The National Register.
London, England, 1822-06-17 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL ItEGISTER

Bank, produced on the manufacturing and commercial iiiiereari
of the country.
Mr. HICSKISSON replied, at considerably leoVh, to the ar-
guments of the Member for Essex, which he said were founded
on • false theory. That hon. gentleman had argued, that high
prices wiro a proof of the prosperity or the country, and that
times of fan:: in were those of tortimitil happiness. He denied
sicsh a position, and particularly cited the state of the comitry
iu 181;:., whet wheat was at the moderato pike of 12.35. a
quiatt r, Willis the poor could not get bread, and when all our
manufacturing districts were in a state of codosiou, and almost
of rebellion ; yet according to the lion. member's opinion and
doctrine, this was the moment of highest prosperity for the
country, because corn was at the enormous mice of 12.55. a
quarter. He condemned the hon. gentleman's proposition
altogether, and moved, as an amendment, t' That this house
w ill not alter the ►tandard of gold or silver iu fineness, weight,
or denomination.
Lord A. HAMILTON was not sanguine as to the adoption of
any remedy ; still the pressure of the evil was so great, that
lie was willing to take every chance ; and he should therefore
support the motion of the honourable member for Essex.
The Marquis of LONDONDERRY rose amid loud cries of
tt Adjourn." If the house was disposed to adjourn (the noble
lord said) it would be better to adjourn at once ; at the same
time be could have thought it expedient to get throuo the
debate if possible, as there might be mischief in allowing it to
be supposed even for an hour, that there was ant probability of
the motion bring carried. The noble Marquis concluded by
declsring that lie saw no cause whatever made out for going
into the proposed examination. (Cries of •' Go on, go on.')
Mr. BROUGHAM felt with the noble lord as to the expedi-
ency of concluding the debate, but doubted bow far such a
course was practicable under the amendment moved by the right
hon. gentleman (Mr. Huskisson.) If the riklit lion. gentleman
would witlid ttaw that admendinent. lie (Mr. Brougham) should,
at the hazard of sitting thoneiliing later than usual (and the
house seemed very squeamish now about sitting a little longer
than usual), be inclined to conclude the debate without adjourn.
ment ; if nut he thought it would be better to adjourn.
Mr. H. G. BEN ETT suggested that the question should he
adjourned to Wednesday.
Mr. BROUGHAM said. that lie motion of Sir T. Lethbridge
on the subject of taxation, would interfere.
After some remarks from Lord Londondery, Sir T.Letlibridge
and the Attorney-General, the adjourment or Mr. Westeru s
motion to Wednesday was agreed to.—Adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, JUNF. 12. .

Mr. NOLAN postponed till the 27tb inst. his motion for
leave to bring in a bill to amend the poor laws. Should lie
succeed in his motion, he should not press the bill forward this
session, hut should suffer it to continue before the House and
the country for consider:Aion.
Mr. CALVERT moved for •arious returns of tobacco
that had paid duty, and what had been seized, since 1b09.
Ordered
Mr. GRENFELL gave notice, that when the Naval and Mi-
litary Bill was brought forward, lie should oppose that clause
which proposed to give remuneration to the BAIA for their
trouble. The remuneration was to be 30JI. on each, 1,000,0001.
The report of the Assessed Taxes Bill was presented.
Sir J. NEWPORT obtained leave to bring in a Bill on the
subject of the Grand Jury Presentments.
Mr. R. MARTIN obtained leave to bring in a bill to regu-
late the office of coroner of Ireland.
Mr. COKE presented a petition from 1111 stead, Norfolk,
complaining of agricultural distress, and praying for reform.
Mr. T. F. BUXTON withdrew his !nutlet' respecting the
capture of the Regain by Mr. Ogilvie.
NORTHAM PTO% COUNTY PETITIO't.—Lord ALTHORP pre-
sented a petition from the County of Northluipton, complaining
of agricultural distress ; of the pressure of taxation ; and play-
ing fur a reform. 'Flue petition had been agreed to at a county
meeting, which, however, the Sheriff reiused to call.. lle
agreed in the allegations of the petition. The ministers,
aithough they reduced some of the taxes, stil kit such rem.
nants,,as would require the retention of officers for the patronage.
Mr. CA RTW RIGHT said lie should be against the reduction
of taxes, except the reductions could be effected with national
safety. Those that had been reduced, he questioned much
whether they would relieve agriculture. As to the conduct of
the Sheriff, though the requisition was signed by 300 or 400
freeholders, there were none of the " gentlemen" of the county
amongst the requisitionists.
Sir J. NEWPORT expressed his regret to bear such lan-
guage. Here were 400 freeholders, who had the right of re.
turning members, but had not the right, it appeared, of calling
a county meeting. Was that correct
Mr. COK E said, it was such country " gentlemen" as the
one opposite, that led the country into its present difficulties ;
those" gentlemen" had supported the just and necessary war;"
end what they now suffered they merited. As to the 100 flee-
holders, he hoped they would not forget what had been uttered
aid that they would endeavour to be more hot.ourably and in-
di pendently represented.
Mr. CARTA% 1111aur declared that lie had supported the
ministers conscientiously, and that he thought the country had
been saved by their condnet. He cousitlered himself as ho-
nourable and independent as the member opposite.
Mr. LEICESTER condemned the conjuct of the Slieriff.—
Petition rend and ordered to he printed.
TOBACCO TRADE.—Lord BELCR.'IVE, in presenting ape
titian hem tobacco merchants of Chester. praying for the re-
duction of the duty, observed on the injuries that were sustained
by the revenue in consequence of smuggling. According to his
calculation the Chancellor of the Exchequer had lost ..:J,Odul.
a year.
Mr. H. GUR NEY supported the prayer of the petition.
Mr. LUSHINGTON said, in rontradiclion to what had been
stated, that within the last year the smuggling of tobacco had
diminished, and the duty on it increased.
Sir J. NEWPORT replied, that he should like to bare the
accounts. .

_„..._.....
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was persuaded
that the smuggling trade was not so prosperous as it had been.
The duly on sonic articles might be lowered, perhaps with ad-
santage to the rev eclat. ; but he did not think that would be the
case with tobaeco.—Petition brought up, read, and ordered to
be printed.
The second report of the Holyhead Roads Committee was
presented, and ordered to he plink (I.
The Land Res enne Hill (Ireland) was read a second time.
The cnnw•ittee on the Irish Constables Bill was 11.44101110
till the 21st inst.

Sir J. N EW PORT moved the 2.1 reading of the payment of
Rents, Ireland, Rill. He wished the bil to stand ot er to be
considered. It was a hill entirely prospeciii e. It was never
meant to apply to e•isting eontructs.—lt was agreed to be read
a second time this day three mouths.
Mr. C. H EN N ET moved that the order of the day be read for
the resumption of the debate on cash paylill,oll.—Agreeil to.—
The motion tad atneudmeut ha% ing hem read by the Speaker,

187

Mr. G. BENNET rose, and nest moved that the resolativiaa
of May It 1811,, be read. Tney uachired a one pound note
and a shilblig to he equal to • games. Hating been read, he
proceeded to speak in suppoit of the motion a; the boil. mem-
ber fur Essex (Mr. Western). It was a qJestitni of great ini-
pormee, and he approached it vita reluctance. Had lie
ep-
pruced of the bill originally. sitting •-lat di:elite/1 res.ets
had fellowed its enactments, b_ should not hare shrunk from
tuatifu.iy coining firmssid and avowing what was 11.1 m tits ease.
lie declared flirt they ought now to appoint a committee to in.
quire into the operation of the act. The mutiou had here ably
brought Lrward, and he was astonished how the noble lord
and the righ. lion, gent. could patiently keep their state and
hear the smtramesits of calamities that had bcen brought far
ward. But all these difficulties resulted from those fatal mea-
sures which began with putting of the put.dic creditor, Weil
proceeded with chenting the public debtor. To accomplish
each things—to pass such a bill as was now complained of
was reserved for lain Majesty's ministers. What was the site-
alien of persona who bad' entered into contracts sieve 1813?
It was ruinous in the extreme. The contracts were now is
fact neatly doubled. He was for the committee, to see whe-
ther something like a balance could not be struck, to soh*
contracts nearer what they were intended to b. whoa catered
into. It was said that the parties entered into the emstriste
with the knowledge of the change that bad takes place.—Sinai
might feel persuaded of it, but the public knew nothing shoat
the matter, for the Chancellor of the Exchequer aid the Holum
had declared that there was no depreciation.—(Hear, boar.)—
The ministers' n unes, who had passed such measures. ought
to be as familiar to men's minds as " household words."
Mr. GURNEY spoke against the motion and the atsisedment.
Mr. RICARDO trusted that no step would be adopted to
affect the existing law regarding cash payments. lie admitted
that great difficulties had resulted from the efforts to cetera to
sound principles of currency ; and he was not sorry that they
lied arisen; they would prevent that MAN from again so
seriously effecting the currency. The hill of 1819 ought to be
supported.
Sir F. BURDETT said the present motion was calculated to
he most useful. The debate must be beneficial, and he thought
it was impossible for the House to separate without doing
something to rescue the country from its difficulties. Many of
the taxes, and a great proportion of the debt bad arisen under
a depreciated currency ; and yet all those contracts were to be
fulfilled wit. the altered currencv. As such was the case.
where was the wonder that difficulties amongst all the produc-
tive c asses should have arisen? The hon. hart. contended the
proposit..in of his hon. friend was most correct. lie had made
gold, corn, and labour his measure, and he knew of no other
measure which could he adopted. As to the question being
one of difficulty. lie awficowledged it was so, but ministers, by
their conduct, bad got the country into difficulties, and they
were bound to find a mode of relief.
Mr. ATM 001) ettributed ail the calamities of the country
to the misconduct and errors of government. He agreed with
his lion. fri..nd as to the necessity of inquiry, and therefore, if
on no other ground, he should support the motion. As to the
cmendinent proposed by tine right lion. gentleman, he must op-
pose it, as it went to commit and pledge the Noose to a certain
extent against any future consideration of the subject. The
bon. member entered at lenkth into a review of the subject,
pointing out the evils arising from Mr. Peel's bill, and coo-
eluded by forcibly urging the adoption of Mr. Western's
motion.
Mr. Peel and the Marquis of Londonderry opposed the mo-
tion, and after Mr. Brougham had apoken at great length and
in support of it,
Mr. WES TERN rose amid cries of " question," and replied
Shortly.
The galleiy was then cleared for ad' 'on, when there ap-
peared for time atimendiueut 19$--Against it 39—Majority 164.
The House then adjourned at a quarter past three o'clock.
38ensosit. JUstir. 13.

CHETWYND mooed, that the Lords' Amendment to
the Vagrant Laws' Hill, the principle of which Tent to confine
the operation of the Bill to England, be agreed to. They were
read nn.l r,:reed to.
Sir E. KNATCHBULL presented two petitions from the
hop-growers of Kent • ainst any alteration of the Zi-ith Geo. 3,
respecting the marking of hop sacks, pockets, &c.
After sonic remarks from Mr. Imshington, Mr. Caloraft, and
Mr. Motuck, who spoke against the rennired change of the act;
and Mr. Curteis, who ►aid the change was called for, as the
art lied been founded of misrepresentations, and that dosser.
hops were superior to those of licut, the petitions were read
and ordered to he printed.
Mr. CUR LEIS then withdrew his motion on this subject ; hot

nest session li' 611011111 bring forward the whole question.
Mr. ABERCROMBIE postponed, from Ihe2Uth to the 25th
inst. his motion respecting government officers, as connected
with the pithite press of Scotland.
Sir T. LEIMBRIDGE nitildrew, for the present session.
his notice IC mote resolutions respecting a-'ricultural taxation.
The further cncsideration of 11,e Stamp Duties Bill Report
was postponed till Monday.
The Tonnage Duties Repeal Dill went through a omninittee.
litepoA to morrow.
'I he report of the Committee on the Welsh coal act was reeds
agreed to, and bill ordered accordingly.
Mr. HUME moved for the Expense of the Iriab Record
Commission, since loth.
Mr. Alderman %% OW) rose to submit his promised motioe
respecting llchester jail.
(Secretar3) PEEL slid the msgistrates of Somerset had
appointed a Committee to enquire into the condect respeuting
the jail. and the propriety of removing it ; wool.' it not there-
fore he injurious to press forward his moth's, oleo enquiry
was taking place.
Mr. Dickinson and Mr. G. Bennet also wished the motiem to
be postponed for die present.
Mr. Alderman WOOD said, he could have ee objection bst
that of promoting complete investigslion.—Re intended to move;
resolutions approving of all that the cominissionees bad stated
in their report, but he should comply with the wish of the House.
He should early in the next session bring forward the condos'
of the utagistrates.--t Hear.)
The notice of motion was then wholly sitbdrawo for the pre-
sent session.
IHISII COSISTAIILES. BROI:GRAM asked whet
would be the probable extreme of carrying, into execution the
Irish Conambles. Bill?
Mr. Plunkett and Mr. Goulburn replied that estimates could
not be made out.
FIRST FREITS, GI/ULM:RN wished the
hon. Baronet l,Sir J. Newport), to put oil bs motion un this
subject.
Mr. HUME said, if the motion were to be postponed, be
trusted that Ihe for the Boatel would nut be requiassi.
Mr. GOULBURN said, if any were taken, it would only be
a part. Motion potOpolled.
• ( For centivesation spec pige 190.)

188

THE LATE DUEL IN SCOTLAND.

TRIAL OF Mt. STUMM

HIGH COURT OF JUSTICIARY, Enrtcntraan. June 10.
At 10 o'clock Mr. Stuart entered the Court ; he was attended
by the Earl of Moray. Admiral Fleming, Captain Gotdon, R.
N.. David Erskine, Eq. ■nd son, of Cat-dross. Several of
Mr. Stuarta friends who were advocates, Lad rre%iously taken
their seats immediately behind the bar ; amongst oho/11We
Motieed Robert Ferguson of Raith.
Sea eral of the nobility and other distinguished persons were
accommodated with seats on the Bem•h.

Their hordithiim took their peels precisely at hulfittist ten.—
Present, the Lord Joshes Clerk. Lord Herm:Lad, Luid Gillicit,
Lord Pittuilly, and Lord Suecoth.

The clerk then read the ic.tiament.
the reading of the indictment having been eoncluded, and
the Lord Justice Clerk having demanded of the accused his plot
to this chat.ze.

Mr. Stua4t answered, in an audible voice, My Lord, lam
not zuilty."

Mr. eockbarn, Mr. Stuart's counael, now rose, and animad-
verted with great severity on the manaer in which the indict-
ment was drown--he deried that Mr. Stuart had been anxious
to seals qu .rrels —he had had them forced upon him by the
falsest, most inttnotts, and scurrilous attacks upon his charac-
ter ; under which it a' as impossible for him to take any other
coarse than he l.ad taken—a course the fatty event of which
on
person Using regretted more than Mr. Stuart himself.
The Court ordered that part of the indictment which charged
the accused with a design to chnlenge others of the lieges, to
be struck out, and sustained the mks nary of the remainder.
The Earl of n being called, deposed as follows :
He was second to Mr. Stuart, and was present on the late
▪ holy occasion. Being requested to ..:.le the circum-
stances, he sail on the 25th of March last he a tilled on Sir A.
Doswell, and told hint he had come at the desire of Mr. Stuart,
Rad that Mr. Stuart had come in possession of certain papers,
some of which appeared to be in Sir Alexander's handwriting,
and bore the post-mark of Manehlin, and the ce'n'ter post-
mark of Glasgow. Some of them purported to he the originals
of papers published iu the Gbasynrc ntinel, and one of them,
particularly, a song, contniair'. allusions disrespectful to Mr.
Stuart's family, and charging Mr. Stuart with cowardice.—
Among the papers there was a letter to the editor of the Srhti-
wd, signed A. Doswell, containing some praise of the snug, and
other papers reflecting on Mr. Stuart, which were in the same
handwriting with the letter which bore Sir Alexander's signa-
ture. The similarity of the handwriting and of the post-matk
furnished so strong a rreaumption that Sir Alexander was the
author, that he thought it propel to ask Sir Al, Sander if he
wes the author, or if he had acid them to the newspapers,
mating at the same tie that if .Sir Alexander could say that be
was not the author, and had not sent theta to the newspaper,
that would be conclusive, notwithstanding any evidence to the
contrary. •
. _

The ilalieitor-Ceneral.—Was any of er prrsnn present ?
No. Then what was Sir Alextuider's answer ?-11e said that
this was a delicate affair, and lie thought he ought to base a
friend present. Witness said he thought it vet.) desirable. Sir
Alexander went away, and returned with Mi. Douglas, when
witness repeated *led he previously said. Sir Alexander and
Mr. Douglas desired to confer together. Witoros we:it away,
and when he retnrned. foetid Mr. Dougias elone. Mr. Douglas
their said that he could not advise Sir Alexander to give any
answer ; (hat Mr. Stuart was in porseision of the evidence on
which this application rested ; but if this affair proceeded any
further, there were two proposals he had to make :-1. Thlt
tin meeting should take place within 14 days, because Sir A.
bail some family besiuess to dispose of. 2. That the meeting,
if any, !should take place span the Continent. Witness had
eci hesitation in replying, that on these conditions he thortglit
the terms were such as would be agreed to. Ile had copies of
the manuscripts VA papers in his band when he called on Sir
Alexander. Ile had a song and a paper sigued " Ignotus."--
Ile thought the son of far the more nonsequence, because it
contained two direct imputations of cowardice. He considered
Mr. Stiourte character implicated by those papers (which being
shown the witness, he identified them in court.) Mr. Douglas
said lie would not alt ise Sir Alexander to make any answer at
Witness afterwards saw Mr. Stuart, end proceeded im-
snediatel to Mr. Douglas, and stated that witness was grieved
that no alternative was left to Mr. Stuart ; that Vr. Stuart
agreed to both the conditions stated by Mr. Douglas, namely,
the delay of I I days, and that the tneettne should he upon the
Continent ; and it was stated by Mr. Douglas that as soon as
it should he conaeaient for Sir Alexander to he in London after
Fettling his allhirs, witness should hear either front him or Sir
Alexander. Witness said he should advise Mr. Stuart to have
argent business in London. and to proceed there witilout Orley.
Witness said that he should he also there an or before the Oth
of April. It was agreed that all subsequent arrangements
respretitig the meeting on the Continent should he settled when
all the parties were in London. Witness then asked Mr. D.
it there was any possibility of not (-riming this affair any
further-- that Mr. Stuart would he (-redcat to treat the song as
a very bad joke on his pit, pros ithoi Sir Alexander would may
that he did rot intend any reflection en Mr. Stuart's courage.
Mr Douglas said he had tin hope that Sir Alexander would may
sny such thine. Witness left Mr. DOU lan to return to Fire,
in the einviction that every thing was finally settled. The boat
was ready. but before he embarked, he was accosted by Mr.
Douzles, who said Sir A. bad takes the advice of a legal
friend; and in consequence thought it no longer necessary to go to
*lie 4:moment , and that he preferred to hose the meeting in Scot-
land. W itness objected, as there were many circumstance. that
remitted it desirable that it should not be in Scetland, and
Ise should eetmet the appointment of the place of meeting
he reserved titl the meeting in London. One reason be named
w-se. that be thought it poeeible Mr. Stuart might have till-early
set nut for Loincloth After some discussion, Mr. Douglas re.-
tnrud to saying at parting, thethit any rate, if the
meeting took Once is Fiance, and Mr. Stuart fell, Sir A. could
tilt be hanged for it. Mr. James Brougham called on witness
wort morning at about from a quarter to eight to half taist
end etleed that Sir Aleaardn had been hound over by the
Sete riff of Edinburgh to keep the peace, and that it bad been
settled that Sir Ater ander Cali ,11r. Stuart should meet at Aurli
tertool that morning, and requested witness to meet Mr. Stuart,
which he did. He went there, and bad some conversation, and
tia:ct an a pioze of ground near the road side. Mr. Stuart and
Sir Alexander arrived In carriages, and got out at the place
shev bad fixed upon, he lieFt‘ed at ten o'clock. The pistols
were produced by Me. flotillas and witness, Mr. Daeglas rat •
eau; down, and witness standing ; Mr. Douglas received from
*witness the measure of powder for each pistol, and the hall,
'and rscwund ahem down. There were hat two pistols. of
eshit h Mr. Douglas tie k one, and whom.* the other. The
ground was measset (I. 12 very long pares. The pistols were
easdivered to the two parties teapeciut fly, one by Mr. Doez as