The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1825-03-23 00:00:00

PP ....~' PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE. HOUSE OF LORDS, TUESDAY, Maims 22. Mr. Irvine, from the Custom House, presented the annual accounts of the trade and navigation of the United Kingdom, up to She sth January 1823. Mr. Pitt and several Members from the House of Commons brought up two private Bills. The Earl of LIVERPOOL laid on the table copies of certain mete* under the treaty of Ghent. Lord ELLENBOROUGH presented a petition from the Attor neys and Solicitors of the Metropolitan Law Society against the Articles of Clerkship Enrolment Bill. His Lordship observed, that the petition was very numerously and most respectably signed, stostaining the names of several of the moat eminent gentlemen to the profession. They complained that by the Bill against which they petitioned, those who had not paid the fee of 1201., which had been paid by them, would be enabled to act as attorneys without having so done. An increase in the number of attorneys would naturally follow, while those who had acted according to law would be placed in a worse situation than those who had acted in contra diction to it.—Read and laid on the table. CATHOLIC CLAIMS. The Marquis of DOWNSH IRE presented a petition from the Protestant inhabitants of Newry in tamer of Catholic Emancipa tion. His Lordship observed that the petition contained, among other most respectable signatures, the names of two Magistrates of the county of Down. MUTINY BILL. 111, Army and Marine Mutiny Bilis were read a third time and pawed. SCOTCH JUDICATURE BILL. Lord GIFFORD presented a petition from the Agriculturists of Wigtownshire in favour of the Scotch Judicature Ba. Oct the motion of Lord 51ELVILLE the Scotch Judicature Rill was read a third time and passed. Thorl i l for the protection of gardens was read a second time, and ordered to be committed to-morrow. ANNUAL DUTIES BILL. The Annual Duties Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed to-morrow. The Irish Judicial Inquiry Bill wits also read a second time, and ordered to be committed to-morrow. The House then adjourned. MOUSE OF COMMONS, TUESDAY, Masers 22. BRITISH GAS-LIGHT BILL. Lard LOWTHER moved the second reading of the British Gas light Bill. Alderman WOOD moved as an amendment, that the second reading be postponed to that day six months. Mr. E. ELLICE slid. that the line of conduct which hr should lay down for himself in voting for Mils of Joint Stock Companies, was to support them when the objects of their formation were be yond what could be effected by private capital, or when they aid not interfere unduly with individual indu.ory. Ile was desirous of taking this opportunity of calling upon Government to state whether they intended any interference with these Joint Stock Companies OYe Member of the Cabinet, in another place, stated thu intention to' Government to interfere--other Members of the Cabinet bad given their opinion on the inexpediency of such intetference. It was right that the public should be relieved from the very un. pleasant and doubtful situation in which they were now placed, from the circumstance of not km wing whether Government in tended to interfere or not. . . . . . . The gallery was cleared for a dit Won, but no division took place, the Bill was read a second tinn. NEW CORN 1%1 MEET BILL. . _ Mr. CURTEIS moved the ;econcWsilliT;.r;ithe Bill for the Erection of a new Corn Market, at the end of Mark-lane, in the City of London. The SPEAKER wished to observe, before the House came to a eletision on the second reading of the Bill, that the Standing Orders of the House had not been complied with in bringing for ward this Bill. It was requisite that due notice of such Bills as the present (and from the great mass of business before the House this should be attended to) should be given. It had been said that the present was an exempted case, as the erection was alleged to be of an Exchange and not a Market,. and his authority fur the exemption of it was relied upon. He denied that he gave any *pinion to that effect. If a question were proposed to him he vi,uld, of course, answer it to the best of his ability ; but he woald answer it in an abstract way, and not hastily or incautiously. He was desirous of saying thus much in vindication of himself, and in the shape of information to the House, that the Standing Orders Lied not been complied with. Mr. CALCRAFT, on his own part and that of the House, thanked the Speaker for the information he had just communicated, and should in consequence of it feel it his duty to oppose the second reading of this Bill. After a few words from lilt. CURTEIS, in explanation, the se• - end reading of the Bill was negatived without a division. Lord STANLEY presented • petition from Manchester against the Bill for the formation of the London and Liverpool Railway Conteany.-A-Otdered to be laid on the table. THAMES QUAY. Colonel TRENCH brought up the Report of the Committee to which the petition of his Grace of Norfolk against the Thames Decay Bill was referred. The Committee were of opinion that the allegation complaining that the Standing Orders of the House had rot been comialied with was unfounded. Mr. T. WILSON presented a peti:ion from the proprietors of the East London Water Works, against the Thames Quay Bill. —Ordered to lie on the table. WELSH IRON MINING COMPANY. Mr. LITTLETON presented a petition from thirty-two per- sons against the Welsh Iron Mining Company Bill.—Ordered to t.e on the table. ROYAL EXCHANGE ASSURANCE. . . Upon the motion of Mr. P. ORENFELL the Royal Exchange As.sorance Company Bill was read a second time, and ordered to bt committed. METROPOLITAN WATER WORKS. Mr. T. WILSON presented a petition from the proprietors of the East London Water Works against the Metropolitan Water Works Bill. CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. Uwe the motion - Ontir. WILLIAMS leave was given to bring is a Bill for allowing the Cape of Good Hope Banking Company is sue and be sued in the name of their secretary. BRITISH GAS LIGHT COMPANY. Mr. DENISON presented a petition from the Gas Light and Coke Company spin■t the British Gas Light Company Bill. _COMMITTEE ROOMS. Mr. CALCRAFT, seeing one of his Majesty's Ministers (Mr. Secretary Peel) in his place, wok occasion to complain of the !neon -1,011421Ce suffered by Members And by the public from the want of 44tficiently spacious Committec-Roome. He had that day seen ~early one hundred rind fifty persona sitting as a Committee in the body of the House of Commons, and however anxious Hon. Mem bers should be for economy, he was sure no one would say that the House should be thus occupied ; nor would any person deny, that proper accommodation should be afforded to Members whilst em rosined in transacting this very important part of the public After a few words from Mr. S. WORTLEY and General GAS COYNE, who concurred in the observations of Mr. Caleraft-- Mi. Secretary PEE'. said, that every Member in the habit of attending Committees must feel the force of what had been said. The subject was one well worth considering, and he assured the House that all that laid in his power should be done to de away the inconvenience complained of. Air. LITTLETON disapproved of the practice of holding Com mittees in the House, by which the air became heated, and was with to breathe when the hour for sitting arrived. The SPEAKER explained the circumstances under which he had consented to haring& Committee sit in the House. The Com mittee-Rooms had been all occupied, and when he was applied to he did not feel himself warranted to refore. SVhatever arrange ments should be made to do away the inconvenience complained of 000ld not be executed during the present Session. finless he was ediereise instructed, he should therefore continue to allow C om . minces to an in the House what% h appeared necessary. (Hear, Mar.; COURT OF CHANCERY. Mr. BENETT presented a petition from Robert Gourley, complaining of injury done to his Personal property by delays in the Court of Chancery.—Ordered to lie on the table. COUNTY RATES. M:. BENETT presented x ctition from the Justices of the peace in the county of Wilts.. complainin, of the pressure of the couoty rater.— Referred to a Committee. •.....• ,• HOUSE AND WIN1)01,V TAX. Alt I.INDSAY presented a petition front the merchants and other Mbabitants et Perth, praying for the repeal of tie House and Winslow Tax, and also of the duty on insurimees.—Ordered to bc printed. CATHOLIC EMANIPATION RILL. _ Me. Esrcouit C. seeing the lionourshis Member for Westminster (Sir F. Burdett) in his place, tool: this opportunity of inquiring whether the Honourable Baronet and those who acted with him on this question hod actually determined on moving foe the second reading of the Catholic Emancipation Bill on the 14th April, as had been stated. This day wauld fall exactly in the mid. die of the Quarter Sessions week, and no'hing could be MOTe incon. aenient than for Honourable Members to ni.ike arrangements to attend the second reading of the Bill at that time. lie admitted that the duty of Honourable Gentlemen in that House was para mount to their duties elsewhere ; but he was sure the llor.ourable limpet would agree with him, that if the convenience of Honour. able Gentletnen could be consulted without a sacrifice of public duties it ought to be done. iir F. RURDETT said, he had consulted with other Honour able Gentlemen favourable to the Emancipation Bill, and it was considered and agreed upon amongst the friends of the measure. that the 14th April would be a -suitable period. He should be most a•:xtoua if possible to meet the cocaenience of every indi ',dual. hut the House must know how clifficttit it was to do this. Ire should take the Honourable (ierdientan's suggestion into his sumideratirm however, and acquaint the House with his resolution to-morrow Ithis day). • Mr. S. cr.•tary PEEL wax convinced that the lion. Baronet was of a fun discussion on this important measure. (" Hear, lie.a," from Sir F. Burdett.) The period chosen certainly was not die most likely to Mauve a hill attendance of Members. There ~ere the Nrwn:arket Races, which would occur at this time; and the Quarter Sessions, as stated by his Hon. Friend. These cer tainly were not valid reasons to prevent lion. Members from at. tending ; as only one week's daisy was asked, he hoped the Hon. Baronet would teed the justice pf amsenting to the suggestion which had been offered to him. lie (Mr. Peel) would not conclude I without observing, that it was his intention to take the sense of the House on the *stood reading of the Bill. Mr. TIERNEY confessed he was anxious for the second read. ing of the Bill at an early day, that i: might be sent at an early period to the other House. It was true that leave was given to bring in the Bill three weeks ago, but it was also true that the second reading could not have taken place until after the Easter holidays. As to the Newmarket Races, he did not think they were of much consequence. Protestants and Catholics were equally fond of the amusement of horse racing. The quesiion of Emancipation was one of the first importance. and he i mplored the House not to give the discussion of this question any unnecessary delay. The most active Magistrate could not find any magisterial business of so much importance as the decision of this question ; and although he con curred with the Hon. Baronet in his desire to accommodate, he hoped the Hon. Gentleman would not consent to the postponement of the second reading, unless very sufficient retsons were brought forward. 31r. Secretary PEEL in explanation observed, that the call of the House, on the second reading of the Roman Catholic Emanci pation Bill, was fixed for the 13th April, or ly two days subsequent to the expiration of the time to which it was understood the House would adjourn for the Easter holidays. This was certainly a de panure from the ordinary practice of Parliament. Ile could not conceive what objection the lion. Baronet could have to a week's delay. The other measure which it was generally supposed would accompany the proposal for Catholic Emancipation, had not yet been made known to the House, and he (Mr. Peel) was con vinced, that many Honourable Members, who differed from him in opinion, would not like to come down and vote far the Bill until the accompanying measures were made known. (hear.) Sir F. B('RDETT again rose to say that he would very readily agree—so fares he properly could—to any arrangement that might be convenient, but repeated that he wished to postpone until to 1110170W giving any decided answer. Sit IL FERGPSSON presented a petition from certain ship owners against the duties on oil and blubber. Mr. 11113 IE presented a petition from the Ward of Aldersgate against the house and window-tax. The Hon. Gentleman also pre. armed a petition from the town of Manchester in favour of the County Courts Bill. Sir R. WILSON rose to put a question to the Colonial Secre. tarn relative to some proceedings in Jamaica, but owing to the noise which just at that moment prevailed, the precise terms of his ques tion were not distinctly audible. It was understood, however, to relate to the trial of some individual in that island. He said, that if the information he had received were correct, and he had every reason to believe that it was so, the course he was then taking would have the effect of relieving and vindicating an injured per son. If, on the other hand, he was misinformed, it would have the effect of removing a calumny that had been very widely spread The n.me of the individual in question was Michell ; he was a pers..n who had been treated with great and most unjust severity. Mr. W. HORTON, in answer, said, that there was already on the table of the House a Report of the trials, to which he might refer for information, but as the question was put, he would take that opportunity of saying that several individuals, amongst whom was the person alluded to by the Gallant Officer, had been sen tenced to the punishment which the law awarded to the crimes of which they were convicted; that punishment was transportztion ; and it had been changed by the Duke of Manchester into three months' imprisonment. The Court had no option : it was bound to pass the sentence which the law awarded. Mr. GODLISDRN rose to request that the Honourable Mem ber for Aberdeen would postpone a motion of his respecting, as we understood, the office of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The motion was fixed for next Thursday, and his wish was that the consideration of it should be postponed till after the holidays. Mr. HUM E expressed his assent. PROVISION FOR THE POOR IN IRELAND. Mr. GRATTAN, in conformity with the notice be had pre viously given, rose to move for leave to bring in a bill for the Re lief of the Irish Poor. It was not his intention to introduce into that country the whole system of Poor's Rates as it existed here. His plan was to make it optional in parishes to assemble in Ves tries, and to appoint Committees for the purpose of investigating the state of the parish, and to ascertain who might be deemed, from their good character and their poverty, fit objects of relief. That such Committees should make reports, and should be at liberty to collect subscriptions throughout their parishes. Should these subscriptions ant be found sufficient for the purposes re quired, he proposed that the Vestry should have power to assess the parishes to such amount as might be necessary. This, in practice, already prevailed in some parishes in Ireland; and one of his objects was, to relieve those who resided in Ireland from the burthen of maintaining the poor. and Cast some of it on absent proprietors. Ile did not intend that the proposed measure should remain in force longer than • certain number of years, for he trusted that at no distant period the poor of Ireland would be able to support themselves by their own exertions. The system which he intended to introduce was in some respects analogous to that which prevailed in Scotland. In many of the parishes in Ireland they already pay voluntary contributions, or such as are called so : but which, in fact, were in a great degree compulsory. He felt it the more necessary to introduce some measure of this nature, for they could not at a future period come to England begging for the Irish poor. The want of • parochial system was felt in Ireland, and his object was to supply that want. It would have the effect of relieving the Grand Juries from much of their present trouble, and the resident gentry of Ireland from • heavy burthen. Had the plan that he intended to propose been adopted in the year 1818, they would, he was persuaded, be spared much of the suffering which unhappily occurred in 1822. In Ireland they could never look forward to any thing like a state of permanent tranquillity, until • parochial system should be established. He wished now distinctly to state his object to be the formation of an active parochial body. The details of the measure might, he thought, be more conveniently discussed on the second reading of the Bill. He concluded, by moving for leave to bring ika Bill for the Relief of the Poor in Ireland. Mr. GOULBURN quite agreed with the Honourable Gentle man that the second reading would be the most convenient time for entering into the details of which such brief notice had just then been taken. The subjects adverted to were of the highest impor tance, and he could not, until the views of the Honourable Gen tleman were laid before the House in a more detailed shape, pledge himself to any thing specific ; but that, of course, he would be at all times most ready to advance whatever has a tendency to wards the improvement of Ireland. Sir H. PARNELL, in addition to a few other observations, that if the Poor's Rates were established in Ireland. the amount of the assessments would swallow up all the rents of the lar.ds. . ----- Mr. V. FITZGERALD mid, that this was one of the most important subjects that could come before the House. He thought it necessary to state at the outset, that he considered the intro duction of the Poor Laws into Ireland would be attended with the utmost danger—that it was likely to perpetuate its poverty and to degmde its population. The country was unfortunate at present, but it would be infi :itely more so if the poor's rates were to be inflicted. He gave every credit to the motives and intentions of his Honourable Friend; but he regretted that he had not waited for the information which might be expected from the Lt. boors of the Committee now sitting above stairs—a Committee that let molting escape their vigilance and assiduity. For the present he wished not to pledge himself to any opinions further duo he bed butted, until the second reading of the intended Hill. Sir J. MACKINTOSH, giving full credit to his Honourable Friend for his good intentions, must still say, that the only curse not yet inflicted on Ireland was the imposition of the Poor's Itatee, and that he trusted this country, having for ages experi enced their effects, might save Ireland from the infliction. Mr. CURWEN said, that since the Biil for pasting the Irish poor from England to their native country, they had in many in stances become more prudent, sober, and industrious than before. Mr. A. BARING thought the strong objections lay not so I much against the use, as against the abuse of the poor laws. He also thought that if the business of finding work were to be relin. quished, and the objects confided to providing for the old and in firm, many disadvantages would he avoided. After a few words from My. Hum E, and 111 r. C. Witsow, and from Mr. FITZGERALD in explanation, Mr. 111()NCK was favourable to the intended measure. He thorns ht his Hon. Friend (Mr. Grattan) ought not to be charged with introducing the motion unnecessarily t it was called for by the necessities of the whiney. Were it not for the salutary effect of the Poor Laws in this country. the condition of the labouring classes would be wretched in the extreme; for, but for the operation of those laws, every farmer from one end of the kingdom to the other would dismiss the English labourer, who cost hint 2s. per day, and adopt the practice of employing Irish kbourers, whom he could procure at an expense of only Is. a day. It was in consequence of the Poor Laws alone that this did not take place, for the farmers well knew if they refused those torn employment as labourers. they were bound to afford them support as paupers. It was the effect of the Poor Laws in this country to protect the labouring classes from the oppression they would otherwise be subject to. Mr. filINET'f was desirous that his Hon. Friend (Mr. Grattan) should be permitted to proceed in the development of his plan. It would be satisfactory that an seequate provision should be made fur the poor of Intend, in order that when by the passing of the measures of relief contemplated with regard to that country, Eng ' list capital should be introduced (as he doubted r.ot but it would), it might have full menus and opportunity to hercfit the country. Ile therefore called upon his Hon. Friend to persevere in his in tender. Mr. GRATTAN replied. The Reports of the Committees of 132•2 and 11123 had been of a nature to justify this measure. lie tliought they clearly proved its necessity, and it was the facts dere- I loped in the proceedings of those Committees which bad intlaced hint to originate the present proposltiun. Leave was then given. Tit F..ITY OF GHENT. Mr. Secretary CANNING brought up a Treaty between this country and America, aehich had been received in England in the summer of 1822. Ile was not aware last night that it had not been laid upon the table of the House ; and as it find been omitted, he took the m ;soli opportunity of correcting the mistake. Mr. 111;31E wished to know it' all the points in dispute were ad.. justril it 'hat Treaty ? Mr. CAN was not the Treaty of Ghent, but a stria rate convention which had been submitted to the consideration of the Emperor of Russia, and returned with his determination thereon to this country in the year 1822. It related to the restitution of various property, and among the rest a compensation for slaves taken front the Americans. CUTLERY TRADE. Mr. S. WORTLEY obtained leave to bring In a Bill for the purpose of regulatiug the moiety trade in England. LAW OF SETTLEMENT. Mr. SPURGES BOURNE—The present Law cif Settlerneet; THE BRITISH PRESS. as it regarded the renting of tenements and poor rate assessments, was, even in the opinion of some cif the Judges, exceedingly defec tive. About thirty years ago a clause was introduced limiting the privileges of persons paying parochial taxes. It was provided by that clause in the 35th of the late King, that no person paying parochial rates should be entitled to a settlement it the value of the tenement did not amount to 101. per annum. To give Meet to the frPth of Geo. 111. it would be necessary to alter that law. His (Mr. Bourne's) measure would go to make the rate, and not therent, the criterion to be considered in the case of settlement. It was accord ingly his intention to propose in the Bill which he was to ask leave to introduce, that it shonlil not be necessary for the rent of any tone 'llene to amount to 10!., but only that it should be assessed to that amount, and pay a proportionate rate, in order to its owner becom ing entitled to a settlement. The Hon. Member accordingly con cluded by asking for leave to bring in a Bill for the alteration of the Law of Settlement as related to the renting of tenements, and being assessed for poor rates. Mr. CURT EIS supported the motion. Colonel %VOGL) said, he approved of the intention of the Right lion. Member for Christchurch. Ile wished the distinction between rate and rent to be clearly established, as many individuals were deprived of then claim for senlement by not being rated to the full amount of the value of their holdings. Mr. SYKES agreed in the propriety of substituting the amount of rates paid for the value of the tenement, when the question of ' settlement came to b.: considered. Ile thought the former mode ought to be made the criterion, as, in addition to other reasons, sur veyors could always be found to undervalue the amount of a pro perty when the occasion required it. Colonel DAVIES would prefer doing away with the present Law of gniteMent altogether, and substituting birth instead of the requisite qualifications now in force. Mr. BENETT preferred the system of rates to that of mtg. if for no other reason, on account of the superior facility afforded for proving the amount of tenements by means of a reference to the parish books. 31r. LOCKHART was not inclined to approve Odle system of regulating settlements by the scale of rates. If it were to be made. the criterion of settlement, it would go to effect a great alteration in the law as it at present existed upon that subject. Mr. S. BOURNE said, it was very difficult in a system so in tricate as the Poor Laws to du fair and efficient justice to the seve ral parties interested. It was generally found that the most indus trious inhabitants of any particular parish were those who did not belong to the parish, and hail no claim upon it for support. lie had brought forward the measure because he thought an alteration necessary in the existing laws. However he would, on obtaining leave, agree to let further proceedings on the Bill stand over till after the Recess, fur the purpose of giving Gentlemen an opportu nity of consulting with their colleagues at the Quarter Sessions, and taking their opinions on the expediency of the measure. Mr. 9JONCK recommended the system of rates in qualifications for settlements. ..... The question was then put and leave given. IRISH TITHE RETURNS. Mr. HU3IE hod brought forward a proposition on the subject of tithes four years ago. It was unnecessary to remind the House of the fate that had attended that motion. Since that period two Bills for the commutation of tithes in Ireland had been introduced and passed. Ile was not without doubts of the effects likely to re sult from those Bills at the time. He had since been told much good had arisen front the measure, and as he was desirous of as certaining the extent of its utility, he begged leave to move for a return of the names and number of parishes in Ireland where com position for tithes has uken place under the late Acts, and whe ther those compositions have been made with clergymen or lay.l impropriatom—Ordered. Mr. 11U3IE moved for a return of the number of tithe causes tried in the years 1822 and 1823, in the corsistorial courts, and the decision upon each of those cases, whether for or against the pro. secutor ; also the number of cases which had been withdrawn by the prosecutor. Also, for re:urns of the number of civil bills toe tithes tried before the Assistant Barristers within the agate period, and the decisions upon them severally. Mr. GOULBURN had no objection to the production of the papers required, as far as it was practicable to comply with the terms of the Hon. Member's motion. But he thought, mixed up as tithe cases were with other civil processes in the Courts of the Assistant Barristers, that it would be extremely difficult to furnish the returns in a form sufficiently distinct. Mr. V. FITZGERALD said the removal of the stamp duty of fifteen pence from the civil process had encouraged litigation to an unprecedented extent. In consequence tithe prosecutions had greatly increased. He thought there would be no means of distin guishing tithe Muses from other civil processes tried in the Bar rister and other Cowie. The Returns were then ordered. UNPAID MILITARY ACCOUNTS. Mr. HUME rose to more for **Return of arrears of Military Accounts in the hands of Paymasters and others. lie understood the number of Accounts unpaid and in armee was 11,270; and the great object he had in view was to ascertain what the nature of these accounts was, and the cause of their accumulation. There was then in progress through the House a Bill—the Caledo nian Canal Bill. In it was inserted a clause limiting the period during which parties may sne the Government fix compensation for any injury done to their property whilst carrying into effect the provisions of the Bill. In that ease, the Government took care to protect itself; and as far as be was a judge of fairness and equity, the same protection ought to be granted to individuals against claims on the part of Government. It was also notorious, that in many cases, the delay in settling accounts arose solely from the negligence of the public officers to whose department these affairs immediately belonged. It appeared from returns laid on the table of the House. that no less a sum than eighty thousand pounds bad ben expended in the recovery of unsettled balances on these ac counts. After some further remarks, the Honourable Gentleman said it was highly proper that some period be fixed to limit claims against individuals. It also appeared that a greater sum was expended in the recovery of the balances than the amount of the balances received, and, indeed, more than could ever be reslised. Thus the public were not only subjected to the annoyance of having the claims hanging ova their heads, but they had also to defray the expenses incurred by proceedings, which, but for the re. missness of Government itself, would not have occurred. In con tinuation, the Honourable Gentleman said, lie was very well aware of the great difficulty to be encountered in making out the returns for which he intended moving; I:ut as lie had no other mode of getting the information required, there was no discretion left him. The Honourable Gentleman then moved for a return of the 11.270 accounts previous to the year 1810, that remained unsettled, up to 1823, distinguishing the corps and the names of the individuals ; and also tar a return of the accounts settled, distinguishing the cases in which the balance isatilor or against Government. . . . . . . On the question being put from the Chair, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that how. ever voluminous the required returns might be. or however diffi cult might be the task of making them out, still he would not op. pose the motion. Ile would not have said a word on the subject, but he could not sit silent and allow the House to run away with the notion that nothing had been done to remedy the evils cotn pl tined of. In many of the cases in which accounts lay over, the delay was owing entirely to the fraud of the parties themselves, who put off the examination; that delay which was bottomed in honesty precluded the possibility of settling the accounts of which complaint was made; he thought it too much to require that a spurge be drawn over &he accounts ; but this he could promise, that for the future no delay could occur, from the arrangements that had lately taken place. This too he could 1.1111 , 11 Te the House. that his Noble Friend always looked with a most lenient eye on those who were not themselves the cause of the delay. The Right Honourable Gentleman pro ceeded to say, that if' the Honourable ,Muver wanted the Returns for the purpose of building up a new system on them, his motion was useless, for the system was already established ; and further, lie saw no reason why such great expense should be incurred, un. less the Honourable Member was about to introduce wine specific measure on the subject. Mr. T. WILSON was not at all satisfied with the promise of the Chancellor of the Exclicqaer, that none of the evils then com plained of should ever occur again, because it was Impossible to calculate the great extent of mischief that may follow from the attenipt to recover the balances then due. He was sure these ex. isted on the part of Government a disposition w meet escry case that came before it on its proper grounds; but still the delay was a fruitful source of anxiety and annoyance to the parties interested. A reason why the Douse should du something to remedy the evil was, that Right Honourable Gentlemen were disinclined, by any conduct of theirs, to throw as it were a slur on their predeces sors in office. The House should therefore take the business into their own hands; tlicy should adopt such measures as would take the responsibility off the present officer', and enable them at once to get on in their own improved way. In conclusion, he hoped the Chancellor of the Exchequer would not object in any way to the adoption of some measure on the present question, but rather call on the Honourable Member for Aberdeen (Mr. Hume) to postpone his motion, with a view that something might be done to afford relief, and make the motion altogether unnecessary. Mr. LOCKHART was surprised to hear that in all the cases of unsettled accounts the Governmcnt was the claimant. The fact I was, that in many instances the claims were set up by the individuals - - Mr. Ht. ME said a few words in reply: The lion. Gentleman mentioned sothe cases in which ruin had followed the exaction of these long-standing demands. The R - eturns acre then ordered. Mr. HL'M E nest moved foe a Return from the Arrears Depart. anent of the War Office of the balances due on accounts, damn. truishing whether the balance was for or against Government. The Honourable Member moved for other similar returns. all of which were ordered. (We were unable to collect the period to which the Returns referred.) WINE RETUR N S. Mr. lICME moved toiaitetun; of the number of gallons of wine in bond In the United Kingdom, distinguishing the quantity in England, Ireland, and Scotland ; also distinguishing the nom. ba of gallons that were French wines. and the number foreign not French, and distinguishing tl,e quantity of Cape wine. The Ile turns were to include the quantity in bond on the 29th of February 1823. He begged to call the attention of the ilouse to the state to which the wine-grower at the Cape of Hood Ho war reduced by the recent alteration itt the wire duties. In 1811 the Government sent out a proclantation to that country encouraging the cultivation of vino, and holding oat great expectations and promising prntec. Lion to theirwiae trade. Accordingly, 10July 1813 the duty on Cape wine was Axed only at hill that on Port. and although the precis mad.= was silent oa this head, the planters supposed it promised a permanent protection to their trade:. If the Government did net ,hi en d p it ch a proectiow, surety it aboold have been stated ; If they intendyd the exemption from this high duty to last but 7 or 111 years, that should have been set forth by them. No such stipule. Moo was made, and the consequence was, that no less a number then three millions of vines were planted, and an expense incurred of one million of rix dollars. Hitherto there had been scarcely any return from that investment of capital. Now only it was that any return was made, and that was to be put a stop to by the pro posed redaction in the duties on foreign wines. The lion. Gentle man went into a statement, to show that there was a progressive increase in the export of wines from the Cape within the short period since the trade was established. At present there was a great extent of country at the Cape under cultivation, large capital had been employed, and yet the planters got no warning of that measure which was to annihilate them and their interest. According to the former regulation the duty on port wine was 131. a gallon, and that on Cape 2s. 6d. Port now only paid 40., while the duty on Cape continued the same, whereas the proportion required that it should be fixed at Is. 4d. The Honourable Gentleman went on to say, that if these alterations were to be carried into effect, still there should be time afforded to the present proprietors to dis pose of their stock. Such a course, in the opinions of all ;tureen tile men, would be but fair and equitable. In fairness and can dour such a course ought to have been pursued. That wretched colony was already reduced to the lowest extremity by the system of misgovernment, and wanted only this last measure as a finishing stroke to it. So glaring was that misgovernment, that many per sons would not endure to live under it, but for the prospect of de riving profit from the wine trade. That he knew to be a fact. (Cries of " Ilear, hear.") He bail heard it said, as a reason for not lowering the duty on Cape wine, it was mixed with other better wines, and therefore that it ought to be discouraged. Surely it was well known that almost every wine merchant occasion. ally mixed inferior wine with better (a laugh), so that that could furnish an excuse, as it would be a good reason fur not admitting more than one sort of wine into the country. The CII,INCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER did not rise to object to the returns, but thought the matter might be better dis cussed when the House should go into a Committee on the %I Duties. lie would not, however, let the opportunity pass without making tree or two observations. The lion. Gent. had brought the charge like a thunder clap before the House, yet if the particulars of his statement were examined into, they would not be found quite so accurate as they at first appeared. In the first place, there were no promises held out to planters at the Cape, of any permanent ar rangement for their protection. He had some years ago a conversa tion with certain individuals connected with that trade, and he could most distinctly state that no such expectations were held out, roe did they at the time count on it. He merely thought that it was expedient to give a little life and activity to en infant trade. and that was originally the motive for lowering the duty. It was not intended to make it permanent ; quite the reverse; and he had heard so from two or three parties interested, all of whom knew that there was no idea o:'perpe:uating the exec...ire inequality in the duties. It was fair to give the article all reasonable protection ; but it surely could be no reason to call for extraordinary pro tection for an article merely bemuse it was not good. (Hear, hear.) He did not mean to pronounce that opinion on it ; he had no wish that it be part of his text, It was the declared opinion of its advo cates when they saw it, that it could not compete with European wines. As to the mixture of Cape with other wines, he thought the lion. Gentleman passed that subject over rather too lightly. If a Bordeaux merchant were to mix two wines ' Hermitage, for instance, and Burgundy, and sold the compoun d as an unmixed wine, it W., no fraud on the revenue, it was merely a fraud on the palate. (A laugh.) The case was quite different where Cape and Sherry were mixed, and the mixture sold for Sherry; then there was committed not only a fraud on the palate but likewise on the re venue. The Right Hon. Gent. proceeded to say, that it was not his intention all at once to remove the protecting duties ; he would afford time to try if any improvement could be made in the quality of the wine. It was therefore his intention to reduce the present duty to two shillings a gallon. That it should continue at that rate, say for five years; and then be raised to two shillings and sixpence. After some further remarks, the Right lion. Gentleman asked, why did the planters at the Cape call for any protection if they did not manufacture a drinkable wine ? If they were not able to do so, why encourage them? He would give them five years to try if they could give the public good wine; and further he thought they had no right to ask. Mr. TRA NT spoke in favour of the measures adopted by Go vernment with regard to the Colony at the Cape. The Hon. Gentleman made some observations respecting the returns of the trade of that colony, but in so low a tone of voice that lie was quite inaudible in the gallery. Hr. HU HE rose to reply. He said that the returns were not yet known ; but lie had no doubt it would appear by them that the Honourable Gentleman who had just addressed the House was very ill-informed on the subject. With regard to the objection urged by the Right Honourable Gentleman (the Chancellor ut the Exche quer), that there was a fraud practised both upon our palates and our pockets in the admixture of Cape with Sherry, he would merely observe, that there were other wines besides Cape which might fall tinder the same objection. (Hear, hear.) All that he contended for was, that if it should be thought proper to alter the duty upon the wine which was the produce of the colony, time ought to be given to those who were so deeply interested in the question. He wished to set the Right lion. Gentleman right with regard to one observation which he had made. That Right Hon. Gentleman had said, that the panics interested in keeping the duty on the wines low, had put their case into his (Mr. Homes) hands. He de clared that such a statement was altogether erroneous ; he had not even seen a single merchant connected with that colony or with the wine trade on the subject, until after it had been brought forward, and he had prepared himself to speak upon it. He could assure the Right Honourable Gentleman, that having himself been to the Cape, and having seen how much importance was attached by the colonists to this part of their trade, which, in fact, constituted al. most the whole of it, were the only reasons which induced him to interest himself upon the subject. The return wai then ordered. 3lr. HUME again rose and observed, that the other return he intended to more for was merely the number of gallons of French wine, of foreign wine not French, and of Cape wine, in stock in the hands of dealers in England, Scotland, and Ireland, to the 28th of February last.—Ordered. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then moved the Order of the Day for receiving the Report of the Committee of Supply. The Reports were then brought up by Mr. BaoonEw, the Chairman of the Committee. and read. On the motion that 19,9381. be granted to defray the expenses of the Linen Board of Ireland— Sir HENRY PARNELL rose for the purpose of calling the attention of the House to the Laws relating to the Linen Trade of Ireland. He had spoken with many of the principal manufacturers in Ireland on the subject, whose opinions were, that these bounties were not at all beneficial to the trade, but rather injurious than otherwise; he therefore hoped that the Right Hon. Gentleman would take the subject itito consideration, and agree to alter the present s ystem. He had taken the liberty to suggest to the manu facturers whom he had seen to present a memorial to the Treasury, and one was accordingly presented, in which it was submitted that the Laws relating to the linen trade of Ireland ought to be made similar to t lose i.f Scotland; which was in fact totally to repeal them. This memorial was signed by upwards of twenty of the nitwit leading merchants and manufacturers of Ireland, and he did therefore trust the Right lion. Gentleman would take some other view of the subject than what he had hitherto taken. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that the memorial which the lion. Baronet had spoken of had been re ferred to the Board of Trade, as it related to a subject which came more directly under their cognisance. But if he was not mistaken the Hon. Baronet had already given notice of a motion on the subject, and he considered it would be better perhaps to let that motion conic on rather than for the Ministers to make any altera tion. He had, however, no difficulty in sat ing, that he thought these laws ought now to be done away. (Hear, hear.) This could not have been done sidle time the buunl was high ; biic as it had been from time to time reduced, he should he very glad that many of the restrictions which now remained might.be remered, and the bounty altogether taken away. But lie was satisfied that the best course t ) be taken on the subject would be for the lion. Baronet to make his motion, and then the subject might be explained in _ _ Sir H. PARNELL said his motion would relate to the laws of the trade of Ireland generally, and would not be confined to the linen trade, which was therefore the reaoon why he had called on the Right Honourable ticntlemau to take the subject under his consideration. The motion for the grant was then agreed to. Variott. other MOW& were then granted, and the remainder of the Report ordaed to be rercirel nn Friday. COLONIAL TRADE. On the motion of Mr. HUSKISSON, leave was given to bring in a Bill, pursuant to the Resolutions agreed to last night, on the subject of our Colonial Trade. POLICE MAGISTRATES. _ _ _ _ The Resolutions upon the subject of the Police Laws, and the allowance of UM. a•ycar to the Magistrates, were brought up, re. porwd, anti a Bill brought in accordingly. SCOTLAND CREDITORS BILL On the motiim of Lord A. HA AIILTON. the third raiding of this Bill was after some discussion postponed to Friday next. WINE DrylEs BILL On the Committee upon the Wine Omit.% Bill. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCH EQUER said, the only Rea°lotion he meant to propose was. that the duty on Cape Wines he reduced fur rive years; 2s. a gallon for the lint two years, and 2s. fid. for three years afterwards. Mr. 11U3IE suggested that a duty of Is. W. for two years, and 2s. for three year' would better nicet the wants and wishes of those connected with the trade. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, that when parties applied to him upon such subjects, they were generally induced to atiopt extreme cases, and be had always found that in meeting them, as it was called, half way, he left them entirely satisfied. Alderman NV001) begged to know on what quantity in hand it was rr.eaLt to allow the reduction of duties generally. CilA NC LLI.OR of the EXCHEQUER replied, on half a tud, that is sbnut 12ti gallons. Alderman WOOL intimated that this would fall very heavy on the small dealers. The t!iIANCEI.LOR of the EXCHEQUER uid, that even the quanti'y mentioned was CAURiderably beyond whet they were strictly bound to allow, if they took into their consideration that upon which it had been usual to charge an increase of duty. Then it bad never been leas than a whole tun. Certainly the experience for many years had been more on the side of increasing than diminishing burthena. but he thought that their first effort in the way of reductLm might, as they did not charge so much by one halt; sake those coseessed petty well content. ",,, Mr. T. WILSON intimated his intention of pressing the gab. ' jest again upon the attention of the Howse. Mr, R. BERNAL inquired at what period* was Intended this reduction should take place ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, the 7th of March. . . shiCeotilno4nelh himself f 3l i E n R som at e at n ed , ea h s i u s re rel t u o et b a e n r i ei n ntac g e i r d from f t t h h e e than others, and perhaps enabled to give come snlisrmatton,. he upon a subject wherein he was persona lly giving an t s: e n db.u o wi p i t te n hui to : n t. wished to make a few observations upon the reduction of the duties. It appeared to him, unless means were taken to prevent the mono. to call on Portugal for the performance of her engagement, in the treaty of 1810. which would effectually protect the trade front the monopoly of the Oporto Wine Coon. 0 1111 1 7 3 LS: T Il o n f re m t . h e e n A t t n :s w d to e h , o t ti h h l a e Piptouwnbtliyitcradwoe,utldhedreenriviede bu t y u w t asl li ttle t b h : e nr h fi ar t party, and at once throw it open for the benefit of both rations. As to trench wine., and Tspecially claret, the same monopoly existed, but from a different cause; that trade being governed for the must • ' of benefit to themselves. This was mer chants t b s y in a f Lo cer n m thm er . cl: , a h n o ts on at t torges p u art x, co w n li s o id is e t r i ed ppl t i h ed e r a ed f u e c e tio ni n erof the duty as an injury instead stated to him by an individual of the trade, before the reduce tion took place, who observed that it would be injurious to his (the Hon. Member's) interest, as a claret grower, by opening dee market to the cheaper wines of France ; but however that might be. it would at least be a benefit to the public, and especially these who, from having visited France since the peace, preferred the wines of that country, to be enabled to purchase them at a price they could afford ; whilst on the other hand, looking to the prim - ciples of free trade adopted by Oovernment he was surprised that having made up their mind to a reduction of half the duty, they should still leave France the only exception to the rule, and thus denrive both nations of the benefit of their measure; for the difference of duty still shut the dam of the English market to the general entry of French Wines: and as to Claret, admitting the price to fall the whole amount of the duty lowered, was it to be supposed that the saving of ISL out of 1,1111. to 120/. would in duce the purchaser to inerease his consumption? This brought him to the information which he considered a duty to offer to the public and also to the trade. He had no hesitation in saying, that the price of Claret in this country was at least di•ulide what it ought to be and actually was before the late war well France, when the consumers in England and Ireland were in the habit of purchasing the best at 251. the hogshead. What then hnd been the causes of the increase of price and decrease of mosetnption ? First, the aug mentation of duties during the war, which, independent of the necessary increase of expense, raised it higher by the additional capital required, and other expenses of the trade, which brought it into the few hands in which it had since remained ; added to which the consumer had the profits of two intermediate parties to pay betwixt the grower and himself; first, the Bordeaux mer chant who purchased of the grower, tied who skimmed the cream of the bargain for his own benefit ; and then the London merchant, who, what with the price at Bordeaux, the heavy addition of the duty, long credit and bad debts, was obliged to charge an exorbitant sum to pay hirrself. But this was hard upon the consumer, willing to pay a just price for the article: and the beet remedy for the evil would be for the London merchant to buy of the grower to enable him to supply his custotners at a cheaper rate, and prevent their saving hrin future trouble by importing their own wine. But to effect this, certain pre. judica which had hitherto favoured the monopoly were neees vary to be removed. For instance, it was asserted and generally believed, that the beat Claret was only grown upon the estates called Chateau Margaux and fAfitte; whertas that made upon others was equally good; and not a huedredth part of the claret, sold by the merchants under these names, came from the estate of either. In proof of this, he declared as a proprietor, that the vines upon his own property (to say the least of it) were in all respects whatever equally good as those of Chateau-Margaux ; and that the claret of the well-known vintage of 1815, made upon his estate, and larded in Englard from his cellar at Margaux, was equally well flavoured and full-bodied as the best of the same vint age from the merchants' cellars at Bordeaux. The first assertion, as matter of fact, he was ready to prove, if not to the satisfaction, at lca't in the teeth of any' Bordeaux or London merchant who might have asserted or believed to the contrary ; and the other as matter of opinion, he would refer to those who had tasted both wines at the beat cellar and table in the kingdom. It was also said that the pure claret had not body enough for the English market ; this was true with respect to ordinary years, but the claret of superior vintages had sufficient body for this climate, and was preferred generally by the best judges in its natural.' state; whilst all that was or could be added, without destroying the quality, was a certain portion of Hermitage, which involved no secret nor difficuly whatever in miring. Ile had thus stated the causes of the high price of claret; but if the Right Honourable Gentleman, who in bringing forward his Budget had observed how much the increased duty on Wine had checked the hospitality which formerly was the character of the gentry throughout the country, who from the ease and independence of their eircum. stances were enabled to keep up that social intercourse and friend. ship which formed one of the greatest enjoyments of life, and the hest criterion of the general happiness of the people--if the Right Hon. Oentleinan wished to promote that object on the one hand, and to make up the revenue for reduction of duty by increased con sumption on the other, he would avail-himself of the opportunity which the expiration of the treaty with Portugal now affordesl of equalising the duties upon foreign wines, and by opening the En. glish market to those of France. contribute to the mutual interest and good understanding of both nations. Mr. R. BERNAL said, the Right Honourable Cent. the Chan. cello: of the Exchequer was probably aware that there were certain wines which could not be imported into this country in wood, which in fact would spoil if they were not brought in bottles. Now as there was a large duty payable on glass, he wished to re present to she Right Hon. Gentleman, whether it would not be expedient to repeal that duty—he meant both duties, for there were two duties, one on the hundred weight and the other on the bottle. I The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, it was per fectly true that there was a duty on bottles, full or empty, of about M. a bottle Customs duty, and Bs. 2d. per hundred weight of Ex. case duty. Any thing which would diminish the duty of the two offices on this ►object deserved consideration ; and he thought that a duty amounting to 94d. or 10d. • bottle was certainly heavy. Whatever regulations might be introduced must, however, be in accordance with the Excise duty at present existing upon Wales manufactured and used at home. The Report was then ordered to be received tomorrow. On the Report of the Caledonian Canal Bill, Mr. HU3IE expressed a hope that the Chancellor of the Each.. quer would. in this age of Joint Stock Companies, prevail upon some capitalists to take this canal off the hands of Parliament. He thought it would be a great benefit to the country. (A ii.gh.) The CHANCELLOR or the EXCHEQUER would very happy to take the Hon. ()endeman's advice, if he would allow him to nominate him (Mr. Hume) as one of the principal directors. (Laughter.) Alderman WOOD said that such a plan would some years ago hare been a considerable saving to the pub:ie. Mr. BROGDEN presented a petition from Launceston against any concessions to the Catholics; and another from the persons employed about the Wcst India Docks in favour of the Equitable Loan 11. The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at a Quarter to Tcn. TIOUSE O 1 LOMMONS THIS DAV. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr. Portman—Bill to amend the several .lets relating to the mokmg and sale of Bead In place , ' where no Assize Is get. ORDERS OF TILE DAY. Supply—Committee. Ways and llleans—Committee. PRICES OF ImITISH 3 per tent. Cons. 934 Ditto Acct. 93i New 4 per Cent. IM 1031 Indio for Acct. 2731 i 280 7791 STOCKS YESTERD %Y. Ex. 81115,14,1.1.000/. S 2 bS pat Ditto, SOO/. 12 be pea Ditto. :Swan 6214 pm Lottery Tickets, 114.195. X ••• PRICES OF SHARES YESTERDAY. MINES. 1 Share. Patti. Premtuns Per insairs.. Angl6.9lexlean lOU 15 9.5 90 074 Anglo-Chilian 1110 5 51 b 54 Brazilian 100 5 131 4 114 12 Clain 100 6 13 Ili 13 114 Colombian 100 6 33 34 29 33 Chilian and Peruvian Company 6 24 6 3 English 25 21 _ j di* General Mining Association 100 6 101 10 96 Paseo Peruvian 100 3 20 154 1716186 It Royal Irish 1 9-16 i / i 1 dis Real del Monte , 400 120 930 Rio de la Plata. 100 b 23 25 TLalrtizahna 400 90 205 United Mexican 441 20 i - Iti:.o New 4O 5 20 30 1 .... * ' • ' Welch Iron and t'oal 2i 2 4 4 . . ASSURANCE COMPANIES. Alliance Brit. and For C ItIQ 10 Ditto Marine 100 5 3 0 ilardian 160 10 121 Protector Fire 2O 2 4 diS 0 ‘S LIGHT AND COKE COMPANIES. Continental 180 8 i a tact:Liawrors. Atlantic and Pacific 100 10 1 par 1 Australian 160 1 26 British Iron Company 100 6 34 j2i3 34 rim B:1 ship Canal 1 pie i Canada Company It'o 10 30 28 30 Canal Gas Engine Ze 1 1 i Colombian d‘grieul. Company 100 3 1.1 Equitable Loan hank 5O 1 1: Gold Coast Association 100 li 2 Hibernian Juint Stock (7onipauy 2i London Brick Company 3O 1 1 4 Mexican Company 100 10 35i 5 Metropolitan Alderney Dairy 23 4 1 Medway Lime and Coke Comp — 1 I A MetroNlitan Fit.h Company 23 1 /4 1 I Pearl Fibber) , (Yellow) Protincial Bank of Ireland inn 5 7 03 1 1i i Patent Bricks 69 2 21 Patent Steam Carriage 3 11 li Paul and Coral Fishery 4O 4 II 19111 9% 910 14 Royal Swarm, 3 t 1 do I % ,