The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-12-22 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, Tursmiy, Dscsmasa 21.

M ISDEM EA NO PA
• Mr. Beta:DES and others from she House of Commons
brought sup the Misdemeanor Bill, wish amendments, to
which they desired their Lurdshipa'eoinurrenee.
The LORD CHAXCLLLOR stated, that the amendments
were only Su extend the operation of the Bill to Ireland, and
to allow defendants in such eases copies of indiennesats amid
informations Gee of expense. He then moved, that she
Horse should agree to the amendments, which was carried
in the affirmative, and after a few words from Lord Hof.-
LAUD, expensive of his approval of time measure, the Bill
was tinnily passed.
SEDITIOUS MEETINGS.:

The Eli! of Lir V.R1.001. moved the Order of the
Day fur the third reading of the Bill for the pre-
veution cf Seditious Meetings. The Noble Lord
then proposed some verbal and clerical amendments,
which were agreed to.
Lord ELLENDOROUGIi proposed a clause, en-
abling u meeting, which had been dispersed from
some irregularity by a Magistrate, to)onieruble again
iu four days.—[The present Bill requires sal days
notice.] —Rejected.
On the motion " that the Bill do pear"—
Lord 'Unit E rose, as he Paid, briefly to address
their Lordships upon this measure, although he
despaired of being able to produce any impression
upon the judgments they had already formed.—
Indeed he doubted whether, now, after they had
passed so many measures severely restrictive of
public rights, an impression could be made upon
them from any quarter whatever. He hoped, hues
ever, that no voice would be exercised in vain which
was raised in defence of liberty. He Meant not to
impute illiberality or injustice to any man, but
certain it was, that however correctly their Lordships
might feel upon other subject., upon the present
state of the country they seemed to labour tinder
borne delusion. He was ready to agree that meetings
had been held in the metropolis, and various parts
of the country, which were ettremely numerous,
were 110 less useless, and might be very dangerous.
Their object undoubtedly was not what it professed
to he, to petition the Legislature; the people
Rocked to them in military array. with music and
symbols of a seditious character, and agitators sp.
peered among them, with the evident iutent of ex.
citing and ii.flaming them to acts of eiolencr.
For all these the Bill furnished a sufficient re.
medy ; fur one clause provided, that meetings
should not be too numerous, soother that music
and symbols should not be used at them, mid a
third warded against the evil of itinerant orators;
and with these provisions, aided and enforced by
an active magistracy, every danger might be ob.

visited, without infringing upon the liberties of the
subject. When the danger was obviated. *mild it not
have been advisable to keep es closely as pomible
to the principle of tl'e law. and endeavour,
by 'hewing a regard to the interests and f,ebugs of
the people, to bring backiheir affections. end unite
them to the Government ? fled Ministers manifest.
ed • disposition to contilsate, while they corrected,
they would have had an unanimous Paeliameat,
and they would also have created • conlidesee in
Parliament ce-eittensiee with the evil that no* op. pressed the country. What now was obtained by
the 'wettest Bills? they had doue eothittg to win the
confideste or the people, dud had placed an over-
whelasiog power in the hands of the Magistrates.
No man was more ready then he was to give ample
testimony to the merits of the Magistracy of Eng-
laud. bet he would not plate in their hands the
hinnies af would arse give up- tit
their uncontrolled discretioll the right of attending
public meetings. The Noble Lords opposite had
thrown every thing into their hands—.they had reserve
ed nothing even fur their own spies—every thing was
thrown into the hands of the Magistratesl end highly
as he may respect that body of men, he would not be
so crnfiding—he would not give such power to
an angel from !leaven, tress though he were to see
his wings peeping from under his robe. But why
should he dwell upon this subject. upon which
his Noble Friend 'tear him had on a former
night everted his eloquence, and whom he had
heard with much delight—for he had known
his loather when a child in her cradle, and his
father was the s ompanion of his professional la-
bears..—[The Noble Lord alluded, we presume,
to Lord lEllenboroughl —No mats had a right to
inspote feelings and sentiments to another which
his own words would not warrant, and yet any Ma-
gistrate was given such a right. and might, upon
his own disoetion, disperse a meeting within •
goatee of en hour liv his watch. Hut what was
the disease. what the danger with which they were
threatened ?—the danger Res a distrust clutch the
people had in Parliament. Ministers too readily
assumed that their government bad been wise and
protective. and that the people had no grievance of
which they ought justly complain. mud that they
were ready to fell into rebellion without retools. It
would now be fully in him to retrace the policy
which Ministers Mid pursued during the lasi 24
years, and to contend, in opposition to the declared
will of Parliament, that the war they had been so
long pursuing was inequitable and impolitic. The
fact. however. was, that such was now the general
opinion of the country. Far be it from him to
say that all who thought their policy faulty, and
the war unnecessary and unwise, were enemies to the
State, fur such was his own opinion, Rod to this et.
fact he had long since published his sentiments to
the world. True indeed it was, that the wet had at
length arrived to so tit it was impossible to.
retract; bat thit ha Mien the first pert of
Shokspeare's text, 4° beware of entering into • quer.
rel." The Learned Lord then took a brief and
rapid review of the policy of the war, and remarked
that various occasions had offered for putting au
honourable termination to it. Much glory had
been obtained by the vigorous prosecution of it ;
but what was that glory ?—none to • starving pea.
pie. In the wants of the people the source of the
present discontents were to he found, and in their
wants Parliatneut ought to aympathise. No doubt
universal suffrage and auntie! psi llamado.** far from
offering a remedy to the evil, would its themselves
operate an evil of far greater turpitude; but
there was a cure for it—unite the people, in-
steed of endeavouring to separate them, and the
danger of these doctrines would be gone for ever.—
The Noble Lord then quoted some extracts from
a letter written by florae Tooke its the year 1782,
to Lord Asliburnhatn. against universel suffrage
and annual parliaments, in which the writer ad-
mitted that etery man had au equal right to a
Aare in the government of the country. but not ■
right to an equal share. The Noble Lord said,
that at the present moment, when it was the object
of Ministers to meet blasphemous publications by
the dissemination of religious tracts, if they thought
it advisable to correct erroneous political opinions
by the extensive publication of better principles,
they could not Roil • more effectual antidote to
universal suttaige than Mr. Tooke's letter. Ile
said that whatever his own sentiments might be
upon the question of perlienseutary reform, lie was
well pleased to learn the motion made by a Noble
Lord who sits in smother place (Lord John Russell),
of which it was now impossible to calculate the ad-
vantages. The great principle of reform was esta-
blished. and if there was a ladder extending. like
Jacob's, from earth to heaven, it was of advaidage
to be able to mount even one step. He was at all
times reedy to oppose force to violence. but he
warmly contended that there was no evidence that
violence was contemplated by the great body of
the people! on the contrary, he was well convinced
that the mass of the people were loyal and sound.
The laws bad not been auflicieutly enforced—there
was no prosecution for libel in tele, and but one
conviction in IWO I amid if he were not permitted
to use this argument to prove the negligence of the
Ministers, he was certainly entitled to apply in an-
other direction, to testify the absence of this crime,
of which so much had bees spoken.—(Heat.)
Earl DAIUILIT remarked, that the measure now
before the House was probably the most important
in the new cede which Ministers had prepared
for the consideration of the Legislature. He could
not agree with his Noble Friend who spoke lost,
that what be and his Noble Friends had urged
against these several Bills had been uttered in attn.
To their credit they had stood nobly for the pub.
lic rights of the country, mad interposed between
the Government end the people. The coosequeaces
of their exertions were to be saes is the improve.
astute which had already taken place in several of
their enectments, even these ts those alteration s
may, in easel, have been in another place.
The Noble Earl then reviewed the several Bills.
sad alluding to that which related to blasphemous

—gm
remarked upon the inconsistency of ad.
during the instance of Cathie's guilt, to prove the
iiseffieacy of the existing law, when it was notorious
that Cathie was effectually ruined by the convic-
tion and judgment pronounced 'monist him. The
law, then, upon this point. and certainly upon
mousy others, niitrt have been suffered to remain as
it was, provided the Government *mild rufarce it.
He admitted that such meetings as had recently
taken place ought not to he Puttered, fur they men
end in the subversion of the Government ; hot
what he had to complain of was, that the Gowen,.
meat had not taken such measures as might, if
timely adopted, hare prevented the occurrence of
each evils.—(fleue.)—He wordily deprecated the
principles of Universal Suffrage and Annual Pal.
liaments; but !waverer censurable one species of
Reform might be conceived, it was not a goal
season fur refermag eve" hind of Roraima I ha
therefore agreed with his Noble Friend in pp.
plauding the motion 'nude in thr lions. of Corn.
moos by Lord John Bondi. There was a danger
that Parliament and the country might be driven
by their fears rather to adhere pertibaciously to old
abuses, than to entertain the moat salutary species
of Reform; but this they should carefully avoid.
and it was the duty of their Lordships to shew that
Parliament and the people were bound by one
interest, and were actuated by an equal regard for
the general welfare.
Lord ELLENBOROUGH—Having recommended
to the House a clause, which, in his opinion, would
have effected a very considerable improvement isi
the Bill, he begged leave to say a very few words
upon the general character, before he gave his vote
for its final adoption. He was convinced, that by
an uniou alone between Parliament sod the coun-
try any great and serious advantage could he at.
tinned. and nothing could ensure this most salutary
union but by Parliament's 'hewing a disposition to
deal gently with the erring people, and to *yaws.
tinge iit their sufferings. He felt a very sincere
regret at FcCeial of the enactments in the present
Bill, particularly as they seemed to tufringe upon
the general poor:pies of the Constitution, yet he
felt the siecessil or voting for it. No man could
esteem inure highly then he did ilia constitu.
firms, advantage of popular meetings ; he
looked upon them as the source of that pub-
lic spirit wind, peculiarly diatiognished this coml.
try, and which gate in the whole fabric of the
constitution its life and energy ; he even firmly
believed that the late war had never been carried
on with ouch vigour and effect were it slot for the
occasional public meetings that were held to col.
peer the sense of the people, and concentrate their
united spirit mid resolution. %raking, a, he did,
public meetings, he yet voted for this Ball, fur he
felt that maiy of its enactments weut not to re.
went but to preserve the right to.aeitore to the
people a power they had by the modern practice
lost. that of free discisssion—and to the Parliament,
a power of the utmost advantage, that of being
enabled from public meetings to collect the opt-
nions of the country.—(Neer, heor.)--For, ac-
cording to the modern ',reciter. the real voice of
the public had no means of expression, for such
bodies of men stay traverse the country from one
point to another, marl outvote the very inhabitants
of the place ha which the meeting had been con.
veiled, by whirls memos a small number of persons
may, provided they have sufficient ac.ivi.y. give a
sembhowe of iiiiiiti)ers moil of nverwhel g maks.
faits upou subject w whicls they were interest.
ed. It would • well to consider what meetings
this Dill took assay and what they left. They lett
all those meetsi4, which were kilos'', to the consti.
tution untouched—all iliose meetings ahith existed
when the Bill of Rights, when the Art of Halmos
Corpus was passed—all those public meetings
which had existed diet log the Ind century and a
half. during which the country was gratltrale ad.
vancing in wealth stud p wet. What meeting.,
then, did the Bill prier ut ? It prevented 'nett-
nags like those *latch took place at 31moliester mat
Nottingham, where physical forcewas displa)ed for
the purpose of oppressing i r °vermeil% the delibe-
thine of the Legtelmure. Is iuu.i be UtillerCrd that
within a few I sir years a material change had bees,
effected is ii e Government nut only of this but of
almost every country in Europe. Ar ratio-taloa bus
been extended, it liar bruout public opi ii i ll MAO
iuumedsate contact with the respective Garen.-
memo, and such being the case, war it advisable to
add the isitioetire of physical force to the mural
power which that opinion *oust ever I.XCliCile It was
important that a perfect wool' should ever subsist
between the representative and comaitunat bodies ;
but if this union were drawn too closely, the advan-
large of avitig a distinct representative body might
be lost, :and the Government.. by being too
nearly influenced by the people. suigla acquire
that versatility of action which beiniog* to a
mob. If they gore to allow such meetings to
be held as they had lately witnessed, to which
the people may go armed, or if not armed,
may march at least in military array, under the
command of acknowledged leaders—if such meet.
togs 'Fete suffered to declare the constitution op.
premive, and then to disperse, quietly. indeed, as
they were told, hut to march back again with the
intention of being ready to attend iis a similar way.
at a similar meeting, until the work of violence was
ready to be commesiced—if such proceedings were
suffa•red, the Government could not stand vie
mouths, it must be dissolved in the universal coo.
tempt of the public. He spoke in praise of mita%
meetings, as being, from the amalluess of their
numbers, and the know., character of the publics
speakers, best calculated for discuseion. He (*psi.
dered this Bill a solemn warniog to the disaffected
that Parliament was alive to the danger of the MIL.
try, and determined to inert it ; it was also a
pledge to the loyal and peaceable that they would
be protected. Rebellios must be 'invested, and
it was better it should be put delta by laws than hi
arms—for if it once raised its head, they knew tot
the difficulties they would have to encounter. in
such a warfare, be would view with equal spine.

hertrion ir'irietey ee defeat—either would be equally
detrimental,* liberty.—(hear, hear.)—When the
!louse had passed the Bill now before them, they
would hive adopted all the rneisnres which the Mt-
Morro had prepared —but this r null not lie enough.
It war not safttietit to meet the danger ; If they
acid Itke statesmen, they thou hi examine the
sourcra.of the evil, and prevntt its ncunrncr, they
0104111 prat)e the womitls of the cauntry.--Olerre
The only way to put down disaffection was, top-cosi.
since the people that their Interests would be CutPf
fatly S' rout!, fur the present memiures would
tot he woithalie paper that contained them, it. point
of efficiency, male.. • i.wrrert unity of interest and
sentiment acre between Parliament and
the people. 1!y On. n 1,4114 alone emelt' they ob.
rip the full co,,h,lrurr tool sUppint or the people,
end inure the protre or the C..nalitution, of
which it might in one word be said that its chief
excellence consisted in making man a nobler heing
IR this country than he was in any other country
tinder heaven,.(f fear, hear )
E4rlGiosvuxou hat: heard wish pleasure the
Otte apteeli of the Noble Lord who had just sat'
(down, and would not have nto express his sem
timsids, as lie agreed in almost every thiog that
had fallen from him, if it was not for a petition
Which had been put intro his hand from the inhi-
bition's of the city of Westminster, praying 11.iit
they m'yht be exempted from the onenotion of the
Bill. The Petition was founded on what had
fallen from one of 14s Majesty's. Ministers (the Earl
of lborrovill) on a former night, in his place in
that•flonse, when lie contrasted the plod conduct
of the Westminster meetings with those of other
rlaces, it was therefore his intention to move a
dame by way of rider, that Weettninsier should
I.e exempted from the pains and penalties of the
Vitt.

The Fa►l Or LIVERPOOL ►ese 10 order. It wa•
impossible that ibe clause could now he proposed,
the only goeition before their leadships was,
whether tlw 13111 should poss.
Ilot.Loott said his Noble Friend could
'neve that the debate should he adjourned for half
I n hew, for the purpose of his lir...seating the
Petit ton.

• The Earl Of LIVENPOOL and Lord HOLLAND
mos welly explained.
'The LORD CNA Ncrt,Loß raid. that the (region
t., be put from the Wooloack was, whether this
1911 do now pass, mod atre could not be a new
I 1..n0r rubenitted.

rid Gaosvewout said, after the explanation
frcm the Woolsack, he s:tw it was too late to rub-
ton a climate by way of titter ; he would therefore
peeve, that the debate ►florid be adj..nrned, for the
rot r pore of their Lordships earnsiuuig the contents
1t .e parchment which hr held in his hand, which
to tat he the meow of their Lordship, raying tltrt
rite 11,11 should not paw

The Earl of IiA6ROWBT staled, there was an
1 bkrtion, in point of form, as to the Petitiors be.
jag met ;red, as the Noble Emil had stated that it
e.a. t•roundrd on a report of what had been said by
N.•b!e Lord in his place in that Home: this in
itself was • salleieut ground why the Petition
►howl." not be received. Hut if leis recollection
served him, he was certain be had not, on a former
ercanim, said any thing as to the good or hid con•
duct of the Westminster meetings: all that lie had
said was, that the mee•ings which took place for-
Minty in Westimineter were quite different from
'lone that were lately held, for then they were held
111 Witflltiffillef Hall, and not in the open air.
Earl GROSVENOR consented to withdraw his mo-
tion for the adjournment of the debate.
The Ea►l of BLESINTON said that, on Lot
right, lie had moved • clause to exempt Ireland
teem the operation of the 11111, bat it was nega-
tived. Ile had, however, the consolation of know.
log that he had done kis duty. It was a measure
that was not adequate fur that country, when he
embittered all the circumstances of her sufferings,
cso•rd by that Act, which he looked on with hor-
ror (the Unit's.). which deprived her of her aristo•
rely and gantry to fill the coffers of this country.
Vet the people remained quiet ; they were trod by
the drenagogues of this country, and they repulsed
them. ■ud so there was no danger to be apprehended
turn meeting+ in Ireland. At the awe of the
Winn it was held out by the Minister of the day to
the Protestants of Ireland, that the question of
I.:101,1m Emancipation should never be brought
forna►d again in Parliament, Hod it was held out to
the Catholics that Emancipation should be granted
to them, and neither promises were fulfilled ; OM]
to fill op the measure of her misery. she was to conic
tinder the operation of the present Bill. Ile should
therefore give notice, that he would, after the re.
• esn, move for • Committee of the whole House to
is quire into the state of Ireland.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, he Lad on • for-
mer night stated his remove' shy the operation of
the Bill they'd extend to lr?land, and he would
not take up their Lordshtps' time by repeating
•tor, He could not, however, pars in tile' ce the
attack of the Noble Earl OH the Act of Union, after
►o many years had passed since that important Act
took place, and the number of 3 ears that the Noble
Esti had sat io that House without ever sa3ing a
word on the subject. He denied the charge alio-
vrther that there web ever a promise hild out by
the Minister, then at the head oh the Administration,
to either the Protestant', or the Catholics of Ire-
land. Motive to Catholic Emancipation ; the speech
oldies RI& Him. Gentlensm, ou proposing the
Act of Uttion, was on record, and there was no
such pstsagr in it. As to the coffers of this consi-
st,. being filled by Ireland siesta the Union, lie
would call to the Nobk Earl's fecollection, that
thiscotbstry hail time that period taken on herself
Ilse debt of Ireland, and daring the war she h■d
never bell elated by the property tee.
The Earl of Buismos explained.
The Bill was then 'tabbed.
The Irish Election Regulation Bill went through
s Committee, and the clauses agreed to without any
a mend meat.
The blouse resumed, and the Report was ordered
to be brought up to•murrow.
Their Lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, limo Alf, Dualism 21.

row fur on Account of the Amount of tl.r //corvine of Great
Britain, from ther.th Jemmy uIl the frili °thaw, IVI9.
lint for various other papers connected with the subject of
finance.

F.N Tit DE.
Mr.lll4urntx slot gave stotieo, that immmlillety rater
the feces' hr thouhl mote for leave to brinc in ft 13111 to
in new the b,,,,. craotcd on the iminniaiiiin of Irish
!men, the present Art bring limited to tAllile ill Marcia,
In2o.

NORWICH GAS LIGHT.
The Norwich' Ges Liebt Bill glee read a accoad time, sad
ordered to be cuemasitted.
FINANCE.
Mr. alaseate pee metier, that be should more to-emor.
• .