The National Register.
London, England, 1815-03-05 00:00:00

CORN LAWS.

Mr. ROBINSON brought up the Corn Importation Bill (founded
• ca the Resolutions), which was read a first times and ordered to be
pitited. _ _

On the motion that it be read a second time on Friday,
Mr. Alderman A'rtctxs requested to know whether it was the in-
• tf ntion of the Right Hon. Gentleman to make any alteration, which
v•ight give an opening by which the 'Hering parties might have a
loince to meet in their mutual endeavours to establish that which
4eh thought for the public welfare. Ire wished sincerely to ascer-
!Ain, whether a mediatory measure could not be-agreed upon, by
which the present j4rring ideas of gentlemen on either side might
be brought more iirto unison. He was not a man who would lend
Liimelf to either popular tear or popular favour, but in a question of
such vast importance, he would certainly be happy to see the
House come to some kind of accommodation, by ado' ti ig some of
the lower prices, instead of adlieting obstinately to those higher
cries, which had certainly been voted by great majorities.
Mr. ROBINSON said, with respect to fixing any other prices than
those contained and agreed to in the Resolutions, he had nothing to
at present. When the Bill came into the Committee, it would
he competent to any gentleman to move any other stints they
thought proper, and of course the Committee would make their de.
termination. For his ow n part lie did not think any alteration
o3r,lit to be matte, but it was fur the House to decide whether it
should he so or nog.

Mr. BARING, mid xeveral other Members, deprecated harrying
the Bill. and an amendment v.as moved by Mr. B. that imitead of
Friday next, the Bill should be read a second time on Friday se'n-
ttiib t.
The House then divided,For the amendment, 30; against it, 109.

MARCH 5.

place of refuge for the injured, and the asserters of the rights of the
opprecled. Mr. W, concluded by moving,
" An Addiess to the Prince Regent, thanking his R'.yal Highness
for the communications of the correspondence of Earl Bathurst,
Gent ral Smith. and Sir J. Duff, and the papers relative to the same;
expressing its di•approbat ion of the transaction, at injurious to the
'nadir honour, contrary to the established hospitably to foreigners,
and the character• of our officers, and- siL nally cruel to the
duals ; earnestly desiring his Royal Highness's reprobation to be
conveyed in the strongest terms, and the adoption of measures to
prevent the recurrence af similar conilmet : but above all, his Royal
Highness's endeavours to obtain the liberation of the parties."
The Hon. Mr. BATHURST said, although the affair was much ex-
aggerated, yet lie by no means defended Gen. Smith in giving ►ip
the parties. It was contriny to British pi ineiples. When, however,
it was considered that Sir J. Doff, who was above 80 years of age,
had been long respected, that discretion and caution were highly
necessary, and that we need no Longer apprehend the recurrence of
such transactions, he hoped the House would not pass a censure, but
rather consider what circtunstauces of palliation might exist.

This defence of the parties was supported by Mr. H. Davis, Mr.
Gon!bourne, Mr. W. Pole. Mr. 11. Bathurst, and others ; while Sir
J. APltitosh, Mr. D. Brovine, Mr. Horner, and Mr. W. Elliott, sup.
ported the motion of Mr Whitbread.
In the course of the debate, the most degrading epithets were
used in speaking of the condole t of Ferdinand and his Government.
Mr. WHITBREAD said, the Government was " more horrible and
ferocious than the bloody reign of Robespierre." .' Would to God
Ferdinand bad passed the whole of his life as he had passed it at
Valencey, when he employed himself in embroidering a muslin gown
for the Virgin Mary."
Sir J. MINTosH observed, that Government " was the object of
general detestation and horror in Europe."
Mr. J. P.GRAET " hoped that detestable and contemptible tyrant,
Ferdilantl, might be driven from his throne." •
Mr. HottNED said, " he was anxious the House should give the
most energetic expression to its• feelings. in the hope that that ex-
pression, combined with the known sentiment of the country, and
of all that was enlightened and good in Europe, might chance to
ready, not that insensible wretch Ferdinand, upon whom they could
have no effect, but the people %Ilium he so grossly ill-treated—in
the cordial wish, also, he would avow, that such sentiments might
serve to excite the people of Spain to re-assert their rights, to de-
pose Ferdinand, and bring the miscreant to condign punisliontur.
To suck a person no consideration was due from any free, humane,
or joist nation ; for Ferdinand was not only a tyrant, but an usurper,
Yes, Ferdinand was originally an usurper, Hill having basely viola'ed
Noon his acquisition of power in Spain, and especially by deposing
the Cortcs, those solemn engagements which he had entered into on
leaving France, he would maintain that that despot was at this mo-
ment an usurper, to whom no allegiance was legitimately due."
This strong language was remarked on by Mr. HystossoN and
Mr. W. POLE, Wilo deprecated it as unbecoming the House olCono.
mons.

The House divided—for the Address, 51 ; against it, C 9 Ma-
jority, 18.
As the House was adjourning the Speaker said. he felt it his duty
to state, that he was informed words had pa's& between two Mem-
bers, in consequence of something in the debate (sonic remarks by
Mr. Whitbread on General Whittingham), which required that they
should be called back to give their words that nothin., further should
take place between them. He them moved, that Mr. Whitbread
and Mr. H. Davis should attend in their places, and Mr. D. Giddy
and Mr. W. Wynne were sent to call them back. In a few minutes
the two Members returned, strangers well. exclinted ; but it is no.
derstood the Members gave the usual assurances; and the House
adjourned at half-past one. •