The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-05-07 00:00:00

ASSESSED TAXES.

Sir W. GUISE presented a petition from Clifton, praying for a
repeal of the Assevted Taxes.—laid on the table.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL presented a petition from a class of
Christians called Separatists, of Portarlington and Maryboeough,
praying to be exempted front taking oaths, and to be put on the
same footing with regard thereto as Quakers.
Mr. HUME conceived the petitioners were fully entitled to re-
ceive the boon which they prayed. We should follow the example
of the United States, and allow every one who was a good subject
to the indulgence of conscientious scruples. During a period of
WO years, oo one Quaker was punished for perjury.
Sir J. NE% 'PORT thought that the House should act with li-
berality in all cues like the present.
Mr. CANNING had the highest opinion of the character of the
petitioners ; but, unless some distinction were shown between them
and all other people, he could not accede to their prayer.
Lord J. HI.'SSELL was inclined to pass some general law on this
subject, similar to that prevailing in the United States. He did not
as yet sufficiendy know the details of the law in the United States,
and was not therefore prepared to intioduce any measure tier the
present.
Mr. S. RICE said, the principle now plight to be enlarged was
already known in the province of Laster in Ireland. He was
friendly to the adoption of the general principle ; aid the more so
when he found that a &min or a Hindoo's evalenee would be
received in our Courts of Justice.

31r. J. ill LLI .1 Mr; said there wait this defect, this deformity
in our laws, that while in civil causes (be affirmation of Quakers
was received, it was not in criminal cases. It was Ms intention,
earls in the next Session, to bring the subject forward.
The petition was then read. and entered to be printed.
• BEER DUTIES.

CORBET presented a potation tram a great many of the
licensed virtually,. of Shrewsbury, complaining of the recent
measures of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which they prayed
might be amended.
Lord BELORAVE said he pas requested to support the prayer
of the petition, which he did from a conviction that it deserved every
attention.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER bad no dirleulty
in saying, that if this Bill could not be brought on at an early hour
to.tnorruw, he would not press it on. More than that be could not
not► pledge himself to.
..... . .

Tlietition was read and ordered to be printed.
Mr. CORBET presented a petition from the tanners of Shrews.
bury, against the Hides and Skins 13i11.--Ordeved to be printed.
Lord STANLEY presented a petition from the licensed victu-
allers of lilanchester end Salford, against the Beer Bill.—Ortbred
to be printed.
Mr. MUNDAY presented a petition from the inhabitants of
.4tiaburn, respecting the Beer Duties. A similar petition was pre- I
!tented from the victuallers of Tewkesbury.
_ IRISH LINEN BOUNTIES.

Lord ENNISIUORE presented a petition from several persons
interested in the linen wade, praying that the bounties might not
not be taken of.

Mr. C. U. HUTCHINSON was of (pinion that the pmer of
the petitioners should be complied with. The result of withdraw-
ing the bounty on linen would be to throw several of the poorest
classes out of employment. Such a subject demanded the earnest
attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. A great panic was
spread throughout the South and West or Ireland, in consequence
of the declaration of the Right Honourable Gentleman. He 131 r,
Hutchinson) wished to impress this subject on the most serious
consideration of the Goranment of this country.
Mr. BROWN (Mayo) was favourable to the general measures
of the Chancellor of the Exchequer; but Ireland was placed in so
anomalous • situation, that measures useful to England would
prove the reverse to Ireland. The bounty allowed was only 100,01101.
and its withdrawal would throw hundreds out of employment. He
therefore hoped the Right Hon. Gentleman would seriously consi-
dar this important matter.
Mr. D. HROWNE supported the prayer of the petition, and
hoped that if the bounties were to be redacted. the period for doing
so would be extended at least to six years. If these bounties were
taken off, the transit duties would not follow, and Ireland would be
deprived of that protection which her only manufacture now en-
joyed. He was therefore asionittha that Irish Gentlemen did not
give a more effectual opposition to taking off these bounties.
Col. BAGWELL said a few words, which we could not dis-
tinctly hear in the gallery.
Mr. W. BECH ER thought that the present state of Ireland
should call for an exception to the very proper general principle ad-
vocated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. If the bounties were
taken off, he hoped the period for doing so would be protracted.
The petition was then read and ordered to be printol.
lACENSED VICTITALUERS.

Mr. LYTTLEIOI4 presented a petition from the brewers and
the licensed victuallers of Burton-upon-Trent, against the Beer
Duties itegulation.--Onlered to be printed.
Mr. BING presented a petition front certain vestrymen of St.
Anne Limehouse, praying fit an abolition of the tax on light
and air.—Ordered to be printed.
Mr. C. PRIMA Al presented a petition from the inhabitants of
Osivestry, against the Dery Duties.
Mr. HUME nted a petition from the merchants and
trailers of Aberdeen, in favour of the Oil Gas on
die table.

--"LortIBELGRAVE presented a petition from the brewers and
IFlCtUlalCill of (:heater, mutat the Beer Duties Regulation BilL—
Ordered to be printed.
SILK M NU FACTURES —I It Eli:1 ND.
Mr. BOULISCRN presented a petition t Toni the silk manu-
factures./the City of Dublin, +rinse the Silk Regulation Bill.
(:AML LA We.

Mr. H. TWIISS presented a petition trom certain yeomen snd
farmers of the county of Gloucester. against certain clauses of the
Game Bill, now in progress through the llouse.—Ordered to be
printed.

Sir 31. W. RII)I,EY presented two petitions from the inhabitants
of Neweasile.un, on-Tyne and Gateshead. against the Beer Duties
Bill.—Ordered to printed.
FRENCH FORCE IN THE BILAZIIS.

Mr. CA NNING—In reference to a question put to me the other
evening, relative to the views of a large French force said to have
arrived at Rio Janeiro, I think it right to state, that altk.ough
myself had no apprehension on the 'object, yet In order to satisfy
the public, I made the proper inquiries ; and I have now to state,
that the destination of that force has been fully accounted fur to me
through the French Ambassador. I may add, that the French
force at Rio Janeiro only consists of two vessels in place of eight.
(Rear, hear.) We have in that quarter a sufficient number of ves.
gels to protect our increasing commerce, although they are placed
there lint from the slightest apprehension of hostility or danger. It
may he also proper for me to sthte, that we have a fiwee in every
quarter mom than an over.tuatch for any number of ships at any
tonign station. (Ilear,