The National Register.
London, England, 1818-06-14 00:00:00

SCOTCH ALIEN BILL.

Lord CASTINEREAOIt said, that as the Lords had not insist*
ed on their Amendments in the Alien Bill, it became neces-
sary to move for leave to bring in a Bill, to which be thought
there could be no objection; because he did not believe the
Home could think it wise that foreigners should be allowed
the benefit of naturalization, by purchasing any share in
any public body, or trading company whatever. In every
case, until this clause in an ancient Scottish Act was found
out, the naturalisation of an Alien required an especial Act
cf Legislation If that ciente were not repealed, Aliens, by
purchasing a very small quantity of stock in the Bank of
S,catland, might be qualified to hold any rank in the army, or
even to sit iti Parliament. He therefore hoped Parliament
would, next Session, look into the whole frame of this law,
and suffer it no longer to exist. The measure he was about
to propose, was one of general suspension, in the mean time,
without einhat rasing Parliament with a specification at pre-
sent, of all the Acts that may relate to this subject. An ob.
jection had been made to the bringing of this forward, with-
out sufficient notice to the Bank of Scotland; but he con-
ceived, that the best way would be to pass a short and tem.
•porary Will on the subject ; nor did he think that the
doctrine of giving notice should be pushed to such an ex.
Creme. He hoped, therefore, that the House would suffer the
Bill he was about to bring in, to go through all its stages to
eight, except the third reading. He then moved for leave to
bring in a Bill. to prevent Aliens from being naturalised, by
purchasing shares in Joint Stock Companies.
Sir J. Maxis:tom did not ries to oppose the Motion, since
the abominable and objectionable part of the Bill was given
vp, namely, its retrositcctive operation. He was far from
consider Mg this a convenieut species of naturalization. But
Government had made many discoveries within the last IS
days on this subject,laad Ministers had still more discoveries to
make on this question. It would be found that the Act of
Settlement did not suffer Aliens, though natisralired, to sit
and vote in the legislature of this country. Ile could not,
Lowever, suppose the Noble Lord would wish to pass a gene-
ral Bill like sins; but that lie would expressly Dante all the
monied companies, the sttbscribing to which naturalized
Aliens. If the Noble Lord did not, he would move in the
Committee that their names he inserted, or at least that they
be described so as to Us known, in order to rescue the Sta-
tute-book from the disgrace of legislating in such vague '
terms,through absolute ignorance of the state of legislation
already adopted en this subject.
The Arrostsmv GEliEnal. said, there were considerable
doabts as to the Act of Settlement piteetitilig persons 'na-
turalized in Scotland frem sit tin; in Parliament. There were
Acts passed by the Parliament of Ireland, giving almost as
great indulgence to Aliens as this Scotch Act. If an Alien
takes out his freedom in Jubtiu, for instance, he becomes a
denizen of Ireland ; and as there were several such Acts, it
swas but proper that some Bill to regulate and restrain these
.iiiltilgienees should be introduced.
Mr. W. Smile saw nu particular objection to the present
eit•ssure.
Mr. W. ‘VYNINE considered the clause that was rejected
crsiti the Alien Bill, as a measure of couliscation ; and there-
f.tre he had every objection to it. Bat it was not su with ru-

•!ct to the pre;entineastire.
Jr W. Buituoimits was one of those who considered the
-f.te clause as highly objectionable, but not so the prestia
Lill. He could not agree in specifying Acts of Parliament
id the present uncertain state of the diderent laws on the
suhject.
•Ir. BROUGHAM agreed with his Hon. Friends ; and he
hoped that to make this Bill completely prospective he would
suggest, that instead of " from aid after the passing of this
Act," to say, from and after the Ittii or 12th tastant, m order
to protect persons who may have at Edinburgh purchased
coca, and estates, witliont knowing what had been dune in
that House.
General MITCHELL thought it his duty to state, that he was
at the Bank this morning, and heard foreigners giving orders
tor the purchase of Stock from the Bank of Scotland.
Lord CASTLERE A then brought in the Bill, whi .h was
read a first and second tinter--lies Lordship sail that all
persons ought to be aware, that Pat lioment was
on this subject ; and therefore it could not he expected that a
father interval shouid be given to Aliens to purchase slot k
is order to e‘ .Ide the intention of Parliament. The Hon.
General's (Mitchell) statement confirmed that. Ile their-
hoped the Honourable and Learned Gentleman would think,
that sufficient notice had already been given. •
Mr. Buourittest could Oct agree in the principles laid down
by the Noble Lord ; and therefore Ise pi wester' against them.
He denied its being known that Parliament was legislating
on any given subject was a sufficient notice to the Public.
This Bill regarded private rights, and he called on the Mem-
bers for Scotland to recollect, that the Act of Uttiou
that no alteration shall take place except for the ads autage of
Scotland. The mere circannitauce of dangerous Anew.
pitrchasing the stock is question seas nut sufficient to
warrant their mit making 'this a completely prospective toes-
Sore. •.
Mr. CANNIIER 'did not agree with the Hon. and Learned
Gentleman. The most tlang.:r6its Aliens were those who
asitilcd themselves of the proposed delay, and purchase stock,

THI NATIONAL REGISTER.

in order to naturalite themselves. Nothing like a pledge was
given, that purchases made after the Noble Lord's notice
would be considered as valid. 11 in passing a great public
Act they ran against the private interests of any individiasl,
let than) idividnal come next Session with his ease, and then
Parliament would consider whether it would allow him any
compensation.
Lord Fot.nrsrosir could not help notieing the state in
which they were about to return to their constituents, after
sitting for three years of peace, without effecting any great
measure for averting public calamities, and the redress of
grievances. He would nut oppose this measure, though be
had ninth objection to this hasty mode of proceeding.
Gen. TuoitisTos thought it necessary to introduce a re•
trospective clause, to prevent Foreigners from sitting and
voting in that House.

The Bill then went through a Committee, was reported,
read a third time, and passed.—Adjourned.

TUESDAY.

There not being a sufficient number of Members at four
o'clock, the House adjourned.

WEDNESDAY.
At half-past one o'clock, the Speaker took the chair.
ALIEN BILL.

A Message front the Lords informed the House that their
Lordships had assented to the Rill presenting, Aliens from
being naturalized, or from being or becoming denizens, tinder
certain limitations, till the 251 h ofMarelt.
Mr. GI:MLitt:RN presented copies of colonial correspon-
dence.—Ordered to be printed.
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