The National Register.
London, England, 1817-06-09 00:00:00

HIGH TREASON.

All eyes arc directed to the Trials for Treason which
commenced this day. Evidence may be given of
the necessity for those restrictive laws which Govern-
ment have deemed it expedient to continue. We are
called on manfully and steadfastly to check, as far as
law can, the progress of revolutionary ills ; and if, in
this awful struggle of right, the worst of calarti t ies should
befall us—military despotism—we have nobody to re-
proach so justly as those who daily and nightly la-
boured to undermine and explode that Constitution
which has hitherto been our safeguard and pride.
STATE PRISONERS.—This morning, at half past
eight o'clock the prisoners from the Tower, arrived at
Westminster Hall, in four glass coaches, accompanied
by a troop of the Life Guards. In the first vehicle,.
the Constable of the Tower appeared, most elegantly
dressed, with an opzra hat under his arm. A passage
was fOrmed by an innumerable quantity of constables,
for the prisoners to pass through to the Court of King's
Bench. The senior Watson, was dressed in black, he
slighted with a firm step, with some papers or a book in
his hand, and did not look so well as heretofore. Pres-
ton followed in jockey boots. Hooper next, who
scents to have got thin during his confinement. And
lastly, Thistlewood, in the habit of a sailor, but rather
of a superior texture. He looked uncommonly well,
cheerful, and confident. The spectators were numer-
ous, but attentive, and very orderly. Lord Ellenbo-
rough arrived at nine o'clock, but went into Court
• through the entrance that leads to the House of Com-
mons. The proceedings immediately commenced, and
the names of the witnesses began to be called over.
Mr. Watson was place] at the Bar, and the chal-
lengts to the Jurymen assembled, were so numerous,
that one o'clock had arrived, belinv twelve persons could
be selected to form a competent Jury. Five persons
were challenged in immediate succession on the part of
Watson. The Jurymen mustered in the Court of Chan-
cery, which was completely filled upon this occasion lw
them. Several of the Yeomen of the Guard were in
attendance upon the Court. The Attorney-(General had
commenced his siczeii, when this Feller vent to pre:.4.

41111*-•-

*Mak-

:7UNII!

Saturday morning when Lord Elenborough,
ue-
ru•ding to the practiee of the Court, asked the Attor...
I-icy-General whether he had nay motion to make,
he stated that he was only detained in Court in ex-
pectation that T. J. WW ooller would make some motion
relatiy•.! to the verdict boiven in hie ease when he wua
tries' on Thursday. That expectati.in was mot ex-
cited by any information or notice given by the de-
fendant hictself, but he had received the intimation
from anther quarter.
Mr. Chitty,who appeared as Counsel for Mr.Woollew,
stated, that whatever his client might have in con-
templation, he had not as yet received any instructions
for the purpose alluded to by the Attorney-GeneraL
lie was not aware that any other Gentleman at the
Bar was instructed for the purpose, and he believed
the Learned Counsel for the Crown need no longer
be detained.

Lord Ellenborongh said, if any Gentleman was
now, or should be hereafter, instructed to make any
motion to the Court upon the subject. it would be hot
right that the Attorney-General should be apprized
of it.
As no Gentleman appeared to be engaged for the.
purpose, the Attorney-General quitted the Court.
The tiAlowing ktter has bren sent by the Foreman
of the Jury who tried Wooller, to. the Editor of a
SI orning paper :
" Mr. Fetnor.—Having been amused in your perm of this day
of error in returning the verdict of the Jury in the cause of the
King v. \Voila., I trust you will not refuse me an opportunity-.
through settle channel. of denying that any er.or existed on my
part. The verdict returned by me of guilty was the onaniorms
verdict of the whole Jury. or I should hare been guilty of more
than error in delivering it. Th., three who, it appears. nth? I was
gone from Court. complained of it, hadsigned a paper (which, for-
tunately. though acektentstiy„i have prescrv. di. agreeing to the
verdict ufguihn. only reque.,ting me to otter to the Court tine special
grounds upon which they so agreed. This I did ; they, as well as
all the others, having answered to their norms: as present; but the
Court refused to /Igen to any other than a general verdln, which
of course delivered. not hewing of any oblecuon from those three.
though I turned round sad gave them time to object; the officer
also asking if all agreed. The error, therefore. of not making ob-
jection in time. I trust. in fairness. will be cur: Altered theirs, and
not mine." _

" I atn, Sir, your obedient *men,
" W. C. LIOOPLI, Foreman."
" June 6. 1817."
Friday, being the first day of Term, the J0:1;.,,es of
the Court of King's Bench agreed to a now trial in
consequence of all the Jury not being pri..-sent when
the Foreman returned the verdrct of Guilty. But, it
appears, Mr. Chitty, is not aatisfied with this decision,
and means to move for a verdict of Acquittal.
Sidarday, heiween twelve and, one, -- Testick, a
fellovi well known in the vicinity of the Courts of Justice,
for giving queer hall on any occasion, and to any amount,
.stood in the pillory at Chairing Cross, porsucnt to his 5..41-
lenCr, for perjury. lie is also sentenced tai six months im-
prisounicut. Ttic wee tator, were exceedingly no mero us.
Mr. Raymond succeeds Mr Rae, in the management of
Drury T lad Iry the CIIA II pc season.

TILE DRAMA.

• NEW ENGLISH OPERA HOUSE.

Saturday night this interesting theatre, for the display
of native talent in unison with native enjoyment, was
opened far the summer season ; and, considering that
the two great rival stages were also exhibiting, the
audience was both numerous and respectable. Gull
Save the King was sung in full chorus, at the end of
the first piece.
" Election," the the new comic opera innounced.
has about it that species of interest, in point of
plot, and bustle in action, which are well calculated to
amuse and enliven a theatre. The original has been
dramatised with considerable still. Having said this,
however, we confess that we disapprove of the man-
ner in which the character of the old English gentle-
man is held up to ridicule, in order to display the ge-
nerosity of a Fortunate Capitalist, because we are un-
fcignetily of opinion, that such representations are in-
correct in life, and serve only to pamper those preju-
dices which are already but too Trey:dent.
Mr. Henry Johnston (fnmerly of Covent Garden
Theatre) was warmly received on his appearance. f; is
personification of Baltimore, a reduced gentleman, pos-
sessing an uncontrolable high spirit and wounded pride,
was a most excellent piece of acting. Ile reminded us
in many instances of the late Mr. Cooke, from the
severe sarcastic points he made in several of the passa-
ges: and he cannot fail in proving a valuable acqu si-
that to the strength of the company. Miss Kelly, in
her display of the country hoyden, was nature itself;
and if ever the " action was suited to the word" in any
of her perfininances, her portrait last night was pecu-
liarly appropriate and interesting. Her by-play, and
attention to the business of the scene, called down re-
peated plaudits. Her duct with Mr. Horn was loudly
encored ; and the song of " 'Tis love in the heart," by
the latter gentleman, is a most charming piece of mu-
sic. The reribreiers in general exerted themselves
with the happiest efli•ct. The Overture and Music is
good throughout. The Piece is rather lung ; but was
much applauded on being announced tier a second repre-
sent Olen.

Notwitlistatnling the severe pressure of the tittles,
the ben,...fits of the wrferniers belonging to be
have !ken unusually pro:tat:aye—C. Ketuble nett‘A
clear above 13 iojaious.

.I.J '3

SPEAKER of the lIGUSE of COMMONS.'

Mr. Manners Sutton has had the high distinction
of being raised to the great station he now fills, by
ranch the largest majority that any Speaker ever had.
There have hoca bot six divisions in the choice of a
Speaker within the last century. The numbers were
as fellow :

MS Mr. Smith • 243
Mr. Bromley 203
Majority -- 43
1170 Sir Flowlicr Norton 237
Mr. T. Townaliend 121
Alajority ---- 116
1780 Mr. Cornwall 203
Sit F. Norton 134
Majority - (39
17x'1Mr. (Lord) Grenville 213
Sir Gil. Elliott 144
Majority 71
1790 Mr. Adtlowton 213
Sir. G. Elliott 112
Majority --- 73
1817 Mr. Simon 312
Mr. IN, ynne 132
Majority 160 !! !

Mr. Beckett, the Under Secretary of State in the
Home Department, is to succeed Mr. Manners Sutton
in the important office of Judge Advocate.
Tuesday at noon, the flue peal of bells of St. Mar-
pro's, Westminser, were rang as an ushering com-
pliment to Mr. Sutton, on being appointed Speaker
of the House of Commons.
It is a curious circumstance that there arc now in the
H. use of Lords no less than flair Peers who have sue-
cesively filled the chair of the House of Commons,
namely, Lord Grenville, Lord Viscount Sidumuth, Lord
hedesdale, and Lord Colchester. Lord Colchester has
two wets. The eldest is Lieutenant in the navy, now
on board the Alcute frigate with Lord Amherst ; the
second is at %Vcstminster School. The Peerage of Col-
chester, which has been so worthily conferred on. the •
late excellent Speaker of the I louse of Commons, was
lust held by a branch of the ancient and respectable
family of Lucas, as a Viscounty, and became extinct
in 1728.—1 t was on the monument of one of those
Peers, Lucas, Viscount Colchester, that the celebrated
inscription, referred to by Addison, in one of his num-
bers of the Spectator, was recorded, viz.—" He was of
a finally of which all the sons were brace, and all the
daughters virtuort.r.'" The late Speaker is in his sixty
second year. He was educated at Christ Church,
9xfOrd, and afterwards practised at the bar as a Chan-
cery pleader. He first came into the Parliament
in 1790 for Heistone, was re-elected for the none place
in 1796; but in 1801 sat for Woodstock, and was
chosen Speaker. In 1.805 he offered himself for the
University of Oxford, on which occasion he was op-
posed by Richard teber, Esq. M. A. of Brazennze
College, but gained his election by a majority of I 29.
His complaint is confined entirely to the eyes and optic
nerves,, his medical attendants at. length predicted a
speedy extinction of vision altogether, if he continued
night after night to expose himself to the blaze of light,
and the strong exercise of the faculty of sighs which
his place in the House of Commons required.