The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-02-09 00:00:00

SMALL NOTES.

Mr. CALERA FT, llOCseen:4 the Chancellor of the Exchequer
ca his place, and concluding that it was not his intention to come
down that night, wished to put a question to the Gentlemen men-
eying the Treasury Bench, relative to what he conceived to be a
very important and unprecedented stretch of authority on the part
of Government: he wished to learn, then, whether Ministers
tad prohibited the stamping of one and two pound bank-notes ?
Mr. lIERRI ES replied that Government bad certainly given
orders to suspend the stamping of small notes. It might be in the
recollection of the House that, when this question was lately die-
.:ossed, the propriety of this course had been suggested, and he
aelieved indeed that the hint first came from the other side of the
House. Whatever objection might be made to this proceeding, it
eemed most advisable to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, since
ne was shortly about to bring in a bill relative to the currency, to
render the interval secure by suspending the stamping of small
cotes.

Mr. CA LCRA FT said that this was the first time that Govern-
ment had taken upon them so heavy a responsibility. Why slid
t::ey not bring in a short Bill, suitable to the exigency, rather than
rek the exercise of undue power not warranted by circumstances.
There had been many instances of short Bills passing through all
stages at one sitting, when circumstances demanded expedition.
But so unadvised was the course adopted by Government, that the
party refusing to stamp the notes was liable (the lion. Gen:loam
conceived) to an action of damages.

IRISH ELECTION LAWS.
tfr. R. MARTIN, in rising, according to notice, to bring foe.
ward a Bill for die amendment of the Irish Election Laws, can.
nienced by observing that he believed no one would contravene the
principle, that the voting freeholders of the country could not be tor
independent, and hoped that those who had no objection to the
prieciple would lend their aid to reduce it to practice. It was his
wish that a freehold worth 20/. and not 40s. should confer the right
of voting, but the clause of his Bill to which he particularly ao-
Petted attention, was that which provided that no freeholder should
be permitted to register his vote without first producing his land.
lord's receipt for rent. Ile (Mr. Martin) would ask any Gentleman
if the fort .shilling freeholder was not held in such a state of
thraldom that he an obliged to vote as required to do. or else
was liaule to have all his little property swept away by his land.
The alteration, therefore, that he would propose in the law
as regarded the election law of Ireland was, that every forty.
shilling freeholder should produce a receipt for the payment of his
rent as well as a register of his freehold, and that he should not
be allowed to vote until he produced such discharge. Ile (Mr.
Martin) considered that it was the duty of the landlord to raise the
tutu-shilling freeholder from a state of dependence by discharging
the rent. lie spoke in the presenceof his Hon. Friend, the Mem.
bet toe Mayo (Mr. Browne), and he would ask if the Magistrates
lied it not in their power to prevent any persons from registering
that freeholds, and if a Magistrate did not do his duty properly
whether he could prevent a return. A freeholder was directed to go
to thie or that market town to make his registry, but on his arrival
the officer was not in attendance. lie (Mr. Martin) could slate
that, in his own ease, where lie had been anxious to obtain some
registers, he had been above twelve months in getting them.
lie had no doubt but that the lion. Baronet opposite (Sir 11. Par.
neU) was fully aware of the circumstance that a Magistrate had the
power of defeating the obtainment of a register, if the Magistrate
were disposed so to act. It was his intention to propose, that on
notice being given to the Clerk of the Peace. and he not attending
to receive the register, that a person should be sworn in for the
purpose of doing so. Having stated thus much of the objects of
his Bill, he did- not consider it necessary to trouble the House
further. particularly at a tune when there ware so few Irish gentle.
suer present.
Air. HUTCHINSON said that the Hon. Gentleman bad
ehoseu the strangest moment possible for an alteration in die law of
election in Ireland ; namely, that of the eve of a general election
and he trusted that he would not press any proceeding in respect
to it until there were a sufficient number of Irish Members present.
Mr. R. MARTIN said that the proposed alteration would not
affect the next election ; he should, however, merely move at pre.
sent for leave to king in a Bill to amend the election law of Ireland;
on a future day he should (if leave were given) present the Bill,
rune that it be printed, and to be taken into consideration after
the Eater holydays.
Sir H. PARNELL only hoped that his Hon. Friend (Mr.
Illatiln) would give sufficient notice, bemuse he could not but
think the measure proposed of granting discharges was of a most
ohlectiotrable nature.

Leave via then given to bring in the Bill.
COM:IIITTEE OF SUPPLY.
Sir. HERRIES moved that the Report of the Committee of
Supply be brought up. which eat done, and ordered to be referred
to the Committee at Friday neat.
NAVY ESTIMATES.
Mr. HERMES moved that the Ordinary and Extraordinary
Ettimatey of the Navy for the year 1826 bi laid before thy House.
Tliey were afterwards brought up and ordered to be printed.
Mr. HURRIES moved for an account of Exchequer Bills
issued between the bth January, 1825, and 6th January, 1826 ;
also for AO account of those issued in aid of the present year.
They were then presented and ordered to be printed.
hit. P. GRENFELL moved fur an account of the quantity and
•alue of yippee and tin ore Imported and exported during the year
I!2s.—Order: d.
The House adjourned at half.past five.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.
This Evening. Tlirntina F. Feb. 9, will be preformed (gils Una) a
new National Hailed Opera, caw'
ALYINA.
Th• principal Chiraeters bF blesses.Wallsek, 9fneinir, Mown. Bedford.
Harley, and Misses Porry, and Kong.

To conclude with the Pantomime of
MARLEQUIN. JaCK or kLI. TRADES.
Itainagain. Mr. Howell: Pantaloon. Mr. T. Illanahartit Clown
Hint Columbine. Miss Barnett.

COVENiViAADEN THRATRE

This !Yentas, THURSDAY, Feb. 9, will be performed the Opera of
ARTAXERXES.
The peinsipal Characters by Messrs. Phillips and Emblem t Misses
love and Paton.
After which the new Fleet of
NORM" ; or, THE GIRL Di ERIN.
The Claraelers by Messrs. ferton, Cooper, and Comm: Medea LW
sad Onward, and Mrs. (Rorer.
To which will be added.
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.