The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1804-07-09 00:00:00

tiriot.vvriT.

Thai°Gemini Latter, and the Statement annexed to it, we
on Thurly from a Lient!entan in the King's
Bench Filson.
" You must be well aware, that there is an Its.
solvent ACI, which has passed the litaise of Corn-
inonk, and has been once read in the House of
Lords; it is certainly my wish for the benefit of my
Yellow prisoners, that the Aft should pass as it is,
rather than that it should not pass at all ; but sure-
ly there might be a Clause, extending ,relief to all
ranks of Debtors ; at present the law nTal-es fish of
one end, and flesh of the other end, but the middle
is kept in a perpetual pickle. The Bankrupt Laws li-
berating Debtors for large sums, and Insolvent Alls
liberating debtors under 15001. whereas the debtors
!rho may have controlled debts to the amount of
Fifteen Hundred and Otis: Pound, and whose case
cannot be brought under the Bankrupt Laws, arc
doornedlo perpetual imprisonment ; to obviate which,
and to ell partiality, the clause I propose in
the statement (founded on the maxim that
whet a man cannot pay with his purse, he must
with his person) may in all human probability be
carried, eipecially, if you would so far aid the un-
Ibrusnate, as to make this clause (or the purport of
i/1 generally known. Allow me, Sir, to assure yon,
you feel a disposition to befriend us, there is no
time to be lost.
WILLIAM GRICEN STATEMENT OF FACTS.
King's Bench Prison, July 1,1804.
I. He states that he is by profession a seaman, and
is the early part of his life served His Majesty with
honour and reputation, in many severe actions with
the enemy.
11. 'That in the year 1795, he was.employed by
• the 11(4111:.• of Messrs. George, Case, and Co. of Li-
verpool. African Merchants, as master of a slave
ship, called the Cyclops, to the coast of Africa, and
from thence to procee 1 Kith a cargo of slaves to the
Island of Grenada, where he was to receive in-
s/tedious from the said house, for the disp.,al
• of the said cargo ; but on being credibly ;domed
on the said coast, that the said Island of Grenada
bad been captured by the French, and was then in
their possession, for the interest of his employers,
be thought proper to proceed to the Island of
Jamaica, as the best market for the disposal of the
said cargo.
111. That in the course of the said ship's voyage
to Jamaica, he was attacked by the Rega/as, a
French privateer, of 14 carriage guns and 75 men,
and the ship Cyclops bad only five guns mounted,
and not more than t 1 or 12 effative men to navi-
gate and defend her, and having no less number
than 450 aegroes therein, 'he and the other officers
conceived it to be utterly useless to combat a ship of
such superior force, and to spill blood in a wanton
and inhuman manner, to answer no end whatever,
and on that account, he was under the necessis y of
striking colours, and suffering his ship to be cois•
veycd into an enemy's port, in the Island of St. Do-
mingo, where he remained a prisoner for some
weeks on subsistence of bread and water.
IV. That soon after his release from the said
bland he returned to England, where, instead of
having hit good conduit approved of by his cu-
p!, sirs, he was arrested by them for the sum of
2,4,001. and held to bail therein ; and on a trial there-
on, a verdiet was given against him in the sum of
42001. 10s. for hr.Tach ct orders, and damages ac-
cruing thereby ; and on the 30th day of January
1797, he was under the necessity of surrendering
himself to the Marshal of the King's-Bench Prison,
i r discharge of such bail, in which prison he has
been confiral revert years and 133 days.
V. 'flat he has at different periods during his
confineir.e:-.:. proposed to give up all his property
ant :he benefit of his employers and his other cre-
ditors, and to submit himself to answer interroga-
tories upon oath touching his conduit and property,
all of whim have been rejelled.
VI. He humbly submits, in his case the total
%mount and quantam of the demand set up ag sine
bins, might sot to be a criterion on which the Inv: ies
of his particular ease should rest; for different men
might estimate a cargo of human creatures to be
worth very different sums of money, and others
might say he had more merit in saving the lives of
his cargo, than villa, he could have !main wantonly
spilling their blood in an ineffeirt nal resistance.
VII. That he has repeatedly received bounties
from Government, for the gnat zeal and exertions
be ha,. . need, in preserving the health and lives of
he Negroes committed to his care.
VIII. That his case also stands different from
ether prisoners ir. yari-.us particulars; for instance,
does it not seesaw be ?resumed or implied in the
iintl*atisra of a sum of money in insolvent atts, that
prisoner had received a valuable cessidtratiox to
amount of such sem so prescribed t Whereas
sever received one single shilling, but, on the
,hand, was, with his Maintiffs, a sufferer to
amount of 1,4001. besides having been urea
and 152 days confined as a debtor; a space of
in which his Plaintiffs must allow, be could
!alised at least the sum of 14,5001. ; and he
ists, that, informer voyages, he had enabled
intiffs to realise the sum of 30,0001. sod sip.

. That the best part of his days his Plaintiffs
e locked him up in a prison ; that he is now lit-
more than 40 years old, nearly eight of which,
sole suit of Messrs. Case and Co. he has spent
the walls of the King's Bench, without hay-
.' a es sufft.red to go out of the gates, not
ithin the rules.
That he is well aware it is a marina amongst
lawyers, that when a debtor cannot pay
pis purse, he must pay with his person ; and
ground he also snbmits that he is also enti-
his discharge, having been in custody when
lowing insolvent Airs were passed, viz.
year 1797, which liberated per-
whose debts amounted to the

_ . - - I,eoo 0 0
Year 1801, which liberated to
amount of

- 1,500 0 0

£.2.700 0 0
sum of 2,7001. being deduced front the
t of the demand set up against him of
it.rs. would bring his case within the limits
aimezed clause. whereby it would ap..
Ara in his person he would have thus
Lis Plaintiffs' demand in the Sam

of 4091. ICts. ; and his Plaintiffs have net hid dur-
ing this period, merely, " the one pound of P.esh,"
but the whole body, which they have thought fit so
to use as to preclude every effort to exhicateitself,
and whereby he has been damnified to a much larger
amount, namely, to the amount of 14,5001. as be-
fore mentioned ; his Plaintiffs well knowing that he
could have got into immediate employ the moment
he was at liberty to go to sea.

A Clause, founded ow the May.int " 4ai N t kabri in Critelowe
/oat is Corlae•e,' ftirgested with •lue d-ti,Nue, as a ht ad-
dition to the peild,ng fnaolvisi.t Act maxims recoß•used
in several Acta of Parlianteut, I,artteu arty thore which re-
late to nieinc Process, and ip-o ,oied to follow folio 100, iu
the 36th page of the present I,,iolvent

" And whereas there are many poor well-disposed
persons, who have been in actual cu.tody for a
great number of years, in several of the prisons
or gaols afenesaid, and who have been eye-wit-
ness of the emancipation of their fellow-prisoners, in
consequence of some one or more Insolvent Ails,
but who were prevented from taking any of the ad-
vantages, in respett to the relief of Insolvent
Debtors Uremia set forth, on account of the sum it,
which they were charged exci•eding the sum limited,
prescribed, or set forth in such AS or Ass ; and
who now continue to he still detained, and are
likely to remain so, unless liberated by the aid and
humanity of the Legislature
" It ishereby cradled and declared, that all such
persons shall he allowed to detitt.q and •et off from
his or her Plaintiff or Plaintiff's charge, debt or ac-
count, the specific sum of 1,3001. being the sum of
money set forth, limited, or prescribed in the last
insolvent Aft (together with all and every such other
specific suns or sums of money prescribed, limited,
or set forth in any other Insolvent Aft or Adts,
which has or have been enacted since the day on
which he or she was arrested fur any sum rir sums
or money for which they now, individually, stand
eltargi d, and are cuhtined) ; and it, after making
Stith al dedinition, or eleduftions, the balance
then reioaining shall not exceed the suns of 2,0001.
then such debtor or debtors shall be, to all intents
and purposes, entitled to all the privileges and be.
nefits of this Aft, on conforming to the clauses and
requisites herein contained, in as full and ample a
manner as if the said charge, debt, or account, had
originally not exceeded the sum of 1,5001. now li-
mited or prescribed in this Aft."
N. B. It being reptesented to the late Mr. Ser-
jeant Adair, whets the Insolvent rift of 1797 -was
passing through the House of Commons, that their
were persons who had already been confined.fir deli,
for the long space of serer:teen years, and who would
continue to be excluded from the benefit of Insolvent
Acts, if the sum was limited to I,SOOI. the learned
Serjeant not only expressed his astonishment at the
information, but declared, as a lawyer, he deemed
that perpetual **immoral, even for any sum, was
incompatible with the mild interpretation of British
laws; he also added, that, as a man and a Christian,
it was shocking to the feelings of humanity; and, as
an Englishman, he considered it a national disgrace,
to permit indiriduals to inflict on each other type.
Oral impri,anmeut for debt ; he therefore had no
doubt, when the subject was properly laid before
the Legislature, relief would be afforded ; and ac-
cordinoy, when the Bill was brought up from the
Committee, be mowed and carried unanimously a clause.
allowing le all those who had been a tertain time in pri-
sms, the keeps of that Bill, Newithstandins Mat thy
were clamed onto larger sums than I ,tOOl.
Which clause was afterwards opposed in the
House of Lords, merely under an idea that there
was not time fully to consider it in that sessions of
Parliament.

- Those captives who still owl/reek rretein in bond-
age, humbly hope and trust that sufficient time has
now elapsed to weigh the propriety of such a mea-
sure, and that if there can be the least hesitation in
adopting a clause to the full extent of the one which,
on the motion of Mr. Serjeant Adair, unanimously
passed the House of Commons, with the g►eatest
submission they entertain a con:dente that there
cannot be two opinions about the propriety of
adopting a clause qualified and curtailed in the
manner of the foregoing.

HA3OR•GFNEIt Al. DOYLE.

has. received grail p!ea‘iir: fun leading in the Supple-
in( m. to T e Gunluty au. tit ref the fith of May last, the
fallowing .cry 4111 mak-4 anti elcluent speech of our gallant
and esteeined cr.tstitry;,..l:l, M., Lleilera. John Doyle, in
reply to an unanimous via. intilis for hes good conduct
as lieu-enaat•Gevernnr at that (torn the States of
Guernse►, than publicly anemia:. The towspontion is
characterised by rod maw, you/ fettling, loyal notional',
and seldier•ltlte spirit—and we have an doubt that its publi
catinn will be gratifying to our Reader., th,- more especially
as the principles which it inculcate. are applicable gene ally
to all vamp/ the Empire, threatened tor theroontlFMl !W./I,Y •
a, d ate particularly valuable and important to this part of
the United Kingdom.]

" Mr. sad Gentlemen of the Sam,

„ This unanimous and flattering mark of your
approbation comes upon me as unexpeded as I
learn it has been unprecedented; had I been apprk-
ed of the honourable distindion, I could have but ill
expressed my feelings; but thus taken by surprise by
your goodness, how little can I do justice to the sen-
timents it inspires.
I have ever considered that the happiness of the
governed should be the first care of those who ad-
minister Government. If this be generally true,
how much more so, when applied to a people, where
not one disloyal, disafeded, or discontented man is
to be found if I am so fat tunatc as to conciliate the
affedions of His Majesty's loyal subjeds, entrust-
ed to nsy Aare, I not only gratify the best feel-
ings of my heart—but am confident I most recom-
mend myself to that revered Sovereign, the whole
objefl of whose life has been the happiness of his
people.
•• I feel great pride in your nnanirnous approba-
tion of the measures i have adopted for the public
safety. Experience has taught me, that the best
mode of resisting the invader is to attack him when
helpless in his boats, or in the confusion incident to
a landing. If this idea be well founded, as to inva-
sion in general, it is peculiarly applicable to our
island, inhere, from its rocks and currents, an enemy
(unfir..d to niaritime operations) must find additional
impediments to a descent. I fear your kind parti-
ality over-rates my services, though it does but jastice
to my anxions wishes ht. your welf.ae. Much of
the merit of the sea line ef id:fence, ::. :nub. belongs

to the judicious liberalay of the States, their sup; lki
well deserve their name, when we consider the nn
equal, oppressive, and unjust mode that prevails at
present in levying the taxes in the island, epithets
which every gentleman who has spoken in this day's
debate, has concurred in bestowing upon it.
" The question of taxation, which has just been
discussed, is intimately- conneEted with the defence
of the island ; but I studiously avoided interrupting
the debate with any observations of mine, anxious to
hear the opinions a gentlemen enlightened upon
the subjeet. No blame is imputable any where.
The proportions were probably just, when all the
wealth was confined to the country, and the town
but a fishing hamlet; but now that their relative
situations are totally changed, and that three-fourths
of the wealth cf the islao are in possession of the
town, surely some equitable arrangement should
take place, as is liberally admitted by the inhabitants
of the town.

" I mention it now incidently for the purpose of
stating, that as an appeal is to be made to the King
in Council, I shall feel it my duty to represent to Ilk
Majesty's government the sore pressure it lays upon
the poorest classes of the people, which tends to palsy
the necessary. measures fur the public security.
" It is highly gratifying to me to learn from the
Representatives of the People, that their confidence
is encreased ; he assured that confidence is reciprocal,
and that upon the loyalty and courage of the inhabit-
ants, I have the most perfeet reliance.
" But, let me conjure you, with that frankness
which alone belongs to friendship, not to relax. nor
slumber under the shade of false security, lest in
that sleep )uu meet death.' Let an man suppose
that blow is averted, because it is delayed, else
shall we be in the case of the shepherd's boy in
the fable, and the savage wolf devour our unprotect-
ed flock.

•' You are the advanced guard of the Empire—
the eyes of Europe are upon you—a wait divides
you from France—you see her shores—the enemy
is at your gates—he is enterprising—be you ♦igilant
—he is vindiCtivz—your offences of a nature not to
be pardoned—you are loyal and content—your pu-
nishment would he extirpation—you are engaged in
no common warfare—he tomes not for conquest—
he is not content with pillage—desolation is his ob-
jeft—the existence of all you hold dear is at stake,
property, liberty, life!
4. You fight to preserve a chaste and beloved wife
from the violation of a licentious soldiery, and your
smiling infant from their destrultive bayonets.
But your cause is just—your people brave and
united—be but vigilant—let him advance—he will
be met by freemen determined to Mae their liberties
with their lives—and may the God of battles crown
with success your patriotic efforts."

r r, • •
VIL That
fflnm Govern,
be IIA, •:.iIICO
I he Negroes c
VIII. TN
ether prisoner
,41 ' does it not so
limitatioa of
each prisoner
the amount I
1 . Ise never sec
' other.hand, t
! the amount
!teen and ISt
time, in whin
have realised
also insists, th
his Plaintiffs t
wards.
1 IX. That ti
have locked hi
ale more than
. • at the sole suit
. withir the wal
t ing beer no es
evert within th
1 i X. That he
1 British lawye
i with his puss
on this root
tied to his disc
the following i
,i In the year 17
. i sans whose
sum of •
1 In the Year 1
the amount
•
which sum of
amount of th
ylyg.
BAIL 10s. w
of the au=
,
pear that in
ever-paid his