The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1822-06-20 00:00:00

LEATHER TAX.

Mr. S. RICE pretested a Petition from the Tatmers of
the Toots of Drogheda, propinr to be relieved from the
Earls. Deli', us Lealber.--Orderrd to lie coo the table.

HARD LABOUR.

Mr. COURTENAY brine to a Bill to
esteiscl the punishaseat of bard labour to eertsio °deuces
Dot at present subject to tbas species of pulllallueol.
Mr. M. A. TAYLOR swished the nature of the offences to
which It was proposed to reseed Ibis peoishmeat to be paid-
eslarly

Mr. COURTENAY asid,lve intended to apply it to per
sues convicted of ssoaalts with cerium intents, ■od also to
persons convicted of receivion stolen goods.
NEW WRIT.

Oa the motion of Dr. LUSHINGTON, a new writ was
ordered for the Occur's of a new Member to serve in Paula•
wrest, io the room of t►e Emig( Yarmouth, now Marquis of
Hertford.
ILLEGAL FEES IN THE COUNTY COURTS.

Mr. LENNARU New-limed a Petition funs rental• Hesse-
beepers and Tradesmen in the County of Middlesex, com-
plaining antic etactiuu of illegal fres in the County Court
for the Recovery of Small Dcbte; ■nd of the iocoovenieuce
of harts' only use Court teethe whole Comity.
Mr. COURTENAY expressed his strung conviction that
this Petition did not express the opinions of ay commiderable
pentium of the respectable iiihabiteuts of the coruly of Mid•
dieser, sod that it was Awarded an the basest and most im-
proper outlets. He adverted at some length to the meaner
is which the Petition was got up, and the previous proceed.
lags of the perforis who first set it is smotioa, to support his
assertion. The law which established the Court expressly
provided, that if t►e Clerk of the Court, who was in this
came complained of, or au, other officer, were guilty of exac-
tion, as application might be made to the three Chief Jus-
tices, who were empowered to isquire into the complaint,
■ud if they saw reason, to dismiss such officer. There being
tires a distinct mode of redress pasted oat by the Act, be
tow so tramps why the petitioners should be allowed to come
to t►at House with ex parte statements, calculated to excite a
prejudice rut only quintet the person cumplsised of, bat
the Cum t itself. He therefore mowed t►at the Petitms be
rejected.
Dr. LUSHINGTON did not costar in the boo of afro-
meat 'ahem by his Hos. and Loomed Friend, and be thought
it iscoasistrut with his usual candour thus to come forward
and braid uo lees four thutisamd petitioners wit► the
imputation of malicious motives. It also appeared to him
to be an extraordinary sod repriced/sled comma to call opos
the House to reject a p•titiun of complaint epee the sisgle
smisepported swertion of say individual, that the charges
sere umfounded sad the petitioners attested by malice.
The charge of the petitioner, was, that justice could sot be

1

done In varlet, easel decided by are Court, Md that
recite fees were.taken. The Court was for the recowtry of
debt, under Gray shillings. The number of cusses disposed
of annually was LIAO; and the Court sat only twice a week,
so that the Jedge of this Covet must dispose of no less this
160 causes in each day of tatting.
Mr. H. SUMNER 'imported the amendment.
Mr. H.G. BENNET r thought that all t►at had bees
said slimed realms why the House shoold proceed imme-
diately to inquiry, rather ikon reject the petiole!.
The ATTORNEY-GEN MAL said the fere to be takes
by the Court were speeded in the Act of Parliament, and if
larger fees were exacted, a plain coarse was pointed Oat foe
a remedy; and that being the ease, the House ought set to
entertain a petition of this nature until the petitioners bed
bad recourse to the means p ibed for obtaining a remedy,
and those means bad been found inadequate.
Mr. HUME expressed his surprise that the Rest law officer
of the Crown should stand up is his place in that House,
and set ►is fare against a petition from four thousand per-
mute applying for a more cheap, easy, and convessieat mode
of obtaining justice. He maintained slat those who opposed
the reception of this petitina were the greatest enemies to
t►e character of the o6lcer of the Court complained of.
Mr. C. W. WYNN said when he saw that the I%w had
provided a luminary tribunal for the express purpose of is-
risking into and redressing complaints such as ibis petition
pet forth &pima the Court, be did sot usiderstaad why that
House abeutd be applied to. Utile,' the Hamm were pre.
pared to appoint a Committee to inquire into the complaints
of the petitioners, it ought not to entertain the petition;
and be wee mire that It was sot fur shat Howse to apply H-
eel( to the retirees of grievances for which another remedy
was provided.
Mr. HOBHOUSE mid be certainly sever did hear of a
proposal to reject s petition ou such strange grounds as had
now been urged; crusade which, as bad bees visit observed,
rather supported t►e claim for immediate inquiry than the
motion to reject the petition. It was elver that is the opt.
pion of the petitioners the law had not provided as effectual
remedy fee the abases of which they emplaised; they em-
ceived that so remedy could be had but is o charge a the
law, tad be. were they to obtain such cheap bat by •ppli-
cation to that Howse? To reject the resilient would nut
inns the petitioners; bat it would injure the ammeter of
t►e 011ieer of the Court, and damnify the reputation of the
Howse.

Coto•el WOOD thought the Ho•ee ought not to eeler-
taio • petition containing charges against an individual,
preferred at • period et the Session when they could cot be is.
quired into.
Mr. M. A. TAYLOR thought the House could not with
safety to its character refuse to receive this petition. He de.
preested the practice of stifling complaints of abuses is the
admisistrsiloa of justice. It was ogle of the dm deties of
the House to c ise • vigilant control over t►e Courts of
Justice.

Mr. W. SMITH said he thought the House costa Dot ro.
fuse to receive this Petitioo.

Mr. CURWEN, feeling the Lights' respect for the cha-
racter of the individual complained of, and the strongest
councillors of his ability to meet those charges is the most
satisfactory manner, thought be 'bold he doing him an
injustice if be did sot request the Homenble Gestlema to
withdessit the swine fur rejecting the Petition.
Mr. COURTENAY wished to know, whether the Hon.
Member who presented the Petitior would undertake to
pursue the dunes to so immediate inquiry?
Mr. LENNAREI said, it could mot be expected that be
should undertake to proceed to se inquiry at this late pe-
riod of the Ses.ion. At as surly period of the Session he
did more for a Committee so this subject, aid vies refused.
Mr.CREEYEY said, in the objection they bad urged
against the Petting, the Right Hoe. the President of the
Ruud of Control, aod the Hum. Commissioner behind him
(Mr.Wyma and Mr.Coortasay),were pursue/ the coigne oust
likely to establish the character of that Howie for 'sassily.
They issued by the prayer of the Petition altogether, sad
wished the House to reject it at once, buses* the peti-
tioners alleged charges which they said they could prove, in
which they founded their prayer opiate the Judge of that
iwopeemy-halfuony Coon ; fur which charges, said nose
Geothermal soother remedy has already bees provided. The
petitioners sot like that remedy, sod pray fur • better;
and they also pray that another Court may be erected, to
save She.. claimants who live at the other end of the cunt,
the trouble sod experts( of going so far to recover trilling
debts. He should like to know how the course proposed by
the Right Hoe.Geatlemsaa opposite world remove that evi4
or how sorb • prayer could be met by referring the Peti-
tioners to the Judges of oilier Courts, who had no power to
redress the ioconvesieon, but would necessarily refer the
petitioners back to that House?
Mr. C. W. WYNN said, his objection was sot to the
prayer of the Petition, but to the allegatioas it cognised
minima the chancier of an individual who had sot the op-
portunity of meeting them.
After a few words frost Mr. LENNARD nod Mr.
ROBINSON, IIIr.COURTENAY coeserted to withdraw his
ameadaseist and the Petition was laid iso the table.

Sir J. N CWPORT presented a Petition from ilia Tambora
of Waterford, complaining of the preseat mode of collect.
iog the leather ditties, which compelled them to bastes the
process of the lan-pit, to the great dmorioratioa of the
article, sad with conaidrrable disadvantage to She CIMISSINNI.
He stated the effort of the now ditty to be 33 per coot. opal
the value The Petition staled tbe geoeral declise of the
trade for tbo lost twenty years, aid prayed some relief is
the intended modiliesiirio of the leather tax.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER tlsonslet
there would be so objection on the past of Government to
place the tanner in the same situation u before 1819 ; It cer.
taioly was desirable to bold out every inducement for him is,
let the sri.cle be rovularly sad properly prepared.
Mr. C. HUTCHINSON complained of she onerous and
distreseini effect of the deities as at present collected.
Mr. V. FITZGERALD Was understood to state. that
when the test was imposed It was understood that it would
be subjected to revision es the discovery of say iscoarreei.
(nee arising out of it.

Sir J. NEWPORT said, that if the d..ty of 1512 were
to►en oQ the rest alight to be romitted, as it would barely
pay the expense of the machinery.
The Petition was ordered to be printed.
Mr. JAMES presented a Petition from Wm. Pridle,
keeper of a public-bnuae at Kakis HIM, rear lichester, is
Somersetehire, complaining of bowleg his license arbitrarily
suspended by two of the Magistrates (tole named Wood-
ford), after having kept his Imam and maintained his family
is repute for arvitiairea years. The Petitimier attributed
this visitation of punishment by the local anthorit ars upon
him to some festiviiirs held at his house by she parishioners,
in which they celebrated t►e acquittal of the late Queen
The Hos. Member observed, that the conduct of the Ibt s-
g. it ra ry or that county seemed to be as harsh ihroutgbont
the district as Mr. Hunt had shown it to be art regard to 11-
cheater gaol

Mr. PEEL hoped that the House world in justice bear
the defeat* of the attacks made upon the Magiatrates. He
knew Mr. Woodford, obis was a person of the first resperta-
bility. The other Magistrate was equally well repelled.—
Complaints wrre made by the constable of the paiidlt of
the disorderly management of Prolle's house; that the mew
idled their time, soil wasted their little meses there in drink-
ing for days together; That some mew receiving pariah re-
lief actually spent w►at they received is t►at way. There
were other complaint. of s similar nature from other indi.
victuals. Mr. Woodford told the complainants that he
would not ezercke his power of asking sway lb* license
without. explanation, but would kat have Pridle con-
fronted with the accusers. The parties encoded on the
licensing day, and mode good their chlorites, upon which
the liceuse was openly and formally refused. As to the sup-
position that this was done is hostility to those who rejoiced
at the acquittal of the (antes, it was so for from bring true,
that Mr. Woodford was knows to bare bags decidedly hostile
is t►e trial of leer ►ate Majesty. He had moreover, when
some years ego Ibis very lodividsal, Pridle, was is diatom.,
from the elects of • riot committed is his bows, and neigh-
bourhnod, relieved him. sod directed that his owe &Homey
should advise with him es to what course ►e would take.
Mr. DICKINSON said a few words is defence of ON Ma-
gistrates.
Mr. G. BENNETT was satisfied with the explasaties of
the Right Hue Secretary, always remembering that between
the Magistrate sod the Petitioner, it was only allegstiou
agaiest allegstmo. lie most at the same time obitstely that

ail the et-net* said fa time heft rogantitted by the Petl.
Boner, might have been punished by Ihre—ra hraneh of the
magisterial authority which should he more frequently put it
practice, and thee there would be little peed to deprive lon
of the men. of livelihood by taking away their licensee.
Mr.IANE. would not vouch fur the troth of the Pell.
Hon, though Ike Petitioaer bad given hies motorman*, that
the only time any this( dioselleely antlered at hi. bonne mug
once when the Cborchwardeus, Clergyman, and Parish OIL
errs held their anneal diaper then.
The Petition was laid so the table.
The Marquis of TITCHPIELD mowed for a new Writ fee
King's Lyon, it coutorquenee of she seat beteg nested by
Lord WSIIIOIO. now Earl of Orford.—Ordered.
Mr. KERRISON moved for aerosols /hewing the tn.
pewits of she Sicking Fund from 179! to Jolliest, last. Also
various accounts Aetna( the noire expenee and mode of ma.
sating the public debt daring the none period.—Ordered.
The Martinis of TITCHPI KID presented a Pewit)* from
/*Natoli traders it his part of thecosialty, praying for as ad.
&Waal doily ow Hocken awl Pedlars' Iteertses.
Mr. Hume hoped that the Hover wooll not interfere
with the object of the Petition. There surely could be no
good teases for preventing me. from transporting their pro-
perty and lAN:merriment* part of the comet., to another. If
the resialeot traders wen envious of the soothe of the hawken
sod pedlars, let them tors hawkers sod pedlars therarelver.
Every thing width weal to constrain the curtain aud ac-
tion .f industry must be bed, aid, therefore, he hoped the
House would lake en notice of the Petition.
The Petition was laid ans the table.
Mr. PEEL gave *Mice, that et the 9th of July he would
encore for leave to hring is a R.ll to contras, the Metropolis
Police Act. He postponed the Committee ina the Ale...'
Regulation Rill till Joaelll
Sir W. ROW LET presented a Petition from thockfuval, In&
folk, complaining of Agrietilteral Distress, sod praying fur
Parliamentary Reform cud the sweeping away of *or.

Mr. COKE slated a few pa►ticulars (which were eel dir.
tinnily *edible) respecting wee imerreptiee which was
given to the Petitioners by t►e Magistrates, eas of whom
►aving intimated that Vibe number exceeded 01, he woold
break in with the mei! fern and disperse the seeming.
Mr. GOOCH protested "tiniest the Norfolk Leviathan of
prope►ty elkoeopelisiss the indepeadeuce of the two neigh.
bearing counties.

Mr. WESTERN was at a lass to reactive ohne defeats
(veld be set op fur Magistrates who interposed their &lithos
oily to preyed( the laadholdar sad occupier from delitsevuts
big ea the representation of t►e cavalry. This was a right
which never bad been interrupted until t►e Suffolk Magi.
strate ►oi his d.rect interdiction upon it. Who had a heifer
right etas the agrieelinral classes to deliberate sod petilWa
arm that subject ? What better moo., far doing es Mae
their distresses ? From üb..us was there less dower to he
apprehroded in the exercise of that right ? He them& the
conduct of the Msglstiotes very reprehensible.
Mr. HUME was decidedly of °pinkie, that the Clergy
should sot be of the Commission of the Peace, as they most be
marred occasionally is their marred duties by the iisterferesce
of t►eir civil folio toss. They most also have a siren bias,
from the desire of prosnotism, especially since the practice of
Moister* had prevailed of rewarding the vilest sets among
them by advancement i■ the church. He ►id timbal
against them more than other men, bat they were opt to
temptation, as chorch promotio■ sow west. He thrseght
that uo pessioner df Govecnment ought to be is the Commis,
sius of the Peace. Seth persons mast be *Morally opposed
to any petitions for ►etreuehmeut or reform, which, if car.
tied tato effect, would be likely to affeet their easulonatats.
A man like Mr. Merry, who had 1,7001. a year for a ►ery
short period of serviet, se as Ambassador, meat he sa that
&rewind a very improper person for the Curataissioa.
The Petaiwa was laid osi the table, together wit► aided's'
Petition from the Hundred of Thiago, in the same comity ;
and a Petition from Woodbridge, against the Navigation
Bill.

Mr. WESTERN (see notice that he would Da the earliest
day sake seams fur bringing before she observation of Par.
!mitten, she distressed situation of the country, particalarly
iu its agriculture, when he would produce calculatiow to
shew the effects of the alteration is she comae, is relation
to she public hardens—awl the relative state of tat public
creditor and the public. He would sot thee fix this dabbst
he would do so this eveuittg or te•sorruw.