The Sun. — London, England, 1825-02-17 00:00:00

POPISH QUE S TION. PRESENT STATE OF POPERY-FRENCH LAWS. FOR THE SUN. There is nothing astonishing in the fact that the Papists should represent their exclusion from political power in the light of religious intole rance ; whether they so consider it or not, this view of the question answers its purpose, as numbers, who would otherwise be the most strenu ous opposers of their audacious claims, are shocked to take part in religious persecution. But it is _right that the country should be entirely unde ceived on this momentous question ; and it is right that other nations, who are looking on England either with the hate which her emi nence inspires, or the admiration which her cha racter and policy command, should know her as she. is :—that her enemies may do justice to her motives, and her friends be satisfied that she has not compromised, even by one act of her consti tution, that liberal and ingenuous conduct which they so justly admire. It cannot therefore be too frequently or too widely proclaimed that THE ROMAN CATHOLIC QUESTION IS NOT RELIGIOUS, BUT PURELY POLITICAL; with the religious be lief of the Papists we ' do not interfere, but we do demand from EVERY MAN who takes an active share in directing our Constitution, the declara tion, " that no foreign Prince, Prelate, or Po `tentate bath, or ought to have, any right, title, or jurisdiction within this realm of England." The Papists say, they cannot subscribe this ; we tare not for the motive; but here we will take our ground, if they cannot subscribe it, they can. not be safely entrusted with the direction of the Constitution. They say they would cheer fully admit the supreme authority of the King in civil matters, but in spiritual, they must reserve obedience for a TEMPORAL, as well as spi ritual prince, the Pope. But this is a miserable subterfuge. What is to become of the temporal supremacy of a Protestant King, when the spi ritual head denounces him as an heretick, and ab solves his spiritual subjects from their temporal allegiance? And this, we suppose, is what the Pope can do, because it is what he has done. Every unprejudiced person must see that so long as the Pope possesses their spiritual allegiance, the Papists of this kingdom can at best regard our monarch as his viceroy. To exclude any class of persons from constitutional privileges, for the sake of opinions merely speculative, would be tyrannical and unjust ; but where opinions inter fere with those pledges would the constitution demand for its own security, especially opinions guarded by the sanctity of relig ion, it would be the climax of all folly to extend toleration to the length of admitting those who held them to po litical power. We require from Papists no more than from Protestants : we require them to give the only real security that their opinions shall not interfere with the safety of the State. This is the only right way of looking at the Roman Catholic question : on this one point the whole matter may be rested : if this argument be invalid, we would proclaim the injustice and im policy of our present conititntion as loudly as Mr. Brougham or Lord Lansdown. Some persons, however, who are content to set the argument on this ground, say, that the concession of our secu rity would be merely nominal, and that however true this position may be in principle and theory, experience and practice would make a wide dif ference : Popery has changed with the times, the Pope is no longer formidable ; and right feeling and liberal institutions will shew the Papists the expediency of a virtual acknowledgment of that supremacy, which we ought not to be nice in ex pecting them formally to allow. On — the first of these common assertions we would here make a few remarks : premising that with respect to the second, the very reason of the temporal weakness of the Pope is to be sought in institutions like ours ; and that the third is an assertion purely gratuitous, the falsehood of which could only be ascertained when the know ledge would avail nothing. But of the immuta h:lity of Popery we will now speak ; a subject to which we called the attention of our readers but a short time since, and on which recent events have thrown an accumulation of light that might burst the eyelids of the blind. We have now lying before us a copy of the 'Government Bill for the punishment of "sacri lege," now under the consideration of the French Parliament, together with the alterations pro posed by the Committee. It is not easy to ad judge the palm of humanity between the Minis ters and the Committee :—et vitulo to dignus et hie—for the cool deliberation which could sanc tion any part of such sanguinary enactments, en tirely redeems what is lost by the little chew of mercy in commuting the capital punishment in one instance. 44 PROFANATION OF THE SACRED VESSELS (says the Bill) suALL DE PUNISHED WITH DEATH. PROFANATION OF THE CONSECRATED WAFERS SHALL BE PUNISHED WITH THE PENALTY OF PARRICIDE." (namely, death after amputation of the right hand.) The amendment says— " The profanation of the sacred vessels shall be punished with DEATH, if accompanied by the following circumstances :- 1. If the sacred vessels contained consecrated wafers at the time of the crime : IL If the profanation has been publicly com mitted. The profanation is committed publicly when it i committed in a public place, and in presence of several persons. . The profanation of the sacred vessels shall be punished with HARD LABOUR FOR LIFE, if it. has only been accompanied by the second circum stance mentioned in the foregoing article. THE PROFANATION OF TILE CONSECRATED WA FERS, PUBLICLY COMMITTED, SHALL BE PUNISHED WITH THE PENALTY OF PARRICIDE!!! Together with this, we have the report of the Committee appointed to examine the Bill, printed by authority of the French Parliament ; so that here we can have no misrepresentation, but the Papists speak their own authentic, unreserved, undisguised, and authoritative sentiments. Our reader s may judge how perfectly as a matter of propriety and expediency this document regards the ordinary punishment of death, from the re marks which Ave shall select from that part of it which relates to the penalty of parricide. After informing us that the profanation of the wafer is a greater crime than parricide itself, and that, after all their mangling, tortures, and murders, the punishment is still very much less severe than what the crime demands, we have .the fol lowing examples produced as justification of this atrocious law : " All collectors of legislative documents, as well as all writers on criminal law, rightly place sacrilege in the first class of crimes. We find there that a young man of Picardy was condemn ed, in 1503, to have his hand cut off, and to be burned alive, for having snatched a wafer which a priest, who was celebrating mass, had conse crated ; that a person named Dufour, who had, in like manner, snatched away and broken a wafer, was condemned, in 1386, to have his hand cut off, and afterwards to be hanged ; and, lastly, that in 1670, and in the reign of Louis XIV. a man was condemned to the same punish ment for having DRAWN HIS moan against the holy wafer, 'in the church of our Lady at Paris." • Thus we see s while we are defending Popery from the guilt of ail the enormities of ages im perfectly civilized, the Papists are so. far from doing this, that they bring forward these very enormities as justifications of new atrocities no less horrible. And this is in no obscure corner of the Popish world, but in a country which boasts itself to be the very center of refinement and cultivation. Who shall say after this that Popery is mutable ? No, it has all the immuta bility it so perpetually vaunts ! And, were it to prevail in this country, we might hope to see the laws for burning heretics revived, and some wise English Bretruil appealing to the general sense of " the church" in all ages concerning heresy, and challenging the murders of our ve nerable Protestant martyrs in proof of the expe diency and excellence of their new penal code. LENT. At this solemn period which commenced yester day, it may be interesting to observe the ceremonies practised at the present day in Judea on the oc casion. " I now came to a terrible desert surrounded " with mountains, tossed, and jumbled in the " wildest possible confusion, by some violent agi " tation of nature. On one of these of prodigi " ous altitude, are to use the words of that 44 Evangelist ' an exceeding high mountain,' it is " said our Saviour after being baptized in Jor " dan, was led and tempted by the devil.* Va " rious yawning caverns or cells, are to be seen " in horrible precipices, the abodes of the religi " ous. These are inhabited particularly at the 44 period of Lent, after the example of his rigor " ous fasting, a certain period in the wilderness, " triumphing over the vanities of this life, and " the powers of hell.t The marked wildness, " dead silence, and sterility of this most extensive 44 and awful wilderness, where there is not a house 44 of any description, or even a tree to shade " from an oppressive sun, strongly prompted us " to express that wish which had been conveyed 44 by one of the Prophets.} With respect to 44 finding some place of refuge, perhaps, a situa-, " tion more completely secluded, and better " adapted for the votaries of abstinence cannot po - ssibly be pointed out, upon the face of this 44 globe. Here, it may be remarked as extraor " dinary, that Professors of Christianity have at " any time entertained the idea, that solitary " meditation in a land of total desolation►, shut 44 out as it were altogether from the world, should 64 amount to a fulfilment of duty, according to 46 the principles of a religion, essentially social in " all its obligations, as that with which this world " has been so happily blessed in the doctrines of " Jesus Christ. These retreats overlook a deep " gulph or ravine, which is so awfully terrific and " sublime as to be calculated to shake a spectator 44 to the very center. A short way further, the " grand plain of Jericho, and surrounding cows " try of inexpressible grandeur burst into view." —(Travels in the Holy Land by WILLIAM RAE WILSON.) 11 Mat. iv. B.—Luke iv. 3. t 31ark i. 13. Jeremiah ix. 2. OLD BAILEY SESSIONS. This morning the Session of Oyer and Ter miner commenced at the Justice Hall, Old Bailey. Subjoined is a summary statement descriptive of the various offences with which the prisoners for trial thereat severally stand charged : London. Middlesex. Murder 1 Burglary - - - 2 15 Housebreaking - - - 0 1 Highway Robbery - - 2 • 1 Stealing in the Dwelling-House 3 14 Rape - . - - 0 2 Sheep Stealing - . - 0 1 Cutting and Maiming . 0 1 Horse Stealing . - - 0 3 Embezzling - - - 1 2 Manslaughter - 1 6 Stealing from the Person - 5 13 Receiving Stolen Goods - 0 2 Larcenies - - - - 21 12 Fraud - - - - 1 0 Attempting to - commit Felony 4 0 Harbouring Felons - - 0 1 Total - - - 115 No case of any particular interest took place his day. The Wealth of the Country has determined his Majesty's Ministers to have no more Lottery Acts. This may sound well, when applied to the Great Revenue of a great Kingdom, to which a few Twenty Thousands are but of little use. But considering that this Mode of Adventure has now existed upwards of 150 years, and seems the only way by which an Individual in risking a Small Sum may gain in a few days a large Fortune, we cannot but feel regret that Lotteries are about to cease for ever; and, particularly as the present kind of farewell Scheme seems arranged upon an improved Plan, having Four Prizes of 20,000, with many other large Prizes and No Blanks, and the whole to be decided in One Day, a mod e sure to rece i ve general approva l, as no man likes t o b e k ept i n suspense when a F or - . tune is in view. lIYDERABAD PAPERS. (No. I.) FOR THE SUN. Ma. Enrrott —The public attention having been greatly excited by the debate on the " Hyderabad Papers," and the debate again standing over to Friday next, permit me to offer a few observations on that important question. I have resided many years in India, and I believe am as well acquainted with the character of the natives as most men, and my unalterable opinion is (not to say any thing of the illegality of the transaction), that nothing can be more dangerous to the pafety of our rule, and to the prosperity of the country, than loans of money advanced to Native Princes. In the first place, Sir, it furnishes them with the means of doing mischief; and, secondly, for repaying these loans, or even the interest on them, grants of land are made in the shape of Jaghircs, and the people of the country, the labouring classes, are assigned over to the merciless rapacity of a native agent, who squeezes the last rupee out of the impoverished country, for the purpose of administering to the extravagance or intrigues of the Prince, and to supply the means of paying the exorbitant interest and. charges of the greedy and, perhaps, unprincipled European lender. I would wish to ask, Sir, is it politic towards ourselves, or is it just towards an industrious but oppressed population, to allow an European adventurer, probably without character or fortune, to supply enormous funds (obtained by him at an in ferior rate of interest) at an inordinate rate of interest, that the Prince may gratify his boundless extravagance; or, what is worse, furnishing him with the means of making war on us, or the neighbouring State, for to this end would the system of money-lending eventually proceed--of course lam now speak ing of Mussulman Princes, of whom the principal in India are the King of Oudh, the Nyzam of Hyderabad (whose dominions contain 10,000,000 of people, and 96,000 square miles, accord ing to Capt. SEE LY'S " Voice from India"), the Nawaub of Moorshedabad, and the Nawaub of the Carnatic, the last of whom has had his father's debts, to an enormous amount, for many years in the hands of Commissioners in England, and from their vast amount, and their fraudulent and complex character, likely long to remain so. Here is a case in point, and I have used the word fraudulent, and I do not hesitate to say that the Nawaub of the Carnatic was plundered of millions of rupees by unprincipled and avaricious adventurers, who, in those feeble days of the British Government, bribed his Mini- stern, corrupted his Government, and pampered his vices and habits. This will always be the case with the i%lussulman Princes, for no men in the world are more dissipated, improvi- dent, and extravagant. With the Ilindoo Princes the effect of money-lending would be to create war. Their personal character and habits are more respectable than the Mahornmedan ; but then they are ambitious, intriguing, and, with the " Sinews of war" in their possession, they would instantly set to cutting each others throats, and war, civil war, would burst out in every district where the useful and accommodating European money-lender was to be found. This is the real fact of the case,: and with the certainty before our eyes, and of which the page of history affords melancholy and abundant proof, are we to risk our safety and the internal prosperity of these countries merely for the sake of allowing a few desperate and needy usurers to make large fortunes ? In a moral sense, sanctioning such measures would he an everlasting disgrace to the British Government : in a political sense, sanctioning such measures is imminently dangerous to our authority 2nd dominion. In referring to Mr. ll4unts's speech at the India House last Friday, I wish it to be distinctly understood that I impugn not his motives, but his judgment : his public character is a sufficient guarantee of his intention; but his enthusiastic and chivalrous notions, in the cause of those he imagines have been injured or oppressed, leads him into erroneous deductions ; so that in pleading the cause he only keeps in view the persons, and not the country and circumstances. Mr. II 1.7311: assumes, that the Nizam is an independent Prince, and has an undoubted right to dispose of his treasures, and likewise of the revenues of the country, as he pleases. This is neither true in fact, nor indeed will such an admission be tolerated by those who have any practical know ledge of India. We will, for the sake of argument, or rather for the purpose of giving information to those unacquainted with the state of affairs at Native Courts, ask Mr. fIUME whether the Nizam, being independent (as he asserts) would think of ordering the British Ambassador (Resident) to quit his Court? and if the Nizam really was so imprudent as to express a wish to that ef fect to the Supreme Government, would they accede to his re quest? The answer is—No. Again, did the Nizam desire the British subsidiary force to be withdrawn from his territories, would the British Govern ment comply ? No. Then in what way is the Nizam, or any other Ally of the British, Independent, as the word is under stood in Europe ? Ile is Independent, inasmuch as he collects his own revenue, administers his own laws, and coins his own money ; but there the nominal independence ceases : he cannot make war, or engage in treaties with other States, without the sanction of the British. The Nizam has always been faithful to his engagements—and why ? Because the British have saved his country from being overrun by the 3lahrattas, and himself and authority have been protected against in ternal foes, of which there are abundant numbers at Hyder abad ready for every atrocity and mischief. But that which has best secured the safety and prosperity of the State has been the non-access of your money-lenders, your political adven turers, and other classes of designing and impoverished Eu ropeans, who, if permitted, would soon flock to that feeble and corrupt Court, and speedily plutige it into anarchy and misery. I would wish to ask Mr. Huse (for whom personully I have a great respect) does he desire, or would he recommend, that the British Residents should be withdrawn from the Native Courts, and the Princes left to their own uncontroulled sway ? NVould he, constituted as all Native Courts are, and in the present situation of the British Power in India, think such a measure either advisable or safe ? I think not; and allowing , such is not 11's wish, does it not follow, that while our Residents are men of the first character, of tried experience and undeviating integrity, they must be allowed to pursue such measures as, with the concurrence of the Prince and the sanc tion of the Supreme Government, they may deem necessary to insure the happiness of the country, committed as it were to their responsibility and charge, although nominally every act originates with the Prince and his Ministers. Indeed, in mat- -ters not strictly political, the Resident never interferes, nor does he use his influence in any public measure, save those of the above character. I have seen a great deal of Native Courts, was serving at one for a length of time, and have been residing at two others. We all well know the disposition the Native Princes have for war, their restless character and boundless avarice, the tyranny of the Ministers, and the rapacity and extortion of the minions of the Court, and of the public officers,—Withdraw the power and influence of the British Resident, supported as it certainly is by the subsidized British force, at most of these Courts, and it would be the greatest possible evil that could be inflicted on the people and on the country. If we are to keep India, and wish to keep it great and flou rishing, no other system than the present can be substituted; and the question, as far as the Native Courts are concerned, ends in this:—ls the High British Authority, the Resident, to be paramount? or are two or three European speculators to pursue their plans unchecked ? In our inquiries on the late discussion, are we to allow no weight to the repeated orders and remonstrances of the Supreme Government ? Is the confirmation and approval of the Board of Controul to go for nothing ? Is the opinion of the collective body of East India Directors of no moment ? Are a reasoning and liberal-minded people, like the English, to be persuaded by the clamorous appeal, defeat after defeat, of a knot of Gen tlemen, who will allow of nothing being done in India but wha t emanates in corruption and ends in injustice ? Should these prefatory observations be deserving of a place in your Journal, I ahall pursue my inquiries as far as my time will permit, for having a book preparing for the Press, I have but little spare time. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your very obedient servant, SUBADAR. London, Feb. 14. [No. 11. to-morrow.] PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS, WEDNESDAY, FEB. IG. At four o'clock the SPEAKER. counted the House, and there being only thirty Members present, the House was adjourned till to-morrow. LIST OF THE MINORITY Against Mr. Goulburn's Bill for putting down the Catholic Association.—F eb.ls. Abercromhy,lln.J. Fitzroy, Lord C. Ponsonb lln. F. Althorp, % isct. Foley, J. Pelham, J. C. Barham, J. F. Folkestone, Visct. Phillips, G. sen. Baring, A. Frankland, R. Phillips, G. jun. Baring, 11. French, Arthur Power, R. Baring, Sir T. Graham, Sandford Powlett, Hon. W. Barnard, Visct. Grattan, J. Poyntz, Stephen Barrett, S. M. Guise, Sir W. Pym, F. Beaumont, T. W. Gurney, H. Rice, T. S. Bective, Lord • Gurney, R. H. Ridley, Sir M. W. Benett, J. Hamilton, Lord A. Robarts, G. J. Bennet, Hon. If. G. Heron, Sir R. Robinson, Sir (eo. Bentmck, Lord W. Hill, Lord Arthur Rowley, Sir W. Benyon, Benj. Hobhouse, J. C. Robert son , A. Bernal, R. Honeywool, W. P. Run - lb°ld, C. Birch, J. Howard, H. Scarlett, J. Brougham, IL Hume, Joseph Scott, J. Browne, Dom. Hurst, R. Sefton, Earl of Burdett, Sir F. Hutchins on , H on . Smith John Bury, Viscount C. H. Smith, George Cradock, S. Johnstone, W. A. Smith, W. Calcraft, J. Kingsb uroug h, Ld Stuart, Lord J. Calcraft, J. 11. Knight, Robert Sykes, 1). Calvert, C. Lamb, Hon. G. Talbot, R. W. Carew, R. S. Larubton, J. G. Tierney, Rt.Hn.G. Carter, J. Lushington, S. Warre, J. A. Caulfield, Hon. H. Leader, W. Whitbread, W. 11. Cavendish, H. Leycester, R. Whitbread, S. C. Cavendish, C. M a b er ly, J. Whi te, S. Chaloner, Robert Maberly, W. L. 'White, Colonel Clifton, Viscount Macdonald, J. Wilson; Sir R. Coffin, Sir I. Mackintosh, Sir J. Winnington, SirT. Colborne, N. H. Mahon, Hon. S. Wood, M. Crompton, S. Marjoribanks, S. Wyvill, M. Curwen, J. C. Maxwell, J. Wrottesley, Sir J. Davies, T. Monck, J. B. Wall, C. B. Denman, T. Moore, Peter Dundas, Hon. T. Martin, It. TELLERS. Ebrington, Visct. Newport, Sir J. D uncannon, Vint. ' Ellice Ed. Normanby, L or d N orman b y, Vi se. Ellis, Hon. G. A. O'Brien, Sir E. Evans, William Ord, Wni. PAIRED OFF. Farrand, R. Palmer, C. Haldimand, W. Fitzgerald, RtHon. Palmer, C. F. Robarts, A. W. M. Parnell, Sir H. Wilkins, W. REPRESENTATION OF IRELAND. FOR THE DILL. Bernard, T. Dawson, M. Oxmantavrn ' Lord Browne, J. Ellis, J. O'Grady, Standish Brownlow, C. 1.',.% mismore, 'Vise. Plunkett, Rt. H on . Bernard, Lord Foster, Leslie w . Burgh, Sir U. Forde, M. Pakenham,llon.ll. Brydges, Sir J. Fitzgerald,RLllon. Rowley, Sir J. Browne, Rt. fin. D. W. V. Stuart, W. (Arm.) Corry, Viscount Hill, Sir G. Shaw, Sir R. Colthurst, Sir N. Harvey, C. Seymour, H. Collett, E. S. Hart, Generaj Stewart, Sir J. Chichester, Sir A. Jocelyn, Hon. J. Smyth, R. Cuff, J. Inglis, Sir H. Stopford, Visct. Cooper, E. S Knox, Hon. T. Wellesley, R. Coote, Sir E. King, Hon. H. Westenra, lin. H. Clements, J. Leslie, C. P. W ynne, Owen Dawson, .R. Maxwell, H. Wigram, W. Dogherty, J. Magennis, Rich. AGAINST THE HILL. Bective, Lord Hutchinson, lion. O'Brien, Sir E. Browne, Dominic C. H. Ponsonby, Hon. F. Caulfield, Hon. H. 11111, Lord Arthur Parnell, Sir H. Carew, R. S. Kingsborough, Ld Power, Rd. French, A. Lamb, lion. G. Rice, T. S. Fitzgerald, ROM. Mahon, lion. S. Talbot, R. W. M. Martin, R. White, S. Grattan, J. Newport, Sir J. White, 11. • ABSENT. Archdale, M. Fetherston e , Si r G. Prendergast, G. Belfast, Lord Forbes, Lord Smyth, W. M. Bruen, H. Farquhar, J. Sneyd, N. Butler.Clerk,Hn.C. Hyde; John Stewart, A. Beecher, W. \V.9 Kerr, D. Stewart, W. (Ty.) Bagwell, Rt H nW. Latonche, R. Somerville, Sir M. Berestord, Lord G. Maxwell, J. W. Yarmouth, Earl of Crosbie, J. Newry, Lord Daly, J. O'Neil, Hon. John DECEASED. Fitzgerald,LordW. Proby, Hon. G. Mountcharles, Ld Fitzgibbon,llon.R. Prittie, Hon. F. COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL. Yesterday a Special Court of Common Coun cil was held for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of petitioning Parliament for the repeal of the Assessed Taxes. PROJECT FOR A GRAND NEW ROAD. o td f etruaanm London than o t o f the th e whichA r o w s a e s t o o f c g a r l e l a t t e h r e im p o attention rts nc e numberbe ex any that had fora long tim e occupied the o C C i o A t u y r lm oo a nf t t e rt n he s t e i p o fe n oc o ian f ba t l t h ei e o pn C e o o r sf r o p an o s r n a , e t o r n ar .0y Itpraying the chapetitionCorporation op f r ot o so m e ad s a st w tended from Fleet-market, which was about to be removed, to the Sessions House on Clerkenwell - green, whence to the right and were nearly f the formed other t e o leading i te Battle-bridge, o dtghee, p gr e e n a northern t • tonville, and Hampstead. Thus one continued line of a gran d open road would be formed from the Obelisk, in St. George's_ left o a outlet ds a tlslington, fi e lds, to the Sessions House, Clerkenwell-gre e n, w h ence the principal line could be continued t o E xmouth -street, where it would form a junction with the excellent roa d w hi ch was already made , and which led directly to White Conduit_ r house, Barnsbury Park, and Highgate. The worthy Alder man then presented the petition, and the petitioners appeared at the bar. The petition set forth the great improvement which such a measure would prove to the City of London if it were carried into execution. To carry the design into effect a Company had been formed, with a capital of 8 00,0001., the interest of which they expected would be paid by the new houses which it was intended should be built. There object was to apply to Parlia ment to enable the proprietors to purchase the greater part of the land and premises between Holborn-bridge and Coppice row, and the Eastern side of Ely-place and Kirby-street, the Western side of Cow-lane, Cow-cross, and Red Lion-street, Clerkenwell, comprising altogether an area of thirty acres. This plot is much intersected by small streets, lanes, and alleys, had several large spaces lying waste, and the buildings princi pally consisted of old dilapidated houses and wooden sheds, used as slaughter-houses, stables, &c. The purchase money to ob tain this large site would be small. It was proposed to form on the ruins of this now wretched spot, Woad open streets, in the front of which elegant buildings were to be erected for the re-1 sidences of merchants, and establish ments f or carry i ng on re spectable trades. The width of the proposed line of road waa . , to be as great as that of Fleet-market. The petitioners praythat the Corporation w ou ld, f or t h e sa k e o f public impro ve " ment, render them ever y ass i stance . Mr. Dixon begged t o as k th e pet i t i oners one It ques tion. a was stated in the petiti on th a t t h e s i te intended to be ele ar , "„ e a was occupied by gre a t num b ers o f poor peop l e. N ow he wisrh to know whether the p e titi oners h a d cons id ere d w h ere a ll ( poor unhappy wretches were to go to ? Mr. HARMER, the attorney, who was at the bar with the petitioners, replied, th a t accor di ng to t h e present plan, ther„t were to be a number of sma ll streets l ea di ng f rom t h e grey main road, and tho se s t reets m i g h t per h aps i n a great melts'''` be occupied by the inhabitants of the present site. Alderman WArritmAx, in support of the petition, begg ej , to call the very particular attention of the Court to its pray. as of the very hi g h es t i mportance. Th e Ci ty was, h e sal; evidently behind-hand, when th e y cons id ere d t h e improvements that were going on elsewhere.—(Hear hear This was, in f ac t, a p l an to which he had devoted more. than twenty y ears a tt ent i on . li e h a d gone over the ivn° of the site himself, and examined it with the surver rs 4 and he was of opinion, that if the project could be carried itl execution, it would be one of the most magnificent and ben;d ficial for the City th at h a d ever been achieved. He deta i he . the effort he had made to get the measure forward. was glad Mr. Dixon had questioned the petitioners , b l e ; cause, although he was of opinion that those who !gong forward plans of this nature were not bound to find r esidene k e e for those wh o were remove d f rom a s i te of ground to ma way for an imp rovemen t—(H ear, h ear ! f rom Mr. Dixon)-- - Y et it was clear th a t thi s pl an h a d an a d vantage over a l l other isn,ioe the present o ccu p an t s wou ld not b e entirely driven away. It important that the Court should be well aware that on the Pr e , sent site were carried on the most noisome and offensive trade!,' such, for instance, as gu t- c l eaners , s l aug h termen, horse-boge' hartshorn-makers, and others, which occasioned great filth ,A, afforded materi a ls f or p u t r idit y an d di sease. I t would hir,...de increase the salubrity o f th a t part o f t h e Ci ty to f orm a 10 1 4 opening on this site, and the advantage afforded to trade vivo be incalculable.—(Hear, h ear !)—Th ey h a d on l y to eonsitani that from Aldersgate- s t re et t o G ray ' s I nn- l ane t h ere was n°` avenue into the City; a nd th a t f rom t h e di str i cts ment i on en l the petition a line o f commun i cat i on was hi ghly necess arY•...... He alluded to the various Joint Stock Companies that w e ;r , formed by gamblers for unsubstantial projects abroad ; bu t •d the present want of em pl o y ment f or our surp l us capital, liehlic think it could not b e di recte d more beneficially for the pu as well as for the individual, than in the execution of such we s ' z t' as the present.—(H ear , hear !)—He concluded by moving t'i the petition be referred to the Improvement Committee. a Mr. Alderman Wool) said, he had long h a d a plan °c o similar descripti on i n contemp l at i on. He was, he sa id, a of opinion that money could not be more advantageously ployed than in the execution of such a plan, and he believe( would produce more th an any o f the Mexican mines.—(Th ee '; hear!)—But he contended that it would be quite useless to t) e.e fer the petition te a committee. In the present state of % city . funds the Corp orat i on cou ld a ff or d no ass i stance to s uch project. The Chamberlain was overdrawn by 70001. it ; to r quite absurd to talk of the Company applying to ParliamelL,'l l ; enable them to purchase the present sites, for they M l i n, A , equally well purchase them without an application to pa i r' o ," ment. In fact the Court could neither grant the money th em ' selves, nor could the people of London be taxed for the Pu r Tale of carrying on the improvements. The Court could not ma', r d. with the county of Middlesex, and it would be extremely bid, to tax the citizens to go as far as Cow-cross. The Court coo lie in his candid opinion, do nothing with the petition, ankl e , therefore moved a s an amen d ment t h at i t s h ou l d l i e on the tau,t, Mr. Deputy Daly opposed the petition, on th e gr Ound s the city funds were not in such a condition as would ens be them to make a gr a nt o f money , an d t h at a rate cou ld n ot " levied for carying on this measure. Mr. Deputy I( own' said that the petitioners did not see raise a rate, neith er did t h ey want any grant o f t h e Corporatc7o money. It was con s id ere d t h at t h e project wou ld pro d uce gr o profit to those who undertook it, and they only asked for ter concurrence and assistance of th e C orporat i on as f ar as t h e ist was carrying on works of its own. ne Mr. GALLOWAY suppo r t e d th e p et i t i on. Th e plian Was 0 13 which was, he believed, worthy of the greatest improvement s the Metropolis. Mr. Alderman WAtTnar,tx replied at great speech of M r . Ald erman W oo d , w hi c h he eiratacticeritterthtsi I° the rv e as consistent and a b sur d. H e conten d e d that now, when "10 trade of the City was carr i e d to t h e W est en d of the town fr consequence of the improvements going on. there, the citize l ,7 4 were bound to m a k e th e most g i gant i c e ff orts to -k eep pace il them. The petition was then referred to the eotrznitteeforturY' re° ments. ASSESSED TAX El. 0 A requisition to the Lord Mayor, praying him to call a , 0 .4 to consider a petiti on f or th e repea l of t h e Assessed Taxes, ' then read. i Ws' Mr. FAVELL. said., that from the manner in which the reg a l e sition lute, been argued by persons who did not usually atlYo a a the system whi c h h e a l ways supported, he anticipated a and o°o. union in favour of th e mot i on w hi c h h e h ad to lay before the He then advert e d t o t h e nature o f t h e Assessed Taxes, n;e vexatioEs and oppres s iv e ma n ner i n w hi c h t h ey b ore upon na lower classes of th e commun i ty , an d sa id t h at he was no s who would o bj ect to any lib era l measures with respect to trat„re but it w as ev id ent t h at no could be rep ea l e d t o . the 1 1 ;; h efExtual benefit of the people than the Assessed Taxes. people at large would derive comparatively no benefit whate. b e from the re p ea l o f d ut i es on s ilk s an d art i c l es of luxury, but `ric repeal of the t a x es w hi c h th e y d a il y an d h our l y f elt a t Wo T e upon them would be a blessing immediate and extensive. la was worthy of consideration that the repeal of these taxes g benefit architecture, and do away, the necessity of reducing 0 number of windows, and sacrificing health and comfort by „r o d exclusion of air and light. Th e repea l o f t h e Wi n d ow would increase the consumption of glass, which paid a b e t e . . duty, and therefore the re ve n ue wou ld b y no means be s o verely injured by the repeal as was apprehended. The 5.- 3 % charges which were mad e i n t h e co ll ect i on of this grievous tits were a continued and fertile source of contention. In fa t i disadvantages wer e so we ll un d erstood and so universally ed that to dilate upon th em wou ld be superfluous. He conclnt,g by moving a R eso l u ti on expressive of the opinion of the CI, that the repo r t o f t h e prosperous state of the country by i Majesty's Government excited a re a son a bl e ex p ec t at i on that : reduction wo u ld ta k e p l ace in these taxes, which weihed 01°, heavily up on t h e community at large, and that the Court w e ' , h 6 of opinion.that no taxes could be so beneficially repealed as Assessed Taxes, Mr. Deputy ROUTH seconded the motion, and urged, t h at as the Chancellor of the Exchequer had not yet brought n o his plans f or t h e next year, this was the particular tiroc,„,i presenting a p e ti t i on f or t h e repeal of severe and odious tyr, posts, which had b een p roper l y d es i gnate d taxes on light, l'of and health. He recited at great length particular instances grievo us oppress i on which ha d occurred in the coll ec tion of _he taxes. Mr. JAM'S concurred in the measure. He congratulanteg the Court on the general prosperity of trade in the City, . I ‘ - t , the flourishing state of the country at large, which he attrib,n,. ed to th e wise measures of the present Ministers in freell4: trade from it s t ramme l s . H e was conv i nced from the o pera tion of th ese t axes upon t h e tra di ng community that the i r r' • moral would be most beneficial. Mr. DIXON also supported the petition. Mr. Alderman WArrusiasr said, the vexatious operation o f those taxes in the coll ect i on o f them afforded sufficient groa n ' . for going to Parliam en t f or th e remova l o f t h e taxes. The Resolutions were carried unanimously. •t Mr. FAVELL then moved that a petition to the same ea be adopted. This was also carr i e d ; an d a f ter some f orma l business .he Court adjourned. RECORDER'S REPORT.—The Recorder of Lon ' don yesterday made his Report to the King in Council of t.„" following prisoners under sentence of Death in Novi'a e ; namely—Robert Ball, aged 26, for arson; Ann Marga u r o Wright, alias Ann Long, 20, William Martin, 21, 4 cu ' ri Laughton, 25, Elizabeth Daly, 24, Mary Connor, .13, 1 10 ;4 Smith, 17 Ann Maloney, 17, James Leeds, 19, Char',l,. Wood, 20, and Benjamin Wilson, 51, for stealing in a dwe' ing-house to 40s. and upwards; Cornelius Wood, 20, for rape ' Levy Abrahams, 25, Patrick C raw l ey, 17 , Samuel Hunt , George Fielder, 20, Joseph Wilson, 25, James Stephens, I': William Snook, 19, and Henry Durham, 19, for burgla r Y„; James Lennard, 33, for uttering counterfeit coin, he having; before been convicted of the like offence; Henry Pitham, : a ' for sheep-stealing; Edward Harris, 37, and James Dewell, l ,„'* for highway robbery. His Majesty was graciously pleased,„.` - ' respite during his Royal pleasure all the above, exceptuT i Edward Harris, Cornelius Wood, and Henry Durham, up on whom the law is left to take its course, and they are order''' . for execution on Tuesday next. MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE.—On Tuesday morning , r fishing-boat b e l ong i ng to the Newton, when returning to Az, harbour, was overta k en b y a very heavy sea in pulling over tu bar, and carried along with great rapidity until the wave broke' when she broached to and was instantly u p set . The o's; consisting of fou r menwas unfortunately dro wne d. When t accident occurred, th e 'boat was within 50 y ar d s o f t h e new dike; on which stood several spectators of the painful event, withollt being able to render any assistance. The sufferers' names a re Alexander Wilson, who has left a wife and eight children • Robert Cuthbert, his son-in-law, who has left a wife and nin e children ; A r th ur C ut hb ert , hi s b rother, who has left a w"- and nine children ; and William Cuthbert, son of Robert.