The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1824-02-14 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTAIt l' INTELLIGENCE. HOUSE OF LORDS, FRIDAY, Fsz. 13. Mr.Maatia, from the India House, presented the annual accounts of all penalties, salaries, and gratuities, presented by the Company, together with on account of allowances made to certain ships ir. the service. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY, by his Majesty's command, laid on the table the returns of the number olitonvicts ?.elllCflrl7i to transportation, confined on board prison ships, which were (milted to be printed. The Noble Earl also laid on the table. a return of the state of appeals and writs of error, at present before the llottse. ('()AL DUTIES. Earl GROSVF:NOIt presented a petition from the Mayor, RRonler, and Burger.sea of the Borough of Shaftesbury, praying a Repeal of the Duties on Coals, tarried coastwise.--Onlc. - esi to be laid. on the table, OFFICES IN REVERSION. Earl GROSVENOII stated that he should take that opportunity of moving for a return of all offices in the reversion, front January 1824, to Janhery 1824. It was a motion precisely similar to the one tie made Lott Session, with the exception of dates. The motion beingread and agreed to, the Noble Earl remarked, that the Clerk eaf Parliament and the Chief Justice General of Scotland were ex ceptions to the rule laid down, and the Noble Earl oppesite (Liver pool) last year wished to refer the place of Clerk of Parliament to a Committee of the House. But all desire of referring these places to the consideration of the House seemed now to he abandoned, and the recommendation respecting them to be disregarded. We understood the Noble Earl, who spoke in a very low tone across the table, particularly alluded to the appointment to the Clerkship of the Pella and the office of Remembrancer of the Exchequer. The Earl of LIVERPOOL, in reply, said two othc.s had be come vacant, the Clerkship of the Pell* and the Remembrancer of the Exchequer. The duties of the Clerk of the Pella had been performed by deputy, and the deputy was responsible ; but it was now proposed to make the principal perthrm the duties of the office. The office of Remembrancer of the Exchequer was one of great importance, and executed by deputy also. It was intended that the person holding that office should in future perform the duties it imposes in person. That branch of the Exchequer was about to be revised before any permanent arrangement was made. The appointments that had been made were merely temporary, until plans could be finally settled, and until it could be ascertained what permanent arrangement could best be made. It was desir able that a new arrangement should take place with regard to the Clerk in Parliament . • and he thought it would be of service that a Committee should be appointed on the subject at a future period. The Marquis of LANSDOWN said that there certainly was an understanding that a Bill should be brought in to abolish such places as had been recommended for abolition. The Earl of LIVERPOOL (across the table) replied, that the whole system was undergoing revision. THE TREAD -MILL. • • •• • The Marquis of LAKlibilliilat;;;;d7that whilst he was on hit legs he would take the opportunity of saying a few words on a sti!sjsiil that had of late caused a great sensation, and one that re quired their Lordships' early investigation ; he alluded to the re :l36cm of prisons, more especially with reference to labour. A misunderstanding had taken place regarding a Bill that had been introduced last Session, inflicting punishment on prisoners, which is was mat desirable and important should no longer exist. The pen ishment of the tread-mill ought in no case to be enforced, but against prisoners convicted of crime. When the question was mooted in the Committee, the clause he war about to reel was specially in serted as a guide to Magistrates, and nothing could be clearer than that clause was. After reading it, he considered it impossible that a doubt could be lei on the mind of any man as to its application; but as it would seem doubts had arisen, and misunderstandings had gone forth on this question, so vitally important to Englishmen, he could recommend that a positive penal enactment should re strain any Magistrate from punishing prisoners previous to their conviction. He remembered perfectly well when the Bill went through the committee, there were twenty Peers present, many of whom were Magistrates themselves; and the clause he referred to was specifically framed to prevent the possibility of mistakes on the subject. The Noble Marquis here read the clause that he had alluded to, which stated that due provision should be made in every prison for the punishment at the tread-mill toe such prisoners as were sentenced thereto, and for the employment of others. His Lordship, in continuation, remarked that in his view nothing could be more clear than that the clause was only intended to apply to convicted prisoners. lie did not know if any correspondence had taken place with the Secretary of State fur the Home Department on the subject ; but he was quite sure there could be but one opinion as to the application of the clause in both branches of the Legislature. It was lamentable to reflect on the use that had been made of a clause which he was convinced their Lordships on passing it thought it impossible could lead to misin terpretsuon. The Legislature hail been in search of a punishment that might in some instances supersede that of transportation, the ignominious stamp of which should attach to guilt, and guilt ex. elusively. But persons in authority had frustrated the intention of Parliament, by inflicting a punishment intended for prisoners really tonvieW of crime, on those who, by we law of England, were considered innocent, they not having been proved guilty. If say doubt could exist as to tic wording of it, no time should be lost in mailing the clause which had been thus ~ misunderstood, and wh was only intended to apply to persons senesced to hard labour, and certainly not to prisoners before trial. The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, that where punishment had been inflicted previous to sentence being passed on a prisoner, he should be inclined to think it a violation of the letter, but err taint), it was a violation of the spirit of the Act. (Hear.) The employment of prisoners at hard labour before and after conviction were very different ; in the one instance it might be done with the best effect, but in the other it ought not to take place. The words were certainly ambiguous, and had been misunderstood by Ma gistrates. He thought the evil ought to be remedied altogether. COURT OF CHANCERY. The LORD CHANCELLOR assured the House that he had not been unmindful of its recommendation relative to the practice ......... - of his Court; but those who were best lammed on the subject ware not saniruine as to the result. Their Lordships adjourned to Mooday. 110 USE OF COMMONS, Fiumr, Fss.l2. COAL DUTY. Sit W. LEMON presented a petition from the inhabitants of radstow. in Cornwall, for a repeal of the duty on Sea-borne Coal. Mr. TREMA YNE presented a similar petition from the inha bLaats of St. Amide. in the same county. Lewd VOLKSTONE presnted a petition from the innkeepers of New Sarum. for a reduction of the Licence Duty. On the motion of Mr. /11131 E, the following gentlemen were appointed on the Select Committee, relative to the emigration of artisans : Mr. Lambe, Mr. 31aberty, 31r. Baring, Sir G. Clarke ; and they were appointed accordingly. Mr. HUME gave notice that when the Bills relative to the Post office were brought forward, he should move that newspapers be aliawed to pass to the Colonies free, as they arc through Lnglivad and 1 relat.d. 31r. BERRIES moved the second reading of the Bill respect ing the eel •al of the Post-oCier from Lombard-street. Ordered to be committed on Monday next. !I r. Dill:3lsloND presented a Bill for the improvement of the ishcries in the River Thames. The House then resolved itself rata a Committee. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thcn moved for a continuation of the duty of Is. per lb. on tobacco and snuff ban being Mali) imported into Great liritain. lie further moved for the continuation of the annual sugar duties. Mr. HUME observed it was quite clear that if the duties on si:gar were lessened, the consumption would be considerably in creased, and thus render ir.finite service to the West India Islands; cad he saw no reason why they should trot be at the same rate which they were before the war, because they were laid on in con sequence of it ; and he was quite satisfied it would be wore ask:rt. tagoous to the country in every sense of the word. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER paid that the duties to which the Hon. Member referred, were annual duties, and it would require considerable caution before they sacrificed a sum of three millions and a half. As they only continued from Year to year, he thought any such motion as the lion. Gentleman (Mr. Home) suggested would be premature. Mr.H(111116 instimil Yaw atus:a, by the three Acts, was the duty per hundred wei gh t. The CHANG LIAR of the EXCHEQUER replied, that by, the Geo. 111. the whole of the duties had been consolidated sat- Obe. • . Mr. HUME wished to move, as an amendment, that the duty of lbs. per cwt. should stand, instead of the present rate. He oh served, that up to the year 1791 the duty had been only 12a. and that it continued increasing until it was raised to 245. per cwt., and frinn that to MM.. at which rate it bad been ter some time since. He said that it had been expressly declared, and el ways considered a war duty. He wait therefore uider the neces sity of taking the opinion of the Mouse on the subject, and Minn posing that the duty temuld be las. per cwt., the rate at which it was before the war. Ile felt perfectly wished that the Chancellor, by taking off a million and a half, would not lose half a million, because of the greater consumption which would be the conse quence of it. He (3lr. Hume) was sure that the public voice would go with him, and that it was certain that the revenue could affo-d to do what would be of so much utility. lle would there. fore move that lb& per cwt. and no more, be the duty in future imposed on sugar. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he had no ilea that the lion. Gentleman (Mr. Hume) or any other person intended to oppose his motion ; in consequence of which he lthe liancellor of the I..;• .chequer) was totally unprepared on the sub ject, and should feel considerable dilSculty in discussing it. Ile would therefore withdraw it, until a better opportunity fur bringing it forward presented itself. The motion was withdrawn. lie then moved a continuation of the duty of Excise on foreign spirits and sweets. And also that la millions of Exchequer Bills be granted for the services cf Ile further moved that the sum of two millions, being part of the sum granted for the services of 1323, be applied to the services ti 11121. Ile then moved that the sum of 4,11M01101. be granted fur the payment of the naval and military pensions. Teat 1i0.41001. be paid into the Treasury by the East India Com. t rt'y, being the idlowauces tootle to his Majesty's officers and .Itiirra %trying in Iran". for a vote to authorise the issue of Exchequer whs. and also for the fisheries. ied that the balance remaining in the Bank of The flames Puns consurineed publishing yesterday muting at five o'clock. LONDON, SATURDAY, FtuuuAny 11, 1821. We regret to know that the mischievous spirit of fanati cism, as regards the negro slaves, is yet afloat in tl.is country, and the abolition missionaries are again getting together meetings, to try still further to endanger the lives and properties of the IVest India residents and proprietors. What these men have to do with this question it would to hard to discover; but their disinterested zeal knows no bounds, and they are reckless of all consequences. They may meet and agree to petitions, but such documents will now meet very little attention from Parliament. The King's sentiments and recommendation will have some what more weight than the opinions of either Mr.lVilber force and Mr. Buxton, or any of their missionaries, how ever pious and disinterested. Ministers have already shown a disposition to do every thing for the amelio ration of the condition of the ncgroes, consistent with common prudence or safety : they have gone even be yond the feelings of the planters and West India residents. Alarming dangers have already arisen from the discussions of last Session, and yet the subject, in the present terrifying crisis, is to be renewed. What pos sible benefit can be expected to arise from these petitions? Ministers will not concede the ruin of the West Ir.diei to them—Parliament will not slight the recommendation of prisoners then working at it being thrown on their backs the Crown, and the suggestions of common prudence, and from that height, with the chance of extreme injury ; yield, to the visionary plans of a few uninterested huh- that the labour and posture of the body on this machine viduals, the destruction o f th e mos t valuable colonies of !are so exhausting to the strength as not to be capable Great Britain. We were in hopes that no discussions lof endurance for more than a quarter of an hour at would have been prcssed fot ward on this measure during a time, and at Edinburgh and other places only seven the present Session—that the feelings that now agitate the I minutes and half were risked ; that strains in the negroes and proprietors would be suffered to subside, before muscles and organs immediately called into exercise, have the dangerous question was again renewed, and the whole on various occasions taken place ; that in consequence business left in the hands of Ministers, to whose die- !of these united causes, female prisoners have been obliged cretion it might be sally trusted. But the missionaries to descend front the Tread-mill under most painful cir engaged in the pious warfare against life and proptTty, I cumstances, and have, in consequence, in atveral prisons, under the pretence of the salvation of souls, have no idea been exempted from this species of labour; that in this of any respite : they have sounded their trumpet before the I mode of punishment there is only one degree, as well walls of Jericho again, and th e ir fanatic adherents have as kind — so that the tried and the untried, and criminals I rallied at the blast. Parliament will once more be beset with lof all descriptions, have been mixed and confounded toge their petitions, and the preachers of the sable crusade, I ther, and subjected to the same degree of punishment. Messrs. ‘Vilberforce and Buxton, appear in front of the ; From all these statements it has been deduced, as a neces- I crowd of visionaries. The report of the discussions will ; nary consequence, that it is expedient, as well for the pur again visit the Hirst Indies, and new discontents and insur- poses of justice, as the just and salutary application of rections he the probable consequences. It is melancholy prison labour that an instrument of discipline very differ 'to reflect how much michief may flow from perverted zeal. ; ent from the Tread-mill should be resorted to. But should ; No man can look to the renewed consequences of these ! this mode of punishment still be preserved, the visitation measures without the deepest alarm. We might hope the I should only be inflicted on those capable of bearing it, and threatening mischief might possibly rass away, but that it I who have been legally sentenced. To doom the untried to is conceived by men who never yet paused in their selfish I a punishment of this severe and degrading description, is and infatuated career, from any regard to the consequences.' most unjust, and wholly inconsistent with the spirit of But the visitation cannot fall on Mem; Meli have nothing ! our laws. We hope to see the practice done away with to lose ; insurrection n:ay rage through the IVcst Indies altogether. without involving to them the loss of a shilling. Mr. Bux ton, when his own interests and monopoly were threatened, resisted the innovation most determinedly ; but he does not care how deeply his experiments affect the property and safety of his neighbours. This he and his followers call benevolence and philanthropy F How •cheaply both vir tues can be exercised when it costs only a speech and a few tears and groans to do so ! The negroes drink no beer, or Mr. Buxton would probably be very quiet and silent. He does not deal in rum or sugar, and therefore the holy work of regeneration proceeds vigorously. If any of these peti tions shall be presented and a discussion arise, we trust that any propositions founded upon them, in the existing state of things, will be met by Parliament with a decided ne gative ; no other decision can preserve the West Indies from certain destruction. The Greeks are proceeding, with unabated vigour, in their career of emancipation, and everywhere pressing their ferocious oppressors. Accounts from Syra, to the 2d of January, state that an expedition had been armed by the gallant Christians against their enemies in ruined Scio. The Greek troops, to the number of four thousand, had landed near the fortress that commands the island, and had routed the Turkish bands who opposed them, and driven them into the castle, where they were besieged. A squa dron of twelve Hydriote and Ipsariot vessels, with three fire-ships, cruised before the island, so as to cutoff all suc cour from the barbarians, who were inclosed within the fortress, and hopelessly beleaguered by the Greek troops. Several of the principal Sciotes, who escaped the horrible massacre of 1822, distinguished by their character and wealth, were at the head of this expedition ; and it is re markable (the account from Syra states) that the great number of the present advisers and heads of the armament now directed against Scio, are among those who were warmly opposed to the first ill-combined attempt of the Samians in 1822: but the time and circumstances are altogether different. They also bear the principal ex nses of the present expedition. A batwing train, suf.. ficient to reduce the fortress in the island, was embarked at Napoli de Romania, and had arrived at Scio. Several vessels, freighted with ammunition and provisions, bad also sailed from Syra for the same destination. Thus Selo is likely again to be in the hands of the Greeks, and they will probably execute a dreadful vengeance and a just re taliation on a portion of the sanguinary barbarians, who spread murder and destruction through that lovely island. Ruins are all round them, and call up the memory of the dreadful past. Can they, in the hour of victory, be calm and self-possessed amid such recollections? Should they exterminate the Turkish garrison, will it be any thing but an act of justice, and sanctioned by every principle of even civilized war? These barbarians, in 1522, spared neither age nor sex. Can they now hope for mercy themselves? And, should the Greeks retaliate, can it be termed wanton and sanguinary atrocity, when we recollect the unparalleled horrors of hapless Scio, and what its peaceful inhabitants endured ? The Marquis of Lansdown, last night, alluded to the gross injustice of extending the punishment of the tread mill to unconvicted prisoners. He reprobated strongly such an arbitrary discipline within our prisons, and stated that if this mode of labour was to continue, it should only be visited on those who were legally sentenced to the in fliction. Lord Liverpool, in reply, repeated, in substance, the sentiments of Mr. Pcel in the House of Commons the night before. In his opinion (the first Minister said), such an infliction, on unsentenced prisoners, was a viola tion of the letter, it was certainly a violation of the spirit, of the Act. Of the injustice and illegality of such ar bitrary measures, there can, we imagine, he now no doubt. Ministers themselves think so ; and the oppression will, in consequence, be done away with. In fact, the current of po pular feeling, which at first flowed strongly, almost without opposition, in favour of this instrument of severe punish ment, has now taken a contrary course. The application of this mode of discipline is practically proscribed in so many cases, as already to render it any thing bat a general in strument of punishment; and if women, the ruptured, the scrofulous, and those afflicted with varices to any ex tent, are considered unfit objects for the trying exercise of the wheel, it is clear a great proportion of the inmates of a prison will be exempted from it; and either left idle, or some other mode of labour and punishment must be de vised for them. To Mr. Cubitt, of Ipswich, is generally I assigned the introduction of the use of the tread-wheel into prisons: but the invention, we believe, is not due to him. An instrument, of nearly the same de scription, was some years since made use of in this country, at the warehouses of the East India Com pany, having been introduced by a Mr. Hardie, Ivlto I obtained a patent for the construction. A wheel of almost the same description was also early known to the Chinese, who used it for the purposes of irrigation. Sir John C. Ilippisley, while investigating the consequences of the tread-mill, and de-irous of ascertaining the state of the crane machinery in the East India Company's warehouses, procured a report to he drawn up by the principal officers of the warehouse department, from which it appears that serious accidents bad occurred in the use of these cranes ; that they were considered more dangerous than the cap stan ; that in two particular instances laboums were so severely injured as to be pensioned by the Company ; and that the cranes were at length discontinued and taken down. Several detailed objections have been made to the Tread-mill : first, that from its extreme height and compli cation, there is always peat 'dangcr of its breaking, and the BRIGHTON, FEB. 12. DEPARTURE Of THE KING FOR WINDSOI.—The King has left us, and, it Is feared, fur an absence of several months. His Majesty, accompsotei in his travelling carriage by the Marquis Conyngham, and Sir William Knighton, left the Pavilion precisely at half-past twelve o'clock, r. x. .not for Carlton l'alace, but to proceed direct to Windsor. The military, the 58th infantry, and the 7th royal hus sars, were drawn up, extending from the north gate of the Palace, with the colours, bands, drums, trumpets, and bugles, of the several corps, together with a loyal and crowded a.vemblage of :own 's peeple. The National An them was played as the SJvereign passed, with the usual ceremony of lowering the colours, and presenting arms. The King was attended by au escort of the 7th hussars. In the midst of our regrets we have the consolation to know that his Majesty left us in perfectly re-established health. The whole of the royal establishment, excepting those who are usually entrusted with the care of the Palace, will have left us by the end of the week. l'rior to the departure of the King for Windsor, his Majesty, with the Marquis Conyngham and Sir Wm. Knighton, proceeded in his travelling carriage, at noon, to the Marine Parade, to survey the chain pia, and from which his 34:kit sty returned to the Palace in about half an hour, and, without alighting, departed, as above stated. The Duke and Duchess of Clarence, by appointment, went to the House of Lords on Thursday, to view the new Royal Gallery, &c. Their Royal Highnesses were accom panied by two of the Misses Fttzclarence, &c. The Peers' door was opened, and the Officers of the House were in at tendance to wait on their Royal Highnesses; as were Mr. `Doane, the Architect ; Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt, Usher of the Black Rod; and Mr. Wright, Deputy Housekeeper of the house of Lords. The Royal and distinguished party having examined the New Gallery, with which they were much delighted, then passed through the House of Lords, viewed the Throne, &c., went to the House of Commons; and after that, severally examined the new Law Courts in Westminster Hall. The party expressed high admiration of the improvements, and of the rapidity with which they have been executed. Mr. Mackenziearrived yesterday morning at the Colonial ()dice,. in Downinkstrets, with despatches from Van Dieman's Lang i• _ Hobart Town Gazelles of the Ist September were re ceived at the New England Coffee-house yesterday. They mention the arrival, from England, of the ship Commodore Hayes, Captain Moncrief, with '216 male convicts. She had on board the head-quarters and staff of the 3d regi ment of infantry (or Built.) There had been a General Meeting at Hobart Town of the merchants, landholders, and respectable inhabitants, when an abstract of a regula tion for the Bank was agreed to, and a large portion of the shares subscrib:Al for. The Chairman of the Meeting, with a deputation of twelve gentlemen, had afterwards an interview with the Lieutenant-Governor, for the purpose of requesting him to obtain a charter from his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, which his honour promised imme diately to solicit. It is determined to separate the Governments of Malta and of the lonian Islands, which were conjointly held by the late Sir Thomas ]Maitland. The former is to be given to the Marquis of Hastings, with a salary of 60001. a year •, the latter to Sir Frederick Adam, with one of 40001. per annum.—The command of the forms in the Mediter ranean will not be included, as heretofore, in the Govern ment of Malta.—Courier. The appointment of the Marquis of Hastings to the Governorship of Malta, to which is added the Command in-Chief of the Forces in the Mediterranean; and of Sir Frederick Main, to be Lord High Commissioner in the lonian Islands, %%id appear in the Gualle of this evening I We are glad to Perceive by the Irish papers that an Ith plessont affair, likely to lead to a duel, has been amicably adjusted. The',parties, Mr. S. Rice, M.P., and Mr. O'Gra dy (second son of the Chief Baron), arc highly respectable and valuable members of society, and it w therefore be the more to be regretted, should any act of fatal ho stility take place to the injury or loss of either of them. The amicable adjustment has been arranged, we under stand, principally through the judicious interference of Colonel Talbot, the patriotic member of the county of Dublin, who acted as the friend of Mr. Rice, and through (/' .Taal interposition Mr. rady was induced to retract the objectionable expressions he had uttered towards the Earl of Limerick, the father-in-law of Mr. Rice. This is not the only occasion on which the interference of Col. I Talbot has been eminently useful in matters of this kind. I When Mr. 11. Grattan denominated the late Lord Clare the " Irish Jefferies," he acted as the friend of Mr. Grattan in his duel with the present Lord Claw., and prevented, by his judicious suggestions, the bloodsiwil that otherwise in ight have followed. Whilst paying this tribute to the private I diameter of Camel 'l'alboS, wa are.alaa ready to hear tes tiinony to the integrity of his public conduct, and the eon , sistency with which he has always adhered to the political principles on which he first professed to act in public life. A remarkable proof of this consistency and firm attach ment to principle was given in the Irish Parliament when he gave a casting vote in favour of a Speaker of the Ilouse (Mr. Ponsonby) although the Government was opposed to his nomination, and Mr. 'l'ul'oot was at that time Aid-de- camp to the L ord Lieutenant. REV. El/WARD IRVING.—The Eilinlotres Slur, after) quoting the story in the Fiji. Herald, of the offer of the living of Leslie to this Gentleman, says, " iVe have good reasons for questioning the truth of the above report." The eighth anniversary of the Royal Universal Dispen sary fcr Children was celebrated on Thursday by a public dinner, at the City of London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street. At six o'clock his Royal Highness the Duke of York enured the room, accompanied by Lord Bolton, Sir C. Flower, Bart , Alderman Thompson, Alderman Garratt, R. Bernal, ALP. ' Alderman Key, C. Barclay, Esq.. the lion. and Rev. E. J. Tartour, Dr. J. B. Davis, H. Read, Esq., ll'. lionbury, Esq., George Durant, Esq., and several other Gentlemen. _ _ _ On Friday last the Nlagistrates of Reading heard infor mations preferred against Mr. Adams and Mr. Tilley, re tail brewers in that town, under 35 lien. 111. c. 113, for selling beer by retail, not !wing duty licrnsed so to do. After the use hail been argued by the Counsel on both sides, the Alayor postponed judgment till iVednesday next, in the hope that the speclal case in the King's Bench may be in the mean time decided. That case differs from this, how ever, inasmuch cs there the defendants had no licence to retail from the Excise, whereas at Reading they had such licence. • lie then mo7t -I 1 it:lls foe public fie thin propos' England be paid into the Treasury, provided it does not exceed the sum of 100,01101. Mr. BRIGHT observed that the did/ on rum stood precisely in the same situation as the duty on sugar. The CiItINCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the Hon. Gentleman was prejudging the question. It would be open to ob jections when the sums were voted. Mr. BRIGHT said that his object was to keep the discussion open, and not to du to-day what they might be called upon to undo to-morrow. The CHAIRMAN then left the chair, and the Report was or. tleattl to be received on Monday. RECIPROCITY DUTIES BILL. The !louse again resolved itself into a Committer, on the mo tion of 31r. HUSKISSON, to consider of the repe al of the Re- 1 cipeoeity Duties Bill. Mr. Iit'SKISSON observed that a power had been given b the Act to permit the vessels of any foreign state to carry British meta:ant/ire on the same terns as British vessels. The Act had been rendered necessary when there was, between the United States of America and the N est India Islands, an extensive commercial intercourse, in pursuance of the intention to contravene Anieri. can duties, by placing ditties of tonnage on any vessel discharging her cargo at the %Vest India Islands, of sixty cents per ton; and the object was, to contravene other foreign powers by placing an equivalent duty. The contravene duties were resorted to by his Majesty's :Blowers, when these and other circumstances rendered such a step necessary. His object was now to obtain their repeal, which would be of advantage to all parties. They bad been only adopted with a wish that they should be repealed when there was no longer any necessity for them. Mr. ROBERTSON observed, that a very different statement had been •Ti l j w t h mad a e t l; s y enc th e e h b e 31 arr il yat te no l w io i n nor A e l than . ever ember f" regretted. 1)n /n a former debate it hail been declared by the Ministers, that the Reciprocity Bill had been of the greatest utility to Ireland, for that in tOnsequence of it additional vessels, containing 22,000 tons, had dischargol their cargoes in the ports of England. But he 131 r. Robertson) knew, that all the small craft and pleasure. boats had been included in this number. He confessed his sato nishment at the statement now made by the lion. Gentleman (the Chancellor of the Exchequer). Mr. HUSKISSON observed, that he did not expect to hear re vived the debates of last year. It was a maxim that all ships, whe ther American or otherwise, ought to be allowed the importation of their own goods. Report ordered to be received on Monday. Lord A. HAMILTON asked a question relative to the Scotch Under Commissary Courts, and wished to ascertain whether any Acts of Sederunt had been transmitted by the Secretary of State to Scotland. Mr. PEEL said he should feel happy in giving the Noble Lord the information he desired, as soon as he could obtain it. DISTRAINING GROWING CROPS FOR RENT. Lord A LTHORP rose, in pursuance of the Lotice which he had given, to move for leave to bring in a Bill to amend and alter so much of the .'et of :Nth Geo. 111. which extended to Ireland, the power of landlords to distrain growing crops for rent ; and he felt assured that there would be no objection to the proposition which he wished the House to adopt, as it wss not only a matter of policy that should induce the repeal of this Act, but one also of humanity to the poorer classes in Ireland, and he therefore could nut antici pate any opposition to his motion. N Sir J. EWPORT seconded the motion, and argued against the cruelty and injustice of the operation of this Act ; but his ob servations were made in so low a tone of voice as to render it im possible for us to catch the context of them. 3lr. GOI'LBI'ItN did not rise with a view of opposing the motion of the Noble Lord ; indeed, on the contrary, he thought the subject required investigation ; but although not now dissent. ing from the Noble Lord's proposition, he must not be considered as agreeing to support the measure to the full extent that the Noble Mover seemed inclined t 0,.. .as he thought it would be a dangerous principle to establish to deprive the landlord of the means of en forcing the payment of rent that might be due to him: it would have the effect of completely destroying credit and confi dence between landlord and tenant, and be thereby prejudicial to those interests which it was evidently the object of the Noble Lord to protect ; but he thought that a partial repeal of this Act was ne cessary, and it might be well to consider if it could not be as bene ficially extended to this country as to Ireland. 3lr. GRATTAN observed, that the lion. Member who had just sat down had rather mistaken the nature of the Bill which his Noble Friend now proposed to introduce, as its object was not to deprive the landlord of his remedy by distress, but to prevent a keeper being set on his ground to watch the progress of the grow ing crops, and which keeper the tenant had to support. There was not much of this in that part of the country where he (Mr. Grattan) resided, but he knew that in some parts of Ireland this act operated most vexatiously and oppressively. Leave given. SOUTH AMERICAN PROVINCES. SirJA 111 ES MACINTOSH gave notice, that be should re serve to himself some day in klarch, for the purpose of ►ringing before the House a question of great importance, viz. the present state of the relations of this country, and those colonies in South Anierica which were lately subject to Spain. He did not prune the day on which he should introduce his motion, as he was will ing and desirous that his Majesty's Ministers should, in the inter. val, take the question out of his hands, by corning forward them selves with an oplicit communication ritspezting this matter. The House egen adjourned. PRICES OF BRITISH Bank Stock 2371 3 per Cent. Reduced. 213 2 3 per Cen‘Cons. 914 g I I 34 per Cott. 1004 g 4 per Cent. 109 4 I g 4 New 4 pet Cents. 106 g a Long Annuities, 22 9-16 7-10 Imperial 3 per Cents. Rank for Account Cons. for Act. till a rocks YESTERDA V. India Sad!, Indw Bondi, 75 72 pr. India for Account, South Sea Stock, South Sea Old Annuities South Sea New Annuities Ex. 8i11i,1,0001. 40 35 Ditto, 5001. 40 35 Dit.o, Small, 40 33 pr. Lottery Tickets. 101. 194. PRICES OF FOREIGN Austrian Scrip, tij 7171 j j Pr. Ditto tOr Acrt. 7 7} Chilion Bonds, 110 j a 110 Ditto for Account itd j j Colmb. Bonds, 71 I 2 2 1 I . . 4 Du. foe Account, 71 3211 11 2 5 Danish Bonds OS 1 99 Ditto 31arka Banco. slex. Scrip, 51 1 1 1 t i 6 pr. I)itto for Account 5 5 6Si 6 pr. Nespoli.an Bonds, 131 Ditto for the Account Ditto Scrip 1 1 1 pr. Prussian Boras, 9•21 3 Ditto lioi.ds (lily). 91 Ditto for Account 915 COURSE OF EXCH. Amsterdam C. P. 12 2 Ditto, at sight - 11 19 Rotterdam - 12 3 Antwerp . - 12 4 Ilahiburgh - 67 3 Altona - 117 1 - Paris, 3 days' sight 25 lio Ditto - - 23110 Bourdeau 7C 25 fit/ - Berlin - - 7 10 Frankfort-on-the-312in 1554 Petershurgli - it Vienna - 10 10 Trieste - - 10 10 Madrid - 3t;4 Catli‘ . . 3.1 J Kilboa - . 351 Barcelona - 35 Seville . . 35. Gibraltar - . 30., STOCKS YESTERDAY. Portuguese Scrip Russian Bonds, 924 4 2 1 1 i a Ditto for Acct. 924 1 A nglo Me:. Alines, United do. 14 04 d pm. par Spanish 5 per Ct. C0n5.244 tit Ditto for Acct. 244 ' Ditto 170 & 2i5 Bonds, Ditto .5 per Cts. (111• Mi 174 11 1 Ditto for the Account 171 Dutch' Bonds 94 Exchange 12 Fr. Renter, 981. 97f. 7k. 901. 971. 7k. 981. 2k. Do. Ex. 25f. Mk. bk. 4k. Do. Scrip. 94 1.1 d A bpm. Ditto for the Account 1114 pm. NGE YESTERDAY. Leghorn - 464 Genoa - Venice . - 27 Aloha . - 45 Naples . Palermo 115 Lisbon 514 Oporto - 514 Rio Janeiro . 49 Bahia - 51 Dublin Cork • BULLION. .C. s.d. Portugal Gold in coin 0 0 0 Foreitn Gold in bars 3 17 New Doubloons :1 14 U New Dollars 11 4 94 Silver in bars 0 d 11 M AILS. Ai itivr.n-1 Ilamburgh. 1? .. 1 - E 7 1 Hamburgh ; 1 Holland, and 1 Flandrr. rote WOO* SITTOo• FASIIIO3I.IIILE INTALLIGENCE. The Duke of Gloucester entermined a large party to dinner yes terday, at Moon-stet House. Park-lane. Mr. Secretary tanning will have a grand dinn er -p ar ty to-morrow, Gloucester Lodge, Oldßrompton. The lion. Mr. and Mrs. Agar Ellis entertained the Marquis and Marchioness of l.anadown and a large party. to dinner, yestenlsy, at their house in Springy gardens. Mr.and Lady M. alpole had a dinner-party yesterday, at their house, in Lower Grosvenor-street. C. It. Ellis, Esq. M. P. entertained Viscount and Viscountess Granville and a distinguished party at dinner yesterday, at his house in Audley-square. The Countess of Listowel gives her first rout for the season, on Monday next, at Kingston house. Mrs. Rau had a select circle of fashionable yesterday evening, at her house in Portland-place. The Duke of Portland arrived on Thursday. at his house in St. James's-square, from his seat, iVelhick,Notts. The Earl of St. Germans left town on Thursday, for his seat in Cornwall. Sir C. and Lady Codrington and family, have arrived at their house in Park.lase, from their seat, Dodington Park, Glouces tershire. Lord Charles Townahend left Goold's Hotel, Jermyn-street, yesterday, for his new residence, Berney Park. T. R. Kemp', Esq. M.P. has armed in Bridge.stree, West. mincer, from Brig hton. J. S. Manling, Esq. left the British Hotel, Jcrmyn.street, yes. today, for Brighton. lion. Thomas Stapleton left the Earl of Falmouth's, in St. James's-square, yesterday, for Tunbridge Wells. Sir Abraham Hume, Ban. has arrived in town from Brighton. Arrivals at the Royal Hotel, St. Jantes's.street :—Hon. Mr. Twisleton, front a tour; C. Beard, Esq. from Cheltenham; Rob. Stewart, Esq. from Scotland. Departuress—Robert Stewart, Esq. for Oxford ; Foxier Hicks, Esq. for Brighton. Arrivals at tong's Hotel, Bon4-street :—Sir James Williams and Son, from the Continent; Captain Forbes, K. N. frost Chat. ham ; J. Edmunds, Esq. from Oxford ; Captain Harvey, front Brighton. Departures :—Sir Godfrey Webster, for his sem, Battle Abbey, Sussex ; Major Meyriek and Captain Osborne, fur Paris. Sir Charles Saxton, Bart. has arrived at the Albany from a tour. Colonel Gordon has arrived in town from Brighton. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. FRENCH PA The Paris Papers of Wednesday arrived last night, by Express. The following are extracts:— [From the Coarrier Francais.] FRANKFORT, FIB. & Letters from Petersburgh, dated 14th January, state. that the General of Infantry, Count Rostopschin, who wa s rendered so co . lebrated by the burning of Moscow, wus about to receive his dis. missal from the Russian Service • as yet be bad only a provisional leave of absence, of which he had taken advantage, by travelli ng to Paris since his return, this has been changed - to a definitive leave. PARIS. FEE. 10. A SUMMARY Or THE SPEECHES Or THE ENGLISTI MINISTERS IX PARLIAMENT. These Speeches were looked for as the interpreting Orades of Destiny; they were to have decided that great qumuon which at pment fixes the attention of the world—that of the Colonies._ 6e United States had ►poken :—we were waiting with impatience to know whether there was an accordance between the ducteines of the two countries. We have now the sentiments of both :- 1. Every Country ha*a right to reconquer its Colonies. 2. Spain might use this right in regard to its Colonies. 3. The United States and England will consider it corthary to honour and justice to oppose it. 4. The United States refuse to every other power the right of interfering between Spain and its Colonies, and aiding one against the other. In such a case they would regulate their conduct K. cording as their interests should require. They have spoken to the main point at London se well as at Washington. After reading all the speeches, this is the substance of them; and which is worth presenting to Europe, as the fixed hash of its opinion. The hired sophists will not fail to make use of their un. lucky art of perplexing the question, and turning the public to. warns other objects ; it is their habit and their only strength. But the whole question rests entirely there, and it is important so to reSet It. tt e is n the question of America is decided ; Spain may reconquer her colonies if she can ; no other power shall meddle with them; so it is said on both sides of the Atlantic, by thaw who can put their veto on the ocean. _ _ _ On the part of England, a proceeding his been adopted which proves how much the nature of things have changed in our times, and the irresistible force of circumstances. The :Ministers declare that they have endeavoured to persuade Spain that it would be to its ' interest to recognise the independence of its colonies. Strange this! A storm of injuries overtook, but a few years since, these who a. press this opinion, and at that time the Ministers of the King die most colonial in the world, said the same thing. It seems as if it were England speaking to Spain : " Unreflecting and irritated master, I lost eighteen hundred mi. dIto• sad much blood, In wishing to romaahhah my empire over i lonia ;—be instructed by my example, sad do not complete ruin in pursuing a chimera which I could not realize. Ivs stronger than you are. and I could not succeed." The English speeches, like that of the American President, hare marked the sociability that exists on the Continent between the members of the holy Alliance on the one part, and England and America on the other. England has not more social analop than America. With her, in this respect, all is opposition with France. It is, as the poet has said— " Littera littoribus contemns." Thus, while France celebrated its expedition to Spain, the Mi nisters of the King, who had most strenuously combated the Re. volution, rendered homage to the French army, to the virtues of its Chief ; but at the same time they renewed their reprobation of the principle of the war, accused it of being destitute of all right, and when to the result, they let escape these remarkable wads— that they have to gratulate themselves for not having spent the mo- ney and the blood of the English for re.estahlishing the Gowen. merit of Spain, such as it exists since its restoration—words well worthy the study and consideration of both lVueds, and which an given them to reflect upon. Some Greeks, who are residing in Paris, have received letters from Corfu, stating, that as soon as the death of Sir Thom Maitland was known by the inhabitants of the Jordan Isla, the priests and the people went to the churches to return thanks to the Almighty for having delivered them from a Governor more fatal to them and to the cause of Greece than a Turkish Pat ina wood la [From the JourNal its Debuts.') CONSTANTINOPLE, JAN. 10. The events which have occurred near Smyrna have excited mutt attention in the capital. The European Consuls addressed, on the 10th of December, a remonstrance to the Senate of losers. aura -1 moning it to desist from an attack. The Primates replied to this remonstrance on the 11th of December; and we notice in their letter the following passage :—" We find ourselves even compelled to add, that, from the rights of war, we shall never desire to follow the Turks on all sides of their dominion. If. then. irritated Wind us, they persecute the Christian Reyes , (subjects of the Porto and the Europeans that will proceed from their barbarity, which tramples under foot all the rights of humanity and the laws of M lized Europa, which could, if it chose, protect by force the byes and honour of all Christians; and we are persuaded that, without being required to do so by us. the declared enemies of the Turks. it will make sonic sacrifices." The Primates, in short, demand from the Sinyrrias an annual tribute, to ensure tranquillity for the city and its gulf. The peace with Persia has not yet been ratified. The Sultan bas directed the Pacha of Bagdad to suspend hi:nail:tie* The (irecka have established themselves on the lags of Seiv and Mityler.e, and every where they display considerable energy. The editor of the Spectator Oriental announce', in its 116t h number, that he will continue to publish that journal. " FEI . I. The city of revers has rivalled in zeal all the other French tons which have hail the honour to receive some of the military rolls re-enteting France after the glorious campaign in the Penman M. the Prefect of the Nievre. M. the l'iseount de !toollli. Manor of Sniffs, the National Guard, the Civil and Military Authorities , and the whole population of the city, went out with lively accla mations to meet the regiment of dragoons of the Rhone, and the 'kb light infaotry. The first et thaw corns goes into garrison at Nevers, and the second proceeds to Rourges. There was a halls grand spectacle, and fotivities in the principal houses. Thew loon of the theatre was crowded with a great number of nadir:rt. and with a smaller number of inhabitants of the town, the majori ty of whom, with a delicate attention, having given up their ' , lac to their guests. The busts of the King and the Prince General:' simo, were greeted by the spectators with numerous cries of enthu siasm and affection. ‘Ve regret that we are compelled to abridge the interes.ing details of these fetes; but they would oily la, a repetition of those which have taken place at differem cit:e+ in the king:.ont, and which we have already announced to our readers. .t_ t . • I tl de du let he the qui ban Pa nal few en ger 41 bar bea har hate dies mot Chi to Pis COURT or CASEATION, PER I!. This Court was occupied to-day in a wain of adoption. " cu rious as important. In 17114. a married couple who were without children, mule , solemn act of adoption, in favour of an infant born of an untrue , vied fetnale, bid with regard to whom the husband had confessed himself to be father. Becoming the object of their mutual regar d ' this child received a careful education, took an honourable statida and received, without any opposition, the property of its *dyad parents. After twenty-four years of peaceable possession, how ever, a collateral relative suddenly disputed the civil r ights and fortune of the adopted person ; contending, that the adoption radially void, as it was against good policy, and aping tnr nature of things, that a married man should adopt an infant ^f which he avowed himself to be the adulterous father. Defeated by a judgment of the First Instance, and %Renoir& btr ninl the erne of the Court of Bordeaux, the claimant appealed to e of emulation, and singitlarly fortified himself upon a decree of the Court of Nancy, confirmed by the Superior Court, which ruled. that even under the Empire of the Revolutionary Laws, adorn" could nut have been pretically valid by a mar, w ith regard lo adulterous child. But in the case of this decree of Nancy, the adoption had beta made by a man who was not only married, but who was the fo? o ,_ ofiiiar legitimate chi/deem; it also appeared to have been m a t t from hatred to these legitimate children, and that it was On th eir . claim such adoption was declared null and void. In the Twebel'` instance, however, there were no legitimate children a 1"1 of twenty-four years, and even that the father of the collaur E