The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-02-06 00:00:00

WEIGHTS AND MEASUltrti.

Mr. 110 LIRE SUMMER wished to know what had
been dour by the Commissioners appointed to take
into consideration the present stair of weights and
intssures, and whether they were hkely to wake a
Report during the present Session ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that
the Commission alluded to was not at all connected
with his department. lie could, however, state,
lOr the satisfy( lima of his lionnorml,le Friend, shut
some piog,res4 had berm made by the Coniiiiiss;mierv,
but not sufficient to encourage a hope that they
would be able to present a Report in the present
Sessum.

Mr. It SINNER suit), there was a partial pres-
sure, at the present moment, that rendered borne
remedy necessary. The late Mr. 11'hithread had
introduced a Bill whereby Magistrates were re-
quired to hare proper weights and measures in
their differrut districts, by a referelice to which
persons having false weights and Illeablirr% might
be convicted. 'Flue usual way was to apply to the
Exchequer, where the regular staridard was kept,
for those weights arrd measures. He bad applied
there, and be found that there were but three mea-
sures of capacity, the bushel, peck, and gallon.
It was evident that these denianded an immense
number of subdivision., to answer the general pur-
pr,ses of life. The City of Lontlua hid employed
persons to subdivide those measures into the minor
denominations required—a hurl' subdivisions were
afterwards used by the Magistrates in their va-
rious districts, who, yells% upuil the measures
so subdivided, received nil ationm against per-
sons using what they conceived to be false mea-
sures, and convicted several of them. He now
iniderstood that those convictions could not lie
sustained, because they were founded on measures
that did not issue from the Exchequer. To remedy
this, without interfering with the powers of the
Commissioners, he conceived that a Bill might to
be introduced to legalize certain subdivisions—and
it was ills intention, at an early period, to propose
such a Bull to the House.

CUSTODY OF HIS MAJESTY'S PERSON.
The CHANCk:LI.OII of the EXCHEQUER moved
the order of the dry for the Move resolving itself
into a Committee of the whole Home, un the Bill
for the Care of his Majesty's Person..
Tile Bill welit II gh the Committee sub sikw-
rio. Oil the motiou not it be read a third time
to morrow."
Sir M. W. RIDLEY rose and raid, he did not
mean to oppose the Bill—but he certainly con-
ceived a part of it wnr objectionable, end, there-
fore, it avoid perhaps be rs aril if the Right Hon-

Gentlentan postponed it for a short time. He did
not object to it because the custody of his Majes-
ty'a person was placed in the hands of the Duke of
York, for lie did not think it could he better dis-
! posed of, both with reference to the comfort of the
Kiug, and the satisfaction of the public—hut he
did not approve of that principle which gave a de-
gree of influence and pows,r, to a quarter ist which it
shoold lint exist, considering the situation in
which the Doke of You k stood with respect to the
succession to the Crown. He should be glad to
know how far that influence would extend? As
this subject must come under the consideration of
the Select Committee, appointed the preceding
evening, the Right Mat. G1,1116.1'1,111 would per-
haps let the House have the benefit of their Re-
port, with respect to the intended extent of this
influence, before the Bill was read the third time.
I He meant not, however, to press his objection,
being contented with having expressed his senti-
ments in a constitutiotial point of view.
The Citstaclfo.na of the EXcJtEQVER said, it
was advisable that us little delay as possible should
take place—but he had no objection to postpone
the third reading till Monday.
• Sir 51. W. RIDLEY said, lie did tint mean to
press his objection.
Tete Htn. Mr. LAMBE concurred in the princi-
ple which his Hon. Fileild had laid down, and
thanked him for hasitig expressed it. Ile also
wished to state. that the principal was one which
ought always be observed, wherever it possibly
could. Every person Millet recollect what passed
on a former night, when objections were made to
what was properly denominoted, this imperiest ix
ienperiu, because it placed infltience, which ',mistily
belonged to the Crown, in other hands. At the
sante time, it must be observed. that this was a
necessity, absolutely forced oft the Legislativre—
and the circumstances of the rase were such
they were compelled to submit to them. For it
was impossible that the Doke if Nock could be
responsible for the situation of his Majesty, mmt the
conduct of his Household, unless lie had the power
of removing the persons constituting that House-
' hold.
The Bill was then ordered to hp read the third
time to-morrow, the CHANCELLon of the FUME-
QUER expressing a hope that no objection would
he offered against its 1,. tog read sit four o'clock.
MUM GAME HILL.
Mr. BARHAM looted the Order of the Day for
the second reading of the above Gail.
Mr. BRAND suggested the propriu my of post.
poising this question, es he had himself given no.
tice of a motion ou the subject of the Game laws
generally. He trusted that the 8,1 l of the Hon.
Gentleman would not interfere with the enactment
of such a general measure, a. that which it was his
intention to submit generally to the House.
Mr. MADDOCK. was noxious to comply with any
ouggeition coming from the Hon. Gentleintiii, and
he proposed to introduce a clause in his Bull, for
the purpose of laving it repealed or altered in the
present Session, in the event of a niore genera!
enactment being adopted by the Legislature. Ile
saw, however, no maim' for postponing at preseiit
a measure which had for it. ohject the security of
minims belonging to proprietors of hind in North
Wale., and the better regulation of the appoint-
meta of game-keepers.
The Hill a•as read a second time, and ordered to
be committed on Nlontlay next.
IiUSINESs ON SATURDAYS.
Mr. A ns:notuuriv begged to know, if it was
the I,ttention of his :11ajesty's Ministers to niter the
ordir.ary practice ot the House, and call file the
attettilance of Mentlaers on Sit urdacs > Ile knew
such a course was adopted I.r the IturprPie of ex-
pedititig public business sit the close of the Seg.
• stout; hut lie also krew, that it was attended with
some inconvenieuct. As lie understood a public
question stood for to-inort ow, lie desired to know
whether soy alteration Will itutsuolvd in the usual
practice, anal for what reason the Huuse was called
upott to meet to-morrow ?
Mr. LustliNcioN replied, that no alteration was
intended in the usual practice of the House, and
the meeting to-morrow was merely for the sake of
passing a particular Hill.
HitI.YIILAD ROAD BILL.
Sir HENRY PARNELL obtained leave to bring
in as Bill to consolidate into one Art the provisions
of several 'furiipike Acts, relating to parts of the
line of road leadiiig to Hid) brad.
This Bill was read a first time.
BARNSTAPLE ELECTION.
Mr. LAsturoN preseitted a Petition from George
Henry Clements. 'Flue ohject of the Petition was
to obtain leave to offer &mother surety fur his com-
plying with the Orders of the House, lit the place
of one who was refused by the Examiner. The
fact was, that the Petitioner gave the address of
cane of his sureties, as febilling 1111 Essex-street,
Strand, whereas it twist-Bred that the individual had.
unknown to the Petitioner, changed his address
short time before to Noriliumbeiland•street. As
the time was expired for giving the usual notice in
Petitions of this sort, complaiiiing of undue Elec-
tions, the Petitioner hoped the house would give
hum the necessary Utne to enter a mute *tiroy before
the Examiner.
The SPEAKER said, it was the practice of the
Howse, after a Petition of thus 1115111 re was read,
to call upon the party couirerord, or his sgesit, to r
appear at the Bar, and verify tin oath the 'rimiest's
of the said Petition.
Mr. HARVEY said, that it was trifling with the
House to present such a PCIIIIIIII tee this. The l'r.
Wiener, before he entered the name if his sureties,
should have care to have had the correct ad-
dresses of the parties. One of the sureties bad been
a bankrupt tan years ago.
Mr. Wean said, it would be altogether the
more correct course to have the Petit verified,
and afterwards to have the proper course considered
which the case required.
Mr. Aneacitosirr agreed that this course ought
to be taken iii the first instance. He thought there
was a prima facie core to the Petition. which, if
made out, entitled the Petitioner to the indulgence
he claimed. Where the mistake was merely of the
address being in one street its the Strand instead of
another, lie thought the l-louse would overlook an
cum, of mere inadvertency. As to the notion,
that because a 1114111 bad been a bankrupt two years
ago, lie was nut to be deemed a sufficient surety.
lie thought it cyrried its own refutation. The law
recognised the right of ts bankrupt to acquire pro-

petty subsequent to tie receipt or hi' certiißeatt
and surely the House would nut pronounce it it,
qualification which the lave n,vice
( !hap.. hear.)—lf the fact.; in the Petition
a.
verified upon oath, he thought the Pottiuher
entitled to the indulgence he required.
Mr. ilaavtor dieclainred having intended toir
Pinnate, that Ireraure a man wins WICr balikru.
he was to be con►idered as ever ofieraards
lulveld.

Mr. STlner:r.3 Bo'llerrE thought that tlit lifinj
ony,tlit to weigh well the citii.equeoce. of any►k.
partitrr from the fixed r..au•e rtrIoCCIIIILf
; soil that rite taptipiam of the Exdu,,b.,
as well as of the Petitioner, ought to he tukett
the nature of tole application.
Mr. 11,AMBroN said, that the course nOll
by the Petitioner was the identical ohe rec conmend.
ert by the Examiner, who had sent hint to
flume to seek relief. He complained of iLee~.
pression used by the lion. Member opposite Ili,
Harvey), Ilia this Petition was an hrbult upootre
House, ■nd timid, that, on the Contrary, the expo,.
stun of the Hun. Member %yds rather an intuit to
common sense.

Mr. HARVEY denied having said the Petihoc
teas vii insult ripen the House.
Mr. Ism;Ton then bawl, that after thi, .!..
claimer he could not possibly mean to imputp,
■n expression to the Hon. Member.

Alter as few words fruit' Mr. STURGES BOU'rkF.
isnd Mr. WitoTTEst.t.Y, respecting the real in.cor
of the l'etitintl—

The SPEAKER said, that the prayer was gen...
►ally to have tune allowed for presenting auout•
surety.
Mr. WYNN said, that lie apprehended the Pr.
tition could not he received in its present form.
The proper course for the Petitioner would be,
apply for leave to have Isis recognizance enlarged.
The SPE&IIER, on a further reference to ti
prayer of the Petition, found that the Petibut,c
Ilia also applied iii that form.
Mr. Williams was then called to the bar. 11.
verified, as agent to the Petitioner, the contents
the Pctltion upon oath.
The SPEAKER thought it right to state, that :t
was unnecessary to examine the Petitioner himself—
us by the Act it was competent for any person in.
rprolisteil with the matter to be heard in verificriwi
oI• the Petition.

On the motion of Mr. LADISTON, the PetttionPr
recrived until Monday week to provide a proper
surety.

The SPEAKER said that this extension of tint
was necessary to enable the Petitioner to give right
day' notice of the new surety.
Mr. WVfi N concurred in the propriety of gi t
this extension of time to the Petitioner, as thrie
seemed no colourable pretext or culpable !leg:, ct
in his ease.

MY. S. IlouamE still
auy departure from the fixed rule.
Mr. WYNN faid, that if itecaphary. the Exarni,i.r
could be called—one of the Clerks usually
this office.

CtUtiOn

Mr. Williams said, the House had, he thou;',!,
seen enough to justify the iudulgence granteil
the Petitioner.

Mr. Ii•NICES concurred in this opinion.
The Ennversation here dropped, and on •
motion of Mr. LUSHINOTON, the House atliour 0-0
until to-tnorrow (1161 day).

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.