The National Register.
London, England, 1821-04-01 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL ItEGISTER

the Lithographic Press. &c. praying the House to adopt some
measure to suppress such practice. Mr. notelet:lee said, lie could
not tioppolt such petition ; he thought the petitioners had adopted
the wrung course to obtain redrew,: but he lard deemed it his
duty to present it.—Petition read, and ordered to lie on the table.
Petitions were presented from Bristol snd Liverpool, against
the corn averages bill.
Mr. SYKES observed, that individuals on the faith of the
existing law, had imported 700,0tt0 tourers of corn, at an ex •
;sense of 1,500,0001. ; and it woeld be bard and unjust to make
any change in the laws without securing them from extensive
loss.
Mr. WESTERN maintained, that the individuals in question
had no right to call on Parliament for peculiar protectioa ; the
Parliament had to regard the general good, not the individual
profit.
Mr. BENNET (Wiltshire) denied drat the object of this bill
was to advance the average—that it was only to prevent frauds.
Mr. BARING observed, that this petition was of importance.
He contended that the direct operation of this bill would be, to
alter arid advance the averages—that was the fact, and they would
prove it in a moment at Mark-lane. Tire Bill would have the
effect of advancing the average price and no other.
Mr. LUSHINGTON observed, that when his Right Hon.
Friend brought forward the Bill to•morroe , he would be able to
show that the measure was only to protect frauds, not to advance
the average prices.
Petition ordered to !icon the table.
Mr. PHILLIPS presented a petition from persons engaged
in the timber trade, praying for an equalization of the umber
duties.
MALT TBADE.—Mr. RARING presented a ertitbn from
distiller=, nuatsters, and victuallers of Taunton, complaining of
the mode of making malt.
Mr. LUSHINGTON replied, that information had been re-
quired from particular parties on the subject. Petition ordered
to lie on the table.
BoNATAiler E.—Mr. HUME moved for returns of the expense
of detaining Bonaparte at St. Helena. There were no regular
returns to the (louse on this subject. He did not mean to question
the policy of keeping Bonaparte at St. I felena, but he did not
understand the advantage of our paying all these expenses single-
handed. Other Powets were interested in detaining Bonaparte
yet they paid nothing. The expense was, judging from docu-
ments of fete, at least 415,0001. annually at St. Helena. He
concluded with moving for returns accordingly of agreements
with the East India Company, ships kept at St. Helena, expenses
in the country on account of Napoleon Bonaparte, &c.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had no objec-
tion to the production of the accounts ; but it was right to state,
that it would be some time before they could be made up. 'f he
expense, he admitted, had been very considerable. Motion
agreed to.
Sir R. WILSON protested against the detension of Bonaparte
as most unjust and dishonourable. (A laugh.) Gentlemen might
laugh if they pleased, but he spoke the language of every ge-
nerous and just man in Europe. (Further laughter.) He felt
persuaded of this, and if ever France became tree, it would never
submit to an individual who had occupied tire French throne,
thus to be detained. Bonaparte lied voluntarily surrendered
himself—he might have escaped by ether means had he pleased.
The vessel had arrived safe in America:.
Mr. CHOKER denied that Bonaparte had voluntarily sur-
rendered himself. Thenight before he surrendered himself, he
held a Council of Safety; and seeing no chance of escape from
our cruisers without battle, he had surrendered himself. Bona-
parte had been fairly hunted into the toils.
Sir R. WILSON remarked, that he had forborne to speak o'
the personal treatment of Bonaparte, but such treatment had
been not only vexatious, but vulgar in the extreme. It was a
stain upon the government of the country. lie came to us as
Themistocles did to the Romans • he tepee ed to have learn
treated with liberality ; but, instead of that, Ire had been cut off
from all communication with Iris family, his .on, &c.
Ma C. HUTCHINSON said lie could now speak out; and
he condemned the conduct of this country towards Boimparte.—
Besides this, England had countenanced the Continental Powers,
who werepursuing the steps of Bonaparte. The Holy Alliar.ce,
the union of despots, were detestable ; and Austria ought to be
ashamed of the course she was pursuing. Ile thought it was
most unwarrantable in our Government detaining Bonaparte
under such circunestances.—Aectrunts ordered.
Mr. HUME moved for some further accounts, speaking of the
large sums that passed between the Government and tire East
India Company, the former owing the latter upwards of
2ee00,0001. He did not complain particularly of the expenditure
now—but lie complained of the expeneta not being laid before
the House. Ile moved fur accounts of the seine debts to May
last.
The CIIANCEI.LOR of the EXCHEQUER hail no objec-
tion to the production of those accounts. As to the alletlgod
amounts due to the Company, he apprehended it was extremely
doubtful en which side the balance preporaterated.
Mr. HUME hoped the accounts would prove this fact.—
Accounts ordered.
CATUOLIC REUTER BILL.—Sir J. NEWPORT moved that
report of the Catholic disabilities removal bill Le presented.
Mr. small appeared with the bill.
Sir T. LET/11/RIDGE said, be should not trespass on the
Hume; but he could not lose the opportunity of expressing his
continued disapprobation of the Bills, wheat he now considered
to be embodied In this report.
' Mr. IL MARTIN had no doubt that it would be equally sa-
tisfactory to the clergy and the laity.
Mr. C. HUTCHINSON gave the most unqualified contra-
diction to the statement, that these bills would be satisfactory to
the Catholic clergy.
Mr. CHOKER proposed that there be introduced into the bill,
power for his Majesty to make provision fur the Roman Catholic
clergy.
Lord CASTLEREAGH admitted the Importance of the sub.
ject, arid dint it molted the consideration of the house) but he
thought it was telviseable to propose its consideration now. It
could not be fairly considered in such fonu—eit could eat (rely
operate to retard that important inesun ue the success of which
was of so much consequence; and he (the lion. member) there-
fore would have no teoection to withdraw the proposition fur the
present.
Mr. CHOKER, after sonic conversation had taken place,
consented to withdraw Iris proposition.
The report of the bill was afterward. agreed to; and the bill
ordered to be read a third time on Monday neat, and to be
printed.
True Ea DU 'Ms....The twos: having resolved itself into a
committee on the Timber Duties' Acts,
Mr. WALLACE ruse fur the purpose of submitting his pro-
mised reeoluticue to regulate the colonial as well a. tire foreign
timber duties i and in doing so Ira took u review of the "occultist
interest. of the colonial umber trade. and the nth:iv°. 01st had
led I. itst being favoured in the imposition of dirties less burden-
some titan whet selected the Foreign or Baltic timber trade, awl
coneladed by *bovine rho following resolution That it is
the of this ceinmittee that `rye preeent detiee and cuetoms
on Unita!' should cease and &termitic ; anal that lire following
duties should be intaosed in lieu thereof, via. Norway timber et
"s• per logelaetttradieh. 41, iSse-areterehurglil et the
same sum—ealettiel. if. its, ed.
Alter a few eierervatitres frota Lord Althoree, Ma Slur-lett,
Mt. Riearthe, and ranter, the reeolutien Wa. 4;444 10.—lieigit
to marrow. Meru:nett.
:44141 It 30,
Tho filaalp Vatic* bill was ordered to be ocmaihtosl tit
Monday.
Ms. bLACKIiCaN picsculed m petition liuni the

9.:.)

Chamber of Conimetce, Manchester, against the Ctiru
Averages bill.
Mr. F. litthiNsON observed, that the Corn Averages
bill *mild not have the elle which some anticipated.
lie contended that it would merely have the effect of
swing that the averages slionld be cot reedy taken; that
there would be greater protection against the commission
of fraud ; that, in fact, the bill W 714 really What it pur-
ported to lie. He complained of the attack merle on hint
last night, for his absence; lie would have hero present
had he not understood that the petition was not to be pre-
sented till the second reading.
Petition read, and mitered to lie on the table.

Mr. F. ItOllll5ON moved the scrund reading of the
Corn Averages bill, fur the purpose of postponing it, and
it was postponed till April 9.
Tistnert BROGDEN presented the re-
port of the committee on the Timber Acts Duties.

Mr. WALLACE moved that the bill be re-committed
on Wednesday neat.
Sir M. W. RIDLEY said, he shonld not oppose the mo•
but he hoped that acquiescence in such motion
would not be construed into approbation of the iestm-
lions. He thooelit that the right bon. gentleman, Mr.
WaHate's, scan• of dillies had been taken too high, and
that the proposed atritogrinent was calculated to injure
the interests which it was meant to correct ; and he hoped
to be able to wove that such was the case, when the sub-
ject again came before a committee.
Report ordered to be re-committed on Wednesday.
CRIMINALS DEFENCE DILL.—Mr. R. MARTIN moved
the second r. ading of the bill fur allowing persons eliaiged
with criminal offences to be defended by counsel. He
maintained, that if prosecutors were allowed counsel, he
could not see why prisoners should not also have counsel,
for it was vain and groundless to say that judges were
always of counsel fur the prisoner.

Mr. J. MACIN FOSII seconded the motion for the se-
cond reading of the bill.,
Sir J. MACINTOSH observed. that one of the benefi-
cial results of thr revolution was the obtainir.g of counsel
by the state te of William, for persons accused of treason.
That was as a shield against the power of government ;
and if counsel were deemed beneficial there, how (meld
they be otherwise where counsel were had to defend
against a prosecution supported by counsel. The defence
of counsel could not endanger innocent men—it could
only expose guilty men; and Ise urged it would be en ad-
vantage to secure the conviction of guilty persons.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL opposed the bill. The
inconvenience of the present system had not been esta-
blished; and he was there against the desired change.
Mr. R. MARTIN replied.
The motion was then negatived without a division.

BRITISH Mcsetu.—Mr. LENNAKD asked when the
estiotates regarding the British Museum were to be
brought forward, as he should then have to submit sonic
proposition,: regarding the admission of visitors He was
desirous of knowing how many applications had been
postponed ; and it there were any objection to such mo-
tion now, he would propose it on Monday.
Sir L. LONG was not aware whether there would be
any objection to the motion, but be would prefer the no-
tice being given for Monday.
Notice entered accordingly.

SUPPLY..—.ARKY.—The CHANCELLOR of the Err-
CHEQUER moved, that the house go into a committee of
supply.
Mr. HUME ro=c, and moved a series of resolutions, by way
of amendment, of the expense of the staff; the colonies, &c. for
1792 and 1820, from which the advances were stated t be several
thousands.
Amendment negatived without a division.
Mr. HUME said, he had not pressed fot the wow of the
house on the last resolutions, Lecause errors in figures might
warrant opposition; but the next resolution, he thought, ought
to be seriously considered by the house—it was to pledge the
house to a revision of the salaries of the several departments since
1797, they being raised, in consequence of the war, depreciation
of the currency, &c. and to bring them down to a more just
standard, uow that we were returned to a metallic currency. •
Lord PALMERSTON said, that this proposition had nothing
to do with the estimates—it was one of a general and sweeping
character; and it ought to come forward for separate and specific
consideration. Besides, the resolution affirmed, that the country
had returned to a metallic currency—when such was not the fact.
(A laugh and hear.)
Mr. BAKING thought the resolution was most properly
proposed ; it merely pledged the house to a revision of the salaris.
He knew not how those who voted again-t the new malt duty,
could honestly oppose this motion; how they could withhold
the means, and vote for an extravagant tependiture.
The CHANCb:LLOR of the EXCHEQUER could not think
the house would agree to this sweeping resolution.
Mr. 'l'. WILSON could not support the no-olution.
A motion was made for the Speaker leaving the Chair, which
was ultimately carried.
The Speaker having quitted the chair, the house went into
committee.
Lord PALMERSTON proposed a vote of 117,0/07. for the
staff.
Mr. HUME proposed as an amendment, that the sum should
be fitmtool. but he afterwerde withdrew that amendment, and
proposed yo,csol.
Upon tilts amendment the committee divided, and the numbers
were, for the atnenditient GI —Fur die, original motion LW—,
Majority 55 misiust the amendment.
On the resolution for greasing the sum of 23,3321. 13s. 10d.
for the Soar of Ireland,
Sir 11. PARNELL propose?. to reduce the grant to 10,4741.
Atter some discussion the gallery was cleared tin a divisioo.—.
The numbers were, tier the original sum, 110—For the emend.
meat, 41—Majority in favour of the original grant 81.
A second division took place whilst we were excluded, on a
'notion for reducibg the item 30001, but this was also negatived ;
the numbers teeing, tor the amentimeut 66—m:dog it 131--
Majority 6h.
Un the item for Urinating the sum of 11,0;41. for the office of
Commander in Chief.

fIUM I: said, in 11104, the experwe of tlfli °Mee was Y,tr.k%l.
—in iwn. it was 7,41 ed as .—now it w 1-t.0401. lie would pus
pose to reduce it to tYsistil. the sum granted in tear.
Atter a few observations fruiu I Palmerston. the gallery
saes cleared fur a diviiion, but nt, division took plea:.
hs;seral other motions for reduction were oleic by Mr. Hume,
but they were nego:ieed witliout divisions, and the original re.u.
lotlons being agreed oh the house resumed, the Cflait man having
pregivss, the gantry wits wain cleared; when 2 iltrisost
took Ocus. and the numbers were—For receiving the repsut uu
Muriday—Ayes, ca—Nues, ila—:itoority,
Pr. LUSH! NGIUNI hrthight up thy bill fbe excluding per.
sons itterilig Judicial in lrelond flora sitting an the.
House ofTouituous. Head a first time.
Thu over ordors o (Ito day were tken disp.iss%l uf, And the
Louie adjourned.

i
..-

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100

41i INS 11711110 N.

r

••••-

At two o'clock on Wednesday the annual nteetinri of
the Governors anfl Directors of the Africatt litainutton
was held at the Freentason',-tavern ; his Royal Highness
the Duke of Gloucester, in the chair, supported by Earl
Crompton, Lord Gambier, Sir Alexander Johnstone,
and a oomb,r or oilier distinguished peisonages.
Mr. Harrison, the secretary, read the report of the
Directors for the last year, which was 4.f a painfully
interesting nature, from the alarming examples whicia
it disclosed of the extent to wit.ch the slave trade is now
carried on North of the Equator, under me French flag
now entitled to the base tbstioction of flying on the
coast, Spain, hating by treaty abandoned her right since
the lit of Slav, The report stated, that cumniti•
municatioits were now carrying tin by Lord Castlereagh
with the (governments of France and Spain upon the
subject—with respect to the latter, to render penal, on
the part of her subjects, any infraction of Inc treaty,
and to induce Ole harmer to adopt a vigilance towards
her ci,ioitial subjects, which it is impossilde can now be
exercised, or else the horrors of the slave trade under
the French flag could iteter be conducted as the report
states it to be. Front the best inform Rion which the
Directors had, it appeared that the African coast swarmed
last year wills French fic.gs carrying on this detestable
trade for French, Spanisn, Portuguese, and American
subjects, although contrary to the French municipal law.
The instances detailed in the report of vessels caught in
the tact were terrible, and one instance in particular
came to tile knowledge of the Directors hoot a French
perioaical medical work, where it was noticed, owitag
to au extraordinary medical fact connected with it. It
It appeared that early last year a French vessel sailed
trout Havre de Grace for Africa, oht the slate trade.—
She there took in 230 slaves. When conveyina them
homewards, as they approached the line, an unusual
swollen appearance was observed about the eyes of the
'tour negroes heaped together in the hold, and the surgeon
on board soon discovered that the upthalinia raged
among them. It soon spread through the crew of the
ship, and at length every person on board, slaves and
crew, except one man, for some time lost their sight;
Ultimately many recovered their sight; but several re-
mained permatiently ()Mid, and others lost only one eye.
The man who escaped infection steered the ship to her
destination ; but before the disorder got among the
crew, several of the unfortunate negroes whom it had
deprived of sight, were thrown overboard, being unsale-
able, In cause blind. lit another ship, the white crew,
and living cargo, became blind by the opthalinia,
origioating front the stench of the hold, and the vessel
not having been heard of liar several months afterwards,
was supposed to have been lost, there not being one
oil board capable from the disorder of steering her.—
In both of these ships it appeared, according to ac-
counts front vessels which hoarded them, that when the
natives, aft, r the disorder broke out, were brouaffit on
deck to see if fresh air would relieve them, they clasped
each other in their arms and jumped into the sea, ex-
ulting in that opportunity of escaping from their remorse-
less persecutors. Another instance (among many
indeed) was stated, where one of our cmizers on tile
look-out for slave dealers, lately stopped a Fieuch ship
on the Arican coast. She admitted she had slaves on
board, but said they lia•I been forcibly carried eft some
days before lay a Spanish pirate. On examining cluseiy,
however, two negro one about 12, and the other
about 13 years 01 age, • were found fastened down 111 a
water-cask, anti nearly suffocated; a poor negro was
also battened down under some logs of wood in the hold,
and the British officer remembered with horror, that
that during the chace of this vessel, which, front her
being, like all the other slave ships, finely made, well
• manned, and a fast sailer, lasted for several hours, he
observed a number of casks floating on the sea, which
gave rise to a conjecture that they contained other un-
fortunate victims of this atrocious trade, who had been
stowed away for concealment its case of being suddenly
boarded, and winch were thrown oter in tins manner,
lest the vessel should be overtaken and captured.
The report contained a minute history of statements,
dreatiltil and degrading to human nature, under any form
of civilized government. It also contained a variety of
interesting matter connected with the diflerent relatious
of the states of Europe on the subject of the slave trade,
and alluded to further prospective parliamentary arrange-
mews upon the subject.
The report was ordered to be printed.
Earl Comp.ott, Lord Gambier, and several of the
other distinguished personages present, addressed the
meeting upon toe COIIIetILS of this report, atid the ne-
cessity of their not relaxing in pursuitsg the total :aboli-
tion of this detestable and atrocious traffic; and all con-
curred in thinking that nothing short of making it piracy
by the law of nations would effectually abate so horrible
au evil. It was a remarkable fact, mat a British officer
lately sailing an the Malacca sea, took the opportunity,
among some Arabs, tvholit it was thought assisted some
of the foreign colonies au the traitsmission of slaves, of
engaging thean in a treaty to discontittue the practice,
and record it as piracy This is the first instance of the
slave trade being called piracy in a treaty, and the ex-
ample is singularly enough set to alai:man states by a
tribe of Arabs! !
flis Royal Highness the Duke of GLOUCESTER
pleged himself to tti-die every effort in his power to
assist iu givitig Meet to the mierposition of the British
government to itiali,ce all Ilse states of the world to aban-
don this odious and iiiiquituus trade.
The meeting owing cilletly to the state of the weather
was hut thinly Several parliamentary charac-
ters were absent in attendance upon coltuisltltes on pub-
lic business.

The Lords of the Treasury have issued instruc-
tions for the discontinuance of the practice of per-
mitting wines and other articles, the property of
private individuals, to be sent home in transports
fr‘m foreign stations.


THE NATIONAL REGISTER

BRITISH AND FOREIGN AUXILIARY BIBLE
SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the British and Foreign
Bible Society for the parishes of Bloomsbury, Pun-
eras, and the Western District a the Metropolis,
was held on Thuile), at the Great Hall of the
Freemasons' Tavern, which was filled by a most
numerous assemblage, the majority of whom were
respectable females.
CHARLES GRANT. ESQ. IN TUE CMAIR.
A report was read by the Secretary, which re-
presented the Institution as highly prosperous, and
that the benefits of the citculation of the Holy
Sao iptures had already begun to be apparent.
The Rev. Dr. Steink ill represented the great
progress of the Bible Societies at Paris, where up-
wards of fifty thousand copies had been distributed
during the last year, and the demand for them had
been so great, that the Society had been unable to
supply it. In 'Spain, Italy, and Switzerland, and
even in Turkey, the Scriptures hail been circulated
by the agents of the Institution. In Germany the
circulation of bibles had gone on with great spirit,
and at one university alone there were fourteen
presses constantly at work printing bibles, 69,000
of which had been circulated from this place in one.
year. In Russia the same good work was going on
as well as could be expected.
The Right Hon. Charles Grant, Secretary of
State for Ireland, made a long and powerfel address
to the Meeting, as did also the Rev, and Honorable
Gerard Noel, the Rev. Dr. Owen, Dr. Wilson, Dr.
Jefferies, and several other Divines and Gentlemen
resident in the District, and Officers for the ensuing
year were appointed, and a large collection made ;
after which the Meeting adjourned.

FROM LAST NIGHT'S GAZETTR.
LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S OFFICE, Megot 30.
Notice is hereby given, that his Majesty will hold a Levee at
Carlton House, on Wednesday the 2d of May, at two o'clock.
Notice is hereby given, that in consequence of St. George's
Day occurring on Easter Monday, the Drawing Room intended
to be held at Buckingham Palace, in celebration of his Majesty's
Birth Day, is postponed to Thursday, the 3d of May next, at
two O'CLOCk.