The Sun. — London, England, 1832-03-17 00:00:00

religion free. liis opposition to the system was easily • ;rounded asn the fact, that by the system the Holy Scrip tyres were not to be taught unmutilated. Lord ALTHORP felt called on to put it to Han. Gen. tieman anti the House, whether they ought to confirms this debate upon the presentin , 4 of a petition to the exclusion of the other business which st. - tod by appointment, and particularly as he had `ertst;aged to close the Committee of Supply at half-past eight this evening ? It was most iml.-.)rtant that the Esti mates should be proceeded with, and con.4equently he put it to the candour and fairness of those who beard him, whether they ought not to allow the regular business 'o go on? Captain CORDON had intended going further into the subject, tut in Consequence of what had fallen from the Noble Lord would abstain at present, reserving to himself the opportunity of going into it hereafmr. Captain JONES and others agreed to postpone their observations on the subject. LORD CHANCELLOR'S SALARY. Sir E. SUGDEN wished to know whether it was the Noble Lord's intention to bring forward any proposition respecting the Lord Chancellor's salary? Whatever in formation on this subject was to be g;ven, he thought the douse ought to be put in possession of it without delay. _(Hear, hear.) It was no particular hostility to that Noble and Learned person that induced him now to bring forward the subject, lt , ot loecause every person must feel that he ought to have an income befitting his great office. Lord ALTHORP said it was intended to place the Lord Chancellor's salary in the Consolidated Fund; but he had considered it would be better to have a separate Act of Parliament for the judicial salaries. A Bill to that effect was now under con,ideratior, and he hoped on an early day to be able to apprise the House of its contents. Mr. BURGE wished to know whether the recall of Lord helonore winch had been sent out by hi, Maj,sty's Govern ment, bad been sent out previous to the occurrence of the disturbances in Jamaica ? Lord ALTHORP replied that the recall load been sent out before the disturbances occurred. The House then resolved itself into a COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. Sir J. GRAHAM said, that having so recently entered into a full explanation, in moving the Navy Estimates, he felt it unnecessary to do more on this occasion than state, t hat in the branch of effective service, for this year, he had been able to wake a saving of 971,0001. He moved that 27,000 men he ernpl,l - ed for the sea service for the ensuing year. Sir G. CLERK contended that the Right Han. Baronet had not made so extensive a reduction as he had stitted. He thought that, upon examination, the saving would he found not to exceed 200,0001. There was a reduction for which the Right Hon. Baronet took credit, which on in vestigation would, he conceived, prove more a nominal than substantial reduction—he referred to the reduction of the office of Paymatiter of Marines, and the six clerks attached to that office. Now it appeared, notwith standing this alleged saving to the public, that the Pay , master of Marines still enjoyed his salary under the name of Inspector-General of Marines. One part of the dimi nution of expenditure had been effected by transferring the protection of the coast against smugglers from the Admi ralty to the Board of Cestoins. He could not agree with those who considered the abandonment of the coast blockade an advisable measure. on this subject he must cum plain of the very inaccurate manner in which the returns of the number of Naval half-pay officers heldints civil appoint. ments bad been made to the House. On the ' union of the offices of Vice-President of the Board of Trade and the Treasurer of the Navy in the person of the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. P. Thomson), ho (Sir G. Clerk) had expressed his opinion of the impossibility of the Right Hon. Gentleman being able to devote a suitable portion of his time to the duties of the latter. The returns of which he now complained, and which proceeded from the depart ment of the Treasurer of the Navy, fully justified his anti cipation. They abounded in errors, as an illustration of which he would particularize the insertion of the name of Sir G Cockburn, as Major-General of Marines, while no j mention whatever was made of the General, Lieutenant- General, or Colonels. Sir J. GRAHAM said '.hat thequestion of ti , e abolition of the marine had been fully considered last session, and he maintained that 'Ministers were clearly entitled to take credit for the reduction of the office of paymaster ) which was a civil appointment. With respect to the office of Inspector-General of the Marines, it was necessary to be preserved, and he had not the slightest doubt that its abolition was impracticable. As to the transfer of the protection of the coast to the Board of Customs, its ex pediency bad been justified by the approbation of the he id.. of the department with whose concerns it we.s im mediately connected. lie admitted that the Admiralty hail in consequence bren obliged to keep a largsr perma nent force on board the guard ships, but by this they were enabled to maintain, at all times, a squadron fully equipped for sea, which squadron afforded the men the advantage of six months' exercising. The Right Hon. Gentleman, in reference to the returns of naval half-pay officers holding civil appointments, proceeded to eulogize the Right Hon. Treasurer of the Navy ; and stated that he would stand competition with the most able of his predecessors in that office. Errors of a trifling amount might be made in these returns, owing to their not having undergone his inspection ; but he was certain that as to his cash account the strictest investigation needed not be dreaded. He thought it necessary to state, that in the return in question the officers holding civil appointments in the Coast Guard, with their half-pay, were those who had appointment previous to the order of the Committee in 1829. The officers who had been appointed since that time were not allowed to draw their half-pay. Mr. P. THOMSON admitted there was an error in the return, and that W4B the insertion of the Gallant Ad niirai's (Sir G. Cockburn) name as a General to Marines. Mr. HUME expressed his concurrence in the reductions which Sir James Graham had made in the naval estimate., and was only sorry 'hat they were not larger. The sums expended since ISI6, on the building of ships, wa. nearly thirty millions, and he would undertake to build a navy fur six millions. Whilst a new species of force was growing up, he considered every farthing th at was ex pended on the building of line of-battle ships. on the old principle, asso much money thrown away. He also corn• piiined of the grounds on which some recent superannua tions had been made. A gentleman had been superannu ated within the last four months, who was quite as efficient es he was ; and lie did not suppose that any body would turn him out of the House for not being an efficient man. --(A laugh.) He contended that, notwithstanding the reductions which the First Lord of the Admiralty had al ready made in these estimates, greater reductions might still be made in them ; as, for instance, in the reduction of the number of men, end especially of marines employed, in the expense of building ships, in the victualling depart ment, in the pay-office, which he thought might be abo lished alto:.ether, and also in the list of 7,uperannuations. He called the particular attention of the Noble Lord oppo site to this litter head of expense : if something were not doue to reduce it, he should be compelled to bring on the motion for a revision of the Superannuatien Act, of which be had already given notice. Sir G. COCKIIIJRN contended that the coast blockade was of great service in providing experienced sailors for his Majesty's ships, when it was - necessary that they should be instantly manned to meet any sudden emergency. Ile, quoted the testimony of several eminent naval officers to prove that the coast blockade men were found efficient sailors at once, and that they could bit a target better even than the men of the marine artillery. The marine force which combined the ifseharee of the duties both of seamen and soldiers, e ere not to be created in a day, and be felt satisfied that not less than 10,000 men should be kept up for that service, to be ready in the event of a war. In this respect he differed from the Hon. Member for Middle sex. The marine force to this extent should not only he kept up, but should be sent to Gibraltar, Bermuda, and other marine stations, where they would afford relief to the military, but would be ready fur service in case of a war requiring the equipment of a fleet. He made these übservatious because he thought that the reductions- which had .already taken place in this branch of the service had been improperly made. After a few words from Mr. CRESSET PELIIA3I, which dill not reach us, Sir HENRY HARDINGE conceived the present dis cussion owed its origin in a great degree to the returns which he himself had moved for in October last, when he took an opportunity of complaining that the officers on the hall-pay of the army were not permitted to hold civil offices of emolument also — a boon which had been extended to officers of the navy also in the receipt of half. pay. He appealed to the House whether the case of the army had a not been materially altered , and he w as o f op i n i on i t was en important point for the House, in 1832, not to legislite differently w ith respect to the army to the co urse pursue d by Parliament in 1820, when the services of the army were fresh on the minds and memories of the country and of Parliament, and he hoped the same boon would be ex tended to the officers of the one e: evict as was proposed for those of the other. It appeared from the customs and coast guard returns, that since 1825 no less than 99 naval officers had been appointed to civil situations without losing their half-pay, and yet an officer of the army conld not hold the one withont the surrender of the other. He would not now trespass further upon the attention of the HOUICS as it was his intention to bring the matter before Parliament on the occasion of the %troy estimates, or cti the Appropriation Act. Sir JAMES GRAHAM said, that the appointments to which the Right Hon. and Gallant Gentleman ha.l al luded, and of which he had complained ) were made pre vious to the order of council ) dated the Ist of January, 1529, and it should be hntre in mind that the crmy half pay tvas regulated by the appropriation. act, while the half pay of the navy was regulated by the order of council to which he had referred. He would not pl-dge hirns::df in any way on this question, hut he would e?4 , ',lre the Piglit Hon. and Gallant Gentleman the subject should have liis attentive consideration. After a shurt 'cenversation, in which Sir fir.r. - ttY Hmt- DINCE, Sir JAMES GR4HA3I, and Mr. HUMS took part, Sir JOHN HORHOUSE said, that allusion havin4 been made to the ervici with Which he had the honour to he connected, he felt himself bound to state, that not with sianding hiri having been a long or a short time in office, be never would desert either the iott'rests of the army, or those of the public,—intereSts which he was sure would not be found to be at variance. Sir GEORGE MURRAY would never consent to a reduction of the army, with a view to increase the marine force, for such a change could not be productive of either benefit or advantage to the public. Captain YORIKE coatend. , 4 against any reduction at ail, and that the marines were the very last portion of the service to which reduction should be applied. The Clairrnan then put the question, that 2`:,000 men be employed for the sea service fer the year eadin4 the 31st of March, 1833, incleditig'9,ooo marines, which was greed to. The sow' of 531,17.5/. was then granted for the wages of ti.;, above seamen and marines, being at the rate of V. '7s. per man per month. The House then renuied, and the report seas ordered to be received on Mondav next. FACTORIES 'REGULATION BILL. On the motion of Mr. SADLER, the crder of the day for the second reading of the Fartcries' Regulation Bllhaving been read, Mr. SADLER said, that the petitions which had eh ready been laid upon the table of the House showed that the measure he was advocating was popular, though not a patty question, hut merely ode which sought to liberate a cruelly degraded mass of the population, and to limit the duration of infant labour, which ought not to he exceeded with impunity, but to render it consistent with health, end to deliver them from a system of oppression rarely to I be seen in any age in the civilized world.—(Hear.) He was reel aware there existed objections to legislate on such matters, but he would contend legislation was called for to remedy great evils ) and he was satisfied that if he even laid before Ore house the levier cases of hardship and distress, out of the many he was prepand to prove, he should be entitled to support in the measure he had under taken. The position of society in this country was such as to warrant the applicetion of the system he was about to advocate, though he admitted that if property was more equally divided, legislation with resp ct to la bour would become mote complicated ; but now, when the means of employing the many was in the hands of the few, the employed and the employer did not meet on equal terms in what was called the market of labour. He was not, he could assure the House, an enemy to those mechanical inventions which reflected so much creuit on the talent and enterprise of the country. He wished to see them flourish. But, in his opinion, steps ought to he taken to prevent too much infant labour from being em p'oyed (and being employed so severely) in connectit n with them. In confirmation of this opinion, he might quote the observation of the !ate Sir Robert Peel, who had said, " I view with dismay the indiscriminate etn ployment of the infant poor in the manufacturing districts." The fact was, that in consequence of the system which prevailed, our improvements in machinery, instead of bt ing a blessing, were calculated to inflict a great curse on the country. It was said, that the children thus employed were under the direction of their parents, who might be considered in the light of flee agents. This was frequently stated in their voluminous reports published on this sub ject, But no assertion could be more fallacious. There were two classes of persons whose children were em ployed. One of those classes was compelled to send their children to work in 'he factories, or they must starve. It was very well known that relief would be, in many instances, refused to those who had children able to work, if they did not allow them to he so employed. Could a man thus circumstanced be called a free agent ?—( Hear.) It was a mockery, and an insult to his feelings, to speak of him as such. It was clearly proved, by the evidence of Dr. Ashton and others, before the Lords, Committee,with respect to many parents, that it was " their poverty, and not their will," which consented to allow their children to be occupied in this manner. To believe that such was not the factlipkies to suppose that the parents of these child ren were mo .sters. There was, however, another class, who might be considered monsters—monsters produced by this very system. He alluded to individuals who were profligate enough to live in idleness, supported by the un wholesome and exhausting labour cf their young children. He could quote authorities of the highest credit to prove that fact. Note he would ask, were such parents as these individuals to whom the physical, moral, and intellectual interests of innocent and unprotected children should he intrusted ? It was decided by the first Court of Justice in the country, that where parents did not watch over their offspring with due attention, the children might be with drawn from their guardianship. This principle, he koew, had only been laid down in cases where the children of those possessing, or expecting to possess, large property, were concerned. But was he to be told that while the children of the rich were thus protected, there was no law that should be applied to the protection of the poor man's offspring.—(Hear, hear.) It that position were once allowed, then they could no longer boast that there was an equal law for the rich and for the poor.—(flear, hear.) The present system was destructive of human lie. What had been said with resp ct to the mortality amongst those employed in the factories was perfect truth. Few of the spinners ever exceeded the age of 40, and the COll - W3S that the number of orphan children was very great. A 11ev. Gentleman, who attended particu larly to the Sunday schools in the neighbourhood of the factories, made it a particular item—a particular subject of remark—that the number of orphans attending those schools was extremely large. When such was the case, he demanded whether that immense body of infant ope, ratives, who, under the existing system, had been brought into the market, some without natural protection, and others not receiving from their parents that care and at tention which ought to be extended to them,--he de manded whether those children ought riot to be protected by a law which would shield them from that over-labour to which they were at present exposed ? In every civilized society the protection of the infant poor had always been an object of great interest. So it was formerly here ; but the altered state of the times had rendered ineffective the exertions of those who laboured in the cum of humanity. Mr. Han way had turned his attention to this subject, and en deavoured, by legislative enactments, to remove some of the evils which oppressed the infant poor. Mr. Ark wright's experiments had, however, totally changed the situation of the poor ; and that which he now stated would hereafter, though at present a matter of certainty, become a point of historical doubt—namely, that un offending and unprotected infancy was obliged to work twelve, fourteen, nay sixteen hours a day, and even through the whole of the weary night, in order to swell the fortunes of individuals. This system was pursued till thousands of children in the dewy morning of life wen: sacrificed. He had here no recourse to fiction. It was the history of thousands and hundreds of thousands of those who had been employed in the manufacturing din tricts. Sir Robert Peel endeavoured to alter the system but he was defeated. His Bill was sent to a Select Com mittee, hut it came out in a shape very different from that which it had originally assumed. The attempts of the Right Hon. the Member for Westminster (whose mea sure, if successful, would have rendered the present effort unnecessary) had also been abortive. All these exertions in favour of humanity were defeated, and the excessive la'.our of infants had been continued, to the disgrace of this country. He knew that it had been asserted long ago, that nothing was more healthy than the exercise which these infants were obliged to undergo—nay, it had been alleged that night-work was not only not in jurious to the constitution of children, but that they ac tually preferred it to working in the day. This was de clared by several interested individuals; but a propesitien more insulting to common sense could not possibly be made When it was gravely asserted, as it had been, that the breathing an atmosphere, the heat of which was SO degrees and upwards was not prejudicial to health; and that it was so far from being oppressive, that the children were exceedingly fond of it—so fond of it, indeed, that children would scarcely allow the overseer to open one of the win.. lows,—what could they think of such a statement ? (Hear.) But they had been farther told that the labours of the children for twelve hours were so pleasant, that in the last, the twelfth hour, they pursued their avocation with more spirit than at any other time.--(Hear, hear.) He wondered, if that were the fact, that a few more hours were not added to their exertions, for then, by a parity of reasoning, they would be sure to work themselves into a perfect ecetacy of delight.—(Hear, hear.) Such statements as these had, before now, been made before a Select Com mittee, and probably would be made again, but the country was no longer to be insulted by such monstrous proposii. tione.—( Hear, hear.) The Hon. Member next proceeded ' to animadvert on the evidence of eertttis medical men, on a former oceaslon, with teepect to the effect which la bour, for a long period at a time, was likely to have on the longevity of children. One of these gentleman bed stated, that he did not think, if a child of eight years old were obliged to stand fe'r twelve hours a day, that it would be ine:rioes to health. This occurred before the Lords' Committee; and the elms gentleman being pressed as to the probable effect which would be produced if a child were kept standing for 23 and finally for 24 hours, answered, " This is put to me es en extreme race, and 1 I cannot arniern any limit to the labour of a child." Now I he (Mr. Sadler) wiehed to have a I.mit assigned to this I labour of children, and that House would net do its duty if it did not clearly define that limit.—(Hear, hear.) Another of these learned physicians gave it as his opinion that there was no necessity for giving to young persons any time for instruction or arnusement.—(Hear, bear,) And a third, when asked whether the dust of the mill was not !prejudicial to health, aotwered that he could see no de cided di:el.:lee Stirong!!t these children. But he would ask, what was It that in the rosy morning of life rendered the cheeks of these children pale and colourless, but the at mosphere they breathed, and the labour which they un - derwent ?—(Hear, hear.) The Hon. Gentleman then proceeded to advert to the flax-mills, to the silk and worsted-mills, to the cotton-mills, and the flannel menu facture in Wales, in all of which, he argued, there was a great sacrifice of human life, in consequence of the pre sent system ; and to prove the correctness of the position, he read extracts from a variety of correspondence. The consequences of the labour endured in these manufactures were, loss of appetite, pulmonary complaints, asthma, and deformity. He might be so far allowed to advert to science as to say, that at an early period of life the tnna' frame could not hear such constant labour. The bones were then pliant, they gave way under so notch exertion ; and in those places where the system of em ploying children most pt evailed, deformities of the spinal process, and other deformities of the very worst character, were prevalent. Besides deformities, the children were lia• ble to severe accidents. Here the Hon. Member mentioned some instances of accidents, in which children were se verely injured. On, of the great vices of the system teas, that female children were forced to undergo an improper degree of labour. This was a most distressing part of the system, for it was well known that female children were less able to bear excessive labour than males. The system of tines for not coming early enough to the factory, was another addition to the hardships of the sufferers ; for the families of the poor children had no clucks, and therefore in order to come early enough, they were obliged to rob themselves of part of the little time they were unemployed, and no one who had been in the manufacturing parts of the north of England could have failed to have noticed the pattering of little feet upon the pavement for nearly half an hour in succession. He did not wish to do any thing for effect, but he could teat refrain from producing to the House one of the instruments of torture that had been sent to him as specimens of what were meld in fac tories, and applied to the arms and breast of the poor chil dren. (The Hun. Member here exhibited a thick and heavy leather strap, which produced a pretty loud report when applied to the talus.) He had been assured that these instruments were applied to the arms, the breasts, and even to the mouths of delinquents; and it was not merely suffering which they produced, but degradation.— He had only received these instruments this morning; hut he hoped it was not too late to introduce a provision in his Bill, whereby those who amused themselves in these practices might have some amusement themselves in the tread-mill.—(Hear, hear.) The natural effects of this demoralizing system were seen in the increase of crime in the manufacturing districts. Whilst in England, in three years, II:e proportion of criminals to the population was 1 in 1,255 ; in Lenceshire, including the rural districts, it was 1 in 500.—( Hear.) The Hon. 'Member then went into a variety of statistical details, to show the com parative mortality in Manchester. It had been stated by some writers at 1 in 74 ; but he had found it to be, in one parish, 1 in 37. This spoke at once as to effects of the system. The calculations made as to the durability of life, showed that in London, the mean duration of life was 32 2-10th years; in Paris, 31 years; but in Manchester, it was only 24 2-10 years.—(Helr, hear.) It was re matkable that the proportion of persons who survived the age of 40 in Manchester, was smaller now than what it was in 1780. The term of labour which he proposed in his B:11 (10 hours a day) was that proposed by the late Sir Robert Peel ; and this was the term which most of the medical authorities mentioned as the utmost limit ; and a legislative enactment was necessary, in order to protect the most humane masters against the rivalry of those who were less so. The universality of the term amongst other labourers, and the words of Scripture itself, showed that the termination of labour should cor respond with that of the day ; and both field labourers and artisans, ceased from work at sun-set. Even adult felons, sentenced to hard labour, were, by Act of Parliament, not allowed to be employed beyond ten hours a-day. In the hulks the time was fIA- hours in summer, and two hours less in winter. This was. in effect, offering a premium to crime. The House had even regulated the labour of the slaves in the Crown colenies. By an Order in Council of the 241 of November last, no slave was to be worked at night, and only from six o'clock in the morning till six in the evening ; and all the slaves were entitled to an inter mission of labour from eight till nine o'clock, and from one till three ; so that nine hours was the limit prescribed to the labour of the adult slave. Those between fourteen and sixteen years of age were allowed to be worked only six hours in each day.—(Hear, hear.) He wished tire , rules of the House weulii permit him to present at the bar twa or three of these helpless and suffering infants for he was sure that their pallid features and wretched an pearance would make such a powerful appeal to the hu mane consideration of the House as could not be resisted. The Government had proclaimed a general fast ; and he thought they had acted right iu so doing. But let them now consecrate that fast by doing an act of justice, by re lieving the sufferings of the afflicted, and by letting the oppressed go free. He apologized for having taken s o much time of tire House ; but before he sat down he could riot help expressing his regret to understand that it was toe intention of Government to propose that the Bill should be committed to a select committee up stoics. He was aware of the danger which the Biil ran by being sub mitted to a private Committee, and be would rather see it discussed in a Committee of the whole House ; where each individual would be held responsible to the public for whatever propositions he chose to make. The Hon. Member concluded by moving the second reading of the Bill. • Mr. HUNT seconded the motion. Lord ALTHORP thought that the Hun. Member bad stated the strongest grounds for the appointment of a Committee of inquiry ; but he did not think that he had applied his facts to the particular Bill before the House.— (Hear, hear.) Undoubtedly, if the facts stated by the Hon. Member were true, some regulation on the subject was necessary; but, without intending to impute to the Hon. Member any disposition to misrepresent, he must say that some of his statements appeared to be absolutely incredible.—(Hear, hear.) The Hon. Gentleman had described the employment of children in cotton factories as being productive of much ill health. He was not disposed to contradict the statement of the Hon. Member; but he would ask him whether it was probable that any sort of manufacturing occupation could be an healthy as agricultural labour. The lion. Gentle man then entered into a long detail of the evils arising out of the present system ; but he had not alluded to the in conveniences which presented themselves on the other side of the question. If the House restricted the employment of children in factories, what would be the effect on the labouring classes and on „the children themselves? The necessary effect must be, that wages would be diminished, and if the Hon. Member's Bill were fully carried into ope ration, there would probably be no children employed in factories at all ; arid thus the benevolent intentions of the Hon. Member would only tend to inflict greater injury, and create more distress among the labouring classes than they at present suffered.—(Hear.) He did not agree with the Hon. Member in thinking that a Committee was as improper tribunal for the examination of this subject. In his opinion the matter could be much more satisfactorily investigated there than by summoning witnesses to the bar of the House. He hoped alterations would be made in the Bill, for it was impossible for him to support it in its resent shape.—(Hear.) The subject was one of great importance, and he did not wish, whatever might be the decision of the Committee, to pledge himself in any way to further the progress of the Bill. Mr. J. T. HOPE believed that the Hon. Member who introduced the Bill had been actuated by the best motives; but he thought therneasure proposed no t ca l cu l ate d to effect the object whico the Hon. Member had in view. He believed, that the measure never could be carried into effect, for be had no doubt that as soon as i t was passe d, if passed it should be , its provisions would be evaded. Lord MORPETH expressed his pl easure t h at t h e Bill had experienced n o opposition in the present stage. Ile advised the friends of the measure to reserve their strength until it should be necessary to exert themselves in support of it. Mr. JAMES gave full credit to the Hon. Member for Aldhorough ; but he doubted very much w h et h er h e wou ld be able to effect the object which he had in view, He feared that there was only a choice of evils ; the children must either work or starve. The root of the evil was heavy taxation, and the corn laws. Whilst these existed it would be impossible frir ns to compete with ether coun tries without having revturse to extraordinary exertions. He deprecated legislative interference between the masters and their workmen, }Realise he considered it an attempt o bolster up a had system. Mr. SCHONSWAR spoke in favour of the Bill, and said that if only a hundredth part of what the Hon. Mem ber for Aldborough had stated were true, such a system should not be allowed to continue. Mr. S. MACKENZIE contended, that the Hon. Mem- I ber had not made oet a eeee to prove thet children under nine years of age had been exposed to cruel treatment. From len to the present moment, attempts had been made to regulate cotton-Isetories by Parliamentary enactments, hut they had all failed ; and he did not imagine that the present Bill would be more successful. Lord W. LENNOX said that the sesteM so eloquently denoeeeed be the Hon. Member for Aldboroueli was a disgrace to humanity. He had seen a statement in which it was proved that in one factory the children worked for 79 hours a week. Ile trusted that Parliament would not longer continue such a system of slavery. He voted for the measure, which went to extirpate British slavery, he opposed tie system which was a disgrace to a civilized community, and he could bring forward instances of chil dren badly fed, badly clad, fearful of their cruel oppressor's punishments, who had (ellen victims to a system, that no tumid of West India cruelty could exceed. Mr. WILBRAHAM thought that some enactment on the subject was necessary. Mr. LENNARD trusted that the appointment of the proposed Committee would not create such delay as to prevent the passing of the Bill during the present session. The pujrlic felt a deep interest on the subject, and justly so ; and he considered that what was stated in the preamble, and what therefore must have been proved up stair., was sufficient to induce the Mouse to give the Big a cordial support. The statement that in many cases children were employed during the whole night in these manufactories, was quite enough to make it imperative on the House to iwerfere on their behalf. He could not think that any one could fairly complain that the Bill went too fir, when it allowed children to be worked as many hours as a felon condemned to hard labour is•allowed to be worked in our gaols. But it was not only on the ground of humanity that he supported the Bill of the Hon. Gentle man opposite. He thought that the children of all classes ansi more especially in our crowded towns, should have some leisure for mental improvement. This could not be where they were liable to be worked fourteen, or sixteen, or eighteen hours out of the twenty-four. It had been said, that former Acts on this subject had been evaded. He hoped this would he guarded against by his Hon. Friend, and if this object could not be otherwise secured, he hoped that the Bill, when it should come again before the House, would enact that the mills should cease to work after a certain hour. This would be a sure means of ac complishing the object which he had in view. Mr. HEYWOOD approved of the principle of the Bill, but thought its provisions directly at variance with in principle. Mr. P. HOWARD feared that the Hon. Mover's zeal outran his discretion. The measure appeared impracticable. Mr. STRICKLAND approved of the Bill, and entreated the House to pass it as promptly as possible. He hoped that the penalties would not be made too high. Mr. HUNT said, that if Members were to inspect the workshops, no evidence of medical men would induce them to believe that the employment of children in such places was not prejudicial to their health. An Hon. Member had expressed a hope that the psneltites to be inflicted by the Bill would not be heavy. Now he hoped that they would Ire as severe as possib'e, and that one half would be given to the informer. Mr. KEARSLEY thought those who wished to prove themselves the real friends of the labouring classes would oppose the Bill. Lord NUGENT said that many Hon. Members had unnecessarily been discussing the principle of the Bill which was sanctioned by the anise. Mr. BLAMIRE observed that the population in agri cultural districts was more immoral than that employed in manufactures. The Bill 'mai then read a occend time, and ordered to be committed. The other Orders of the Day were dispose:l of, and the House adjourned at T.vo o'clock. BURY-ST.-EDMOND' S ASSIZES, MARCH 16 (RECVIVED THIS MORNING. The Assizes for the county of Norfolk commenced here to-day, the Commission bring opened last night. About twelve o'clock the Judges entered the Court, Mr. Brun Vatuci-twu presiding in the Critrunal Court. The Grand Juries for the county and liberty were ad dressed at some length by his Lordship, and the cases most requiring attention, in the calendar, pointed out to their notice. Several cases of petty larceny were disposed of. A charge was tried against two prisoners for stealing two mires, on the sth of December last, from Mr. Waller, of Sutton. The evidence was clear against tioe prisoners, and they were both found guilty, and sentenced to be rans ported for life. A case of sonv... interest was next tried against a boy named Jolly, apparently about eighteen years of age. It was a charge of house-breaking and robbing a widow of a considerable amount of money in gold and silver. The trial lasted for some time, and the prisoner was de fendrd with much zeal and ability by Mr. Prendergast. The Jury, after a short consultation, found the prisoner Guilty—sentence, transportatitio for life. There are not Iris than seven or eibht game cases to he tried. LANCASTER ASSIZES, MA.RCII 14. TRAFPES V. ITAFIVEIL._ This was a Special Jury cause involving a question of great importance to commercial men, and the proprietors of factories, and works of that description. The plaintiff marital a Miss Fielding, who had then a mortgage for near 12,0001. upon the property in question, which con. sisted of prints, works, and machinery, at Girstang, and belonging to her two brothers, Joseph and Jeremiah Field jog. The mortgage deed included the freehold premises, and also all the steam engines, mill gecr, heavy geer, ma chinery, &c., which could in any way be conveyed as fix tures. In November, 1830, the Fiehlings became bank rup's, and in the April following the assignees took pos session of the property, and, according to the statement of Mr. Pollock (who stated the plaintiff's case to the Jury), tore down all the machinery, sold the timber and some of the geing geer for old materials, ripped the lead from the cisterns, and sold it for old metal at a twentieth, and in some cases even a fiftieth part of its worth when it was fixed, and left :nothing but the immoveable parts of the ste:tm-engines and a water-wheel, except some wooden frame-work, which would not pay the cost of forcing from its place. In support of this statement an engineer, named James Whittaker was called, whose evidence went to show that though the solid parts were placed in the walls, and in the ground, yet the machinery was attached to it by screws only, and could he easily removed. Mr. J. WILLIAMS, for the defence, said this single wit ness, in this little bit of his evidence, had already furnished matter for five hours' cross-examination, and it was ulti mately agreed to refer the investigation of the facts to a gentleman of the bar, and to carry the matters of law to the Court above. CASEY AND OTHERS V. BATESON AND OTHERS.. This was a Special Jury cause, and created great inte rest among the mercantile men of Liverpool and Man chester. The action arose out of the only transaction which had ever taken place between these parties. The plaintiffs, it appeared, were determined to hays a bit of speculation with that celebrated and extensive merchent, the Pacha of Egypt, and accordingly purchased of him a couple of cargoes of cotton, which were brought to Liverpool by two vessels, named the Vigilante and the Adelaide. The defendants were einp!o)ed as the brokers, and the cotton was accordingly landed and plac• d in their warehouses in November last. The defendants paid the freights and du, ain the usual course of trade. Some sales were soon effected, and on the 12th of December th. plaintiffs wrote to the defendants for a statement of the account between them. On the 17th of December an account was for warded to them by the defendants, which contained a statement of the freights, dues, and expenses, the cotton sold, and the stock in hand, which then amounted to 379 bags, worth about 2,6601. Ott the debit side of the account there was a charge for insurance. At the bottom of the account was written " errors excepted," and the document was signed by the defendant Bateson. Four days after the signing of this account a fire broke out in a neigh bouring countinghouse, and spread with such rapidity to the premises of the defendants, that the warehouse was cor,sumed, with the c o nt ent ., w i t h out t h e poss ibili ty o f rescuing any thing whatever from the flame'. The cotton was all consumed, and this action was brought to recover the value. On the part of the defendants it was set up that the entry of the item for insurance in the account delivered to the plaintiffs on the rith of December, was a mistake. That in fact the goods were not insured.' That no instructions had ever been given by the plaintiffs to insure them ; and that it was not the cust om f or the broker, to i nsure goods in such cases, unless they had advanced money upon them as a loan beyond the freight and dues, which were always paid by the brokers in the usual course. Several witnesses were called to prove that it was not the custom for brokers to insure without instructions, unless they had advanced money to the owners. The Learned JUDGE, in summing op the evidence, oh served that an agent or broker was not bound to insure goods intrusted to him without an understanding or a di rection to that effect. That the mistake of the clerk must he t :ken to be the mistalre of the master. If the Jury thought there was nO mistake thew would find for the The Jury, after having retired for a considerable time, brought in a verdict for the plaintiffs—Daii.„res 2,6601. Mr. Justice ALDERSON tried two cases of rape t h is morning, and finished the calendar. To-morrow he will give his assistance in civil cases. LANCASTER, MA Cll 15. (RECEIVED THIS MORNING ) SENTENCES OF THE WIGAN RIOTERS. James Bendy and James Parkinson, the two pri soners who were convicted yesterday of a riot and outrage, in which Sir Robert Holt Leigh, Bart., was so inhumanly beaten, were this morning brought up to receive sentence. The Learned JUDGE told the prisoners, that it was the most disgraceful riot in which they had been concerned that he ever recollected to have taken place. The indi vidual whom they had so cowardly Licked and abused, had had a narrow escape of his life, and they might think themselves fortunate that lie bad so escaped, otherwise they would have been tried for murder. He then sentenced them to he imprisoned in his Majesty's gaol of Lancaster f tr two years. James Wilding, Peter Phimah, }Marion G and a number of other of the rioters who had taken a conspicueue part in demolishing tint house of Mr. James Hodson Kearsley. breaking open the prison, and other out rages, were tried, found guilty, and sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment. Roger Apperton, who was re commended to mercy by the Jury, received sentence of six months' imprisonment. Henry Lighttown and John Rothwell, who were con victed of burglariouely stealing in a dwelling-house under very flagrant circumstances, had the sentence of death recorded against them, wi.h an intimation from the Judge that they would be sent out of the country for life. John Jenkinson, Barnaby Hook, and James East /aim, natives of Preston, stood indicted for killing and slaying Thomas Parkinson at Preston. It appeared from the evidence, that the deceased was a strenuous partisan of the Stanley family ; and the prisoners were the supporters of, and attached to the Hunt family in the recent election at Preston. The prisoners on the evening of the day laid in the indictment, went to the deceased's window shutters and annoyed him very much, by crying out " Hunt for ever," " 'Down with the Stanley's," and " Up with the Hunt's." Parkinson who was somewhat in liquor, rushed out of the house and attacked the prisoners, knocking two of them down. At length Barnaby Boole struck the de ceased on the back of the neck, and threw him down, when on the ground he waskicked by all the prisoners, and upon his friends coming to his assistance, and lifting him from the ground, he was quite dead. Several wit news were called to prove that the deceased tell in aim ing a blow at Jenkinson, and the surgeon who examined the body stated, that the deceased died of the concussion of blood upon the brain, which might have been caused by an excitement, combired with the fall ; under these cir cumstances the Jury acquired the prisoners. Joseph Longworth stood indicted with having com mitted a rape upon Susannah Booth, at Radcliffe, in this county. It appeared from the evidence, that the prisoner had behaved in a very beastly manner to the prosecutris, but the evidence was nut sufficiently clear to convict. the prisoner, and he was accordingly acquitted. The business in the Crown Court has concluded ; and it is expected that the labours Mr. Justice Patteson in the Nisi Prius Court will finish to-morrow. THE MANCHESTER A GI TAT ORS. This morning the four individuals, Robert Gilchrist, William Ashmore, Edward Pun au, and Nathan Broadhurst, who were convicted on Monday of tumultu ously and illegally assembling together at Manchester, were brought up to receive the sentence of the Coup. Broadhurst held a bundle of papers in his hand, which be appeared to be arranging preparatory to a speech. The Learned JUDGE addressed them by their names, and said that they had all been convicted of tumultuously assembling at Manchester, contrary to the law, and at such assembly, it appeared from the evidence adduced, they had uttered inflammatory and seditious speeches. It was now his duty to pass a sentence upon them commensurate with the offence for which they had been found guilty. Ile had deferred until this time passing senten , e, in order to give them an opportunity of putting in affidavits relative to the case, in mitigation of punishment. He had received several affidavits which, however, were not material, neither would they tend in any way to have the desired object, for they merely went to impeach and contradict the evidence adduced against them by the several witnesses at the trial, which evidence was believed by the Jury, and upon that evidence they were found guilty; and he—(the Learned Judge)—perceived no reason to discredit himself. Their offence was not one of a very light nature ; they bad in a populous town, propagated illegal meetings ; and at such public assemblages, they had by seditious and inflammatory speeches addressed to the people then congregated, endea voured to excite and create disaffection amongst the labonring poor. He did not look at a poor man as a being inferior to a rich man, speaking of them as men only, but he did look upon many men as inferior to others, both in point of intellect (with which some were more highly eifred than others) and education, and men not possessing qualities fitting them to discuss questions of importance, both as regarded the mattets of the State and otherwise, should not meddle and interfere ; and he con sidered that their capacities were so far inferior as not to be able to judge upon and discuss correctly the questions and subjects which they had taken up ,n themselves to do. Notwithstanding the offence for which they had been con victed, they were shown to have committed a high offence against the religious institutions of the country, by tumul tuously assembling for p purposes on the Sabbath, a day when they ought to have been attending to their re ligious duties. On that day, so alarming was the charac ter of the meeting, that the attendance of the military was required on the one hand, and the attention of the authorities, the magistrates and the constables, on the other ; were such proceedings tolerated society would be no longer safe ; and it was his duty, by the punishment he intended to inflict upon them, to endeavour to deter others from going such lengths in future. If they possessed talents, why not exert those talents to a proper and Beneficial use, cultivate them for the benefit of society, and endeavour by assiduity to become wis. r and richer; but it appeared as though they bad devoted what abilities God had given them, to politics only, which they did not understand, and which would never be the means of doing them any good, or of imparting good to others, but much harm, as it required men of the greatest research and comprehension to interfere with politics or that mighty engine the State. Supposing that they (the defendants) were called upon by their employers to make a piece of complicated machinery for the manufacture of silk or cot ton, they would naturally reply, that not understanding the nature of the machine, it would he impossible to con struct one. The same reasoning applied between them and the State, and not knowing the complicated machinery of the State, it was impossible for them, with reason on their side, to interfere with it or to direct others. The Learned Judge having concluded his observations, sen tenced eachlof the prisoners to twelve months' imprisonment in the goal of Lancaster. Broadhurst inquired whether he might be allowed to make a few observations ? Mr. Justice ALDERSON—No ; the case is concluded, and I cannot hear you. Broadhurst (in an insolent tune)—l wish to kauw whether I can have a new trial ? Mr. Justice ALDERSON—You cannot; the case is dis posed of—go away. Broadhurst—Then, I must submit ; but, at the same time, I shall say that if it had not been for the manner in which the Judge summed up, the Jury would not have convicted us. - The other defendants made no observations. DERBY ASSIZES, MARCH 15. The Judges arrived here from Nottingham yesterday evening, and opened the Commissio n for this county. This morning, having first gone to church, they proceeded with the hu.iness. There are 13 cause.. entered for trial. The calendar contains the names of 65 prisoners—an unusually large nuraber for this county. Three of these are for high way robbery, one for horse -stealing, one for sheep -stealing, 11 for breaking the gaol of the borough of Derby, and li berating the felons there confined last October, eigh t f or burglary, mix for riotous l y assembling, and the remainder for larcenies. Mr. Baron BATLEY presides in the Nisi P r i us C ourt. No case is yet tried. There is one on the list which is for compensation against the Hundred for darasge done by the rioters in October list. Daniel Donnelly, ag ed 30, was indicted for a highway robbery, committed by assaulting Mr. C. Heathcote, in the township of Markworth, putting him in bodily fear of his life, and taking from him a gold watch, a sovereign, and other articles, hii property, on a night in August last. Sentence of dvath was recorded, but the Learned Judge intimated that, as it did not appear any great degree of violence was used, his life might be spared, on the condi tion, however, of being transported for life. DORCHESTER ASSIZES, MARCH 15. Wm. Charming was sent,need to he hanged for the assault on Sarah Toop, a girl under 10 years of age, as reported in our last. Charles Lonman r. , as indicted for rictonsly and ta multauti,ly assembling, with many other®, on the 17th of October last, and beginning tO demolish the hotise of John iloare, a lie:•nsed victualler, at Camfor. dtagna, near the town of Poole. Mr. Hoare, the prosecutor, gave the prisoner a good character•—Verdict—Not Guilty. Gunge Lorzg, aged 22, B'il/i'vn lileathoman, 24, Wm. Kent, 16, and Thomas Jackson, 23, were indicted for having, with others, riotously assembled, and felo niously began to demolish the dWellingshotuttr of George, Moore, at Blaudford, on the 17th of October last. The prosecutor was plaintiff in the action for a libel which was tried ytsterday, in which this was not alluded to. Mr. GAMBIER stated the case. Jahn Birfoot, a saddler in Blan'lford, recollected a mob assembling in that town on the evening of the Pith of October last, being the day when the late election for the county terminated. They p►ssed by his house, crying •' Hurrah !" The prisoner Long was among them, cry ing, "Come on, my brave boys." He seemed to lead them. They proceeded towards Mr. Moore's house. Charles Moore, the son of tie prosecutor, was in his father's house on the night in question. Heard a great noise in the street, and also learil some one cry out at the gates, " Burst them open." About seven o'clock the glass of the greenhouse was broken. Stones were thrown acainst the windows, and much damage done to them. When the mob went away he had the furniture of the house removed. The mob returned again about 9 o'clock. Ann Syms, servant of the prosecutor, was in the house on the occasion in question. She was so much terrified that she dared not look out. When the mob came up a secon , i time, and had been there a considerable while, she saw the prisoner Bleatham coming cut of the clerk's office with papers in his hands, which he tore up when he came out. She saw no person along with him. Henry Hodges head the prisoner Long's voice some where when the mob had broken into Mr. Moore's office. Joseph Barfoot saw the prisoner Jackson on the night in question tike a brick out of the wall, and throw it against Mr. Moore's window. The Jury returned that Kent and Jackson were Not Guilty ; that Bleathman and Long were Not Guilty of demolishing the house. Mr. Justice GASELEE: told them that they should return an unqualified verdict of guilty or not guilty. The Jury, after a little consideration, returned a verdict of Guhty. This verdict gave not a little surprise. The Counsel for the prisoners was so satisfied that no case had been made out against them, that he declined to call witnesses as to Iheir character. The prisoners were then removed, and at the rising of the Court were placed again at the bar, when Mr. Justice GAsCLEE pronounced sentence of Death upon them, after which, at their own request, he admitted evi dence of character. Kent and Jackson were then tiled for a riot, the former was Acquitted, and the latter found Guilty, and I/ entenced to three months' imprisonment. James Barnes, ag:d 33, was then indicted capitally for aiaing and abetting on the same occasion, but he pleaded Guilty of the minor offence (a riot), on condition thit the capital charge should be abandoned, and was sentenced to eighteen taonths' imprisonment. Henry Watts was convicted of a similar offence, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment. All the business was dispose I of at 7 o'clock this evening. The Judges will proeed to-morrow to Exeter. MAIDSTONE ASSIZES, MARCH 16. John Selby. aged 45 ; Daniel Selby, 17 ; and John Glover, 24, were indicted for stealing 200 tame pigeons, the property of Ann Rugg, at Deptford. John Selby was Acquitted, but both the other prisoners were found Guilty. Sentenced deferred. William Browning, aged 53, was placed at the bar, charged with an assault upon his own daughter, a little urchin. but seven years of age, and who could scarcely articula.c, with intent to commit a capital offence. Sentence—Two years, and kept to hard labour. Francis Shorter, an old man with gray locks, a nd verging upon eighty years of age, was ch arge d w i t h an at . tempt to commit a detestable offence upon a little boy only six years of age. He was sentenced to be imprisoned two years and kept to hard labour. John Remington, aged 25, was indicted for assaulting and stealing from the person of John Morbey, on the high way, at Dartford, ten sovereigns and a watch-chain. The prosecutor, who is a paper-maker at Dartford, waS returning home late in the evening in January last, in big gig, from Londen to Dartford, when within a mile of the latter place, he was suddenly stopped by three men, who had hats on, and caps drawn partly over their faces, and were arinvd with bludgeons. The prosecutor immedi ately said that he supposed they wanted his money, and be would give it, if they would only spare his life for the sake of his family. One of the men said he need not give it, they would take it, and directly se;aed him by the collar, and took his purse, containing the sovereigns, from him. They then asked for his pocket-hook, but lie said that there were only a few bills of Exchange in it, which would be of no use t , ) them, hut would be a great loss to him. The prisoner then took the pocketbook, and held it to the during which time the prosecutor had an opportu nity of observing his person and countenance, but very shortly returned it to him. The prisoner was excessively gentle and mild in his manner, and had a sweet voice, to which the prosecutor could pi:sitively swear. Some time after the prisoner was apprehended, and de nied having committed the robbery. After some little deliberation, the Jury found the pri soner Guilty, but, with the prosecutor, recommended him to mercy, on account of his having behaved with so much humanity. His Lordship intimated tbat their recommen dation should certainly he attended to. MONTGOMERYSHIRE ASSIZES. (From the Shrewsbury Chronicle.) The High Sheriff, Sir C. T. Jotras, attended by a nu merous cavalcade, escorted Justice B , SANQUET into Pool on Saturday ; on Monday business began, and concluded on the ensuing evening. John Humphreys, of Llanwog, aged 37, had five in dictments found against him for steeling sheep, the Tt hole number of which amounted to nearly 200, viz., " a quan tity" trom Mr. J. Thomas, of Carno ; " a quantity" from Mr. Evaa Chapman, of Newtown ; " a quantity" from Evan Jones, of Llanlligan ; and " a quantity" from Mr. R. Morgans, of Carno. This man, it is said, was io some repute among his neighbours for superior sanctity, and for pteaching. The Sonterroa-G1 NeitAt. stated the case for the pro secutor of the first indictment. The prisoner, being called upon for his defence, called witnesses to his character, viz.:—R. Evans, of Puntys cowyrhdd ; Gilee Mill, of Trefeglywys ; D. Roberts, of Llaufair, anal three others. On cross-examination of one of these witnesses as to prisoner's character, he stated that he (witness) 4 , lived within even miles of prisoner's preset* residence," which turned out to be true, fur it referred to Montgomeli gaol ; whereas the house of the prisoner was, and for, years had been, in fact, twenty milts distant from that of the cvitneys. The Jury found a verdict of Guilty, and the Juot' pasted sentence of death up)n him ; but said that pro bathy his life might be q)aled, but on no other conditicn than transportation for life, Joseph Parry, of Liandrinio, was charged with haviug stolen four abeep from Mr. Richard Owen, of Llanfyllin. The risoner teas found Guilty ; sentence of death was recorded, and h e was informed he would he transported for life. --- L E lTM—Saturday, the 17th instant, has been fixed fbr the launch of that large and splendid steam -ship' Royal Adelaide, built by Messrs. Menzies and Son, Leith, fa the London, Leith, Edinburgh, and Glasgow Shipping CompanP It is the largest vessel ever built at Leith. We understand that hand of music will be in attendance, and that a covered shed to be erected for the accommodation of the ladies and gentle , men invited by the Company to witness the interesting scene , Should the weather prove auspicious, we have no doubt that the launch, the music, and all the vessels in the harbout decked with "streamers floating in the wind," will attract tO Leith on that day a splendid galaxy of beauty and fashion. CV Saturday the full tide at Leith being at three, p.m. tilt launch will take place at two o'clock.—Scutsmaw. A pig, of the following extraordinary w e ight and dimensions, belonging to Mr. Walker, of Rottington, neat thi• tnRR, was slaughtered yesterday week, by that gentleman l er , g th, ',even feet ; girth, seven feet eleven inehe!; thlekne'' of fat in the chink eight inches and a half; and weight, nine stone and two pounds! The hams of this farm-yard gi,n t weighed fifteen stone : whirek k . c7 , racper, --