The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1803-05-07 00:00:00

1.11PE171.1L PrIRI.I.I.IIENI..

HOUSE OF LORDS.
TRIDAr, MAY O.
Mr. Clarke was heard on die part of the Respon-
dent, -and Mr. Adam in reply, for the Appellant,
in the appeal, Colonel Macpherson v. Ramsay
Hannay, after which the Lord Chancellor affirmed

the judgement.
'1 he Jrish Bank Restriaion Bill was read a third
time and passed. The usual message was sent to
the Conitnons.
The other business on the Table was gone through.

.

INsu;SENT DEBTORS' RELIEF BILL.
The Order of the Day for going into the Com-
mittee having been moved and read,
Lord RAWDON (Earl of Moira), in a speech
of some length, supported the Bill with much strong
reason ins, the rhje.t of which was to skew, that he
wished the Bill to pass, as a means of extending
benefit. to tlx unfortunate but honest debtor,
to the exclusiOn of the fraudulent debtor. His
Lordship moved, that the Bill be committed for
Thursday nest.
Lord ELLENBOROUGH, in a sptveh of con-
siderabli energy, contended for the necessity of suf.
fering the law between debtor and creditor to stand
as it had been handed down to us from our ancestors
for centuries. He pointed out, from his own ex-
perience, the evil effeCts Of repeated Insolvent Bills,
and maintained, that in the hopes of taking the
benefit of them, multitudes of•debtors, capable of
either discharging their debts, or compounding with
their creditors, rusned into prison, merely to take
advantage of these White-washing ACts.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said, in the very
preamble of the Bill there was a principle which
admitted that such Bills were pernicious in their
effe:l, for it stated, " that notwithstanding the great
prejudice and detriment which occasional ACts of
Insolvency may produce to trade and credit, it may
be convenient, in the present condition of the prisons
and gaols of this kingdom, that some of the prisoners
confined therein should be set liberty." The Bill,
by its own ,preamble, stated th?. crowded state of
the gaols.to be the necessity on which the Bill was
grounded. His Lordship stated at great length the
mischief of the repetition of such Bills, and said,
that although the Noble Lord who introuduced this
Bill, afted, he was persuaded, from motives of
humanity, yet that true humanity demanded that
the law • of debtor and creditor should remain
undisturbed. He said, it had been argued more than
once, that sending a man to prison because he could
not pay his just debts had been called a punishment ;
he would not admit that it was any punishment. It
was nothing more than putting into operation a ne-
7,esaary.part of his contrad with his creditor, when
he originally contrieted the debt. He said, when
the Bill to prevent frivolons and vexatious arrests had
been under consideration the other day, and it was
proposed that 201. instead of 101. should be the sum
liable to be arrested upon, he at the moment thought
it a humane and unobjeCtionable proposition; but he
was now firmly convinced, that it would be a most
injurious alteration of the law if it were adopted ;
and he. could speak from his own experience of
twenty years to this point, because he knew
that if a man owed nine pounds, he was
more likely to litigate it than if he owed ten.
—ln the latter case he would pay or com-
pound it with his creditors, hat in the former
he would stand a suit, which filled the Courts in
AVestminster Es.ll, and at the assizes throughout
the country, with more causes of this description,
than any other.
_This Bill, his Lordship observed,
had been introduced before the Christmas recess ;
from the moment it was heard of, debtors had been
rushing into jail, with a fraudulent design to
cheat their creditors. His Lordship explained the
law of bankrupts); shewing, that to break a second
time, was a:tended with such disadvantage as
obliged those in trade to be more correft and accu-
rate in their transaftions than they had been before
they first became bankrupt. Having urged many
arguments and recommended a particular amend-
ment to be made in the Committee, his Lordship
saidhe didnot mean to objeCt to the Billin that stage.
Lord RAWDON replied to the two Noble Lords,
and contended, that his iabje,n in introducing the
Bill was to distinguish between the honest, but un-
fortunate debtor, and the fraudulent debtor. As
Lord Ellenborough had rescued the calling the writ
a trespass, and said, it was a mere fiction of law,
and adopted for tie purpose .of bringing the cause
into court, Lord Ilawdon said, he did not mean to
quarrel with fictions of law, but where they pro-
duced injustice, and in this case arresting a man for
a fietious trespass, was loading him with delinquency,
and there was no delinquency or criminality in a
man's not being able to pay his debts.
[Lord ELLENBORdUGH and the Lord
CHANCELLOR spoke at much greater length
than we have stated; their arguments being the same
which have been heard from the late Lords Mans-
field and Kenyon, agrinst Insolvent Bills, and are
sure to be heard from sound lawyers.]
On the question being put, the motion was ne-
gatived; the Bill was consequently lost.
Nancy. OF PROBABILITY OF WMt.
Lord PELHAM said, that considering the anxi-
ety and suspense in which that House had unavoid-
ably been so long kept, as to the state of the nego-
tiation between his Majesty's Ministers, and the
Court of France, he thought it his duty to make a
communication to the House, but it was with great
regret that he must add, that lie feared it would
not go far enough altogether to quiet the public
anxiety. The communication was, that the l'relich
Ambassador had that day sent for his passports, in or-
der, as soon as it Wji Cnown that Lord Whitworth
had left Paris to come to England, he might leave
London with his suite, and depart for Paris. His
Lordship said, Lord Whitworth had been ordered
to press the bringing
.the. negociation pending be-
tween the two countries to a conclusion, and be had
also bad instructions gent to him, that in case that
be could not su,:ct-cd is attaining that obje,R. lit

SIXPENCE.

should quit Paris as on Tuesday last. Whether
he had quitted Paris, and was on his way home, his
Majesty's confidential servants were uninformed, al
the messenger had not vet arrived, and could only
conjeaure from the incident that he had mentioned
of the French Ambassador's having sent for his
possports that day. His Lordship further said, that
after what he had communicated, perhaps the
House would be surprized that he should move,
that tl'e House should adjourn to Monday next ;
but thereason was, that it would not be possible for
his Majesty to furnish his confidential servants with
such a communication, as the nature of the case
would require, to be delivered, so early as to-mor-
row, but he had a hope, that on Monday next he
should be enabled to bring down a Message adapted
to the occasion.
Lord CLIFTON (Earl of Darnle!.) rose to ex-
press his surprize, that the Noble Secretary of State
should, under such extraordinary circumstances,
as those he had just stated, make such a proposi-
tion, as, that the House shoul.,l adjourn to Monday
next. The public mind had been kept in a step of
the utmost anxiety and sitipense for two months,
by the extraordinary taciturnity and silence of his
Majesty's Ministers ; he was persuaded, therefor:,
that there was nut an individual in that House, or
out of it, whose patience was not entirely exhausted;
and after the information which his Noble Friend
had now given the House, he was persuaded that
their anxiety would be encreased tenfold ; and, al-
though the Noble Secretary of State had said, he
had not a hope of being :P,:e to bring down a Mes-
sage from his Majesty to-morrow, yet he thought
that their duty required them to meet, in -disregard
of their own case and convenience, because, under
the

he would forbear to use any
epithets, or say any thing severe upon the long si-
lence of his Majesty's confidential servants—it was
incumbent on their Lordships to shew themselves
aetive and vigilant in the service of their country,
and ready to discuss and pursue such measures as
their collative wisdom and prudence might suggest
as proper to be adopted in so Critical and dangerous
a crisis. If the Noble Secretary of State's motion
for adjourning to Monday should be agreed to, it
was possible, as the Noble Lord had said, he had
not a hope to be able to deliver any Message on the
important subject to-morrow, that some cause or
other might prevent his being able to bring down a
Message on Monday, and, therefore he felt it his
duty to state, that if a Message should not be deli-
vered on Monday, and some very strong and satis-
factory reason stated to account for its not being de-
livered, he would make a motion calling upon Mi-
nisters to account for keeping the puTic mind, for
two months together, in such extreme anxiety, to
learn from them what measures they had taken to
bring their negociation with France to a conclu-
sion, and what obstacles had intervened to cause itt
being protraded to such an extraordinary length ;
for, from their own taciturnity, all their m -
of late had been most unaccountable.

.

Earl SPENCER rose and said, he could not help
saying a few words after •the very important com-
munication that had been made by the Noble Se-
cretary of State. He, like the Noble Lord who had
just sat down, could not refrain from expressing his
astonishment that, in so perilous and Momentous a
crisis, the Noble Secretary should have proposed to
adjourn to Monday. '1 he N...ble Secretary had said,
that he could not bring down a Message from his
Majesty fit for the occasion till Montiay ; but was
that a sufficient reason for the Houses not sitting to-
morrow, under such extraordinary circumstances
of the country ? Who knew but to-morrow morn-
ing the expeetel messenger might arrive, and bring
with him important information which required the
immediate consideration of Parliament ? Nay, who
could say that hewonld not be in town within an hour
from the very moment that he was speaking. It
was titeit Lordships' indispensible duty to manifest
the utmost vigilance in a moment of so much dan-
ger, and they ought to consider that the tkublic
would look up to the House for defence and
teetion, and that it was 'worthy their -attention to
stand high in the public opinion ; they ought there-
fore to be found upon their posts, and be ready the
moment further news arrived to digest such mea-
sures for the public security, as the circumstances
should appear to render necessary. His Lordship
enforced the idea with some energy, and said, that
possibly if he went further ill expressing what he
felt on the subject, it might be imputed to ill-hu-
mours or considered as the language of complaint
or disappointment, he would therefore conclude
with moving as an Amendment on the motion of
the Noble Secretary of State, that the word " to-
morrow" be inserted, in the room of the words
" Monday next."
The LORD CHANCELLOR left the Wooliack,
and said, that the Noble See:etaty of State bad not
said that lie WAS without a hope to be able to de-
liver an authentic communication from his Ma-
jesty to-morrow, but without mentioninl the word
" hispe," had direaly said, it would be ahsohitelf
impossible for him to bring such communication
forward to-morrow ; after such a declaration, it
could be of no use to meet to-morrow. With re-
gard to what the Noble Lord had laid of the mea-
sures of his Majesty's Ministers, lie would make no
answer ; because, befole the Noble Lord who re-
plied first to his Noble Friend, the Secretary of 14a%.
State, knew what the measures of his Majesty's•
Ministers had been, it was incompetent for him to
pronounce whether they were good or bal. With
' regard to what the Noblo Parl who had just sat
down, had said, " that any thing that fell from
him might be imputed to ill humour," be was sure
it w.O utterly impossible (Cr any one Noble Lord to
impute such a motive to any thing ih& came from
such a quarter, but he must rah leave to differ from
Cud. Noble Earl, in rt.speel to the Noble I erd's
agument, that their Lot siship's ts-oald stand Meer
n the public opinion, if far forms' sake they met
uselessly to-morrow, And separated without being
able to render t:.e smallest service to the public,
instead of wishing, vlien matters of the most serious
d itop.Ataace w 4.4,4151 be subtraiteesi to their sousisicra-

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lion ? Tluir meeting to-morrow would be an intro- '
tent affeaation, foutialesl ern nothing hit a poor
eminence to acquire unmerited topitlitrity. His
Inrd.hip said, for this reason he Liould vote for his
Noble Friend's motion, and against the amendment
=owed by the Noble Earl.
Lord CUE EON (Karl of Darttiey 7, expressed
himself in reply to Cie l.sird Chancellor with more
than warmth ; he said he had taken, at least lie had
endeavoured to do so, unusual pains, to avoid co-
louring his expressions with regard to the candela of
hi. Mojeste's Ministers with any offensive epithet;
an 1. therefore, he was at a bees to imagine why the
Noble and Lamed Lord had answzred him ea,
shortly. As to the measures of his Nlajestv's
sisters, they vet remained to be explained ; he could
not, hero e explanionn was given, presume
to
decide von it. nor had he made any such attempt ;
bin he would still say, tkat the public had been for
two months kept in a state of most painful anxiety
and irksome sit .ens' ; aed having been o) kept,
Ministers most one da:- give a fidl and sat' %adore
ac:osnot of all their measures, or they would not be
held jostised in their feilow-subjefts' opinions. His
Lordship reiterated those arguments, and repeated
his notice of coming forward with a motion which
he owed to himself, and to his respea to their Lord-
siMs, it no commonication were made on Monday,
its the mean tim e. lie said he should vete fur the No-
ble amenoment.
The Earl of CAR LISLE said, that h' concurred
with ti:e Noble Lord who had 'pit sat down. He
understood him not merely to allude to the cnndu&
of his Majesty's Ministers on the :subject of the im-
mediate nenojation and communication of that
day, but to the whnie of their conduct for the last
nineteen months, which loaded his Majesty's ser-
vants a deep responsibility, which now pressed
heavily !won their shoulders, and must soon come
to an eKpl.in stion. The Noble Lord had said no.
t',:og that *mein to have excionl the amter of the
Nohle and I.earned becanse the fan seas ex-
aetler as the Noble 1 erd had stated, that the patience
sit the public was exhausted, and ti,at the obstinate
taciturnity of nis Majesty's Ministers had 'caused the
utmost anxiety througbout the whole country.—
With reseed to the House not sitting to-nior-
tow , under such poilons circumstances, he could
not agree with the Noble and .Leareed Lord,
'tett it would he a meeting if mere for n, and an
twins assembly, in which they could render no
service to the country ; he saw the possibility nt cir-
eminstances woo-ring that might deserve the ut•
moo attention of Parliament immediately ; and one
et those circumstances was this—the Noble Secre-
tary hid said. that the messenger had not yet ar-
rived, so that his Majesty's servants were unin-
farmed, as vet, whether Lord Whitworth had left
Paris or not. The messenger might arrive that
night or to morrow morning and if he brought
information that lord Whitworth had left Paris,
anri was on his way to London ; if so, they all
knew, it vas war direCtly. lie Was convinced,
therefore. his Lordship said, that whether thee
would stand the hither in the opinion of the public
by sitting to-morrow or not, he was so thoroughly
convinced that it was their duty to be upon their
posts, and ready to direct their best wisdom to form
and adopt such measures of precaution, as the criti-
cal circumstances of the country might require, that
he would take the seese of the Howe upon the
motion.
The House divided on the Question, that the
words " Monday next" stand part of the motion.
COrittilt3 - - 2.9
Non-content -
Tellers, L-rd Auckland and Lord Clifton.
Adjourned till Monday next.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
FRIDAY, IdAV C.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCIIEQUE/I„.m.
" Sir, before I rivive that the Kruse will, at its
rising, adjourn to Monday next. I think it right to
actptiint the House, that I exped to he authorized
by his Majesty, to make a conimmtication to the
I louse, on that day : and ever. tinder the present
circnnistalices, I feel it incumbent on n:e to state
to the House, that General rs..ndreopi, fie French
Ambassador, has this d ty appiied at the Foreign
Office for a passport, with a view to avail himself
of that passport in order to return to France as soon
as he hears, as he evide..dy ez;,eas to hear, that
Lord Whitworth is on his return to this country.—
Sir, Luid Whitworth rtceived orders sometime
since fron) his Majesty, in case he should find it
impossible to bring certain points to issue between
the two Governments, to leave Paris on a certain
day. No accounts have been as yet received, that.
his Lordship's departure from Paris has taken place,
but I think it probable; anti having that opinion, I
ought not to disguise it from the House. I do think
it probable that his Lordship has quitted Pat is. I
trast the House will feel the propriety of ivy ab-
staining from saying more. I therefore only move,
that the House will, at its rising, a.:joutn to Mon-
day."
Mr. FOX—" Upon this critically awful occasion,
I di. not rise to say any thing with regard to the ge-
neral question, but I cannot help saying, if things

It to juJge of the rropriety of the enndtic't of his
Majesty's Goverament ; till this infilmtation is laid
Yore the House, and it will be done with all po'si.
bie dispatch, this House could not he in possession
of the question in such a manner as to ren her it pos-
sible to come to any conclusion. I thereihre submit,
that the delay called for,an,wers, under these circum-
stances, no had purpose whatever. I wish only to
state, that his Majesty's Ministers will not delay one
moment in alvising his :slajesty to make such COM.
munication on the subject as won as it is in a state
to warrant it, and that they are disposed to give the
House every information to enable the House to form
a judgment on the adnal state of the diirerences be-
tween this country and France."
Mr. Gr.FX-4, Si, I feel that this is an occasion
on whi,:h it would not become the House to trust
entirely to the dispositions of the King's Ministers,
but that it ought to judge and decide for itself, and
till I hear some better reason than that which is
given by the Noble Lord ; I trust it will concur in
the Anaadment I mean to propose to the motion ;
namely, that this House shall meet to•morrow.
The Noble Lord professes that he thinks it hit-
probable, but he did not say impossible, that
Lord Whitworth should arrive in such time,
as to enable his Majesty's Ministers to make a
communication to the House before Monday.—
We have been told by the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer, that there is every reason to apprehend (un-
fortunate intelligence for this country !) that he is
aclually on his return. I know not on what particular
day Lord Whitworth had the orders he has stated,
in case he did not receive satisliOnry answers to his
propositions, to quit Paris, but it those rumours we
have heard arc to be depended upon, it is not im-
probable he may arrive in the course of the present
day or to-morrow, so as to enable his Majesty's Mi-
nisters, in compliance with their own dispositions, in
compliance with the urgency of the public feelings,
and in compliance with their duty, and that severe
responsibility—(Exclamathns of Hear! Hear! from all
parts of the House)—a respot.ibility greater than
ever esisted on any :armer occasion, not to delay a
single hour in making that communication which
has been delayed so long ; and with resped to which
the public are so anxious. The Noble Lord says
there is no disadvantage in delaying the communi-
cation ; I say, Sir, that every hour or minute the
House is delayed in giving such advice to Ilk Majesty
as may resole the country from the situation in
which it is placed, is of the very last importance.
Vehement acclamation: at Hear ! Hear !)-91e delay of
a single moment is:disadvantageous How does he
state that delay will nut be attended with inconve-
nience. When a communication comes to the House,
undoubtedly a future day must be appointed for
considering it, but if it comes to-morrow it may
be possible to have the subject of the commu-
nication considered two days sooner, than if it
is made on Monday. As the Noble Lord
alludes to the necessity of that information which
ought to accompany such communication. Allow
me to say, that I hope his Majesty's Ministers have
not been so remiss as not to be prepared, in case they
should make the communication to-morrow, to lay,
at the same time, that information before the House
on which its opinion is to he guided. Under these
circumstances, I think the House ought not to agree
to prolong the adjournment. When his Majesty's
communication is laid onthe 'Gable, some tune must
necessarily elapse, before it can be taken into con-
sideration, in order that the Members may have an
opportunity of readirg it ; and that it may be
printed. I trust the House will not agree to so long
delay ; and I shall taerefore move, as an Amend-
ment to the motion, that instead of " Monday," the
word " to-morrow be inserted."
The motion, as amended, was put from the
Chair.
Mr. CANNING—" Sir, I wish to distinguish
shortly the grounds upon which, if this question
should conic to a division, I shall vote for the earlier
period. With some of the arguments of the Hon.
Gentleman who spoke last I do not agree ; 1 do not
expect thrt his Majesty's Government should be
prepared t lay before the House, so early as to-
morrow, the information that is necessary. I beg
leave to state that I have no such expeaition, but I
am content to vote for the House meeting to-mor-
row, if it should only meet to adjourn, upon this_
ground, that at a moment of such national anxiety it
does not become the House of Commons to be absent
from its post one hour. It does appear from the
statement of my Right lion. Friend and the Noble
Secretary of State, that they are not certain they
may havis it in their power to make a final com-
munication to the House before Monday ; but it
does not appear, from their statement, that they
may not have some communication to make in ad-
dition to the i.lormation we have ieceived : for
what is the information, as it appears front the state-
ment of the Chancellor of the Etch:xi:ler ? It is, that
he concludes, and infers, that Lord Whitworth has
quitted Paris; but the mere circumstance of this
being only conclusion and inference, dues prove
that there is information which may come between
this time and the meeting .1 the House to-morrow,
which may enable him to make that intelligence
certain, he now gives on conjeSure. Will any man,
witnessing what he has, say it is not material that

der its own digniti, ani not to do Mull is itietirt-
sistent with the custom of Parliament, sit' on a day
when it is wiusual for the House to meet, merely
beCAUSC it has been announced that the French Am-
bAsaador has demanded a passport to France. I
would ask whether it is a dignined condua for the
British House of unmons to sit on a presumptiqn
that information may be given them, merely be-
cause the Ambassador of trance has demanded
passports. and when it is impossible any infor-
mation can be given. if there was any pro.
bability of the least praßical good to be :tamed
by sitting to-morrow, I should be the last man in
tllc House to vote to adjourn ; but when there is no
probability of our sitting being attended with any
advantage, I think am justified in recommending
to the House not to accede to the amendment.—
Lord Whitworth did not leave Paris on Tuesday
but on Wednesday, and he travels with a large
suite, it is not likely he will reach this metropolis
before Sunday. Is it to be said the English Parlia-
ment is to he waiting, in the mean time, without
any praaical good attending its sitting ? Is it possi-
ble that the House can, by meeting to-morrow, en-
ter upon the discussion a moment sooner ? We
cannot enter upon the subje& till we are furnished
with the papers relating to it ; and I am persuaded
that will be as soon as possible. 'When they are
furnished, let the subject be taken up with that cool-
ness its importance demands. If the House could
sit for any purpose to-morrow, i: would only be for
the sake of discussion taking place, when no one
could be properly informed with regard to the ques-
tion ; and such discussion might do mischief, and
tend to increase the differences between this country
and France."

Mr. CANNING, in explanation.—" I have been
miquiderstood on that point on which I particularly
wished not to be mistaken. I did say that the sub-
mitting the papers to the House ought wit to be
precipitated ; but I made this distinCtion, that the
Hon. Gentleman having stated his information to
day, by inference, argument, probability, and con-
clusions only, it was probable the next twenty-four
hours would produce certainty as to Lord Whit-
worth's return ; ILA I think that fain an amply in-
ducement to the House to agree to the amend-
ment."
Mr. WHITBREAD.—" I differ from the Hon.
Gentleman (Mr. Yorke) as to the mode the House
ought to adopt, and I do confess that it appears tome,
it would ail a more dignified part for it to remain
here at its post, in expectation of that communica-
tion which miz,ht possibly be made. He told us lit
would be a more dignified part for us not to re-
main here merely because the French Ambassador
bas demanded a passport. Light as he ranks of a
a proceeding of this sort, it is one, which, in my
opinion—•'
Mr. PJLE CARIEW.—" Sir, I rise to kvak to
order. If this dLcussion is to continue, tht. conse-
quence may be mischievous."—(Hear, Hear, from all
par: of the Howe, and a v.:eral appal to the Chair.)
Mr. SPEAKER.—" If the Hon. Member in-
tends to speak to order, he should announce to what
point of order it is he refers."

Mr. POLE CAREW.—" Sir, I desire that the
standing order of the House for the exclusion of
strangers may be enforced."—(The gallery was im-
mediately cleared).
During the remainder of this discussion, which
continued till about nine o'clock at night, it was car-
ried on with considerable warmth and animation,
as we were informed, but while the order for the
exclusion of strangers was enforced, we do not con-
sider ourselves authorised to state any particulars
which might have privately come to our knowledge.
The principal speakers were Mr. Lascelles, Mr. She-
ridan, Mr. Wyndham, the Attorney General, Mr. T.
Grenville, and Dr. Laurence, who spoke at consider-
able length. The debate was further extended by
several explanations, and when the House
.at last
divided, the numbers were
For the original motion to adjourn to Monday 185
For the amendment to adjourn till to-morrow 95
Majority for the Minister's motion - 90
The doors after this were opened and strangers
re-admitted to the gallery.
DLINIER NIL INF. ELECTION.
The Order of the Day being read for bringing
James Tiptter, committed for refusing to attend
the Cordttttee pursuant to a summons for that
purpose, being read, and a motion having been
made that he be now brought in,
Mr. HURST said, he telt it his duty to oppose
the Motion. The offence was of such a nature as
demanded the most serious animadversion. Pre-
varication was not equally criminal in his opinion,
because, if a witness came before a Committee and
attempted to conceal the truth, it would be in the
power of able and experienced Counsel to sift his
evidence, so as to make his prevarication or false-
hood manifest; but it was otherwise if a person
summoned as a witness, did not attend at all, for
then there could be no remedy for the party, which
may he injured by his absence. On !:.ese grounds
he should oppose the prisoner's being brought in for
the purpose of his being discharged.
Mr. lIERESFORD was on the lenient side of the
question, as the man had been confined for a month
if he should be longer
that his family might
proceeding from his ex-
said, that his disposi-
fully by this individual ;
seriously to retie& on what
ce of such an offence being
sdequate punishment. He
such lenity would not be
• of the House of Com-

I'vffs W. IM.7gDAS declared it as his opinion,
that the person in custody could have made a much
more substantial detence, but that from his igno-
rance, and tie strange and aukward language and
dialed of his country, he was nut enabled to make
himself understood. The question was then put,
and though the opposers of the motion seemed to be
numerous, they did not press for a division.
The prisoner, James Trotter, was then put to
the Bar.
The SPEAKER then addressed him, observing,
that he had been convided on the report of the Com-
mittee of disobeying their summons, duly signed by
the clerk as well as the Speaker's warrant. That
his offence was aggravated by adverting to different
periods of time, and to the peculiar circumstances
under which his conduct appeared to be ie-
jurious to one of the parties, and to have ob.
strutted the Cemmittee in the exercise of its
jurisdidion, which was founded on the authority of
the House; an authority the more to be respeded
as it was inseparably blended with the liberties of
the people. In the mercy, however, of the House
of Commons, they consented that he should now be
discharged on the payment of his fees. He was ac-
cordingly sent from the Bar.
The. CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUE.R
next moved, That the admonition then given by the
speaker, should be entered on the Journals (..1 the
House, which was agreed to nem. con.
IRISH COURTS OF LAW.

Mr. LEE moved, that the House should resolve
itself into a Committee, to take into consideration
the Report of a Committee on the compensation
proper to be made to the Officers of the Court of
Exchequer, for the diminution of their emoluments,
in consequence of the Bill for regulating the pro-
ceedings of the Courts of Law in Ireland ; which
being agreed to, the House resolved itself into the
Committee, Mr. Hobhouse in the Chair.
Mr. LEE next proposed a resolution, that several
Officers of the Court of Exchequer in Ireland would
suffer in their emoluments by the provision of the
Bill already alluded to.
Lord DU NLO did not approve of such a business
being brought forward at so late an hour, and after
the Househad been exhausted with a previous debate.
The measure was of great importance, as he under-
stood it would go to no less than imposing a tax to
the amount of 40,0001. on the people of Ireland.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
said, that the motion being brought in at so late an
hour, was only from the great indulgence he expe-
rienced at the hands of his Hon. Friend (Mr. Lee),
be giving him, on a subjed of the highest public
importance, a preference to which he (Mr. Lee),
would have been entitled to, if lie had thought pro-
per to insist on it.
Mr. LEE replied, that all he meant further to
propose was a resolution, conformably with the ge-
neral and liberal practice of Parliament, that com-
pensation should be afforded, in due proportions, to
such as would otherwise be injured in the amount of
their incomes. The vote now called for would do
no-mare than recognize the principle so uniformly
ailed on, but when he came to state what the cons-
peasation was to be, -he should endeavour to do so
in as full a I louse as ' He was ready, how-
ever, to explain now.thatlie only meant a full cotn-
pensationto such as .held Dilices during 11E, and to
leave it to a Committee to consider of what shOuld
be allowed to such as only _held inferior offices, or
durante lene placito, limiting the sum to the latter to
3T)91. at the highest.
Tile resolutions were thei) Weed to, and the re-
port ordered to be received on ikelikaly next,
FORFEITED EsT4TES risCoTLAND.
The LORD ADVOCATE of SCOTLAND
moved that there be laid before the House an Ac-
count of the balances of 69,1101. and 2,5001. se-
maining in the hands of the Royal Bank of Scotland
from the forfeited estate; of the Perth Famil y.—
Also of the unexhausted balance of 3845531. from
the forfeited estates of the Lovat family, which were
agreed to.

Ile then brought in the fill for making further
provision for the ::c!iiioln-lasters of Scotland, which
was read a first, ordered to be read a second time— on
-
Wednesday, and to be printed.
Mr. WETHERAL, from the Commissioners of
the Irish Customs, presented some accounts of the
duties on twist cotton, &c. which were ordered to lie
on the Table.

The House resolved itself into a Committee, to
consider of the AA of the Gth of King WilliaM, add
other Adis, as far as they- relate to the exportation
of bullion.—(Mr. Alexander in the Chair.)
Mr. VANSITTART said, he should not, after so
long a debate, enter into the detail of all the objeas
conneaed with his notion; but simply state, that
the ditty amounting to something equal to a prohi-
bition on the exportation of silver or gold in bul-
lion was merely intended to protea the coinage,
and required an oath from the exporter, that neith,e
the gold nor silver had ever been coined or melted
down here for manufaaure. The necessity of this
no longer applied to silver, as the state of that coil,
was not such as would make it worth the while of
any one to export silver coin which passed for its full
value at least. But as there was reason to think
that people had not been very strict in taking that.
oath, and that great quantities of dollars were
brought to this country from Hamburgh and other
places, what was intended was to relieve the con-
sciences of exporters from an oath not scrupulou,ly
regarded, nor any longer necessary. He therefor•
moved for Leave to bring in a Bill to alter anJ
amend the former Laws, as far as they related t ►
the exportation of silver, which was agreed to; a. 1.1
about ten o'clock the House adjourned.

•

fr
,
V

it
.) are come to that point which the Right Him. Gen- the house should be in possession of the earliest question, as the man had been confined for a month
tlenian has stated them to be at, it seems to me certain information, and that with a view of giving already ; and it seemed, that if he should be longer that people had not been very stria in taking that
that it is more than probable an authentic commu- this, forty-eic;ht hours are no gain ? I know it may detained, the effect would be, that his family might oath, and that great quantities of dollars were
TY~nication might be made to the House to-morrow. be answered, that there are ether mediums by which be ruined, by a conduel proceeding from his ex- brought to this country from Hamburgh and other
'!• On that supposition lam sure this House will not information may be given to the public. To this I treme ignorance.
tioSn
Sir ROBERT
dlleUalXnTleOrcNifuslailydi,,ytitii:ltits hinisdidviidspuoasli; places, what was intended was to relieve the con-
sciences of exporters from an oath not scrupulously
deem the circumstance of its being Saturday, a reason
for looshig two days, when it considers that this is reply, that if there is a man in the house who
thinks there- can be a more regular and constitu- regarded, nor any longer necessary. He therefore
a moment not, I admit, ab,olutely decisive, but of clonal channel of communicating intellieenee to but the House ought seriously to retied on what moved for Leave to bring in a hill to alter anti
ereadful suspense ; and therefore, as it is a case in • 'the public than through the medium of Parlia- may be the consequence of such an offence beino amend the former Laws, as far as they related i s
passed over with an inadequate punishment. He the exportatioo of silver, which was agreed to; :ell,
which the discussion Troia take place, it may be of nient, that man must vote for the longest adjourn-
the greatest importance to the country whether that mcnt ; but under the circumstances stated, that apprehended that too much lenity would not be about ten o'clock the House adjourned.
discussion is twenty-four hours sooner or later " it is possible one atom more of certainty may be consistent with the dignity of the House of Corn- . - - — - -- i
Lord liA WKI7SBURY—" It is necessary to say added either way, to the doubtful intelligence we mons.
• THEATRE-ROTAL, DRURT-L/INE.
a few words in explanation, after what has fallen have received, and that certainty may be required The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER THIS EVENING will be performed a New Crimedy called
from the lion. Gentleman opposite me: Ido not in twenty-four hours, I cannot understand on what said, that no one could be more disposed than him- THE MARRIAGE PROMISE.
conceive that any official communication can be principle any gentleman can take away from the self to give watt to any thing in which he could The Char...lee: by Mr C. Kenible, Mr. Dwyer, Mr. Dow-
-1 . made ccmistently with what has been the regular
pradice of his Nlajesty' s Government, without the hear House of Common . the privilege of being the first to
, and the first to colony that information to the suppose the dignity of the House to be concerned ; ton, Dir. Hollingsworth, Mr. Bartley, Mr. Palmer, Mr
i
but it would be right to consider whether that dig- Pope, Mr. Pnttell, Mr. Purser, Mr. Evane. Mrs. Powel
Itil $ _ . knowledge that Lord Whitworth has arrived in this count: y. It is tin these grounds, and nut from any pity had not been already sufficiently consulted, It Miss Nlejeo, M. Mathlocks, Mrs. Sparks, Mrs. Jonlan.
To whirh w;11 be added,
Country, and that cannot possibly take place till desire to go hastily into t 1.., suhjea that I vote for was right to inflict punishment, but it should have. LODOISKA.
it I I some time to the course of to-morrow. With resped n end ; and justice be administered in moderation..
the Amendment; it is not that I think the necessary a
In the vote he should give, he could not forget that THEATRE-ROT..IL, COVENT-GARDEN:
I i to sslest the Hon. Gentleman state. as to the ineott-
seeience of delay, I cannot co:we've to what it is he information can be laid before the Ho.:se to-morrow ;
but it is from a feeling that the House of Commons this offender was brought all the way from Scot- THIS EVENING will be presented a New Comedy called
It' 1 aitujes. If unfortunately this 'business shall turn land, and had already been a month under con-ouoht to sympathize with the country, that it oughtJOHN BULL;
le las1as
reason to ap- to show the same anxiety the nation feels, and that
finement.
Or, AN ENGLISHMAN'S FIRE-SIDE.
i . - out in the manner there is too much
ireherei it will, his Majesty will immediately send
a message tothe House, informing them of the result, it ought not to be givirg itself a holiday when the
people are all anxiety and attention." Mr. TIERNEY said, that having expressed his
opinion before, he should not, at this time, detain • Mr. Mr. Murray, Mr. Fawcett, Mr. Johnuonr,
Lewis,. The principal Charaders by
/t!' and that be has ordered the different papers on the Mr. YORKlge—o, Sir, I wish to say a few wards: the House by recapitulating what lie had offered
a before ; nor should he object
.to this motion, if it Mr. 11. Mr. Blaiichaitl, Mr. Emery, Mr. Waddv,
Mrs. Gihht, Johnston,ra. Davenport, and Mrs. H. Johnston.
aubjett to be laid before the House foo as to enable it the Chancellor of the Exchequer has stated that h With a Lyrical Epilogue by Mr. Johnstone,
1 I t., term a cored judgment as to the nature of the may possibly receive some distind information tiesthought, every should be
.1,
kthe sultret by Monday; I wish the House to coati- the Dian was sufficiently- punished already. , THE SPOIL'D CHILD,
• .
...