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

150 - Imperial Parliament continued from page 147, accounts; where the Sovereigns, great officers and small, little and large charges, titc. were all mixed up together. He maintained that he was the best friend of the Sove reign, end the Sovereign's popularity , in desiring that this old me stery should be terminated. If people did not inquire, all this might do as well as usual; but unctions• rudely for such a system. they now lived in a prying age. He therefore maintained that it was not consistent with the dignity snit e optilerity of the Sovereign to be so mixed up with various officers, and to he so paid; his income being paid out of the penny on the barrel of ale, and the halfpenny ml the gallon of whiskey. (Hear, hear.)—lt was amazing in what strange company they found his Majesty. There was not ereater verities in the Ark itself. There was the Vicar of the Tower, with a salary of 11. I3s. 4d. his income was a good example to many great officers. Then there were the Master of the Hawks, the Recites of the Lions, a Latin Secretary, and a " Watch. luau to the Exchequer"—he did not know whether the Right Hon Gentleman (Mr. Vansittert) was here meant. (Much It-tighter.) All these incomes and persons were nixed up with the Monarch. Was not this in reality de. grading the Crown, end exposing It to unmerited unite pnlerity and remark. Bin then it was said, they most , resettle the Civil List at the commencement of a new reign ; if so, why not do it in some regular and rational mode t As to fixing it for life, that was as absurd as the jumble winch characterized the whole Civil List. Thiriug the last reign, they had to advance it three times, and to pay debts off twice. And the /irons of Admiralty were of as vague a character; be sides they might be of dangerous tendency. the money not lasing tinder the contront df Parliament. Ry the deatleof a lunatic I 111. had been recei ved ; 37,000/. by smother demise ; by the Dutch prizes upwards of one million; and supposing such surns , were received on the •eve of a general Election, might it no: be diverted to un fair objects ? These sums 'lied on some occasions been granted in aid of , theGoverement. and thus things might be most importantly •Ohanged • for the King, instead of being unable to stir without thCParliament could proceed from his owirfunds. It wasalso of importance as regarded pensions, for Parliament granted sonic, such as those given to ords Hutchinson, St. Vincent, and Nelson _but others were granted by the Crown to various Right Hon. and other Gentlemen, which, had they been proposed in Parliament, might not have passed with quite so much unanimity. But the fund had been exposed to some abase --and he particnlarly mentioned the case of Sir Home Popham as an instance—the case was an aliedged soup tiling .transaction. Another objection was, that the fund throw in the way of Ministers a temptation to which they ought not to be exposed. He did not say that any Sove reign or Ministers would go to war on such account; but if eight or sine millions were to come in as prizes it alight (and that was enough for him) mitigate the ealatni ties of the event. Prizes obtained before declaration of war went to this find, and be said finch prizes, were pur chased at the expense of the honour of the country. That he said, was the fact. Let them look at the Danish prizes, and the Spanish prizes, where millions were obtained. — He therefore wished melt funds to cease to exist in such character ; and such change would deprive our rivals of the opportunity to malign our country, who only envied its greatness. No officer approved of such proceedings; they said they were things which made an Englishman bang his head with shame. As to the Barbadoes 46 per cents. they were granted for the Islands. for local pur poses; but the Parliament, and then the Crown, got hold of theta. '(Load and repeated cheering forsome minutes.) He should therefore move, that it is expedient that the House do take into its consideration the drake of Admi ralty, the 4isser cent. ditties, and other funds not usually deemed within the eontroul of Parliament, io order to make such provision respecting the same as shall be con sistent with the dignity of the crown, with the interests of the people, and with the maintenance of the Constitu tion. (The heering was repeated from all parts of the house when the Hon. and Learned Gentleman resumed his seat.) Mr. CANNING resisted the motion, contending that 1 the usage of four reigns had established the course of proceeding ; but conceded that the Accounts of the Re venges and Grants from them should, as a nutter of course be sessionally laid before Parliament. After remarks from Sir J. M'lntosh, Sir J. Newport, Mr. SPDonald, &e. ; and a pointed reply from Mr. Brougham. the House [at Twelve o'clock divided. Ayes, 153 Noes, 27$—Majority &gelatin motion 118.—Ad juorned to Monday. The following documents are interesting, as they relate to the motion made by Mr. Brougham in the Howe of Commons respecting the 4i per Cents.— " An Act for settling an impost on the commodities of the growth of this island ; passed the Itch of Sept. 1083. No. 38. _ Extract--Whereas our late Sovereign Lord Charles 1., of blessed memory, Occ• " And fur as much as nothing eondnertli more to the peace and prosperity of any place, and the protetion of every single per-on therein, than t hat the public revenue thereof may he in some measure propel, gloried to the pub fie charges and ei.pen-es : and also well weighing the great chary and emieuses there mast be at' necessity in maintai • Ibr I and dignity of his Majesty's au thority lie; e—ihe piddle nieetine of the Sessions, she often attendance of mite atonsicil, the reparation of the forts, the 6011411)g a St .cant-birusr and a prison, and all nilier pub. ehargeA incumbent on tite•guirerinuieot ; du, in 4-unbitten, thou thereof, give and (rani ansill his blairAy, lass heat and surces.or , for ever, and do most humbly dealt e your Excellency to *crept tlieue our grants ; and we b bl. pray your Excellency lime it may be enacted, mad be it enacted by his Exeellenet , Lerd Willoughby, Of Nihau., Captain-Oesies al and Chief Governor of Oil. 1.1s„41 ill Barbados., awl all Ohre . Ihr Cars bee Islands, and by and with the C. 011,11111 of Ilse conned and the gentlemen tit 111 . 1111 s Island, mud by of the SAllll . 'lll4l all 1111lools1 us 1•11s10111 Ire, 1 . 10.111 41111 4111 i pllblirBlll.m sirs rut, 111 the 11411 SP 1 . ••11‘111. 0 11illo, of this IrlA,hd, dlicr 11lt pm spats Ihilt.. *lbl 111 1.0.411. o•i m a il form a. is ilrlratl. r set down 11.41 l• say, upon ail death ••• 1111 s Or 111 v iti•o10111 101 vOlolloo..• of this Wand, the shalt sir sigliolscor 111 011 ...WA - 1111411 101 paid to our Sot et rigs. Lora the King, his 10e,16 gild Anr cestors for ever, four and a half in specie tor every five *cote." THE NATIONAL REGISTER. " Journals of the House of Cummins, vol. 13, fol. 800. I I 1701. 1 Allll. "The order of the day for the house to resolve itself into a committee of the whole house to consider of the supply to be granted to her Majesty. for the better sup port of her hlajeaty's household, and of the honour anal dignity of her crown. being read:— " A petition of the agents, planters, and merchants con cerned in, and trading to the island of Barbadoes, was presented to the house, setting forth that there is a duty of 44 per cent. on the commodities of the said island, ex putted thence, which was granted by an act of the said island in September, 1663, for the reparation and building of fond'• lotion*, and defraying all other public charges incident to the goverment there, which has been col lected by officers appointed by the commissioners of the customs in England, and applied to other uses, whereby the fortifications are run very notch out of repair, and other public necessary works are 'inbuilt, and their ma gazines unprovided ; so that in case of a war, the said island, and all other the sugar plantations to the windward of Jamaica would he in danger of being lost if an enemy should attack it. which would be a vast loss to England ; and praying that the said duty of di per cent. may be applied to the uses for which it was given, in order to the defence and security of the said island. " Ordered, that the said petition do lie upon the table, to be considered by the house. " Fol. 818.—Colonel Granville reported to the Com mittee, to whom the said Barhadoes petition was re ferred, that they lead directed hint to move the house, that an humble address may he made to her Majesty, that the duty or impost of 41 per cent. arising in Barbadoes, and the Leeward Islands, subject to an annuity payable to the Earl of Kinnonl, his heirs and assigns, be applied for the 'repairing and erecting such fortifications, and other public uses fur the safety of the said islands, as her Majesty shall direct, anti that an annual account how the said duties shall have been expended may be laid before the House of Commons. • "Ordered accordingly. " Fol. 828.—Mr. Secretary Vernon reported to the house, that their address having been presented to her Majesty, relating to Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands, as to the former part thereof, that her Majesty would please that the duly or impost of 41 per cents may be applied for the repairing and erecting fortifications and other public sass for the safety of the said Islam* and that an annual account bow the said duties shall have been expended may be laid before this house; her Ma. jest) , was pleased to say that she would give directions FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE EXECUTION OF THE FIVE CONVICTED TRAITORS. On Monday morning, at a very early hour, the inha bitants of the metropolis were in motion, crowding in, immense numbers towards the Old Bailey, in order to witness the execution of the five State Criminals, viz. Arthur Thistlewood, R.Tidd. J. T. Brunt, W. David sun, and J. logs, convicted of High Treason. As early as five o'clock the Old Bailey was crowded to excess, and as the time approached for the criminals to be brought out, the adjacent streets, the windows and roofs of the houses, even to the chimities, were completely filled. Not a nook was left unoccupied, and exhorbi tant sums were paid for seats in the houses near to the spot. The'crowd w as greater than has been seen for many years. The arrangements for the preservation of the peace were complete. Bodies of Life Guards were stationed in the Old Bailey, Newgate-street, Ludgate-hill, and other places adjacent, and six pieces of artillery, with about 100 artailetymen, were placed in the centre of Blackfriars-road, about 300 yards beyond the bridge. The civil power was also in great force. The scaffold was hung with black cloth, and on one part, immedi ately behind the drop, five coffins of plain wood were placed, together with a block, on which to lay the heads of the criminals for the put pose of decapitation. In the interior of the prison similar precautionary arrangements were made. At an early hour the five criminals were brought from their cells, and placed in a room together, where they were attended by Mr. Cotton, the Ordinary, who, with other Gentlemen, were unceasing in their efforts to awaken in their ds souse sense of religion, and of the awful situation in which they stood. These humane endeavours were, however, fruitless with all but David son, in whom was observable a most gratifying change. The others maintained the same indifference which they have manifested from the first. Davidson prayed most fervently, and a ed most thankful for the attention shewn to him. ire ar took a glass of wine early in the morning, and also received the Sacrament. The others refused, although repeatedly urged to do so. At about hall-past seven the prisoners were conducted to the Press-yard, attended by the Sheri ff s Rothwell and Parkins, their Under-Sheri ff s, Aldermen Sir C. Flower and Wood, and Mr. Brown, the Governor. Lord Al vattley, the Hon. Mr. Vernon, and many other Gentle men were also present. While the iions were knocking off, some slight altercation took place between Aldermen Vond, Mr. Sheriff Parkins. and Mr. Sheriff Rothwell. The two former Gentlemen expressed a wish to put some ques tions to the prisoners, and had begun to interiogan- Thistlewood. who seemed inclined to be communicative, when Sueriff Rothwell interfered, and would 1101 3114 M tin converuiti 111 l to proceed. This produced a retool' on the pit% of Messrs Wood and Parkins, btu qr.Rothwell persisied in his determination, and .he 4„:,,over,atnot coded. We notlerstand, however, that lilt itits4 , lllers declared that they Wert . 111Veeglell Ille 1401. It 11 the oitetitioat ot Alderman Wood to bring the .wt) Jeri 0. fore Parhrtorot. 'rise 141a:tilers. when the hon. were displareo, ill. Ir 11.1111 b Isle lI,UJI way, were led to It, rotratiCe of ine prison; and, at a (wirier before el;0 t o'clock exacii). Tifibilewood C. rne oil the St atiold. walked wills r •:eip, and rialwrod pellCcllt cull, c Ile looked .••41:..: o l r,nl the crowd, aus I (m. • e • His detneanqui tt . me. t‘i , -'there With the 1411.1 d'itelloll on lilt, COUII tenance. While the final arrangements were ota¢u►g by the executioner, Mr. Cotton stood beside the wretched man, and continued exhorting him to pray. and alim put some questions which c o u ld no t b e dis tinctly heard ; but we►e understood to he, if he repented of his crimes/ lie exclaimed ;sr hell times, "No ; not .it all l" He was also heard to say, " I shall soon know the last grand secret." Tidd was the next brought out. He ran swiftly up the steps, and bowed around, with a hardened smile There was a partial cheering when he made his appear ance. logs then came out. The conduct of this man was truly horrible. The moment he had taken his station, he moved his head to and fro, and cried " huzza" sett ral times He then commenced singing, "0, give me death or liberty!"—Hare there was a partial cheering from a few ragamuffins on the roof of an opposite house. He condoned now and then exclaiming—" Here we go, my lads—you see the last reinaitis of James Inas— remember I die the enemy of tyranny, and would sooner die in chains than live in slavety." When Mr. Cotton addressed hint, he said laughingly, " I am not afraid to go before God or man ;" then addressing himself to the executioner, tie exclaimed, " Now. Old Mau, finish me tidy:—Put the halter a little tighter, it ntay 6144 " He then, as well as he could, waved a hankerchief, and said he hoped Mr. Cotton would give hint a good charactei, Just b e f ore t he ro pe wa s a.,justed, he said to an officer. " Give my respects to George, and tell him I go out of the world without any animosity towards him. I never intended him any harm." Ile asked if this was the gal lows on which people were usually hanged, and observ ing the coffins, said—" I suppose there are for us."—He requested that an officer would desire Mr. Harmer to publish his defence. Davidson. the man of colour, and Brunt, came out last. The behaviour of the former presented a gratify ing contrast with that of his companions. His deport ment was mild, yet firm, and he prayed with great fer vency. Whets he stepped on the scaffold, he said to those within, " God bless you all t good bye." He joined in the Lord's Priyer, and said, " God bless the King I" He repeatedly expressed great penitence for bis crimes Brunt said very little, but was as hardened as any of the rest. He said Just before he came out, that he 11 no snußboz, but he had some snuff in his waistcoat pocket. and requested some sander by to get souse out for hint, as his hands were tied. Tbis was done with great coolness. He said he wondered where the, would put him k that he supposed it would be somewhere tbat he would sleep well. He added, that he wools. make a present of' his body to King George the Fourth. Thistlewood, just before be was turned off, said. is a low tone to a person under the scaffold—" I have now but a few moments more to live ' and I hope the world will think that I have at least been sincere in my en deavours " Tidd said to Ings, about the same moment—" How are ye My . llearty ?" About six tontines after eight the signal was given by Mr. Cotton , and die unhappy men were launched into eternity. Thistlewood died almost without a struggle. logs struggled extremely, and appeared to sutler much. It is a remarkable fact that just as the fatal signal was ' about to be given, logs was observed to join Davictson in prayer. When the bodies had been suspended exactly half an hour, the executioner and an assistant appeared on the Kaiald to prepare for the revolting ceremony of decapi tation. Tisistlewood was the first cut down, and being placed with his head on the block, an eminent medical professor, it was supposed, disguised in a rough jacket and trowsers, and a mask on his lace; ippeared with an amputating knife, and in a few moinents 'lie head was severed from the body, and given to the excel, loner's assistant, who held it up by the hair, and turning north and south, and then to the front of the scaffold, exclai toed three es. "This is the head of Arthur Thustlewood, traitor." The body with die head was then placed on a coffin. The same ceremony was perionned w ith Tidd, lugs, Davidson, and Brunt, in succession. The opera tion was performvd with great skill, and in as short a time as possible. The operator was loudly hissed and groaned at by the mob, and some atrocious expressions were applied to him. The universal groans, acc soled by some female shrieks, whets he first co iiiiii raced upon 'fhistlewood, had an awful effect. The bodies were soon arms removed to a room in the prison. When the malefactors first appeared upon the scaffold, there was a signal given, upon w hien the troops stationed in the adjacent streets drew as close as possible to the pla.c of execution. The Lord Mayor was at the Lon don CoHee.house in readiness to rove his assistance in case of riot; and placards were prepared, on which was printed, " Remember. the Riot Act has been read disperse in niediately." These were to have been exhi bited to the crowd ti there had been any necessity for reading the Itool. Act, not we are happy to state that there was he SliAlleSl 111(k:111011 of disorder amongst the ;Aide, and tutu they tlis i .ersed quietly when the dread html beetle had fmaliy closed. We regret to add, however, th it a serious aceides t oceurr.ii by Inv falling of a part of the soling, of St. Sepulchre's church, cm ss lids a K raal moonlit.: of people boils sexes had climbed. Several wire a..i rot/ hurt, and it was reported mat two women were killed, but we could not ascertain the truth antis. li , s as a matter o snitch surprise that an otiraorditiary a .tivr oi women, some well dressed, were preSelll St tilts 10 , 1 bl ass In exhibition. The following are copies of three letters sent by lngs. . hey will, we have no doubt, be highly ac ceptable to our reader , 10 Mrs wiry:. "My dear Celia—l hardly ha., w ow to begin. or wha to t say, for the isms 01 tyrants tor C,Ol, :11y Clear, this ib the hut Lima you will ev.-. -me trot,' . I "ore you will ierfoun your duty without dr.ny , wt ado for the benefit ot yourself and children, which I have ex i olaiticd to you bcfore.—