Id to have revelled. A tumult Ilan taken plat e, but nut of 'marl, a hundren Is mules no more than j in the disturb:lei:us. the r St having, without ttttt t s closed ass act in opposition to the direct lOUS ihe. had beet. mu I e rush's uf rere.s lag It yeas calculated that theme were sow 5000 boys in the dartrori.oll6 living by daily and ni g htly depredis lions. Mr : tiu titles theft, in speaking of the foreign upe- rations ~f the institution, saki taut roust of the continental stations Isere is. ilium. so lidopl he s 3 sir The Marquis ul Litustion ii lost to move the first resolution, w►ieh rel..tell to the number of children who supported themselves by robberies. Lord And;land seconded the resolution. The I)uke or Gloucester retired niter the thanks of the meeting had been given to hitn, us the Patron of the Society and Chairman of the meeting B. fore he Weld, however, he stated, that the earners attendant upon the too-fold object of the Society bad been unavoidably serious. A heavy deist existed, for the liquidation of which, as well as for the (stoat elision of future labours, the Committee made this their fisst appeal, confidently relying on the bend**, of that public, whose *Ware and happiness so intimately depended upon the diminution of crime. Several other re...shako,s were proposed, and Mr. Allen of the Society of Frieods, a benevolent man, w ho has visited all-the prisons on the Coottnent as well ns those iii his own country, gave an interesting account of the state of the dif ferent gaols. lie diesel Used the honesty of the Swedes to be so great, that a man may leave his looney in the public roads, and the people would pass it by. An old woman was gaoler, he said, is a part of Norway. The resolutions were agreed to unanimously, ■nd the meetiug separated, after a subscription had been made. C0.M.410.,V CO IJATU. A Court of Common Council was on Friday convened for the purpose of considering the propriety of petition ing the House of Commons to institute an immediate inquiry into the slat..: of the representation of the peo ple in that house ; and to take such measures as might lead to an effectual and constitutional reform of those abuses which ❑light be found to exist, aS the best means of allay.ng the present discontents, and securing the tights of the people, the stability of the Gu/ll:fllinent, and the prosperity of the country. The LORD MAYOR having stated that he received a requisition cailing upon him to summon a special Conn to ennSidel Luis subject, the requissition was read. .Ir. FAYE!. then requested that the miutucs of the November, 1816, 20th December, 18'6, and 23d .anuary, 1817, relating to addresses to the throne and imtitions to Parliament on the sulject of reform, iiiigot be read, and commenced a long speech by assuring ti e Loon, that his object was not to raise any frivolous or vexatious objections, but to discnss the Unpins:int titles_ lion for which they hail assemblial fully, fairly, and candidly. It was was the first time it had been discussed independently of any other subject, and lie hoped due attention would be paid to it. During a long life he had been the humble advocate of the proi.ciples he now wished to maintain, and he could state without the slightest fear of contradiction, that he hail never wished to urge refoini upon ally principles inconsistent with the constinitioli, and had navel' oestivil the iolttption of hasty or violent measures. He consith red the 'nests', time most favourable to the di-cussion tit tills SUltjeCl ; the cottony was in a state of profound riles', and do impediment would be thrown in tilt n; y of a fair in. Icbligattott. The principle which lie was peculiarly anxiou► to Clliioce WAS, that the serest -illation of the people was Lad, ana that • despotic power might be created, so as to crush the power of the people without any vt.ry materiai ettange in the coustuution. He maintained Mat the representation of the people could not be considered as being at all adequate, either ~ .<a r THE NATIONAL REGISTER as it regarded population or property. With respect to the first point, population, it was a fact so well known, as to render it unnecessary for him to dilate upon it, that front 1702 to 1817, comprising a period of less than I2U Years, the population had nearly doubled. It was pl rin, therefore, that, as to population, the reptesenta thm was inadequate ; but the defeci was much inure glaring in respect to property. Lotion, Westminster, and Middlesex, returned altogether eight members, and paid eighty parts of the land-tax ; Cornwall paid eight parts, and returned forty-four members to Parliament. Yorkshire and ltiitlandshire were upon a par with re spect to the number of representatives, and it was a fact tom Cornwall and Wiltshire alone relocated as many members to Parliament as Yorkshire, Worcestershire, Middlesex, Lancashire, Warwickshire, yild Somerset shire united. The whole of Scotland returned only one more member than Cornwall ; and Manchester, Leeds, Birtniughatir, Bad other large manufacturing districts were who ly unrepresented. The statement of these simple facts was stillizient to prove to an unpreju diced mind the necessity of an alteratron in the state of die representation. IN order the more forcibly to impress upon the Court the necessity of reform, the worthy member quoted at considerable length the observations of Mr. Burke, Mr. Fox, Lord Chatham, Lord Bacon, and other distitiguisned seamanly), and concluded b omen% a series of resolutions expressive of the senti ments of tile Court upon tuts subject. 111.1. R. TAY Loit seconded the resolutions. He much deplored the circumstance that violence had been used to bring about reform, and tented that it had tended to alienate the minds of many who would otherwise nave been fat ()marble to t h e cause ; but keause a few totem. per.rte, and perhaps malicious individuals had created Ouse disturbances, that was no argument against in quiry. Mr. JAMES opposed the resolutions. Mr. Malmo); was surprised to hear that astonishment was expressed at the v iorence of tile Deople in favour of root in. Rather 111.111 taunt them in their distress he would have pitied their misfortunes and felt for their sufferings. The great evil was taxation. It was tax ation that 'waltzed the agriculturist, impeded the merchant, amid shut the doors of commerce against us in •ureigie markets. Mr. 11 ILLIAMIS supposed the resolutions. Mr. CLARY. opposed extensive Parliamentary reform, t,ut supported the resoluttous, being always an advocate ior inquiry. Mr. Alderman WAITHMAN also spoke at great length in support of the resolutions. The great secret was the want of controul over ministers : he spoke of all the on timers in a bwiy : they were the same to biro, fur he had never received a farthing from any one of them, nor did he expect it. (A laudi.) If tile cause of the dis tress was a tratisitiou Imin war to peace, this was the longest transit he ever recollected, or had ever heard of. Mr.l. N. WILLIAMS rose to speak amidst cries of. aQueatdoi, question," but he persisted, and for some minutes a great confusion existed. At length Mr. Williams inured the adjournment of the debate. The question was put, and lust by a very great majority. The resolutions were then agreed to %vithnin a division, and a petition rounded upon them ordered to be pre sented to Parliament. FROM TUESDAY .VIGIIT'S GAZETTE. LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S OFFICE, MAY 23. Notice is hereby given, that his -• will hold a drawing . __ . „ . the iajesty room, at the Palice — of Bnekinghatn House, on Thursday, loth of June next, at two o'clock. N.B.—His Majesty is graciously pleased to dispense with ladies wearing hoopss they will be expected, on the ensuing and future drawing rooms, to appear in court robes and lappets, according to the regulations laid down by her late Majesty at the celebration of the royal weddings. FOREIGN OFFICE. MAY 43. Tl e i t t t : ing has been pleased to appoint the Right Hon. Sir C. Bag G.C.8., to be his Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary anti I nipotentiary to his Majesty the Emperor of All the Hussies. BANKRUPTS. T. and R. Ainsworth. Bolton,and P. Con,Turton, Lancashire, whitstcrs. Solicitors, Messrs. Meddowcrofts, Gray's lon Square. J. Macnair and J. Atkinson, Cornhill, merchants. Sul. Mr. I .atimer, Gray's Inn Square. G. Frost, Wigan, Lancashire, shopkeeper. Sol. Mr. Ellis, Chancery Lane. A. sea ard, New Sarum, Wilts, grocer. Bois. Messrs. Brun • Jett and Co., Temple. W. L. Lott, I.landilo, Carmarthenshire, druggist. Sol. Mr. Thomas. 1 Jand ilu. R. W. Linitop, Badnall, Staffordshire, dealer. Solt. Messrs. IV illiarns and White, Lincoln's Inn. Lowes, Commercial Buildings, Mincing Lane, wine mer chant. Solo. Messrs. Watkins and Pearly Lincoln's Inn. .1. Skilbeck, Leeds, linen draper. Solis Messrs. Stocker and Co., Now Boswell Court. A. Rae and W. Earle, jun., proprietors of the East London theatre. Sol. Mr. Poole. Ad am's Court, Broad Street. J. Honyrnan, Church Street, Spitalfields, silk manufacturer, Sol. Mr James, Bucklersbuty. P. Caig, Liverpool, tailor. Sol. Mr. Wheeler, Castle Street, Holborn. J. Batter , , Southampt on , grocer . Sole. Mesas . Willis and Cs, Warnfoni Court, l'hrogniorton Street. J. Whitehead, Denshaw, Yorkshire, clothier. Sol. Mr. Lever, Gray's Inu. B. Hughes, Bristol, victualler. Sols. Messrs. Poole and Greenfield, Clay's Inn Square.. J. Smith, Coln St. Aldwyns, Gloucestershire, tallow chandler. Soh. Messrs. Frowd and Rose, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn. DIVIDENDS. June 17, W. Iloberts,jUn.l.3eitil,ncerchant-17, R. Lincoln, St. Juntas's Street. hatter —YO, J. Blackborn, Witham, Essex, corn factor-13, It. Jordan and J. Smith, Stratford, Et.sex, and J. Litchfield, Lerida)lran Street, coach proprietors—l 3, W. Brwrn, KCIIIIIIOI.III, aine merchan t - 13, W. Ainsdell, Mar.:tow, Etscx, baker—l 7, Ansed. Caruhaltou. Surrey, calico printer .-13, T. England, Smithfield, simmer -16, N. Jobling, Bexley Wirth, Kent, innkeeper-3, C. Mackenzie. Caroline Street, BedMrd Nitrate, itierenant-30. J. Wiliam Kensurck, homer-- 27, T. 1 . ..1n0.r. 'I ouorster, Nortbaurpton, grocer-20,W . Boyle Kin Aston upon Huli, merchant-13, Al. Patermm, Halifax, dyer —May .27, J. Davalvon. East India Chambers, Leadenhall Street, merchant—July 1, C. Chile, Commercial Roadoictualler J. Walker, A cw lindsc Street, ironmoDgcr. • a EDWARDS, THE SPY. On Monday last, the Grand Jury for the county of Middlesex found a true bill of indictment for High Treason against this man. The old observa tion, that " there is honour among thieves," has been verified in this instance, and Edwards, WILr having entrapped his victims, has been himself con veyed out of the kingdom, and placed in a situation of safety till he may be wanted again.—The follow. ing correspondence between Mr. Alderman Wow{ and Lord Sidmouth, on this subject, will be read with touch interest:— LETTER 1. FROM LORD SIDXOUTH TO ALDEB.IIIAR W 00D. Whitehall, April 26, te24l. have to thank you for the statements of Mary Barker. Thomas Chambers, William Tunbridge, and George Pickard, which you left, in my absence, in the hands of Mr. Clive. You are probably aware, Intri the list of witue ses which has been delivered to the prisoners now on their trial, that George Edwards, who is alluded to in those statements, is named ia that list, and is liable to be called as a witness for the Crown ; nod there does not appear to me any sufficient ground for insti tuting any proceedings against am, Sir, your moat obedient servant. 61DMOUT1I. Mr. Alderman Wood, &c. LETTER If. TO THE THOITT 110 N. VISCOUNT 511111MUTIR. Mr LORD.—Haring brought the question respecting George Edwards before the House last evening, it is my intention to renew that question inn different form. I have received consi derable inferio,ition besides those documents I left at your Lordship's oflice, confirming the infamous conduct of Edwards. I have, therefore, to request your Lordship will prevent Edwards from leaving the country, es I have been this day inforrued he is preparing to leave England tin. America.-1 have the honour to be, my Lord, your most obedient servant, May 3, 1820. M. WOOD. LETTER 111. raom LORD SIDHOUTH TO MR. ALDERMAR WOOD. 4 Whitehall, May 3, 1820. Sts,—l have received your letter of this date, in which you request me to prevent George Edwards front leaving this anon. try; and in reply, I have to acquaint you, that I know of no cround, which would justify me in issuing a warrant against Edwards, that being the only mode by which I could comply with your request.-1 have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, Mr. Alderman Wood. SIDMOCTII. LE'rTER IV. TO TAT RIOEITliON: VISCOUNT SIDNOUTH. MY LORD,-li am honoured with your Lordship's answer to my letter of yesterday, respecting George Edwards, wherein you state that you know of no ground which would justify you in issuing a warrant against him." I consider that those depositions which I left at your Lordship's Office, contain such charges as would fully justify your Lordship in apprehending George Edwards. Perhaps your Lordship's objections are, that they are not sworn ; if so, I beg to inform you, that the parties were in attendance at your Lordship's Office, to give evidence, and were ready to be sworn to their statements, and arc now ready, at an hour's notice, to attend your Lordship. I have also other evi -1 dente to produce. I remain your Lordship's most obedient humble servant, M. WOOD. 77, South Audley Street, May 4, 1820. I. ETT ER V. FROM LORD SIDMOUTU TO MR. ALDERMAN WOOD. Whitehall, May 4, have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this clay's date, in which I see no ground for altering the opinion 00mmuniatted to you in my termer letters.—l have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, SI D MOUTH. Mr. Alderman Wood, n, South Audley Street. DOCUMENTS ALLUDED TO IN LETTER I. Mary Barker sworn.—l ant daughter of Richard Tide]: c. - ,Me time previous to the Yid of February, two bundles of stick, (pike handles), some grenades, some powder and ball in a haversack. were brought to my father's lodgings (where I also teside) aud left there. I did not know the articles were grenades at that time. The powder, 4.Tenades, and hull, were let? by Ydwards. with &promise of calling again for them in a short time. Oac large grenade, about 12 or 14 pounds weight, was brought by Adams. Edwards, some days afterwards, called for the grenades ; I was at home; he said, ••Give me those things ; I will take them and get them finished." lie took them w.th him, and subse quently brought them back in a finisli.al state. Edwards called again. early on the morning of the Yid, and took away the balls and the grenades. lie called again about three o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, and took with him part of the powder. A box, strongly corded, was left by a man I do net know, never having, to my recollection. seen hint before or since. Some pike staffs were brought by a man, who said that Edwards desired lam to leave them. Two hmdles in brown paper were left; one by Edwards, and the other by Adams. About a week prior to the 23d, Edwards Caine and wok them away. (Signed) MARY BARKER. (The nest document is nit of James Chambers, W. Tun bridge, and G. Pickard, the oo:itents uf which were mentioned in the speech of Altlei man Wood, in the I louse of Commons.] Edwards, it is said, has left this country for New Brunswick. If so, the reward of 1001. offered for taking him into custody, will be unavailing. A trial was made on Tuesday at the brewery of Messrs. Barclay and Co. of Mr. Josiah Parke's inven tion for the consumption of smoke in steam-engines and other tbrnaces. The application had been made in the short space of five days, to three distinct boilers, and we have the pleasure to say that it completely succeeded, to the entire satistac ion of the respectable proprietors, and to that of Mr. M. A. Taylor, who has brought the matter before the House of Commons, with the view of rescuing the Metropolis from the intolerable nuisances of smoke rising from the numerous furnates. There were also present the Earl of Rossivn, the Earl of Hare wood, Mr. K. Finlay, Mr. l'eploe, Mr. Monteith, Provost of Glasgow, Mr. S. Turner, Mr. Tancred, and others, who all expressed their perfect conviction, that by this easy, cheap, and certain means, all the evils complained of, by the esta..ishment of menu actorLs requiring furnaces, may be removed. On the I.lth instant a dreadful storm ravaged the town and neighbourhood of Comincicy. The loss is said to be incalculable. •