The National Register.
London, England, 1823-03-02 00:00:00

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TISF NATIONAL REGISTER

1101.1 SB OF COMMONS.
Montrau, Feu. 24.
The Plymouth Cas Light Bill was read a second time.
A member, Mr. Portman, we believe, took the oaths and his
seat.

deducted ; so that in one instance, where the Gee was 31:101.
the expences were 3401. The letter of the promise had hero
kept, but its spirit Istid been violated.
Mr. LUS}IINGTUN replied, where the espences had been
pressed, it was in cases where the parties bad obstinately re-
sisted the prosecutions of the Cron u.
Sir It. WILSON was astonished at the language about the
parties havir, obstinately resisted the CIOII,II, %ben, in fact,
they were oticy engaged in defending what was their own. They
were doing no wrong ; they were committing no mutat oll'enee ;
they were only doiug what the Legislature afterwards declared
to have been right; and yet the hon. Treasury ollicer talked
about the pal ties havitr, .‘ obstinately lesistcd. the Crown--a
resistance obich that House bad afterwards declared to be per-
fectly justifiable.—(Hear. hear.)—He trusted that, for the
sake of justice, and the credit of the GOVeltament, that the law
charges, which were more severe than the Sues, would not be
pressed.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. G. BENNETT also expressed the hope that the mon-
strous charges would nut be urged. The Government ought to
pay the expellees, for they had " obstinately" pressed what
ought not to have been begunt—Mear, hear.)
Ruffs, Do OLIN TIIEATRE.-Mr. BROUGHAM gave notice;
that on Tuesday, April 15, he should bring forward a motion
respecting the Irish Attorney-General's es officio prosecutions.

REDUC rioN OF TAX Es,—Mr. CALCHAFT gave notice, that
lie should move the repeal of the Leather Tax iu the room of
that on carriages, and of the Caudle Tax instead of repealing
that on riding horses—should the Chancellor of the Exchequer
persevere in such repeals.—(llear, hear.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCIIEQUER, in reply to a
question from Mr. C. Grant, stated. that he intended to ex-
tend Cie relief which had been proposed fur the distilleries iu
Ireland to those in Scotland.
Mr. CUM EN asked whether it was intended to relieve
houses of 51. rent and under, having six windows, from the
tax.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, that
he did not contemplate farther relief tbau what had been de-
scribed.

Mr. HOBHOUSE gave notice, that be should persevere in
his motion fur the repeal of the whole window tax.
Sir T. LETHBRIDGE gave notice, that on Thursday,
March 29, he should submit resolutions to the House, &ciao
ratory of the state of agricultural distress, &e.
Lord NORMAN BY asked what had been done to carry into
effect the wishes of the House regarding the second Post-
Alavter-Generst ?

Mr. HERRIES brought in the Tobacco Duties' Bill, the
Exchequer Rills' Hill, Surplus Application Bill, &c. Severally
read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time to-
morrow.—Adjourneo.
WEDNESDAY. FED. 20.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied, that
some measures were now in progress which hitherto had ren-
do7ed it inconvenient to determine °tithe best mode of carrying
into effect such wishes ; hut the subject had been by nu means
forgotten.
On the report of the committee of ways and means be re-
ceived,
Sir R. HERON adverted to the difficulties under which
agriculture laboured, which in km, amounted to conliseation ;
after .he constitutional language which lie had recently heftid,
for the first lime, from the treasury bench, and recollecting
the importance of the present crisis, be should nut throw any
Jilliculiien in the way of the execui:re.
/dr. MABERLY said, he should not p•opose his resolutions
till Friday next, at the request of the Chaucellor of the Ex-
chrquer.—H eport agreed to.
Sir R. WILSON presealtd a petition from St. Saviour's,
Southwark, praying fur the repeal of the Foreign Enlistment
Bill.

Mr. Kemp took the oaths and his seat for Arundel.
Petitions against the Insolvent Debtors' Act were presented
from Manchester, Market nerving, &c.
WEIGHTS AND MEAstJut:S.—Sir GEORGE CLERK rose,
puranant to notice, on the subject of the regulation of weights
and measures throughout the kingdom. As he anticipated uo
opposition to the course be proposed, which was in substance
the same which had been postponed last session for want of
time, he should go nu farther into detail than was absolutely
necessary. The great object of the bill—and it had been drawn
up according to the recommendation of commissioners ap-
pointed aome years since to consider on the abject—the great
object of the bill was to depart as little as possible from the
system of weights and measures already in use. It was not
p aposed to abandon the measures already established, but
rather to asceitain, by the operation of the pendulum, exactly
what those Measures ought to contain. The general standard
recommended wan shit which had been suggested by the coin.-
mittee cf the year 1755, and which was found to agree with
tbs results of certain experiments lately made in the way of
surrey, under the direction of the Board of Ordnance. The
brass rod was to be the star.daid yard; the troy pound, which
had been in tie possession of the clerk of the house since the
year MS, was to be the standard of weight,—its amount to
ha ascertained by comparison with the column of water whicb
it would displaee. The measures of quantity did not, as gen-
tlemen would be aware, at present agree in ditTerent parts of
the country. The nett standard would be a gallon, of such a
size as should be capabla of containing ten pounds of water;
but it was important that it should be understood (to prevent
any lanticipation of difficulty) that in the smaller measures--
such as bier was sold in—there would be no alteration. The
regulations atientlant'upon Ibis change would be very few and
very simple. All bargains would in law be supposed to be
under the new standard ; but if persons chose to employ any
local measure, they would be at liberty to de so—specifying
the same in their contract. Actual measures (the implemental)
now in ben; might still be employed, being marked with the
propertioas they bore to the new standard. Wl:ether it would
be necessary to arm magistiates with any additional power to
enable them to enrolee the observance of the new law, be (Sir
G. Clerk) was not exactly aware: it additional powers were
requisite, they would ho best given by a specific bill for the
purpose.—Leave was then given to bring in the bill. It was
afterwards brought in, and read a first time.

Mr. 11011110 USE supported the prayer of the petition.
Mr. CANNING begged it nut to be inferred, because he
might be silent on that subject that had incidentally arisen,
that lie was emit:dial of its interest and importance. Ile had
been moat anxious not to prejudice this question by any pre-
mature discussion (bear) lee had indeed, ...if he might be
allowed to use the expression, been desirous to suppress d:s •
omission. There were most iinpurtant interests in issue, and
he was extremely glad that his wishes on the subject of dis-
cussion had been ao well seconded by the hon. gentlemee
opposite. The subject could hardly he touched without in
some way Encroaching oo that line cr erguesent which it bad
been deemed right to avoid ; cud he was therefore glad that the
noble Lord (Altbogs)j eousented to po►tpone his motion fixed
for Thursday for the repeal, of the Foreign Eulistment Bill.)
—(llear, hear ! )—So lung as a hope remained to niainiain the
pease of the world, the ministers could not r •lax in those
elt'f:ioll4 whirls they bed hitherto made ; stud they were
mainly stipulated thereto by the forbearauce of the bouousable
members uploads e.—(llear ! )
The petitiuu was then brought up, read, and ordered to be
printed.
Serjeant ONSLOW gave entice, that, on April IS, be
should more for leave to briug io a bill to repeal the Usury
1411%73.—( Hear.)
(Jul. DAVIS gave notice, that when the Mutiny Dill was
brought forward, he should more to introduce a clause limiting
the powers respecting the dismission of officers, &c.
SuerLY—NAv Y.—On the bringing up of the Report of the
Committee of Supply,
_ .

Mr. lIUMR co.n:pia.ined of the patronage that was Dow taking
place in the euy. As to the number of men, 25,000, he was
glad that such vote had been muted) he had thought that the
Tutu of last year was too small.
Sir G. CLERK said, as • motion was to be made on the
subject, it would be found that the Admiralty were prepared
to justify the promotions that haul taken place.—Report agreed
to.

The Committees of bowl), and Ways and Means were post-
poned till
- The Annual Ditties' Bill was read a second time, as were
the Eschequer Bills' Bill, the Advances in Aid Bill, &c.
The LORD ADVOCATE brought its a bill to continue the
Scotch Creditors' Bill.

Mr. COULBURN brought in a bill for the better *collection
of church rates in Ireland.

Mr. GOULBURN snored thatjtbe Irish Yeomanry Ball be
poginmed 'ill March 6.—Ortlered.

SURREY PETITION.—Iift. DENISON presented the petition
agreed to at the recent Surrey County Meeting, which was
agreed to with about seven dissentient voices.
Captain 111ABERLY supported the petition.
The petition having been read,
Mr. RICARDO said, be believed that those who moved
and seconded the petition, desired nothing but that which was
wished for by all lioneat men. There was much delusion on
the subject of the advantages gained by the stockholder.
Others talked about " equitable adjustment ;" he wanted no-
thing mote than equitable adjustment ; and he denied that the
stockholder was now receiving more than he was entitled to.
The debt was not contraeted in a depreciated currency. Four
bundled millions were borrowed before there was any depre-
ciation • but fir the last twenty years the holders of such debt
bud received their dividends in a depreciated currency. They
had lost thereby twenty-seven millions ; Mr. Munchen had
calculated and proved this subject more accurately.--Petition
ordered to be printed.
MANGE SOCIETIEs.—Mr. BROUGHAM gave notice, that
an lion, friend of his would submit a motion to the House on
Tuesday next, res,tecting the Secret Societies of Orangemen
in Ireland..-(Hear.)
CORN TILAUE--Mr. M. WIIITMORE brought forward Isis
motion respecting the amendment of the Corn Laws. The
principle of fluctuation, which they occasioned, was injurious
to the best interests of the country. Ile concluded with mov-
ing for leave to biles in a bill to amend the Corn Laws.
Mr. CURW EN, Mr. BENNETT, and Mr. HUSKISSON
decidedly deprebated the idea of disturbing the law on such a
subject.
Mr. MONCK was in favour of the motion.
Col. WOOD strongly lamented these frequent discussions
of this question, which tended to keep the country in a state
of uncertainty, and was injurious instead of beneficial to the
agriculutrist. He hoped the hon, gentleman would not press
his motion to a division.

Mr. IiROWNLOW moved for the three series of legal pa-
pers oflegal proceedings against alleged rioters, conapiraturs,
&c. in the Theatre in Dublin, on the 14th December last.
Mr. PLLNKIVTP haul nu objection to the papers; he was
glad the paper* were moved for. lle trusted 'hut as emly a
day as.possible would be named for the discussion ; but he was
rather surprised that an honourable member (Sir J. Stewart)
who bad thought proper to condemn his coudect when he could
nut reply, loud not himself had the manliness to move for the
papers.—( I tear.)
Sir J ST1:11 ART said, as his former opinion had been ad-
verted to, be did not hesitate to say in the face of the house,
and the ‘Vorld, that all the proceedings had been most uucou-
atitutional.—(llear.)
Motion agreed to; Papers ordered.

Mr. BICIL/UGHASI, in consequence of what had occurred
that ni,410, and'of a calamit) in the noble lord's family, he stated
thus much for him, he withdrew Lord Althorp's motion for the
present, regarding the Foreign Enlistment Acl.—(Hear.)
The House went into a Committee on the Assessed Taxes Act.
Mr. GRENFELL asked what was to be the condition of
those who had compounded fur the Assessed Taxes !
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, where
payments hod been made, a proportion to be returned, and the
future charge to be according to a per collage.
The Resolotion moved was agreed to—Report on Friday.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved that the
House go into a committee on the Sinking Fund Act ou Monday
nest, when he should bring forward his plans for simplifying
such fund. The house adjourned.

TUESDA Y , 1:n.25.
A petition was presented from the County of Dublin, com-
plaining of the return of Colonel White.—Ordered to be taken
into consillostion on 'flturralay the I nth of April.
Mr. 11. DAVIS presented petitions from prrishes in Bristol,
praying for relief from the house and window taxes.
Mr. BRIGHT spoke in favour of the tntsd MIIIII4IOII of the
assessed taxes; thereby the patronage would be reduced, and
the itifluencs of the crown diminished, and the taxes proposed
to be reduced were not those that would afford roost relief.—
Petition ordered to he printed.
Sir IL WILSON stated, that when the Act was panted re-
,ol.ling Roasted Cutlet, it %;is aialed that the prosecutions
:should be stopped, end the hilt r, cliere any bud been leti.,l,
returned. That had beet& tluue-...but the law exptacts were

IIUMF considered discussion as highly beneficial. IC
the country was unsettled, it was because they were on a
wrong foundation. Ile loped his bon. friend's bill would be
brought in, and discussed in all its stages.
Sir 1. LEIII BRIDGE was decidedly against the measure ;
he trusted his :Ilayesty's ministers would give It; agriculturists
their support on this Occasion to negative the present motion.
The Gallery was then cleared fora division—
For the motion Vr—Against it lb.—lltlajority optima
motion ii:{.