The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1825-03-05 00:00:00

u ~ tt #4 . 74.g , -*if+ . • 4 P•=. - PARLIAMIINTART INTRIALIGIINCE. , • HOUSE Of LORDS, Parrott, Mama& e. • COMM 151 lON. 'rte Royal Aeon was given by CMIMISI4.4OO to the Twenty Excheener Bill. the Anneal Indemnity Bill, and tae Transfer I. Aide Cernasidomers were the Lsard Chsainglor, Masenaisol Wimetester, and Lord Melville. COIN LAWS. Earl DARNLEY pranntod a petition frau the Inhabitants of die awn of Colo"; in the county of Lancaster, against the Coro Erants-Le4 oR the bible. Lord MELVILLE gave notice, that on Monday next liesheeld we for' the ampolntmentof a Comoilttee, to coseider the Laws egmecting the Eleedoi of Scotch Peers. CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION. The Earl of LAVDERDALI presented a potitiOn Tram ties 'tonal) Catholics of Maronern, in this county of Cork, against the Bill relative to Irish Illegal Associations. • SMALL DEBTS. Lord lENYON presented • petitiorr - frorn the Mc :hints of Ersiorth, in the openly of [Annan. praying for some alteration in the Leos for the Recovery of Smell Debts. Lord HOLLAND presented a petition of a similar nidewerledle the Merchants and Bankers of the Borough of New Widow Lord CA LTHORPE presented a petition from the DatMtMof Chamber of Manufactures and Cetrimcrce in the city of Dlr ham, praying for a Reduction jostle Dudes on Iron. The Lord aatd, that of the petition, the - ndeghani. , Noble limiest, . n he concurred in the prayer or in- , _ _ Which *oaten that the most beneficial effects would reselt from the reduction they hoped for. Ile was glad to find that his Maesty's , Ministers had confirmed the hetet of the country by reducing the, duties on Foreign Iron. He hoped they would, also, at no vergn distant period, find it couvenient so remove the restrictions ea other articles, winch ware primary articles of manufacture—losid on din talk. SCOTCH JUDTCATURE BILL. On the motion of the LORD CHANCELLOR, the Haul AIR Irito a Ommnittee on the Scotch Judicature Bill. ". A Noble Lord, whose name we could not learn, said, drat he Intended to make some observations on the Bill, bet he would dr I Let tbeniuntil the second reading, robe understood it was intended' , tel ilethe several alterations, r eef which he might have isisneelf M ed LORD CHANCELLOR said, that whet be proposed to ob.. to let the Bill go through the Committee, pro Amur, and ' 9/1 Vretinenday next lie would appoint a day, when it was most • stemeeniest to their Lordships, to have it again committed. The Earl of LAUDERDALE moved the insertion of a clause, that Copies of all Aete of Sedenent of the Court of Session should be transmitted in both Houser of Parliament. Lord MELVILLE did not see any objection to the motion of the Noble Eitel. • The Repot was then received. IRISH UNLAWFUL ASSOCIATIONS BILL. ' On the motion of' the Earl of LIVERPOOL, the House went lidos Committee on the Irish Unlawful Associations Bill. ELLENBOROI.IO/1 said, he felt very strongly on the of the Bill, and should certainly conceive it his doty to op ton the third reading whenever that might be. Earl of LIVERP OOL—On Monday next. Report was then received, and the Earl of LIVERPOOL ▪ Oiled the third reading of the Bill en Monday next. SPRING GUNS BILL. t ;•=SUFFIELD moved the Order of the Day for the second of the Spring Guns Bill. The Notile Lord assured the narielose, that he would tummy but a short time io discussing the subject he hail the honour of bringing before their Lordship , . But ktioshould net act with proper respect to them and to liimsilf, If he ffid not endeavour to lay before them, as precisely as possible, the editing laws on the matte - . Ile had previously stated that there k . tae distinct law, and that the only one wan gathered by analogy inference from the practice of the Cones. He would then t r t aie wc o re f the eases wh to ich li d do wer s: s b u y p man ed y t e < i ) f b t ar e fi u r i i7 n au tt goli ' ties in the law in this country. His object in bringing the Bill . 1 their Lordships was to prove, in the filet place, thst the ma jpeity of earn of setting spring guns were illegal ; secondly, that • when supposed to be legal, they were not borne out by morel jos. tier, which ought to be the foundation of all law; and thirdly, to prohibit theirs:seas a mean of preserving game. The first mobs would quote was that of Beare against Lord Cawdnr's ganiekesper, sod was found reported in II East 608. The gamekeeper shot the gaintir's dog. because h was treepassinic on his Lordship's grounds. - Into plaintiff brought an action, and, as it was ruled by Lord Ellen gh that the act of the defendant was not justifiable, he mom derniges. Another case, and it was a cue directly in point, dal that of James e. Whatley. It was tried at the Warwick As ia in 1817. The boy James was in the act of cutting a stick in the defendant's hedge, when he was shot and severely wounded by a wing gun. He brought his action, and recovered damages. It was then held by the Judge that no man could retaliate by an injury out of all proportion with the darnagemstained. The next case he would quote was that in which a machine culled a dog-spear was to placed es to allow hares to run through, but to catch and kill the pursuing dog. In that case it was ruled that roman could do indi *city what he could not do direotly, and damages were accordingly given. The Noble Lord then quoted a variety of other cases in snppert of his argument. He complained that large quantities of game were preserved in the neighbourhood of poor persons, wbo were naturally tempted to become poachers. and that this game was we preserved only for purposes of unnatural slaughter—in order to glee three or four days' . shooting to their proprietors to enable them to boast of tha cumber they had killed in a day. It was true that, in all eases of trial, it sal necessary to prove that due notice had been given, but he should be sorry to stand in the situation of a I man who was obliged to prove that this notice had been given, and to stand in the jeopardy in which be must staid who could not prove it. The maxim he had quoted was, that no man was justified in doing indirectly what he would not be justified in doing directly. Ali knew, or all At least believed, that no man would willingly put his gun to his shoulder and shoot a person whom he found trespassing on his ground. But he (Lord Suffield) wished rather that the law would allow them so to do, as they would certainly consider before they fired, and ascertain if the trespasser had tres passed by design and not by accident. There would be then more thanees for his life. If it were necessary to have a law to put lithehors to death, it would be better at once to enact such a law, OM to allow the present system to continue. In the nu- Fa cases that had occurred of deaths by means of g guns, nineteen out of twenty had been accidental. e wculd not mention instances of these accidental occur rences, because by so doing he must necesserily wound the feelings of many. In one particular instance, a Member of the other House. who represented a county, had begged him not to state a circumstance that had occurred. From this request, as well as :tom his own feelings, lie would decline mentioning any instances. It was said that it would be doing away with ell objec tions, to prevent the use of these instruments by day, and to allow went only by cat' ht; but how many cases might occur in which . • trete:len ty night go over a hedge without any evil intention. A fried of his had informed him, that in riding a short time since long a road at night, his hat fell off, and he very fortunately croght. it ; bet on looking up. he saw written over him, " Spring core set here," and he then thought bow dangerous his situation mot Seen. If his hat had fallen over the hedge, he must either have gone on through the snow and storm, and left his bat behind bun, or he muss have risked his life in the endeavour to regain it. It we. a maxim of the law of England, that it would be better to let a guilty person eseepe than an innocent one suffer. Now, it was proved that ninetecnout of twenty sufferers in this way were iormoont, and on this principle these instruments ought not to be allowed. It was no argument to say that notices were more fre q.:ern:l posted than snring.guns ante used ' • nay, this was an argu ment in support of his measure ; laminae, by so frequently crying Wolf!" when there was no wolf, the cry would lose its effect, end persons would become more hardy and in greater danger. ,i-le /new an instance in which the entice was thus couched— , " ZlT:rig-guns, no joke." If it were desirable to preserve game, it could be properly done without the use of spring-guns. He knew that in many parta of the country such was the case. At all events, they could never be so necessary as to warrant the sacrifice of heron life. There was only ire point more for them to notice. Pelson) who were iu the habit of setting spring guns for the preservation of their lives and property stood under very different circumstances from those who used them merely to presence game. lie thought the former justifiable in so doing, be cause is preserving their houses from attack they defended them e:l7a ageing those who would be committi:g e felony by invading them, and subject by law to punishment foe a capital offence. The Earl of ORFORD asked in what case the Noble Lord - woad sanction the use of opting-goes ? Lord SUFPIELD replied, that he meant to introduce a clause 10:0 the Bill, entitling persons to use spring.guns for the preserve den of boon fide property. The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be corn trim& The Howe then adjourned Cl'. Monday. r HOUSE OF COMMONS, FRIDAY, M. c 6 4. .14. -4 • 11:•,e Speaker was summoned to the House of Peers, and, cn his rem% informed the House that he had heard the Royal Assent green to several Bills (for which see Lords). LIVERPOOL AlstD MANCHESTER RAIL-ROAD. Lori STANLEY presented a petition from the inhabitants of Bury, Lancashire. in favour of the Liverpool and 3lanchester Railway.—Otdered to be printed. TEASDALE RAILWAY. Mr. WADLEY presented a petition from the City of Durham in favour of the Rill for the construction of Teesdale Railway. —Ordered to be primed. Lord MILTON presented a similar petition from the in:iabitants of 3.4esby in favour of the ante Buil. and another petition tram the :. - ;wn of Gisborough to the same efiect.—Ordeted to be printed. CORN EXCHANUE. Mr. CURTEIS obtained leave to Ming in a Bill for the etec• ion of a new Corn Exchange in the vicinity of Mark-lane, in the City of Londtri. HUNOERFOP.D MARKET. Mr. S. WORTLEY broatrist up the Report of the Com,nittee, vsting that the ritarutiog Orders ought no: to hr eispented with in the case of Hungerford A Merrage was brought down from the Lords, mating that their Lordships had agreed to the Indemnity Dill without any arnendsnent. TEES AND WEARDALE RAILWAY. Lora LOWTHER thought that the BPI which he was about to ISCITS the Houle should be read a record time, was we that pro mai :ousiderable &Oen:ages to local and ger,eral interests, and ~ . 't • therefots deserved a favourable _.. from Me House. Bo de preaatod the opposition the projected improvement bad met with from the Mugu sof Londonderry, and a few private individuals, en the grouud of an alleged pemortal inconvesie: tie to the pieties, which he did •t think satisfactorily made out; and concluded by slaving," that the Teen sad Weardals Railway Bill be now egad ' • second time." Sir H. HARDINGE would oppose the second reading of the 1 Bill, for several reasons. The length of the inte nded ralbroad was 1 tobe twenty.flve miles, sod would pass through a oeuvre, thistly inhabited, and terminate is • communication with the sea, at A where there was neither village, hamlet, nor harbour. The proprietors of the district were oppcsed,to the project. which tasald to intlictA grievous injury on their property. and be un earth any good effects. The Marquis of Londonderry dieosolledleven the measure, on the ground of the nuisance it would OCCillilla be his estate by the use of locomotive engines ; but lie ' AUpll4llMadhe projectors thought they would And less difficulty in ' =dash road through the grounds of the Noble Marquis than those of the Lard Chancellor, who had recently purchased • Sam in that neighbourhood. (A laugh.) The cnief sup. =tw of the scheme were the Dean and Chapter ef Dualism, who their advantage in so doing. Ile (Sir Ilenrej had that day re ceived a letter from a gentleman of large fortuto and landed pro. prietor, to the amount of 80,0001. or 90,601:11. wiho complair ed that his sedate would be destroyed by •the projected railway, which, after all, could not bring into the market any coal worth the having. He adverted to the mode in which the capital of the Company (213,0001.) bad been subscribed ; the subscription did not take place In Durham to a greater amount than 15,0001. which prove.: it to be sty thing but a county measure. He trusted the House would see the delusion of this Bill, and not, by sending it into Committee, put the lauded proprietors who opposed it to unneces sary and great expense* in continuing their opposition. He should . move as an amendment on the original motion, that this Bill be read a second time this day six months. Mr. Alderman THO7.IPSON did not know whether the rail way would prove a good speculatinn for the projector.. ; but think ing it would he toneficial to the country he should oppose the' amendment. fie J. SHELLEY supported the amendment. I ET. WODEHOUSE--The objections came with fit illgr i lila interested parties. He had long. felt th e grievance occasio by the high price of sue-borne coal, respecting which he intend 1 r u r re bn pe n r t io a d. propost Looking n ion at h t e he w tr; D si t d m er e s as tio u n re of o ones likely house to I swam the supply of coal, and lessen its price, it should hare his , Nippon. l Mr. DAVENPORT did not think it right that Noblemen and' Gentlemen should have their properties injured and their comforts destroyed by the agency of those it:frnal machines, locomotive Antoine,. (A laugh 4 Mr. Alderman BRYDGIS thought a better supply of coal mold be procured to the tendon market by the intended road. 1 • Lord MILTON—Cy the plan adopted last year, the rail-way would •ve passed a mile nearer Lord Londonderry's scat than it was now' intended it should. The alteration was made in order to accommodate the Noble Marquis, who now thought proper to com plain of what Rol been done for his express convenience; because, the rail-road would have to be carried through two detached fields belonging to hint, but unconnected with his estate; which fields were some tine ago for sale, and only not sold, because no one would pay the price the Noble Lord demanded. He (Lewd Milton) bad at one side of his country seat. and within a mile of his house, ore of those dreadful engines which excited so much alarm. lie had a second on the other side at an equal distance, arid he did not find them at all destructive of his peace of mind or comforts. (A laugh.) This rail-way would be the means of affordiee supply of excellent coal where it was much wanted in the North Riding of Yorkshire. lie would support the Bill. filr. LAM wroN was triendly on principle to rail-roads, but did no consider this Bill as likely to produce public benefit sufficient to counterbalance the great private injury it. would inflict. He begged leave to tell Hon. Members, that they had been misin formed as to the quality of the coal which the district would pith duce. It had been pronounced by engineers of character and ability to be of a very inferior description—not so gnocl as had rbeen produced front mines which he (Mr. Lambton) had telecom tinued working on account of the badness of the coal. The 1 Noble Lord ( Milton) experienced no inconvenience from the vicinity of locomotive engir.es. Let the House remember, they I happen to be his own engines (a laugh), and tolerated on account 1 of.the profit they produce. He (Mr. Lambton) had also loco ive ergines, and could endure them for the same reason; but -li was t that any reason for their being inflicted on the Marquis of Londonderry? (A laugh.) The worthy Alderman who sat under the gallery had supported the bill, in the !tame of the merchants tof London. He (Mr. L.) might be wrong in his cenjecture, but he took leave to suppose those merchants dealt in iron. The Coin -1 mon Council of the City at London, whom he would admit to be a scioet learned and respectable body (a laugh). were anxious, in the extent of their philanthropy for the improveinent of what had been truly represented to be a desert and unproductive part of the coun- ' try. He was equally desirous of it, and wished the capital (if such ' a thing existed) of this Company of projectors were to be applied to that purpose, instead of the construction of a rail-way which was worse than useless. His name, as well as that of the Noble Marquis of Londonderry, had been mentioned in a way rather unce. rernonious, by the projectors, who, as they knew he (Mr. L) would tete against their Bill in that place, and that the Noble Lord would oppose it in another place, were desirons of neutral ising or disallowing their votes as those of interested persons. -It had been objected to him that in his present opposition he was aetus ed by motive of private interest. Such an insinuation he ' flung back with contempt. He again denied that pecuniary ad. vantage influenced his conduct : so ter from that being the case, his own interest would lead him to support it, for on the line of toed sought to be established he had himself a large tract of coal country. The Honourable Member, aftersome further observation, acid that the principal reason for iris opposition was, that the public could derive no advantage front the proposed rail-road ; the coal was of so bad a quality that no one would use it. He heard it said, that there were two venerable ladies, relatives of two Honour. able Members of that House, and that these ladies were the chief promoters of the present Bill, and that they were making every effort in its support. These venerable ladies, whose name he un derstood to be Hay, were anxious to take their coals to London, and for his part he could not have the slightest objection to their taking their commodities to the London market, or to any other market. (Great laughter.) But let them not take them there at the expense and at the inconvenience of the public. The other sex conveyed their coals by private agreement, and in this instance, at Inuit. he saw no reason why the ladies should not follow their ex ample. The Honourable Member went on to say. that he could not do otherwise than give his vote against the second reading, when he saw so much inconvenience rid so little good likely to re sult from the measure. As the rail-road was proposed to be run it would prove a great annoyance to the Marquis of Londonderry; but if taken in another and a more direct line, it would trench on the estate of the Lord Chancellor; and the promoters of the scheme, wisely judging that in the other House the Noble Lord on the Wo.,lsack would prove a more formidable antagonist titan the Noble Marquis, prudently chese to give the latter the were- rence. (A laugh.) The Honourable Gentleman entreated the House to reject the Bill; it was one of the many speculating schemes now afloat, all of which had their origin in the City of London. Lord MILTON explained. A MEMBER, whose name we could not learn, next addressed the House. We understood him to defend the motives and conduct of the persons concerned in the enterprise. Mr. I'OWLETT supported the Bill. lie considered the mos. sure of great importance, and calculated to give an outlet to that quarter of the country, which was now without that advantage. The Hon. Member thought the country through which the rail. road was to run would be considerably improved by it. Mr. N. CALVERT declared his readiness on all occasions to support any measure calculated to excite competition (hear, hear): he was always anxious to respect the rights of private property, and he would oppose any infringement on it when the object to be achieved was one of trifling convenience Bet if the interest of the public required that a canal or railway should be run through the court-yard of St. James. he for one would vote for it. The Hen. Member concluded by declaring his conviction that the interest of a few individuals ought never be put in competition with that of the community. Mr. LITTLETON made a few observations. Mr. Alderman WOOD supported the Bill. lie declared he had no connection with rail-roads or with any otter scheme, and must therefore be uninfluenced by interested motives in giving his vote. One of the principal objections raised en the proposed measure was the badness of the coals ; his (the worthy Alderman's) answer to that was, be the cools gon or bad, let them come to market. Mr. 'l'. WILSON said he was sure those of his constituents connected with this and other schemes must feel grateful to the lion. Members for the kind solicitude they entertained as to their success. The lion. Gentleman then read a certificate, signed by a Mr. Dixon. testifying the good quality of the coals in the neigh bourhood of the coptemploted railway. Mr. Dixon declared that he had examined 4e coals in question, and that they were pos sessed of more strength and more durability, and burned longer, than other coals which he had examined. Sir H. HARDINGE eaviained. "'Lord G. CAVENDISH felt himself bound to oppose the mea sure, in this wild time of speculation, when such encroachments were being made on the landed property of the country. (Hear.) So far was he from conceiving that any general advantage would result from the railway in question, that his belief was, a single load of coal would never be brought to London on it. The conse quence would be. that trithe speculators would cut their way through gentlemen's property, then go off and leave the country harassed by their infernal ratd-road. (Hear, and a laugh.) The Noble Lord. after some further remarks, declared his decided op. position en the Bill, and said, in voting as he would this night, be felt he was supporting the landed proprietors. (Hear.) Mr. CUR . % EN opposed the Bill. Mr. CALCRAFT called on the House to pause before they passed the Bill ; that caution was necessary, now that so many wild schemes were afloat. It was a strong and decisive feature in the present speculation, that neither of the County Members recom mended it. (Hear, hear.) In fa:t, all the larded interest were against it ; this was derisive evidence that the coal was had; and yet to gratify a few speculators, the country was so be torn up. The sum proposed to be raised was 2e30,0001., while there aas hot more than 92,000!. That led him to conclude that the coal was bad • for if there existed the remotest chance of success, not only the ;hole amount would be subscribed for, but triple, or quadruple, the sum was generelly put down. Sir N. W. RIDLEY said, that it was impossible the scheme could succeed, the disadvantages of the Port of Stockton were so many as to render the shipment of coal there out of the question. To get QM these obstacles, it was proposed to erect a pier for the THE if PR p. Porterof ogee* mod ortimato of one hundred thousand wad Mari of gloom of that undertaking; bet be war convinced dud dial tam would not be more than half a quarter the antootat ropirarl. He looked op it. therefore, as certain, that the postai df o n could derive as advantage from the rail-way. It wan wooly the speculation of a fog large capitalists, who were read, to lay out their money on sny schema He agreed with the Nelda Lord (Lord 0. Cavendish) in the caution which he gave the Rouse kw they sanctioned such measures as these. The Honour able Bann* concluded , by declaring his opioion that the citizens of )sondes cooid never expect to have coal cheap while it continued under the direction of the Corporation. Mr. Alderman WOOD rose to explain ; but the cries of question .to loud " ' - his - liiii. r. were so that the worthy Aldernian resumed seat Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and the House divided, when there appeared— For the sesood reading . 63 Against it , $3 NM' Majority • • . 10 Tite BM was then read a second time, and committed. olr. Alderman THOMPSON presented • petition from certain ,lerchams of the City of London, in favour of the Tees Railway. /dr. Alderman WOOD begged to say one or two words in reply to what had fallen front an lion. Baronet (Sir 111. W. Ridley) with respect to the Corporeek's of Leedom. The SPEAKER hoped the worthy Alderman yacht not pursue a course so much out of order. Mr. Alderman WOOD promised to confine himself entirely to the question before the House ; he was sure that if the circi.tn stances were inquired into, it would be found the Corporation was but little benefited by the duties it received, so low were they ; and as to the duty which had been imposed on coal about 40 or 50 years ago, for the support of the Orphan Institution, he seemed the House that the Honourable Baronet, or any other Member, received just as much of it as the ( orporatiou did. After a few words from Mr. Alderman WOOD, the petition was brought up and ordered to be laid upon the table. Several Private Bills were read a first time. EDINBURGH RAIL-WAY. Upon the Motion of Sir A. CAMPBELL, the Edinburgh Rail way Bill was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and read a second time on Monday. ASSESSED TAXES. Mr. FLEMING prfsentrel • petitiou from Southampton for the Repeal of lute Assessed Taxes. Mr. Alderman WOOD presented a petition from the Ward of Bishops ate, praying for the repeal of the House and Window Tax. The Hon. Member observed, he was instructed to say, it was the opinion of his Constituents, that no relief whatever had been afforded by the measures proposed on Monday. `?lie Chan cellor of the Exchequer had expressed hie desire thet the good citizens of London should enjoy a comfortable bottle fc, wine at • small expense, bet lie could tell him there were other enjoymer.t. they prized more than the luxury of • bottle of wine; and which he trusted Vie petitions about to be presented from all parts of the country would compel him to afford them—he meant the luxury of being freed from this grinding and oppressive tax upon "lee* In dustry.—The petition was laid upon the table, and ordeted to be printed.—The Worthy Alderman. in presenting another petition upon the same subject from the Ward of Cripplegate„ assured the House that it had been signed in two or three hours by 300 of the most respectable inhabitants. They prayed that if they cold.' not be relieved from both House and M. indow Duties, that at all events they would repeal the Window Tax.—Ornered to be printed. GAME LAWS. Sir 1. SHELLEY, seeing the Hon. Member for Yorkshire (Mr. S. Wortley) in his place, begged to ask him at what time he proposed to bring forward the second reading of the (lame Laws Bill? Mr. S. WORTLEY replied in a very low tone of voice; we understood him to say, that he could not at present fix any day, and that he believed not Monday. BYE-LAWS. Mr. LA MBTON moved that there be laid before the House a copy of the London Bye. Laws—the laws relating to the measure ment of coals, coffee, kit. PROVINCIAL BANKS. Colonel BAGWELL presented a petition from Clonmell, in favour of Provincial Banks.—Ordered to lie upon the table. INSURANCE RATES. Mr. LINDSAY presented a petition from the Directors of 15 Insurance Companies in London against the Tax upon Insurance. The Hon. Gentleman observed, that although insurances could be effected at the rare of 2s. per cent. the amount of duty payable to the Crown was 130 per cent. upon that sum. He considered such a tax unjust and oppressive.—Ordered tee be printed. The same lion. Gentleman presented a petition from the tallow chandlers of Dundee, praying& reduction of the duty onCandles.— Laid upon the table. COUNTY COURTS 81-LL. Mr. SCARLET? presented • petition from the Law Society and Attorneys of the County of Lancaster. - The Learned Gentle man observed, that the Noble Lord's (Lord Althorp) measure operated violently.upon the existing strife of things.. The exclusion of Attorney' from practising in these Courts-would have the effect of retarding, rather than forwarding the ends of justice. It would compel gentlemen who were suitors, and even the Noble Lord him self if it was necessary, to attend personally for the recovery of a small demand, and the consequeeeeewould be, that many would rather forego their claims altogether than endure so much personal trouble. Lord ALTHORP, in a low voice observed, that the at tendance of Attorneys created a very great additional unnecessary expense to the suitors. Mr. SCAR LETT explained. The petition was laid upon the table, and ordered to be printed. DISSENTERS MARRIAGE ACT. Mr. W. SMITH rose to move the second reading of the Dis senter, Marriage Act, with the view of postponing it, in case of any opposition being intended by any Member of the House. Mr. ROBERTSON having declared his intention to oppose it, The Hon. Member moved that it be then read, with the view of postponing it until that day sennight. The Bill was then read, and postponed accordingly. ARMY ESTIMATES. The House, upon the motion of Lord PALMERSTON, re solved itself into a Committee of Supply. Lord PALMERSTON then rose to bring forward the Army Estimates. His Lordship said, in proposing the Estimates to the consideration of the House, he would state shortly the difference between this year and the last. The difference in the charge of the land forces for the year 1825, compared with 1824, was 10.293 men for Great Britain and Ireland. The amount 229.6851. On the staff there was little or no alteration. In the public deer t.nent there was an increase of about 1.9201. The House would recollect that that service had been transferred to his office, and this bad, for the present, created sonic little difference. Under the head of medicine, there was an increase of about 1.11001. In the Military College there was an increase of about 1,7631. Although the charge had been reduced very materially, the difference arose from a large di minution in the amount of subscriptions. Under the heed of army pay of General Officers, there was a decrease of nearly 13,0001. Garrisons remained nearly the same. On the full pay of retired officers, the diminution was about 3,0001. On the half-pay there was • reduction of 38,0001. ;on the foreign half-pay it was 1,5001. On the in-pensioners of Chelsea there was a diminution ; on the out-pensioners an increase of 21,001.1/. On the Military Asylum, about 1,000!. Under the head of widows' pensions. about 4,000/. On the compassionate list nearly the same. Superannuation al lowances an increase of about 2,1;001. Having thus gone over the general heads, he would endeavour to state the grounds upon which the proposed Increase would be, he conceived, justified to the House and the country. It gave him great satisfaction to feel, that the reproaches formerly cast upon those who proposed to support our military establishments, could not be uttered now. It could no longer be said that they wished to maintain large military bodies to coerce or intimidate the people, for at no time in the recollection of man, had this country enjoyed a greater degree of happiness and prosperity, or its itthobitants felt more confident in the continuance of peace and security. With Ireland the prospect was not so flat tering ; but he would not admit that it was gloomy, or without a ray of brightness ; and from some circumstances which had taken place at the period when these Estimates were being formed, (Hear.) he looked forward with cheering hopes to a termination of all the difficulties in which they had hen involved by the protection of that part of our dominions. It was, therefore, with very great sa. defection, he repeatel, that Ireland had no concern in any in :tease of our military establishment ; the reasons for it were clearly ex ternal. -• It was evident to any one who looked at the position of the earth, that no country possessed so large a number of colonial pos sessions as England. Wherever nature had afforded advantages denied to other places—wherever capital could be employed, in Lasing productions for commerce, under every clime and every situation—ita inhabitants had extended their colonial posses sions. He thought there was little occasion to argue that , these important colonies should be effectually protected ; they might, it was true, abandon them ; or by a partial support , place them in jeopardy ; but this could not be done without great , individual lops, and a total violation of public faith. It would be only necessary to call their attention to the merit and variety of these colonies—to their situation under every climate most trying to. site human constitution ; and he was certain they would at once confess that the military service of this country differed from that of every other nation in the world. Ile would ask them to trace the progress of civilisation over the habitable globe, and he would venture to say there was scarcely a spot where British industry and British enterprise had not found a field for the exertion of industry, and reified a claim upon their protection. In estimating the amount of tiwceneceteary fur the defence of such widely extended and distant parts, they were not only to consider the effect of climate. but they were to look to the emergencies which might call for sudden and extraordinary reinforcements. From the state of the army as it existed for the last twenty years., he would venture to say it was impossible to comply with any sudden demand upon that head of service without the most venous incon. venience. As an instance of the difficulty which they had very lately suffettd from an unexpected requisition, he would mention that when the Indian Company required a reinforcement in conse quence of the events on the Burmese frontier, the only method ny which his Majesty's Government had been able afford it, was by stopping the embarkation of *tire regiments of the line which had been for twenty years nn foreign service. (Hear, hear, hear.) Surely that House would not any longer permit an order; for foreign service to be a sentence of banishment for life. (Heat, hear, hear.) When a man entered the army—abandoning every tie—sacrificing every personal consideration to serve his country— when toiling through all the difficulties and dangers of a military life—sinking into premature old age from the fatigues of nu merous campaigns—when after all the perils of war he has at last earned a relief by peace, was it not cruel and unjust to banish him for life to a trying climate, and a more trying duty, still more in- ''' l l.ll o . t: creased in severity be the smallness of the number upon whom that duty devolved ? Assuming then that it would be both just and expedient to provide a fore.: whic h might be applied to the relief of colonial garrisons at proper ietervals, there appeared to be three modes in which it could be carried into execution : first, by adding so many rank and file to die existing regiments; secondly, by raising so many new regiments ; or, lastly, by adding new companies to the old ones. The first, that of adding only rank and file, would be undoubtedly the cheapest, but it was subject to the iirporant objection, that no relief could be afforded by that means to officers and subalterns abroad, from there being no addl. tional reserve at home. The next, that of raining additional regi ments, was too expensive, flood the additiun of staff and regi mental allowances ; and he lied therefore been induced to se lect the last as the :node combining cheapness and relief in the speediest ard most effectual manner. He proposed to increase , the army battalions, front eight companies, containing now 676 rank and file, to ten companies, dividing these ten into two battalions ; use one to he called the Battalion of Service, having six companies on a higher scale than the other, the companies being raised to 28 rank and file. making a total of 516 ; the other to be called the Battalion of Relief. having only four companies, and a total of 212 men—making for both somewhat more than 700 rank and file. By this arrangement, one battalion would remain at home, for the purposes of recruiting, to supply the waste of the other abroad, and garrisors and stations would he possessed of an immediate available reinforcement on every case of emergency. With respect to our garrisons, io the proposed increase, it was in tended to afford relief to these who were employed in our service there. As the discipline was there at present, it was only allow. able for the Commander to afford leave of absence for a limited period. If he continued invalided, he was obliged to return home and receive a pension. By the promised alteration all compul sory exchanges would be avoided ; and those who were front ill health or other causes rendered unable to engage in active service, , might be prevented from becoming a burthen to the public by re ceipt of a pension, but might be employed at the depot in discip lining or recruiting the troops who were to be employed on active , duty. Thus would theme meritorious officers and men be saved to I the service, and be prevented from retiring upon hero'''. They I might also return, if the restoration of their health permitted it, to the service they ad recently left. One other point to which ho was desirous of directing the attention of the House was, the dis banding of the Veteran Battalions. They were raised in the year 1824 and at the time of raising them it was considered that it would not be aecessary to continue them permanently. Cn. I questionably, as a question of right, the continuance of their ter. vices might still be required ; but as a matter of grace and favour it was but fair that they should be exempted from duty, and that the gratitude and the justice of their country should unite in award ing them that compensation, which they had earned by their ser- vices. (Hear.) If they were required, they would be found ready to tender them with that alacrity with which they had always here tofore done. As to the eugnientstion, it was obvious it had no reference to foreign relations. With foreign Powers we continued , on the most amicable terms. If any apprehension of an opposite sentiment arising were entertained, it was manifest that the present force were altogether insufficient for any available defence that might be necessary in tints of war. Happily for these countries our irfieence was great in every part of the world, and the policy we adopted both with respect to the army, and to every other subject, should be regard. ed notonly on theground of selfish aggraedieement, but as related to the welfare of ether nations. The augmentation now proposed should not be looked upon with reference to any hostile intention, but on a fair examination would be found only fairly proportionate to the extent of our territory, and the_greatress and variety of the in terests it was our duty to protect. The Noble Lord concluded by proposing the augmentation of fifteen thousand men for the army. Colonel DAVIES did col rise for the premise of opposing the proposition, but of protesting against this augmentation being per. manent. He could not altogether coincide in the opinion, that there was not something in the aspect of foreign relations connected with the present augmentation. If there were not, why was there an in. crease at all ? Last year there had been an increase of five thousand men, and if there was not something to require the increase, the increase of list year would be found sufficient, or it should be said to go for nothing. Tice portion of troops destined for India wen called for by the extraordinary misconduct of our Government there, who provoked the Burmese war, in a quarrel for an island of so little value that it was not worth the first round of ammunition that ems spent upon it. The Noble Lord had told the House that the anoy abroad was inefficient from the manner in which the bat talions were composed. To that composition, in ore respect, he WWI desirous of calling the attention of the House. It was pro posed that the battalions should consist of fire hurdled and enrenty-five, or live hundred and sixty men each. Of the number of men in a battalion, it was well known to those conversant in military affairs, that not more than two-thirds or three.fourthi of them were found available in the field ; the limitation was such, thortfare, as to prevent the battalions from performing many mill tary.evolutions with effect. Ile would take an opportunity of ad. netting to the items of the Estimates as they would occur ii detail —for the present, though he would not oppose the vote, he woutd protest against the principle of such au augmentation as now pro posed being made permanent. Mr. 110BHOLSE was unwilling to occupy the time of the house— a House, on a question of such vital importance, rot con. sisting of quite a hundred diembere.—in protesting agairst the prinriple of a standing army in time of price ; yet, in violation of that principle, the Noble Secretary of War, without expressing any apprehension from foreign relations, comes down to this Howse to propose an increase of titteen thousand men. As to the details of this question, he did not care far them ; but against the prin ciple he protested. There were two parts of the Royal Speech which demanded the particular attention of the House. The one related to the penal law recommended to be eracted against Ireland ; the other referred to the augmentation of the Army. As to the former, he hoped an act of justice would speedily render the opera tion of that law unnecessary. (Hear. hear.) He was Mlipli r SlNl that the augmentation of the Army should be proposed without a distinct statement of the grounds on which it was recommended. Was it no ground of apprehension that the territory of our ally was occupied by the troops of another ? Formerly the occupation of a single garrison of one ally by another, was deemed a sufficient Tea. son for interference ; but here, the utter annihilation of one was threatened by the other. It was an unjust and extraordinary usurp.. ation that demanded the most zealous attention, and he trusted this great question, which once so justly occupied the marked atten tion of this House, would not be permitted to pass without due notice during the present Session. As to India—the war in which we were engaged there was entered upon. %% ithout inquiring into the causes which provoked that war, lie would only consider this— that we were engaged in it, and that, therefore, we ought to main tain it properly. There were two questions on which he thought he was entitled to explicit information from the Noble Lord ; Ist, whether the proposed augmentation had any Terrence to the for tune of affairs between Spain and France ? and secondly, whether it was intended that the army on the scale of augmentation should be permanent ? Sir R. WILSON was generally opposed to an augmentation of military force in time of peace. 1t was not the natural growth of our Constitution, but an excrescence that trace front foreign pressure, or from the apprehension of ft. Ile saw nothing in the state of affairs to need military assistance in those countries; but in the state of our foreign relations there existed a necessity for arrangements that might render relief and supplies requisite. The occupation of Spain by France was a consideration that required the exercise of the utmost watchfulness and caution on the part of this House. Cadiz was occupied to a period beyond any period of any necessary purpose or safe object on the part of France. The King of Portugal, who was an ally under our protection, was also interfered with, because the principles of his government were not conformable to the system of the Holy Alliance. The state of South America also required our attention; it was now our ally. and its interests and i:s welfare demanded our attention. The Hon. Member concluded by supporting the proposition, as he eon. sidered the time of public exigency not a fitting one for the raising of forces to provide against difficulties that may a: ire. It was far better to be prepared to meet therm Mr. PEEL said, that although the House was not as full as it had been mi previous eights of discussion this Session, yet a suf ficient number waa,tn his opinion, present to entertain the question, on which there appeared to be no very material difference of opinion. The three speeches which he had heard from Honourable Gentle men opposite were all conclusive that his Honourable Friend's proposition was perfectly fair. The Honourable Gentleman (Sir R. Wilson) had come forward and borne an honourable and candid testimony—a testimony consistent with his character as an able officer and a man of honour (hear, hear), that the garrison of Gibraltar was not equal to the necessary duty, consistent with the respect due to the comfort and health of the military stationed there. Now if this was true, as no doubt it was, with respect to the garrison of Gibraltar, was it not a fair infesence that other garrisons were similarly situated ? A considerable augmentation of the army was therefore necessary, without any reference to foreign politics, but merely keeping in view the respect which should be paid to the comfort of our own soldiers. The Honourable Gen tleman hid touched upon other and more important topics which had been referred to by his Noble Friend. These, nn doubt, were topics of great importance and delicacy. In the absence of the Secretary u r Foreign Affairs he ?Mould refrain from provoking dis cussion on those topics, and he hoped the Honourable Gentleman would defer any observations on those topics to a future occasion. It is a duty we owe to the gallant defenders of our country in time of war, to attend to their comforts in time of peace. The claims of our gallant army . on the country were irrecortible, and lie felt much pleasure in giving his ready assent to the propositions of his Honourable Friend. Mr. CA LCRAFT said, he was convinced Honourable Gentle men at Ida side of the House would not have been absent on this occasion if they conceived that public duty required their presence. If any constitutional question arose which called for discussion, they would be found in their places, or if they were not satisfied that the public exigency rendered the proposed augmentation ne. ceeeary. (Hear, hear.) Judging strictly, he thought the army, as it was last year. sufficient for all Colonial purposes. Ile should be sorry, however, to penis this view of the question, or to oppose the more liberal system of relief contemplated by the Noble Lord. He Omni:lit, that under the proposed arrangement a very consider able disposable force would remain ; but a disposable force by no means too great, considering the present situation of Europe. He hoped that he who had always supported measures of economy, would not be considered inconsistent, nor be thought to have trenched upon any constitutional right, (Hewn bear.) when, upon the eo rpo n u vie , t i id io e n w . which he bad stated, he consented to the Noble Lord's p Mr. BERNAL admitted that circumstances connected with the present state of the world justified the proposed augmentation. He was reedy to bear testimony to the attention and humanity which the Commander-in-Chief manifested, in the arrangements which were mode for the relief of our troops in the %Vest Indies. Mr. C. HUTCHINSON said lie would oppose the grant 4 ~~ on the very grounds which induced hta Hon. Friends toarnpport It. (Hear, hear, and • laugh.) 11'hen eight hundred millions of public debt remained unpaid he could not consent to vote one shil ling upon the confidence of Ministers. His lion. Friends said, that it they considered that the proposed augmentation was to be permanent they should oppose it, int as they thought it woe set porary, and only had recourse to for some reeson which she Mi. Disler did not tell, they would vote for it. Now the Noble Lord's argument was 'quite inconsistent with the expectations of hie lIoo• Friends. The Noble Lord appealed to the House as • matter of feeling, end grounded the motion for an augmentation of our mili tary force on the necessity of relieving our troops stationed is the eolocies. if this was the true ground for the proposed migenente lion, it was not a temporary sit miemanent ground :at d incase of war, it' we should coney- oew colonies, in proportion to the extent of our conqunte -. might be called upon to increase our military force. i'hoeno no man felt more detply than he did the debt of gratitude. c to the army, he was one of those who thought the less the ertbed force the betel. lii Cnne of peace he thought we ought to hare two main objet's—to conciliate the people, and promote economy. He thought we could never be able to seems:. plish the latter it we sere not able to do an in the prosperous state of the empire, and when Europe was perfectly tranquil. If he ap prehended any attempt on the part t f that Alliance. miscalled " the holy," to oppose our recognition of the South American Staten, or if he thought they determined to c.i ."'tact the liberal sy consent to vote away the last man a the last stem of policy which we lied lately pursued, in such a cause het 1111 4 should editing in the country. ( dear .) He did not think himself j Md. however, in vot ing foe the augmentatien.on the g ound of at confidence which should be plated in Ministers, or on the ground of some object which they might have in view, but sighed to conceal. General HOPE briefly supported theft- • e General GASCOVNE said, lie did nit find sufficient is the statement of the Noble Lord to convince hie - that there were not regiments enough to relieve the unops in the Colonies. lie itader stood the Noble Lord to say, ,it was wily the intention to relieve the troops partially, but not to change the 7 'Oneida. He did one think the Noble Lord had sufficiently explained hie designs. Mr. M. riTzcERALD considered the propoeed eareneetstioo necessary, although he should not consent to the augmentation of OUT military force in proportion to our views of eel:mist agree diounent, as was stated in the theory laid down by his Hon. Friend (Mr. Hutchinson). lie thought the manner in which this forst should be applied might safely be confided in the military depart ment. He understood front many officers, for whose opinion be lead the highest respect, that our Colonies were inadequately gar risoned, and that proper attention was not paid to the health and comfort of our troops. lie widessed he did not feel that constitu tional jealousy which the lion. Mendel. for 'Woorninster, whou motives he much respected, seemed to feel. lie thought roe pro posed augmentation was not unreasonable; and cordially concerted in the vote. Lord PALMERSTON explained. In allusion to what bad fallen from General Osacoyne, the ileinnurahte Member supposed that the relief was not intended to he made by regiments, but only by companies; this was altogether a mistake. What he (Lord Palmerston) had said was, that the proposed arrangement would be productive of a double advantage. Regimens would not only be more quickly relieved, but an opportunity would be given for facilitating the relief of individuals who required such an in dulgence. IVOUNDED OFFICERS. Sir R. WILSON said, he had a suggestion to make to the Noble Lord in favour of the wounded Officers. It would be a great convenience to those individuals if their pensions were paid quarterly instead of yearly, as is the case with officers on ht.lf-pay. Lord PALMERSTON said nothing would give him greater pleasure than to comply with the suggestion of the Honourable Member. lie should cansult with the Paymaster-General, with whose department this recommendation was more immediately connected, and. it' possible. enter into an arrangement iu compli ance with the Honourable Member's auggettien. • Sir C. LONG rose to say, ttiat no difficulty should be thrown in the way of the proposed arrangement at the Paymaster-General's office. Mr. SMITH said, he did not blame Ministers for being extra vagant, but he charged them with being parsimonious. This may seem inconsistent for one who had always voted for economy ; but he had been led to this conclusion by particular facts. which had come to his knowledge. Certain officers who received wounds in the service equivalent to the lose of a limb received a pension, and in the grant not sword was mewient4l of" Ili. Majesty's ploisure;" so that those individual+, naturally enough, considered that the pension was granted for life. Atlerweri!s, however, on the report of the Military Surgical Based, these individuals have been de prived of their pensions. lie was willing to allow that they were rot in the same state of disability as when the pensions were granted. When pensions were granted without limitation, and in return for severe suffering, he thought that this shieull not be discontinued. In some instances it cteated a considerable degree of distress, when a meritorious officer was deprived perhaps of half hie income. He understood this complaint did not extend to the navy. No individual in the House was lees connected with the army then he was; but he was sure the Noble L - 411 and the Go. vernment were not aware of the misery which this arrangement produced. Lord PALMERSTON thought the statement of the Honoura ble Member proved how impossible it was for a person tilling a public situation to please all parties. Same individuals charge hint with prodigality, and now he was charged with an opposite offence. This proved, at least, that his course was not a right lire. He should be happy, if consistent with hie duty, to attend to the cues alluded to by the Honourable Member. He could assure the House, that pensions were diecontlemed in very few cases, and never until he was perfectly satisfied by report of the Medical Board that the injuries for which individuals received the pension no longer operated. lie would give the Honourable Gentleman the same answer he gave the Honourable Member foe Aberdeen, who was not now in the Howe, (Hear and • laugh.) when that Honourable Member charged him with prodigality in the dispcsal of pension,. lie wouldaay, point out the individual cases of hard. ship, and let as be convinced that injustice has been done. If injustice has been done, it was undeeignedly. (Hear, hear.) Mr. THEM AYNE observed upon another hardship to which wounded officers were liiiblo. They might be called upon from a great distance to attend the Medical Beard, at the expense perhaps of • half a years' salary. (In one occasion he had referred an in stance of this kind to the Noble Lord, who kindly consented to hare the officer examined before a Board in the country. He now begged to inquire whether any new arrangement was made on this point? Lord PALMERSTON fesecil it would be impossible to enter into any arrati;mment which would meet every particular case. In some cases individuals weie referred re a Bold in the eonntty, but in general cases he thought it better to lease the examination to the responsible persons. The vote was then agreed to. The following votes were also agreed to:— For volunteer corps in Great Britain, 128.0001. For volunteer corps in Ireland, 19.303/. 12s. Medicines—Great Britain and Ireland, 18 4597 lls. bd. Public peruneftiss 116,4701. 13s. 10e. Staff (ex usive of India) foe Great Britain and Ireland, 117.8511. 17s. lid. Regiments in the East India Companies territories, 783,971/. Ils. 10d. Recruiting troops and companies for India. 27,3381. 51. 3d. MILITARY COLLEGE. - - ---- Upon the Resolution that 13,1C91. 9s. 2tl. be voted to the Mili tary College— Colonel DAVIES made a few observations on the dispropar tional increase of Cadets. The rote was agreed to, as was the rose of 35,3231. 73. ld. for the expenses of garrisons. ORDINANCE ESTIMATES. Sir D. lIARDINGE rose to move the Ordnance Estimates. upon wnich he stated that there was a dintunition of 14.000/. since last year. The total amount now was 963,0001. Some expenses had taken place at Gilt-altar, when the portion of the counterscarp allotted to the merchants for lauding their goods was found to be too small, and it was found convenient to enlarge the counterscarp This created a considerable expense, but the public would be re payed for it. An alteratioa was also made in the salary of me Clerk of the Ordnance, which varied, in war it was from 2,0001. 2,400/.; and in peace from 1,1001. to 1,2001. It had now been made more equal. A survey of Ireland had also been directed, which the Master of the Ordinance lost no time in attending to These expensesaccounted for the comparatively small amount G 1 diminution in tne Ordnance Estimates. After some further °beet. tenons flom the Hon. Gentleman, The Resolutions were agreed to, and ordered to be reported on. Monday next. The Report of the Committee on the Ways and Means w ai postponed till Monday next. The Apothecaries Bill was read a second time. Leave was given fur the adjournment of the Comm:ttee on Assessed Taxes. WINDOW LIGIITS. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER begged to gm... , that io his twposi the other night, he had orritted to inform House of the relief from tde Duty on the Internal Light Houses. ►lr. BANKS said, that he thouet that there ought to be a d!,- cretionary power given to the surveyors with respect to what son of carts on apnngs was meant to come within the meaning of the Art. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER-lle did rot think it expedient that such a discretionary power should be lodged in the hands of the Commissioaers; as it might be used in as improper mar.ner. The SPEAK CR then left the chair, and the House resolved itself into Committee. _ The R:.)ort on the Asseaxed Taxes wa‘ brought up and referred for further consideration to Monday next. The House then resurnetk when . . . The SPEAKER said he had this day received a communication from Lady %%limn, stating that it Henty N•. Wilson had beta prevented by serious indispos•tton irom attending the call of th! House. The order for taking Sir H. W. Wilson into custody of tl.e Sergeant-at-Arms was then discharged, and excuse accepted. Mr. OOULBURN moved, that the e-der tor taking the H•v'. Member for Kerry (Mr. Crosbie) into the custody of the Sergesat at-Arms be now discharged, on the ground ef the Hon. Menthes having 13:en prevented trout attending the call of the House, by Cis sudden death of his brother. Excuse admitted, and order discharged accordingly. Mr. JIERRIES obtained leave to oring in a Rill to allow Ca , enrolment of articles of clerkship in certain cases where they emit! have been omitted. GOI:LBURN brought in a Bill to facilitate the proceed• to