The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-05-01 00:00:00

PRIVY COUNCIL.

On Saturday the Lords of his :Majesty's Most Honour-
able Privy Council assembled at the Council Office, White-
hall, to hear French appeals against the decision of the
Commissioners appointed to investigate the claims of Bri-
tish subjects. Their Lordships assembled at half-past ten
o'clock. There were present, the Earl of Harrowby as
the Lord President, Lord Stowell, Lord Colchester, Lord
Bexley, anti the Master of the 'tolls. Sir John Nichol
was prevented from giving his attendance, in consequence
of having received a severe injury from tieing thrown from
his horse, on Friday, in St. James's Park.
The Earl of Ilarrowby, after he had opened the Court,
retired to attend a meeting of the Cabinet Ministers at the
Earl of Liverpool's house, at the breaking up of which, at
half-past twelve o'clock, the Noble Earl resumed his seat
at the Board.

The first appeal was that of Younghusband, which oc-
cupied but a short time.
The next appeal was that of Mrs. Duffield and others,
which occupied the remainder of the day.
Mr. Fonblanque and Mr. Carr were heard for the ap-
pellants, and the King's Advocate and Mr. Tyndlde in
opposition.
It appeared that Mrs. Duffield, and other Englishwo-
men, six in number, had emigrated from England to
France, and become proprietors of a monastery in Paris,
wnich was known by the name of the Blue-eyed Nun-
nery, where Nuns were received, and Mrs. Duffield was
elected Abbess by the other inhabitants of the place, which
had been established as an English Nunnery for upwards
of two hundred years, sanctioned by the King of France
and the Pope. At the time of the Revolution, in the year
1790, all monasteries, and similar religious establishments,
were abolished, which Included that of Mrs. Duffield.
On the 10th October, 1793, a decree was issued con-
fiscating all British property,which included these premises.
In the month of November, 1795, the property was re-
stored, and in the year 1800 it was again confiscated.
During all these years, after the abolition of the convents,
monasteries,&c. Mrs. Duffield,and the other ladies connect-
ed with it, were allowed to pursue the profession of teaching
young females, and in pursuing this course it was contended
that they had' forfeited their characters as British subjects,
and therefore had a good claim for the restoration of their
confiscated property, which consisted of a house, a church,
anti gardens.

Mrs. Duffield's claim was opposed on various grounds,
viz.: that she had become a French subject ; that she had
embarked her money in an illegal establishment, which
could not be considered secular; their Lordships' decision
was urged in the case of Donny College, as being against
this; and the only capacity she could claim in was as a
lay subject. It was also urged against Mrs. Duffield that
she claimed for herself and the three survivors out of the
seven, and also for the administrators of the deceased's
partners, without its appearing by what authority she
did so.

Mr. Fonblanque admitted and regretted the informality,
but urged the equitable claim upon their Lordships, and
trusted that if they should think the informality fatal, they
would at least award the portion of Mrs. Duffield's indi-
vidual claim.

At half-past two the Counsel were ordered to withdraw.
Their Lordships continued in private zleliberation till half-
past four o'clock, but did not make their decision known.

Yesterday morning the Duke of York and the Princess
Augusta attended divine service at the Chapel Royal, St.
James's.

On Saturday the Duchess of Gloucester visited the
Princess Augusta.
Prince Leopold honoured the Italian Opera with his
presence on Saturday evening.
Yesterday the Lord Chancellor, .the Earl of Liverpool,
and Mr. Secretary Canning, had audiences of his Majesty.
Mr. Huskisson transacted business yesterday with Mr.
Secretary Canning, at his office in Downing-street.
The Earl of Westmorland transacted business at the
Foreign Office yesterday.
•
The Rev. Dr. Blomberg performed divine service yes-
terday, at the King's Palace in Pall-mall.
On Saturday the despatches were closed at the East
India House, and delivered to the pursers of the following
ships, via.: London, Capt. John Barnet Sotheby ; William
Fairlie, Capt. Thomas Blair; and Canning, Capt. Bryan
I groughton, for Chip" (thug.

FASHIONABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE WEEK.
Tests I.:vests:lL—The Marchioness of Londonderry's first grand aem.
bly, Hertford-street, May.toir. The Countess of Jersey's rout, Berkeley.
Derby,
Mrs. Gunlitre, music, Lower Grosvenor-stmt. The Elul
Derby, dinner party, Grosvenor-square.
To-et °a a ow.—The Countess of Arran's card party, Dover-street. Mrs
Thomas Chaplin's first assembly, Gratton.street. Mrs. Hotaby's put,.
Portland-place.
Wen sensr.—The Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury's sung 4,
Arlington-street. The Earl of Darnley's ancient music dinner, Flsrkelsy:
square. Almack's grand ball. Sir Watkla and Lady Harriet ‘i%
party, St. James's-square.
sqTuairrueatiLt.Adry.-111,oueliaCoHunatiessversofpartT7kccriviffilled's-starseesetm. buly,..Cieruosveittet7;
music, Bruton-street.
Fat v.—The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland's grand entities.
meat to the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. The Countess of Clods—
vine's assembly, Cavendish-square. Mrs. Hope's party, Mansfield-street.
SATURDAY.—The Countess of Arran's card putty, Dover•street.
BUNDA Y.—The Countess St. Antonio's concert of sacred music, Rano.
Ter-square.

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