The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-03-27 00:00:00

SLAVE PIRACY BILL.

Mr. CANNING, in rising to move the third reading of the
/Slave Piracy Bill, observed, thst he regretted very much that he
bad to do it in tho absence of his Hon. Friend the Member for
Br+m►xr (Mr. Wilberforkl, un whose arrount the third reading
bid been twice postponed: but he could state to the House, that
his lion. Friend had stated his admiration of the measure, and
mailed it as the nowt effectual step that could have been taken for
tie complete suppression of the traffic in slaves. He moved that
cle Bill should be read a third time:

.....
Sir J. MACKINTOSH was desirous of expressing the great
tatiataction he ft It at the treaty which had just been concluded be.
tween this country and America. Ile remembered a time when, it
the subject of abolishing the slave trade was mentioned in that
lionse, that odious trajic found strenuous advocates and supporters
in weir navy, the Senate, the press, and the pulpit ; and it ass
'Medici that their station was so happy, tint they enjoyed a perfect
Par len; and he recollected a great naval officer in that House de-
picting the condi iiat of the negro slaves in very ghwing colours, and
stating their means of comfort to be so numerous and various, that
re hid often envied their condition, and had been almost tempted
to wish that lie hail hen born s negro slave. The friends vet the
Irtat•te•-•e were thin very few, and they were represented as religious
enthusiasts and disturbers of the public peace : and here lie must
do justice to the absent ; it was left to his lion. Friend, the Member
for Winchilser (Mr. Brougham), to put a very formidable check on
the proceeding of these tueo•thieves, by enacting the law that made
it a capital off.e.i.c to be engaged in man-stealing. His versatile
'mind enabled him to take all objects in his grasp, and his compre.
Itmsive genies afforded him leisure for every pursuit. lie must
Aetna express his satisitc.ion at the conclusion of this treaty ; its
itaracter was moat auspicious, and would cement that friendship
el. the two countries which had originated in comniou descent. Ile
was happy to see that the two great maritime Powers of the world,
wko ware naturally jealous of their rights, had sacrificed that
:eakrusy to the cause em humanity, thu way having been led by the
noble example of England.
The Bill was then read a third time anti passed.
A Massage from the Lords announced that their Lordships had
agreed to seseral public and private Bills.
coUNTY COURTS BILL..

four officers of Counsel had a salary of 541. each AIMSSt given to
'them, in placeof the fees taken out of their pockets by the death-
mark Bill wrung Into a law. There was also the Engrosser in the
Exchequer,- Gord Wm. Bentinck, who upon the making Crown
leases being in some degree transferred to the Board of Works, the
Noble Lord received a compensation. With respect m the protho-
notariesof the Common Pleas in Ireland, the same principle pre-
vailed, and had continued from the reign of 111. up to the
last year ; and his object was to propose a resolution, that an an-
nual sum should he granted in the Committee to the particular
aliens he had already named, together with the principal Protho-
notaries of the Courts of (ireat Scasions in %Vale's, and he had no
doubt he should have the concurrence of the Noble Lord in this
proposition.
Lord A LT/lORP had no doubt that such a clause as that pro-
posed would greatly facilitate the passing of his Bill ; but at the
same time, before the country was saddled with such a burden.
they should have good reason before they acted on the principle of
compensation. Ile knew any opposition to that clause wauld en.
danger the passing of his Bill. and therefore he hesitated before he
decided as to the course which he should pursue. The Learned
Uentlenian had cited precedents, but the only one which bad any
analogy was that of Southwark, and that was a ease in which the
comperarition was not paid out of the pockets of the public. (Hear,
hear.) He hat also cited another instance in Ireland, and he lined
Althorn) could also cite one much stronger in the ease of the alter-
ation of the Civil Bill Courts, where no compensation was given.—
Such an example from Irelsed was of much snore importance than
any that could be cited in its favour by reports in this country.
Those offices, he contended, should be no more protected than the
property of the Learned Gentlemen, who, in case of road improve-
ments, never thought of asking compensation in ease a road was
diverted from the neighbourhood of their properties. The Noble
Lord concluded by moving as as amendment, that it would be
most dangerous in any attempt at empowering the jurioinidence of
the country to admit such precedents, as it would make it neces-
sary to impose fresh burdens on the people whenever such im-
provements were made.
Mr. M. A. TAYLOR concurred with the principle of his No-
; ble Friend, but something further should at the same be tone, and
freeholds not destroyed without compensation ; that compensation,
however, to be fair and just. When persons had obtained places
upon the faith of Parliament—when they had enjoyed them for
years, it would he too hard to deprive them of the means of their
subsistence. Annual officers had no right to compensa.iun. and none
but those who had a patent place and a vested interest in them were
fairly entitled to it. He wished his Noble Friend would accede to
I the clause of the Attorney.lieneral, and not risk a Bill of this sort
for such a sun as 11,0001. a year. Under these circumstances he
should yore for the clause.
Sir GEORGE ROSE thanked the Noble Lord for the Industry
he had expended on this very interesting purpose; bat hoped, at
the same time, that he would agree to the justice of making com-
pensation to persons whose interests would be affixted by his 11111.
31r. LITTLETI)N thought that compensation should be
made to the Chief Clerk of the Court of king's Bench, who de-
' pended upon it principally for his support. In Mall where persons
had a ferry, and when a bridge was to be built, the owner of the
terry was always compeneated, even though no bridge was subse-
',inertly built ; and the principle, he thought, fairly applied to the
different officers whose emoluments would, it was admitted, be
diminished by one-fourth by the bill of the Noble Lord. lie (Mr.
Littleton) was free to admit that the Bill before the House was
likely to prove highly useful to the public; but its operation should
not be accompanied by an act of injustice to a meritorious class of
officers.
Mr. L. FOSTER supported the Bill.
Mr. J. SAIITH said, measures of this description were always
looked upon with extreme jealousy by him. He inspected this Bill
with the greatest minutene a, but lie could find nothing objectiona-
ble. He thouelit the officers lied a fair daim to compensation ; it
was said the offices were not abolished ; the salaries were only cut
down. This, in his opinion. made out a stronger case for the
officers ; for when the office wax abolished altogether the individual
was at perfect liberty to take his talus' and endowments to another
' quarter; but in the latter case he was stuck up in his office, and
could make no use of his qualifications. He would, therefore,
support the measure.
Mr. BANKS considered the fees and emoluments derived from
these offices in the light of a freehold. He was friendly to the
system, but thought the principle should not be extended as it was
in Ireland : in that country sonic of the Courts were put upon
the same footing as here, and the result was, an unreasonable com-
pensation was given to some individuals. The measure should not
be acted upon at present; the extent of its operation should first be
known. lie wished to know precisely on what scale the compensa-
tion should he given. It would, in his opinion, te preposterous
to be voting the public money by anticipation. He would there-
fore wait for twelve months, to see in what state the offices were,
and the amount of the compensation required.
The SOLICITOR-fiENERAL adopted the principle of the
Member fur Corfe Castle, that we should not vote by anticipation.
assuming as he did that the doctrine of compensation was correct.
He admitted that there were prospective events which should be
well considered before money was taken out of the public purse.
These deices should be looked upon as the asylums of property as
well as of justice. No injury could be done by the passing of this
Bill, for there was no compensation given for the loss of rever-
sionary offices. It was confined to those which were held by patent.
%When an uffice is held by an individual upon the score of quell&
cations, it should be looked on as a contract between the public and
that individual, and the office should be looked upon in the light of
private property. If these individuals were deprived of their corn.
pulsation, the rule should not be confined to them ; it should be
extended to all. If an alteration was made in the mode of convey-
ing the inheritance of fee-simple proprrty,. by getting risi of fines
' and recoveries, the officers holding situations under the present
system should be considered. If the register offiees in Middlesex
and Yorkshire were to be abolished, the principle of compensation
should be extended to the persons who were losers. The officer: of
the Palatinate Court of Durham should be also ren.unerated, and
should be placed on the same footing as those of the King's superior
Courts. He was one of those who watched a principle of this kind ;
but without pledging himself to vote by anticipation, he would sup-
port its general tenor.
Mr. A BERCROM BY would be happy if he could look on the
principle of the manure as favourable to the interests of the coon.
try ; but after the most mature consideration be could give the,
subject, he could not see it in this point of view. He certainly did
rot think it fair, that when a man received an office, with the un-
derstanding be was to take fees to a certain amount ; fur instance.
a half-crown, and he should be called upon afterwards to take a
shilling ; neither did he think it right that the public should be
bound so closely by their contract, as to be prevented from making
an attempt at amelioration ; a system such as would be a comple:e
obstacle in the way of improvement. To carry the measure fairly
into effect, no time should be lost ; notice should be given to all
those who in future obtained situations, that no compensation was
to be given ; also other persons who lost their income by any im-
provement which went to the diminution of their properties, hail
the same right to compensation as these individuals; and yet if
such persona presented a petition to the House for that purpose,
;hey would be laughed to scorn. It was a delightful reflection for
the public to know, that no scheme for improvement could be car-
ried Into effect without being clogged by such a heavy expense for
compresation. As to the complaints made of the ruin to individuals
by this alteration, there was a case under our daily observation,
which might with as much propriety be complained of; he meant
the alteration of a mad : to his own knowledge the alteration of a
road, even by a half mile from a village, inflicted ruin on entire fa-
; milks, and reduced them to indigence, and yet it was never contem.
• plated to give these persons compensation ; what, he would ask,
ruined them? an Act of Parliament. The people possessed a pro-
: petty in the road by immemorial custom, as well as the officers held
their situations by the law ; it was therefore unjust to extend the
principle contained in this measure to one party and deny it to the ;
other. lie also Objected to the time of bringing forward this min-
sure; the injury had not yet happened ; it was possible it might not
happen ; and thus the Bowe was legislating, as the Member for
Corte Castle observed, by anticipation ; he would oppose the inea-
sure.

The ATTORN EY. GENERA L morel that the House should
resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House on the Carmen-
sett= to Officers in Westminster and Courts of Session BilL In
timers this Competuation Bill. he begged leave to state, that its
newory tesulted from a Bill brought forward by the Noble Lord
opposite (Althorn). Several Acts of Parliament, so far back as the
reign of Henry VI. allowed certain offices to the Chief Justices of
the Court of King's Bench and Common Pleas, which they had
ever since a right to sell. Whether such a power as the sale of
of thoold be continued in these Justices, was not now the guts-
; but sae tieing was clear, that the situation of Chief Clerk of
the Kiog''s Punch was always meld by the Justice of the King's
Beath until tie: lime of Lord Ellenboroegh, who refused so large I
a sum as seventy thousand poutuis for that office, and conferred it
on his son. There were also other offices, such as the Protho-
CONlieS of the Common Pleas, which were also sold, and for whom
he now sought comps 141..1011, as well as the Secondaries appointed by
than. He also clamed compensation for the Master of the Pleas side
of the Exchequer, and for the first Attorney of the Exchequer,
wits bed no other means of living than what his salary afforded
him. The Master of the Roll Office was smother to be considered.
He only claimed compensation for persona who paid the taxes,
who bad rested interests to their places, and who performed well
the duties of their offices. The MU of the Noble Lord (Althotpi
d Au**, one-fourth of theeniolu menu of those officers, and pre lasso
for whet was so taken away compensation should be made; and the
sum required for that ob;eet would not be more titan GAO& a-year.
Theptinciple for which he contended was expressly agreed to by
various Reports, but particularly that of 1798 (see folio 12), when the
public were benefited by an alteration of offices. The public
heuid make compensation, and he really believed that the Bill of
the Viable bold Would prove highly advantageous to the interep
of the public. While the emoluments of these officers would bit
dinarlthed by transferring part-of the duty and fees to other Courts,
they shotild be recompensed, particularly as those individuals were
still bound to have the same Offitel, and pay the same taxes. It'
might perhaps be right to take off the mcumbrances respecting
the media of copyhold property; but if they were, surely the
Lords of Jlaners should be compensated for that change, so bale-
ti.-tal to the public. In the reign of William 111. a spree of
writ existed, called a Caplet pro fide. that was uthsoquently found
a t.-rlevanee, and altogether done away ; but compensation was
sAll glade to the officers who usually Mimed them. The
same., principle extended to other officers. MA was recognised
by *tor Ramona of Committees of this Mouse. He might
ci is %event) instances to rapport this Opi„ e • rinei_ but that
ot .the Southwark Court of Maralrioes altioded the most
praczieal Meta:tee ; ter, is the abolition of that Court, the

originally Wnri." LOOM. per annum Inul increased to 1,5001.. and if
the party had surrendered the 4dditional Mlet. to the publit, he
would think hint entitled to compensation, but he did not think it
right to compensate an person for incidental injuries.
Mr. ABERCRO3IBY wished to know how long the system of
compensation was to last ; was it for the life of the par 7 or not ?
if it was continued only fix the lives of the parties, sod t. the par-
ties died. the loss to the Chief Justices on the second vale would
be diminished. as then• world be no compensation given.
The ATI'OIINEY-GENERAL raid. hi. Intention wax to give
compensation only to those who had life offices The system of
compensation was to stop when their lives hud expired ; for this
course he had a precedent in the Bill brought into the House by
the 1a c Mr. l'onsonby, which had for its object the prohibiting
the sale of the office of 3laster io Chancery in Ireland. These
offices could not be sold b law in this country, and it was doubted
ehether the sale of diem n Ireland wits lawful, but it 5i.25 warrant-
ed by custom. The object of Mr. l'onsonby's BM was to allow
those persons who b,tught the employments to sell them, but the
power of male was to be limited to them ; but this could nut be
considered as a compensation to the fins buyer; as of eour,e hie
sale wax depressed, as the second buyer was not allowed to sell.
Sir J. NI;WPORT said, the cause of Mr. Ponsonby's Bill
was, there was no law in Ireland respecting compensation. In
Igtiti the situation of Master in Chancery was vacant, and was
given to a gentleman upon the express condition that he should not
sell it.

After a few observations from the ATTORNEY-GENERAL,
MT. SY EA, and Sir P. 0••••sr Er, the (MAW iOll was agreed to.
Mr. M. A. TAYIA/11 suggested, that the county clerk of the
county palatine of Durham should be included in the list of those
who were entitled to compensation under this Bill. By the opera.
ties of it his present emoluments would be materially affected, and
he thought that his character and services were such as entitled him
to compensation, similar to that provided for other officers included
in the Bill.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, on several Members bearing
testimony to the propriety of this officer's name being Included in
the Bill, acceded to its insertion. It was accordingly included in
the list of officers entitled to co•npensation, according to the pro.'
visio:is of the mi. Much laughter was cached by a difference of
opinion, whether this officer should be styled " Clerk of the
County Palatine" or " County Clerk of the Palatine of Durham."
Sir F. OM 31.1 N N EY proposed that Mr. Edge. the treasurer and
receiver of the Court of Hug's Bench, be also included in the list
of officers to whom compensation was allowed. He was a most
meritorious officer, and entitled to the advantages proposed by
,the present Bill.
The ATTORNEY -GENERAL had but one objection to the
insertion of this officer's name; it was simply this, he was nee
aware that there was any such officer. (A laugh.)
Sir F. 03131 AN NEY did not appear there to be ridiculed ; he
rood forward to espouse the interests of those who had claims on
the country ; and if he had miscalled the officer to whom he alluded,
It was only a verbal error; the Honourable and Learned Gentleman
knew who he meant.
Sir F. BLAKE was of opinion, that in considering the claims
for compensation, some compensation ought to be made to the
House fur loss of time. (A laugh.)
Sir F. 03131ANNEY, after a short desultory conversation, was
unwilling to absorb the time ot the House any longer, and consented
to withdraw the motion.—Agreed to.
The several resolutions were then passed, and the Report was or-
dered to be brought up on Monday.
COUNTY COURTS BILL.
The Hon. 0. BENNET proposed, that the Alien Bill and
Slave Piracy BiU should have precedence of the County Courts
Bill.
Mr. PEEL was of opinion that there would be sufficient time,
after the County Counsitilt, for the disposal of the orders that stood
for that evening.
Lord ALTHORP then moved that the House should resolve
itself into a Committee on the County Courts Bill. He proposed in
Committee, that a clause should be introduced into the Bill,
vesting the appointment of assessor in the Crown, and not in the
Custos Bottilonitn. nor in the Judges, lest local partialities, by the
possession of such power, might induce than to be attached to that
particular circuit in which their influence and patronage were ever.
31r. PEEL was of opinion that the right of appointment should
not be vested either in the Custos Rotulorum, the Judge of Af4lile,
or the Sheriff, but in some person responsible tor the manner in
which the duty of the office was performed. The Sheriff was a
temporary officer, and it would not be earnestly contended that the
appointment should be vested in him. The Judges, in his opi-
nion, ought only to be answerable for their judicial conduct. It
was not on the supposition or suspicion that any Judge would
be saleable of malvenustion in their appointments, that he objected
so this right of appointnteut being vested in them, but on the ge-
neral principle of the polies of divesting them of any responsibility,
save that witich the discharge of their high duties and peculiar
functions imposed upon them. To show that he did not seek for
any Ministerial influence in the objections, he would propose to
limit the number of places from seventy, which was the number
proposed by the Bill, to seven or eight. These might go circuits of
the several towns; a higher salary might be given to them propor-
tionate to their labours and deserts, and the duty performed in a
more satisfactory manner than by assessors resident in the county or
district, with whom local partialities and influences might be soy •
potted to interfere.
The .ITTORNEY-GENERAL said that 35,0001. would be
the sum required for the salaries of the assessors, according to the
present Bill, as a competent person could not be procured to dis-
charge the duties of it under a salary of Mel. An arrangement
similar to that proposed by his Rt. Hon Friend (air. Peel) might,
he thought, be adopted with considerable advantage and saving so
the public.
Lord EASTNOR thought that many competent persons might
be found in the country to discharge the duties of the situation of
assessor.
Mr. GREY BENNET was unwilling that so large a sum ee
35,0001. should go to the payment of 'seventy new officers, wboes
duties might be done for &smaller sum and by fewer persons.
Mr. R. Salyut and laud A I.THOor thought the clause of the
Right lion. Secretary was worthy of attentive rinsideration, and
therefore proposed that the consideration of it be postponed.
Mr. PEEL said, that with regard to a similar office in Ireland,
that of Assistant-Barrister, he found, when in that country, that
barristers who were sent to several districts to preside on such occa.
sions, were always found more efficient in the discharge of their
.duties than those who were resident in a particular district, and
where local partialities might interfere.
Mr. 110BHOUSE was adverse to the appointment of seventy
new places, although any apprehension of its interference with the
independence or integrity of the Bar formed Do part of the ground
of his objection to it. He was unwilling to speak harshly of any
body or profession ; but he really thought there was no great in.
tegrity in the bar. No change, in his opinion, would be created in
the character of the members of that body, who doubtless looked
more to the honour than to the einolument of the situation (a
laugh), although all the appointments were all tilled up. by such
persons. Ile had always noticed in that body a disposition that
aimed at a dependent character ; and though the expression were
harsh, he would add that they seemed to him a set ot men who set
up their abilities for sale. Those who resided in the country
had a greater interest to be honest in the discharge of the
duties of such a situation as that suggested by the present
Bill. They had the good opinion of their respective neigh-
bourhoods to cultivate, and were generally found zealous sad
active in the discharge of the duties confided to them. A jury
had to determine the question at issue as well as the Judge,
and with that protection he really felt but little fear for the safety
of the public. He certainly had no objection to give such ahem
tions to the Cestudrs Rolulornm of counties. But with the send.
menu that he had already expressed, feeling that the integrity of
the Bar was nut likely to suffer from the extension of them ap.
pointments, he should at all events agree to the clause.
Mr. BERNAL dissented from the opinion expressed by the
Member for Reigate. that any Gentleman was capable of discharg-
ing the offices created under the Bill. It WIN obvious to all. that
questions of the nicest eharacter were not unfrequetitly determined
Inch " "

Air. SYKES thought, if the measure were to-come clogged with iis ases where the amount for the recovery of wt.,. . the action was
these tle.nands for compensation, it would be better to abandon it brought did not exceed ten pounds. Questions upon the value of
altogether. If the principle were assented to in one case, it should evidence frequently arose in such cases, and no man but an expo.
be extended to all the separate jurisdictions in England. ricnced barrister would be competent to determine these points.
Mr. R. SMITH thought the measure should not be carried far- Mr. SYKES said, that when he proposed that provincial barristers
ther until the House had the benefit of experience, should till the stations in quotation, it was not hunt any opinion that
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said, that he could adopt the provincial practitioner was an inferior animal, hut frian the
that course which was to be followed by ill persons in similar ctr. supposition that he was better acquainted with the blthiCClii likely to
cumstances. He would introduce clauses into the Bill which be brought under discussion.
would satisfy the Committee; but it seemed to be forgotten by the After a few words from Mr. Secretary PEEL and the AT..
Gentlemen opposite, that if he did take the prevent course, he would TORN EY-GEW E II AL, the clause was postponed.
not be in a eoNdition to go before the Cianntittec. Ile would Mr. HORIMUSE propos•11 is to add a clause enabling parties
' pledge himself to produce before the Committee such clauses as to sue where the cause of action arose.
' would be agreeable to them ; and he would assert, that money From the noise in the gallery we could not ascertain whether the
should not be given to any individual upon a speculative loss clause was postponed or agreed to.
in their offices, but upon those losses which experience from Air. LOCKHART suggested the expediency of increasing the
year to year %hewed they had incurred. Ile thought the power under the Act, from ten to twenty pounds.
officer of the Palatinate of Durham was entitled to remunera. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (domed at present to the
tion, but the place held by him nut being valuable,hc was induced proposed increase. When the measure was carried into effect
I not to mention it in the Bill, as it would make little or no difference upon a limited scale, it wild be very easy to carry into effect the
in the sum he required. The losses to sonic individuals were neither proposition of his Hon. Friiind, if it were deemed expedient.
incidental nor speculative, as writs one quarter as numerous as 'I he CHAIRMAN then kit the chair, reported prove's, and
those issued by the Court of King's Bench were issued by them. asked leave to sit again on Monday.
The measure, he conceived, would be a great public henctit, and ALIEN BILL.
he was sure die public would not purchase it at the loss and ex- The second reading of the .Mien Bill was postponed until Tues.-
pense of an individual. • day.
31r. HUME wished to know, if the principle was allowed, where CUSTOMS' DITTIES BILL
they were to stop: the officers ofevery hundred Court in the coon_ The House resolved itself into a Committee on the Customs
try would have a right to it. Ile did not approve of the election Acts, on the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
of those officers who were to receive compensation ; it should be Mr. BRIGHT thought, at that late hour (twelve o'clock), it
announced to all ti•.ose who procured situations in future, that when would he very inconvenient to go into thins Committee.
any attempt should in future be made at improvement, no compen- The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed, that
tenon should be made to them. lie wished the measure was post-
poned until the next yvar. He wished to know why the Chief by allowing him to make his proposition the lion. Member would
not lase the opportunity of opposing this measure, if he thought it
Justices should be allowed to sell certain offices. his duty so to do. His object was now to move a resolution, that
The ATTORNEY-GENERA I, 14.1:(1, the sclaries of the Chief
w
instead of reducing
Justices were lower than those el the other Judges, and therefore the import duties on foreign rail, on the :oh
July. from lid. to liL he would would move that the proposition
they had a eight to sell these situations.
Mr. HUMS thought the present Chief Justices should be al- of certain persons interested in the wool trade be adopted, and that
lowed to retails this right; but upon their deaths the odious system onithe 10th September they should be reduced M. to the pound,
and on the 11th December 2d. in the pound additional, leaving a
should be done away with, duty of Id. per pound. There were a great variety of articles,
. Lord MILTON conceived, hp this mode of proceeding the
rirht of making any attempt at improve-loosely made amt partially manufactured from wool of this country,
public would purchase the
meat id the administration of the laws, when any indirect low was the exports on which should he subject to an ad valorem duty of
indicted by such a measure on the individuals ; upon the principle 16 per cent. ; and he should further propose that a duty of 2d. in
of this Bill, the stewards of all the inanor.courts would be enut Width
i the pound should be imposed tan the exports of long wool grown in
to remuneration, as their fees would be diminished. The Member y.
fur Durham claims compensation for an individual with whom he countr
Mr. CALCRAFT observed, that as he understood this to be
was connected : by the word conoecteti he meant nothing invidious merely a measure on which the Right Honourable Gentleman
He spoke of a local connexion. The demand, he thought, was meant to found a Bill, be should not trouble the
to one it should to all.(ammCommitteefur-
reasonable; for if compensation was ire' gI thew than by observing that hecould not sec the policy of reducing
1 The claim for compensation would, in his opinion, be reasonable, I the export duties out raw materials.
if, whey the business of the Courts increased to its present great ex- Mr. BRIGHT entreated the House, before they broke down the
tent, the parties had given up to the public the 'excess of their fees monopoly which had been instituted for the protection of the wool
and ensoluinenta over their original 'slaty ; if, for instance, a place trade, to Inquire serial* into the consequences attached to the

sent holders are expected to take the threes at 13 francs
, . pay them off, the three gnat
measure. He thought all the Wools should be pit upon so equal of the Ave per cent. stock into that of three, the
the immense fund'
,cv,
footing. and they ought to receive • drawback. Prfro:
31r. W ESTERN said, that the exporter paid the duties on
foreign wool in the first instance; but they ultimately were paid by every hunt.ted ; if they object, the Government, it is yid,
er the
ulkoianng wtoillsur.)ly
the British manufacturers; and precisely in the same way would
the duties on the exports of long wool be paid by the foreign ma-
nufacturers. .
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that it was
cabypinitallitsltss undertaking
Mr. was on his way to facia, perfectly true what the Hon Member for Essex had said ; but I that purpose. listing c),.
somethink was due to the Prejudices even or interested persons. , the purpose of concluding the arrangements. itsy...•
i when it was proposed to abrogate laws that hail been cherished so —Battu ,3
I long by the Legislature ; and therefore he bail made the duty N., the new stock were already transacted in oar money m2l.
not pledging himself as to the length of time it should continue at ket yesterday; and the French three per cents. were
that ; and if it should be found to act i a a prohibition %Aiwa the selling
export of long wool, it might he reduced. in the afternoon at 80, thus bearing a premium of Seem.
Sir. STUART %MUTE!: V protested amainst this as a tempo. cent. This is a pecuniary arrangement to an am ount hi.
nary measure. He thought wool had a right to protection as an ~
article of produce of this country. No greet quantity, probably, s'ierto unprecedented ; the 61110 is of startling megoit 1
tke,
would go out of the country as wool, bit
al; tre-at deal would go as and one we should have conceived it almost itnpossible f
yarn. He begged of the Chancellor of e xchequer to delay his individuals It
tuesatire till the 3th July. 1:13. by any effort to supply ; but the capital aid
3lr. CRI PI'S was confident then was no more wool grown than daring speculation of this country is now t gital to almost
was necessary for the manufactures of this country, and therefore
approved of the export duty being at 'AI. instead of Id. anything. Thus three individuals, two of them British tact.
Mr. W. SNI I I'll thought nothing would be gained by bringing chants, will hold in their hands the entire debt of Fran;.,
the question forward in a hasty manner.
3lr. CALCRAFT expressed an opinion that even the discussion .
l'he endmtaking is, indeed, a mighty one.
of this night would enable the House to judge of public opinion. as
to the measure, and it was important that some understanding
should be come to on a question to vitally interesting.
The CHANCI:LLOR of the EXCHEQUER repeated, that
the id. would not be allowed to operate as a prohibition ; he did
not mean to limit the time for the operation of the duty, and if it
was found to act as a prohibition, it might be repealed.
1 Sir Si. W. RIDLEY asked the Right lion. Geatlemau what
measure was intended with regard to the duties on coals ? The
river was full ; but the merchants were at a less how to act in coa-
-1 sequence of the unsettled state of the duties.
The CHA NCELIA3II. of the EXCHEQI'ER said, that the
question stood undecided; a resolution hail raw (1 respecting conk
which would be introduced into the Bill for the alteration of the
Customs' Duties. He was not prepared to say more on the subject
at that time. The Right Hon. Gentleman then moved a resolution,
embracing the propositions he had made, and other alterations re-
specting the Customs.
The -HOLM then resumed. The resolutions were reported, and
the Report ordered to be received on Monday.
The other Orders of the Day we-a then disposed of, and the
House adjourned at One &Cloth to Monday.

PitiCEi OF BRITISH ST
Bank Stock
3 per Cent Reduced.
3 per Cent. Cons. 944 5
35 per Cent
4?..x Cent.
New 4 per Cent. 109
lxing Annuities.
Imperial 3 per Cents. 94
Bank for Account 2451 4485
Cons. for Act. 944
India Stock
PRICES OF FOREIdIN
Austrian Scrip, 144 j 4 6 45
Ditto for Account 144 6 44 5 45
Ditto paid in lull.
Chilian Iklr. 82 14
Ditto torAcc.B2if
Colontb. Bnds. i 74 ri 64 7
Do. for Acct. 87i 84 8 74 4 64 7
Danish Bonds 994
Do. Marks Banco- 98
Greek Scrip. par 14 die.
Mexican Scrip, 7 761
Do. for Ac. 71 6$ 74 61 7
Neapolitan lids 944 64 6
Ditto for Account 95
Portuguese Scrip 51 45 pr.
Ditto Bonds 93
Ditto for Account
Prussian Bonds, 100
Ditto for Account
Peruvian Scrip. 77i

'OOO4 YE4TEIIDA V.
India Bonds. 711 pr.
India fur Account,
South Sea Stock,
South Sea Old Annuities
South Sea New Annuities
Ea. Dills. 1,0001. 51 53 pr.
Ditto, 6014. 51 54 pr.
Dit•',Small, 51 54 pr.
Indorsed ditto
Lottery Tickets, 251. 19s.

COURSE OF EXCH.
Amsterdam C. F. 12 1
Ditto, at sight - 11 18
Roust Assn 12 2
Antwerp . . 12 5
Hamburgh 37 6
Altona - 37

i'ITR:KS YESTERDAY.
Russian lids. 90i 5/ 64 si 6
Russian for Acct. !kid 1
Russian Inscription
Exchange per ruble
Ditto Metallic Stock (Daring)
Ditto (Sillitit's)
Span. Cons. 204 A 1 1
Ditto for Acct. 204
Ditto 170 6.235 lids.
Ditto lii
Do. i per Cis. (1023) 171 1 10
Ditto 1061. 3s. Dotols,
Ditto (1820)
Anglo flex. Mines 51 6 pr.
United Ditto
Ftench }lento', 102 f. 76c. 26c.
SOc. 103 f.
Do. Es. 25f. SOc. She. 60e.
Do. Scrip. 141 151 141 151 pr.
Ditto for Acct. 141 161 13 14 pr.

NUE YESTERDAY.

Leghorn
Geumt

. . 4';
. . 431

Venice -
Malta -

-. .
Paris, 3 days' sight 25 ra;
Ditto - - 25 00

flour%lean: - 25 811
Berlin - - 7 10
Frankfort-on-the-31aiii 156

Petasburgh 9
Vimna - 10 9
friate . - 10 9
Madrid -35 i
Cadiz .
Bilbna
Harcelor.a 3i
Seville
Gibraltar -30 i

Naples . 3ill
Palermo 113
Lisbon Ulf

Oporto - - 41
Rio .laaciro - 41
Bahia - - 60
Dublin - 9
9
Cork - -

Elite Orttiolt alrelso.

KING'S THEATRE.
This Evening, SATl'llllll,%,March 27. will be performed
RICCIARDO MM.% IDE.
The Moak by Signor itoeentL
Principal Performers—Madame Colbran Rossini. Signore Garcia.
Curloin, Porn.. trancesehl, Madame Graslent, and Madame Vestals.
fatal ut the Opera. new Ballet. entitled
LE SONGE trOSSIAN.
Applications for BOX!' and Single Subscriptions (or the Season to be
made to Mr. Seguin. MS. quadrant. Regent-street.

NEW TIfEA7'RE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.
Tlthi Evening. S iTUR DAY. Nevelt 27. will be performed
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR.
Fenton. Mr. Bratham Sir John Falstaff. Mr. Dierton. Mra. Ford.
Mite Stephens: Mrs. Page. Mime Cahill.
After which, the admired Faree of DEAF AS A POST.
TowneJude with the BeMet of
SPANISH GALLANTS.

THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT-GARDE??.
ThD Evening. SATURD IV. March n. will be performed
PRIDE SHALL HAVE A FALL.
Cou:.t Ventoeo. Mr. W. Fut rens Stefano. Mr. Egerton; Lorenzo, Mr.
Cooper ; F.wrento, Mr. Joon. Victoria, Milli Paton.
To conclude with the Opera of
CLARI.

THEATRE ROYAL ENGLISH OPER.I-HOUSE.
MR. M AT'.EWS AT HOME!
This Evening. SATURDAY, March '7,
And on MOND XYS, THURSDAYS. and sA'rCRDAYtt.
With his ANNUAL LECTCRE on PECULIARITIES. CHARACTER,
and MANNERS;
Founded on Observationsand Adventures during hla late
A TRIP TO AMERICA.
lu Three Parts.
PACT lII.—A Monopolylogue, called ALL WELL AT NATCHITOCHES.
All the Characters oi the Evening's F:titertainutent to be represented
by Mr. MATHF:WS.
Doors to be opened at ball-peat Seven—Performance begins at Eight
ihrte4. Places. Tickets, PI nate and Family Doges, to be taken of Yr.
Stevenson, at the Doi Uffice, Strand Entrance, iron, Ten till live.

ADELPHI THEATRE, STRAND.
Thls Ereiang, SATURDAY, March will be performed
WA V ER LE% .
Fergus Mac Ivor, Mr. flurrusighs; Davie Geßally, Mrs. Waylett.
Mr& Nosebag. Mr. J. Reece.
To ...hoe with
ST RONAN'S WELL

The BRITISH PIIESS commenced publishing yesterday morning

at Six o'clock.

LONDON, SATURDAY, Mmtcit 27, 1824.

Accounts, we regret to say, have reached town that Mr.
Scarlett, the eminent King's Counsel, Attorney-General for
the Duchy of Lancaster, and Member, through Lord F.
william's interest, for the town of Peterborough, in par.
liament, is now no more. It Is stated that he died almost
!suddenly, at York, on Thursday morning. He had bus,
Ipreviously indisposed at Lancaster, so as to interfere with
his professional dun. s, hut no serious apprehensions *hat.
ever were entertained of any danger until within a few
hours of his death. He died in the possession of Mimesis,
business, and proportionably large emoluments. His pr,
fesssional income for several years is raid to have been be.
tween V2ll and eleven thousand pounds annually. gh,
death throws open a greater vacancy at the Bar than 201'
that has occurred since the lamented decease of the get
Sir S. Hominy. Mr. Scarlett, for the last ten years, led is
every case of any consequence, both in the Court of King's
Bench and on the Northern Circuit. Without any thing
like the talents or eloquence of the celebrated Erskine, la
had accumulated, in his own person, a much greater qtu:,
city of business, and infinitely larger emoluments. M..
Scarlett was more an artful and plausible Advocate than
hold or an eloquent one. From long habits and peer:
acquainta:-re with his profession, he piloted a hazardou
case entrusted to him, with consummate judgment, throngs
the legal rocks and quicksands on whlcli his client might
have been wrecked ; and often, by his address ant;
ingenuity, brought him and his legal venture safely into
harbour. He was seldom, even in Court, an impressive
or powerful speaker, and he failed altogether wishin the
walls of Parliament. He rose in the King's Bench with
the air and manner of one who knew his ascendency the,
to he unquestioned, and his influence with the Bench dt-
cisive. His opinions were delivered in calm colloquial lan-
guage, but with oracular self-possession. Mr. Scarlett ap-
peared always fully satisfied with himself—an eternal pia.
cidity reigned upon his ample brow—a smile even in the
most critical moments played around his lips. 11-hen he
urged a doubtful case, with all the art of a consummate
Advocate, making the last desperate effort for his client,
there was yet nothing about him that betrayed the smallest
agitation or doubt. He had none of the luminous intellect
or extended range of information that dis.inguishes Mr.
Brougham, hut ho was an adept at that kind of argument
which Sheridan happily named " a species of small-sword
logic," and well fitted to the Courts. Yet Mr. Scarlett could
occasionally cast oft' that mantle of s !If-complacency and
coldness that enwrapped him, and rise to something higher
and better; and his late speeches in defence of Mr. Hunt,
for the publication of Lord Byron's risiox of Judg-
ment, and his strong and animated appeal for the inde-
pendence of the Bar, on Mr. Abcrcromby's complaint
against Lord Eldon, in Parliament, were both efforts of a
better eloquence, and shewed he could be natural and br-
pressive. Much as he was employed, none of his speeches
will live to future days. He never carried a jury or an au-
ditory with him. He had none of that impassioned oratory
that characterized the eloquent Curran at the Irish Bar, that
"virida oisrtninir which swept the minds of those who heard
him where he wished to lead, or that fine reasoning con-
stitutional eloquence that marked the speeches of the great
Erskine. Mr. Scarlett was ingenious, quick, and discerning,
but he never was really eloquent or powerful. His death will
throw a mass of business into the hands of many in the King's
Bench, and give Mr. Brougham an undisputed supremacy on
the Northern Circuit. The Chancellor, out of common
respect to the Bar, ought now to forget unworthy prejc-
dices, and give the latter distinguished Advocate a silk
gown. Mr. Scarlett was highly esteemed by his party,
and would have probably filled the first law office, had any
unexpected change called them again into power. Through
the afternoon of yesterday doubts were in circulation as to
cite death
ot hp
poyf ttto
hish
nedminen l lawyer, which we
realized,
but
tw
e feoe,
on shouldthe be
mosbest
gullies we could make, that the melancholy event is ix,.
yond all question. He will be deeply regretted by his
family, and a numerous circle of most respectable and die-
tinguished friends.

It is impossible to read the late melancholy details of the
death of Sir George Collier, without feelings of the most
poignant regret. It is dicressing to think how the well
earned reputation of a brave and distinguished officer may
be stabbed by a reckless or malignant assailant, his cha-
racter traduced, and a high and sensitive mind, as in the
present afflicting instance, urged to madness and self-de-
struction. Sir George Collier had earned his rank and
fame by years of honourable service. He had been in un-
numbered engagements all through the late war; his person
was covered with scars, and in his hands the naval flag of
this country never was lowered from its high and com-
manding station. Ile had not been long returned from the
Coast of Arlie*, where his services in the cause of huma-
nity, for the suppression of the accursed traffic still un-
happily but too prevalent there, I:_d merited and received
the most honourable mention. It is easy for a compiler of
naval or military annals—one who never, perhaps, was on
salt water in his life, or saw a hostile gun fired in presence
of an enemy—to sit down quietly in his study, and, by
turning rumours into facts, and forming deductions of his
own from real occurrences, so to pervert and distort things,
as to deeply wound the reputation and feelings of a gallant
and high-minded officer. We do not attempt to say that
such is the character of Mr. James's work, or that he
reflected either on Lord William Fitzroy in one case, or
the lamented Sir George Collie: in the other, with any
such intentions; but it is clear that hid statements have had
• most unhappy effect; and as regards the gallant officer
whose melancholy death we had yesterday to announce, that
they sunk into his mind, so far as to bring self-destruction
with them, and deprive his family and friends of a most
estimable man, and his country of as brave an officer
as any in the navy. Detraction is a weapon a coward's
hand can always wield, and yet the bravest have often
sunk before it. We do not believe it was Mr. James's in-
tention to misrepresent facts, or wound private feelings un"
necessarily ; but we are convinced lie was seriously nio-
taken in his statement of the details he unfortunately gave
respecting Sir George Collier, and we are equally sure that

The French Chamber of Deputies met on Wednesday.
The Eluile contains a short but characteristic acc3unt of
their first sitting. The few Liberal Representatives who
dared to take their scats among a mob of Royalists are stig-
matised as the '6 Faction of Sixteen;" and soon after Ben-
jamin Constant entered the Hall, voices were heard to
exclaim—" fest lea refialler rue Ia mantagne"—" We
" must thrust them back upon the mountain," alluding to'
the party of Robespierr r, Couthon, and the sanguinary
faction who filled those seats in the days of the Con-
vention. This is a toleralAe earnest of the feelings,
and future career of the party now congregated together
as Representatives of France. What may not be anticipated
from such a Chamber at the close of its Session ? A loan
to the unparalleled amount of 3,300,000,090 of francs, or
132 millions sterling, has, it is said, been contracted for in
Paris by Messrs. Baring, Rothschild, and the French
banker, Lafitte, to enable the French Ministers to corn-
tipite the present .5 per cent. into 3 per cent. Stock. The
arrangement is so extended, it is said, as to apply to the
discharge, if' necessary, of the entire national debt of
France; that is, that part of the debt which stands
on the Great Book of France at present acknowledged, for
the amount was much greater previous to the Revolution ;
but two thirds of its then existin7, amount was suspended
or suppressed by Napoleon's celebrated decree of " Tiers
Consolides," under which the holders of Stock held
warrants for one third only of their claims ; the re-
maining two-thirds were to have been conceded at
some future day ; but Bonaparte subsequently con-
trived to extinguish those claims. In ale conversion