The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1804-05-24 00:00:00

Mr. FOX thought something a:auld be stated '
on the Journals, that might prevent the proceeding
just adopted from be..oming a precedent, that might
annihilate the privileges of the House.
The SPEAKER said, that in all cases where it
WAS supposed the privileges of the House might
have been infringed on, there was always a special en-
try on the Journals,for the purpose of preventing that
circumstance from becoming a precedent. And
the House having agreed to the present amendment,
it was his intention, if such should be the pleasure
of the I louse, to take care that a special entry shoula
be made, stating the reasons why the House bad
agreed to the amendment in question.
Mr. Pl'IT then moved, as an ani.mdment to the
Lords' amendment, 6` That the 'st of July be in-
serted, instead of the .sth of May." Agreed to.
'Mr. WHITBREAD observed, that the Lords
had left out two clauses of the Bill ; those that re-
lated to masters and servants, and masters and ap-
prentices. Although these clauses were very objec-
tionable, yet, after a circumstance that had recently
taken place, he thought it would be better for them
to stand in the Bill as they were iirginally drawn
out. He thought it were better that masters should
have no power to discharge those servants who might
become Volunteers, than that they should he liable
to the penalties that might afterwards be intii.fled on
the in an arbitrary manner. A proceeding of
this kind had I..tely °cent red in Scotland. An ad
was done by the Lord advocate of Scotland, of a
nature so sevore and urijustiriable, that if some sa-
tisfaaory explanation was ni t given concerning ic,
he should certainly mike it the object of a Motion
in that House.

Mr. PITT asked, what was the specific circum.
stance to which the Hon. Gentleman Alluded ?

Mr. WHITBREAD answered, that a power
had been assumed, in his oriaion, contrary not only
to justice, but so law, of infliaing a very severe pe-
nalty for an aet which might have been justifiable.
There was a Mr. Morrison, a farmer, residing in
Banffshire, whose servant had, contrary to his wishes
or consent, entered into a Volunteer Corps. Fur
this, he discharged his servant, who applied to the
Lord Advocate to krow what he should do. He
was informed, that he had no remedy or redress
against the master. But after that, the Lord Ad-
vocate wrote a 'emir to the Sheriffs' Deputy on the
subjeft of this business: in this letter he declared,
that the condua of Mr. Morrison had proceeded from
disaffeitinn and disloyalty to Government ; that no
person ought to be held to converse with him ; that
if ever the enemy should effea a landing in the
country, he should take care to have Mr. Morrison
secured and put into prison ; and that if the whole, or
any part of his pioperty should be destroyed by the
enemy, or the King's troops, he should receive nei-
ther proteCtion nor indemnification. Mr. Whitbread
said, he conceived this public declaration, coming
from the first law officer in Scotland, to be con-
trary to justice and to law ; that it deserved the se-
verest censure and reprobation ; and ought to be
taken up in the most scions rottener by that House.
This was the fast he alluded to, and which he
thoshht it his duty to take the first opportunity of
mentioning.
Some _Amendments were made to other Amend-
ments of the Lords, after which a Committee was
appointed to hold a conference with the Lords, and
assign the reasons fot doing so.
Mr. WILBERFORCE brought up a Bill for re-
gulating Parish Apprentices ; which was read a first
tune, and utdered to be printed.
The Committee on the Irish Linen Merchants'
Petition was put off to Wednesday.
The Committee of ays ai u .'trans, and Supply,
and the consideration of tli, iiajesty's message, re-
lative to Lord Kilwarico's tAlaily, were put off to
Wednesday.—Adj.samod.