The Sun. — London, England, 1825-05-24 00:00:00

asloalah" If. India had a free Cadstitution , where -hitt it exist?" 'fie (Mr._ Denman) recollected, that Thomas Payne, when btaiught to trial for publishinghis Rights of Man, pot the same question with regard to the British Constitution. 'l'o that queatianahe hildr. D.) answered, .that it existed in .the 1 practicability of thipeople to enjoy ithertyand security; and in the restraint imposed upon the Government not to commit any act which trenched upon their rights, without a clear and ma nifest necessity. Barka saw no despotism in India ; and, when Warren Hosting% was impeached, he went through all the"in- salutes of Gostemment, in order to support that position. "In sritutes," he ,ealiitended, " were inconsistent wit h an arbitrar y aiovemment ;" and on referring to the powers which that Go vernment had exercised, he confessed that he saw no acts of des potism. But : vrhether Mr. Burke was right or wrong, it was. -sufficient for .hitn•aMraDentnans to say, that in India English .sthhjects resided ; and whether the bye-law was good or the re ',ease, it was as extraordinary plan of getting rid. of the -regula -skaa. by pleadiog the despotism which governed Asia. The sup wrtere of the coeasuie were bound to shew that there was some . feature in the English law which coul d j ustif y its adoption— - The time had been when it - was necessary - to procure a licence. for the publication of books in England. In the - days of James I. and Charles l a the power of licencing was prevalent ; and intim shoe of the Commonwealth, when Milton poured forth the ton, sent of his eloquence against all restrictions on the press, thit power still continued. -It stibsisted during the restoration ; but it happily expired in the-reign of William-111. Even in those *aye there existed the powei of burning intlividualsho death who held opinions inconsistent with the established creed, and notwithstanding the march of liberal knoreltdge„ the.decree de heretico combuttendo continued till the reign of.Charleall. The last India Comtism)* Might talk of the necessity for their shathe fal exception. to the English law ; and say that sucha state of things existed in Calcutta, as to call on the Governor-General to , pass a regulation; ,repewable from year to year, which was to supersede all the la:vain "India: and theyanight make out their ease from isoelogy with.the prevalent acts of the English Goaernh. anent. But they ought to recollect that all such acts phoceeded On, a supposetc necessity; and they were introduced with:laimeritea tions of theahistence of such a necessity. The Law of England was, that the Press should be free; and could not be fettered without a itionk oetesity, 'During a feW months. of the last rsignolissatisfactiOn: existed in .all parts of the country, which was, ready to burst into tumult, but even if tumult's had taken place, the ancient Jaw would hare been found eufficient to put them down. A different line of conduct would haie shewn the impropriety 'Of hot keeping to the old law, either in seasons of -salmness and tranquillity, or in those' of threatening and storm. When that law was found to be insufficient, it might be tithe to .alter, amend, 'or annul it altogether. In alluding tothese con . siderations, one was always driven back to. his first prin. , eiples--how -- i Government ought to be administered! On' these thilaw Was founded, which said that ahe Press - shall be free ; and' every action shall be free, unless it contravenes a known, k respectable, and a necessary law. Ile felt it painful' and faslildlousto allude to elementary propositions which every one knehiethen he came into the world; but if these were tin= queatioiaable, he considered it as a point equally true that where arbitrary power was exercised, the necessity for it should not be: taken upon the assertion of the individual who possessed that power. [The Learned Counsel then proceeded to read several passages from 31ilton's political writings in support of his views of universal freedom.] There, was an absolute certainty, that arbitrary power wherever it existed would be 'abused. Think of a Censorship where the power was delegated-exercised by a deputy reithOot responsibility-the mere minister anti servant of him ltaa whom he was appointed. There all the individoals Were benefttee‘l'hy.stippreasina truths which were hortful to the Goa vernmisot. The Censorship e led the Government in forni; . and as in the example of the French newspapers, blanks occurred where political matter had been introduced. It was quite °leer s . that the parties were moat open to censure .who're-. sewed. the greatest share of public favour., He would put- :a ease to their Lordships a-a-Suppose the_ enlentta Journal had been only twice accused in a Court of Justice; that in the first iostanceathe proprietor had been acquitted, but in the second, the accusation had not been brtiught to a judgnient. SapPOse that a paper existed in England of the basest description; which lived by Slazider, and whose daily. food, was the infliction of huh, sery upon others,' 'Suppose farther; that its - principal prey was female character, that it selected individuals in order to drive , them to wretchedness,_ solitude, or death-that - ft brought its contaminating thatch' over every lady of ranka-that it was repeatedly dragged into a Court .of Justice for the wickedest Ilbehhon the living and the dead; and _that there was nothing extraordinary . the circumstances, except the lenity of.the santente , '.wlich was passed upon it. Suppose that such papehtlairtietra connection with GoVernMeht-that thia-malig nantaietclacristiched undeithe shield of authority, and argued. everk.abuie into a privilege. Suppose again, thht such a paper fourici•ata way to the colony, and, that • some adventurer went to Calcutta, who blazoned on his front that his object was to attack. pelagic character a and to, sayahat as the opposition paper, Which owed its success to the excellent' cheraeter of the editor,air - tumid cothwienceita labour* with writing down that charseteh Suppose, that such a person was bronkt before Sit r.:lllaCtiattglitena_ :that the libels were proved-that the Judge declared them too • atrocious to be talked Of without horror, and that. the penalty of 50p. - rupees.was woman for them ; but that, norivithstanding all; this. the oppoSiteparty was satisfied with nominal dattrage_s, be -021.15c he _seltglit only the vindication of his honour: lie - (Mr: Thennian) won't!. also supposethat the individual had beeniwice hreqght tejudgthent-that he was connected with the President theaThirint Board-or was himself the ;woof' the 'Direetor-,- --oc,iva,sii:Cierk otthe Court for returning Special -Juries 'Or-al - ke4 1441* de camp of the Governor; and had thus the privilege of scattering his abominable • slanders - at will.' Such Waa a a,_ the - 94ture of favoritism t it debased the mind, and infused . vats it a meanness which filled it With suspicions:' If their Lordships shohld find that such a paper' existed, and received ..the favour of Governnients, it showed the nature of all arbitrary herein rn ents, which aggravated the abuses they meant to guard against. The lia,hility of Government to abuse. was favourable to the general doctrine of freedom; and -militated against the fiontpediency of allowing any oppressive rules or regulations to toast iii sini purr of the King's dominions. The Learned Cows - sactionchidett by praying their Lordships to declare that - the re edition of the Governor-General and Council of Fort Willian* wise-Mill and void; MraJ. Nritatiats also argued the Case of the appellant. etratended thatthe regulation was no -more the law of England 'dish that of Turkey. It was clear, by all the authorities; legal or otherwise, who had treated on the freedom of the presa,that hhis laws atalatatutes of the, kingdom left it untouched. The Learned Connsel-Then proceeded to argue at some length against the injustice and ihnpolicy of the regulation in India,, Where &leeks. to arbitrity power were sought in vain-where no open . tribunals; and , •no receptacles for hearing complaints were to he Tomah ; and where the only correction of the Government at ail, and it was the . best and soundest correction, could be found in• public opinion, which, however, was put down by the Go-, vsrusar's Ordination. • . serje•ani. I36SANQUET appeared on behalf of the Court 04' Directors of the East India Company. He observed, that it was never intended by the Legislature, when it give a power oitippealfagaiast the - rules or decisions of the Governor-Gene raiato allow the Appellants to arraign the general policy and ex pcilierica of 'the Government, or, whether grievances existed or not, to give 'them a right to introduce questions which were Wholly unfit to be discussed by Advocates at the Bar, these being ieeerved.fOr:: the consideration of their Lordships. in Council. 'For the like of a preeedera, it would be necessary in time to valise to lay doWn eome rule in order to determine the rights of Parties-who a.ppealed under the statute. His Learned Friends had argued - the case generally; but -it :was_ proper to attend to the hulajechmatteref the appeal. The Legislature had bestowed ispon the' Governnientat Fort William the right of legislating. , for India; And it also gave - the privilege of appeal to allparties• ;who thought theniselves aggrieved by their acts: But after the , registration df' thedecrees no appeal could. be taken against theni, It was : glover by the statute that a public _4ilhunsion sliauld take Place` before the :St‘prestsaa.rowacit, - of Calcutta *tiPnit' the justice or expediency of suela• ordi nances ; and if the right was once conceded; it would not only reverse the prittiCe of the Indian Government, but violate the laws which the 'Legislature in--its wisdom intended for th a t country. It Was sufficient to say that the regulation of March, '823, had undergone - a public discussion; that no appeal had be=en made against it by, any person resident in India, .the pre aint appeal coining from a 'person domiciled in. England. In that appeal Mr. Buckingham set forth other regulatione which had been passed by the Government for the provinces of India, and which had no connection whatever with the ordination in ' question: They were not registered in the Supreme Council, but in the judicial department of the country ; and according' to the direction* of the statute, copies of them had been, trans mined to the East India Company and the Secretary of State, in order ,that his Majesty might judge whether they ought to become part and parcel of the, law, or be amended, al tered, or set aside altogether. That law, which affected eighty millions of 'people, was now good ; and as neither the Privy Council nor another branch of the Government had any dire,ctind to alter it, it was presumed that it was considered ex pedient.hy those who alone could sit in judgment upon them ; and in consequence, that it ought to be adopted as the rule by which . the provinces were to be governed. If a partyahink tanself aggrieved, he may prefer a petition to his Majesty, and, ' like other petitions, it will be only weighed and considered, and 'his Majesty will act according to the exigencies-of the case. He : thought it of some importance to consider the country over which the regulations extended... The provinces were governed by one law; but for the advantage of Calcutta, - Madras, and BOlnbay," Courts were established were British aietered. t He begged their Lordships to consider the situation of British subjects resident in India. They were a mete hand frl compared to the numerous subjects throughout the pro. 'risme* ? They lead no abiding settlement, but • were _mere aos . journers ; and they Were not. allo*ed to travel miles beyond , the city, without the special licence_ of the gibVernor. NYal; there any thing unreasonable, i tinjust, ofoppresitive, in a. regu lation of such a deseription, which was in tett necessary to the existence of the Governmentlat large? Was it possible that the papers which were published its Calcutta wanhl not field their way to the prothicea ? He had no wish to derogatelrain the firinciples which prevailed in England. But the question was, litiw they could be applied to India; or whether an uncontroulled power of publishing every thing would benefit or ue suitable to theGovern meat there? An uncontroulled press was adapted to a free Go vernment only. The principle by which it was supported was essential to a free State; and if the State were not free, it would destroy its character. Had India a tree Government ? The whole executive and legislative powers were vested in a Gover nor-General and Council, who possessed the power of sending hOrne any individual to this country whose conduct appeared:to them dangerous to India. It was but a short period since that power was- recognized as expedient ; and after being so recog nized, it was extended to foreigners, as well as British subjects, -- 'by the 55th of Geo. 111. c. 54." A free press was useful to a people, .when they were cordially united with the Government, .and acknowledge its rule as one of-justice and wisdom. India was governed by a srball number of foreigners, who ruled- over the native population ; and it was impossible that they could feel towards their masters that sympathy, feeling, or good opi , nion,.by the operation of which alone the governed could be amalgamated with - their governors. When such a want of par ticipation was felt, all attacks upon measures, or particular members, or disquisitions, or political subjects, must awaken the jealousies of the people ; and at the same time expose the _weakness of Government by entangling itself with the newspa pers. It was firmly believed by the great body of persons in India, that the editor of a newspaper who began to diecuris. and ' arraign the measurers of-Government, had been sent out by his Majesty as a Censor of the Indian AdministrAtion. lie put it to their Lordships, whether it was discreet or proper, that discus eions should take place, the object of which were to shock the .feelingi of the natives lacerate 'their prejudices, alarm their fears, *rut infuse apprehensions into the minds of our depee [dents and allies. It was, however, erreneeus to State;--thatall 'discussion on Indian policy was excluded by the regulation. 'The restraint was local only, and left a wide field for discus sion. In this country we had large popular assemblies where all subjects connected with India could be diseuSsed ; and we had a vigilant press - to follow in- their. wake. His Learned Friend had complained of the absence of a . Court of Ap peal. Trite, there - was no such Court in India, and thet want was owing to a legislative,provision ; but the persons who abuaed their functions were responsible for that abuse 'in this country. That the communication of knowledge to the ' inhabitants of India was desirable, every. one adinitted ; but the difficulty was, how it could be extended in a country Si ! mated like India, and peopled by such :inhabitants. That delicate point ought to be considered as a matter of Govern ment, and not left to the rash hands of speculative parSons.' 'The Hindoo had been compared to a sensitive plant ; his pee.: sions and imagination were easily excited, and he was influ.; enced and agitated by things which had a peculiar relation to his external form. Was an individual full. .of European no tions and prejudices entitled to publish whatever -scheme he thought proper for reforming or civilizing the people, and with out caring for the stability of the Empire, or the incurnbere.d interests with which it was bound up, to propagate his doctrines among men who hang upon his woods? In'the original Charter granted to the Company by Queen Elizabeth the right of mak ing bye-laws was expressly given to them. According to its :provisions ' they undoubtedly possessed a clear right to pass a sye-law, forbidding 'the circulation of a Newspaper among the ship's crew on board of a.ship, or preventing the disserni. :nation of dangerous topics in the small cotton factories subject to their authority. By the 13 of Geo. I. the restrictive power wits confirmed to them ; and it was repeated, with a slight va tiation, in the 26 of Geo. 11. In the year 1773, an Act of Par liament was passed for regulating the management of the East India Company's afikirs, and which vested the entire Civil and Military Government of Fort William in a Governor-Gene ral; and four Councillors. Long .after that Act was passed no alteration took place 'in the-laws of the Colony ;- but after the ; trade had been laid open to - the subject at large, Parliament after Parliament proceeded - to enforce restrictions-on the British residents. Were their . Lordships- prepared to say that the Company vestediwith such powers, were not - entitled to pass a R e y -law, prohibiting the introduction of certain subjects into a Newspaper or periodical work. That law, he contended, was not repugnant to the law. of England, as applicable to India. The Company always possessed the power olcontroullingthe conduct - of British subjects ; and, although no regulation had passed, yet, 'at. an early period, where peril arose to the-Colony, from publica dens, which were conceived to be dangerous to the Government, the individual who circulated them was informed; that if he did not desistfroni such conduct, he would be transported to England: In 1799; Lord Wellesley promulgated certain rules, by which person., who did not conform to them,- were subjected to the penalty of transportation ; and these rules-they - continued with out opposition or dispute, until the year 1818. True, the cen sorship was abolished ; but the Secretary eithe Government had the power of inspecting all publications; aunt striking out those parts which, appeared to be offensive. Simultaneous with that measure,, another took place. It wiilik - rthe - in t ention of the Noble P erson at .the head of the GoVertnifnent, to leave the press unfettered, as it was in this cciontrY',' or subject it to the controul of tbe • legal tribunals; for he published rules - and re gulations, which obliged the Editor% of NeviSpapers tb conform themselves to the East India Company ; and, on their refusal-; ' the old law was put in force aeaihst them; ' "-But when - British subjects took the hint of transferring thelntereets in Papers: to the native subjects, these . rules - becainFlain and futile,-. and. it was necessary for the Governinent to resort to the powers with which the Legislature had invested iliem". .- He admitted that the local Government had no right tOpass Sucit regulation* capriciously; beaause they -ought to tend •to the good of the co . lony and its inhabitants ; but until that'fact was prOved he saw no reason why their Lordships should he - cal/eel upon to legislate upon points which had been long ago 'fiicedisy 'statutary enact ment. It was impossible, then , to amity the maxims of Eng limit Government to India. The inhabitants were different in opinions, morals, and passions. You might just as well send out a cargo of clothing to a battalion of sepoys, as - attempt to fit their minds to our laws and customs'; or, it Would be equally wise policy to administer spirits to'the Red Indians. of America, and, by raising them to wildness and delirium, to call forth • their rude and savage feelings. We ought to proceed with caution and-discretion, when we presented new regulation . % for a country like India, composed of such heterogeneous materials. By pursuing,untried courses of policy, we might lose India altogether, or render it the scene of bloodaliesl a strife, and war. Yea; we should not only loseit, but transfer it to one of the European Powers. Mr. Serjeant S rasirriE followed on the same side. The Go vernment of India had been . most grossly attacked ; was it not then to arm itself in defence against an establishment set up in avowed hostility to it? Milton had been much quoted by his Learned Friends on the opposite side ; when he wrote, there existed, he believed, '49 regulations With respect to the press, from the very act of licensing down to the whipping a ballad singer ; the mode too of whipping; him by the constable was fixed with a provision, that he should be himself whipped if he failed to inflict the proper punishment on the poor ballad singer. Somewhere in his book, Milton says, that " booksare like the dragon's teeth, which may spring up armed men.'!---- Was not that very declaration calculated to alarm ? The Learned Serjeant, after some further observations', in which he set forth the disadvantage of a free 'press in India, 'said that before the late regulations it was constantly teeming with the most un justifiable slanders, was embittering social intercourse, was a kind of perpetual blister; . a perfect sirocco. If a man bust chanced .to upset another'with a gig, he was - now called on by name; and Iseult obtained against him to show' cause why lie should not answer for his conduct at the bar of a newspaper next day. Mr. Ritou (exam said, he had been taunted for his silence, he was challenged to make a speech, arid wished therefore to give his opinion. . Commosr SE ILYEANT,saW,th - at unless their Lordships petitioned his Majesty to make his Learned Friend - a Privy Councillor; he did not see how he could well' giee his opinion. laugh.) : - • The COMMON SERJEAHT then proseeded to reply ; at the conclusion of his address the Chamber was closed. Their Lordships subsequently separated Withouteoming to a decision on the questionsubmitted to them. The following is an extract from a letter re ceived yesterday from Port-au-Prince :—" law has passed the Chamber of Deputies, making landed property liable, and allowing it to be sold, for the payment of debts ; and•from an un derstanding which exists between his Excellency the President and some of the leading . Members of the Chamber, there is no doubt that the ter ritorial duty on coffee and cocoa will be re duced, and the patent law and tariff of duties revised this session." The Duke of LEINSTER, observing a van in Carteret -street, on Friday afternoon, very much intoxicated ; and fearing be might experience some injury, while sleeping. on the stones, took him up in his arms, and carried him ,into . an ad joining public-house ; and, like a good Samaritan, ordered him to be taken care of at his Grace's expence. PURITY OF ELECTION. Yesterday-. the" Etio'hteOlth 'Celebration of the 1 Independence of Election in Westminster took place at the Crown and Anchor Tavern—Sir FRANCIS BURDETT, Bari., M. P., in: the Chair:—At half-past tive o'clock, the hour an, : nouneed for dinner, Sir Francis Burdett entered the great room; preceded by the stewards, with their wands, and accompanied by Mr. Coke of Norfolk, P.,. Mr. Lambton,i M. P., Lord Nugent, Sir Robert Wil s on, 111: P., S. Whitbread, Esq. M. P., Mr. Williams, M. P., J. C. Hobliotise, Esq. M. P., Daniel - O'Connell, E sq ., Mr. O'Connell, jun., &c. etc. Their return was hailed with the loudest acclamation._Dinner being over, and the cloth removed, the CHAIRMAN proposed, as the first toast—" The People, the only legitimate soured of power," which was drank three times thrde, with great applaUse.—Th 6 CuAr RMAN next proposed the health of the King, and:may he never forget his own declaration, " That the Crown is only I held in trust for the: Benefit of the People." This toast was also received with every demonstration of loyalty end pa; _ ' Mr. STußcu now rose, and said that he held in his hand a toast, Which. had heennanded to him in writing, and which he felt proud in being - deputed to propose. Although he was not then an Elector of - Westminster, yet he could neither forget that boonce was so, or the services .for whiCh he was indebted as suer) to the distinguished and able man whose health he was about to propose, to theni.—(Lotid cheers.)—He. had for the last - eighteen years. attended many meetings . to this in that very room, and heard the same cheers that now met his eat on the proposal of the same . toast. He was happy to find still existing:, - without the slightest - degree of diminution, the' same enthttsiasin; towards their worthy Representative, Sir Francis - . Burdett, .„ that they 'had ever evinced.-(Loud and continued cheering.)--Foe - his own part he never pros pdsed this toast with more perfect satisfaction than lie did I at that Moment; ,and that satisfaction was . by no mean's-I diminished by the, present &Seidel 'of ParliaMent, but quite ' the reverse. It visa noaseigliteenyeare since lie (Mr. Sturch) with some few 'otheis, waited upon Sir F. Burdett, to solicit him to become a candidate' for the representationeof West - Minster ; and froM that time to the present, not -a day 'had 'dense(' that his reapees .and,gratitud,e did not increase for the,distinguished cervices of that honest representative. With reference to the proceedingS . Of - the present Session, by (11r. Sturch)', thoughe,that 'there was nothing; ok place possessing half so Much inteipesfor the friends of liberty, as the noble stand which their worthy RepresentatiVe made in' the cause of religious,. liberty,. in his- tideocaey of the gliesiions-of the emancipationof the . Irish Califolice-s(Cluiering.)-sand when lie (Mr. Sturch) *Spoke of this gliestion, be viewed it riot at all •as.a religious ,question, or as one that involved whether one religion - was better 'or worse than arrother, but as a question purely of religious *liberty of 'conscience, connected with the, question of civil liberty, and altogether of a political bearing. Ile regretted exCeettingly . that the suecessful efforts • of their distin vuislied It epresentatiYe in the House of Commons had been marred i by the intelligent, .dignity of the 'House of Lords. Their worthy Representative had, however, done his duty 'nobly ; and was nobly hacked, he would say, by his colleague, Sir. Hobhouse, in endeavouring to obtain for all the people equal protection, equal liberty, and equal rights. Mr. Sturch. then proposed the health of " Sir Francis Burdett, the true, Mdepentlent; - Uncompromising, and undaunted repre sentative hf the people es whose unceasing exertions in the cause of liberty and the people, have been as useful to his country as they. Are honourable to hirfiself." The 'drinking of this toast was followed by bursts of enthu siastic 'applause, accompanied by the waving of handkerchiefs, and the loudest and most ferYent cheering we ever witnessed, which lasted for many niinutes. The Hon. Baronet now got upon the table - to address the Meeting, and his appearance in that elevated'situatioivrae the signal for a renewal of the same defrionetrations of nttachment and regard; which again cone tinned to a Ibrigth, that it was sonic time before the worthy Baronet Could, be - heard. Silence being at length obteined— BtittisSeTT laid, that the appearance and voice of the' geraleinan who had done him the 'honour of proposing his health (Mrs Sttircii) erthattneeting, recalled to his mind sir. cumstanees - ictuineeted:with many years now gone , by, which must, td the last morn* of his existence, impress hint with the deepest gratitude t 6 the' electors of 'Westminster, 'and fill his: mind with the highest Satisfaction, that he still continues to be:fleeted .bythxt enlightened and independent body with the seine edeilielity.that he had ever been. He could not but recol lect, that it was at - every critical moment of his life, that the electors of Wesminster did him the honour to choose him as their representative; and he shoeild be the basest of nied, it' lie were not ready, at-.all- times . to, forward those : principlei of liberty and independinie Which - Were cherished 1u Westmin. aver abcrvesall °did! parts of, the empire.- The Meetings of the People of NA'estininiter were always in faiour of liberty, and nothicg - - hat liberty., - and his • principles being in perfect aecendan4 with those of his constituents, he never hesitated, boldly andfearlesely, to come forward and advocate their sentiments With all the ability that his humble pewers. enabled ' Viraie'etnincessiiry to indulge further. upon these topics, or to express more at large his feelings re apecting cher/1,415. hieleiendsof Westminster knew already very well, by this time; what his Principles were. It is, after all, a pleasure to bfi enabled to express; with some degree of liberty, one's sentiinents -; and he believed there was no country where' a person may do so, notwithstanding certain objections ,to the- Government, than in tins. The friends of liberty have reason to rejoice at the present position of - the nations of the world; for, netwithstanding the melancholy examples of Spain, and of 'ltaly, there *is a consoling view for the eye of - every friend' of liberty in turning towards Greece,' and tovtards the western iortion of the globe; 'when they will - see - in the South Ameri- e can Provinces a spirit - of rational . liberty gaining .xyray to the 'annihilation of despotism and oppression.— Mr. Sturch had' alluded' to the efforts matte lately in Parliament in favour -of liberty at borne; he meant in 'favour of the great principle of religious liberty.ss-.( Loud cheeting.)—lt was asserted by uomee that certain religious tenets . were' opposed to the principles of liberty ; for his (Sir Francis) part, he did not believe that there Was in any relit ion of itself an y thi ng I ncom p a tible with r a tional liberty. In America, for instance, has religion any effect in checking the progress of' liberty there? Arenot the Peoteitarits; the Roman Catholicise the Baptists, and every other denomination Of religious sect, - united in that country in.the one great object— . the liberty and independence of their country. There is no roan has a greater respect for conscientious differences oropi- Mon upon religion and religious subjects than he has; he.was, and ever should be, ready to make the most extended allowance for an honest mistake, or error in questions of religion ; but he *ld not make inticisallowance for persons who, notwithstand ing the progress . of the human mind in this and every other country, for the lest,century, still at this day persevere in talk ing seriously of the same bugbears that; at the distance of a century ago, used - to - stare our worthy ancestors with affright.-s- Had the person's - t 0 Whom lie alltides, had the misfortune not to have, had the advantage oreducation, or be able to read ; or,' had they the defect of haring their eyes placed in the back of their heads instead of the front; then some alloniance mightbei made for them, as they to-ald not be expected to lookforwardS But, in this enlightened day, in this age of explosion of the hue mind anti intellect, to hear any religious creed spoken of *as being in itself opposed to libeitySis something more than one's patience can well bear. A ,century ago, bare toleration was considered; by our, enlightened . forefathers to the fulleit extent Of religious' liberty. M'ho will tidy iii the present day that his so ? It matters very little; in, point of principle, whether you • burn a.rnan for his religion in fire and faggot, or withhold, from .him for the setsie reaesio his . right as a citizen. Toleration is barely removed a degree-NM intolerance ; it is assuming in an equa degree'to man the pourer ofinterfering between man and his ellaker.--(Clieers.)..slC is saying to the Deity, you shall not receivg i such and such a form of' worship, and to Man you .shall not offlir it.--e(Applauae.):—A - s Mr. Brougham said the other night, no religion could, in itself, ..be opposed to liberty, because if it hitt], it never could have become the religion of any people e but the secret' is' power, and the priesthood ' having cinthectied*errisitivek. with.: - religion., 'have made pear to- be. irreconcilable . with liberty. The connection of religion with the. State is the, erfor--in that the poison lies. Ile wculd tell theslectors of Westminster that the great question of .religious fseedom is deeply blended. with the cause of civil li berty and rights; the two- questions cannot be difided, hot must progress forward together; and the day of _civil rights must be paved by religious liberty to all classes 'of our fellow subjects, and fo r t ee th t h eeegreaa principles he (Sir F. Burdett) would, as he hadat the 'beginning, contend to'the last period of .his existence. It had to be sure been said, by very high au thority, or at least by persons very high in authority—(a laugh)—the thirty Bishops and Lord Liverpool, that the Roman Catholic religion was inconsistent with freedoM or civil liberty. It is not very easy to convince persons who are determined not to be convinced, and therefore he would not argue the question with the' Right Reverend Bishops, whom-he will leave in . the self-satisfied possession of . that arrogance, which power always gives ; but Lord Liverpool has told us, that we cannot bear an extended religious freedom in this country, as they do in America; that is, that we in this country are not yet free enough to bear freedom of conscience. (I.aughter.)—Now he. (Sir F.) would ask our Catholic ari eestors, net the supporters of freedom. Another Noble Lord had said, that freedom of conscience might do very well on the Continent, hut that in this country we were too free to allow of it. He (sir Francis) could not-certainly expect to convert the thirty Bishops, nor would he attempt the task. But when he heard them accuse the Catholics, and object it to them, that their's was a proselytizing religion, he must say, that be could not think that any thing else but a proof of the fervour .with which they adhered to their religious creeds. He would not accuse the thirty Bishops of being much - addicted to proselytising; for, the fewer Protestants' there were, the less number there would be to share the good things of . the church.—(Lauehter)—When the , Jew's daughter, in The Merchant of Venice, was converted to. Christianity, and that the Duke was _told she was, he said, " he did riot at all re j oice at it, for there were Christians enough in .the state already.—(Lau g hter.)—But to be candid, be, (Sir F.j did not give the Bishops credit for being even honest bigots. He ad-. mired honest bigotry in prefience to selfish hypocrisy. It was the honest scruples of Catholics, and nothing else, that excluded them from civil rights. But I would ask, can six millions of our fellox.subjects be much longer deprived of their rights, and it will be a consideration for the people of this country whether they . -Will continue to pay four million of taxes more than they have the slightest occasion to do, for the purpose of keeping the Irish people from the -enjoyment of their just t rights. This is the simple question, and would it not Thai insanity to say that we ought to do so. Shall we not rather have the Irish people go hand in hand With us, to insure the safety and independence of the United Empire. At present.lreland.is a burden of four millions an. nually upon this Country, to keep up an army therei and sup, porta 10.00poly of thirty Bishops, and other great personages. --In opposition to all the epeec)ies made in the HouSe of Lords against the claims of the Catholics, he would put the sensible and manly speech the other day at Manchester, delivered by a working manufacturer of the. name of Hodson. There was one consoling circumstance; that in the late vote of the House 'of Peers, all .tact was independent and indent in the nobility - of the land supported the measure of . Emancipation, and it was opposed -by :many who had little right to be in that House; who obtained their titles for services-which the pub lie knew very bile of, and which scarcely any man can point -out. If a House of Lords be of any Ilse, it is as being the independent „proprietors of the landed country; and ther,:fore .not supposed to be capable orbeing teazel by a Minister of the CrOwn ; but in the room of that description of the House of Peers, we have now created a stick jack nobility, mere tools of lords, something such as rotten boroughs are to the Commons. The Iron. Baronet then referred to the manner in which America was lost to this pommy by re sing her her rights, and, whatever .benefit we might derive from our trade .with drat country, it was but a pool substitute for the loss of the brightest gem in the Crown of England. would pledge his life that there was as much love for liberty in the Roman Ca tholics of lielaad, and AS strong a tlesire.to share. the blessings of it with this country, as we possessed ourselves; and with this impression he would never cease his exertions while he lived thej 'Obtained their' , fights.—(Loud applause.) The people of Weiniiiiiiter, the statinch friends of liberty, he was atire,' had the kune feeling—(cheers)_,ntid they might rest as. cured that there could be no hope for free trade, free rights, or free-any thing else, UntiLthere was a freedomiirst of religion, which he found could not be expected in the time of the present disjointed administration, a non-descript sort -ne animal, pre, seating some fine features and eimie'great . infirnrities—a fine bust and face, but then tapering and turning into a serpentile sort of animal. He would therefore impress on the people of -thii country that the true path to civil liberty is-by granting re ligious freedom to their fellow-subjects of all classes and deno mination of Christians. Sir Francis then said, that he should conclude by proposing as a toast the only remedy for all our national grievances—" A full, free, and fair representation of the people in Parliament."—This toast was drank, three times three, with the utmost enthusiasm, and loud cheering, which ,continued some time after the lion. Baronet sat down. Sir FnANcls BuRDETT rose to 'propose a toast, which he was - sure-all would drink with high pleasure. • Alr. Peel had lately brought in a Bill, for which mankind was deeply indebted to him—the Bill for the improvement of Juries—a measure of the - verygreatest importance to the civilized world.—(Cheers.) The.:Hon.Citairtnau then gave ‘."Thanks to Mr. Peel for his Bill now before. Parliament, for the Improvement of- Trial by. Jury."—(Drank enthusiastically.) • Mr. - C6xE, of Norfolk, rose to propose ttv.thealth of Mr. Hob house. He had he said been 50 years in Parliament, and he had seen in that time, as his friends around him might suppose very well, much tergiversation—much backsliding.—(Laughter.)— liow,ruuc.h, then, must he be disposed to support such men as r the: Representatives of Westminster ?---(Cheers.)- , The . great question which had lately agitated the conimunity, was the Ca. tholii; Question, and he would 'lay, :notwithstanding what. had occured, that he expected to see before he died the complete emancipation of that numerous and enlightened body of his fel. low-subjects.-(Continued cheering.)—He rejoiced in finding that the people'Of Westminster so powerfully advocated the great cause, and he Vowed, that if his constituents were not de. ;ermined to support the principles of'civil and religious liberty, he - would not repreient them at all, 4 ‘ so help , him God."— (Great laughter and applause.)—He concluded bygiving the health of Mr. Hobhoune.. • . _ ;Mr. Honuotist thanked his . : constituents for the testimony their approbation.'. He rejoiced to find that. Session after *Sion he round them approving of his oonttitct in a part -width had not been allotted - to him for the . gratification of his' vanity, but to . which he was attached, from the resistance 'which it enabled him' to make to the encroachinents• Of arbt- • trary power.—(Applauie.) ,- Mr. - Sruncit said, that the toast. that he was-going to pro posed was perfectly in consonance with 'his feelings. He gave. , 1-." The Cause of Civil and Religious Liberty throughout the World, and thanks to the Minority that atiPported the Catholic , ' Question--'-and may tha rejection of it bye Parliainent not injure the tranquillity of Ireland." ,The next toast was—" Lord John Russell' and the. Re formers of England." -Lord Jouw RussEtt. ' in returning thanks to the company, said,. the Merits of , the Representatires of -Westminster .were Sufficiently great to make up for the blemish which the repre- Sentation of other places` cast upon the people of England. The mast _anxious Wish of his heart was a -Reform' in Parliament„ and he assured the Meeting that he would'have pressed the question in the present Session had not the public mind been so luny occupied with the other great national subject of Catholic Emancipation.— . (Cheers.)—lt was common amongst the satel-, lites of -the Ministers to saY, " the people must reterm them selves... He would say, the people had reformed themselves— . (Cheers)—that, whenever they had the power to act, they exer cised their right fairly. • Ile concluded by• assuring the corn pay.that be wished a free ,Representation for England, Eman cipation for Ireland, and Freedn, for the World. •., •• 'Abe CHAIR MAN then gave-" Lord Ehrington, and the-Re formers of Devonshire." IliS LoRDsiIIP returned • thanks, and • gave the health of " Lord Nugent." • Lord Nu GENT returned thanks. * He had . come there to ' testify his warm approbation of Sir F. Burdett, for the part that he had taken on the Catholic Question, and to express his un changeable concurrence in the opinions - that had actuated that Hon. Baronet.- , -( Hear, hear !)---He considered the cause • of Parliathentary Reform as becoming - every year more urgent (Hear !) ; and he had no small hopes of the time arriving when it should be so urg ent as to met•with no opposition.—(Cheers.) '—The Friends o Reform in Parliament, hewever, could have . but - little interest in to question. The first blow must be struck by the people without.--(Cheers.)—For himself, he would only say, that if he should again be honoured with a seat in Parliament, the twin stars that should guide his course should he Parliamentary Reform and Religious Liberty. ( 41 pplause. ) The nex t toast was " George John Lambten, Esq.,-and the Reformers of the North of England." Mr. bastrerost_rose amid loud applauie; as it satheided a single hiss was heard, but it was overpowered by the applause. When silence was somewhat restored, Mr. Larnbton said, that he thought he had heard a single hiss from an individual, whom he presumed to be an Elector of Westthinster; by his being at that. dinner; and, as he was not accustomed to be greeted 'at such meetings in that manner, he requested the person who had so expressed his sentimentsi to state the grounds en.which he proceeded.-4 Hear, hear!) • - , FEA RON then mounted the table at the lower end of the room, and' was received with considerable uproar of hisses, mixed with some applause, His accusation against Mr. Lamb, :ton was divided into two parts—his opposition to'Sir Francis • ett in the Elective FranebiSe Bin,: and- that he bad some days afterwards 'entertained at , illustrious person, whose principles were well known to be in opposition to the great Catholic Question.—(Hear, hear ! and hisses.) Mr. LAMBT ON then 'Mounted the table.for a second time, amid universal applause. He' regretted that such a theme should have been introduced, when. all -minor controversial points ought to have been set at rest. He regretted that angry fei.linis should exhibit themselves upon an -occasion like this, - when the electors of Westminster assembled to celebrate one of the brightest events that' had ever occurred within its pre cincts. He was sorry to find that there was one individual who' had objected to the general sentiment, but he expected to give •him a most triumphant refutatiOu. He had been charged with. having acted - independently. He had certainly declined to vote upon the Catholic Question, because he thought it inconsistent to support a measure which was united with one in direct opposition to the elective franchise, which lie had maintained through his whole life. He had his own right of re-action. With respect to the charge of having en tertained the Duke of York, he should only say that he never alloWed politics _to interfere with his domestic arrangements. He should also declare that he highly applauded the Duke of York for openly stating his sentiments.—(Applause.) Mr. W HITE READ, Sir ROBERT WILSON', and Mr. LION - moor) returned thanks on their healths being drank. The healths of Mr. M. Fitzgerald, Mr. J. Burdett, Mr. Ponsonby, and Mr. O'Connell, were then- drank with enthu siasm. • Mr. M. FITZGERALD returned thanks for the honour that had been done him; after which, there - being a very general call for Mr.O'Connell, Mr. O'CONNELL rose amid loud applause. It had been his• fixed determination, on entering the room, to pay a slight testi. Home' Con- sumption., 2 , 7 99 130 211; 10 2 14,189 230 1,263 8,174 29,639 723 17,433 1,077 263 -29 STEAM VESSELS.—There shipwrights yards iu Liverpool vessels,, most of them of a supe 1,246 831 11,610 1,837 80,382 10,87% 1,106 4,064 1,662 331 734 74,636 1,366 3,447 36 4,853, 26 6,060 137 650 6,306 6$ 3 932 126 4 1S 94 190 ri 201 215 i 22,273 16,993 376 22 82 24 46,735 31 t ~ e 647 3,209 34 111 476 2,710 12,643 _67 079 4,261 3,142 33 256# 5,591 1,497 .4421 124$ 7,010 55f 6,600 4,071 31,953, ire now building at the different 4, no fewer than fifteen stentri trior class. • SWEDISH AND DANISH WATCHMEN.—The men of Stockholm, like their brethren of Copenhagen, cry the hour most lustily, and sing Anthems almost all ,night, to the no little annoyance of loreigners who •have been accustomed to confine their devotions to the day. These important personages of the night pera,mbnlate the town with a curious weapon like a pitchfork, each side of the fork having a spring barb, used in securing a running thief by the leg. . The use of it requires some skill and practice, and constitutes no inconsiderable.part of the valuable art and mystery of thief-catching.. MELANCHOLY SulernE.-- 7 011 Wednesday after noon, Doctor Thomas Peall, for many years Veterin'aiy Lec turer to the Dublin Society, put a period to his exist ence, by siiallowing ' , a quantity of sulphuric acid. The effects of • this acid, commonly known by the name of oil of vitriol, were, of course, almost immediately fatal.— The Surgeon4leneral . 'waS sent for, but by the time he . ar rived the unfortunate man was a lifeless corpse. His mouth, face, &c., we understand, presented a hideous aspect, from the corrosive effects of this powerful poison. Dr. Peall, it is said, had for some time past betrayed frequent symptoms of men tal derangement, and it is supposed that an action which had heen commenced against him by one of the porters of a society, for an alleged assault, and which was to be tried yes terdays had increased his mental malady, and had thus driven him to the perpetration of th e dr ea dful deed. - Dr. Peall :was not only distinguished by a great and intimate knowledge of his profession, but he- was also possessed of a highly tut , • tivated intellect, . and his literary attainments were of no ordinary description. His lectures on physiology, we .have heard described by •scientific gentlemen as not inferior in matter, while, probably, they were superior in diction and ar rangement, to those of any of the medical professors of which our city can boast.-(Dublin Morning Register.) -• • • •moray of .esteem to their Represmitatives.. It was impossible for him to find language adequate to describe the obligation that penetratedhis very soul tower& one of those Representatives.— (Cheers.)-- , The gratitude that he felt was not sectarian, but na tional. He was the advocate of Christianity, and his first priti ciple that of doing to others as he would be done by. He had at least the satisfaction of being the humble individual who first proposed en'trusting the Catholic Petition to his care, for the purpose of calling on Parliament to give them what was -be stowed on all other subjects of the realm—( Hear 1)—If he had Somewhatoverstepped the bounds, he trusted that they would not forget the magnitude of the cause for which -he was con tending (Cheers); what they asked-for was an equalization of their civil rights, and for himself, he could say, that from the • first moment he entered into political life, the doctrine of Par liamentary Reform was dear to his heart (Cheers), and he win) comes between that principle and the Electors, might talk of his conscience, and weep over his money-bags, but the truth was, that he dealt in iniquity and robbed the - public of , their rights.—(Cheers.)--If he could-for a moment sui ; ose that the - Catholics were unworthy of support, he would give up their cause; but hi was sure that the name of Burdett would-act ks a spell throughout Ireland, and' never be forgot in their pious, though humble devotions ;• 'he longed to hear that voice shouted as a rallying point for Catholics, from Archangel to the Straits of Gibraltar.—(Cheers.) —(England had but to combine her willing sons .in one link of affection, for her to become the .Empress of the World.(Cheers.) • " The Members of the. Bar" -were then Masted:; ; shortly after which Sir F. Burdett and the major part of the company withdrew at eleven o'clock. - -..- . . WEST INDIA DOCKS. STOCK ACCOUNT for the Week ending Saturday, the 21st of May, 1825. Delivered. stock ow Hind. Exporta tion. Articles. lllids = West India trrs Bls Sugar Prazil - Chests {ll avanah Boxes East India & I n Mauritius'f ' - ' a g s Casks ( Pns 1 Hds ( Pns 1 lids Molasse; . gum Brandy :lollande A rracl;. %Vine f Pipes 'lids Pns Hds Casks Coffee Tr* 1 ills _ ' C I l a a st 1 Do. British Plantation Bis . Bags Do. East India - Bags .' Brazil, St. Domingo, C asks and Harannah, do. B ls 13ags . f Casks 1 Bags Casks Bags Cocoa Pimento • Ginger . - Pepper - :Cottoi . Moo Arrow Root Casks I,Bags f Casks Bags Balsam . I Bales BMB f tusks Boxes• Mxes Jars Caiks Bark . .Serons • •-• , Bills { : - • ..- • ' .. - .Bai.:o -. Cassia Fistula -- Casks. - .l.Casks Cloves • Bags Cochineal - ( Bags No. Elephants' Teeth own Casks, t Boxes Hemp 4 - Tons Hides - - - No. Horns - - No. Indigo - - Serous _ Ipecac ul Whale n h l t a a l e I V 3G : aa s u k ,: s s Jalap ' .• .= B a ate s s Castor = - Casks Oil, Coco-Nut - - I.4sks, Palm. = - Casks ,Pearl Shell - sera Pine Apple efiiiks Rice ai3d Paddy. A Rags Calks Sago . , Boxes Sarsaparilla - Bales Tallow . . Casks Tortoise Shell li a c : ks xes Turtle - • Casks T a pi oca - . - Casks WOOD. Lo_gs _ Pieces Pllts& Bds Logs Pcs & Plks Pieces Santa Maria ( Logs African Timber Lugs Pieces Ebony Tons Lig. Vibe Tons Box Wood Tons Log Wood Tons Fustic - Tons Nicaragua Wood Tons Cam Wood Tons Bar Wood 1 f P iec ons es Tons Mahogany Cedar - Brazilletto Saunders Wood. Pieces Laniewood Spars No. Staves No: