The National Register.
London, England, 1820-05-07 00:00:00

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sitions which he held in his hands, for their literal contents were
of the tpos_t_horrUcharacter. By those depositions it appeared
that FaßtsaMeld absslutely gone aboto from house to house,
•from public house to public honk. inviting alinost all sorts of
person" will whom he might meet to come and join him in the
execution of those plots, which he named and proposed. tin
suggested an attack on the !louse. in order to destroy the Mem-
bers ; and he said the plot was practicable, as, lie observed, that
at least six or eight could enter the House without being particu-
larly observed. There was no objection to taking hooks with
them, it was not required of them to go " clean. Instead of
hooks, Edwards said they could have sues made like books, to
hold gun barrels of about a foot long. These could be plugged
—tilled with phosphorus, gunpowder. &c.; and when the House
was most hill these could be thrown amongst them, and the
destruction of the Members thus accomplished. He said " This-
, t:cwooit is the buy for us, and lie will talon be out of Horsham
Gaol." Thistlewood was soon afterwards released, and Edwards
got introduced to hint tat Preston's. the cobler. It was remarks.
Tile that Edwards not only proposed the plot for attacking the
Members, but he actually got the cases male, of V, hien he hail
before spoken ; and he also got other weapons, A% to provide tos
adlieretits with. It was likes Ise remarkable that preciously to
this period, before Edwards began to go about with pioposals
ho
plots, he was iu such poverty that lie was reduced to a bed of
straw, end had nut money to pay for a put of porter ; jet, after he
embarked in these schemes. apparently lie was in tin want, as ha
procured many of the destructive articles, and was able to lend
money. It appeared Mat all the plots came front Edwards, that
he was the chief mover. Besides those depositions which lie had
taken, there were several other persons ready to hear testimony to
the correctness ofthe facts ; and the worthy Alderinun mentioned
a Mr. Chatulsers it. 4 one person who hail been invited to join in
the akominable plots. lie thought the best course would be fur
the House to refer ili..sc matters to a Committee of Seceecy; but
at present he stiould content himaelf with moving, that George
Edwards be call. at to the bar for a breach of privilege, he having
plotted and contemplated the destruction of the Members.
Mr. B. lIATHURST said, he thought the case could not be
deemed a breach of privilege. tVliatever might be the offence.
he thought Edwards, if the alinements were true, was no less
than an accomplice in the cese of II igh Treason ; and how could
they think of calling limn to charge himself with wen a.. offs gee
Mr. Alderman WOOD said, he had trial to get this individual
prosecuted. Ile had carried the evidence against Edwards, ap-
plying for prosecution agaistst th.it person—but he had failed.
He considered Edwards us the sole plotter of all the Cato Street
and other plots ; he stated thus much from the evidenca i.e
already .possessed ; and he thought if they got the man here other
steps ought be adopted
Mr. HUME seconded the motion. lie observed that he
thought something ought to be done to obtain justice against
Edwards. Ilow bad Edwards got the money, he being before is
abject poverty ( !fear.)
Mr. 111101.G1IA Si. although he thought the motion might
be withdrawn, was surprised at the levity with which Members
opposite treated this subject. This man had plotted the destroy-
nun of the House; and as to requiring him to criminate himself,
was it nut a course similar to what was done regarding libel 's
The case was nut hrou,ght forward in a proper shape ; but the
question could not rest here. They had got the clue, and they
ought to follow it. (Hear.) Lord Sidmouth had said that the
Government did not intend to prosecute Edwatds. lie believed
that Edwards was a spy ; but that like other spies, he had pro-
moted what he was only employed to watch. While such men
as Thistlewooll and Ings existed spies were necessary; and while
there were such men instigators were as unnecessary. (limo
If it appeared that Edwards' instigated to a new offence, justice
would be sacrificed without something being done agaitat Ed-
wards.
Mr. CANNING observed, that whether the topics ought to
be considered by the House, it surely would be useless to pursue
an unprofitable discussion. No useful purpose, it was admitted.
could be obtained now. As to levity, Ito had limn no disposition
to indulge in it. lie was glad to hear it acknowledged that it
was the duty of Government to institute enquiries into this pro-
gress of plots, with the view of defeating them. He should give
no opinion as to what the lion Alderman might do ; but he
could not help 'marking, into what extraordinary discussions
these matters, if entertained, would lead them.
Mr. Alderman WOOD begged to withdraw the motion, ob-
serving, that in a day or two he would be prepared to state what
course he should propose to pursue. lie thought a Committee
of Secrecy would be most desirable. Motion withdrawn.
',The llouse was full at this time, and paid great attention to
the communication.l
CIVIL LIST.
The House having resolved into a Committee.
The CIIA NC ELLOR of the EXCH Ettli ER moved that
there be granted for England 850,0001.; for Irchuld 40,0001. s
to enable his Majesty to support his household and to maintain
the dignity of the Crown.
Sir H. PARS EEL thought there was i,ct sufficient informa-
tion before them to warrant the adoption of these Resolutions.
Colonel DAVIS observed, that the provisions tor his late Ma-
jesty, the Privy Purse, &c. had ceased, yet no deductions for
them were to be made.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, that.
those deductions were taken into consideration.
r. CANNING said, he had understood that the debate was
agreed to be taken on the Report; therefore detail maw had beeti
avoided as unnecessary.
Mr. TIERNEY observer", that he bud been party to the ar-
rangement alluded to—but it was expected the sums morel would
have been coupled with some statement as to use grounds un
which Government proceeded, the mutter then being suffered CO
stand over tool time report. lie understood that tl.e airangements
of MI6 (excepting the allowances to his late Majesty, to the
Costos, lass) Were now to be proposed.
Alt. CANNING repeated. that the course now taken was in
accptiese, nee wick proposals uaadc frusta other quarters. The
of the urntngements, detail as well as principle, were to
r open to remark.
1 tee CHANC EL LOU of the EXC II EQU Eli observed, that
the provision for the Queen would Le made chargeable on the
Consolidated Fund.
Motion agreed to.—Report on Thursday.
The remit ing circlets having been disposed of, the House
adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3.
Arrowll% rf i.Tutlaiulyd Priz•:-Money of the Unfundrd
Debt of the Empire, &c. were presented, and ordered to
lie on the table
Mr. SMITH from the Commissioners of Roads and
and Bridges, presented the Sixth Report of Roads and
Beldam, in Sentlal,tl.
Mr. J. inTr pi muted a Petition, praying for leave
to introduce a Bill for the Lighting of thy City of Nor-
N h Vieth Gas.
RYNG presented a Petition on the subject of the
Mary-le-Bone, St. Pancras, and other roads.—Referred
Iti a 0111111iiiiP1'.
Mr. CALCIt IFT obtained leave to alter anti amend
two Am! for the ruliiiiiding of Di tiry-Line Theatre.
Leave WAS given to tiling in 4 Bill, Inv the lincuipOili-
(tun tpt the Gimlet...ter Gas Light Company.
A Petition was presented complaining of all 1111il!le re-
tort' fur liiidpori.—Ordeitii to be taken into cumidera-
twit June 1.
Mr. Alderman WOOD gave notice, that on Tuesday
next be should move fur a Select Committee, to exa