The Statesman. — London, England, 1815-06-07 00:00:00

To THE EDITOR or TIIL STATESMAN. Ste,--t have to beg you will afford me, by the in irrtion this Le!ter. "IP facility of your indepen dent columns, to O.Jw the attention of some pa triotic Member the House of Commons, and, in particular, perli4vs of the Noble Lord* who ques tioned the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department ;limn the subject, to the proposed Amendments in the Militia Act : trusting that it Is not yet too late to make this little effort to obviate some of their injurious tent;ency. Not to occupy your •aluable space with animad version upon these Amendments generally, there is one of them which appears particularly objection able, viz. that proposing to authorize Officers having formerly volunteered into the Line, and now return ;" into the Militia, to preserve their half-pay. These are Captains of course: the case of subalterns being different, and already provided for. What particular merit, I ask, have these Officers; what particular service the Militia, that they should retain their half, on re-instatement upon full pay ? —Could they have returned into the Line, to which, however, they are not immediately eligible, they mast have gcne merely from half-pay to full: a dif ference which, identifying employment, those who hate made a profession of the service, tread its most arduous paths, and who have embarked their little private fortunes in it, scorning the calculations of hazard, aspire to, as the object of all their hopes.— . But to allow a man to retain his half.pay because he returns into the Militia, is tempting him to make a job of the service ; giving the Militia the pre-eminence over the Line—a glaring injus tice to the Officers of the latter, and a wanton .waste of the public money; which, Gon knows, cannot be too well husbanded. Let us, Mr. EDITOR, pursue the idea only one step. One of these Captains so returning with his half-pay to full-pay, likewise in the M ilitia (pay-and-a-half-anen you may call them) takes the first occasion that offers of ,volunteering ■gain into the line—in due time, he is reduced on half-pay, and making the best of his op portunities, gets back to his old Militia corps again, with two helf-pays and another full-pay l No doubt a clause or act might then be enacted to correct the monstrous abuse : but it ought to be crushed in limine. To which it may added, that these ad runtage-then are of but little advantage to the ser .vice. "The labourer is worthy of hire," but not or two hires. Let us then be satisfied if we can find one . Lire for each labourer ; little doubt that we shall find a labourer for each hire. Let us not both corrupt them and squander our meaus.-1 am, Sir, your con. Mutt Reader, H. A. • U'rd Milton. William Trill, the youth who met with en acci dent in the Park on Monday, during the firing of the ups, died yesterday in the Westminster Infirmary. Another boy, who received a severe injury in the head, now lies at the same place, without hopes of recovery. Yesterday morning, about mot o'clock, an alarm. ing fire broke out in Saddler's-hall, Cheapside. The windows and doors of several houses adjoining were broken by the watchmen and others before any of the inhabitants awoke' to perceive their danger. The door of that part from which the fire was perceived Ives burst open by a Gentleman who happened to be present; but in consequenee of the violence of the flames, it could not then he entered. Several eoo,ines were soon collected, and its progress was checked. We learn that no lives were lost. Ott Friday night last, about tee o'clorli, as Mr. roliwOßE was returning to F.pping Forest, in a single horse chaise, an attempt was made to stop h:m on the Lea-bridge-road lty three foot-pads; hut pushieg his horse, which was very spirited, he overthrew the mail who had placed himself before the animal, and by .that means escaped. bet not until another of the vil lains fired !, pistol at him, the ball of which perforated the left side of his great coat, without doing him further iejury. The particulars of a recent elopement and Gretna gieen marriage :—The Lady and Gentleman were Miss STANLEY, daughter of Sir Enwano STA et.e.ar, now in a high official situation in the East Indies, and Capt. BoNTEIN, of the Life Guards, son of Sir EnsvAan BONTEIN. Lady STANLEY was well aware of the intimacy which subsisted between her daugh ter and Capt. BONTEIY, but never suspected that it had so nearly approached to a cri=is, on account of her youth, she not being quite 14 years of age. On Sunday morning, the 21st ult. the parties went to the Chapel Royal, and thence to the house of Lady Boyrete, where they partook of a cold &Bailor); they then proceeded in a tilhery to Barnet, -.:ittler pretence of taking an airing before dinner, where a coach and four was in waiting, arid bent their way for Gretna-green, with all the dispatch possible.— Lady Sta etre waited dinner till sever. o'clock, and her ,!eughter not coming home as usual, enquiries were made, and circumstances came to liel.t which rendered it evident that the lovers hid taken their flight fur Gretna. Lady S. accompanied by a person, immediately commenced pursuit, and they traced the fling couple every stay—but they " flew on the w togs of love," and could not be overtaken. Tii:y passed through Carlisle about three o'clock en the Tuesday morning, and went on to Gretna, where they were married; and on their titan', coming get of Longtown, they saw their pursuers 'woad,. but avoided them by taking an uttrterivented path, and remaining until Lady STANLE% coat,!; went pest— when they came on to the Bush Inn, in C trlisle, where, in consequence of advice, the Czptniti deter mined to await the event of an interview with Lady STANLEY, which took place, and nil parties were ra conciled, and they proceeded to town together by 0 ;17 stages. The Lady will have a very large fortune. There were no objections to the match, bdt those which arise from her extreme youth. Bas.tn.—No alteration in the price this week. - • YHE STATESMA N . NAVAL INTELLWENCE. PLYMOUTH, JUNE s.—Came in the French brig Alaris, Minot, Commander, from Rouen for Brest, detained by the Rhin frigate.—Ai-rivpd the Chatham man of war, from Cork ; and the HenneslJ , from America. PORTSMOUTH, JUNE 6.—Arrived the Narora, Wharton, Ceres, Ilarckcsbura, and Atlantic trans. ports, from America ; the latter is under Quarantine. —Sailed the Dictator, for the Brazils ; IlJdrn , Alcestc, and Tliamec, for Quebec ; and the Snapper and Sharpshooter to the westward. . FALMOUTU, JUNE .4.—Arrived the St. Johannes, Paulien, from Ilavannah,and remains for orders ; and the 7:yger, Lewell) ri, from London, bound to Smyrna. RA MiGATE, JUNE 6.—Arri•ed the Aid, Ruby, Hannah, Brisk, S.vnucl, Elizabeth, Wrlson, and Eliza, transports, for Ostend.—Sailed the Pomona, and a brig, from Ostend with troops. !in - ' cif, JUNE 6.—A rrived the Prince of Orange packet, haiittg landed her Mail, from Holland, off Lowestoft; also arrived the Salim, Adventure, and another transport, No. 27.4, in ballast, from the ; Downs, to take horses for Ostend.—Came in the i Ceres, Johnston, from Ostend. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OL• LORDS. JUNE G. The frith Stamp Duty BH . the Oak Bark Duty Bill, Cate dooian Aspum Bill. and several private 114/1,, were brought from the tom/nous, and read a firm time. The Scotch Comini..ar:,c Rill Wale read a teciind fink,. The Northern Light. Rill. Ijrchi.quer Bille Bill. Lottery Bill, and Longitude Bill. %ere read a third time:M.l pawed. OFTICE3 IN REVERSION. Earl GROSVENOR twOught sup a Rill u, prevent t!te (:rant ing of Othces is Reversion, which Was read a first time, anti ordered to he printed. tAlfd stwitityrii laid taunts paper: , on the Intik, ttithout stating, at leant so a to ho Is'eatil. what they were. A Perion from the Admiralty presented paper:. NAV %I. ADMINISTIt 11'10N. the Marquis of LANSDOWNE stated that he had received a letter from a Noble Earl (Darnley), who was to have this itiglit brought forwattl a motion on the sulliert of the Naval Administration. tenni...l- Wig hini to communicate to the House, that the Nobfe . The Duke of Montrose packet arrived at nubs does the '29th of April, from Falmouth, and was lost the same day. Earl was confined to his bed from itidi:po6tion, and to inform their Lor.kliips of his ie r tret that they should have been summoned for a night on WIIICAI lie could not attend. lie therefore moved the t!isch•irge of the order, whirl) was agreed to. No day was mentioned for the discussion of the subject. LAN' INTELLIGENCE. COE'RT OF CHANCERY, .It:Nc 6. CON TI NI PT. IRE EtRL OF UPPER OSSORY V. TUE EA at. OF W Wlcg. Sir ARTHUR PIGGOTT, supported by Sir SAMUEL Rositr.t.v, moved for an enlargement of the late order made against the ISToble Defendant, for having taken possession, by stratagem and illegally, of War wick Castle, part of the estates contrac►ed to be sold to the Defendant by Plaintiff, on the condition that before he took possession of the castle, he should pay down a sum of 26,0001., no part of which is as yet paid. The DAendant gained admit tance into the court-yard, first by the assumed name of Capt. Westbrook, and afterwards, in like man ner, in the castle. He holds the possession, while the Plaintiff's agents deposed that executions are sending in, &C. &c. Mr. LEACH opposed the motion, only on the ground that no length of time ought to be granted, as there was time enough by to-morrow, or at furthest by Thursday next, to have the affidavits on the part of the Defendant sent to town, the Learned Counsel not deeming further time necessary in justice on such an occasion. His Hosoue, with mutual consent, extended the indulgence to Saturday next, when he ordered the hearing to take place. COURT OF KING'S BENCH, lan's 6. . . 1 lIYOTT V. DUN N. Mr. PcAxe moved for a rule to show cause why Mr. Dawson, the Dzfendant's Attorney in this cause (which it will be recollected was an action of Grim. Con.) should not pay the expenses of a wit ness who was subpcened on behalf of Dr. Dunn, to give evidence at that trial. The ground of the mo tion %as a letter written by Mr. Dawson, apolo gizing to the witness for the delay which had oc curred in paying him his expenses in coming from Bath, but promising to endeavour to procure the discharge of his bill from Dr. Dunn or Mrs. Dyott, as soon as they were relieved from certain pecuniary difficulties, under which they at present laboured. Mr. Justice LE BLANC, who was the only Judge present, said, this could not be considered as a per sonal undertaking on the part of Mr. Dawson to pay the expenses, and therefore refused the rule; but recommended the Learned Counsel to mention the case to the whole Court, if he thought there was any thing in it to support the application. Rule refused. DREADFUL CATASTROPHE.—Another melancholy accident has occurred in the North, by the firing or blasting of a coal-pit belonging to Messrs. Nesham and Co. in the vicinity of Newbottle, in the county of Durham. This dreadful calamity took place on the 2d instant, when upwards of 70 persons lost their lives : 40 of the unfortunate victims were to be taken to Boughton-le-Spring for interment on Sun day last, and about 30 more were to be buried at Chester-le-street and Painshaw. The cause of this disastrous event had not been ascertained when the lavt accoaws came away, but there is no doubt it Na. occasioned by means of foul air. For some tine no person could be found hardy enough to de scent! into the pit, in order to ascertain the state of things below, and to endeavour to save any of the unfortunate persons who might still rema;so alive. At less4th T' omas Robson, of the village of Ilaughton le-Spritsr, volunteered Isis servi:es for this pe►ilous undertaking, tad so exerted himself in the cause of humanity, that he actually got up six of the sufferers, who were still alive, but with very small hopes of their ultimate recovery. The Doric column, erecting by subscription, in Shrop. %ire, as a tribute to the public talents and pri vate worth of Lord Ilmh, will exceed that erected by BONAPARTE, in Finis, by eleven feet in height, and one foot in diameter ; when completed, it will he the most stupendous column of the order ever known. A Gentleman, during the course of the Lotteries drawn last year, was in the habit of bespeaking the N0.(261, but thinking that his advances were slighted by never getting more than his oNvti money back, discontinued doing so, and to his great mortification this number in the very nest Lottery was drawn a Prize of fi1.0,000, and became entitled to 220,000 more, as being the first drawls Prize above £25. — This circumstance being generally known accounts for the perseverance with which those who had (a soarte numbers its the late Lottery, continue them in the present, and proves that Fortune's motto is —" Woo me , Win me." Co ILY PETITIONS. }arl :'l'AsTllOl'E presented a Petition from Stir ling, praying a repeal of the Clrti Act. Ile moved that the Petition he read ut leogt1:, that their Lon:- ships might Itei'.r the excellent arguments which it contained. 1 The Petition was read accordingly, and after slat ing some of the common objections to the Bill, it mentioned something respecting mean and selfish artifices having been employed in passing the Bill- 7 - that the object of it was to raise the prices of the necessaries of life—thrt the Bill had been passed with precipitation, so as to render it impossiule to present numerous Petitions which would otherwise have been presented against it—and the Petitioners, while they regretted the tumults that had taken place, lamented the little attention whlchhad been paid to the aimost unanimous voice of the people constitutionally ex pressed. Lord REDESDALE opposed the re:eisivg of this Petition, on the ground that it was not couched in idecent and respectful language, and particularly ad i vertrd to the words that mean arrifices had been used in passing the Bill. This was accusing their Lord ! ships of undue . and selfish motives, and for this, !among other grounds appearing on the face of the f Petition he could not vote for its being received. Kul S I TANHOPE said, that while people were 1 starving, it could not be hoped that they would be very guarded in their language: but there was no I intention to insult the House, for the words mean ! artifices did not allude to any thing done in radio ! meat, but to the means for getting it passed which had been used out of the House. As to any other objections, he called upon the Noble Lord (Redes ; dale) to state any One of them. Lord REDF.SDALE mentioned the words, that the object of the Bill was to raise the price of provi sions, which was utterly false and unfounded, as the grounds on which the BM had been passed were of a totally different description. lie also mentioned the passage where the House was accused of havingisco. ceeded with iiiillue.ipitation, which was a direct charge against the House of having acted froth cor rupt motives. It was time for their Lordships to make a stand against Petitions worded in this man. I ner, otherwise they would be perpetually insulted : and as to the people who presented them being poor and starving, the Petitions did not by any means appear to be from persons of that description. They Iwere from a manufacture, and worded pretty nearly in the seine manner. Earl STANHOPE did not know what the Noble Earl mart by their being from a manufacture, for j he defied him to point out a single Petition before presented which was so worded, and that was a flat Icontradiction. The Petitioners stated that the ob. ject of the Bill was to raise the price of the necessaries of life, but they did not say that such was the object of that House; and as to the charge of precipitation, he thought it fair when coming from those who had been prevented from petitioning against the Bill dur ing its progress, by the haste with which it was car ried through. The House then divided on the question, that the Petition be received— enmeNts Not Contents .... 9 .... Prosies The Petition was accordingly rejected The Marqn:s of DOUGLAS presented a Petition also against the Corn Act from the Corporation of Weavers, in Ruddrgleir, which was received as the Petition of the person signing it. The Marquis of DOUGLAS then presented a Peti tion from the Corporation of Tailors, of Rutherglen, also against the Corn Act. Lord MELVILLI.F. opposed it, as containing ex pressions insulting to the House. , The Marquis of DOUGLAS contended that it was of the greatest importance to throw their doors wide : open to Petitioners. As to insulting the House, he could not believe that any such thing was intended by the Petitioners; but he had done Ms duty in of fering it. Their Lordships wou!d dispose of it as they thought fit. The Marquis of LANSDOWNF:agreeing that the doers ought to he thrown wide open to Petitioners, yet thought that there were insulting expressions in this Petition, and that it ought not to be received. ; The Karl of LAUDERDALE also contended that ' the language of it was improper, is accusing the i House of artifice and corrupt motives. It had been said, that (14 people were starving: but he would .r_f z work. for diminished a rt;zr!3, and they t . houtiliit!;ct distresc much aggravated by tho Act ;is q-.ests , it. The Marquis of DOLIGLA, in tief-reoCe i" tlit; . sense of th 4 house, agreed to witittira.v the Peti tion ; but Etri tit NOPE said, Ow to WOutd not ngree to its being wit hd:awit—if the Howe did not like it , they might reject it. The Petition was acCorditt A ly . rejected. The Marquis of bOUG LAS then uresented a P...... • ikion to the same effect frt;rti Si. J 0 1, 114 ( 01 . in t h e county of Roinfrew, which was laid on ili , ta;,! , .... iThe Noble Marquis then. pre4nteti it Peti•i ,, • to , the same elniet frOM some pat. of the to A n 01 . G:as gow, ,iii,.l, was re j oc ird o n 1:1,-• ground of its being couched in dkresii ,, ctful la,tgoa 4 r. . . . 'Cite Noble Marquk theti in-.•pti' , .wi a P..,;tin ti 1, the Same effect froth tub pzlrish of Catno,ie, in lien; frees. flee Petition adverted to the ;Want of feeling in the Legislature for the ete-t4 of the peilple. and stated sometitingsanut the Leet.lature hechnting in..re cor rupt than the Executive, and that there was a point beyond subm's:irot tiea,er: to be a Virtue. Lottl 1i.E1)7:.S DA LE oproNed ii. some of 'hese Petilons Seemed to be Crd:!krue !lie disturbance of the pence by ~.Ping the landtioldt-ts and Manufacturers azainst tacit 'nth; C, and th e ,l ject appe ar ed to he to gut th• ni i:ifn Ciculittii)gt iii this way. when the PeCtionpri could,ticit tenure to cir culate them in any other way. The Marquis of DOUGLAS hada more charitable view of the intentions of the Potitiohc:r.. The oh.. ject was not to set the ail icu;t orkts and the manu facturers against each at! t•:, ;Alt to shoW that the measure had h-en carried in opposition to the interests of both by the Goiernment, on account of the Sup ply which it afforded it; the way of ta z atio t i. Earl sTANtiorr, it was tint Wonderful, considering what the retiloyet•S must Itaie hued about Aylesbui y and ItAAnn, and other places, if they thought that Rtyroseottrives were io nw ti mei sent up to Parliament in a nr:tteet- in which they ought not to be sent. The Earl of ('A ER NA't VON said, thsit the Pe tition contained CetTnetilill4 :itte a mel.,:ce, in spooking of a point beyond which submission ceased to t,e virtue, and for that and other reasons ought to be rejected. The Petition wasaccordingly rejected.—Adjourned. HOUSE OF CONIM(iS.S. Mr. FRANK LA N I) LEWIS present.nd a repert of the Com mittn.e on the A-size of Bread. Ordered "I 111%pri MAD Lord Nelson's Estate Bill, and the :;.teal /hater Bill, were read a t aird time and paced. Mr. P1.E1., after some nmservati,,o , from' :ir C. Mn a, tut Mr. (Admit). had leave to brine in a Bill to enable Irish nOrtdd Juries to defray tneexpence of additional ctinstattles. IRISH MASTER. OF THE IfOLLs; ' On Mr. Peel's motion the House Went into a Committee on au Act Of the 41st of the Kitig, id which Mr. PEEL proposed to increase the salary of !hi Irish Master of the Rolls 7001. a.year, which would make it amount to 43001. a-year : also to make an addition of 6001. a•year to the retiring pension. of that officer, which would then be 33001. st.year. leillof last Session had recoeniaed priyi.seie of this measure, but did not provide properly rvpecting the salary ; and it_was too late in the Session:re ref. gulate the matter. The salary at present was settled in 1801 at 35001.; since which all the 'rid' Pnistin Judges' salaries had beets advanced. 7'..e ()kips* now was to extend the principle to the office of 11 , e Rolls, and to put it on an equality with the same of fice here, as the Judgos already were both Puisne and Chief. The Master of the Rolls in I &slid eel nest in rank to the Chief Justice of she Rine's Bench. This measure was approved of by the Loral Chancellor of Ireland. Ile moved a resolotina for the money to be paid from the kith Consolidated Fund. Mr. ABER.OROMBEF. said, when the gill canna in there would be time for consideration,. which 04 case required. The /loose onetd - never show im. proper economy as to fair remunerations; but be believed the Master of the Rolls in England had only 40001. a-year; he had also certainly a house. He did not know that the: Irish Master of the Rolls had one ; get he understood that Sir. W. Grant had de clined an addition to his salary. The office in Ire land had not been an efficient one till recently. Mr. PEEL explained. He had enquired of Sir W. Grant the amount of his pecorai.iry of in come, and he was at's% ered that it was 45001. a-year, besides tine official house. Mr. 1101INER.—These applications year after year for increase of salary to Judges were painted with too much facility. The Inbours and services of an Irish Master of Rolla were very inferior In de, gree to those of an English Master. Here the Mas. ter was also a state officer, and might be put to con siderable extra espetices. lie objecteal to the priu. ciple of recommending such a measure by the (pi_ nion of the Chancellor. Neat gear we might have a proposition to increase the Chancellor's salary, re commended by the Master of the Rolls. Mr. PEEL objected strongly to any reflection on the Lord Chancellor of 'reload; who could have net . interest in the case. Mr. HORNER meant no individual reflection. — He had spoken generally. Mr. PEEL explained. Mr. WHITBREAD said, there was no personal imputation ; hut one could not say how long any particular person might remain Chancellor, and it was not a place for life. Mr. ROSE said a few words. Mr. LOCKHART said, that if the retiring pen. . _ ... , . . ,li ask whether the price of corn had risen to an unrea- I siont did nut in Ireland depend on the number of sonable height, or whether there was any time at years' service, or on ill health, they were not like which it could with less show of reality be contended those in this country. The last Irish Master of the that the people must be starving. As to the charge !t o ll s h e ld the office tint many years, and he beiieved of precipitation, the matter had been under conside- did not retire through ill health. These frequent in• ration for two years in a Committee of the other creases had a tendeucv to increase depoodence on the House, anti one year in a Committee of this House, C rown , with whom such propositions must origi and every exertion had been used to induce Petition. nate. The prices of the necessaries of life in Ireland ers to come forward, but without elect; so that the bad certainly not increased recently. Tbe resotu• object appeared to be to keep them back till the last moment, so as to procure some appearance of a ground lion ogre d to. .. WOOL TRADE. of complaint. M r . NyEsTFAIN, after vatious observations, Earl STANHOPE said, that he had not stated roved for a Committee to consider of the Acts iml that the people were starving from the effects of this posing duties on Briti‘h wool sold by auction. !fill; bet he had said, that the people in the quarter Mr. FRANKLAND LEWIS seconded the 11166 from whence the Petitions came were in great distress Hon, and avgued that sr Weyer was Practicable shouldl for want of employment, and being compelled to be clone 'fin the farmers. The Corn Bill bed sot r: • I ~. , ' J • 1 .1 •f„