The National Register.
London, England, 1818-03-01 00:00:00

MONDAY.

Mr. R. Roulette protected a Petition from the City of Lath,
against the Bill for Lighting that City with Gas. One wax
also presented from the :Pt oprietors of Collieries in that
neighbourhood, is favour of the Bill.—They were both re.
feroed to the Committee on the.ttill.
The Sheriffs of London presented is. Petition. from the Lord
Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, against theindem-
aity.Bill passing iiito a Law.—Laid ou the table and to be
printed.
silr. 'Unpin .gave notice that he Aback! on Wednesday'
reoveitior leave to bring in a Bill to repeal those Acts which
isslase to the apprehension and conviction of offenders, and
whech entitle the officers apprehending to rewards on their
wolivnction, commonly called Blood Money.
Mr. BELOILT presented a Petunia from G. Bradbury, who.
was ariested under the Habeas Corpus Act, tin/tying that no
lindemicity Bill should lie passed ; and also sine truism certain
iiistiviitimis at Nottitighou, iptaying for lteform, ; and
Soo If. Bin:den a siniilarone, float Wesuiluister.and Warwick.
All ordered to lie on the table.
•Oil the tecointreading of the Bath GasiLight-Bill,
001. PA LE kit opposed it, on the partyl the alisyoollllllkl C.V.(
poi atiosiof 'tharCity. They 4W mot object to the principal'
of the Bill, hat.as CluArthau6 of the foods of that Coiporativu,

...... _

they did think that they were justified in wailing a little
longer to are how the experiment would turn out. It was
true that numbers of the Inhabitants desired the Bill, brit
when it might be deemed expedient to introduce Gas into
the City, a Elaine might he introdneed into the Gas Bill, to
extend its provisions. With respect to the beauty and uscild-
ness of it. he was disposed to admire it ; but at the same time,
it was injurious to the health of the inhabitants. He mowed
that the URI be read a second time this day three months.
Mr. Gomm,/ thought, as the Corporation of Bath had no
objection to the principle of the Bill, it might be as well to
allow it to go to a Committee ; but ill truth he Inhered that
the Corporation only set forward an objection because they
wished to light their own City, and, not to suffer any intruders
to take the business out of their hands. '

Mr. CurtwEN said, he wa% itivo*ed to have made every
concession to the Corporation, knit an Officer of that respect-
able bb:ly refused to listen to any terms, and declared that
they would depend fur rejeckng it on the strength of their
novel—(a laugh.)

After some further observations 'from Lord J. Thynne, Mr.
Prothuror, Mr. P. Moore, Mr. Barnett, Mr. Benson, and Sir
1%. liobliouse,the House divided—For the second reading now.
79—Against it, 36—Majority, 41. The Bill was then read a
second time.

Mr. HAM:ES prestlitrd a Petition from the Trustees of the
British Aluiseum, praying for Parliamentary aid. He was
aware of the invidtiousness of calling on the House at this
me•neot for pecuniary aid; nor would the Trustees have ah
plied, but in consequence of a desire, on their.part, to be en-
abled to purcitase the library of the late Dr. Barney, whose
collectior was the must valuable or tiny extant.
Mr. VANstrranT was disposed to consent to the purchase
of the Library, because steels an •oppnrtatnily would rarely
occur of bavingAo valuable a Library is the blusetun for the
use of tits Public.

On the Motion of Mr. ii trntat, the Petition was referred
to a Committee to report thereon.

Mr. D. 611.11E11T hrought up.the report of the Select Cur-
nnitee on the Public Expenditure.
. .

Sir C. Monett wished to know from the Right Non. Gentle-
man•in what state the Revenue was. He had understood
that it was Nourishing; and lie hoped the Right Hon. Gen.
denial) would sa•isty the House on that head.
Mr. VaNstimatur said, when the accounts came to be in-
vestigated, it would be found that the income would exceed
the expentlintre about three .millions. in this he included
the Sinking Fund.
On the motion for the second reading of the cotton maou•
factures, regulation bill.
bir It. PREL made some observations on the state of the
manufacturing and labouring classes, affected by the bill.--
He hoped, 1141 as the subject had been three years before the
House, and it was necessary that something should be done
to relieve the,little children from the oppressive labour is
which they are subjected, especially after the- melancholy
catastrophe which had oceured at Huddersfield—he hoped
that no delay would take place.in allowing the bill to pass. It
could not be said that children are now free labourers. He
should now propose to place them from nine to sixteen years
under the protection of parliament, and that nate should he
permitted to work hi manufactories under nine years of age,
that the time of .labour should be eleven hours, allowing one
hour and a half •for meals; thus making the time for employ
ment twelve hours and a half.
Lord LAWELLES had no intention of opposing tlie,prinei-
pie of the bill, but it was one thing to manage children, aha
are not free labourers, and another to interfere with free la-
bour. With respect to the bill, lie thought it did not originals
with the sepon of the Committee.
. . .

Mr. PHILLIPS said, some doubt had arisen ter pecting the
propriety of making regulations of the nature alluded to.—
The Hon, Gentleman condemned the pruceediu4s that had
been resorted to in the manufacturing towns to get signatures
to the petitions in favour of the bill, since its first introduc-
tion. He referred to the evidence of several manufacturers
to chew that the children of weavers often worked fifteen au4
sixteen hours at a time, in dark and damp cellars. He de-
nied that it was true that more children were brought to the
infirmaries in consequence of being employed in these facte.
ries. At least it was not the case in Manchester. The con.
sequence of limiting the working hours would be felt materi-
ally by the revenue, for it was a well known fact, that on the
continent, in manufacturing districts, the hours for .labonr
were quite as long as in this country. He deprecated the
idea of legislating in this I expect, and implored the House to

pause.
Mr. DAVENPORT said, that the House ought not to inter-
fere with free labour, unless under a case of great exigency.
He cautioued the Hon. Baronet of being .in too great a hairy
in bringing this measure forward.
Mr. Fast observed, that the Hon. Mover had no wish to
press the subject, lie had so stated. It was impossible to
judge of the eltect ofthe bill until the blanks were filled up in
the committee. He hoped, that no opposition would arise
until an opportuuity was afforded of circulating the bill
through the country. The question now was not whether the
House 'Amid legislate-or-mot, but whether the subject should
not be enquired into. He did nut mean to deny, that some
of the mills were very respectably conducted; but lie wished
to observe, that it was not intended to legislate. fur such ma-
nufactoi ics, but fur those which were not ao respeetably.con-
ducted, and did employ the children during the night. He
noticed the petition coming from the parents of the children
employed, who desired •the interference of parliament; and
' who stated, that they had no means of repressiu; tile time of
.-einploynaent ;and that the excessive tatigue to which tbey
were subjected by the masters was ge eatly prejudicial to the
health of their children. He wished, therefore,,the House to
allow thr bill to.go to a committee.
1111%.FINDLAV observed, that with respect to the.year at
which the children -should be allowed to work first—that
might be•of use in Scotland, because lie that country there
were we poor rates. He was of opinion it would be highly
detrimental to the interests of the cotton trade, in respect of
the supply t 6 be given to the foreign markeis. It•would be a
facility to the foreign manufacturer, and thus injure our re.
venue. He contended that the children employed in menu-
ficinries, were better treated than any others in the same
situation of life. He (Mr. F.) was one of the commitiee to
inspect the city gaols, and there lie sass several children con-
demned to die. who were . under t 2 yeacsaof age. If those
children had been employed ice illsl6lll.lCteriUl: Wier would have
been 141 no such situation, because they would ineve,acqulred
habits of industry.which would lievepreveuted them Prose
Tutu vice.

~lr. iiiey s anted wore ,Experience as to
,this lIICAMIIIe before they legislated on it.
Sir F. ltuttne,rr said, they wanted no physician's opinion
to tell them that eltildrens' health mast be injured by an unit.
tutted umuker of hours work lathe 24. As to chilsirep work.

11111•111U1.

num t.

ing by night, it WAS a singular fact, that the children who
workediry night, were more healthy than those who worked
by day, because they were allowed a few hours play in tha
day tame.
The bill was then read a second time, and was committed
and reported proforma: and tie report ordered to he taken
tato further consideration this day six weeks.—Adjourned.

TUESDAY.
HABEAS CORPUS SUSPENSION.

The Hon. Mr. Hamm= presented a petition from a person
slimed Whitely, of Huddersfield, and another from H. Lea,
of Holniefc:93, complaining of severity in their confinement
under the Suspension .:!•
CITY OF LONDON.

Mr. H. Sumerea moved that there be laid before the House,
a statement or account of the revenues of the city of Lon-
don for five years past, up to the 31st of December, 1817, in.
eluding therein an acconnt of all monies received for rents
and quit rents, for granting the freedom, casual receipts,
sheriffs' fines, fines for leases, interest of government securi-
ties, and generally, all other monies received at the treasury
adze city of London.
Sir W. Cultils opposed the motion, and moved by way of
amendment, that an the words in the original motion, after
the word" that" be left out, and that the following words he
added in their stead, viz." That there be laid before the
House an account of the produce of the orphans' fund since
the last account that was presented, and also a statement of
the expenditure of the 03,0001. which had been granted for
the erection of the new prison for debtors in Whitecross.
street.
After some observations from Alderman Wood, Mr. Bar-
clay, &c. the House divided.—Ayes, 20.—Noes, 13. Majo.
rity for the Motion,ll.
Sir J. MACINTOSH moved for the numbers prosecuted for
coining or altering the enrrent coin, cold or silver. during
the fourteen years preceding the Bank restriction, and dur-
ing the period since then to the 2stli of Feb. 1818, distinguish-
ing the convictions and punishments.
Mr. Reamer suggested that the motion should he for the
numbers committed or prosecuted during the several pe.
riods.
Sir J. Mactserosn acceded. Agreed to.
Sir E. BRYDGES moved for the number of folios, 4tos,
Bros, 12mos, and pamphlets, received by the British Mu-
seum, under the copyright act, from the Ist January to :ilst
December, 1817, distinguishing their several sizes. Ordered.
Adjourned.

E DS ESD kV.