The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1824-03-31 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE. ROUSE OF LORDS, TUESDAY, MAscx COAL DUTIES. Lied GRANTHAM, in tbe absence of a Noble relative to whom 1$ Vas wowed, roomed a petitioo from the inhabitants of Roy =illeriforlmh Preying for a repeal of the duties on cosh eoeatetiea—Laid on the table. PUBLIC DEBT. Mr. Speerman, from the Treasury, presented the annual accounts tasting to the public debt. COLONIAL SLAVERY. Lad CAI.THORPE presented a petition from the Inhabitants e(• place in Gloucestershire, praying the House to adopt measures for the gradual abolition of colonial slavery. The Noble Lord pre owned • ler petitions from (Inkhorn, in Rutlandshire ; and Waably, in Herefordshire; as did the Earl of Morley, from Ply mouth, d Modbury, in Devonshire ; and the Duke of Montrose, beta Pitcaithley, in ritirlinphire, •hit ware severally laid on the table. principle had ban recognised on the western coast of Africa. So f ar from offering any opposition to this Bill, he begged of the Noble Earl to accept of his best thanks, for the teal that he bad sbewn in bringing it into and carrying it through the House. The Earl of HA RROWBY said that the American Congress, in making slavery piracy, had acted distinctly from this country, and the treaty was a separate measure from that act of Congress. as en the Bill perfectly , distinct that was then in progress through Parliament from that State paper. The Acts of the respective Le. matures were independent of the treaty. The actual passing of the Bill was desirable on account at the Congress being now and it was ofimportance that it should arrive in America before that Assembly broke up. He could see no objection to invite the other Powell to accede to the terms of the convention. The Bill was then read a third time and passed.—Adjourned. tho O rd .14.4 6,111 V ts, HOUSE Of COMMONS, TUESDAY, MAacu 30. TAUNTON CANAL BILL. Sir T. LETHBRIDGE presented eta petitions, from as many *min Somersetshire, in favour of the Taunton Canal Bill—The petitions were laid upon the table. 11L- PLYMOUTH IMPROVEMENT BILL. Sir T. LETH MUDGE then moved the second reeding of the The Earl of MORLEY presented • pendia from the lobs- Taunton Canal Bill. Mama of Plymouth, in favour of the Plymouth Improvement Mr. WARRE moved that the Bill be read this day six Itt/L—ltd on the table. months. SILK TRADE. After a few _Observations front Sir T. LETHISIDOZ, Mr. The Marquis of LANSDOWN presented a petition from a Waitaz, Mr. Elaavee, 111 r. 1111.101 IT, and Sir T.Aciatri. when Bags portion of the silkonanufactunre of Spiral-fields, praying strangers were ordered to withdraw, the House di videtl r that their Lordships would pause before they rued the Bill re. the numbers appeared— seeding the silk trade ; because, hem the high price of labour In For the second reading . this country, the trade could not flourish against the competitioa Against it - - - that it would have to contend with. The petitioners prayed, that Majority - - If the measure were thought necessary by their Lordships, they The Bill wai then read a second time. would extend the time of its operation to five you instead of two ST. CATHERINE'S DOCKS. yes and a quarter, in order to give the manufacturers an oppo - Alderman THOMPSON presented a petition from upwards of ctrl, of altering their nuothisery, so as to enable them in some ette merchants, shipowners, and others, in favour of the Bill for degree to meet their couipetners on the Continent. The Noble building the St. Catherine's Docks. Mararis, in continuation, mid, that he thought the trade would Alderman BRIDGES presented a similar petition from the Dia. hearth more than ever under the new system, and would be ca. chants and others connected with the wine trade. pable of standing against all competition that might come against Ordered to lie on the table. it. but still he was of opinion t h at the petitioners were entitled Mr. MANNING presented a petition from the London Dock le raccoon. Compel', against the building of the St. Catherine's Docks. The petition was then laid en the table. Mr. tiREN FELL observed, that there was a great want of se- SLAVE PIRACY BILL. commodation for dripping, end that it was necessary that such w ind BATHURST expressed a hope that their Lordships would ecenenooadoo s oma be h a d. dispense with the usual form of going into • Committee on the The petition was ordered to lie on the table. elpire Piracy Bill, mid anew it at once to he read a third time; as Sir J. MACKINTOSH said, he held in !debited a petitioli is was a matter of great importaacs that it should go out to the front Wm. Walker, Esq. a . elicitor, of Manchester, against whose U n i t ed States as soon es possible t for if the Bill did not arrive praefeasional claracte a statement had been made where he had DO )amore the Anuvican Congress broke up, the convention relating to opportunity of replying to it ; and the object of the petition airy this subject could not be signed, and it must consequently remain was, to appear by Counsel before the Bar of the Home, to defend unratified until the meeting of Congress in November. He should his conduce Ile (Sir J. Mackintosh) wait unacquainted with the dungen move that the 11111 be then read a third time. party ; but be was sure the House would at least feel an Molina. • Rail GROSVENOR could not object to the proposal of the Den to consider the petition. It declared, that the most injurioes Noble Earl opposite, anxious as be was that the Bill should not statements had been nude against him In evidence which had bun only pass here, but that its object should be confirmed in the given on a private Bill before the Committee, and that the Cent- Owed Sutra. Ile constderwel it much to the honour of this Como. 'mute having a dj ourn ed Are die, hail not given him try that she had brought &butes. measure in every point of new eh, of defending his character. If this act were just, or other. politic and humane. For the last 40 years the struggle Ind.bein wise, it was not now his (Sir J. Mackintosh's) intehtion to in. carried on, and he congratulated their Lordships that it had bees quiee ; but he hoped the House would consider the cameo, a per -10 successfully conducted. After haring approved of the instruct eon of romectabilite, whale character might be taken from him, • tions notified to tier Lordships by the Noble Earl (Bathurst) eat a and, consequently, ruin ensue, if be were not enabled to defuel former evening, and having declared that apprebation unequivocally himself. ✓ed sincerely, he would ask if the object of these instructions was Mr. BRIGHT objected tour bringing up of thenetition, on the to lend ultimately to the abolition of slavery e The quesdoe had gro u nd that it ( untamed s ee m s which did not mom b e f ore been muted within these two years whether the children of &hives the House. were not tree. He thought the Noble Earl had made that state- The SPEAKER observed, as to the question of ender that it sent, and referred to the Act passed four years ago on that sub- was difficu lt for the House to say when • petition should new be 'ea. The next point that he would advert to was tut with regard beought up, because the prayer of the petitioner could not be put t° manumission ; and if the instructions of the Noble Earl were ed. It did appear that such was now the case, because there had to take edert, Manumission would remake nearly die same as been nu orders from the Committee; but the. House was aware that before. Ile thought, if the system adopted in Colombia were they should hear the petition of a person who complained of injus pursued its the colonies, it would greatly tend to (militate menu- tics. It Was difficult to say on what subject petitions ought not to allusion. The system adopted in Colombia was the collection of • be received, if respectfully worded; but there was a material differ /OM of money, in the way of contribution, for the purpose of nee between doing this and granting the prayer. facilitating manumission. The Noble Earl at the head of the Mr. HUYIE wished to know in what situation the petitioner wet Treasury had said on a former night, that if the facilities given to placed. maammiadon under the regulations, were out found to be sufficient The SPEAKER observed, that he had not stated the as to be when they came to be tried, they should be extended. The Noble one which would not admit of redress. It was quite clear that any Lail had pledged himself t hat greater facilitia should be given to Member had a right to move that the proceedings of • Committee manumission, if them at present in operation were found insuf- should b e l a id before the House; th e H ouse mien then take cog ticient. Ile wished to know from the Noble Earl opposite(Bathurst) nisance of them, which, until then, it was impossible for the House if he was ready to milieu' that pledge. Tne Islands might or to do. might not be inclined to adopt the regulations of the Noble Earl. Mr. BRIgHT said, that the objection he made to the petition They ought be contumacious, as they had been before. Suppose was purely this, that lispoke lof what had taken place bolos the Jamaica, for instance, should treat the Mother Country as she had Committee, which should only be made known by its report. done before, what course dad the Noble Earl propose to adopt? The SPEAKER observed, that all he had stated was, that such Would be withdraw or enforce the regulations ? .Hefoir oat thought a proceeding, if more formal and more efficacious, ought of course that • bloodless war with the Custom-house was better than to to be adopted. The House would then be placed in a situation to draw the sword, and he should prefer hating recourse to fiscal take cognizance of it, which at present it could not do► regulations rather than force. According to the regulations olds', Mr. P. MOORE said, that until the proceedings of the Coin. Noble Earl, an ecclesissticel establishment was to be sent out to mittee were laid before the llouse, the House could not be aware the Lolootes ; he wished to ask how it was to be provided for ? that It was not sitting. There wee one ether point to which he would advert, which related Mr. W. BOOTLE said, that if such a plan as now proposed to free labour. That course had been successfully followed in were followed, there was no knowing where it would end. Sterna Leone, and be thought it might be applied with equal sue. Sir J. MACKINTOSH said be would withdraw the petition. Gras in the West Indies. 'Pie whole of this subject was fraught because a motion on the subject was about to be presented by the with importance. Certain it was that there were persons who said lion. Member for Sussex. that the situation of the slave was as good as that ut the labourer Alt. CURTEIS commenced by reading part of the minutes In this world. But that doctrine was so extraordinary, that it taken before the Committee. was scarcely pessible to imagine the it could bit seriously enter- Lord STANLEY said, as Chairman to the Committee alluded tabled, re that any one could compare the man who had no hope to, he must observe, that he had no idea of the minutes being in in this world, and scarcely any in the other, with the labourers any other hands; he thought therefore that the reading them would adds country. The dillesence between slavery and freedom was be out of order. as great as that between dukusa std light; they were as distant Sir J. MACKINTOSH differed from the Noble Lord. as Haden and Hell. The SPEAKER said it was difficult to give an opinion on the! Earl BATHURST observed, that as the Noble Earl had ex. subject. What the Noble Lord had said was correct, as it related *mud his approbation of the regulation., it was not necessary for to the minute, of evidence, but it was different if the HOW, wished dm to trouble their Lordships at any length. He ruse therefen to hear such parts of it at as it might think fit. usly to answer the questions put to him by the Noble Earl oppo. Mr. CURTEIS was anxious to have the petition placed on a site. With regard to the first question, as to the issue of slaves, proper footing. The party who considered himself aggrieved wish. the Noble Esil had entirely inieundersonel him on a former even- eel to have the subject inquired into, and said, that the allegations Rig. He demo' to suppose that he (Bathurst) bad stated, that it I originated from parties opposed to hint. lie (Mr. ('urteis) would m had been oot& whether the issue oe slaves wars free. The tact therefore move that the Committee on the Royal Gas Bill do sit was, that the 11.3 pawn.' tour years ago declared, that the Masten semen, and proceed •osnmerow. had a right to the Mile of slaves, and every Act that had been, Mr. STA NLEY could see no ground for again going Into the pirated ouifinued that enacmient with respect to all the bloods. It question. He could not suffer such imputations as had been thrown was enacted by the Act passed four years ago, that • rqgtstry should on the Committee to pass without notice, without stating the rea. ! Le kep, and uo muster could make a title to the child of a slave sons of the Committee for adjourning site die. Ile went into the' that vies hot mentioned in that registry, which was to be kept in Committee unprejudiced, or, if any thing, he was inclined to fa each island. On the subject of manumission the Noble Earl had your the Bill. But as he listened to the evidence, his first impose stated, that nut couch had been done towards it. But he could sion grew weaker, and it was ascertained that the Bill was neither moure the Nook Earl that greater facilities were given to menu- desired nor sought to be brought in by the people of Manchester. mission by the regulations that lie had had the honour of introduce The petition itself was most irregularly obtained ; of the 700 names tug to their Loolosips' notice on a previous night, and that the attached to the document, there was not fewer than 107 duplicates. Order in Council cuatainol provisions which would meet the dill. (Hear.) This was discovered by the accidental circumstance of • culties that existed, both witb regard to manumission and the issue skin asignatures which were made out for another petition, which of .alaves. lerapecting the allusion that had been made to his Noble hail nothing whatever to do with the matter before the House. reend's (Lord Liverpool) pledge by the Noble EArl opposite, as (Hear.) There was another circumstance deserving the attention so the facilities Gun woutd be given to inanunitseimi by these regu- of the House. An individual. named Corbet, signed at one time lotions, and that it the Facilities were hound inadequate to the pur- 34 names to the petition, and 196 at another; this individual made poor for which cob y were intended, he perfectly Agreed with his a declaration to this effect to a friend of his, who repeated it. He Oieble Frieid that levy should be extended. With reference to the waa summoned before the Committee, and tis answer corresponded lam question of the Noble Earl, that related to the indismaition of exactly with the depositions which had been previously taken. the laleveds to receive the regulations, he had only to observe, that This same individual also stated to a NI re Hardman, that he had r.c.thing um more likely to indispose the Wands to the proposed taken two friends of his to the house where the petition was kept, netsesure for their regulation than a prospective discussion the and they signed 296 names ; some of these persons had been dead subject iii that House. ten or twelve years ; others had never been in existence at all. l'les Marquis of LA NSDOWN did not by any means rise to (Hear.) The only ground for connecting Mr. Walker with the oppose the roxininteiniation of the Noble Earl opposite, because lie transaction was, that the petition lay in his office, and it was thought it founded on sound principles, and therefore he should there the petitioner' signatures were affixed • and this respectable zoo eater into any prospective discuesion ; and lie entertained the person now complained th at he would be bla sted in his character; hope that the Noble Earl was on good ground in the expectations his hopes and prospects would be ruined for ever. He had hs bole relative to the beneficial (elects of the measure he had pro. nothing to look to for relief, if this house did not, in its mercy, posed to their Lunlehips. He hoped die islands would take • more hear him in the defence of his character. The motive upon which &Joliet view of this question than they had hitherto dune. He the Committee acted went to support the prayer of this individual, was aoxious not to go into it then, but if no greater disposition at for the Committee had adjourned rise die, because it was con reconciliation wait eviered on the part of the Colonies than had scious, fun what had imputed, that it would not be doing its been hitherto sheen tee their assemblies, it would then become the duty to the character of the House if it did not call to the bar, or duty of that House and of the King ' s Governtnent to discuss it. send toNewgate,the persons who ha:d demeaned themselves with such It, on the other hand, the auemblies should fortunate', be in. impropriety. The case was particularly hard against the individual ducted by conviction, however slow to attend to the calls of and his friends ' that when the Committee had adjourned she die, humanity, and act in unison with du e ad of society , they to prevent any further proceedings, an attempt ehould be made to might relieve the King's Government and that House front the un- renew it, on the score of the proceedings being injurious to the in welcome, though necessary task, of discussing the question so in. divides' and his friends. ile,trusted the motion would be rejected, ornately connected with the interests of the great ponion of the in. and he saw to reason fur its being received by the House. habitants of their islands, Fur the reasons stated by the Noble Sir J. MACKINTOSH heard, with particular pleasure, the ob. Mtn, in which he concurred, he was not delimits of going into eravations ef the Hon. Member who had just sat down, ld which anis questio3 ; ti. rose more for the purpose of adverting to the Bill gave a fair promise of abilities, which would, he hoped, be long immediately beim the House, winch made the slave trade piracy and suceuefully employed, not alone in the defence of the pans throughout the world, and which was a measure in itself in- cuter interests of his constituents. He rejoiced as much as any diapeumbie. It was, indeed, • measure that he should have felt man in the accession of the talents which that House received us:wiled of himself, and guilty of a dereliceen of Ins public duty, upon every occasion, slid which conetituted at once Its ornament in out proposing, kad he not c o nsid er ed it necessary that it sheeted and its strength. He felt particular satisfaction at the accession of he proposed, w coetjunction with other Powers ; and which, of talent, when exerted in support of those principles which he con doms; matte negociation necessary. It was must fortunate that ecientiouvly believed to be most conducive to the interests of the the Luited Suites had interfered im this subject, and had by her country. As to the question before the House, he thought it Congrees declared a traffic in slaves to be limey all over the world. matter for the inquiry of the House, why a Committee. appointed The Bel beeird their Lordships was founded on a treaty entered for the purpose of making a report had made no report at all. lie into between this country and sentence, which, altheugh at present did not mean to cut any imputation upon them. Ile did know, la an impede:. state, would lead, he sincerely trusted, to the most and it was not necessary to hint to ay how he derived the know hiodcial remits. ledge, but he did know, that the Committee had adjourned rime die, (Lord BATIIUIitIT said, aeons the able, that the treaty had and thus the orders of the House were not complied with. lie did Dot jet been ratified by America. but Run it would be se mon not wish to visit the Committee with the censure of the 'louse, but the Bill reached that cowmen I it should be %hotel why the Orders of the House were not obey. Lewd LA NeIDOW N,in euntiauation, observed, that the treaty ed. A. to the assertion of the 31ember for Dover, that the chit. might be weeders:el as substantially concluded, and lie hoped that racier of file. Walker was not affected, he would maintain it was ; It would contain some Additional stipulatiene, binding on the two I and thee very circunistance was a material ground fur the adjourn. canneries to unite their efforts in pressing the Immure on other mint time die. lie did not mean to make any reflections, but it Goon:ries. Every Christian aid commercial state had adopted the was certainly cruel mercy, when imputations were thrown out principle of the oncimee, and those countries that did not act upon upon a mares character, to refuse all inquiry to the party, and ed it were subject to rental disgrace. Ile wished always es see this journ the Committee. The accidental Interposition of one skin of omen" and America united on all queoions; but it we, a part,- parchment in the petition, would certainly be no ground of ad. etlar plummet to hint to see three two emit:too who had a :amnion pediment. lie was of opinion that the Committee should be tingle, a common religion, and who ought to have common ties of called upon to declare why it did not make its report, and why it fellowship, uniting tor the prosperity of the world, and ler the had &dimmed rime die. This mode of proceeding was imperative benefit of the human race. No time ought to be lost in giving the upon the House., and what the lion. Member ealled for the Report ratllest effect to the treaty. They were setting up by their example of the Committee, he merely called upon the Home to support its • principle that it was the duty of all Posers to act upon • and if own °eke. any Powers should be found contumacious, opposing themselves Mr. C. PHILLIPS said, if the Committee was called upon to so that principle, lie hoped that these two cuuntries would be pre. make • report of its proceedings after an adjournment time die, pared to entoree these demands, if necessary, and chew dame the proper nude of acting would bo to move tor the revival of the Powers that they considered them •esoks nnoiaiti go...rise—whom (lonettittee. There was a precelent for this upon the Journals of hand was against every man, sod therefore every mum's hand ought the House. A similar course was adopted in the year 1816; the to be against them. Whiter lie w:111 upon this subject, he felt it an revival of a Committee was called for. Two But.. Members, ant of euty that he owed to an individte le to state, that the prin. whom he then had before him (Sir J. Graham and W. Wynn), vele of mating siaveoleaiing piney was first established by a were amongst the tellers. The pmpnsition was carried in the *Mr- Rriosle ()Ricci in the Arelnen Soh and Persian Gulph—Sir ne. illative. That course should be again adopted. It was not reason. Kew Grant. The commerce wee carried on to a great extent there, able, in his opinion, to roue measure upon a House, to which the and he made it a condition of the peace diet he entered into with majority of the Committee before whom it was discussed were the Persian Pricers, that the carrying airily slave% should be con. unfavourable. Ile would oppose the motion. sleeted a ensile awned the world, and against this country lin par. Mr. S. WILSON said, that from certain evidence which came udder. Ile did nut mean to say that the condition Sir William before him, he thought, as • hlember of the Committee and • Le. leant had stipulated for had been always successful; but the gislator, the 'imbue taught to be rejected. . - - 103 34 Mr. BRIGHT would not make asy allusions to comments mode upon himself, as the Members who made them were not present. portan lie th7e,irhast thi s it nn Zdttertesasheiwt was H at ou mil se d t i re way aed Tin‘ri:shiorch"tpetitioiTs were gotten. The House should come to some way of dealing with this and similar petitions, and should nos be prevented by the ex. wow, which was to fallen the panics. In his opinion. a strong case had been made out as to the mode io which this petition had been procured, aml inquiry should be made into this high parliamentary offence. flit was resolved that the I 'commit/cc should be revived, he would wish the evidence given should be reported from day to day. The practice of the people of Manchester was, he feared, comma' through the country ; it was contrary to the law, that any person should write his name or fix his mark to a petition except the petitioner himself. It should be known to all persons sending pri. sate Bills, that they would be in danger of losing them if they were signed by the hands of others. Mr. Pi LHAM opposed the measure. Si; I. COFFIN wished for such a Bill as would do justice to all parties. to by Government. They had proposed the petaled reduction of !SAUK in the expense of certain lqpl prom-dings, of which 6,0004 was to be a saving to the people . generally, and 12,0001. to the suitors. Vet the amount of reduct ion effected did not exceed 6,0001. Of the reduction of ninety situations in the minor Courts, fifteen only had taken place. In the Court of Sessions three reductions only had taken place, out of twelve which the Commissioners had recommended. Again, where a saving of 15, 0' tfil. was suggested, 1,6001. oily had been effected. The Noble Lord entered into a detail of the several items of expenditure which the Commissioners recommended either reformation or total abolition of,and complained of the Inattention with which their several opinions upon them had been neglected, and not carried into effect by his 3lajcsty's alinis tees. There was one charge most extraordinary in its nature, and, as he conceived, most objectionable in principle. Ile alluded to the charge of treatment. To its amount he did not so much object, as' to the meanness implied in the very charge. With respect to the Court of Exchequer, the Commissioners had recommended the abolition of two officers of that Court, yet to that recommendation no attention had been paid, excepting so far as the non-appoint. went of the two officers. (Hear.) In the Lion Court, ton, there' prevailed abuses to a considerable extent, which were pointed out by the Commissioners anti never rectified. In the Excise Board, though remromendations were given, nothing had been done. Upon the extension of the Small Debts Bill, the extension of its jurisdiction, a recommendation had been given, but to it no notice bad been paid. At present the jurisdiction was limited to IL ; and though the Commission had suggested and advised its extension to 101. , yet no beneficial effect lied followed from that recommendation. Now, on that subject he pledged himself to propose speedily some measure which might obtain, perhaps, the sanction of the House, and which, in his mind, would prove of ad_ vantage to Scotland. lie watt next desirous of referring the atten. tan of the House to the Borough Courts, and this was a subject peculiarly . interesting to Scotland ; for never, perhaps, was there • Constitution more loudly calling for revision and reformation than the condition of these Borough Courts. Now, notwithstanding the recommendation of the Commissioners, nothing was done except through the very inefficient Bill of the Noble Lord epposite, passed last year, and really that little was rather a mockery than any real mitigation of the grievance. The practice in these Courts was, in the Report of the Commissioners, most strongly repro. bated ; there was a want of uniformity of charge--there was no honesty in the was proposed ; there were demands made for pro. ceases quite destitute of Inundation • and though these impositions had incurred the censure, and bee n stigmatised the Commis sioners as illegal exactments, they still continued in all their ori. ginal deformity. The Noble Lord then recapitulated the various measures of the Commissioners. With respect to the Court of Chancery, their Report had been disregarded. As to the Court of Exchequer, no Bill had been brought into that House, although no appointment had taken place. With respect to the Shentrs Court, no reduction of siteations had occurred ; and in the Lord Lion's Court no alteration had followed upon the Commissioners' recommendation ; so in the Borough Courts had it happened ; and, therefore, he felt it to be his duty to exact, if possible, froin the Noble L ord, an explanation of what was intended to be done, if, happily, any amendment was really intended ; and for that purpose he should move that the twelve Reports of the Commissioners ap pointed to inquire into the Courts of Justice in Scotland should be referred to • Committee of the whole House. Mr. H.SUMNER wassatisfied, in his mind, that the Committee had acted proper) yby the measure. He knew nothing of the merits of the Bill, and did not wish to have it revived. He was sure it would produce no good to have it discussed before the House, as it involved in it the diameter and reputation of an individual ; it would be also a question, upon consideration, if their privileges were violated in the mole of procuring the petition. Ile hoped it would also be tominuniaued to the Committee that they had not done their duty. Mr. Aleerman lIEYGATE objected to the enormous power de legated to the Comtnittee ; his mode would be to entrust the for. tune and person of every individual to the mercy of the Committee; the danger of this would - , he thought, be not light. Mr. CURTEIS said a few weeds, which were inaudible in the gallery. The question for reviving the Committee was then put, and nega tived without a division. - COUNTY COURTS. . . Lord LOWTHER — prawn — Ili aptWonWm the inhabitants of Whitehaven, In support of the County Courts' Hill.--Ordered to lie on the table. SLAVERY. Lord LOWTHER presented • petition from the Inhabitants of Dldlborne Port, against slavery in the West Indies.—Ordered to lie on the table. IRISH FREEMASONS. Alr.DAWSONTreseti --- -- ted;pWJEOWiro - itice — rMin freemasons in the north of Ireland, complaining a certain secret societies. It was with sincere regret he had emeived the communication, that 23 men were en trial for their lives for examen; growing out of these secret sock ties in the minty of Armagh, and t he re were twelve similarly situ ated in the country of Antrim ; there were also public processions of a most oppressive nature, which led to amanita, and finally to murder. It was from these processions that most of these melon.. choly cases occurred, which led to murder. It was to him a most pleasing reflection, that owe former =argue he had delivered his opinion to rescue the Orange Societies front aspersion, when he thought them unjustly aspersed; that at that time he ha d stated, in the strongest and most unqualitied language,his reprobation of these processions. (Hear). These processions could answer no good per. pose whatever; it Protestants had their processions so would Ca. tholics also • one would be followed by another. Asa proof of the mischief of iheae processions, he would take those parts of the north of Ireland in which they were celebrated on the lst and 12th of July, and the 4th of November, and though these parts were re markable for the industry of their inhabitants, these processions put an end to all industry, and were the signal for riot and murder. The gentlemen of these pima joined o 1 party or the other, and murder was always the result. He wi. A that his voice upon this occasion could he heard is every part . of the country where these meetings were still continual He wished all the gentry of these districts would second him in the reprobation of these processions, which were at once disgraceful and mischievous to the country. (Hear, hear.) Mr. S. RICE could not refrain from expressing his gratitude to the Honourable Member for the observations lie had made ; he considered them as highly important, and thought they would be more beneficial to Ireland than any _enactment during the present Session. The declaration of the Honourable Member was par ticularly desirable at present, as the legislative measure of the last Scission had completely failed. The mischiefs of these processions were not confined to the north of Irclaod ; they were equally mis. chievous in other districts, where, until lately, they were un known. Nothing could be more beneficial to Ireland than to have it known in Ireland that it was the wish of the Government and the Legislature to put down that system of party, from which had arisen so much heart-burning, ill-will, and bad blood. Mr. HUME wished to make one observation upon the subject. It would depend on the Chancellor of Ireland to remove all the Magistrates who had a share in these processions • and, by what he heard, they were all attended by Magistrates fro; the Commission of the Peace. If they continued to interfere with them—if steps ,! were not taken in this authoritative manner—the spirit of party would net be put down in Ireland. Mr. BRON'NLOW would say a few words on the subject. The petitioners desired that some steps should be taken to put down secret associations, whilst freemasons should be put on the same footing as in this country. He agreed in the payer of the petitioners, that these associations should be crushed. Ile thought this, not only upon public principles, but en the authority of Mr. Baron M'Clelland, who hod Dot as yet gone half his Circuit; and even in this short time there were various individuals tried for murders, growing out of these processions and associations. He telt it his duty, as an Orangeman, and as connected with the coun. ty, which is supposed to be the most Orange in Ireland, to have these p r o ce ssions iiDri put down ; in this opinion he agreed perfectly with M'Clelland ; whilst these processions were allowed to exist, no man's life would be worth a pin's fee, nor his property worth a year's purchone. Every man who had ten-pence would use them in procuring the means of transporting himself altogether. In this country the Duke of Sussex presided over the Freemason Societies ; yet if he were to transport himself to Ireland with any of his brethren, by the law, as it affected that country, the Society would become illegal. It was great nonsense and inconsistency, in his opinion, to make the Freemasons of Ireland subject to penalties and restrictions, from which the Freemasons of this country were exempt. All the subjects of the same empire ought, in his opinion, to be bound by the same laws and regulations. Mr. A BERCROM BY had observed a great difference had been created in the conduct of Orangemen since last year, when he sub. ruined a motion relative to that body. He did not mean that they should become objects of persecution, but rather hoped . that they should rather be discontinued through the exercise of individual in fluence, than put down by violence. He was sorry to see persons enjoying the favour and countenance of Government who were en. gaged in these Societies, and thought that one very effectual mode of discontinuing them would be, not to extend the favour and en couragement of Government towards persons who were members of them. The motion was seconded by Mr. KENNEDY. The lA/RD ADVOCATh observed, that he bad from the ♦try commencement of the statement of the Noble Lord, felt himself very much at a loss to discover the object he could have in view in referring such a motion as the present to a Committee of the whole House; and he was still at a loss to penetrate the meaning of the motion. The Noble Lord had ever been most attentive to persa-s filling the office he (the Lord Advocate) then held (a laugh); and to him it was doubtless some consolation to feel that every one of his predecessors had, in the opinion of the Noble Lord, equally de. peeved reprobation. (Hear.) The Reports to which reference had how made, were all of them made before he had a seat in that House; he denied, however, that he felt the slightest disinclination to carry into complete effect every one of the recommendations of the Commissioners. lie thought that there was contained in the -such . Reports of that Committee m— valuable information •an historical account of every o ffi ce concerning which they treated was given ; sod upon a careful perusal of these twelve Reports, he would ven ture to affirm, that there was nothing corrupt or radically wrong in the establishments themselves. Under that Commission, however, the Commissioners—and be was now in the beariag of one of them, who would correct him if he was in error—proceeded to investigate they the constitution of two Courts over which had, strictly speak. ing, no control, namely, the Court of Chancery and the Court of the Lord Lion of Scotland. The latter of these Coons warn similar to the office of the garter King of Arms in this country, and was, in truth a Court of Ilooour, not a Court of Law. He (the Lord Advocate), when he perceived the Report of the Commissioners upon that Court, stating that it would be an indignity to the Crown to interfere, as the Commission had suggested, by the redaction of fees, had advised the Secretary of State to issue forth his injure. don, restraining that officer from continuing these questionable charges. The Court of Chancery, into which the Commissioners had diverW, was not, in the usual parlance term, a Court of Chan ewry • in they had no such thing in Scotland as a Court of Chat4ery, it was a mere conlce, and the Commissioners had re ported that the fees exacted in this office were not extravagant • but they objected to certain regulations made between the Noble Lord at the head of that Court to Scotland (Rosslyn), and the clerks of the Court. The sum allowed was totally inadequate. The Commis.' Wooers recommended that an additional sum should be granted, but' that did not pass. That Court had power to regulate itself without any other interference. The next in order in the Noble Lord's list was the Commisary Court. He brought forward that question last year, and he need not remind the House of the opposition which that Bill encountered ; and here he could not but advert to the di. lemma in which he was placed: if be did not constantly bring before the Douse the state of the Scotch Courts he was charged with a neglect of duty ; and, when he brought in a Bill for their amend. meet, it was immediately met by opposition. If ever there was a Bill that deserved the support of the Noble Lord (A. Hamilton), it was that BilL it went to abolish 23 patent places; and yet it was raided even to the third reeding by the Gentlemea opposite; and still he was enabled to state, that that Bill diffused throughout Scotland universal satisfaction, and was received by them as a great boon. The next was the C o urt of Sheriff's. He had last year brought in a Bill relative to this Court, which had gone to a third reading, and which lie then abandoned at the suggestion of his lion. Friend the Member fur Caine, on the ground that a Bill was coming down Fran the House of Lords for establishing a Commission to investigate these Courts. To convince the House of the import. once of the Sheriffs' Courts, he would state, that during the last year 22,000 causes had been tried in these Courts, which, as cote. paled to the Court of Session, was as 117 to I. It appeared to hint that it would have been an unwise measure to have brought forward any question on the subject of this Court until the House were in possession of the Report of the Commissioners to whom he had alluded ; in fact, until they had this, they would be legislating in the dark. The next point was, the jurudiaion of the Justices. lie admitted that it was extremely limited : and, from what he knew, he was enabled to say that the Commissioners had recommended an extension of their jurisdiction, which was at pre. sent defined by Act of Parliament. These Justices had control over debts not exceeding Ll. ; and it seemed to be the object of the Noble Lord to increase this jurisdiction to a larger sum. On this point there was much difference of opinion; even the facility of recovering small debts had its attendant mischiefs, as it induced people to give credit where in other cases they would withhold it, and which might be considered a mischief. He bad taken the trouble to ascertain the number of persons imprisoned in Edinburgh for debt for the past year. It amounted to 212, of which number 132 were for debts under M. In the next place he would observe, that in order le. make these Justices useful, their decision must be inaL This was not a destrable thing to do, as where a Judge knew that there was a superior over hint, it made hint snore cautious, and, generally striking, more correct in his decision. Eight thousand seven hundred causes had been recently derided ► t the Sheriff; Court, and if the Noble Lord pc:several in increasing the jurisdiction of It , he for one would oppose it. lie bad another objection to it— the House would be surprised to hear that justices in Scotland very seldom acted magisterially ; the great increase of crime, con sequent on the increasing prosperity of the county, rendered it necessary that criminal causes should b: entrusted to the Justices, of which there would be no danger, as they were men of probity ' and honour; this might easily be done with the assistance of the ' Sheriff; aided by a jury. and he was confident that such an exten sion would go to ease the character of the country gentlemen of Scotland, woo had often been charged with a desertion of their daty. rerenibered that duriag the riots at Glasgow, the Noble Lard opposite and many Whet, withdrew theimaelves, not with any idea of deserting their post, but tram the notion that they ! could be of no service there. After the statement he had made to the House, he would leave to them to say whether he bad neglected his duty, or whether he had nut paid all the attention to it which could be expected from hint. Mr. A BEIICIIO3IBY begged to return the Learned Lord Ad ' vacate his most sincere thanks for the prospect of reform which he held out in the Scotch Courts of haw, anti in carrying which he for one would moat cordially cooperate. He had coo 'deed of the parts which matt required revision, and he thought that one of the most objectionable was the giving to' j the legal profession the sole adjudication of suits without the in. tervention of the gentry of the country ; the most important cri j mind steps are pertormed by the Sheath's substi.ute, so that while !country gentlemen were completely excluded front any share in the administration of justice, they had not even the satisfaction of seeing the office discharged by the principal, but left to his dequty. He was also anxious to see the system of grand juries iatroducod into Scotland, as he thought their introduction would be attended with the must important consequences. He had waited with much solicitude to bear what the t'outtnissioners had said on the subject of the Sheriff Court in Scotland, and if no other Member had • called the attention of the House to the subject, it was his purpose ; to have dune so; but he felt that the question was where it ought to be, and he trusted that the Learned Lord Advocate would per. severe. lie thought that the answers given by the Noble Lord relative to the Lion Court and the Court of Chancery were per. fectly satisfactory ; he could have wished that he had been squally explicit with regard to the Court of Session. He was of opinion that if the reannnientlatioos of that House were not attended to, state reason ought to be assigned thr dissenting 11001 them. Lord BINNING said, that he would not follow the Noble .Lord (A. Hamilton) through the devious range he had taken, as he considered the soccer given to hint by the Lawnal hard Ad vocate was most triumphant std complete; he hoped his Learned Friend would persevere, notwithstanding any obstacle he might • meet with. lie disapproval of the suggestion of the lion. Member • for Caine, of extending grand juries to Scotland, as he did not think that even if the measure were attainable it would be desirable. 3lr. HUME was inclined to admit that the Learned Lord Ad-1; vocate had done more than his predecessors; but dial not that admission throw blame on them. when he confessed that on his en- ; trance into office he found the Reports of this House, relative to Scotch Courts of Law, had been entirely unattended to ? Where, Mr. MONCK regretted that Freemnspns were included in the Bill of last year, for she Freemasons admitted Catholics and Pro. temente into their Society indiscriminately ; and by subjecting them to the operation of this Bill, one great opportunity was lost, of promoting conciliation between Catholic" and Protestants. He hoped some lion. Gentleman would introduce a short Bill in the course of nest Session, to alter the law as it at present affected Freemasons in Ireland. The petition was then read, and ordered to be printed. hit W.INOILBY pretested a petition from Pickering, against slavery. Sir F. WR9TTESLEY presented ■ petition from Wolver hampton, against the combination laws. Sir T. BLAKE presented a petition from Berwick, praying far • repeal of the window tax and other assessed taxes. 111 r. CURWEN presented a petition from Workington, in Cum berland, praying for rote gradual abolition of slavery. Mr. Alderman WOOD presented a petition from the ward of Farringdon Without, and a similar one from Mile-end, against the Excise licence ditties. Sir J. NEWPORT presented a petition from the paper-hanging manufacturers of Dublin, praying that they may be put on an equal footing with those engaged in the same trade in England. Mr. ELLts and Mr. L. FOSTER suppor:ed the prayer of the petition. _ _ ALIEN BILL. Mr. BIRCH presented a petition from the Mayor and Corn. mon Council of Nottinghatn, against the Alien BilL 'l'he lion. Member read the petition, which stated that the continuance of this Bell in the seventh year of a continued pewee, the petitioners regarded as the measure ut an arbitrary Government, unworthy the free tiovernment of this country. Alderman WOOD said, that although this was the first petition presented from a corporation. another would be soon laid on the table from the corporation of London. The Right Honourable ISecretary (Mr. Peel) might not be disposed to pay much attention to the expression of the opinions of corporations, particularly that of London : they would, however, nevertheless speak out strongly on the impolicy of this Rill; and a meeting was speedily to be convened, for the purpose of taking the subject under their con sideration. Mr. IV. presented a petition from Stoke-ferry and Burton, in Nottinghamshire, against slavery. 111 r. A BERCRO:l1B V presented a similar petition from Caine. Mr.BI'KES asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the expense of the County Courts Bill ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCII El/888 was not pre pared to answer the question of the lion. Alembic. Lord MILTON presented a petitioli from Halifax, in Yorkshire, signed by five thousand persons, against darer,. scorrisii COURTS OF JUSTICE. Lord A. HAMILTON rose to bring forissed his promised motion, that the Report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the Courts of Justice in Scotland should be referred to a Corn. I mitten of the whole House. This motion was induced in cons.. queues of his Majesty's Government not havirg sufficiently attended to the suggestions of improvement contained in the Report of the Commissioners. In the year 18(1, by the exertions of an Honour able Baronet, a Commission was appointed to inquire into the ad ' ministration of justice in Scotland and Ireland. (In the Reports of the Commissioners appointed to Ireland, various improvements had been suggested and adopted. The Reports, however, relating to Scotland had not been paid similar attention to. ',hen three' or four of their Reports had been made, it was his intention to have founded a motion upon them, but was then requested to postpone it ; Ire had waited, and was greatlydisappoi inn that no extensive practical amendment had been earnest into effect agreeably to their recommendation. It should be remembered that this Commission cost the country near forty thousand pounds. They had sat seven years, and the average expense of the Corneal/orlon each year was estimated at live thousand pounds. He did not moan to censure the Commission ; in his opinion they had done their duty to the House arid the Government but he was not equally prepared to say that his 'Majesty's Ministers had done their duty to the commendation. Not even one-fourth part of their suggestions for the re luction of expense had been attended he would ask, was the Reeretary of State, whose duty it wa s to that those Reports should not have become a dead letter, af ter ttfr . — ` ' had coat so much money in framing ? It w as t h e greatest eh ---' he had ever heard brought against the Govern ment . H e waijk le . the House the justice to say, that notwithstanding the Wean* it always showed to support the Ministers, yet it wail ever " ad , lend its most earnest attention, whenever an y abuses of Co urt ,: Justice were brought before it. Ile hoped the Noble Lord wneki mews the question to a division. Mr. KENNEDY hoped that the Lord Advocate intended to adopt the measures he spoke of this session. The LORD ADVOCATE said, that he had not as y et made up his mind, and he should wish to take the sense of the co untry gentlemen of Scotland before he pledged himself. (H eim) Mr. A BERCROMBY said, that the explanation just given by the beamed Lord Advocate had more than half destroyed ta t eliW, of his first declaration. Mr. C()URTENAY wished for an inquiry, but though t i t should be left to the discretion of the bard Advocate. The Will A DVOCATE observed, that after his explan et t ee he did not expect to be so hard pushed as to whether Iss wee k proceed further during this Session. Lord A. H A 111 LYON observed, that it was too much to as the House, after so inuci delay, to deLy still longer. The Noble Lord, in fact, at last only held out a wavering hope that something would be done. Under such circumstances he telt it to be his duty to divide the Howe. The Learned Lord had charged hint with running away during the investigation, when, in point of fan, t h e Leaned Lord and the Solicitor-General were absent from thew tam in pursuit of their political interests. He next applied is the Commander-in-Chief for in(nrmation,but there he received Ro e . except that they were all laughing at the idle reports of rising ally people. At that very time, the newspaper under the immediate protection and control of the Noble Lord. particularly the Retina, had grossly abused him ; there was no falsehood so infasLoas—,lo I slandour so abominable, which was not heaped upon him. se f t , did these abominable slanders go, that he was charged with hell tie friend or acquaintance of the only person executed at Glasgow during the riot,. He heard of risings, and he was anxious i s ascertain if the report was true, and upon inquiry he found all the official persons, the Learned Lord, and his !text officer in rah. heal excursions, and the persons in the office of the Commander. in -Chief, laughing at the reports of insurrection. (Cries of Quesuon.") Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and the Gallery we e cleared tie a division : For the Motion, 761 Against it, 124 Majority, IL POOR'S SET'I'LEMEN 'I'S. On our return to the Gallery we found Lord A LTHOLPsa his legs, but from the noise sainted by the rush of strangers lore the Gallery, we could not gather his obeervations for several nutes. When we did catch what fell from the Noble Lard, wi understood him to object to the present rgurations as benne master and servants. The system now prevailing nude* it difficult for labourers from one parish obtaining work a another ; and he therefore proposed seine alteration in the mene t mode of settlement of the pour. He would not further dews th House, than by propoing to bring in • Bill for abolishing seals manta by hiring and serving. Col. WOOD did not rime to object to the Bill ; but to give it 111 support; at all events to go to a Committee. In the Committee be intended to propose a clause insuring to the poor man a settle intent by the fact of his paying poor's rate, though under the run. of ten . pounds, which was made imperative by the 34th of ()corgi in. He last year intended to bring in a Bill on this subject ; but finding opposition to it from Leeds and other manufacturing tows, he had abandoned it. But upon more mature consideratioa since, he was resolved in bringing it forward again. This was a subject interesting to the poor, and he entreated the indulgence of the House only for • few moments. (Hear, hear.) The town of Leads and Wigan were against such a measure, because it would give settlements which might entail expenses in their several pa. rashes, owing, amongst other things, to the support of bastardy. Mr. CRIPPS thought the Bill of the Noble Lord would per. vent much litigalon; but at the same time he thought it could not be easy to carry . it with fair operation. The parish which had tight. hour, should in justice have the onus of supporting of the poor; and such a principle could not be disputed. But the Bill of the Noble land went further, and embraced the birth as well ea the hiring, which was objectionable. Mr. LOCKHART thought that the Bill would cut offs variety of legislation, which was so desirable an object; but notwiths.and. ing some parts of the Bill were objectionable, he would give it he support—Leave was then given to bring in the Bill. Mr. ELLIS (Dublin) obtained leave to bring in • Bill to amend certain Acts for the better regulating and ascertaining the Its of proctors of the Ecclesiastical and Admiralty Courts. EtIPLOYMENT OF THE POOR. Mr. OIPPS, after a few observations, moved for leave to briar in a Bill for the better employment of agricultural labourers is the Winter season. Mr. CA RTWRIGHT seconded the motion.—Leave given. Mr. COL'RTENAY moved for the appointment of a Selee Committee to inquire into the arrangements made for the poor it England and Wades.—Committee appointed. Mr. KENNEDY moved for the appointment of a Select Com mittee to take into consideration the state of the salmon fisheries of Scotland and the United Kingdom. He observed that his men tion had been called to the subject by the number of perineas on the subject that had been laid before the House. It bad bees he earnest hope that the question would have been b roug h t f orwar d by some of his Majesty's Government, and not har e f a ll en to the lx of so humble an individual. He suited several points which would be material to be considered by the Committee, and ex- pressed his hope that it would effect the end so much desired. Mr. C. GRANT was only anxious to protect private rights, be cause the present plan would, in some degree, interfere with then. Committee appointed. Mr. G. BLNNET said he visited to ask his Right Hon. Friend who had the building of the church is Longhorn Place. which was the surprise of the neighbourhood Every person was asking who could be the architect, and who could have gives the plan. He, for his own parr, would willingly give a sum to have it pulled down. The community were with one feeling inquiring who were the asses that planned, and the fools who paid for rt. Mr. ARBUTHNOT was sure that no blagte for want of tare could be thrown on his Right Hon. Friend. As (Mr. Arbuthnot) would rather decline naming the architect. (Cries of •• Name, name.) It was, then, the work of Mr. Nash ; but the Home wield recollect that if the present building was ill constrnetd, he had built many that did him credit. lily. 111 SKISSON said, that he had never to this hour see the building alluded to. The plan had been laid before a Commute, and approved of by them. Mr. PEEIs moved the postponement of the second nein of the Alien Bill to Friday.—Agreed to. The report of the Customs Act was then brought, up, reati, And agreed to. Mr. G. RENNET asked a question of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, relative to the period when he intended to bring tot ward the subject of wool. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he wasted anxious to bring it forward, and though this day sennight vew answer the purpose, he was ready on any day, or at any bun. The Right Honourable Gentleman then moved, that the Haute te solve itself into a Committee on the Law Stamp Duty) ACM ea the House revolved itself accordingly. The Right ocusuatle Gentleman said, that he intended to propose the remission V the duties on Law stamps. He held in his hand a schedule, melba proposition vas, that all taxes named in it should be rem-'ed. Mr. HUME said that several petitions had been prise attorne) a in Scotland, complaining of the tax on Ina another subject of complaint was the tax on apprentices: these topics came under the consideration of the Right - Gentleman. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that thew two subjects could not be considered as corning under we had d uses on law provivclings. The Report was then ordered to be received to-morrow (this dsiL The House, on the motion of Mr. S. WORTLEY, resolved It self into a Committee on the (lame Laws. --- .Mr.g.th..)kfailil;iSisedto .-- post - tpoce the consideration of the subject to Thursday next.—Postponed accordingly. Mr. Sergeant ONSIA)W stored,—That the Rouse resolve it sitli into a Committee on the Usury Laws Repeal Bill, sad the House resolved itself accordingly. After a few observations from Mr. (7ALCII•FT, 31T.Sergeila OxaLow, Alderman H NYGATE, sad Mr. J. SMITH, the Ist!be consideration of the subject was postponed to Thursday se nnight. The other coedits of the day were then disposed of; and the !loose adjourned at a Quarter past Twelve o'C uck. NOTICES OF MOTIONS (THIS DAY.) Mr. Maherly—Land Tax Redemption item Mr. Peter 3loore—Bill to repeal Combination Laws. THE GREEK CAUSE. Accounts were yesterday received from Missolongbi, a merchant in the city, and tl.ipatehes by the Grea 'h innies. The following are extracts : M issol.onont, FE•. 1S—:;• We are making great advances in the discipline of our met , mit We have made a very fine arsenal of the Seraglio. The artflery are all being drilled, and are gathering together a large gtuintit!ef stores for the siege of Patras. Our press is flourishing grratl! when the good work commenced, it was thought inapplicankt• such a rude state of society, but now all are interested 'in it, anil the Greeks write tits it on every side. Such is the rage for this means of expressing opinion, that th e En g li s h o f Ali s solonght es• silt upon out publishing an English paper for England and .15w. rice. The Executive Body is at Cranntti. The despatches me that place are dated the 2Jth January. The Government has son here an intelligent Greek gentleman, named Farmachadi, to motif one of the presses, and has lent itself moo cordially to the establish went of the newspaper. We are going to establish a Frank news paper immediately, to which Lord Byron has offered to contnhete largely, both in money and matter. All thing's considered, eke cause of Greece is going on admirably well. It may hue keen checked by tyranny, but it cannot be thwarted. Extract of a letter from the Greek Minister of : 4 1re George Conduriottis:— " The Government, which haw a full conviction of and philanthropic character of the British nation, looks towards " with every confidence, believin g th at i t can have no interested flew'. r. the independence of Greece, but on the contrary, look te nie sympathy and protertion of that nation. fur the establishment 0 4 41 fireeiyand the restoration of the Muses to their venerable s 7, sacred temples ; whilst generations to conic of grateful tern ks s' not cease to address their homage of thank Cullum. It for a too - ment disorders and dissensions have troubled the pnwreg, " r Revolution, they can only b e consitteyed as a necessary of the struggle in which we hav e b ee n engage d. Little br dude these dissensions have b een di ss ip ate d, and soon they will ru g i tnwr." the firtuom ns , i If