The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-11-30 00:00:00

pfr I of
A UNITED COMPANY of MERCHANTS of ENG-
LA NO, trading to the EAST IN DIES, do hereby Notify,
That at the QUARTERLY GENERAI. COURT ap-
pointed to he held at this House on the 22d December
Ni-• 1, a Prnpositicus will be made, agreeably to the Notice
tabled at the Greets! Court on the 2'2d September last, to
place in th,ir Cesar. Room a Statue of the late Right Ho-
nourable Worms Hastings, us a last testimony of approba-
tion of the long. zealous, and auccessful services rendered to
the [sat luilia Company by that distinguished character.
JOSEPH DART, Secretary.

place . August.
bands of music which preceded the bodies of meu
as they marched, were owed as a means of exciting
hilarity and good temper, and were usually em-
ployed in that part of the country on all public oc-
casions.—The Petition bring read, was laid on the
table.

BANE OF ENGLAND.
The Marquis of LAnsnows begged leave to
inquire of the Noble Earl opposite, whether the
recommendation given in the last Session of Par-
liament, by the Committees of both !louses, re-
specting the payment of a certain sum of money to
the Bank of England, had been complied with ?
The E al of LIVERPOOL replied that some pay-
ments had been made, and that arrangements were
in course of preparation, by which the recommen-
dation of the Committees would be fulfilled.
INQUIRY INTO THE STATE OF THE NATION.
Lord Luang' requested to be informed by the
Noble Marquis, whether his motion, which lie pur-
posed to bring on to-morrow, would embrace the
general state of the nation, or refer only to the
Payers laid on the table ?

The Marquis Of LANSDOWN replied, that it was
his object to more fur tile ppoiit to eot of a Select
Committee to inquire generally into the State of
Na:iou.

• LAW OF MISDEMEANOR.
The LOAD CHANCIdI.LOIi kit the Woolsack,
and, holding its his hand a draft of a Bill, infisrmed
the House that he was about to propose to their
Lordships a measure .which, in his honest view of
the questiou. was one of a very important nature.
He could, however, assure the Huuse; that it had
no reference to the present state of the country.
Their Lordships were aware that in civil proceed-
ings the defendant had a right, as it was techni-
cally called, to impart, meaning that he might
have are opportunity of sso accommodating differ-
ences between him And the Klima as to prevent
the necessity of further proceedings. A right not
very dissimilar to this was also g►ven to defendants
in charges of misdemeanor, which was in the Court
of Ki;;g's Bench known by the word t►averse, where-
by a defendant was empowered to postpone pleading
to the indictment fur a certain space of t►me. The
object of the Bill which he now held in his hand
was to take away this right of traverse in all cases
of misdemeanor. The principle was by no means
new in the criminal jurisdiction of the country, for
the Legislature had already in some cases taken
away the right of t r iug, and the object of his
Bill was to take it away in all cases. He should
not now cuter more fully into the motives which, in
his opinion, might induce the House to accede to
his proposal, but should reserve himself until the
night appointed for the second rettiutg. He should
therefore now only propose that the Biller read a
first time, and diet Thursday next be fixed for the
second reedn►g.
Lord HOLLAND said, he should not call upon
the House to depart grout that courtesy which they
were ever disposed to sheer to Noble Lords intro-
ducing Bills into their House, but should read►ly
give h►s consent that the Bill be read a first time,
►n order that the principle may be more fully dis-
cussed on a subsequent night; neither slid lie mean
to act with such irregularity as to enter now into
a discussion► of the merits of the Bill, but perhaps
it might save some time and trouble if the Learned
Lord ou the Woolsack would answer one or two
questions which he should have the .honour of
proposing. The principal object of the Bill,
as lie understood it, was to prevent delay in
the trial of cases of misdemeanor, lie should
therefore first ask, whether the Bill was extend-
ed to all cases of miuleineanors, or merely
to those of • political nature? He also begged
leave to ask, whether the Doll was extended to ins.
parlance:, or only to what was vulgarly called tra-
verses? Delay was as frequently caused in the
trial of misdemeanors by the conduct of the pro.
secutor as of the defendant ; he therefore hoped
that the 'sine law would embrace prosecutors as
well as defendants, and more particularly prosecu-
tions ex officio by the Attorney-Clenerel—jiette,
hear, *ear)—which were known to hang for yews
over the brad of the uulortusiate detendant.-
He was also anxious to learn, whether it was in-
tended to furnish the defendant with a copy of the
indictment ut the public expense ; for what could
be more just or reasonable than that a man,
charged with any offence, ►hould be specifically ap.
pr►sed of the nature of the accusation; and if this
were true en other occasions, how much more tie.
cessairy did it iNCOUIe when the time fur preparing
his defence was shortened by an act of the Legisla-
ture ? The No►le Lord observed, that great im-
provements might be made its the criminal law of
the country. but he hoped that the alterationa now
proposed, if ultimately made, may not throw dds
fieulties upon one side, while they extended every
indulgence to the giber, which ;ow required
The Loeb CiIANCELLCiII, in reply, stared,

checked, must bring coufusion and ruin upon the
whole country. In porsuatice'of this recommenda-
tion, the confidential Servants of the Crown have
prepared measures for the cansideratiou of this sod
the other House of Parliament, which would, he
trusted, be found effectual for arresting the pro.
gress of the danger. They would be found to be
so framed as to be commensurate with the existing
necessity, but not to exceed it—and uniting respect
and veneration for the rights and liberties of Bri-
tish subjects with the paramount duty of securing
the safety of the State. He should not, in this
stage of the proceedings, enter into a detailed view
of the character of the danger with which they were
now threatened, nor should he investigate the nature
of the conspiracy, which, as they might collect
from the Papers laid before the House, was formed
against the existence of the Constitution—against
not only their religious institutions, but against reli-
gion itself—which sought to subvert the whole
fabric of the civil government, sod to dissolve the
frame of society. From the Papers before them,
they might also collect the painful assurance, and
it was with pails lie stated it, that the principal part
of the existing evils arose •frorn the press of
the country. It was a distressing and hunsi.
hating reflection, that the source of liberty and
.prosperity had become the engine of destructiou,
and that the child and protector of freedom should
become the promoter of every calamity. From
the press .had issued doctrines which wrist to de-
prive man of the consolation, and hope, and re•
straint of religion ; and having deprived him of all
moral government, to induce him to throw off all
allegiance to his King, and burst every social tie
that bound him to his country. The great charac-
teristic of the liberty of the press was, that the
Government should not interfere with it by any
antecedent means of control, but that those who
_ _

•
propose, this principle would tint be violated. It
was a question whether the offences of the press
should be prevented by any antecedent means, or
he subsequently met by a severer punishment than
now existed, said the latter wu unhesitatingly pre-
ferred. It was not, however, intended to alter the
existing law with mpect to the first offence com-
mitted by any printer ur.publioher ; but it was pro-
posed, that if any printer, publisher, or other per-
son, be convicted a second tame of a similar offence,
he shall be punished by lung imprisonment, banish-
ment. or transportation, at the discretion of the
Judges. It was further intended, that after a con-
viction for a second offence, the Government
should be entitled to have all the copies of the
convicted work seised, to he kept, however, in safe
custody, that in the event of an arrest of judg-
ment they might be restored to the proprietor.
But to give the Howse a clear view of all the mea-
sures contemplated by the Ministers of the Crown,
he should state them all, and he hoped he should
not be thought guilty of en irregularity, if lie re-
ferred to those Bills which, for obvious reasons.
would be originated in the other Flouse.—(Hear.
hear.)—The principle of one of those Bills, which,
like that lie bad already noticed, related to the
press, was not, he tick 1101, leged, exactly the same; it
acted upon the press antecedent to publication, by
imposing a duty upon all works consisting of less
than • certain sinniber of sheets. This was not in-
tended as a fiscal regulation, and may be in some
degree thOught to break in upon the principle on
which the liberty of the press was established. But
could it be permitted that cheap publications, of so
pernicious a tendency as hair for a considerable
time deluged the couutry, should continue to poison
the minds of the people, and weaken their attach-
ment to the institutions of the country? It was
further proposed, that all persons engaged in the
trade of printing and publishing such works, should
eater into securities, himself in • certain sum, with
two other persons to ensure 64 ability to dis-
charge any fine that may be imposed upon bun.
One important Consequence ',Stating from throe
cheap publications, was the bringing great crowds
of people together, and thus large assemblages
were funned at the will of any individual at any
time, with martial gothic, Lags; and ittecraptiuns,
such as were exhibited at the recent meeting of
Manchester. It was not intended to lute, fere in the
slightest degree with the hit and unquestionable
rightt of the people to petition the Sovereign or
either House of Parliament, or to discuss their
grievances, if grievances they feel—but at was shewu
OD the House, iu the Papers laid ou the table, that
the present redo Were caused not merely by the
licentionlotft Of the pine, but by the conduct of
itinerant demagogues, who traversed the country
for the giterpeow agitating the minds ofshe people.
It wee Oft ted to interfere with potstic
em, by regular authority, as by
High Sheriff", Mayors, fleaelbeeturghts or u.lsre
civil officers—kat it awes where the people were

his M;.j my's sul►jects.

- -
they committed as act contrary to law. The fact
of military training was substantiated by thirty
depositions, many of theta bearing the names of
the informants, but others having only the names
of the Magistrates before whom the depositions
were taken, from the obvious apprehension of ex-
posing the deponents to the danger of assassination.
There was a deposition stating, that a meeting of
this nature was held near Manchester, on the day
previous to the 9th of August, for which a meet-
ing had been called at Manchester. A similar
meeting was held on the Mk, at a piece
called White Moss, preparatory to the great
meeting of the following day, and the people
there assembled declared that it should he the
last meeting, as the time had arrived for the
completion of their purpose. One person, whose
name is subscribed to his deposi.ion, declared that
lie and another man were present when a large body
of persons were drilling ; that being discovered they
were pursued by upwards of a hundred persons,
who beat them cruelly, ■nd that it was a question
among them. whether they should not murder the
informants, but they spared their lives on condition
of their renouncing their allegiance to thiir Sove-
reign. It was therefore proposed by his Majesty's
Ministers not to permit any species of public mill-
toy training unless witit the sanction of the Lords
Lieutenant of counties, and his Majesty's proper
officers.

Their Lordships, he continued, were not aware
of the terror inspired in the peaceable inhabitants
of those districts where such practices prevailed,
and this alarm was increaved from the modnince
they bad that the disarTected were possessed of arms.
With reppect to this point, he should propose* low—
local and teinporary—giving to the Magistrates a
power of seizing upon all antis which they might
have information were intended to be employed in
a daserons or improper manner. From all such

to the Quarter''S”sions, lest the Magistrates might
employ their discretionary power in an illegal or
capricious manner. .These were the measures which
were in contemplation, and which. wheu improved
by the wisdom of Parliament, would, he trusted,
be found sufficient to accomplish the object they
all had in view, namely, the security of the coun-
try. It certainly was the wish of the Prince Re-
gent's Government to resort td measures truly
and honestly conciliatory, but they could not
hold out delusive hopes which they saw no
ground to conceive would be realized. If the
Ministers of the Crown could devise any mode for
alleviating the distresses of the poor, they would
consider it the happiest moment of their lives; or if
any mode could be suggested by any Noble Lord
on the iriposite side, or by any member of society,
the suggestion would be received with respect and
gratitude. But at the same time they could never
think of blending conciliatitm with concession.
What, indeed, hod they to concede? They en-.
joyed the Constitution ai it had been delivered by
their ancestors, and it was their duty now to defend
it from the greatest danger which had ever threit.
rued it since the accession of the House of Mutts.
wick to the Throne of these realms. In this great
object all ports •of the House, even those who geue-
rutty combated the Measures of the Ministers,
whether of external or of internal policy, Would, he
was convinced, gladly concur; and when they had
accomplished their work of Saving the Constitution,
they might then, ill the words of a Right Hou. Gent.
who ever made private feelings subservient to public
duty, they might then separate and again pursue
their distinct objects of policy or ambition. It such
measures as the Ministers had proposed *ere not
adopted, they most have recourse to military force
for the preservation of the public peace—=and look-
ing it a military government at be, mid be hoped
all preient did, with aborninatiosti be lapped sin-
cerely that Parliament would remove the necessity
of having recourse to it. With these observations
he should close, moving non, that a Bill for pre-
venting the Ili:clamminess of the Press, a Bill for
empowering Nlagmrates to 'Seise mini and a Bill
fur preventing chitin% and training, be read seve-
rally a first time. This being dune, lie should pro.
posy 'Thursday next for the second readings.
Earl GREY nod. that lit should not object to
the first reading of these Bills, nor to the sugges-
tion of the Noble Lord* that the second readings
should lie fixed for Thursday, but it could out be
forgotten that the House was already ordered to be
summoned for Thursday, to discuss a Bill intro-
duced by Ilse Noble and Learned Lord on the
Woulmack, who stated in his exordium that the
Bill was of great importance—it would be there-
rote turposictile for the House to go through the
second readings of three additioual Bills On the same
night. With respect to these Bilh>t be should be
ready to give his meat to them if be conceived
them calculated to wort tbe-otioctilef that was coo.
Iletoplarttd, but loobiog to the peculiar chancier

have also

iegs mom the saute tworeo.e.-
(Hrote./—Let it be remembered that the press is
the key-stone of our liberties, for without the free-
dom of the press the liberty of the country could
not exist, and in the liberty of the country con-
sisted the safety of the Government.—(Herr.)—
When he saw restraints proposed for the press—
when he saw severe penalties denounced, he should
be glad to learn haw distinctions could be drawn
between the various kinds of publications. Oar
might be seditious and dangerous, but in another
might be found principles of virtue, and if these
were exposed to the same restraints as the former,
and subjected to the same duties, the price of
knowledge would he increased, and the means of
education limited. He looked upon these measures
now proposed as the severest blow that had for a long
course of time been iuilicted upon the liberty of tt.e
press, and against them he should enter his protest.
The Noble Viscount had asked for new laws, for
the protection, as he said, of the Government ; but
had the Government tried the force of the existing
laws ? and if they had not, they had no right to
come to Parliament for measures of increased sere-
rity.—( Hear. hear.)—They had indeed proceeded
against some, but there were others (SAtrtein's
Political Register, for instance) which were lyr
two years poisoning the minds of the people, if
indeed such miserable things could poison the
!rand of any one ; and although they openly pro-
fessed the bloat revoltig doctrines, mud inculcated
treeeon end aesestiabetiou without res'rve, they had
never been prosecuted. if then no fair experiment
of the existing law had been made, what pretence
had the Ministers to complain of their iniufficiency.
and call upon Parliament for new enactments ?
He looked with dismay at the system of govern-
ment which was calculated to increase the discon-
tent and distresses of the people—and observed.
that although the papers on the table did strew the
existence of some danger, it did not prove the ex-
fiffift at a cowapivwey, which amid *airy an ate
tack upon the press, an interference with the rights
of the people to meet in publiC, and to give Ma-
gistrates the extroordioury power of deprivitig
the people of snits, which it was the right of
Englishmen to carry for their defence. To thew
measures, without Much alteration or addition,
he could not accede. Tire Noble Viscount
expressed his willingness to conciliate the people,
but as to concession, such • thing was tint to Lr
thought of. He knew not what ideas the Noble
Viscount may eutertain of dignity or proviety ;
hut for his part, if abuses were (timid to exist iii
the form of government, it would be well if this
and the other House of Parliament were to take
theca into their most serious consideration, with a
view to their correction. If Parliament 'hewed
such • dispoiitiori as this to conciliate, and evinced
a willingness to lend an indulgent ear to the itsw
tresses of the people. they would effect more that:
coercion or violence towards bringing bark the
people to their social habits, anti to the eqeem
which they once entertained for the form of go-
vernment. and the iustitutions of the country. The
Noble Earl concluded by renewing his protest
against the proposed measures.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL did not rise to enter
into a discussion of the topics introduced he the.
Noble Earl, fur the only qutstiou before the llmw
was, whether the Bills be now reed a first time,
hut he could not suffer the spreCh of the Noble
Earl to go forth without some observation, as it
was calculated to give a very erroneous impresama
of the nature anal object of the proposed siseasiites.
The Noble Earl hail treated the measures SO if they
were a system of coercion, while in fact they reng•it
to be considered as a system of protection.—(f/eor.)
The peaceable and industrious part of the pupa's-
bon were endangered and intimidated by the seta
of the seditious. and they called upon Perliauterst
for security. If thus were the proper time to discuss
the question, lie should be prepared to deny that
none of the proposed measures, with the exception
of the Bill empowering Magistrates to search for
arms. invaded any of the rights unit privileges of
Englishmen, and in fact the other Bills, for regal-
toting Meetings, and for imposing a duty upon
cheap publicsouns, rather enlarge than loom
the just immunities of the people. The for-
mer only removed the means of abusing a right of
inestimable value, and left it more capable of per-
fect enjoyment. The latter measure. for imposing
• slaty upon cheap publication's, ought to be coo-
stdeted as .sir act of justice to other parts of the
public press, which were already stOject to a duty
for the sake of revenue. The Noble Earl kid
asked, what tight Ministers had to ask for new
laws, until they had tried the old; bet when the per
per time arrived for discussieg thus point, he I:mold
be enabled to be. that the existing laws were
itioogeient, that they hod beet, tried, avid wine
ow in a course et trial, sod were net sollicient
far the altaiuseellt of their object. He tiefunw64l
the proposed lon boo tbe imputation of severity. .

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AMBER 5298. LONDON, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1819. ~. . . •, .
. 1..
...4.: *,-. --se im • . .
- - - ,••
THE .4TRICROY AL. DRURY-LAN IL IitIPANIAL PAKLI4MIO7. that the Bill extruded to all niladrmrenrese. but did not convened by such . authority, it was required a the misting dangers. considering 'the &acuity •
... •
lIS EVENING, TUESDAY, Nov. 30,
_.—......___ not undertake to make any alterations pith more( that ~,,, ice should be give& of every intended meet• of the Milady, sod seeing that the metteures now .
his Majesty's Servants will perform the Opera of
to the proceeding ex raficio of the A ney-Gerne' • intt, by oeseii householdero, to a Magistrate of the proposed went to estabh.h. e system or coercion
THE HAUNTED TOWER. HOUSE OF LORDS, MONDAY, Normalise 49.
ral. It was equally silent with its supply- district. anal that it should not be lawful for and force, which must irritate and inflame the
ii
no Oakland, Mr. Gartie • Baron de Cnurery, Mr. Bar-
LIBELLOUS_ PUBLICATIONS. mg copies of indictments at the MI , expeassie,;, any individual to attend such Meeting:A.:fish* prevailing discomentiocrease what he feared
Lind William. Mr. Bw:liam, who will introduce Ole
Lord Son ERS presented a Pentiou from the In. but it was open to Noble Lards, in re Mars he were an usual resident iii the PIMA or he most tut* call tile alienation and settled .. • 11'
o I lave titre," with Miss Cabin ; also, " Stow broke
habitants of Saint Pancras, Middlesex, praying that of the Hill. to suggest such •Iteratiollis an& Mt- tovroehip within which the meeting whip pored distrust, which the measnres of Parliament hod r•
the" and "Come tell me where the Maid is found;"
rd, Mr. Harley; Charles, me. penman. Lady Eleanor, I measures may he adopted for preventing the circu• ',memento es they might think proper.: to be held. The Bill further provided, that no excited in the minds of the he was
C public, elf:lilt; Adele, Miss Byrne; Cicely, Mn. Bland. lotion of libellous and seditious public.tione.— The Hill loss then read a first time. pad ordered haulier should be used, nor any flap, inscriptions, compelled to enter his solemn prote.t against
To which will be added she Entertainment of Read and laid on the table. to he read it piecond none on Thurederii which oa, or devices, which were certainly not necessary for the Bills, even in this early star. They were
F.LL A ROSEN BERG. INTERN AL STATE OF THE COUNTRY. subsequeotly altered to Friday next. i.. t the purposes of fair discussion. God forbid that calculated, he feared, to entail upon the ma-
'l
mnrrow..l New Way to Pay Old n....„lo,—after which, FAH GRO&VENOR presented • Petinuu from the numbers who had attended some recent sedi- try not merely very ;reit mise.. but even actual
Musical Farce, called The Disagreeable Surprise. S marl Banrfoid, of Aliddleton. in Lancashire, STATE OF THE NATION. tious meetings should he taken as the measure of ratio. These measures unposed restrniuts uea
NI EA THE-ROYA 1., COV I? 1V7'41 AKD EN. praying the House that he might he examined at THE NEW LAWS. :: disaffection, but means ought, in his opinion. to I public meetings. which, indeed, lie ock - IUS LVENING. TUESDAY, Nov. 90, I the bar, and slating that he could, not by his own The Order of the Day being read— .. - be adopted to prevent such assemblages. the inaui- !edged, had of late been abusively held; bat
will be acted the Comedy of evideuce alone, but by that of many other persons, Lord Sinsiontu rose. and spoke to-t-the follow- fest porpoise of which was to accomplish their lit- restraints were such as it would he impossible is •
THE BEAUX STRATAGEM. i disprove all the statement* contained in the vipers I ing effect :—lu the Speech which-64 been deli- furious designs by force of arms. And here he carry into effect without invading the rights of the
norll, Mr. Abbott; Archer, Mr. C Menahle; Stollen, laid recently upon the table relating to the internal vered front the Throne, at the comntricierhent of would ask the Noble Lords, if, after having read 'people. He hod heard with dismay of the matelots illl
liancliard; Foicard, Mr. Connor ; Bonifacr, Mr. Yates; state of the country. The Petition alleged that the Sersion. his Royal Highness the pioir Regent. the Papers laid upon the table. they entertained the intended to be imposed RP" the rrlred^oo of 11'4
tt Mr. Emmert- Scrub, Mr. Liston. Lady Hottentot,
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Davenport Met. Sallee, Mrs Devises ; Dorinds, Miss the meetings which took place for the purpose of having apprised Parliament of the eis=ich bad remotest doubt that military training had 'been car- press, that which ems.
as the Noble Lord admitted, ..
•..
; Cheery, lies. Gibbs. instructing the people in marching. &c, were in im indoeed Min is call them together. it to vied on to a greet extent for purposes hostile to the some the peak and boost of this bounty. 140111 the
which the Force of respect connected with smr, criminal enterprise, but he his indispensable duty to press spillgtbeir imme- GovernMent ? He had. however, held told, that if press, the Negate Lori mid, had peoceeded the
LOVE, 'W, AND PHYSIC.
AI
were bell solely fee Ate perporeent preaesviag rim) dllate-otteotion the necessity of ed•Oall "eh pea' persons meetittrOt ditairrpoite Old Dot ensemble its wet of the evils that impress the eisenserto •
order and regularity io the meeting which wash) take sures as would be most effectual in counteracting such numbers as to endanger t/he petite vit", w litelt 4,* reilembeeNt-eloo irsardesoble hives- -
EASTIII4 HOUSE, Noveuns• 17, ISIS.
IE COURT of DIRECTORS of Ike place at Manchester on the 16th August. The mid suppressing a system which,. if not speedily Ito intimidate any portion of his Majesty's subjects, ;mg, have also flowed from the seine snores..— li
11NITVIII VIIIIIIIANV oot IN curu •OOTTU ...e oaiet hands of moair which otrommml.A .1.. 1.-1.._ -I' ........ .1...1...1 .....• 1..._._ r