The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1826-04-18 00:00:00

• ••eaity for a larger torn market. The number of &mitre had r•Nly increased, and Mark-lan• was now an crowded by jobbers sod dealers, that it was dttficult to pass through it. Some acconimu. dleitosought to be procured for the convenience of those persons, )pt he could not consent to have that bought at the ex tit rive of in- NONE private property. The douse then divided, when there appeared for the original maim (Ow the Report be brought up)— Ayes, 76—Noes, 27—Majority in favour of the Bill, O. CORN LAWS. ...... Mv. //heti, Crowder appeared at the Bar of the Haase with levied's from the Lord Mayor and Corporation of the city of Loa ds*. against the Corn Law.. Mr. Alderman WOOD having moved that the petition be read, laid that, without a free trade in corn, it was impe4sible fur the lalbastscturers of this country to compete with foreigners. The oseettioners approved the principle of reciprocity in trade; they • dies& that a reduction should be made in the expenditure of the ISSatly, sod for that purpose suggested • reduction of the army, lbw the payment and support of which a great part of that expend'. art was incurred. The weight of taxation they thought oppressive. The market supply of agricultural produce had considerably de. sensed; the decrease of three months of this year. compared with thas of 1828, was of wheat, 67,677 quarters; barley. 79,937 quarters; ma, weep quarters: pollard. 30,0110 qu.aters. lie thought that tau laws in this respect should be amended, and would therefore .11grsuch &measure. WHITBIOHE said, that a mistake had been made rela. test* his motion respecting the Corn Laws. It was apprehended that be had postponed that motion to the 23d May. He now 'begged to correct that mistake, and to say that be would bring i•rwited that motion to-morrow, the 18th April. Ur. Alderman THOMPSON said he felt great satiefsetion to ant so i.rtelligent a body as the Corporation of London against the peineepl• of the Corn Laws. He thought it quite impossible for die manufacturers of this country to compete with those of foreign as doss, unless the principle of reciprocity was also extended to corn 114 well le manufactured articles. Without this the consequence would be, that the corn market would be closed; but it had been inquired of those who advocated the eziension of the principles sif free teed, to agricultural produce, becalm they thought that oithost it there would be no fair competition, are we to stop im. }seventent until an alterationis made in the Corn Laws While restrictive laws were in force, the agriculturist and the manufac. surer were on more equal terms. The restrictive system did not how exist, and the manufacturers asked the same protection. They lay. if foreign goods are allowed to enter on the principle of red. ltreeity, that principle should be extended to the importation of earn, by which they might be enabled to compete with foreigners. Me knew that great distress prevailed in the manure:taring dis tricts, and if there should be any failure of the crop next year, dia. • euntent and distutbance would be the inevitable consequence. Ile hoped the agricultural interest would join with the nianufacturing effect an alteration in the present Corn Laws. The petition was then read, and ordered to be printed. RECIPROCITY LAWS. • • - Six N. W. RIDLEY - presented • petition from the ship-owners ISunderland against the Reciprocity haws. lie maid he felt it his ditty to call the attention of the House to any subject which would restrain the commerce of the country ; under the system which had horn adopted, the tonnage of foreign ships entered into the ports of England had greatly increased ; from the year 11121, to the year la2S, there had beta an increase of one million of tolls. With those isoentries where the principle of reciprocity had been adopted, the Ma'am of foreign ships was very great, wh with those coun. fries where the contrary was adopted, the importation tonnage of lintish ships had Increased. Mr. BARING regretted that Ministers were not present. The subject before the House was an important one, and he therefore 'wetted that there was no Minister of the country then in his Rlace. Ha should hare been glad to hear the sentiments of the ight Hon. the President of the Board of Trade on the subject, and whether lie intended to propose any legislative measure relative to it, which might correct the injuries which were complained of. He did not think there had been sufficient time to try the experiment. It bad not had as yet sufficient time for a fair trial. The tonnage of toretin ships which had entered the ports had increased, but it did ram appear that that of English ships hal suffered any diminution. Ile thought this was not a question of national wealth, but uue of elitiOrlii power. Mr. ROBERTSON spoke against the measure. He wished rsesatlemett would retrace thew steps, which appeared to him the *nit miens of remedying the evils which were complained of. Mr. Hl'3lE—The lion. Member called upon the House to re. trees their steps. lie would call on the House to diminish the igneous weight of taxation. He would reed to their minds the espettch of his lamented friend Mr. Ricardo, who said, •• that if rosy dW not take off the tares from articles employed In ship. bedding, they would lose their trade." He was stare if they took *ethnic taxes. this country could compete with foreigners. They should take tiff the taxes on timber, iron, hemp, tallow, and every other article employed in ship-building, and then they could com pete with the intertst of any country. Mr. IRVING said that the ships of foreign nations, particularly MOM: employed in the timber trade. were very inferior to those of this country ; they were wit so well appointed ; the trade of Eno -I.sh ships was now almost entirely confined to the Colonial scads. After a few words (torn Mr. HEATHCO7Z and Mr. STzts. the paution was ordered to be printed. Auoithop: O.F.SLAVEY.. Mr. POWLETPTcesented petitions from Darlington and Bar used Castle, both in wham, praying for the abolition of Negro Slavery. Similar petitions were also presented by Sir W. Rowley, from ..Laysharn, Suffolk ; by Mr. Pym, from Vi'itney and Baniptoo, Os. tordabire ; by Sir William Ingilby, from Batton.on.the-Humber ; bi Mr. Wemyu, from Kirkcaldy, on the Frith of Forth ; by Lord ksiffir . igtun, front Barnstaple, Devonshire; and by Mr. Sykes, from • parish in Lincoln, and from Forfar. Ordered to be printed. CORN LAWS. Sir W. Rowley presenteti a petition from Corford against the Corn Laws; 111 r. Hume presented a similar petition front Berkshire ; end tlr. Byng, from the parish or All Saints, Poplar—Ordered to be printed. 11r. PELHA3I presented a petition from the landholders and tanners of Huntingdonshire, against any alteration in the Corn la es.—Ordered to be printed. CORONER'S SALARIES. fir J. ASTLEY presented a petition from the Coroners of Wiltshire, preying an increase of their salaries. Similar petitions were presented from slonmouthshire, by a Member whose name we could not ascertain, and from Northerly t by Mr. Cartwright.—Ordered to be printed. USURY LA WS. Sir T. AIOSTYN presented • petition from the town of Flint, p .ping fur a repeal of the Usury Lass.—Ordered to be printed. CURRENCY OF SCOTLAND. . Slf W. DVIC6:I; presented a petition from the obeeiwrighte of Smut Mary, Edinburgh, praying there might be no alteration 10. etre Scotch currency—Ordered to be printed. LIGII H OUSE DUES. Mr. ACME presented a petition from Cumbray. preying a re. d..ction of the Light-house dues.—Ordered to be printed. PROSECUTIONS FOR BLASPHEMY. Nfr. Hl'. Ml,. said he held in his band a petition, praying an al teration in the law under which individuals were prosecuted for blasphemy. The petitioners prayed that they might no longer be shilijetted to prosecution for entertaining or propagating any reli rows opinion whatever. In the prayer of this petition, he (Mr. flume) fully co..eurred. Ile thought it a most discreditable re- Amapa on England that individuals should have been thrown into prison fur three, tour, and rive years, arid that there should believe /a, so confined ever. at the present moment, for no offencesave that eotertaining opinions differing from others. lie was glad to ob. 64:f TO that the Secretary of State for the liome Department seemed priceirsed to put an end to that system of martyrdom which had pre vailed ; and he trusted the result would be that the prejudices misting against freedom of opinion would be gradually removed. It did appear singular, however, that the Right lion. Gentleman should hare caused the liberation of 31r. Carlile only. In his opi nion the liberation ought to have been extenuul to others now lying in prison for slander o ff ences. On the question that ti.e,petitio* be reed, . _ - Mr. Secretary PEEL said the ease of Mr. Carlile differed from time ut the other Individuals referred to by the lion. Member. TIN lung imprisonment Ruth:red by Mr. (*ride might be consi dered some commuted= of his Sat. Hr. Sergeant ONSLOW said no man was a greater advocate fee freedom of opinion than lie ; but the propagation of blasphemy he smoldered as highly dangerous. It went to attach the very fouodation of morality, anti destroy every virtuous principle. The law did not say a man might pot entertain—if such were Ms mi►for atana—blaphewoua opinions: it merely held. and he thought very oiselyohat these opinions were not to be propagated. The peution was then read, mid ordered to be printed. DUTY ON HOPS. Me CURTEIS pre;ented a petition front a part of Surrey, the mato of which we could not hear, praying a repeal of the duty un bepa.--Ordered to be printed. _____ _INSOLVENT DEBTORS. DENNAtiptesenZsaiOpeliZoniitw; a solicitor of the same of Bright, previa& an alteration in that part of the law relat. stig to Insolvent Debtors, which confined prisoners within the wells tae prison.—Otuerett to be pri•tted. NEW LAW COURTS. Me. A BERCHOiII iiii said he had to ireitent a petition from a Heatieman named Farquharson, who informed the House that he ea itt the habit of attending the Courts of Equity, in the capacity of short-hand writer, for the purpose of formatting the suitors of OW Cowls, anti the Nay Times newspaper, with reports of the causes which traaapited. On applying for admission to such a si teauon in the new Court of Chancery as would enable hint to exe cute his professional duty, he was refused it, and was told by the diem that they had rveeived an order from the Judge presiding in Oat Court to exclude all reporters. The petitioner therefore prayed dise the House would Interpose its attihurity. lie (Mr. Aber. &forth' , ) knew r.mhing more than the facts a' stated in Pie petition, winch he thought deserving the at'ention of the House. lie be lieved it was Tow admitted that reporters performed an Important flay to the public (hear), and they ought, in his opinion, to have an op i:t-t uuity a/Forded them of giving reports accurately. It was maw great advantage to suitors to be able .o obtain, by employ lag • hand writers, faithful reports of the causes in which they sat i ght iso interested. He trusted the Court of Chancery would not Ise ye:stilts...l to exclude reporters. If it were, It would be the only Owen lei which such exclusion was practised. Tue SOLICITOH.G k:SEHAL believed the Court to which Ibe Man. GeL.tletnaa had alluded was out the mat soureutent, but he believed no such order u that complained of in the petition had been given by the I sard Chancellor. Mr. SCA It L ETT thought reporters ought to be afforded every poesible facility. He hail seen the Court of Chancery, and a more inconvenient or more contemptible Court had never before fallen 'miler his inspectiOn. The accommodation for the Bar was of the worst description. In tut, the whole structure he considered a dis grace to the country. With the King's Bench lie was greatly dis• appointed. Almost all the defer a of the common Courts had found their way into this. The Court of Exchequer was the best, as regarded form. It was the most spacious, but here also the de fects which existed in the old Court had been preserved. The space, which was confined enough, but of which they might have availed themselves. had been frittered away; the money which hail been expended had been expended fruitlessly. Ile did not mean by these observations to speak disrespectfully of the arAitect ; hut he could not help observing. that the money which had been ex pended in the eonatruction of winding passages, useless galleries, and contemptible ornament, would, if properly applied, have fur niahed Courts coral to all the purposes for which they were re. quired. He was sorry he had not persisted in the 'notion he gave notice of daring the last Session, for an alteration of the Courts. There had been passages constructed running parallel to Westmin ster Hall, which took up room that ought to have been given to the Courts. Ile thought the public had been put to an enormous expense, from whichit hid derived very little in the shape of accom modation. ...... The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER. after the strong language which had fallen from the Honourable and Learned Oen tlemsn who had just sat down, felt !linnet. called upon to say a few words on the subject. lie tilt this, nut only on his own ac count, but because the reputation of the architect was involved to a certain extent. Five or six years ago it was thought the Law Coups ought all to have direct communication with Westminster flail, and it was therefore determined that they should be erected where they now are. The room was very circumscribed, and the architect (.lr. Stunt) had to do the best he could, the limited space placing him under circumstances of peculiar difficulty. What had dist gentleman to do? Ile twirl not consult all the Indlvi duals who might be interested in the issue; he could not ask those gentlemen to form themselves into &consulting committee. lie there fore called on the Judges, showed them the plans, and made such alterations in them In obedience to their suggestions IN the circum stances would permit. The lion. and Learned Gentleman must recollect, that he himself had a peat deal of communication with the architect on the subject 7 he went aver every part of the build. Ingo, and he (the Cliancel!or ot the Exchequer), did fluter himself that every suggestion had been attended to which the space allowed of. The paasage which had been alluded to, rooting parallel to Westminster Hall, so far front being an inconvenience, was, he always understood, an indkpensable means of communication ; but supposing it wrong, what more could be done than taking the opi nions which had directed him ? If he failed after having followed them, he individually must be held blimeable. lie could not help saying he was sorry the Hon. and Learned Gentleman had made use of such severe terms ; fur the hands of the architect were tied up ; he had to get the buildings in a space not at ali adequate to the purposes for which they were to be erected. Ile could say without hesitation, that no man in England could have tot them into so small a compass. The principal object of his rising was to clear the professional character ot the gentleman who had been en. gageu, from any thing that might be supposed to attach to its dis credit, in consequence of the strong observations proceeding from the Hon. and Learned Gentleman. Mr. StA KLETT said a tew words in explanation, but spoke in so low a tone of voice that we could not hear them. _ _ Sir M. W. RIDLEY thought the evils arose out of ilesignsbeing received from only a limited number of architects. In all public works they ought to receive the plans of young men ; if they did this they would find the competition productive of the most bene ficial results. In his opinion they ought to adopt the system of the Universities, who gave prizes *molding to the merits of the designs that might be presented. By the system now prevalent young men were kept back. whatever might be their talents. The architect of the beautiful church at Chelsea would have been ' unknown but for accident. There were others he might mention as exemplifications of this. There was Mr. Harrison of Chester. and several others who afforded ample proofs of the impolicy of limiting the number to a Soane or a Scott. Mr. 11.81/3INER said the orders of Mr. Some were peremp tory. Last year it was strongly recommended by a Committee to build some additional Committee rooms, as the House suffered truck Inconvenience from the ins•fficiency of those above stairs. Perhaps they could not do better then appropriate the new courts. They wanted twelve additional Committee twins, out of which not mote than twocronnaratively miserable ones had been furnished. lle had heard no sufficient reasons assigned for non-attendance to this desire, iie intended to move soon for an inquiry as to whether the convenience above reined to could not be provided. . . hlr. ABERCH()111111E replied. bnt was inaudible. and the petition was ordered to be laid on the table. USC . RI' LAWS. On the motion that the House do resolve Itself into a Commit tee of Ways and Means, The CHANCELIAIR of the EXCHIN,KTER, in answer to a question from Mr. Calcraft, said he should wish to postpone any discussion on the Usury Laws until the next session. His reasons for this must be obvious. t Hear.) The House was just now oc cupied with discussions which, in consequence of the distresses of the country, were of more immediate importance. (Hear.) There were at present Committees inquiring into the banking business of the eountry,and the result of their labours might furnish some evidence That would bear materially on the present question. He thought if it were postponed it might be discussed at some future period more advantageou .Iy. He trusted the Hon. and Learned Member with whom the motion originated (Mr. Sergeant Onslow) would accede to his proposition. Should he, press it to a second reading, he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) could not, under the circumstances, give the measure his support. He put it row en. tirely on the question of time, and had suggested what lie consi dered would most conduce to public convenience. (Hear, hear.) • Mr. PHILLIPS objected to the postponement. Ile said yea afar year had passed, and yet his lion. and Learned Friend had not been able to effect what he considered a measure of considerable importance. Mr. Sergeant ONSLOW had no objection to the proposed ar rangement, in regard to any inconvenience which might result to himself. The difficulty however which he looked to was not of a personal nature, but respected the length of time which had elapsed since the measure was originally brought forward. It was too great a delay to have waited for a period of ten years, without formingl, some opinion on the subject which would enable the House to decide on its merits, as well at the present as at a subsequent time. He was of opinion that the measure in question would ap pear before the House with a better grace, if it was recommended or introduced by his Majesty's Ministers. Indsed„ he hoped that they would interest themselves on the occasion as it deserved ; and he should feel great pleasure if Ministers took the business nut of his hods. If that mode had been adopted at an earlier period, and oe would go so far as to say that the public opinion was in its Avour—much of the misery which had been experienced at the close of last year would have been removed, as the facility thereby affitriled of procuring means must have proportionably relieved the public distress. (Hear, hear.) Ile was willing, as far as re. girded himself, to agree with the suggestion of the Hon. Member for Wareham (Mr. Ca/rix ft). to discuss the point immediately after the Committee of Ways and Means, or if the principle were adopted by3lioisteri, to postpone the consideration of it. But he was anxious that the measure, which he deemed of greatutility, should not be altogether defeated. Mr. Seesetary PEEL said he did oat understand that his Right Hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer,ohjected to the prin. eiple of the measure, but to the present time as inconesnient for its adoption or discussion. The state of the currency was now in • state of uncertainty, in consequence of measures which had in that respect been passed by the House, concerning England, and those of a similar kind which were under contemplation as applicable to Ireland and Scotland. Ditring the recess of Parliament there would be a sufficient time allowed to elapse for the adjustment or the system to which he had referred, and as that interval would furnish • salutary delay, he was of opinion that it would be premature at present to agitate the question. He would undertake to say that.in the interval between the present Session and the next, the subject should be seriously considered; and if it were found to be proper for the foundation of such proceedings as were contemplated, be felt no difficulty in assuring the lion. Member who advocated it, that the measure should be brought forward at an early period. The Hon's, then resolved itself into • C 03131117 EE OF WAYS AND MEANS. ...... . The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he wished to explain the nature of those proceedings which had oc. curred in respect to the new funding of lexeliequer bills, and which were the foundation of sonic Resolutions that he intended to pro. pose. In consequence of the advances made by the Bank of Eng land dining the recent pecuniary difficulties, it was thought proper to fund eight millions of Exchequer bills, to relieve the Bank from the injuries which its exertions had caused to the establishment. The mode proposed for that purpose was, to fund In the 4 per Cents., the price of which was to be taken at 95. A proposition to that effect had been transmitted to the City on Wednesday lost. The terms stated that the measure should so operate as that interest should be paid on the bills, Irony the sth of April current, to the 10th of October. There was also another proposal made, so that by the joint operation of the two the result would be to give a bonus of 2 per cent. The subscriptions made nn that day had jus tified the measure to the full extent, for they amounted to nine millions, which was as much as was requisite, but if the process had continued for a few days longer, nudoubt could be entertained that there would be a great increase in the amount. A stop, how. ever, had been put to the reception of any further applications, as what had been subscribed that thy would be sufficient to relieve the market of the requisite a ....... mot Exchequer bills, and to com pensate the Bank of England. It was provided that those bills should not be redeemable in less titan seven years. The charge caused by the funding of the eight millions, would amount to 8.560,000/. • at 4 per cent. there would be an amo u nt of 34.5,000/. To pay oethe difference, it was proposed that there should bee sinking fund of seki,oool. at the rate of 1 per cent. on the difference. The management was estimated at 2.5d1V. Thus the charge on the difference would amount to 77.11001. Ile meant to propose that that *um should be taken from the Consolidated Fund: He had statet: on a former occasion, that there would be a surplus in the consolidated fund to the amount of 140.000/. ai that it would ex. empt the public from any direct charge. lie therefore meant to propose that the persons who had subscribed for the eight millions should be entitled to receive so much stock as would be equivalent to their 4 per cents. Mr. IRVING asked a question (as we understood) regarding the paying off of the two millions eureka,. The CHANCEI.I,OI4 of the EXCHEQUER said that the understanding with the Bank of England was, that they should be paid aithe six millions which had been advanced by thou lot the accommodation of the public. and that could be effected by what had been subscribed during the day. Mr. IRVING was satisfied with the answer. Captain MA BERM' made some observations which we could not distinctly heat, sheeting the amount of the sinking fund to be created in the present instance fur paying off the eight millions. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCIII:QI'ER replied that there was a mistake in supposing that he prorm.ed to create a sinking fund for the r ight millions of Exchequer Rills. All that he meant to apply a sinking furd to was on the difference between the eight millions and the amount of the unfunded ; that would be 560,990/. _ In answer to • question from Sir J. WROTTESLEY, in re ference to the lime at which the payments were to be effected, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed that it would be rash to specify any particular period for the purpose. They were not under any obligation in that respect, and he con ceived it would have been highly imprudent to have assigned any time, as such a course would be likely to produce mischief. The Government and the Bank were both anxious that the payment* should be made as soon as possible, tut an announcement of a cer tain time for that measure would have the injurious effect of causing a too sudden alteration in the currency, from which betiOUS evils might be apprehended. Sir J, WHOTTESLEY inquired. if it was not intended to pa more than thesis millions to the B a nk, what was to be done with ti *nimbi.' of two millions ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated that the surplus would render a less amount requisite to be called for. Sir F. 0 MIR ANE V made some remarks on the preference sheen to those subscribers who proposed to give cash, to the prejudice of those who offered Exchequer Balla. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he was not aware of any such partiality as had been alleged by the Honour able Baronet, mode in favour of one class of subscribers to the prejudice of others. The ninde in which the affair was to be managed had been published to the world in the document trans nntted by Government to the City on Wednesday. The House then resumed, and progrc-4 was reported. The Re port was ordered to be brought up to-morrow. CRIMINAL JUSTICE. On the motion of Mr. Secretary PEEL the House resolved itself Intrf • Committee on the further consideration of the Bill on the Criminal Law. Mr. Secretary PEEI. wished to mention to the House that there were some clauses to come before them, which he deemed of some importance. The Right lion. Gentleman proceeded to address the House, but in so colloquial a tone as to be in many instances inaudible in the Gallery. lie wished to direct the attention of the house to the first deltic in the Bill, which he conceived to be of great importance. It regarded the powers of magistrates uto the admission of parties to bail. Those had not been hitherto suffi ciently defined. and it was his intention to introduce a more spe cific mode. The clause in questi ut was that headed, .` Wno may be admitted to bail on Mlony,ar suspicion of felony, and who not." Ile proposed, when a person charged with felony on positive or creditable evidence should be brought before more Justices than one, and if it should he their opinion there sou a strong premium. non of the criminality of the person charged, that in such case he should be committed to prison. If the party were taken before a single Justice, and it appeared that there was strong ground for the charge, then it would be competent for such one magistrate to detain the prisoner until another Magistrate should be called in to the vials:once of the former, In which case the course of proceed. ingsshould be simil ar t o w h at was to take place as if the matter originally went before more Magistrates titan one. There was also a provision, that if there should be a person taken on suspicion of felony, or on felony, it should be in the power of the Justices, according to their discretion, to admit the accused to bail. It was extremely injurious to the morality of the public, that unfounded charges of felony should lead to commitments. The necessary of preventing that species of injury to the community would be evident to every person who looked to the numerous cases which have occurred during late years of commitments for felonies which were not persevered in. Toose who in such instances were sent to prison generally returned to society with depraved habits acquired during their detention. Ile had therefore in serted the word " credible." as a qualification of' the evidence necessary to justify the Magistrates in committing. Now, if two Justices did not think there was sufficient cause to commit for f.dony. the clause gave them power to admit the person charged to bail, and when the ease came before one Magistrate, lie was invested with the power to detain until another was called in. It was of course well-known that the Justices of the Court of King's Beneh possessed the privilege with which the clause empowered Magistrates to set, but the process of the Court of King's Bench re quired an expense too great to allow the practice to be so general as was desirable. Mr. SCA R LETT (as we understood) said that Magistrates had already exercised the power adverted to, and the introduction of the clause was therefore unnecessary. Mr. DENMAN agreed in the principle of the Bill, but he did not think it was possilie to distinguish the variety of charges which might be brought before Magistrates in the minute manner which it was proposed by the Bill to discriminate them. Much of the nicety of such solutions must remain in the breast of the Ma gistrates, and could not be reduced to writing. As to the word •' credible," he thought that there were some cases in which the expression would be ambiguous. Persons were frequently rendered incompetent witnesses by the commission of crimes for which the law had deprived them Of the power of giving evidence. When the we was one of a doubtful nature, be thought the better mode would be, to admit to bail instead of remanding. He wished that all the clauses should be separately printed, and that the House might be enabled to see their bearings fully before the Bill was adopted. Mr. Secretary PEEL said the clause to which he had called their attention appeared to hint of material consequence, and he was therefore anxious to introduce It to the notice of the Hause. It was not, however, intended, by its operation, to restrict the Ma gistrates of any power they already possessed in that respect. Whatever might be the technical meaning of the word credible," he did not expect that any injury would result from so qualifying the evidence adduced in support of the charge. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said, that the legal construc tion of the word •• credible" referred to the circumstances and cha racter of the witness. Mr. CARUS WILSON made some suggestion, which we could not hear. Dlr. Secretary PEEL observed. in regard to what had been pro posed by the lion. Member, that he experienced great hesitation in introducing new words in the hurry of a moment. He frequently found, when such a course had been adopted, that the words so incorporated materially affected and injured the meaning of what they were proposed to remedy. The clauses of the Bill had re ceiveti the most mature consideration, and he could not consent to accept an alteration suddenly advanced. lle would, however, take a memorandum of the suggestion for future consideration. Mr. TREMAYNE said •a few word* which were inaudible in the gallery. Mr. CIIETWVND (as we could collect the meaning) thought it would be better thus one Magistrate should have the power of bailing, in cases where the elau►o provided two. The clause was then agreed to. On the next clause being put, Mr. HORACE TWISS suggested that it would be proper to Introduce an amendment, to the effect, that in no case should a trial proceed until all the informations and examinations were be fore the Court. 111 r. Secretary PEEL objected that such a provision would be of a mischievous tendency, as it would facilitate a collusion be. tween the parties accused and prosecuting, who might then by withholding the documents defeat justice. On the principle of the danger which might thus accrues he disapproved of the sug. geation. The ATTORNEYMENERA I. agreed in the view taken by hit Right lion. Friend ; but besides the objection of collusion, it might frequently produce greut inconvenience to the prisoner that his trial should he postponed to the next Sessions or Assizes, for want of those informations which it was nut in his power to produce. The clause was then agreed to. The next clause was then proposed, when The ATTORNEV.OENERAL suggested that the examlna.. tion should be returned to the Clerk of Assize as soon as the Judges entered the Assize town. Mr. BY RES made some observation, which was inaudible. After some observations from Sir George Chet wynd, Mr. Secre. tars Peel, and the Hon. George Lamb, the clause was agreed to . Upon the reading of the next clause, Mr. Secretary PEEL said. thgt it was intended to affect the existing law, by which magistrates wera empowered to commit for misdemeanours without any written examinations. This clause made it peremptory on magistrates to commit only on written examinations, for misdemeanors. The clause was agreed to without discussion. L'outi the reading of the next clause, Mr. HUME said, that he was one of those who did not correctly know what was meant by benefit of clergy.. Ile was sure ninny other persons were a lso on. informed on this point, and it would be desirable either that it should be fully exnlained, or the distinction altogether abolished. Mr. Secretary PEEL said he was ore of those whn thought the distinction between clergyable felonies, tied those which were not so, might be advantageously abolished. !forever, that distinction was so closely connected with our criminal law. that it would not be wise to make any alteration until the criminal statutes were: in some degree simplified and consolidated. Next session he hoped to submit to the House a proposition for consolidating the criminal law as it affected injuries done to the person, coining and forgery. An opportunity would then arise for the discussion of this subject. but it was an closely connected with the existing law, that he thought it would be advisable to postpone the consideration of it until greater progress was made in consolidating the criminal law. Alter. • few words from Sir E. KNATCHBULL, the clause was agreed to. Lord JOHN RUSSELL objected to the clause referring to pri. gloom refusing to plead. Ile thought that a prisoner standing mute ought to have his trial the same as if he pleaded not guilty. It did rot mixer necessary to the ends of justice that a prisoner under such circumstances should be considered guilty without a trial. Mr. Secretary PEEL said, it very rarely happened that a pri. twiner was found guilty on standing smite. The Judge always im pressed on hint the necessity of pleading not guilty. Mr. I)ENMAN thought that what had fallen from his Noble Friend f Lord J. Russell) was well worth considering. It did not seem necessary to the justice of the country that • prisoner refusing toplead should be found guilty. Ile had heard it suggested that prisoner, upon being brought 111 the bar, should be told the charge against him, and that the Court should then proceed to the proof, witoout calling upon the prisoner either to confess or to deny his guilt. Mr. SCARLETT said there was no wrong done to the pri goner. The Judge uniformly urged him to plead, indeed more strongly than wise necessary ; and when the prisoner continued mute. the Judge usually ordered a plea of not guilty to be record. ed. and the Uhl! proceeded. Mr. Secretary PEEL said that he did not reject nor adopt the suggestions thrown out, but would reserve them for further consi deration. The Bill now before the House was only intended to effect certain improvements; but no doubt there were many which It did not embrace, and which might be very advantageously consi dered on It future occasion. Mr. Alderman WOOD thought that calling upon prisoners to plead was a mere farce. for in almost every case it was the gaoler pleaded, and not the prisoner. After a few words from the ATTORIeEI•GENERAL and Mr. Secretary PEET., the clause was agreed to. The next clause read by the CHAIRMAN enacted that an ac cessory before the fact should iu all Mill be liable to the same pu. nisiiment as the principals in the tint and second degree. Mr. SCARLETT objec.•ed to this clause. The House was called upon. by assenting to this abstract proposition. to make va rious offences capital which were not now so. He could easily con ceive cases where it might be unjust to inflict the same punishment upon an accessory before the fact as upon the principals. A per. son might employ another to rob a house, and the instrument in perpetrating the robbery might be induced to commit murder. The accessory betiire the fact, therefore,niight not in all cases be consider ed equally culpable with the principal. He did not think it was necessary to confound two offences, which this enactment must ine vitably do. Mr. Secretary PEEL said that, in preparing the Bill before the House, he had endeavoured in every instance to consult the prin ciple of the laws of England, and the general principle seemed to he, that tin accessory before the fact was liable to the same punishment as a principal in the first or second degree. He did not say that there might not be cases where the moral guilt of the putties was not the same ; but the principle was quite clear, and it was acted upon in all cusea, except when it was omitted through negligence MI the pan of the framers of Acts of Parliament. The clause now before the Committie was only intended to extend the general principle, by supplying what he could only consider omissions in certain ill drawn statutes. The Hon. and Learned Gentleman (Mr. Scarlett) had referred to cases where an accessory before the fact tau nut morally as guilty as the principal : but there were sometimes cases in which a greater degree of guilt attached to the accessory before the fact than to the principal. (Hear.) For instance, where a boy was employed to rob the house, was not the person who employed hire more culpable than the actual offender? (Hear, hear.) Accessories before the tact were liable to equal punishment, by the existing laws, in eases of murder, burglary, arson, forgery, and various other offences; and there was no reason why the same principle should not apply to unnatural crimes, for instance, where, by the negligence of those who framed the Act of Parliament, it did not now apply. The object of the clause was merely an extension of tits general principles of the law of England to cases in which it had been oniuttett. 31r. St:ARIA:TT only wishrd that the cases in which this principle was about to be applied should be distinctly brought forward. The House was now about to make many oliCncescapi tal which were not no before. Mr. Secretary PEEL would assure the Hon. and Learned Gentleman that he wait by no means disposed to increase the num ber of capital offences. Mr. Sl'A KLETT suggested that the further consideration of this clause should be postponed and that, in the meantime, the offences to which itshould apply might be mentioned in the preamble to the clause. Alr. Secretary PEEL said he was most willing to meet the lion. and Learned Gentleman's suggestion, by recommitting the Bill, in order to enable the Committee to enter into the further consult ra non cf the view taken by the Hon. and Learned Gentleman, who would then have an opportunity of moving an amendment, it he persevered in his opposition. On the clause that regarded the allegation of the offence in two or more counties, that the prisoner might be tried in either, SYKEa rose, and sail, that he could not but think that justice migh be rendered in a better way than by the propose(' clause. It might be that a certain offence having been committed, there might be a confusion as to two counties ; what he should pro. Pose wcfl, th t, n all cases the prisoner should be either tried in the minty wh r apprehended, or where the diem was committed, for though t ere might be a matter of doubt as to the latter, there never roul.l be as o the 107111er. In a case of bigamy which bad been tried to fore a Court in which be (Mr. Sykes) presided. the man was I• d cted under the Act of James 1., which Act provided that the offender might be tried either in the county where the mar riage took place or where apprehended ; he was tried where ap prehended, and convicted. The difficulty which he felt as to the clause might be obviated by a slight alteration. Mr. Secretary PEEL considered that the alter ition contempl dui by the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Sykes) would be very inconvenient. If the trial was to take place where the offender was apprehended it would be a considerable hardship to the person having to make his defence, by having to take his witnesses from the county where the offence was committed to that in; which he might he appre. hended, and which might be at a very great distance. The same objection would of course apply to the parties prosecuting. There might also be considerable difficulty in determining the county in which a prisoner was apprehended. lie might be taken in a boat on a river dividing two counties. He thought the House could not consent to such a material alteration as that proposed. Mr. SCA KLETT said, in respect to the boundary line, and the distance of 500 yards, it must be considered, that if there was any doubt about the boundary, the same doubt must exist as to the 500 yards. Ifthere was matter of doubt as to the one, there must be as to the other. Mr. PEEL said that the clause in luestion as to the boundary was not a mew one, it was merely a re-enact:neat of the old laws. The clause was then agreed to. The other clauses were then agreed to, and the House having resumed, the report was brought up, and testi, and ordered to be reconsidered on Friday next. LARCENY LA WS. Mr. Secretary PEEL moved the order of the day for the recommit. ment of the Bill on the Larceny haws. Ile hoped the House would have no objection to going into COITIMit:Ce. in order to give him an opportunity of amending the Bill. Ile prop,sed to consolidate the laws regarding theft. He found that all the laws relating to the malicious deattuction of property were intimately connected with the laws of larceny. It occurred to him, in consequence, to endea vour to embrace in the same Act the laws relating to theft and to the noiAchievous or malicious destruction of property. As the House seemed disposed to give the matter some attention, he wished that the matter might go through the Committee, that he might have an opportunity of making some alterations, and of ex plaining bib views, and the further consideration of the Bill in its mature form be deferred till a future period. Mr. SCA Rik. FT recommended the postponement of the de. tailed consideration of the several clauses. He thought the eflbrts of the Right lion. Gentleman were as honourable to himself as they were benefizial to the country; but a matter of so much import ance ought not to be conducted with precipitancy. The House having resolved itself into a Committee on the BM. Mr. Secretary PEEL proceeded to state its objects. I t was his first wish to reduce the punishment of death. As the law now stood,lit was a capital offence to steal in a church or chapel, an that if a prayer-book were stolen in a church the punishment would be death ; but property contained in churches would not be less secure if the latter were put ott a footing with dwelling-houses. Ile, therefore, proposed to confine the capital punishment to the crime of feloniously breaking into a church or chapel. In like manner, it seemed too severe to inflict the highest penalty of the law for stealing in a booth. Again, it was a capital offence to steal to the value of 404. in a dwelling-house. Irthe sum were raised to W. it would he more consonant to the original spirit of the law, and would nut lessen in any d egree the security of property; he therefor proposed to make that alteration. In the case of stealing fish, or brtaking the mound of a pond, it was felony by several Acts; lie wished to ex cept anglers from capital punishment.—lle proposed that all who were convicted of unlawfully taking fish by angle, should be pu. niched by fine instead of transportation The laws relating tp deer. stealing again presented a number of hardships ; any person who within one month after the theft was found in possession of a deer. akin, or of venison, might be brought before a Magistrate, and all the onus was thrown upon him—for he was obliged to disprove the charge, lie proposed to leave out that clause altogether ; deer would not be less secure, if comprised within the game provisions which guarded sheep and cattle. The laws relating to the off,atce of obtaining goods under false pretences also required some amend ment : it would be deslrous to prevent the culprits from the alter native of making the crime appear larceny, instead of swindling.— It appeared to him p ossible to comprise in 30 pages the substauce of 100 statutes ; and that would be a better course to adopt than to make the alterations proposed the subject of a new statute at that late hour of the night. Ile hoped the house would excuse his going into all the clauses of the Bill, as they would be better understood when the lion. Members had them in a printed shape. After a tew words from Mr. Denman, Mr. Estcourt, Mr. Scat. lett, Mr. Peel. Mr. Davies Gilbert, and Mr. V. Fitzgerald, The House resumed, and the Report was ordered to be taken into further consideration on Tuesday next. INSOLVENT DEBTORS' BILL. The Insolvent Debtors' Bill was read a third time, and passed. The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at Oxa O'CLOCK. DEATIor CAPTA4N ALEXANDER, R.N., C.B.—This gallant officer died while serving at Rangoon in the month of No vember last. Captain A. entered his Majesty's service in April, 1795, and was made a Lieutenant in January, 11102. In April, 11309, he was promoted to the rank of Commander, and shortly after acted in the command of the %Anoints. In 1812 Captain A. was appointed to the Devastation bomb. vessel, was employed in the Baltic. and subsequently on the coast of North America. While commanding the Devastation, he was present at the destruction of Fort Washington, and the espittila tion of Alexandria, in the river Potowmac, in August, 1814. In the month of October fallowing, he landed with a party of two hundred seamen and marines, at a Naze called Parker's Point, where he was attacked by an enemy's force of 114 eavalry and 1,1000 infantry, with live field pieces, which, by the good con. duct of .he detachment under his orders, lie repulsed, taking 1.000 prisoners and 20 horses, and afterwards re-embarked without loss. l!aptain A. was honoured for his gallant services, by being nomi. nated a Companion of the Bath, in 1815. He was appointed in the spring of 11122, to his Majesty's ship Alligator, fitting out in the River, in which ship he proceeded to the Bust Indies. where Iris valuable life was terminated by cholera while commanding the flo tilla at Rangoon. Captain A. was highly respected, both in his private and public character, and has left a widow and children to lament his loss, Ile was in the 41st year of his age. PRICES OF BRITISH Moak Stock 292 1 per Cent. Red. 79t I I per Cent. Cum 79* * 79 j 74 Ditto Acct. 794 479 78j 11, per Cent. 99 per Cent. Red. 854 Sei New 4 per Cent. 96 949 95 1.11114:3 011 YOBEION 0010111)101n Bodds Mond. '1142C Oa 40 Pi 9 i Pik 40a Sl/1 401 391 1 Ditto Acct. :191 a 401 38a 9 q 41 SP a 40f Danish Bonds (11,28) to tect. M 51 1r Pranch Rent,. b per Cent. Ditto Acet. hilt. 9 s change 2St. 80e. Gesdalluara Bonds Goattmala Bonds Antio•Meslean ITOCRS YESTIRDAT. Long Ann. I 9 i IV Indl■ Stock 22:3 ladle. Rondo 11 pus Ex. Rills IOW& 7 9 Bpa Ditto 6901. ti 7pm Ditto Small 9 7 pro Lottery Tickets 211. I is. STOCKS EriTh. Greek Bonds Ditto Bonda '1626) 14e bleidean Bonds Ditto Acct. 62 Ditto Bonds DM) 60 1 0 / I Ditto Acct. 60 691 616 ao . . Peruvian Bonds 26 it 6 Ditto Acct. 26 Russian pond. 761 Ditto Acct. 61 4 Spank') Bond. N 1 34 f Ditto Bonds . 16 23, I - - PRICE.' Of 'RAI NI. On 1r1 . 221:F. 11 : 00 1 0 )4Y ----- ". 185 :::ths [IS. Share. Paid. .. 41 0 0 so nit, Isisria•Chttlan Beskallisn 11.1tish Iron ...... .................. ...—• •• 100 60 jai di. Paseo•Pernvian Tialpusahua • 400 40 20 d y Baited lie:lean ... ........... .. • ........... 40 20 lAtto New...... ASS 0••MCIII COilltikailifi. *Udine. British Ind Foreign ...... ...... ... 100 10 A c h l Palladlam .... .................... ...• ..'...:. lie 2 f dt, Protector Win 25 1 I cu i • Cht Vrtos. DRURY-LANE THEATRE. Under the Patronage of their Royal Highnesses the Dadra of Roused the Duke% sees and Gionreotrr. FOR THE BENEFIT OP TILE WESTERN PHILANTHROPIC INSTITUTION, For the Relief of the Necernitmis and !)serving Poor. This Evening, TUE:WAY, April 18, will be performed the Tragedy of BRUTUS ; or, THE PALI. OP Lucius Junius Brutus, Mr. Pelby 2d appearance on tide Sties, ; Thu. Mr. liounge. Tuiliv, Mrs. Bunn ; Tatquinia, Mrs.W. Welt. After which the Divertilement of THE CAMP. Principal Dancers, Mr. Noble and MN. Barnett. To conclude with the Farce of TURN OUT. Restive, Mr. Dovrton ; Somerville, Mr. Horn; Doctor Tractile, Mr. ; Forage, Mr. J. Russell ; Gregory, Mr. Harley. Mania, Kelly; Peggy, Miss C. Carr. COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE. nu Evening, TURAIDAY, April IS, will be performed thsc Grand Romantic and Fairy Opera of OBERON ; or, THE ELF-KING'S OATH. ma Overture and the whole of the Musk tomposad by Carl Marla Volt Weber. The principal Characters by Mewsrv. Brabant, Cooper, Durant, C. Blend : J. fiasco, and Tlnney ; bflases Paton, Lacy, and E. Li u's . ; Madame Ventrls, and Mrs. I . avenport. To CUM. ;Ude nub the Farce of CENT. PER Mr. Pennyforthing, Mr. W. Farren ; Colonel Tumbril, Mr. Blimehard; Ur. O'Rafterty. Mr. Connor t Starch, 111. Jones; bibbs, lir. bleadors. Mro. Pennyfarthlng, Mr.. Vining. The naITIIIII Pares commenced pualshine on yesterday mom. log at a quarter past fire o'clock. LONDON, TUESDAY, Ann 18, 1821. The French Papers which we have received contain no intelligence of general interest. The Chamber of Depu its Attinues to be occupied in discussions about laws Yds' vs to commercial details. The private correspondence trots Berlin, which we have translated from the Journal del De. hats, contains a variety of speculations about the affairs of Europe, whielt agree in many particulars with the view which we took of the subject in our paper of the 27th March, though the conclusions differ considerably from those at which we had arrived:— [From the Pilote.] MADRID, APRIL 3. The King has issued a decree on the rules to be observed to ob. twin patents for the invention, introduction, and improvement of machines, instruments, processes, and methods, in the sciences and the arts. This decree states in substance, that any person, of whatever condition or nation, who proposes to introduce such ma chines, ik.c. shall have the sole use and property of th rr. if he conforms to the laws and police regulations on the subject. Another equally important decree orders that on St. Fertlinsta's day, 1827, there shall be a public exhibition of the productions of Spanish manufacture. These two decrees sufficiently shew the generous sentiments of the Monarch, and his desire to make the nation which he governs rise from the state of profound ignorance in which it is now plunged. It would be no wonder if some oe- Calf power should succeed in checking these salutary intentions. In a word, the two last Gazettes containing these decrees An in teresting ; they also announce a collection of lithographic prime of the best pictures in the Royal Museum at Madrid, the first pivots of which have already been laid before his Majesty. The public continue to talk of abduction, inquisition, and of a thousand projects ; but it must be observed, that if a plan should be conceived and determined upon by any party, there would not be a man capable of carrying it into execution. The protium'. tions of Mina have been represented to the King as forgone' pro. ceeding from the Apostolic Junta, with a view to overthrow the established order of things; fur what does the clergy desire except that the parties may come to an open rupture, that it may be able during that time to enjoy in peace the immense revenues which it possesses. Reports are prevalent of insurrectivies said to have broken out in La Mancha. PARTS, APRIL IL A letter from Carlsbad* of March 7, says that Captain Ruttberg, who had just arrived there front Taanrog, had brought ;sciatic. tory accounts of the health of the Empress Eliztbeth, who was to leave Taganrog at the end of February,to go to Kaluga. near Mos cow. As the date of the departure of Captain R. from Taganrog, is not mentioned, we cannot say a heth.ar the news of the alarm ing symptoms of her Majesty's disorder, mentioned in the German Journals, deserves more credit. [From the Constitut;onnell An extraordinary courier suit from Zante to Missolonghi, te• turned on the 19th March, and reported that he had seen &A lines under Gouras and Karaiskaki, on Mount Zy:ms, in the emirs, of the place, employed in harassing the I,:n ji ink of the bang's. The general assembly appears to h;:ve terminated its labuur , . Three dictators, ( Conduriottit, Coletti and Jaintes ),hate been ap• pointed. THE BRITISH PRESS. [From the Munihtsr of Saturday, April 15 PARIS, A ram 14. The St. Petersburgh Journals of 28th and 30th March have bees received. They contain the details of the removal of the body of the late Emperor, and of the obsequies. This health of her hope rial Ilighness the Grand Duchess Helen would not permit her to be present at these public ceremonies. After the inhumation of the body of the Emperor Alexander, the Imperial Sceptre and Glob• were carried to the winter palace. In consequence of an express order of his Majesty the Emperor Nicholas, Count Lieren ha had the honour to deliver the sword of the late Emperor to her ,Majval the Empress Mother. On the 29th of March, Lord Strangford had a public *wham to present his credentlihr to the Emperor. [From the Journal dcs Debats.l Ilent.tx, Aron. 4. (PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE.) It is said that Russia and England have agreed to act in concert. and, having measured their power of action in the levant, they have come to the conclusion that, having the complete command, the one by land and the other by sea, no power can possibly pre vent them from making such arrangtments as may wit both; on the other hand, no power is sufficiently strong to prevent their going to war, if their interests, being opposed, should drive them into a struggle. Now, as they are not so anxious for securing general peace as for maintainin4 peace with each other, they hart determined to act in concert in whatever measures they may &dart respecting Turkey. All interference, on the part of the whet Powers, would only serve to embarrass the question. Prossis ha no direct interest, and would willingly leave the aff.iir to freesia. The Austrian policy is too closely identified with the preservation of Turkey, to render it practicable to bring her to enter into any negotiation which should not have the integrity of the Ottoman empire for its basis. The 'et of taking possession of Moldmis and Wallachia, and placing Austria as a barrier between Habit and Turkey, is too bold a measure for 3letternich. Besides. Russia does not seem to be disposed to renounce all f the advantages which !Ilse bee , secoted to her by the treaty of 1812, and others preceding it. The notion that the Russian a". spirators wished to restore part of the conquered provinces to their neighbour: was one of the principal causes of the popular aversion to their schemes, the people being still intoxicated with the FOP." • Quere Carlsruhe ?