The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1809-04-21 00:00:00

gnat: he thought the Monte might deviate tram the
rigid rule, and resort to one inure mild *ad perhaps.
more equitable.
The SPKAKKR observed, that the Honourable
Member was bound to show that his motion wits
conformable to the practice of Parliament, which, in
his opinion, it was nut; or to state grounds, why a
new precedent should be created iii that instance.
As to the case of Sir .1. Harman, he was columnated
for further examination, and when lie went through
that elimination was accordingly discharged.—
There were many cases in which prisnitere were
discharged upon petition ; he believed there was
one case to which the lion. Bart hail not *Burled ;
when the House committed at person for prevarica-
tion to Newgate, on its being reported that he be-
hayed himself better, he was transferred to the cm-
toily of the Serjeant at arias; and on its being again
reported thet he behaved himself better, he was
discharged ; he thought it extremely serious, that
alter the House had adjudged a specific measure,
an lion. Member, who was not present, should
come forward, to call npon them to retract it.
Sir T. ertlitToN said, that he was to little anxious
to replain that it was illness prevented his attend-
since on the night Gen. Ce4VIIIIIN a was committed.
lle felt himself under the greatest difficulty, when
he was told that the course he wisitel to take was
*pi list the precedents of the Muse.
The SPEAKER observed, that as the Hon. Bart.
seemed to rely upon sortie expressions at the wad
of the resolution ; it would be well to have it
read.
The resolution was read accordingly.
bier T1'916411 TULToN declared hismelf at a less
how to proceed.
• Mr. PERCEVAL did not know any other rule,
than the Hon. ileronsit's own discretion; if he
thought he had a case strong enough to justify the
creation of a new precedent, of course he would
proceed.
Sir T. TtlßTolt said, he hoped he would be able
to sheet that there was no prevarication in the evi-
dence.
Mr. Pnesonay (to order) maid, that the Hon.
Bart. wits evidently calling oo them to adjudge
w hat zhey had judged before.
Sir M. Motu," rose to speak, but the Seeazta
observing that there wee no question before the
House, the Honourable Member did not proceed.
BILL TO PREVENT THE SALE OF OFFICES.
Mr. PERCEVAL moved for the second reeding
of the Bill to prevent the sale of offices.
Lord FoLKSTONE, begged to offer a few words to
the consideration of the House. There was an oh-
acurity about the Bill, proceeding possibly frost its
constant reference to an old act of parliament, in
the'reign of Henry the Sixth ; he would admit that
there appeared on the part of its introducer, an re-
deavour to make it as tom prelseosiveaur possible; but
still he was of opinion, that much good would not
result from it, as the inadequacy of preventing Bills
was often experienced before. There were bills to
permit bribery and con uption iii the return of
Members to Parliament, but bribery and corrup-
tion were still in existence. The Right Himont-
able Geutleman might succeed in rendering the
ermine lea frequentoti making the perpetrators more
anxious to eoureal it, but he ,flespaired of seeing
such a consequence result from the ummere pro-
posed, as the complete prevention of the offeace
against which it was directed. lie did not tinder-
. stand the remon of some exceptioniis the present
act. Certatu offices connected with the Courts of
lww, were eat included; theta lobs mother emir
• won which he thought more material, because the
attention of the House was drawn to it by the East
loiliaCornmittee, the traffic in sears in Parliament;
ha wished to know from the Right Wu. Gentleman
whether it would mist be possible to make sense
provision in his act, which might go to the wpm,-
sans of theeevil. The Secretaries of the Treasury
were the persons who carried oo the traffic. (Hear!
hear ! from the Trosatriey Be.A., If they deny it,
let them agree the appointment of a Committee to
inquire into the fact. He had heard it as • matter
notoriously public, that upon every dissolution of
Parliament there were offices opened at which per-
sons proposed their terms for seats, and purchased
them. Au instruice had lately occurred of an lion.
Member vemeitilig his seat, as was reported, because
he would nut comply with the stipulation upon
which he received it. lie did tint mean to propose
any ohne, himself, he only threw those observations
out for the consideration of the Right Hon. blend"-
nem and of the Mouse.
Mr. Bases said, that it was not the intention of
the Committee on Earn India Patronage to recom-
mend env leoielative measure; that department
trosseseed better mess of guarding against corrup-
tion than the government of the country. There
was one toweling -regulation which lie considered
as admirably mewed to that end, and that was
the regulation which provided that the parties cor-
ruptly appointed oho rid be removed from the si-
tuations so procured. The Noble Lord hail ob-
jected to the Bill, that it would not prevent the
crime altogether, but allowed it would be rendered
more difficult. That he (Mr. B.) feared was all
that could be expected from any human regulation.
He knew of one person who had been dimwitted by
the East India Company. All that could be dole
was to stake the hazard greater than the temple-
tion.
Mr. Cpcava said, that it was Necessary, if the
• intention was to prevent eorrnption, to attack it in
its most formidable and dangerous points. It was
not holding out a tiehision to the peopie. to talk of
reform, if it was not extended to that Howse.—
Beery Treasury bought and sold seats in Parlia-
ment ; and the dissolution of Parham:mute, which
was termed air appeal to the people, was in reality
• `' "ififreAtc i atoC.lr•Ihe Tsald, teass::
that the obscurity of which
• „. the Noble Loud compiain its ed his Bill might easily
•It
be remedied its it, course through the House.
The Noble Lord bed admitted that the All was
courprehreisive; and as to the objectiso that it-
would not effectually prevent the of hnel it 04-
pr0,•,1 to omit*, that wits an objection 'WhiCh
. would exteud to alloattumpts to prevent crime ;
ti‘e 1•A . ui,' 'ores which, the Noble Lord had
r.involaiiveil *Vow net milesstandistg, waisted in
the act of Hey the Sixth, and, in his opinion,
WWe il.i)ivetiietice.woold result from the inclusiiin
iii those, time any toissefit to the loathe.' With
nivuort to the pale of seats in Parliameiet, the
'Noble tool, if be lied any chute to diet effect,