The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1822-02-19 00:00:00

BUSMESS IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

TOll PAT, 711111108 T. raIIIWARY 19.
NOTICES OF MOTIONS.
Mr. Creevey—.Mni ion on Act for ressoueration
oho have held high (Arial sileations.
Mr. Spring Rice—Papers relating to Comets of Justice in
.Irrland.
Mr. D
&nem

of persoes

to inquire into the Law of

WIRDIIIIIIIIBY.
NOTICES OF MOTIONS.
Sir William Critm--Select Committee ou Orphans Fund.
Lord Archibald H•miliuu—Coin lee of the whole Hesse
on Reports of Select Committees on Scottish Burghs.

TKURPDAY.
NOTICES OF MOTIONS.
Mr. Aldermen Wood—To move to take the Petition from
the City of Luudoo (presented Sth Pituitary) into considers-
tion.
Mr. Jsmea—m-•'

oo the aubjret of breaking open Let.
ten directed to Meiners of Parliament.

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FIIDAY.
NOTICE OF MOTION.
Kr. Lesinard—.Adihrese ',pontos( his Majesty to reran-
mead to this Horse a reduction of the several breaches of
the Civil List Eependitnre.
Last day fur receiving Petition. for Private Bills.

SURREY MEETING.

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.

Yesterday • numerous sud respeetehle meeting of the
Freeholders arid other lubabilarts of. the comely of Surrey
was held at Epsom, fur the purpose of presenting a Petition
to Parliament in fawner of Parliarnentewyßeform.

At one o'clock the space sear the Market-place was
crowded by respectable farmers, and a arms-circle of wag-
gons occupied the centre. 1s use of them stood the High,
Sheriff Spicer, Bat ); she Meedwre for the County-
Messrs. Holmr Sumner and W. J. Deaison • Lord Elleobn,
much, Lord King, Lord Ebeisivori. Mr. H. Grey Bennett,
M.P. Mr. Charles Calvert, M.P. and several other Gentle-
men of the County. Mr. Gobbets, and Mr. Peter Walker,
of Westmiuster,stood on tee box of a post-chaise is the mid-
dle of the crowd.
Soon after owe o'clock the High Sheriff opened the buil-
OM of the day by reacting the Requisition, and narrating •
patient hearing for all parties.
Mr. LEECH (of Leigh) opened the business of the day,
by proposing a Petition in favour of Parliamentary Re.
form. He strongly enforced his opinion that the present
distresses of the country were mainly castled by an over.
whelianig taxation, which be considered world be removed
by • affiliated Parliameut. The rents and tithes must,
he thought, be reduced to the scale of 1703, before the
farmer or the public could be beaelhed, and that could
mot be dune without a reduced expenditure in the aff.sirs of
G seat la 1792 labour was low &admen high, but
the expenses of growth of produce bad since amused, and
sti %goateed the farmer, that be could not obtain a remit.
aerating price; Gum 1787 to 1793 inclusive, wheat was
13/. Is. a luad,•nil barley 28s. 5,1.• quarter. The carter had
thou lind. a day, sed.au •Iluwaroe of beer equal told. mote.
Was the same state of things to recur, unless dip grower had
the same reduced berthas ? How was Lord Castlereagh's sew
plats torelievetbem ?—(A Isiegh.)—He was to reduce le. •
bushel opus malt.—{Lund Iseghter.)—lf they were raw-

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kit •ith t it, tkeee.a. M end to Hui; enee' t10g..-ktiCiee of
" Nu! ma!")—Well then he should go tot —(Hear.)—They
bad bead a good deal eh out public (sub, sod she Wefts{ I y
of opholdlsig public credit. The Verbatim-of had by woe
Misprailed seek payments at the Baisk. asnalter
renewed Them—the latter stroke at use blow noltifyiett all
the 'Simla; cootrects of the eatiotry, by totally changiag
the van/toe the eurresicy I. *lrma they were contracted, ant!
redisciag all forming property rose helf le Value. Suitt being
the operation' of the Ails of Parliargrot, why talk of peblic
credit for one body alone, when it was overlooked in the
bier of another ? Why tint let all he considered embarked
in the same vessel, to 'Mk ur swim largetherl.—(hlear.)—
He fully agreed that nothing (mold be door wilMet Par-
liameulary Reform—without that as Meister could be
houlot ; fur, while the present system was 0114 ou, any
Minister would be brio to use his Isterest for his fronds at
else expense of the public purse. He amicloded with mov-
ing a Petition, complaining dr executive Imitation u the
dose of the piemat distress, snit mynas a reluetiOn of
taxes, anti a Reform in Parlianseut.
Mr. FL TOW NSH END seconded the Petition In a speed+,
in which be strongly enforced the necessity of Parliamentary
Reform as the only mode of insist; the country.
Lord KING, to a loos speech, took • review of the
Iloasteiril difficulties of the country, and concerted in the
sietessity of coupling a prayer fur Parliamentary Reform
in the Petition for a redaction of taxatote. Tbe
Noble Lord• said that the first blow the independemre of
Perliemest received was by the tatroduetion of the 46
Scotch Members at the time of the UllOO with fleotlaod.
A Secretary of State of that day truly momplaiwed
that on •, portkolar queetios the Sestets Menshesta were
unable le some up in time, or elm he should have castled his
point. Theo came the 160 Irish Members. The Irish cared
little for she English or Scotch interests. The hail part of
the English repeesentation oared little foe the Saved, sod
Irish interests, soil the Scotch cared little for say thing, bet
their own i so that betwee• the whole the geseral represen-
tation was in • pretty condition. He mitered into the coo.
sideration of Lord Londonderry's plan, which he contended
wee ridicubmie mid impracticable.
Lord ELLENROROUGH lamented to oppose what ap.
peered to be their view of that redress, which would mill-
gale their *titration's. He said, that •Il deplored the pre-
vailing distress ; but the only quest ion was, as to the Ille•MI of
obtaisior it. The reductional taxes which could be called fur
would set give the ?specter' relief; it did not, in 1816, wham
so large an amount of fellatioo bad been taken off Sep.
pose Korea millions of taxation were now takes off, It could
only make a difference of Gee shillings a quarter is barley.
The mode of seeking Parliensentrary Reform coeW sot ad-
minister any immediate relief; fur its ditiensaitio is bath
Houses of Parliament, and, If carried, the return of aew
Members would occupy at least six months time, della(
which •U their sufferings mould be exaggerated. The No-
ble Lord proceeded amid considerable interruption, and
then concluded by proposing the fullowieg ame•dment
" That your Petitioners are, nod long have biro, i• a
Mete of maexampled distress, immediately seising from the
Law price of agricultural produce, and the root espresso of
cultivation.
" Thad rem Petitioners earseatiy desire your Hoortorsble
Howse to adopt measures for that curtsies, effectual, and
lintineilliete relief.
" That io the °plosion of year Petitioners, authorial'',
effectual, and immediate relief will nut he derived from soy
of the measures hitherto proposed by the King's Ministers.
"That yew Petitioners implore mine -Hoosteroble House
to referee every. retreitchmeot in the public expeedionee,
and every reduction of taxes which can be made eonsisteatly
with good faith, with the elleteney Weer seeresary establish-
ments, and with the general prosperity of the State.
"That your Petitioners hope that the Members of your
Htmoareble House will oe this semosin*, by their sympathy
with the people acid the wisdom of their measeree, 'rupee
themselves to be the real and worthy Represeistatiese of the
ration, sad out afford your Petetioarre cause to desire any
elmage hi the mactest constitution of the Noose of Cosmos,.
" And your Petitioners will ever pray, ke..
" 8. Reaolved; That this Petition be oilseed by sae High
Sheriff on behalf of the Meeting."

Oise Ink Htle■borwaeh, Mr. DoPlase, Mr. T•wer•
Heauett, Mr. Cubbett, Mr. Halme Sommer, Mr. Naivety,
sad Donee other Grollemen, addremed the Meeting, and
were, with the exception of Mr. Tower aad Mr. 111111Ser,
well reeeitrd.

TIM original Peiition vas adopted by agadamation, sad
the meeting Climbed at near Dia o'clock.

LA rr irirELLnisites.

COURT OF RING'S BENCH, WRIMUNITiii
MONDAY, FISIRULRY
LIBEL.
CARTWRIGHT D. wßicauT.

Mr. Daarm•si, for the Plaintiff, said this was
an action for libel, and it was his duty on the
present occasion to plead the. cause of an individual
well known and highly respected by the public,
and especially by those who knew him hest. The
individual alluded to was the venerable Major Cart-
wright. In order to give the Jury a clear under-
standing of the nature of this libel, it would be
neeesrary to state that the Defendant Wright had
been fur some time past engaged in a controversy
with another individual, also well known to the pub-
lic. he meant Mr. William Cubbett, and in con-
sequence of that controversy had published a
pamphlet which he called The Book of Wenders ;
and this book contained the libel of which the
Plaintiff had to complain. The Book of Wowdett
professed to set out various•extract• from the pub.
!cations of Mr. Cobbett, directly contradictory of
each other, and if they were real extracts, they ex-
hibited • degree of cfepravity, wont of principle,
and profligacy in • public writer, which he be-
lieved hid never been equalled—certainly never
exceeded. But whether these extracts were trot or
false was not the question of to-day, or would their
truth excuse the Defendant for having thus
dragged the Plaintiff forward, and obliged him to
come into a' public Court of Justice to justify
himself against the most malignant slander. The
Book of Wonders, which he now held in his hand,
was preceded by a dedication, and a gross easa.
cature of her late Majesty. According to the book
itself. Mr. Cobbett had on one occasion repre-
sented himself as a swindler, and declared that
he would never pay his debts because some
of his creditors upheld the paper system. In
other parts of his writings, according to the
extracts in the Book of Wonders, Cobbett ree
presented the a inatisin of Mr. Perceval as a
subject of national joy and congratulation, and the
demise of the late respected and highly-lamented
Sir Samuel Roundly us no public lose or subject of
regret. It further appeared from these extracts,
that Cobbett having quitted this country for Ame-
rico, did, during his residence in that country,
publish and promulgate • plan, by the adoption uf
which the system of the Bank of England might
be overturned by bringing its paper into absolute
discredit, and declared the joy he should feel at the
arrival of the day when the ten pound Book of
England note should soot be worth an American
sixpeuce. This plan was set forth in the 34th vs.
lame of his Register, at page
.1,074, and cons.
ineneed" Suppose one rpopsbile of !urging." As
extract was also set out in this Book of Wonders,
in which Cobbett was described as stating that
" Major Cattwright's Creed was the criterion of ex-

• • •

celiencr." This extract Would lead the Jury to the
consideration of the•present libel. It appeared that
Coblirtt, pacing returned, became desirous of 'get..
, into Parli.imetat, and es a means of doing eo,
r.:he proposed that a public subscription of a penny
twupesiCe each person should be in on foot, by
*lntl a mill of 6,0001. might be raised to put.
ellen him a seat. Thm plan, however, failed, and
Mr. Cobbett then proposed that Sir F. Burdett
Should advance the 5,000/. for the purchase. Now if
there was any thing diametrically ()prorate to the
spittoons of Major Cartwright, it was this practice
of selling and Toying seats Is, Parliament. To this
traffic the worthy Major mainly imputed all the
misfortunes and difficulties under "Inch the country
at psalmist laboured; yet with tliis traffic the De-
feudant had, by a note affixed to the Book of Woe-
dere, endeavoured to connect the name of his re.
spec table client. This note hid been mostTalst lv
*lsted by the Defendant, and Lad the double
, namely, of holding out Major Cartwright.
se approving this traffic, and oleo of connecting
him with Mr. Cuhbett, who. if these extracts were
correct, most, as a public writer, be abhor-
rent to the mind of every haft:, arable man. The
Defrudaut would perhaps sty he only pub-
lashed what had been said by another, but that milli
not the case. The Defendant hid %grittier, them to
the Major, who had thus, at las advanced period
of life. been forced to tome into a court of justice
to &feud his character from the atspereidan thus
Awl upou him. Thitt the publication was a libel
Ott OM not the lent doubt, therefore it would be a
imallear time lu dwell on that topic. The Joey would home
fA Ind, Mad they would judge of it. tendert" to injure sad
esiellbllbeiPlaintia's character Damages were nut the wh-
ine:et tbe Plaintiff; lie nought by tare proceedsog so justify
les rustier sod eouslact. Moderate stowage" was all bet
Nerd; hut be (Mr. Destines) was (oily persuaded the Jury
Weald sot fall to Weil the Defendant heavily, Month they
Illiladd confine themselves ulnae she tweeds of emperors
H. would prove the pabliraires, and thee leave
$e mention to the Jury.
Captain Robert Williams recollected trainee, nor Ike De-
ibmissat Is May law, sad ithewiag him the Book of Wooders.
Weellei asked him if be was the author of the saute at Ow
WIND of page. 44 and IS, and be acknowledged be was.
Cithwesanitord by Mr. Scasberr —Major Cartwright
andtikt. rearms were with him. Dust recollect shot Mr.
MAIM said so Ma* Carts/sight, "How can you thick I
Winded to Jesuit you when I seat you • espy of she mask
Met Wiese that Major Cartwright wet published hie let-
ters is Cobeette Register. There bad bees a declarative,
that the Moines Creed was the patters of eacelleact ; it did
appear that in the Witted libel "criterioa of eurelleste*
were poblithed is loverted commas. Don't recollect that
the Dehrodiat said te the Major, that there was • mistake
is the refertinee to the pate in Cubbeit's works, sad that is-
olated ef page Mt, the refereaer should have bees page 812.
A now, dated May Is, 1821, from Mr. Wright to Mr.
1110etamsa, the publisher or the work, orknowledgior !genital
-abbe the author of the Book of Wanders, and numerating
the pubhsher from all ensequelaces, was read.
Taw label was thee read; ot was preced.d by the follow-
lagestract frogs Cobbest's works, dated December 4. HAD
•45 I as ready to tender Bs, head to Ste Frauds Burdett, sled
Is leader my whole heart ad nod to be castled in ell-ape.
*Slim with him, fur the purpose of eadeavouriag to Pewee
air contry from be (sup of its oppressors. I allt rtatly
"SWF OS private consideratioss is oblivion. I have sera
all lawnigh the country proof" of a moat rodent desire that
as mein Mould take place, aid I am resolved dist as pri-
ests leadage of mine shall obstruct that re-autos. Willatia
6114111110—" I told the Centimes. 1 would have nothing is
OD gape of eauesperstscea with the Baronet, except as oar
it a pantie onetime perhaps, unless lie would iomedistely,
6Atiedwo. of his own puree, furnish 1(e wrests of faeshittise
,111, ilaissue of Mr. Hunt and myself two the Hour of
'a u. Os the fah I received the following site from
the Gratientse, ? From a conversation I hairs fleet had with
She Francis Burdett, 1 am persuaded the endowd cameo be
vesdered available. I regret It, but 1 have thisught It best to
Tenn it you with my &estimate that it bas sot bemused or
seam'." To ibis was added the following nose, coals/slag the
Ilbcteoutpiohed of: •• Many well-inteationed person have es-
=thete surprise that the Bolightetter' aboadd have
ling to accept of a seat is Curruptios's dee, par-
lined wish the bask notes of • man whose • Mean*, and
aillararee he bad se powerfully exposed. To convince neck
=that this Nne of conduct was strictly patilatie,*wa
sly to mare them that is so doing be was walking la
the footsteps of that venerable veteran whose Creed is the
criterion of eseellesce, and who in an article of that Creed
has laid It down as a waxing, s that we most ia lighting the
nanny not reject the sae of the arms of even despicable and
detestable mee."—Cobbett, Vol. 92, page H.
The LIPID Catty Jnertcs said. be should •lossevy to
hate Ibis isquiry pushed aay further; cuald it sot he at.
coniendsted ?
Mr. Sonoterx said, Mr. Wright had been desirous of
doing every thing he eokld to accommodate the matter, sad
to ahew he meant se disreapect to M.jur Cartwright and it
was very hard now fur biro to be dragged WA a Court of
hitter, as be had been.
Mr. DIIIIIIA11—" Mid yet Mr. Wright treated to a wan
wheat -he bad described as blowing has •nd cold, and the
work has base suffered so go through boar edition."
The LOUD Clllif Just ICE rind, be bast ugly thestra oat
a enggestio• ; the parties would act as they thought
Mr. SCLII,LeTT then proceeded to address the Jury ow the
part of the Defendant, and contended that Mr. Wright bad
so filtration of libellee' Major Cartwright, use had be is fact
libelled that individual, he bad out/ made extracts from the
work!' of another—from the writings of Mr. Cobbett; and
this he had done with the best intention ist the world. Cob-
hest wrote foe the lower orders of the people, and Mr. Wright
wee desirous of shewiug, that as a public writer be was aut
to be depended ow, as be would praise an individual la the
highest see day, Zad write hies down with equal stmegth
the sett. Mr. Scarlet' then proceeded so read *tunas flows
Mr. Cobbett's Registers, in which be bad described Major
Cartwright's Creed a, the "criterion of ezeollesee," and
others, is which lie had *bused Sir F., Burdett, Mr./cation
eoneeded, that the Defendant bad only copied that which
Cobbett previously published, sad gave fermatas to the
places te Cebbett's works where the peosages might behind,
though by an aceideutal of the press, papa-win giver
iestesd of 812.
The Clues JUITICt again istisnted that, in hi, opinion,
this case bad better he accommodated.

Mr. Duman still declined to take that cowrie.
The Catty home then suggested that there was a •q.:4-
ewe is setting out the libel is the declarative and the libel
itirelt. The refertreces to the works of Mr. Cobbett being
fen out, and thus the ehaveete► of the libel mitered, matiog it
appear as if the words were !bum of the Dekndast, mid sot
■s rwroce from the work., of atwitter.
Mr. DENMAN submitted this was a question for the Jury.
The Cater Justice—" No, Mr. Delman. it as fur me to
determine; I wish it was for somebody else."

Mr. Dumas requested bit Lordabip,to eiree the pert.
The C 11167 Jurrics said he nun Id du so. . ,
The Plaintiff W•fi then boo.ootted.
Mr. Ilcatttrrw said, as t.e cause was let b fermis ale
kere, perhaps his Lordship would keep the kW. He muse,
howerer, Oa the part of Mr. Wright, ramose • hops, that
should dis Lordship Aad his own name is the publieatiow,
he would out set them dows as his (Mr. Wright's) nut' -
meats.
The Cetus Jewrice..." Certainly wet. Mr. Searktt.—
Thusgh there is up fear that I shall read any part that deer
aot relate to this ease."

The, Lou Cnnurcati.oft will sit this day at
Lit:Kohl's-Inn Hill. • It «dile tiwirst e 4 after
Hilary l'vrm.
The Middlesex Sessions commenced yesterday at
Clerkeuwell. Nothing of interest occulted.

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