The Statesman. — London, England, 1818-02-20 00:00:00

.~.~» . , :teeing been brought lore/Led, sod pressed on the lAnds Committee the imperious necessity of examining those serious charges which had jest been brought forward against the executioner. It was indispensably requisite tbar the public feeling should sot be trifled with, or any way insulted, and he trusted there would, therefore, be no delay in In stituting ti strict enquiry into the manner in which that individual had conducted himsiff.—(llear!) After a few words from Mr. Wictimits respecting the most disgraceful manner in which the bodies had • been taken from the scaffold by the esecutiouer, the case was referred to the Cons/Dille. BILL. Ol' 1140E11NiTY., Mr. WAlTwasam ruse to submit a motion on this most important subject to the Court, stating his in. `tendon not to delay them long. It was obvious that without the protection of the liberty of the subject, life it.elfNsas not safe; for if a Government usurped the power of imprisoning whenever they chose, without giving the accused the benefit of Trial by Jury, there was no saying where such tyranny would end.—[llear !)—flenee this great principle of pro tecting liberty bad at an early period been recog• Silted by our ancestors, being declared both in Magna Charts and the Petition of Rights, for it was well known that the Habeas Corpus Act gave no new rights to the People. At the same time, it was btriking to observe the time in which that celebrated Act took place. It was in the tyrannical reign of ' Charles the Second—a reign in which the blood of our beat and noblest patriets bad been shed, among whom the names of Russell and Sidney ranked `high.—[hear, hear, hear . !] —At that time plots 'were commonly hatched to deprive the subject of Treedom, the prisons were crowded with the vic tims of tyranny, and judgments were passed which were afterwards reversed at the glorious era of the 'Revolution. But the Members of the Legislature showed a most dignified spirit then, declaring by their conduct that they were assembled not fur mere per poses of taxation and money levying, but for protect ing the People. They therefore enacted this most valuable law, considering that the liberty of the sub ject constituted the glory of the country. Now a different line of conduct was adopted, for whenever the Minister felt the People troublesome with their ' tompleints, or his own power beginning to shake, he came down to the House, described in alarming terms the disaf f ection of the Country, and selected a Committee, consisting of himself, his colleagues, creatures, and pensioners, to report to the House.— PPapa when the Pretender was alive, and actual Re bellion existed in the country, it was thought bold set to suspend the Habeas Corpus ; but now, when rebellion had ceased, when the alarms of war bad subsided, secret plots were formed by execrable wretches, hired and paid by Ministers, to put a stop to the complaints of the People, to.take advantage of the existing distresses; to work on the irritated public feeling, and, fur the accomplishment of these diabolical ends, to describe themselves as acting under the direction of persons of the first cha racter in the Country.—[ Hear, hear, hear !]— Such outrages, such total disregard of every thing eacred, made one blush for the country we lived in, and to doubt whether we had actually good and vilutary laws. So refitted had Ministers become in iniquity, that a bare suspicion of any indivividual made him their victim, and led them to suspend the Act whenever they pleased ; and it was siligul:r to observe, that while at one moment we were told of the prosperity, happiness, and loyalty of the coun try, we were the next moment informed, that though the general body was sound, yet a spirit of dissaf. fection prevailed, which nothing but the Suspension Act could remove. For the last twenty years, af. fairs had been said to be well conducted ; yet, was it not obvious that our workhouses were filled to ex. cess, and an increased number of prisons found in adequate to contain the delinquents and debtors ? Ministers felt the country was dissatisfied with their conduct, ,end` they had the daring presumption to descrihq that 'as . higli disaffection to the Constitution, He was 'well ;Were that the parrstion Such facts r, ," ure t s v p ainful tr i i some,. end imbed at by others; but Werivlect not "ti;e feelisigs of him who could teas 'laugh at his country's woes.—(llene, hear!) •—rt:rist' ifealy had the friends of Reform been branded with the name of Jacobins; but, could the Court fail to observe in what manner the people, now so grossly insulted, were cajoled, When the . country seemed to be in danger from invasion? And, were the country again to be threatened, he had no doubt arms would be pot into the very hands of those who were now called psi. tors. It was the eternal disgrace of this country that such a system of spies had been sanctioned. Gond God ! Had England now come to this, that her jails were crowded with persons drawn into the snare by the execrable creatures paid by Ministers ; that these unfortunate victims of tyranny were sent exposed , from city to city, and village to village, then immured in unhealthy, miserable duugenns, their characters Wasted, their property destroyed, their children sent to the workhouse, and perhaps with broken hearts to the grave, while themselves were ironed, and when they complained, were refused all redress, because one of their characters was perhaps too good, and another too had ?—( Loud and repeated applauses.)—Was it possible to look at the manner in which the prisoners in Scotland had been treated, one man tampered with, and yet not feel indignation at seeing all investigation re fused ? The Worthy Member then alluded to the prosecutions of [lone, and observed, that the Jury could scarcely restrain their laughter at the farce carried on under the mask of protecting religion. A late Attorney-General, well known to be a man of delicate nerves—(4 laugh)—had been so shocked at the Parodies, that he could not find strength to read them ; and yet his successor had taken care to give them every publicity. On the whole, it was dis. getting to human nature, it was insulting to the cha racter of Englishmen, to see the detestable system of espionage and tyranny now introduced into ibis once free anti happy, but now degraded country ; and he therefore should conclude with reading a Resolution —( See Adcertisement)—which, be had no doubt, would meet the support of the Court, as they hail formerly expressed their opinion of the Suspension Act.—( ilear, hear!) 31r. Fare.t.t. seconded the Motion. After the vary able mutter in which the cause had been ad. vueated by Lis Worthy Friend, it was not neces saryfor, him to say most than express his decided , 1 1 41 1 1 STA' ONE HUNDRED CAPITALS.—TIIREE PRIZE s OF THIRTY THOUSAND POUNDS.—TW ELY E PIPES OF PORT.—LOTTERY DRAWS WED NESDAY. THE FOURTH OF MARCH. PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK, Bank Stock 284 5 per Cent. Navy 10t.iii 9 per Cent. Red. lodes Hoods 101 p 3 per Cent. Coinal- /NH -- Stock Consols for Aec. ' Long Ann. 90 15-16 4 per Cent. 99ii Exchequer Bills 18 96 p THE STATESMAN. LONDON: FRIDAY, FECRUARY 20, 1818 The death of the aged King of SWEDEN, formerly Duke of Sudermania, is communicated by the Ham. burgh Mails. This is au important event to Sweden and the Northern States of Europe. Its conse quences to this country must depend upon future circumstances. The first intimation of this event at tlamburgh was attended by the stoppage of the Ishii and the prohibition of all communication. The motive for these measures is not yet evident. By the demise of this aged and feeble Monarch, who has exhibite►l a veil apt representation of the nothing. ness of Kingly Majesty, the succession to the Throne of Sweden becomes vacant to JOHN CHARLES BERNA. DO rr Loyhoochile exercising the functions of a French General, under the government of NAPOLEOSI, Was elected Crown Prince and Successor to the Swedish Throne on the memorable occasion of the deposition and expulsion of the legitimate Madman, as he was then termed and may be still, King GUSTA►US ADOLPHUS, who acted so refractory a part towards the liberating expedition of Sir Joas Idoeac, end who was content, the other day, 'to enlist himself in the roll of free citizens of Basle. It will be recollected, that when the banishment of the legitimate Sovereign took place, his uncle, the Duke of Sunrestamia, was called to the Throne.— Being an old man, and having no offspring, it be came necessary to appoint an Heir to the Throne ; and BERNADOTTE being then Commander of the French Army in the North, he was elected Crows Pet!scic by the States of Sweden, duly assembled for that purpose. In this high and 'important sta tion it is but justice to allow that BERNADOTTE has conducted himself in a manner the most patriotic and becoming; and with a submission to the laws of the country of which he has in fact exercised the So vereign sway, truly worthy the imitation of other Princes. His conduct to his friend and patron in the day of NAPOLEON'S reverses, when his nati►e country wee♦ invaded and ravaged by foreign arms, and when BERNADOTTE led a combined Swedish and Prussian army against his coantrymen,/s a stain in his charac ter, which can only be equalled by the more national perfidy and remorseless oppression exercised towards Norway, when the Ministers who compose the present Administration of this country employed the power of the British Navy to starve the People of Norway into submission to the sway of BERNADOTTE. For his conduct in the campaign against NAPOLEON and Fraoce,this elected heir of the Crown of GUSTA. yes was recognized as the Prioce Royal of Sweden by all the Crowned Heads of Europe ; and hence there can be no obstacle to his quiet possession of the Throne, exrept there should prove to i►e a lurking disposition on the part of the Swedes in fevoor of GUSTATIJS, a name to which they are very partial.— We believe, however, that BERNADOTTE is very po. pular with the majority of the Swedish People, bat many of the old Nobility are very inimical to the new Court, add some of them have been detected in very dangerous intrigues. If thi, disposition can be worked upon with any prospect of success, the kgi. timate faction in and out of Sweden will doubtless seize the present time to attempt the restoration of tin evened Kit►g; but if no such attempt be sow lion. , wrgg , Twarr77.7 AN. made, the family of 110EINADOTTE may be considered as securely established on the Throne of Sweden.-- Tbe Swedish Diet is fortunately now sitting. Lord STRANGFORD, a very able, though young man, is at present our Ambassador at the Court of Stock ' holm. The progress of the deceased King's illness, which commenced on the 27th of January, is detailed in Official Bulletins to the 3d inst. These, how ever, are not brought up to the period of his decease. He was born in October, 1748. Paris Papers to the 17th have arrived. They are still pertinaciously silent on the Duke of WELLING TON'S affair. Rerard on this side of the water has at length discovered that this caution is the result of wisdom. 'rimy have get scent, and are unwilling prematurely to alarm the game. We suspect the French are making game of the whole story. In the trial of MATHURIN BRUNEAU, who assumes the title of Dauphin, all the evidence against him is con. eluded, and it would appear by a speech of the Pre sident he is already made out to be an •impostor. It is curious enough to observe the nature of the testi mony upon which this declaration is established. No proof has been furnished throughout of the actual decease of the real [Napkin ; such an event, bad it really happened (and we are oot yet bound to believe that it did, as a mere matter of course), must have had witnesses capable of attesting it, and the Bourbon Government has the means of pro dotting such evidence if it can be found. The prosecutors have evinced great industry. and been no less successful in tracing the prisoner through several gradations of his former life; nevertheless, no such evidence has been given. MATUURIN BRUNEAU can not be the Dauphin, because he is not a fellow of brilliant intellects, has been a dog-keeper, and has, according to the reports, the manners of a dog. lie is, however, even by the accounts of the Papers, a very queer and shrewd dog, and perhaps some Members of the Bourbon Dynasty might not be very much elevated by a comparison with tl.is snail of low oc cupations. To show that the prisoner has been in low stations of life, that he had served as a private soldier. or worked as a tradesman, would not in it. self invalidate his claims, unless his birth could be proved to have been such as the prosecutor contends, or the real Dauphin's fate could be ascertained be yond doubt. " Ile denies every thing that is proved against him," says one of our slavish scribes, " and asserts every thing that is incapable of proof." if this be true, be copies very faithfully from a high school, for this is exactly the system of our present Ministers ! It is again asserted in an article from Vienna, that the Allied. Sovereigns are to meet in that capital, for the purpose of concerting measures, and making de finitive arrangements fur the welfare of Rurape.— The lame article mentions the expected arrival at Vienna of Prince ANTHONY of Sammy, and that it is to lead to a new alliance betiveen. the Austrian and Salon Courts. In the House of Lords last night, the execrable I Spy System came again into review, and received another portion of the condemnation it merits. The Earl of CARNARVUN made his promised motion for referring the Petitions of the victims to the Act of the last Session to the Select Committee. Lord Ifor.r.AND's speech will be perused with much ap probation. His Lordship remarked with great jus tice, that though the Ilabeas Corpus had been sus. pended unfortunately too often for the country, it never had been maintained till now that the Suspen sion granted the power of arresting and keeping per sons in confinement,without any intention of bringing them to trial. The Noble Lord, who is not in the habit of staking his acknowledged reputaticin for solidity of judgment on pledges which he cannot fulfil, solemnly assured the House of Peers, that if lie were allow ed he would produce sufficient evidence that no small part of the mischiefs which occurred in the disturbed districts were produced by Spies; and he added, as, indeed, he *ell might, and many else can, that " he could make out a better case against Oliver and Ministers than they have been able to prove against the country." But Ministers will allow no such oppottunity of establishing the evidence against them. The motion was negatived without a division. Petitions were presented in the Ilouse of Com. mons from three persons who had suffered imprison• ment in Scotland, on charges of treasonable practices. The allegations in the Petitions were denied, but it was not disproved that these poor men had suffered a protracted imprisonment of five months, though the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus did not emend to Scotland ! So much for refutation. The Times of this morning intimates, in a very subdued manner, that U has received notice of " an official information from a Solicitor in behalf of FRANCIS WARD, that he has already commenced an action against a contemporary Journal, for a state ment similar to that made by Lord CASTLEREAGH, upon which we (the Times) commented in our Number of yesterday : and that the Journal above-mentioned, after a delay of nearly three weeks to consider the I plea, had not entered a justification. We are, therm., fere requested to warn the Public 6 from a belief in Lord CASTLEREAGH'S statement made against num cis WARD'S character, upon which a Jury will he called to decide at Guildhall early the ensuing week." , Any one wbo has read the Times of yesterday would perceive that its comments upon the statements at. tributed to Lord CASTLEREAGH, and against a belief in which It thus, in a side-way, warns the Public te: guard, were expressed in a spirit of as hitter rancour against the character of the aspersed WARD, as t statements, bal atements, to question, sad upon no better fatiodas -rTirr-; rr Fir! , - r' ~"~~ _, _ --,.r_..,,,~..~ ;~ ~,, OLD•BAtfattY. TIIURSI)A%r, Pu. 19. W. Dickins was capitally coovicted of a burglary in Al dwelling-house of Edward baveuport, on the Yid of January, and stealing therein several table-cloths, two shirts, a waistcoat. and variety of articles of wearing apparel, his property. I;dward Jones was indicted capitally for breaking and eater lag the dwelling-house of Matthew l)ay, Esq. the family being therein, and stealing a slaver salt- holder, a silver fork, and a silver sal • -spoon, his property. The Prosecator resides at Brampton. Oa the morning of d 1 14th of Febrintry, at nine o'clock, the servant ob.erved Iht Prisoner coming nut of the parlour, the door of which was opea. 'lke street-dour had been opened and shut again t it could only he opened from withusit by a key. All the family were in the house at eke time. When the Prisoner none ote of the patine?: -the servant went to the door:m[l called for assivanee, sad the other servants came down stairs, and they event for a emstable, but could out obtain one, and Mr. Lee, a genlieMllll, %hit WM pramisenonsly passing, came In their a rimester.. and took the Ps ismer into custody. Mr. L. upon looking at the side table. discovered that a silver fork, a silver Fri (from which the isal4 had been enaptied,) and a snit-spoon, were removed to the cur are of the table. The Prisoner was taken to QUeell•nilt3re• Police- ire, and he admitted to olicer. named Cooper. that he had thrown away the key with which be obtatued access te the house. Guilty of stealing to the value of 395. but not of breaking anti entering. RFAIORDZICIP REPORT.—Tharsolay the Rem Ser male a Re port to the Prince Regent of she billowing Ni :saner% capitally convicted at the In.( S",lons, Wood and Jaha Vale, for horse-stealing I John I.ucas, Wm. Green. Matthew Sullivan. Hears. Hall, &lam. Gildersleeve% lam ?env Denier. Ann dotal. Mary Alder, and .lamps Bennett, fur stealing tomb in a duelling flume ; Ana Cale and insieph for stealing goads pr.vaiely in a .hap ; Muses Daniels affd J?.." f r hause-hicaLing ; Wm. Grace, fur bargsarY Norton and Daniel Murk well, for a take allence ; 4 ;two Scull and Israel Cli quota% for a highwa) robbery ; W. 11440.4 40 Reed. and Thunsas Casey, fur vli , ep•stenting ; sViLliam and Thomas Spir , r. for tittering forged Hails motes; William Henry trawlinsuis and JuSai Rawlisisna, jun. for siettlinE OK'd' from a boat on she navigabte river m ai . ; ch,, r i e s Si a m fur burglary ; Rsta:e O'Hara. Margaret Hnsaphres% uud Hatio&l' Urianr, star a robbery on James Redaatu ; Chairie /Wiwi', f ar . hoist-Doesking; and Joho Farmer, for stealing gaols psivatell in a Shop,When William Kelly. Thom.. Sower, Wl ,lolll ' Ilenryitawlihstin, and 3111113 Itawlioson the monger, pert. or dered for execution on Wednesday next the :sth - I kg • others were respired daring pleasure. --- - L N lION : rrinied am, irobli,:r-d ti, 1). LOW — M t" I'.a7ll6llali Orris, tia. 4, 11.1!0O-!4nert " - 1 w_M ,`. "~ , _ GROWN AND .ANGIIOR TAVERN, Fica. ie. At a Meetitig dill` Consmitine appointed to maask‘e tMp Subscription fur . the Relief of the Sofferers tinter the busp es ... stun of the Hobe**, Corpus Act. W. Jo tEs Rummer. I is the Chair: It was monotonously Its, steed, 'float Mr. Joseph Mitchel of Liverpool. late a Poisoner, on Suspirlea of Rio t Treason, in the House of Correction. Cold Bath-dieldt, Mosta/ beet suspected of a corrupt interconne with the nut.,riuts Oli, wee the Governoteot (cps ; and althouth tisk eismoottee base fully examined all the circnonstatores of Mr. Mitchell's eson ec , Lion with the cant Oliver. htia are satisfied, that however indis— creet Mr. Mitchell "my hare acted, th4t they acquit him of f / s corrupt aod treacherous conduct ; tut for the ahction of the Public this Committee think st advisabk that Mr. ats.,h e m should unike uu ALdavit disclainsior tan. comsectioa w i da Oliver. THOMAS CLEARY, Sre. AFFIIAVIr. Made by Mr. Mitchell, in consequence of some reports to kis prejudge, relative to his connection u t s4 Oliver. Joseph Mitchell, of Liserpoot, late a Prisoner its the House of Correction, Cold Rath.fields, mkt suspicion of High Treason, in order to contradict, in the most positive and solemn manner in his power, the reports now in circulation relative to this De. ponent being a Spy or Agent of the Government, is connection with the notorious Oliver, voluntarily waked' oath, and saith, that, this Deponent has not at any time, either directly or indirectly, by word or deed, been employed or acted as a Spy, Informer, or other Agent of the Government, as above.tne o . .tioned, or otherwise. And this Deponent most po. sitively and unequivocally saith, that at the virictas times this Deponent introduced the said Olker to 'persons favourable to Parliamentary (Lerma% in va. riots§ p►rts of the coentry, this Depotteut considered and believed the said Oliver to he a person visions for a Reform in the Representation of the People is Parliament, and nothing else ; and from whi c h opinion he bad no reason to alter, from say circles. 'stance which passed in his presence or came to his knowledge, until after this Deponent was arrested,' and detained unde► a warrant of Lord Sidraouth.- -Saith that this Deponent relied with conClence on the honest motives of the said Oliver, because the said Oliver was introduced to the Deponent in London, as a friend to said Reform, by persons of acknow. ledged integrity, totally unsuspected of any criminal intention in so introducing the said Oliver to De. ponent. And this Deponent most itositively smith, he did nof, at any time during his intercourse otcon. stezion with the said Oliver, know, believe, er pect him to be a Government Spy, or believe him le be at all capable of the twicked acts which hese appeared before the. Public in so unequivocal a mos.•ter. JOSEPH MUCH ELL. Boom at the Guildhall. London, Ms 17th dos of h orolry. MN. Before ow, SMITH, Mops.. Mr. Mitchell intends to give a full narrative' et the whole proceedings between himself end Wirer, and in other matters connected with the Manchester end other Meetings for Reform. A Paper of this morning puts forth the followia ( Curious piece of information :••• " We can now state with cortfitleoce, that the destination of the line.of.hattle ships, which *ell.. tinned some days ago, is Copenhagen ; and the object is to bring to Cogiand her S;rene nighties the Prim. 'ceps of DENstAitz, the affianced bride of the Duke of CLARENCE. His Royal Highness the Hake recom. mends his flieti(l. Admiral Sir HENRY BLACKWOOD, to the agreeable duty of conducting the eapedition; but we understand that since the order for the equip. omit of the ships was given, a demur to•the union has occurred—not owing to the indispusition of the Royal Duke." SUlctoe OF A MORDEREILJOhrI Ilaifch, whore trial would have taken place at the Old Bsiley this day, for the murder of his wife, on Saturday last, io Uttion.street, put an end to bis existence this morning, soon after nine o'clock, by cutting his throat wit. the same razor that he empl.ived in mur dering his wife, and which he had contrived to secrete about him. He had, with several other prisoners, been ordered down for trial, and on his name being called he got up and went to the privy. The prisoners, who were at breakfast, hearing a noise like that of a person choking, forced the privy door, and found the wretched man on his knees, with his throat cat in a dreadful manner. The surgeons were called in, but lie was guile dead. A letter was found upon Mm, ex welting that he had kept the fatal razor with which, he killed his wife to take away his owu life. conviction of the Motion' meeting. the support of the Court. The Motion being then read, and no reply msde„ it was carried by a very great majority, only a few solitary individuals opposing it. Mr. Sheriff Dessuges having come into Court, Mr. DAVIE, submitted a motion to the Court, which' was carried unanimously, respecting the Sheriffs attending the Committee on the case of the late Execution. Mr. Dcsarrou said, his only object in refraining from attending the Committee, was from a wish to sustain the dignity of the of With respect to the delay, he begged to say, that the men were singing the last hymn, and he did not think it proper they should be dragged with it in their months to the scaf fold ; but as the delay of half an boor had been com plained of, the execution might hereafter be half an hour sooner. This observation smiled general indignation, and was followed by cries of "Shame, shame !" Several Members addressed the Court, expressing their high satisfaction with the explanation given by Mr. Sheriff Alderson, to whom a vote of Thanks was proposed. Another motion was made for including Sheriff Desanges in that motion, but rejected, and the Mo tion of 'thanks to Mr. Alderson was withdrawn. Mr. WAITHMAN expressing his opinion, that what had passed in Court would be equally satisfactory to that Gentlemen, and it-was withdrawn on the ground, that Mr. Sheriff Desanges not being included, it mitht appear as a vote of censure on his conduct. Several Gentlemen bore decided testimony to the conduct and humanity of Mr. Decanges, and appre hended that he had spoken as he did, from not being accustomed to address the Court.—The business was then amicably terminated. The Court adjourned at half-past four o'clock. I ~~Y . -