The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-12-18 00:00:00

IMPARIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, FRIDAY, DEMMER 17.
SOUTHWARK PETITION.
Lord Eesmtme presented a Petition from the Inhabitants
of the Borough of Southwark, praying that the House would
not sanction the measures proposed by the Ministers, relat-
ing to the internal state of the country.—Laid on the table.
IRISH ELECTIONS.
Mr. C. W. Wynn, and others from the House of Com-
mons, brought up the Irish Elections Bill, to which they de-
sired their Lord6hips' concurrence.—The Bill was read a
first time, sod ordered fur a second reading.
SEARCH FOR ARMS.
Mr. Brogden, and others from the House of
Commons, brought up the Bill empowering Ma-
gistrates to search for arms, with certain mend.
ments, to which they desired their Lordship.' con-
currence.
Lord Sinmocills moved that the House should
agree to the amendments of the Commons.
The Earl of DARN LEY said, that as the amend-
ments did not in any respect affect the principle or
alter the purview of the Bill, he did not rise so
much to offer any objection to the specific ma.
tion of the Noble Lord, us to obtain an opportilnity
of entering his solemn protest against the prinCiple
of the measure, for in his opinion nothing less called
fur by the circumstances of the country, more ob-
noxious and odious its nature, had ever been
offered to the attention of Parliament, than one
provision contained in it, namely, that which esti-
powered one Magistrate to enter any house by vio-
lence; either by day or ;light, for the purpose of
searching for concealed arms. He had not heard
one word from the Noble Sec!etary of State to
prove the necessity of such a Bill; and he should '
feel it his dity, in this its lust stage. to oppose it,
and to enter his protest against it. He had another
reason for acting in this manner, for he found that
some Gentlemen had, in the public newspapers,
affixed hid signature to a protest whiCh he had
never signed, and which, he was informed; hid
been made the subject of some pointed remarks its
another place. This was nothing short of a breach
of privilege. if he were so inclined to Consider it;
but he should now take this opportunity of entering
his decided protest against the Bill. The Noble
Lord concluded by moving as au amendment,
That the Amendments deist from the House of
Commons be printed.
Lord Stostdurit remarked; that the amendment
would not give the Noble Earl the opportunity lie
desired; because the amendmenti of the Comulthis
bad uo reference to the principle of the Bill, nor
did they affect the clause to which the Noble Ldrd
had in particular directed hit opposition. The
amendment could hate no other effect than to cause
delay; sod if it we►e advisable that the Bill should
pass, it would be well that as little delay ai posit.
ble should intervene. He then read the innend.
menus of the House of Comitloos; of which the
fiat was an alteration in the title of the Bill by
the introduction of the words, it and td (-Manner
in force
The other amendments were verbal.
gaol GROSVENOR said, he understood that his
Noble Friend's object was to endeavour, if possible,
to get rid altogether of the MOUT!, as must objet.

auligestion.
The Earl of Litt:bums LE could trot understand
why tin amendments 4.1 the Compton, should be
liaised over with such inclorfererce. In his opinion,
they ought to be examined with on les. attention
than was bestowed upon the original enactments.
The Earl of DA rtN ILLY !Hid. his object in oppos-
int the amendments was beenuse they did net ea-
fietriitly alter the Bill, which he shobld oppose on
every opporldnity.
The naesion fur printing the aniendments bras put
and negatived.
The EaH of DARNLEY then moved, that they be
taken into eosiailler3tioil this day six months, which
was also negatived ; and the original motion for
agreeing to the Commons' amendments was put
and carried.