The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1803-05-05 00:00:00

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ed Friend's Minute 'engesairie; it Must be ?Mein-
..
hered, that a lady, who, after having brought her
husband a numerous offspring, was conviard of
adultery, was not entitled to expea extraordinary
lenity at the hands of the Legislature. In the pre.
sent case it was not possible to imagine that there was
the smallest collusion, but it appeared that, from the
parties hting anxious, were honourably and undo.
niably to avoid the imputation of collusion, they
had fallen upon the intmdußion of a clause, which,
in ordinary cases, %stead have induced the greatest
suspicion that collusion was at the bottom of the
whole proceeding ; for what could lend a stronger
colour to a presumption, that it was a bargain be-
tween a husband and wife, and that the former said
to the latter, " If you will agree to come into my
proposal of a divorce, 111 leave you as I found
you, in full possession of all your fortune,
and all other advantages that may have ac-
crued to you since your marriage." The latter
pan of the clause, which enalted, " that she shall
and may hell all goods, chattels, personal, and
anis whatsoever, that she shall at any time here-
after become sized of by descent, gifts, purchase
or otherwise," was a matter of mere surplusage,
and wholly urx.ecessary, as every body knew, that
after a Legislative Divorce a vinratle watrimos
what., er came. to her washer own. The preceding
part of .he clam was altogether most objedionable,
and would nee be allowed to stand, as it would
form a dangerous prec:dent for the future. His
Lerdslip eriae(sed in common with his Noble
F.-lend, who movwd that the clause be omitted. his
gratification that the great and scrupulous attention
which their I,athhips had paid to Divorce Bills,
of late had considerably tended to decrease their
somber, and by holding out greater difficulties to
the passing such Bills, had served to secure and
promote the morals of the people. Before he sat
down, his Lordship said, he concurred entirely
with his Noble Friend (Lori Auckland), that iF
the lady stood in need of provision, the regular
mode was for her to petition the House for that
purpose, and therefore, it would be right to allow
time for her dying so, if she thought proper, by
postponing the further sitting of the Committee
for a few days.
On the motion being put the clause was omitted.
When the Preamble came to he considered, the
lord CI I IN(7ELLO R said, a clause of it seemed,
from want of accurate attention, to have escaped,
which ought not to stand, and that referred to the
bastardizing the legitimate issue of the marriage,
which was against all form, and contrary to the
known law of the land. He therefore Moved, for
the better consideration of that matter, that the fur-
tiler sitting be adjourned to Monday next.—Or-
dered.
The Nottingham Police Bill was brought up from
the Commons by Mr. I. H. Lrowne and others, and
presented ; and, also, a private Bill by Mr. Wal-
pole, which were both read a first time.
Adjourned.

in .1 ',try sten time afttrarat:ls. He saw n 6
greamils for a comparison between the report of
this commission, in point of time, with that of the
year 1","'0. It did Ant appear, that there was any
delay in the progress of the enquiry, nor did he ob-
serve much in the original motion, if it had
not been accompanied by a strung manner of
expression which has the appearance of a rebuke,
and an insinuation of unnecess try delay. This
charge has been rather implied, an direetly made ;
and I should be happy to hear ftitim the lion. Baro-
net, something tending to disclaim any imputation of
that kind. He has now made an allusion to some-
thing that 1 had the honour of mentioning pre
vintisly to the Christmas rcce'c, and conneCted it
with an implied charge that the Board of Admiralty
had been miserably parsimonious, and starved those
establishments which are necessary to the public
service. 1 never said that in any emergency fifty
sail of the line would be ready within a month for
service, as it would not be ascertained whether
the warnber of men necessary could be procured
within that time. It is not difficult to calculate, in
the present state of the British navy, the time when •
such a number of vessels may be ready, but it can-
not be so easy to ascertain at what period the neces-
sary number of men could be provided ,• that must
depend in a great measure on the state of shipping in
the merchant service, which the present Board of
Admiralty has been very anxious to accommodate,
and has nut even filled up the supplies requisite for
the navy, by impressing against protections. He
could not state the precis,: period when such a num-
ber of ships would be ready equipped for aCtual ser-
vice. The state of preparation I can however as-
sert to be much greater than has been generally re-
presented, and more than the public are aware of.
Phis is not the time for making any disclosure
of that state of forwardness which, in a very few
days must, in all probability, be communicated to
the public ; hut it may be relied upon, that it is
such as would gratify all those who are lovers of
their country. It is, however, generally known,
that there are thirty-two sail of the line in com-
mission in the British ports, independently of those
upon foreign stations. The Admiralty has used
no unjustifiable means for racniiting the navy.
They had peoportioned their exertions to the re-
speclive interests of the naval and mercantile ser-
vice. If exigency required, the men might be pro-
cured, but the condua of the Admiralty has been
guided by a view to general accommodation. Infor-
mer periods this country seldom commenced a war
with an existing establishment of more than 16,000
or 18,000 sailors, whereas, at present, the esta-
blishment is go high as 50,000, and though the
exertions are more vigorous than on any former
occasion, the utmost regard has hitherto been
paid to commercial interests. I apprehended that
in saving so much, he had imitated the example
which he before reproved in going into par-
ticulars, which perhaps were not quite consistent
with regular order ; but I think it has been called
for, and warranted by the remarks that have been
already introduced. The only excuse I have is,
that I have been very solicitous that this subjea
should not be misunderstood, and anxious to bring

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4.
A MtLage from the Lords annou.iced their Lord-
ships assent to a Bill for preventing vexatious arrests,
and to several private Bills.
Mr. WICK/IAM moved that there be laid be-
fore the House a copy of the evidence taken by the
C'orimissioners of Accounts on the Dublin paving
and street repairing Committee.
Lord LEVISUN COWER moved the Order
of the Day on the further consideration of the Report
of the Committee on County Bridg'es. When the
Resolutions were agreed t4i, and a Bill ordered to be
brought in accordingly.
Mr. HOWARD. thee some observations, moved
that the I)roiteich Road Bill he recommitted.
Tile motion was opposed by Mr. Hurst, Sir Ro-
bert Buxton, Sir Laurence Parsons, and Mr Dick-
ins, and supported by Mr. &urges, and Sir Wil-
'Lim Geary.
Strangers were ordered to withdraw, when a di-
e:lion took place.
For the R(
Against it

forward such a statement, upon this subjea particu-
larly, as shall vindicate the conduit of his Majes-
ty's servants, myself included, from any neg-
let of duty in what the public interest is
so much concerned.----The answer already
given by an honourable Ft lend near me,
(Admiral Pole) must be sufficient to satisfy the
House until the approaching time when the subjeet
must have full and fair discussion. In the mean
time, in order to leave the qmsstion open, without
direaly negativing the motion, 1 /be leave to get
rid of it by moviag the Order of the Day."

Mr. CANNING said, that the commission was
appointed in the idea that great abuses prevailed in.
tln: civil department of the Admiralty department.
It passed with extraordinary precipitation. He did
not hear that any person had since failed. Mr.
Ta:lor.adid not appear to him to be in any degree
culpable ; nor was it unworthy of any Member of
that House to enquire how those extraordinary
powers were executed. When the commission was
appointed, the Ministers gave as a reason for it, that
the measure was expedient, as the country was then
in a state of profound peace. It was, perhaps, one
of those questions which ought not to be stirred in
a period of hostility, but having been agitated at
all, it was necessary that the House and the Nation
should know what had been done. The Honour.
able Member who, in compliance with the duty
which he owed to his constituents, ought not to have
been rebuked in the manner he had been by the
Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Addington). An en-
quiry should be instituted, but the subject could
not be investigated without a report from the c,,m-
missioners. If any Member had even any private
reason to believe, independently of any public docu.
ments, that Mr. Taylor was injured, it was right
to propose that he, or any other person similarly
circumstanced, should be redressed by that HOUR&
Any person possessed of the feelings of gentlemen
or the principles of humanity must be desirous that
Mr. Taylor should be set right in the public opinion.
He would not go into any el,traneons matter, but
he could not approve of inflicting grievances on a
man when justice required that he s:i be re-
dressed& he therefore supported the nr. •ion for the
commissioners being directed to make a :.;•cedy re-
port. The Hun. Gentleman had said, that the naval
force of this country was stronger than it had been
et the commencement of the Last war ; but every
thing of this nature should be judged of by compa.
Arian. At present Gentlemen seemed to go upon
a retrograde sort of arithmetic, calculating on the
• difference between the naval and military force of
the respedive nations. It was said heretofore, that
we should have fifty ships cf the line ready to put to
sea in a.-nonth after any emerge.icy. But there was
a reserve with regard to the number of men. We
certainly had a considerable fleet of frigates, for
which there were probably men enough ; lout those
frigates could not resolve themselves into ships of
the line; nor would the same number of hands do
for the one which would be sufficient for the other.
With regard to this state of preparation, in order to
enable the House to judge of it, hi moved that his
Majesty's Message of the Bth of March last be
read—( 'lris was done accordingly, pro forma)...-
With due respell to his Majesty's Message, he con-
ceived that it ought to be believed, and nct consi-
dered as made in a precipitate and careless manner.
That communication informed them, that-military.
preparations were making in tht ports of i ranee and
Holland ; and yet. hc searcelr reconcile it to
the declaration now, by one of *the Lords of

• 141
:12

hlajoi ity —52
The Resolution was then agreed to and a Bill
ordered accordingly.
Sir HENRY MILDNIAY rose to express his
surprise that no report bad been yet made to the
House by the Committee appointed to enquire into
the frauds and abuses of the Navy, and the conduit
of Prize Agents, though fur months had elapsed
w nee the appointment of that Committee, notwith-
e .wading the striA injunition of that House that the
connr.issioners should report from time to time.—
He did net presume to throw any imputation on
the conduit of the Committee, or to insinuate that
they NW not chine their duty in a mast impartial
and strenuous manner. But the question was r,ne
on which the public mind rested much expeenuion,
and felt much anxiety. lie therefore moved, o that
tine commissioner; appointed to enquire into the
fr olds and abuses of the Navy and the conduit of
Prize .Igents, should forthwith report the progress
snade therein."
Admiral POLE defended the c.a.._
ers of the navy. He said their proceedings
wool.: be submitted to the House AS soon as a fair
copy should be made out, and be was confident the
staterneot would give general satisfaction, that
they had honourably discharged the duty assigned
them.
Cape. MARKHAM declined going into the sub-
_Oa at large, but gave his opinion as a Member of
the &ant, that the Block Conte...a was a bad one.
l le defended the proceedings of the commissioners
said was cunfident that if a comparative view of th;
naval state of the country, before and after the ap-
pointment tof the commissioners was taLen, it would
allied a prospea no less flattering and advantage-
ous to the country, than highly honourable to those
concerned.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
then spoke to the following 'feet I perfectly
concur in the opinion of the Hon. Gentleman, who
exculpated the Admiralty Board from any degree
of blame, but regret to have heard so many par-
ticulars dwelt upon by the Hon. Gentleman who
brought forward this motion. All the topics refer-
red to, will of course compose a part of the report
' of the commissioners inctituted for the purposes
of this inquiry, and it could scarcely be thought
too much to wait for that report before the Noose
'till proceed to a diviiion. It has been announced by
an l ion. Member whois One of the commissionerrathat
•le.: floats might expea2 st report front them in a very
tor days, itefthat two or three mcue would he Made

. ~f ` -

As
11:-A4.... els. -0. '4•••• .114004,
.... A y . .. Je...••• tA , r..
•••.... ... ..... 4. .7__ -. 7,‘z-,.. 4.----.
110111111111 K.,
..„... . t

•Mk-

the Adm;ralty, that the tench ptcparations amount-
ed to nu more than a few contemptible fishing
boats.
Mr. FOX thought that the measure should be
weighed and compared with the exigency of the
case. He did not pretend to have any more private
knowledge on the subject than any other Member ;
but from the public information he could collea, he
could state it as his conviaion, that the present First
Lord of the Admiralty had taken care to make very
sufficient preparations for any occasion that may and
rive; and the result of enquiry would be, and on
that he had the most perfect reliance, that the Noble
Lord alluded to would be able to give a very satisfac-
tory answer to whatever might be brought forward.
Th.f.-e was in the proceedings of the Hoard an evi-
dent good intention, connected with the ability, to
root out the abuses so long complained of. In his con-
duct, that gallant Nobleman would not be intimidated
by the clamor or insurrection of any jobbers against
him. Hewas himself far from being a friend to grant-
ing too strong powers. A former Administration did
not scruple to adopt strong measures against the
subjeas of this country, whom they considered to
be adverse to them, and he thought the present
Administration was rather to be commended, for
adopting strong measures against the prevalence of
abuses.

Captain MARKHAM said, that he could not,
on comparison, but hold the naval force of the ene-
my in contempt, and that at no moment was the
English navy more superior to its adversaries than
it was at present.
Sir H. NIH.DMAY replied shortly after, when
he obtained leave of the House to withdraw his
motion.

• Mr. LEE moved the Order of the Day for the
consideration of the Irish Law Courts Bill. He
said there was a question of very considerable im-
portance relative to the Irish Law Courts before
the House ; and as it had been now three years un-
der deliberation, he was anxious it should be brought
to a conclusion. It was of the greatest consequence
to Ireland ; the object of it was to put Ireland, with
regard to its Law Courts, precisely on the same foot-
ing as England : the consequence of the measure
would be to lessen the expence of suitors. A mea-
sure of so much importance, he trusted, would not
meet with any objection. The principal measure in
the Bill was to enforce the more speedy appearance of
Defendants to process. The only mode known to
our ancestors of compelling an appearance, was to
arrest the body of the Defendant ; or if he could
not be found, to issue a second writ to distrain
his goods to compel his appearance. For two or
three centuries this continued to be the praflice,
but in the reign of King George I. an Ad of Par-
liament passed, by which it was enaded, that if a
Defendant did not appear in eight days after the
service of process, the Plaintiff might enter an ap-
pearance for him, and file a declaration against him,
the same as if he had appeared himself. The rea-
son was, because the party having disobeyed the
writ was guilty of a contempt. All he wanted
was to extend that law to Ireland, and thereby give
the suitors the same facility in that country as in
this. The reason a similar At had not passed in
Ireland was, the people of that country not having
had a Parliament so attentive to their interests; had
the same laws which governed this country been ex-
tended to them, a vast deal of those inconveniences
which had taken place would have been avoided.
It was true, a measure had been adopted for alter-
ing part of the law of Ireland, but it had not gone
the length of the Statute of George I. The con-
sequence of that measure had been, that all the
business had run into the Court of Exchequer, a
Court which, of all others, ought not to have a
common law jurisdiction, for there were only two
days in the week appropriated to the dispatch of
common law business, which, in the Courts of
King's Bench, and Common Pleas, every day in
the week was so appropriated. The effect of this
was, that all the business having got into the Court
of Exchequer, the quantity was so great, and the
suitors found themselves so entangled in delay, that
the mischief was as bad as before the law had been
altered. The Hon. Member adverted to the con-
do& of the different Judges of the King's Bench
and Common Pleas ; observing, that the want of
zeal and energy in the one, the negligence of
another,i and the indifference of all, had prevented
any step being taken to extend the benefit of the
measure to the Common Law Courts. The inter-
ests of individuals too had been partly the means of
justice not having been done. Having thus stated
the reason for the law of England in this resped not
having been applied to Ireland, he trusted no un-
worthy passions, or private motives, would prevent
the adoption of the measure he should propose.
With regard to the compensations, his object was
this : all who possessed offices during life were en-
titled to compensation, but those who only held of-
fices during pleasure, had not the same right to
compensation; he should therefore confine himself to
offices during life. If any other Gentleman thought
proper to move to extend his motion to offices dur-
ing pleasure ; he should not object to the proposi-
tion, though he should not support it. Ile could
not give his support to a measure which might go the
extent of putting this country to an expence of
.20,0001. He had stated generally the ground on
which his motion should stand. It was a Bill that
had the sandion of the Judges of Ireland, for those
who had framed it, had thought it their duty to sub-
Mit it to persons, syho were most conversant with
the laws of that country. He remarked, that there
was one person (a Noble Lord) who held an office
in the Exchequer, to whose claims to compensation
it was necessary to refer. • He had seen the patent,
and a letter on the subject. He conceived, that
the Noble. Lord he had alluded to, had as legal a
right to compensation as any man could possibly
have. He should conceive it a great infringement
of that Noble Lord's right to divest him of his
estate, without allowing him a compensation. It
was impossible for him to state what losses any
individual might sustain, for that would depend
in the quantity of business which went from the Ex-
ei quer to the other Courts. He could not define
what the losses might be in future. 'I he only way
to ascertain it, was within a given time after
passing the Ad, to issue a commission to in-
quire what were. the values of the office for
three or four years back, and whatever sum
they. should,• &Id, that should be the value of
• the offices a:. d amount of the compensation ; and
that every y. , • after an inquiry should be made,
what 10vi:.!5 were sustained, and that whatever was
"theatiMitiurn,.s.ioulti.remain a charge on the consoli-
anted ft*. A cause had been prepared to that ef-

• "

.a