The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-12-08 00:00:00

ANNUA I. DUTIES.

Mr. LIIIIIIINOTOW brougbt up a Bill for imposiag she
usual annual duties un malt awl other commodities, *bids
was read a first time, and ordered to be read • secood time
to-morrow.
________.

CITY PETITION.

The Sheriffs of London having been called into
the House with the usual forms, Mr. Sheriff Roth-
well presented a Petition front the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen, and Commons of the City of Loudon,
in Common Council assembled, against the coer-
cive measures iu progress through Parliament.
• The Petition was then read. In substance it
prayed, that the House would not, in consequence
of a temporary and exaggerated alarm, pawn laws
permanently and universally affecting the liberty
of the sabject ; and that they would early and ef-
fectually apply themselves to the consideration of
the grievances under which the people laboured,
and the devising of measures fur their relief.
Mr. Aldermen Wuoo said, that its moving the
Petition do he ma the table, he should take the
opportunity of saying a few words on the general
nature of the measures against which it was di-
rected, as he could not reconcde it to his notion*
of his duty to give a silent vote on an occasion of
such itnportence. The lion. Alderman then ad-
verted to the fact mentioned by Lord Castlereagh,
in a former debate, of cart-loads of stones having
been found on the ground where the Manchester
meeting had been held. and to other statements by
the same Noble Lord ; and observed, that very
great stress had been laid within doors on his sen-
timents respecting the state of one of the distarbed
counties, and very great exertions had been made
to propagate theta outside. But all that the Noble
ILord had slid althustely depended ou tho telatiana
of, and credit due to others : °pintoes were all that
had been laid before the House, sad tiny seemed

• thorny. that there were tilt willies• of ocses 4.1
waste lands its Ireland, two mamas 1110 • half of
which could, without much difficulty, be brought
'lmo a stets of cultivation, ell this was neglected.
and a grant of 50,000 E. made to send the popula-
tion of both countries to the Cape of Good Hope.
It had emu him great pleasure to observe that a
favourable feeling had begun to manifest itself
through the debates on the new measures toward*
that, which was in reality one great source of the
public complaints, he meant the cause of Reform.
He trusted that the Gentlemen who had expressed
themselves so forcibly on that *abject, would see
lose sight of it. but take a lead on it, •od lotto-
duce some efficiekt plan of Reform, which would
be most desirable ; for he was persuaded that had
that been done before, the meetings which had led
to such unpleasant cousequences. would not have
been held. The people would have Reform, let
the House do whet it pleased. They might impose
new duties ins publications, with a view to introits
the liberty of the press, or the circulatiou of poli-
tical writings, bust the manufacturers would do
what he bad seen done iii Holland, Italy, and Ger-
many—they would join in purchasing a utwapsper.
and cause one to read it aloud, whilst the rest
worked—a practice which had indeed in some in-
stance* bee■ already known to exist at home. He
should not detain the House much longer, though
the subject was one in which the liberty of the.
subject was deeply concerned. Two nieetiog* had
been held in the City of London, but et oar of
them nothing had beets done; the second had slot
been atteoded by more than two thousand persous,
and of these. if it were necessary, he could prove
that above one thousand were spectators. He
thought the Bill at present before the House so
objectionable, that it ought to be altered alto-
gether. He should ouly further say that lie cot:-
cuirell entirely in the sentiments of the citizens of
London, stated in their Petition, and move that it
lie on the table.

Mr. Alderman THORP rose to express briefly ha
cordial concurrence in the setitiments of the Pe-
thiourea. He was one of those who thought that
a WOOS greater feelnag of alarm at flume large
essemblica of the people had been endeavoured to tie
excited thou they would justify. It was to bemire.
dered that a large proportion of thus* who 'attend-
ed them were people out of employment ; and why:.
it wale recollected that they were therefore in a state
of want and wretchedness, ite could not help think-
ing that the House would have done better in
taking their grievances into consideration,
applying tliesoselvev to relieve them, than in at-
tempting to silence them by measures of a severe
and restrictive nature. He did not mean to go az.
length into a subject winch had already r. cried .4
snuck discutsion, but be hoped that the Bill would
be.so much modified as to be rendered more pulse-
able to the people.
Alderman WAITHMAN said he should content
himself on the present occasion with relocating
his approbation of the sentiments contained in liar
-petition, and expressing a wish that it mi4lit
ceed in inducing the House to moderate the rigour
of the Bills, and bestow greater attention uo the
complaint* and sufferings of the people.
The Petition Ives then ordered to be laid on the
table end printed.
APPOINTMENT OF JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Mr. E. WODUMOUSE then rose, for the purpose of
reading a letter, which he had received from a
Noble Friend of his, Lord Suffield, front the coun-
try, in answer to a communication from
(Mr. Wutlehoust ). in consequence of the *torment
which was made by Mr. Coke a few nights ago i.
the Houee, relative to the appointment of some
friends of his to the Commission of the Peace by the
Lord Chstscellor, after tie nod in vein made au ap.
talicationf or that purpose to the Lord Lteutroatit„
Lord Suffield. The letter was dated Dec. 4, 1819,
and stated in subsustice,that the Noble writer dit re-
collect having been applied to-by Mr. Coke and (set:.
Money to put certain individuals so the comtwa-
stun of the peace, iod had refosed to do so, born a
belief that they were not persons qualified to at: tii
that capacity; that Se did not recollect losving
afterward* nomitorted the same persons.; that lie w..s
not istfluenced in nicking the refusal hr feelings ut.
hostility, or Guy unitive but a sense of public dot).
and, in support of the assentor'. appealed to Mr.
Wortehonee, whether he had toot os one occasion re-
jected a similar applicatlo4l on behalf of en indivainal
from himself. The Hon. Member then paseeetlfd In
sey,that he had received the letter which he hull res.'
yesterday, bat hail lima prevented frets reeling lithe •
day before, in consequenterif ell interview he had lied
With the Lord Chancellor. Lord Elden - had told
him. that bas memory was not eolficiently strong to •
enable him to throw ray light on the eircucortir.res
of the transaction ii, question; but since that he
had received a communication from dug ?intik
Lerds which he shred tape the liberty of reading..
Tha Han. blenitrer then reed the last letter. It
stated, that the its.isteure which the Lord 0:411..
yeller had found tiveriald derive in appitio`to4 Jus-
tices of the Peace freer courishing the modes
Monte of the different comae, had led to ti e
habit of placiog moire is the conarnissioo of the
peace rereastnetided by them; but Wear differetace
of epiaimatese as to the fusee of die perms. se-

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I'cteel hy the Lord Lieutenant, the Lord Chen.
e-• :or shames acted on his jadgment and view of
toe 6!3W. It went on to say, that the Noble writer
re-illected something having been once said to him
otorit.a want of Magistrates for the county of Nor-
, Ter:k—tleit it ivies posaible Mr. Coke might hays
swished to him to appoint certain persons to fill that
aitoation, and that lie might have done so without
Lord Suffield. Li a postscript it was
added, that Lord Eldon hinting been informed that
Mr. Coke hod stated his having had a personal in.
terview with hi an on the subject, he could not doubt
the accuracy of that Gentleman's memory, suet
that the fact was. ao, though it had escaped Ins
• recollection.
• 11r. Cox g said he, hart ! the list or names
Nipootted at . his rre!si i to the Peace, to Loot
Sgrield's clerk. Lear vdealier he had delivered them
toti,ord Suffiehl he could notany. %Viten lie came
lis„towa in the goring of else year after the courteous
rer,,osal h' had experiences' from Lord Suffield, he
'wned to the Lord Cloweellor on the subject, and
ova mooted a itersoonl interview, in a r where
14; never was before or since.--.(d laugh.)—After
labiting what he already lead iu the house his Lord-
cloy observed, diet lie was sure he would not re-
commend any persons lint capable of filling the
situation. %lltetlier this was mentioned to Lord
Suffield or not he did not knots, but very soon after
till the individuals whom lie had recommended were
actually pot into the commission except one, who
was a Member of this House, of great respect-
oleility, and of an ancient family, but whom, not
erring him in his place, lie could not mention. He
thought that the Noble Earl was not borne out by
farts in what he had said of his impartiality, and he
thonglit that there were persons in the commission
eel the peace in Norfolk who outlet not to be so,
and that others had been excluded, for no other
reason. but that they were his (Mr. Coke's) friends.
This was an influence which Lords-Lieutenants
und Magistrates generally possessed at present, and
is similar influence would he greatly increased by
the passing of the Bill before the House. A most
respectable meeting indeed, had been held in the
county of Norfolk, and he felt greatly obliged to
the Sherif', for the honourable manner in which he
had acted, both previous to and at that meeting.
:Cut after the pegging of the Bill, was it likely they
wool(' have any more meetings of that description ?
—(Near.)—He really believed that the Govern-
-cent itself had been concerned in the proceedings
it the Magistrates at Manchester, from the obstinacy
teat which they opposed all inquiry into them. He
had now eaiel nil that lee considered to be necessary.
1 le repeated that lie bud perfect recollection of having
H wet-Ilona' interview with Lord Eldon on the sub-
pet referred to in the letter, and he supposed th it
VI, one wool(' now venture to say lie had not.—
(/.;:ore. beerr.)—lf he should meet hes Lordship he
e. ,s contailesd he could tiring back the CIITUITI•
S'inCe a it to his recollection.—(Neer.)
SPr..INER said, that before the suhj-ct was
tlismi.sed lee wished to call the alarmism of the
Hoare to the extreme irregularity of this converse-
. lion, end to remind them of the dangerous cause-
'queseces to which such violations of their forms
were likely to lead. Perhaps it was Ina duty to
hare stopped the Honourable Member in the
oitiret, but he was not enure ut first that the irre-
gularity we tilel have been carried to the extent
it list' been ; asset after hr had gone into the
hornet! 11 enclitic.), lie thought it would have been
he mat to the Hoes. Member on the other side of
the noose to interrupt the observations which he
enioto think proper to make to the House. But he
eta, persuaded that the House would be of opinion
that the conversation had gone far enough.—
Hear.)—The practice of the 'louse had been al-
ready, in this instance, more relaxed than he had
ever known it to 1w before. if it was too much
drat they should adhere to the letter of their regu-
lations. the only mode in which they would not be
relllegetlier lost tight of was by keeping their spirit
tonstantly iu view. —( Hear.)
• PENRYN.
Sir C. ile usu. ro*r to make his promised motion
reopectiog the Borough of Peuryii. He felt it his im.
pertitive duty•again to bring the subject under the
cousideration of Parliament ; lie trusted that Hon.
Members would torn their intention to his Bill of
lost Ittentiow, that he might be enabled to carry it
tfirritigh aft its stages. Alterations had been sug-
gested to Lien in the provisions of it, but he had
Pot wen any reason fur adopting them. There
had toren several instances iii which the elective
franchise hail been extended, and boroughs thrown
open ; and it was his firm conviction that that had
t.eeei intended with great good, and he believed
erlest these borough. heed since returned Gentlemen
rd property and character to represent them. This
• ilill bad been in the hands of all the Members last
'omit:ter. need therefore he thought it unnecessary to
pay any thing more lit present. The Hon. Baronet
then moved for leave to bring in a bill to remedy
tire opt practices in the borough of Penryn.
Sir C. HAWKINS spoke (as we understood), in
noinomion to the motion, but was quite inaudible
Ili the winery.
Ms. Denison said that he had last Session
tap en' the liberty of suggesting that the right err
roan, by the Borough of Penryn should be transfer-
evil to one of the large unrepresented towns; and
Ise. was convinced that had his suggestion been
adopted, and the right bestowed on Birmingham or
Manchester, or some other of the manufacturing
towns which contained a large population, but sent
1.9 Menthes. lion the House, the melancholy accur-
st-ulcer which had since taken place would not have
nurtured. The Noble Lord had mistaken the true
way to !racily and conciliate the people. He would
84.1 m him to bring into practice the old adage—
Re to their feels, a lime mina,
. tie to their virtues very kind,
Awl place our psdluek oil their naiad."
COTTON FACIVRI ES.
. Sir ft tinEttT PEILL. after a'few remarks, explains-
twv of the object of his amine, moved for leave
to tiring in a Bill to emend the Cotton Factory
. 11e gielation Act of last Session.
Lord A. Haisturox supported the Bill.
hlr.• PHILLIPS said lee considered it extremely
• dangerous to legialote.upona aubject like the Kee
woo ; he thought so when the Bill was origiiially
loonglit in ; and the present implication 10111,0
Shit lee was right: It slow appeared, that. after a
~..oey•Cort- trial. it was isecessary.to amend the Bill.
.s; • Ahoy were called upon now to give o legislative
;,satettiuti to as &graceful a pructice as wet ever

introtlnced into manufactoriesthe practice cf
working at night.
Mr. Ilaisuonase said that he did not see the Bill
in the light of hie Hun. Fitend. The Bill, like
many other legislative, measures of an important
nature and. much detail, contained an omission,
and it was now meant to supply that omission.—
He did not think that on argument against the
principle of the Bill.
Mr. FINLAY said. that it was impossible to legis-
late on such a subject without much danger and in-
couvenience. The Bill, if examined, would be found
.full of omissions, and he thought that the shortest
.and the best way would be to repeal the Bill alto-
gether.
Leave was then given to bring in the Bill.
1,001 Alt LTON presented a Petition from certain
individuals of the bormiali of Sligo, complaining
that they were deprived of certain rights appertain-
ing to that borough, mei praying fur redress. The
Noble Lord said. that 'hough lie presented the Pe-
tition, it was his belief that the course the Peti-
tioners should pursue was, by appealing in a Court
of Law.—The Petition a ..s Olen brought up.
SEDITIOUS MEETINGS BILL.
Lord CASTLEREAGH miived the Order of the
Day for the House to resolve itself lidos Committee
on the S.ditions Meetitigs Bill.
Mr. Hurcittssost said, that before the House
went into a Cointnittea, he would, with the leave of
the House, make a few observations. In the first
;dare, then, he would again express his astonish-
ment and surprise sit the intention of the Noble
Lord to extend the provisions of the Bill to Ira.
land. He did not menu to look on this subject in
• narrow point of view. He could assure lion.
Gentlemen, Members for England and Scotland,
that On rue more heartily entered into their Cretins
than himself—that no one would be more anxious
to assist them in protecting the well-disposed and
the loyal, if they wanted protection. Having un-
fortunately witnessed disturbances in his own coun-
try—having seem how far the zeal and the fears of
men carried them—he was willing to make every
allowance for Gentlemen on this occasion. But
measures of this kind were measures of pains and
penalties, much more likely to violate the constitu-
tion, than to put down the disaffected. Differing
as he did from Gentlemen whit think those Bills
necessary, he was yet willing that every protection
should be given to the public peace, and even with
his purse lie was willing to assist —but the assist-
ance he would render v (odd be very different from
the support of illen.eire% calculated to overturn
the Constilitien of England. Ile rose in that
House to say a few words in favour of that
part of the empire from whence he came,
and of which he ever felt proud. Ile was not suffi-
ciently accurate to recollect the precise words that
fell a few nights two front the Noble Lord, but he
recollected, the (louse recollected the matter of
that speech. He would remind the Noble Lord of
the description he "wave of the present state of Ire-
land—he described that country as in a state of
peace, of tranquillity, and prosperity ; he even went
further—he seemed to have taken credit to himself
for the present tranquillity of that country, and he
contrasted her situation with other parts of the
empire. From the opening speech of the Noble
Lord then there was no reason even to conjecture
that these Bills of pains and penalties were to he
extended to Ireland ; no one could suppose that
her loyalty, her tranquillity, her patience un-
der sufferings, were to be rewarded by • fresh
aggression on her liberties. 'Prue, the Noble Lord
had stated that the Bills were to extend to parts of
England net disturbed, but froiu no part of his
speech could it be conjectural that it was his in-
tention, or that it was at all necessary to extend
the provisions of those obnoxious Bills to Ireland.
I f the Noble Lord had fairly stated such to be lois
intention, he would have been ready to enter the
lists with him, and to convince him' if his mind be
at all open to conviction, that use Bill was not ut
all necessary for Ireland ; that it was towelled for
—that it was unwise, as well as unjust. lie
would ask the Noble Lord to recollect the days
of the Irish Parliament—the days of her glory
and of her disgrace—yet even in the most dis-
graceful and degenerate state of that Parlia-
ment, would the Noble Lord, at the very mo-
ment that he boasted of the tranquillity and pros-
perity of the country, would he stare to go to the
Irish Parliament sod say, you have been tranquil,
you have been prosperous, and I now_ conic down
to propose for you a system of pains, of penalties,
and of degradation--1 propose to disarm your peo-
ple, to invade the liberty of the press, and to pre•
vent the meetings of the people—l come down to
prepare Gagging Bills and measures which innovate
on your constitution. Would the Noble Lord ven-
ture to make such a proposal toga Irish Parliament ?
would an Irish Parliament, lost mid degraded us
it might be, endure so great nil outrage? He
would ask the Noble Lord, then, did lie Incase to
dissolve the Union—did he mean to disgust the
Irish people. more than they are, with tlust odious
measure ? The Noble Lord had done enough to
disgust that country suice the Union. He had
not, indeed, given any specific pledge—he was too
cautious to do that; but he had done enough to
skew that it was not intended to observe the spirit
of the Act of Union. He put it to the Noble
Lord, did he mean to outrage, more than they have
been, the feelings of that oppressed and insulted
people ? %Vas it because some parts of the manu-
facturing districts of Eugland %sere discontesited.
that therefore Irelatid—inuffensive and peaceable as
she was acknowledged to be by the Noble Lord, fur
which she received the praise of the Noble Lord—was
to be visited with • Bill of fresh pains anti penalties?
Ireland, after suffering for ages under the bad, the
ungenerous policy of England—lreland, whose op-
pieasions words could not well describe. yet proved
.superior to her misfortunes, and 'hewed a rare and
excellent example of good conduct. Why would nut
the Noble Lord allow her to remain in this state of
peace and repose? Did he meau to drive the peo-
ple into rebellion ? He might rest assured, that
No umlaute would be more mortifying to Ireland
than the extension of tilts Bill. The Bill went to
prevent public meetings. unless under certain
eauctions. It went then to prevent Catholic meet-
ings—turelities which had been ever invoked by
order and decorum ; yet, under the provisions of
this Bill, the Catholics of Dublin, and in other
cities, would not he Amer.' to asstusble in their
accustoustal nieetisigr. without the permission
of the Aldermen, ale Sheriffs, or the Lord 11o3or

--min, generally speaking. al hig,:,:(J imocipte•;
they would be theu driven to parish ineerisig., or
not to meet at all ; and thus would th it leeuuug of
disgust which suffering sod injustice most ever
create, ba greatly ancreaseil by a wairtriii tool
io-
suiting prohibition. He really did tort believe that
the Noble Lord, when hr mode his tior.,ing aperch,
intended to extend the Bill Ireland ; if he thought
so, the .r.ortls hr would wittily to such conduct
would not he consistent welt the tierorttot
dignity of that House. Indeed it WM. NO, OW
Sallie Irish Members voted with the Noble Lord
under the belief that the Bill way not to apply to
!related. He could say more : that imiutriett were
made by an individual whether the prowl-ions of
the null were intended to he extended to Irelatiti,
and he was informed that they were not. Ile be-
lieved it was code an after-thotight, to meet the
objections of those who might ask why this aho.
minable measure should be applied to England. to
Wales, anti Scott and, and not to Irel.intl, The
Noble Lind seemed to havehaves seemd sown on the
subject. and :ie now intended to put this Bill demo
the throats of the Irish. The Bill was clearly not
nece.ssry by Lis 'two statemeirr. yet would lie now
verdure to torn round to the Irish Washers, and
Pay, you must consent to it. The Noble Lord
had said a great deal about the prosperity of Ire-
laud. :1 was a description to which lie could ind
bear testimousy ; there was no put of the world
white the peat:nary endured greater misery and friss
tress-41)e trade and niaiiiila,tiarts of the county
were so low, that the Chalk, ellor of the Exchequer
declared, • few oughts since, that it was tircessary
to cootie/toe the linnet:ling climes settled at the time
of the Union, for some years longer. And why
was it necessary I Because the manufactures of Ire-
land were in such a slate as would end its rain, if
they had not the benefit of these protecting duties.
Twenty years of trial had tocoiell away suttee the
Union, awl the Irish maiinfactures are in a state of
ruin, and the Inch people it, a state of the utmost
distress. It was then very strange that the Noble
Loud should talk of the prosperity of a country
which required only to he visited to whew Its poverty
and wretchedness. Such was its real sitrusti 4444
and the assertion of the Noble Lord must have beet,
tussle either its ignorance, or with • wish to deceive.
Su fully was lie impressed with the unhappy situa-
tion of that country, that should no other Member
be found to do so, he would, in the course of the
move for a Committee to take the state of-
below, into considtration. Before he sat down, lie
would, for that country, implore the profecii of
the douse; lie was sure they would nut till trAgt• the
feel huge of the Insh people. To the principles of
the tneasurel., as they affected the rest of the empire.
he had objtlclitnis not le-% toroog. Ile . to, tura.
sores of a similar tharatter tried in Ireland before
the rebellion. NVliat could be their object now but
to gag the people—to put clown their free itievtings
—to prevent public °walnut from steering its front
against the Nlinisters—to diVaral the people—to ex-
'mac fluor houses to be entered at night—arid to
subject females to brutal insult, or brutal viola.
rose ! Thoye things occurred it, Ireland. The Noble
Lord 'night wish to fuiget them, but they errold
never hr iorgedien there. What would ti,-se uses.
sows effect They would drive the people to
system he and those who acted with
I.;.ut pursued for many years had involved the
country 111 misfortune, tool lett the people oppressed
With all imti.lerable load of taxation—arid was the
wall: to be completed by gaining a surrender of all
tit:lr liberties ? The Him. Nleitiher conciutled by
saynig, that though lie way trot then prelim-ed with
oily ainetoluttent, he would, in the course of the
doscossion propose, that Irelaml might be exempt-
ed from the operation of tile Bills.
Lord CASTLERLAGII said, that the liorintirable
Gentleman might raise any particular question re-
*peeling Ireland in the Cor ~,, ittee.
'Flue Home then resolved itself into it Committee.

Sir C. Moscx, idler slating that the idlire of
Loll Lieutenant of Counties was a military office,
and not io all CaSts filled by the same verso., who
held the Afire of emit)* Minimum, mimed that
the words " Lord Lieutenant" should be left out
of the clawe for culling meetings.
Mr. G. LAMB wished to carry the Amendment
ftrther—he wished that no Magist sate should hire
the power of refusing ineetii.g., but ilmwe wlto•are
not under influence, and who snigtit he expected
to give It meeting even in opposition to Govent•
mem. Recent experience proved that Lord Lieu-
tenants could not act independently without *ppm-
!tension, and without the fear of losing his office.
The Ameutlntent was negatived without *
_ _

Mr. I'►trr.trps said, that as the Bill was framed,
it tifectsially prevented all meetings in Nlancliester.
54. BaouGttim argued on the Millie .Idr—it
would, he zatd, effectually prevent meeting% in
Birmingham, Sheffield, 11'olverliamptun, and even
in Southwark.

Mr. Alderman W•ITHMAN contended, that un-
less it was made imperative on Magistrates to call
meeting,, it would be altogether impossible for any
meetings to be held. He instanced the Corpora-
tion of Bath, elected by itself, intlepruideibt of the
people. In London too it was Wren found difficult
to get a meeting, and cilium' were under cnmtool
prosecutions for acting there. The Alagistrstes
too had six days for consideration whether they
would call the meetings or not ; so that measures
iu that House, even the Habeas Corpus Act itself,
might be repealed, whilst the Magistrate was de•
liberating.
Lord COMPTON said, that hr supported the prin.
ciple of the Bill, but he still held it that the an.
clerit right of the people to meet should nut he in-
vaded ; lie had, therefore, du amendment to pro.
pose, which he thought would protect that right,
raid guard at the same time against improper in-
trusion. The amendment was, that the Magis-
trate should be obliged to call • public triertiog
where a requisition was presented to hint signed by-
twenty freeholderv, posses/Mg 100/. d year each:
said, lie proposed the resolution us well to pro-
tect the populsr right, as to prevent any odium
from bring thrown on the Magistrates by means of
the Bill.
Colonel MaxWELL proposed nearly a similar
amendment with regard to meetings in Scotland,
natuely, that meetiogs slaitild be called where re-
quisitions should be presented by tell persons enti-
tled to be Co 111111111 l 111 l ers of Supply.
Lord CANTUNEAGH strongly objected to both
classes; they were calculated•to overturn the oh-

ject of Cie Bill. In many cothiCes it woul Iheno ,
protection ti4ain.t tuninltuary meetings of two
limulreil thous:lntl persons, that twenty freeholder*
should he at the head of • reiplisition, lie inidanced
in particular the comity of York. Did ant the
Noble Lord think that in that county twenty free-
holders might he procured to • retiocritiott ? Yet
would not there lie a tilinalttlary meeting ?
not that mi•c:iief happen which it was the object
of the 11111 to prevent? Ile would object to the
Nonencl.nent-, convinced a, he was that they would
lia.r titer ehi ct of rendering the 111111 entirely 11111.
gltory.
P. GRANT said, that the observations of
the Noble Lord .hewed the exce-s to which he was
prepareal to Carry his principle, which was nothing
lio• than a rli.trno, not of a part, owt even of the
lower (Instil.' cif the people, hut of the whole, end
More particularly of the gentry, the freeholders of
the country. The Noble Lord, it now s.eemed, could
not tolerate that twenty freeholders, of Ittlll. n.year,
whorsl4l have that power which he was ready to give
to live ildiegi.trates.—( I fear. f—Sis much for the
gentlemen of England. Now as to Scotland.—
There. again, the same distrust W 14% ohoervalde,
owl the same or.tein to apply, even where the She.
• were actually under the control of the Govern-
ment. The Hm. sod Learned Gentleman took
this opportunity of alluding to the Scotch burghs,
the herds of which had not the slightest con-
nexion with the inhabitants of the neighbourhood.
- .

Lord NORMANDY. in n low toswe~
of 'Mee, ob.
iretrd to the NuWe Lord's Amendment in its pre-
sent form, which would render the Bill ionperative.

The Loan ADVOCATE of SCOTLAND alluded to
the persons who were sistburised to call meetings in
Scotland. and raid that the Sheriffs in that country.
tl gin appointed by the Crown, were not remove-
ably at pleasure—they were fur life. and may be
therefore constdered independent. A Convener (as
was the term in Scotland) of a county war em-
powered to call a meeting, and l►e challenged July
Gentleman to name ail instance in which a Con-
vener had refused to call a meeting.
An Hon. Member, whose name we could not
learn, 'mid, that the Bill was intended to protect
the people, end not infringe their rights. He
should oppose the Amendment.
Lord A t.Tlioitr said, that though the Sheriffs in
Scotland were not remnveable at the pleasure of the
Clown, yet the Justices were. The 1001. a year
freeholders were lint to be intrusted with the power
of calliope a meeting. though their qualifications
were .precisely the ►ame as thow required train a
Justice of the Peace.—(Fleur, /war.)

The Arroarre.v-Genkuat. called the attention
of the House to the poriuctvle of I his Bill, which
war to prevent illegal meetinv. He thought the
adoption or the Noble Lord's amendment would
rick the whole principle of the Bill. It war quite
Of late yesis that freeholders claimed the !mower of
cowry oo ioo g comity tweeting%. Ile knew all iustauce
in which it lied torn a question at ler", whether
even a Sheriff had the power to convene such

meetings.
Mr. KENNEDY had the strongest objections to
the Bill in its present shape, nod with reference to
its application to Scotland, ins pointed ant the dis-
tinction between the mode of up;iointing Sheriff's in
Scotland mid in England, and the different mruuer
in which their ditties were assigned.
Mr. DEuMAN ssid, that as the principle of the
Bill was to him ohji-etiunable, so were the detsils,
in any shape in whiell they could he applied to
support that principle. However, as the Noble
Lorors ansendtuent gave one chance more in favour
of the right of politico, it should have his support.
He insisted, in opposition to the opinion of the
Aitorney•Gerieral, that the Sheriff was the constitti-
ti ssss al officer invested with the right, but not ex-
clusively. of calling county meetings. He ridiculed
the opinion that the BM was protectiug and not
restrictive ill its operation.
Lard BINNING submitted. that there was no
sinif..gy between parish meetings and those of
counties, in the way in which the argument was
nartl by Gentlemen opposite. lie denied that the
Sheriffs or Scotland were dependant ori the Crown,
and atiserted, that the Convener of the county, with
whose iiionisiaboil the Crown had no concern, rather
than the. W:l4 ihe 11•11;11 person applied to
for the purpose of cuhhi,. such meetings. As the
House laid admitted by such large majorities die
principle of this Bill, he trusted the Committee
would out adopt any proposition to the shaPr of an
ameridmeot, which was at variance with that prin-
ciple.
Lord EnettinTrisr contended, that the nhject of
. Ministers o as ni !wore us confine the exercise of
the right of petition to parochial ineettligs, and to
extinguish those of couture*. This was clear, when
that middle class of respectable yeomanry, who
held incomes of 1011/. a year, were not to be in-
frosted with the privilege of culling a county meet-
ing.—(Dear.)
Lord CASTLEREAGH said, that the Bill merely
affected meetings held in the open air, and did
out touch those of the people convened in the usual
maimer in Towel-halls, or within doors.—(Hear.)
Mr. flosivet.t. said n few words respecting the
framing .11 one of the clauses.
Sir !tuneful. HERON alluded to the manner in
which Sheriffs were named ; and said, he knew au
instance in which a respectuble Gentleman refused
to fill that office, on the tennis in which it was of
to him by the Crown, and another person
who accepted the terms tvi.a actually hired to do
the duty.—(Grim of " name .r"/
Sir ItonEire IlEitON Said, he had no objection to
name the Gentleman who had independence enough
to refuse the offer tendered to hiss, ; but he would
not name the person who afterwards accepted the
office, us he had no desire to expose any eau to ads-
foriny. The Gentleman who refused it was Mr.
Calcraft. of the rowdy of Lincoln.—(!fear.)
An lion. Member replied, that Mr. Catcraft
did serve the office 4,1 Sheriff tor the comity of
Lincoln.--(Hear, front the Illinisteritil Benches.)
Sir Ro•citt Milos replanted that it was true
Mr. Calciatt slid last year seise the office of Sheriff*
for the comity alluded to, but it wits equally true
that a few years ago that Geotirmun had received
rind rejected the offer in the manner lie had already
mentioned.—( fifer, hear )
Mr. BATUuitsT described the manner in which
Sheriffs were nominated, mod Rented that the Crown
had any ciliumt over their uumitiation—three names
were _given to the •Judges, who transmitted them
from each county to the Privy Council, where one

.
%vas seol.teil. DIA cualibleht fur the
three to decline servong ypoie lining a proper excuse,
awil then the Crown had no power to select other
:so little 11 they, saw was asserted,
control over the nonrinntiuu.

Lord MILTON asked, wi, were to be the judges
of what would be considered a proper excuse?
Mr. R. MARTIN said, there would be an end
to the nill if the emendturist were c orred,—(l/ear)
—For his part, if the propositiiiii f the opposite
side was agreed to, it would only rem nu for him
to apply fur leave to return to trelainl.—( Loa
laughter.)—He was fir from thinking it would be
an easy matter to find twenty frrtliohirts of 100/.
a-year, each Radical Perfurnsers—tri IrrogAi—hg
meant Reformers. But he did thank it niNtit hie
po•sible to find twenty .uc:i prisons not suffsesespjf
discreet to be intriwril with the prrremitimi thi
peace of the county in the awl.' of tounattsugy
meetings. He strongly supported the principle s.r
the 8011, and condemned the isairoducttost of any
amendpa,pl which would injure Ow principle.
Sir C. MONCK said. that rite amendment want
misunderstood, for it did
nut enable 20 freeholders
to call meetings of the county, but to require the
Snohtertillife.
itilailettirPer°olfbertlioeffireeenre'ildtlieliuns,ohe Piristifiels ane
understood it. He would agree to the Bill in Com!
parts in which it repressed improper imeting., but
not in those which went to the loot of ihr ig:it
petition, and sunk county meetings to paruciii.i
011 e.•

Lord Coat. Torr acceded to the form of
amendment as agreed to by the Mo. Baronet. ,A;.O
spoke hot ; and he had no objection to enlarge .11
the great counties the number of lreeholdess who
were to present a requisition to the Sheriff—for in.
starlet., in Lancashire, Yorkshire, awl Middlesex.

pro-
portion rod CASTLEREAGH could not agree to any pro-
,t which would enable .20 freeholders to refl•
der it conipulsory upon Sheriff. to take cli lige of
meetings of a tumultuary description, merely I.
cause a few persons had the courage to convene
them.—(!pear./
Sir C. MONCK and Mr. BATHURST explained.
. . .

Mr. J. P. GRANT asked the Lord Ativoe4tr,
whether, under this Act, it would be competent kr
even a Lord Lieutenant in Scotland to c.ill
meeting? He thought not, if the 13tH stood at it
wax now worded.

The LORD ADVOCATE replied, that the words
could be no altered as to obviate this objection.
Lord CASTLEREAGH entreated that the Commit-
tee would confine itself to the imrtienkr clause
under co..sideration, and not travel generally through
the tneientre.

Mr. J. P. GUANT replied, that it was necessary
to travel thus generally through the clauses, on ac-
count of the very correct and explicit manner iu
which they were fratued.—(4 Laugh.)
The ipi-scion being loudly called tor—
Lord COMPTON ruse and said, that as the Hon.
Member's (Mr. Maxwell) amendment, would in
effect, if adopted, act something in the manner
which would attend the cue he had himself pro-
posed, he should in that event n3l press, his upon
the attention of the House. .

Sir C. MONCK raid. he would have no objection
to make the qualification 500/. nottail of
one. of freeholders calling county iriretingo.

_ .
Lord FoucatoNE fwiuted out the ditieTent min-
tier in which the Bill would affect Scotland II com-
pared wilh England, in consequence of there nut
being in the former country some of the officers
were designated in the Bill. For iostuoce, mete
was Ito Cusios Reaming In Scotland.

Lord A. HAMILTON apprehended that his No'ile
Friend was under mistake, 140 five Ju•tices
convene u meeting in
Scotland
as Well as 111
land, fur any thing contained in the clause. 'Fliete
wete only two lines yarning particularly to Scut-
Isnd, and they were added evidently to include a
class of Magistrates not kanwit in England.
The ATTORNET.GBNERAL felt olmgert to the
Noble Lord for his explanation, its winch he ((in-
curred.

Mr. BROUMIAM submit:rd the propriety of
slating the objection of his Noble Friend, by iht :-
ing the word "Steward." Oilierwise, the appre-
hension regarding Scotland would nut be of oge for
without cause. Iu the county of Nliil-Lothimi there
were enough Magistrates to fulfil the conilitiou
the clause requiring five. In most iif the COM:tit-4
there were not five Magistrates. Without the thl.
ditto's of" Steward," therefore, Scotfoid would he
in the greatest danger of being refused 'opportuni-
ties of 'fleeting.
After some, further discussion. the question al*
put, awl the Amendment lost, the numbrra hook;

For the Aroendarieci Bl
Against it

Majority l6O

Mr. Alderman Wont) moved an amendment to
that part of the clause relattng to the City of Lon,
dolt, by winch three 0)11111101k Councilmen should
be enabled to call a meeting, in caws where the
Alderman of the Ward might refuse.
Lord CA&TLEREAGH thought there were int
ground. for the Amendment, as the Bill %%mild
not affect meetings within doors, and every one of
the Wards most likely contained commodious
rooms for the purpose ; if they had tin such ritou!.
be would recommend Willis's, a very commodious
room in his own neighbourhood.
Mr. Ald. Wools said that he should he marry to
ha►e his Lordship's neighboui hood ditto, lied by the
approach of ten thousand citizens, to petition per.
haps against his Lord:.lep's own measure•.
Sir W. CURTIS thought there was no ground for
the amendment, as the Aldermen never relused to
call meetings.
Mr. Ald. %Vows was surprised at the tboterimi
of the Hon. Baronet, win -u, in fact, unretnog• hall
been refuted by the Aldermen very wend% in
nine or teu wards.—(Crie. rf " Question. )—The
lion. Gentlemen should have the question, lie
assured them, and the division also. • Nothing they
could do in the way of interrupting hum should in-
duce hint to abandon the detence of the !Mei-tips
which had been intrusted to Into. He was skirt.-
mined to take the sense of tile I-Hau•e upon the
amendment.
Mr. Ald.WstriistsN said, that the Aldermen of
his Ward bad uniformly refused uterus g•.—
(Cowghtug.)—He assured thee► be was nut to be
put ilowit by such means. It only made him suppose
himself in the Common Hull. He had a dusty ta
discharge, and Ire would discharge it, whatever ob.