The National Register.
London, England, 1822-07-08 00:00:00

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• • • .111‘ -J•

110

9nipertal Varlianient.

-11110—
HOUSE OF LORDS.
Noy:liar. JULY 1.
The royal assent was given by commission to the army and
navy pension bill, the Edinnurgli and Lanai k Sheriff's Depute
Hid, and several private bills. The coinini,sioners were the
Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Slinfteabisry, and the 'Marquis of
'W inchester.
The Scotch Distilleries Dill, and the Westminster Improve•
meat Bill, went through Committees.
NIA It It lAG h.: ACT. . .

The Marquis of CAMDEN said, he had to present a petition
against the Marriage Act Amendment Bill from a lady extremely
respectsble. It would appear that she went with her husband to
h.: monied, after tie had obtained a licence by a fake representa-
tion. A discovery visa made by her relations before cohabitation,
and the marriage had hitherto been considered invalid. On rend-
Mg the retrospective clause in the bill, doubts had arisen upon the
invalidity of such marriag, and therefore die lady was desirous
of stating her case in the hope that it might induce the Must to
tender nugatory her said marriage, rather than make it 'valid.
'the petition being read. purpormi to be the petition of
Charlotte Anne Hayward, witiow, residing in the town of Bre-
con, in Wales. The petitioner stated, that die was so unfortu•
nate as to become the dope of one Josiah Cruteliley, of Aberga-
satiny, who prevailed on her to b.: married on the id of March
last without the consent of her mother. By a false allegation he
obtained the license, and a few hours after the marriage the
relation:l was seen by her brother, who restored her to her mother.
rue latter then pursued measures to annul the marriage in the
Arches Court, and no divorce or dissolution of marriage had yet
taken place. The petitioner petitioned against the bah befote the
lloase, because, if it passed, her marriage with the said Joseph
Crutchley would be affirmed.
Lord ELLEN BOROUGII said, the petition chewed the pro-
priety of the wind., introduced to the bill, winch clearly excluded
the ease they had just heard. This young lady having never
lived with the person to whom she was married, suswithin the
exception. The Douse would see the policy;of the prospective
clause, because in tins very ca,e, had the bill been in force, the
man might have been punished for swearing fisely, by transpor-
tation for Me. NVitli respect to the validity of the marriage of
tile young lady, there could be no doubt the decision would be
in her favour.
The LORD CIIANC Eu,oa did not wish to make any ob-
jection to the petition, but the noble and learned Lord expressed
his intention to make a few observations on the case to-morrow,
at the third reading of the bill. He was desirous of heating from
tine noble Lord why the regulation with respect to licenses was
to take place in September, and the regulation with respect to
Latins when tins bill passed? There was also a departure train
the 261.1 i of George 11. which must mill. ad the clergy.
Lord ELLE:NW/ROUGH said, tile noble and learned Lord
alluded to trifles which could be amended.
The LORD CIIANCELLOR then observed, that he was
sure the noide Lords who supported the bill would not give their
assent if they understood it.
The Earl of LAUDERDALE said, there was no man more
able to inform others than the noble and learned Lord, and if
there were any who did not understand the Bell, perhaps the
noble and learned lord would enlighten the individual.
Lord ELL E N BOROU G 11—'• I think l understand the bill ;
but if the clauses of the noble and learned Lord are added, I
should not understand it. I have nut been so fortunate as to un-
derstand the clauses, nor have 1 found one individual who does.
The LORD CHANCELLOR.—•• 1 have not an idea that the
Noble Lord knows enough of law to understand it."
Lord ELLEN BOHOL The Marriage Act ought to
be so clear that every one can understand it."
The I.OHD CLIANCEI.I.OO,—•• 1 mean to say, this act of
rarliament will be considered inconsistent by liiwyerr, and it is
to be preauated they will not know whet to do with la."
Tim eonvetsatiuu then ended, end die petition was laid on the
table.
Sir J. Gitausat and others, from the Commons, brought up
the Metropolis !'mice Bill, time Irish Exchiapier Bill, and the
Middlesex County Hates Bill, which were read the lust time.
Ott the motion us the Earl of wEsTmutta.AND, in the
absence of the Earl of Liverpool, and his Majesty ministers,
the committee on the corn bill was pOStpUtlcal to salustlay.—
Adjourned.