The National Register.
London, England, 1822-02-10 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER

STOCK-EXCHANOE,SATURDAY THREE O'CLOCK.—
When the payment of the 5 per Cents. was talked of
before, that Stock went down to 103 and 1034, and
the 3 per Cents. rose in proportion. At present,
however, many prefer foreign securities to transfers
in British Stock. Until lately none but great ca-
pitalists or daring speculators would purchase fo-
reign securities, but it is quite common to see trades-
men buying bonds of various amounts from 501. to
10001. The foreign market is much more brisk
than our own. Prussian stock is in demand, and
has undergone a slight variation of a favourable
nature Spanish, notwithstanding the late news of
partial disturbances, has been done this morning as
high as 58i, and the Danish bonds are also in re-
quest. In Colombia bonds, the prices are almost
nominal, but 88 is still demanded. It is reported,
that the agents of the South American Government
have instructions to buy them up at any price under
par, and thus save the payment of interest. If this
report be correct, it proves the confidence is the
South Americanass to their own strength, and the
prospect of entire independence. Some persons, who
will not meddle with Foreign Stock, have sold out
of tile Navy 5 per Cents. and purchased Long
Annuities—that Stock is therefore on the rise. An
eminent banking-house in the city, of which a
leading member of the opposition is a partner, has
sold 300,0001. out of the 5 per Cents.—Consols, 771
—Ditto fin- the Account, 774—Navy 5 per Cents
1061—Long Annuities, 20.
At about half past one o'clock on Tuesday last,
the King proceeded in state from Carlton-palace to
the House of Lords to open the Session of Parlia-
ment. At two o'clock the firing of the Park and
Tower guns announced his Majesty's arrival at the
House of Lords. His Majesty was received with
partial greetings. At a quarter past two the King
left the House. His departure was announced by
the firing of the guns as on his arrival. There was
an unusually great display of military on the occa-
sion. At a quarter before one a squadron of the
Blues proceeded front the Horse• Guards, and drew
up before the palace in Pall-mall. The first regiment
of Life-Guards, accoutred in their new appointments,
lined the way by which his Majesty was to pass,
The long line of apartments through which his Ma-
jesty had to pass in reaching the House of Lords,
have all been new matted, painted, and fitted up for
the occasion in a suitable style, These apartments
were all filled, through the kind attention of the
Lord Great Chamberlain to the wishes of the public,
with spectators. All the other avenues leading to
th House of Lords have also been matted, painted,
and otherwise suitably arranged for tile opening of
Parliament. Means were likewise taken to prevent,
any but Members of the House of Commons from
filling the lobby and passages between it and the
House of Lords, through %%filch the Speaker and
Members were to proceed in attending the summons
of the Usher of the Black Rod to attend their Lord-
ships' bar. These excellent arrangements were de-
signed and completed by the Lord Great Chamber-
lain and his secretary, Mr. Fellowes. The House of
Lords began to be filled at an early hour : befiare
one o'clock all the benches, except the cross benches
and the front side benches on the floor, were occu-1
pied with ladies in full dress.
A requisition, respectably signed, was a few days
ago presented to the Portreeve of 'l'avistock, request-
ing him to call a public meeting, to take into consi-
deration the propriety of petitioning Parliament for
a Reform in the representation of the people, by
restoring to them their national and constitutional
rights; and also to petition for the relief of the agri-
cultural interests, from the oppressive tithe system
and unreasonable taxation, thereby to afford the
farmers and manufacturers the means of placing
their labourers above parochial relief; and to enable
all the industrious classes of the cummunity to reap
(as their foreflithers did) the fair harvest of their
exertions. The Portreeve having refused to con-
vene a meeting, the requisionists have called one
themselves, to be held on Friday next.
On Friday his Majesty held a Court for the pur-
pose of receiving the Address of the House of
Commons, which was presented by a deputation,
with the Speaker at their head. His Majesty after-
wards held a levee, which, however, was the thinne►t
we ever recollect to have seen, owing to the short-
ness of the notice, and its having commenced of an
earlier hour than usual. Numbers are said to have
arrived too late—after the doors were closed, and the
King had lett the levee-room: among them were—
the Lord ChielJustice of the Court ut Kitig'sßeiteli,
Earl Darnley, Lord Clifton, and Viscount Morpeth.
The Sherif& of London and Middlesex were on their
road, but being informed the levee was closed, re-
turned, as did numerous others

A requisition having been transmitted to the Earl
of Coventry, Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire,
to call a County Meeting, in order to take into con-
sideration the distressed state of agriculture, I.is
Lordship has declined doing so under the plea th..t
Parliament will enter upon the subject as soon us it
meets.

45

COUNTY MEETINGS.
A County Meeting was held on Friday, the Ist instant, at the
Castle of Exeter, to consider oldie present state of the Agricul-
tural Distress, and to discuss some means for its relief.
Sir Joust Davis, Bart. High Sheriff, in the chair. This wag
the most numerous and highly respectable meeting ever witnessed
in this county.
The High Sheriff' having opened .the business, a letter from
the Duke of Bedford was read by the Under Sheriff.
Earl FORTESCUE then came forward and proposed a petition
for the adoption of the meeting.
Lord ROLLE seconded the motion, and pledged himself as
Member of Parliament to give the subject every consideration,
and to support the prayer of the petition in the House of Lords.
The Hon. NEWTON FELLOWES begged leave to move, as a
rider to the petition, the following resolution :
" That you will institute an inquiry into the state of the re-
presentation of the Commons House of Parliament, and adopt a
timely and salutary Reform."
After a few words from Earl FOILTES4U E, accounting for the
absence of Lord Ebrington, the Uncle' Sheriff read the petition,
and it was proposed to the meeting and adopted unanimously.
The rider of the lion. N. Fcllowes was then proposed for the
adoption or rejection of the meeting. Those, who favoured the
rider were requested to hold up their hats, when a genial shout
and applause followed. On the rejection being proposed, about
40 held up their hands for it. The High Sheriff then declared
that the rider had been carried in the affirmative, and it was
accordingly added to the petition.
At the close of the meeting, Lord Rokie tame forward to
pru:est against the rider. He was roughly received,' and ended
his speech by saying that he should have a petition for signature
got ready, which would not have this frifhtfol clause.
Thanks. were then voted to the High sheriff; and the meeting
separated.

A similar meeting for the county of Surrey was held at Epsom
on Monday last, but on account of a resolution having been
moved in favour of Reform in Parliament, which subject had nut
been named in the requisition, the High Sheriff dissolved the
meeting, and another requisition, embracing that important
point, has been presented w him.

The penalties which Carlile was sentenced to pay
by the Court of King's Bench having been estreated
and returned to the Pipe-office, an extent WAS issued
from thence on Thursday afternoon, directed to the
Sheriffs of London, and commanding them to levy
for one of those penalties, to the amount of 5001.
At half past three the Sheriff, accompanied by a
large body of his officers, proceeded to the premises;
and after seizing every thing that' bore the appear-
ance of property, shut up the shop.
Mr. Hardy, the keeper of llchester gaol, has ob-
liged a Ministerial Paper to contradict an unfounded
account which it published, that he had "complained
of the conduct of Mr. Hunt, and requested an order.
for his closer confinement." Mr. Hardy, in contra-
.

dieting this gross falsehoo I, declares, "since he has
had the care of the gaol committed•to his charge, he
never had the slightest reason to complain of the
conduct of Mr. Hunt or any of his visitors."
At the annual meeting of the inhabitants of Bir.
minghara, last week, for the purpose of passing the
accounts of the constables, &c. for the preceding'
year, a stormy debate took place on a motion for pass-
ing an item of a former year's account, which had
been rejected at the last meeting, and was now again
brought forward for the re-consideration and decision
of the town. It was the amount of the expences in-
curred in prosecuting G Edmonds, fur a libel on two
of the acting magistrates ot• Birmingham, and the
passing of the account was strongly opposed by Mr.
Pi►ipson. principally on the ground that due notice
had not been given, and therefore that the meeting
was incompetent to decide the question. He also
urged various other ingenious objections, which were
combated by it. Spooner, Esq. Mr. Spurrier, &c.
and it was finally resolved, by a considerable majo--
rity, that the account should be passed. On the.
motion of Mr. Spooner, it was, however, afterwards,
unanimously resolved, " that in future, when any
prosecutions shall appear to the constables to be ne-•
cessary fur the public service, which du not arise
out ot• their official duties, it be imperative upon
them to consult their fellow townsmen, at a public
(fleeting to be convened previous to any expenees
being incurred; and that it be recommended to all
future town meetings to disallow any charges which
shall be made in respect of• such prosecutions, unless
the same shall have bean previously submitted to
them."—lt is in contemplation of the principal indi-
vidual who opposed the passing ot• the account in
question, to appeal to the Court of King's Betich
against the decision of the meeting, and that a sub-
scription has been commenced for that purpose.
At a Court holden at Fishmongers'.liall, on
Thursday last, it w•ts resolved unanimously, that
the freedom of the Company should be presented to
Joseph Hinne, Esq. Member of Parliament for the
boroughs of Montrose, Brechin, &c. fur his u►-
wear►ed exertions in endeavouring to promote 'pub-
tic economy and retrenchment ; wherein he has
proved hiins.:ll a filithful guardian of tl:e public
purse, and the firm and upright representative of
the peoi•le.

A meeting of respectable bop-planters has hem.
held at the Bell Inn, Ticehurat, tar the purpose
taking into consideration the propriety of
Gov. rument tor a repeal of the Act m suing a
duty upon hips, as one means of relieving them titan
cite didicultics under which they are stria :Ong. A
suitable petition •was accordingly prepar d, and tint-
nimousl) curriad by a show of hands; it was soon
afterwards signed by every liorgrower iu the parisli.