The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-05-08 00:00:00

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A Mesmige from the I.orda infoimed the Douse
their Lordships had azreed to the Duchess of Cum.
het-Ivies Dower Bill, and the Duke of (7ain-
bridge's Annuity Bill, with Dower to the Princes
of Fiesse in case of survivorship, without amend-
ment. The Message was borne by two of the
J udges.
Another Message announced their assent to the
Exchequer Bill. Bill, the Oxford Gas Light, and
other private Rills. . _

Mr. Baotiotiass informed the House that he
should defer making the statement he intended to
make on the part of the Committee upon the Edo-
eatiou of the Poor until to-morrow evening, owing
to the press of matter which was before that Com-
mittee, nearly six thou.Noid returns, representa-
tions, or letters having been addressed to them tin
the subject before them, and which it had been
impossible yet to reduce to a regular form, from
which any general information might lie derived.
lie hoped it would nut prevent the 801 l being al.
lowed to go, pro forma, through its present stage,
and have the blanks filled up.

Oti the suggestion of Mr. BATHURST and the
SEALER, the proposition was, as we understood,
witlid raw') us irregular.
Mr. BENNETt gave notice that he should, on
Thursday next, draw the attention of the lionse,
by a specific motion respecting the cases of three
persons named libeller, of ‘Varrington ;
mad Sewed, of Manchester, who lied petitioned the
House.
HOWTii, Oft DUBLIN HARBOUR.
Mr. l'Es:t. obtained leave to bring in a till for
improving the accommodation for shipping in the
!Isamu 's' mu the north side of Ilowth.—ltead a first
i 11l e, and ordered to be printed, and read a second
time on Wednesday next.
On the motion of Sir FRANCIS BURDETT, copies
of the Correspondence between Mr. Monism',
ventor of the life preserver, cud the Ordnance
Office, were laid on the table.

\

•
been made nut why there should be no information
panted to the I
louse respecting these utieunstitu.
!Maul roceeiliiige.
Mr. ASKIteIIOMBY thought the very, objection
made by the Noble Lord to the production of the
information, should decide the House that it ought
to he produced. How could the Him. Mover pro.
duce the proof, of the %loose of these powers, when
the Ministers themselves hem bitch the only memos
of proving their delinquency ? 'rite Noble Lord
had proved the existence of the correspondence with
the Government of the Netherlands, which plainly
shrived that we had no delicacy about interfering
with the Wo{ or the Nettie' lands, as to the treat.
mei,' of certain' prVM/114 in in. dominions, upon
whom our Got/eminent looked with a seopicious
eye. %Vila whit pretence, then, could the Noble
tool say, that the Government of this 'country
would not listen to a representation oh the pert of
the King of the Netherland", in his torn, respect.
ing persons resirlisig in this country ?—(Hear,
hear.)—There c&e the greater Fermin to demand
the product of these documents, as it had been
strongly surmised trial it was the intention of Go.
veronsent to make a very objectionable and unemi-
stitatirrital use of the provirioris of the Alien Bill
now pending, when it should pans into a law.—
( Hear.)
Mr. BENNETT thOUiliii it was a very boil Ample
now given by Ministers of their future pure M.
tiortions reliitire to aliens, when they refused to
rodent, those documents on which the justification
of their past conduct rested.
Mr. LANsTom asked the Noble Lord, whether
this country bud soot joined with the Allies at the
Treaty of Paris, in demanding that various French.
men who had taken refuge in the Nethertionts, in
Switserhoid, end in the countries on the banks of
the Rhine, should he delivered up to France
by the (;everinuesits of thoar countries ? ( Henri—
Tlw fact was notorious. end equally so that the
Noble Lord was a party to this disgraceltil coo.
veal 1 article. He repeated his conviction, that
the ohject of Government, in assuming to itself
these extreorthoory powets, oes one which should
At looked upon with extreme suspicion by Podia.
memo ; he 'lnuid therefore persist in his motion,
bud divide Cie throw upon it.
The Hou.e tlwis divided, when there appeared,
for the production of the coriespoodence—

Ayes

h;oew

Majority against the motion .. 36
The Cotansotter on the Aae►sed Tales was post-
poned till to-morrow.

WATCHMAKERS.
11r. P. Mooas stated in a short speech, tht
extrrose .intros experienced by the persons eau-
-1.19)ral in the watch trade. The numerous Peti-
-1011.4 they had submitted to the House, had been
esAciently explanatory of 11114 situation, by the
unshackled importation of watches, clucks, anal
other articles from the Continent. He concluded
with moving fur leave to bring in a Bill for more
effectually preventing frauds and abuses in the
manufacture, importation, and exportation of run-
ally warn, and fur the relief of those brought up
to the trade of watch and clock-making.
?Ir. F. ROBINSON said he should not oppose
leave bring given, although he feared if she Bill
pioceeded upon the principle recommended by the
Iteptrat f the Committee, it would do little good,
and iitsgi it produce much mischief.—Leave was Bleu
given to bitug in the all.
PRESERVATKIN OF THE PEACE IN IRELAND.

Sir H. PA RN ELL rose to make s motion for a
Select Committee to ii.quire into the state of the
laws relating to the office of constable in Ireland,
Null to report thereon to the House. In making
this minims he had the pleasure of ieflecting that
he was sup:iortrd as to its uecessity by the state-
ut.iit of the Grand Jury of the county he re-
presented, and also of a most respectable body
of the Magistracy of the Comity of Meath.—
There was nuthingio the slate ol• the criminal law,
tour yet its mode of being carried into execution,
winch couligbe considered ei )) i)) eutly objection-
Woe. The Judges were exemplary, stud the Ma-
gistrates eminently d!slinguisled fur their vigour
aid vigilance. It was, however, iu the nature of
things that malty executive acts should tall to the
i Factor agents, namely, the constables. Into the
to ate of their appointment, their number, and
salary, it was his object to direct the attention
of the Committee, to which lie hoped the Right
lloisourable Gentleman (Mr. Peel) would have
no objection to refer the subject. At present
the Graiid Jury appointed the coustahles. Their
salary was not less that. 10/. and could not ex-
ceed .20/. nor were they to exceed ten in slumber
to each barony, let it be great or small. He
strongly insisted upon the necessity there existed,
riot only or proportioning the number to the extent
of the barony, or its disturbed or peaceable habits,
as well us apporlioolllg the pay of she constables, as
in this country, to their official exertions and good
conduct. It these alterations took place, he had
no doubt the laws would be as efficiently enforced
in Ireland, as they were at this moment here,
which he much regretted to say was not at present
ilie case, and that, too, w•itnout imposing so much
upon the personal exertion of the Magistrates them.
>etrr•. In this country the enforcement of the hove
might, alai safety, be intrusted to the ordinary
sol►-constable. All classes of society felt them-
selves identified with the preservation of the
public peace. It was otherwise in Ireland. The
military authority was, in most instances, ne-
ctssoily introduced, for the purpose of apprehend-
i.ig oH;•alder«, mud doing oilier acts, which were here
Intl word solely to the civil sistisuritisM This was
in a great measure the consetpwisce of the diWerent•
optiroli entertained in Ireland of the degree in
,stiwli they there enjoyed those privileges oh that
constitution of which thin part of the empire was
to justly proud. Ile did hot mean to insinuate that
their had not been much done to amend the admi-
-I:natation of the law by the Government of Ireland.
I eiiainl n.och had been done, but still much re-
;maned to lie done. 'Oar whole force of the civil
authority Will found incompetent to secure the prate
cases of insurrection or disturbance, and this'
"'ow:Newly depnved Ireland of the advantages
s!,e ought siatunilty to acquire from her • mate
onion with this country, because it appeared
it...ale to connect one's-st If in trade or advance.
• I properly or moor.y upon a security which could
tit ticuoutitorted safe, and was nut elms?,

aisle at 14w. This deficiency lirl iiimillseel tth
Cumber of absentees, whether through natural
timidity or differences in political opinions. The
first coon mimics of rendering this force operative
and tffective would be the reduction of the immense
standing arniy always kept in that country at enor-
mous expense. He most earnestly, therefore, re-
commended the appointment of a Committee to
investigate the subject, or he should even be con-
tent if, iii care the Right Hon. Gentleness should
think it snore inexpediem, that he would give him
HIS assurance that he. would take up the sohject
early next Session, and introduce a Bill suitable to
the redress of the evil of which he now complained.
Mr. Peet. gave the Hon. Baronet credit for the
feettngs which hod prompted leis appeal to the
House. He would be the last smut to oppose a
measure of such utility, but he felt the subject
of too great importance to expect it could be
treated, with any beneficial conseqsseiseirl by a
Select Committee at so late • period of the Se"'
sion. If the present system should be proved
inefficient. the result would copsequeotly be, that
the only security for the preservation of .the peace
in Ireland would be branded as inefficient mid
nugatory. and the country would be heft in
that avowedly dangerous state throughout the
next winter, without Parliament having it in its
power to extend its protecting hand in aid Shrei in
such a truly calamitous situation. In abe Mesa
time. the Hon. Baronet must see the of
procurisig a vast body of evidence from, the a.
gloomy and others, upon the subject, before he
could think the House would concede to him any
tnensure which would go to effect so great a change
in the state of the taws now existing in Irelaud.
He at least knew that in one county the lest Act
had beewapplied under the immediate direction of
Lord Forties, in the county of Longford, with the
happiest and most beneficial effect. The House
would recollect that by the last Act, Grand Juries
had the power of putting oil retired salaries such
of their police as were deserving of then% through
age or infirmities. and to substitute in their place
others with salaries of from la/. to ROL per annum.
Now, in the county which the Hon. Baronet repre-
sents (the Queelis County) the Magistrates hod
never resorted to the last Act, but continued on the
old system. They should have tried the elficky of
the existing law as oilier counties had with advantage,
before they called for a getters! system of legisla-
tion. the operation. and. of course, the expense of
which must affect all the counties, even those which
were quite tranquil, under the present system. See
then the impolicy as well sir injustice which must
attend the Honourable Baronet's measure If adopt-
ed by Parliament. The House would recollect that
two other Acts had been adopted for the interest
state of Ireland, for the execution of both at which
the Executive Government were responvible: Of
ale of them—the losurrec:tion Act—he should only
say, that in no instance had it been called into
action, since the measure fur its continuance had
p Awed ; and notwithstanding the !urge reduction of
the military force in Ireland during the last year,
and the hitter pressure of distresi end disease un-
der which the population of that country suffered,
so patiently had the people borne their peivatiouo,
and so little appearance was there (to their credit
be it recorded) of any disposition to tumults that
lie took this opportdidlt of stating he had no in-
tention of proposing any further continuance of the
Insurrection Act—he meant it should expire with
the prevent 0.11 at the end of the year.—afear.)
—With respect to the other measure, the Bill for
the Preservation of the Peace, it had completely
succeeded—(J/ear/—and so satisfied were these
who paid the expense which it entailed upon theta,
Of the security and tranquillity they derived under
it, that he was satisfied they had no wish to
get rid of any pert of the enactment.—(hear,
heer.)—But the Hun. Baronet wished to extend
the measure to all the counties. Now so unequal
was the pressure of the Bill on some districts, which
were extremely small, that instead of their being
obliged to pay the whole of the expense of the
civil ertablisliment suddenly imposed 011 them,
they were merely rated at one-third, and Govern-
ment paid the remaining two-thirds of the expense
—such was the case in the small district of Innis-
howen. He had a twofold objection to the gene-
ral plan proposed by the Hon. Baronet. The first.
he repeated, was, that it unposed an unnecessary
expense on quiet counties, as well as on those
where the peace was interrupted; and the next was
a stronger one, that it would tend to prolong the
coercive measure beyouid the existence of the siecee-
sity which originated it. At present, when the
B • II was carried into operation, the pentium sent
down for that purpose were non-commissioned of-
ficers of good diameter, who could have no par-
ticular feeling towards the individuals amung
whom they were sent. In no case were local-
recommendetions attended to, and if the system
were at all shaped into a permanent form. these re-
commendations would get pushed forward ; persons
on the spot might step into the situations, and
danger might then arise that those interested in the
continuance of the measure would struggle to
prolong it beyond the necessity of the case.—
( Ilear.j—He fully agreed with the Hon. Baronet,
that it would be milvisable to have a good general
police in Ireland, and still more, that it would be a
paramount advantage to have a resident gentry
there ; but he was at u loss to see how the pro-
posed measure would induce either of these adven-
tigers. It was clear, as lie had already said, that
nothiug could be done this Session by a Committee,
and the Government of Ireland would be, during
the recess, compelled to act on a condemned
!mike systein—how far placing them in such an
alleviative was either deniable or couducivr to the
Weisel tranquillity of Ireland, he war at a loss to
conjecture.—(Hear, hear.)—To shew the Hon.
Bartow that' lie had not been inattentive to the in
polite of the country, he had to inform hint,
that a short ago he called fur returns from various
comities, of the number of constables in each, and
the salaries allotted to them, and when these were
made, the House would be better able to uscertaiss
how far the last Act had been earned into effect,
and also would better understaod the details con.
elected with the subject. lie hoped lie might be
excused here for towelling a little out of the
question immediately before the House, and al-
luding to a circumstance that had occurred at
the close of NM Session. He had then given a
pledge for its alteration in the mode of appoint-
ing Sheriffs. This pledge be assured the House

t.
• •
he tied "Pbi r«ileented. The Judges nett di- •
reeted by the Lord Lieutenant to examine the
grand ;riot' on their seitriil circuity, • Bud select
three munes in each county of pentane whom they
had reason to csitik were lit to. till the office of

Sheriff. These returns were to be made to the
Lord Chancellor, who should 'asinine the lists be-
fore a fall attendance of the Judges, and then
make a return to the Lord Lieutenant for his selec-
tion. This had been impartielly and effectively
done; and he had the opinion of the present Lord
Chancellor of Ireland, who had formerly been •
Baron of the Exchequer heretli
aiatld
theasnmiierof
selection pursued was Re perfect
unexcep-
tionable es he had ever seen it in England. The
result of this departure from the painful task of
selecting Sheriffs, previously imposed upon the
Executive Government, was, that in no year hail
Ireland been possessed of so impartial and respect-
able a list of Sheriffs. The Government were de-
' termined to continue and give effect to so excellent
• system as this. they wealth rigorously pursue it,
and the advantages would be eminently felt by the
country.—.(Heor,)--He (*included by hoping the
Hon. Baronet would not, at thin late period of the
Session, press • motion which could lead to no
immediate practical result.—(Hear, hear.)
Sir F. FLoon agreed in the general views taken
by the worthy Baronet on each affairs, though he
was obliged to dart with him in this particular in-
'Nonce, end to express hie concurrence in *very
thing which had fallen from the Right Him. Gen-
tlemen opposite, whose administration of the inter-
nal affairs of Ireland entitled him to the gratitude
of every friend to the country. There were tin new
outrages to call for any new law ; anti the Act of
the 33d of the King, which goer armed constables
to the counties, was quite sufficient, with the sub-
sequent Acts, for every fair purpose. It was impos-
sible not to admire the tranquillity which reigned m
Ireland, notwithstandiug the overwhelming distrese
and poverty under which the poor people of that
country laboured.—(Hear.)
Mr. PARNBLL thought a revision of the police
vxetein for the internal affairs of Ireland, highly de-
sirable. The people should be *hewn, by a pro-
per likel appointment of constables, known to them
and acquainted With their circumatences, that they
were wrong in that perverted notion which they
formed, " that the laws were made and carried intb
execution by their enemies." He had strong ob-
jections to ow, liable to he called into sodden
operation, and the severity of which constituted the
chief reliance for its efficacy. For instance, lie
thought the punishment quite dis Proportioned to
the offence, which would send to Botany Bay the
unfortunate peasant, who might he fouled ant of
his house after nine o'clock at night, or with the
lock of a gun concealed in his cabin. Something
niiAt, he thought, be done, by tire establishment
of Penitentiaries, to correct occasional bad propen-
sities aiming the lower orders.
Sir N. Paineet.r. stated in reply, that he was
riled to find the Right Hon. Gentlemen (Mr.
Peel) had taken up the subject by calling for Wert
returns, and he earnestly hoped he would pursue it.
The Right Hon. Gentleman was, however, under a
mistake, in eupposiiti that it was his (Sir Henry's)
intention to min:tetal etternion of the IHtbet-
atom of the Biti preeitvation of the peace ;
all he meant was, to extend the principle of that
Bill to something like an auxiliary polite. The
Right How. Gentleman was also wrong in supposing
if no great disturbance broke forth in • county, it
therefore followed that every thing went on right in
the neighbourhood—this was not the case, for in his

own county (Queen's County), the Magistrates were
of opinion that some change should take place in
the police laws. though their county was the most
tranquil one in Ireland. Through the inefficacy of
their present establishment twenty-four soldiers were
obliged, instead of the civil power, to take possession
of a cabin and two acres of ground under • civil
proves".
Mr. Peer. said, that in the Queen's County there
were eighty constables, with salaries of only 4/.
a year. Might it not be desirable for the Magis.
trates to resort to the last Act, and increase the sa-
laries of these constables to excite their exertions ?
Sir H. PARNELL replied, that the Grind Juries
saw no necessity for doing this, as there was al.
ready a great competition for the office, with even
this small salary. . .