The National Register.
London, England, 1821-05-28 00:00:00

TUESDMR, MAY 22.

There was a ballot fixed for to-day for a committee to
try the merits of the Peterstield election petition ; but as
there were only tis members present at four o'clock (100
being required for a ballot), the hou►e, was declared to
stand adjourned till to-morrow.

WEUNESDAY, MAY 21.
The gallery was nut opened till neer five lock, iu
consequence of the ballot to try the merits of the Peters-
field right of election petition.
Mr. D. BROIVNE brought in the bill to amend the
navigation laws in Ireland.
Mr. CHETWYNDE presented the report of the Va-
grant Laws' committee, and gave notice, that to-morrow
he should move for leave to bring in a bill on the subject.
Dr. I'HILLLMOI(F presented the report of the Lime-
tick tight of election committee, which be read at the
bar, The committee had determined that the right of
election was in freemen and freeholders of the Wall and
county of Limerick, Arc.
Mr. C. H. HUTCHINSON gave notice, that ou Friday
next, on the question that the house go into a committee
of supply, he should call the attention of the house to cer-
tain circumstances connected with the state of Europe.
- - .

Mr. HUME gave notice, that on the 12th of June he
should move an address to the King, ou the necessity of
reducing the expenditure, and particularly of lessening
the army. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. HUME also gave notice, that on the Ith ofJone he
should submit a motion respecting the lonian Islands' end
paitictilitrly Soliciting the conduct of Sir 'l'. Maitland.
Several petitions a ere presented against the Hetiopolis
Road bill.

Lord MILTON asked whether any member could in- i
form him if it were the intention of the agricultural
committee to discuss, or recommend, any repeal of the
agricultural horse tax ?
Mr. CUUNVEN said he was sorry he did not see the
than man of the comminee in his place; brit lie added, if
no other member gave any notice on the subject, he
should du in on 31ouney.
Mr. HUNIL moved for various accounts respecting the
expenses at Lewisham, &c.—Ordered.
Ctt tau a t. LAWS.—CONSTITUTIONAL. ASCOC I AVON.—
Ott the presenting of a petition fur the revision of the
criminal laws,
Mr. it MAJ.:H.INi called the attention of the house to
an important infiingement of the law that had taken place
in the practice of the criminal law, and in the privileges
of the Attorney and Solicitor General, that of instituting
prosecutions for libel. (Hear, hear.) An association, of
questionable legality, was established to wen:cute punn-
edl libels, by means of a connison fund ; but the indivi-
duals were unknown and irresporsiole. He was now
willing to address to such individuals the language of
expostulation, for lie was 1111101 deceived if those indivi.
11114111 who persevered did nut live to tepent the course
they were pursuing. The funds and discretion were, in
Act, in the power of one or two attorneys; and surely it
was h better that the discretion should be tett in the
banns, as usual, of the Attorney and Solicitor General.--
(Hear, hear.)—There vies another objection to the ASSO-
IiUII there wen e among the subscribers no less than 40
peers, and it was u it bin the range of possibility that those
peers 'night be tunic judges, in their usual capacity, tit
CNICS VllllOl they combined to prosecute. Solely those
noble turns could tint tie aware of the character of their
conduct. (Hear.) lie had deemed it right toady( rt to
these eh cunistauces. Counter assuciations %%until nut cute
the evil, but they were likely to be the consequeuce.—
(Hear, hear.)—Petitlou ordered to be printed.

HE‘ict E Or CiiimiNALs.—Mr. G. 13F.NNLIT moved
tor leave to Wing to a bill to asuend the buns respcmiog
persons guilty tit rescuing caimioals. As the law kolOUti
Ile touttut the coudouu law, the pasous guiity ut reacue.,