The National Register.
London, England, 1808-03-20 00:00:00

AL REGISTER.

assure the Hon. Gentleman he was not inclined to shrink from
the enquiry; but n hat had taken place had been solely oc-
casioned by a wish to accommodate :slinisters.
Mn. SUMNER theu stated, that he saw occasion for more
delay, and it would be expedient that the business t.hould on.
He thought there was no occasion for resottitig to the Home Se-
eretary of State, but to come to the House ut once fur the up-
',ointment of a Committee to examine the facts *Hedged in the
Petition. The charges, he observed, were either true, or eke
they were a libel on the Magistracy of the county ; and it wits
on the part of the Magistracy that he now came forward, in
order that tbey might be freed from such imputations. To get
At the facts, a Committee was a much preferable tribunal to n
Grand Jury. The Grand .Tury in February had made as detailed
Report on the sultiect of Cold Bath-fields-prison, in n hich thr
allegations its the Report of the former Grand Jury st ere denied,
and he meant that these Reports, and the whole matters in-
volved in the questions should be referred to a Select Committee.
Ile concluded by moving for a copy of the Report of the Ma-
gi-traces who visited Cold-Bath-fields prison, to examine cer-
tain abases stated by Mr. Sheriff Phillips, in a letter to W.
hiainwaring, Lsq. in November last, complaining of light bread,
and other abuses existing in the said prison.
Pencev,sx. at some length, objected to the notice given
by the Hon. Gentleman, of moving for the appointment of a
( ommittee, stating that the matter was now uudergoing an ia-
vestigation before the Howe Secretary of State. He tirtrefore
recommeuded to the Hon. Gentleman to abstain front such a pro-
seeding, until he should ascertain what Moister, intended to do.
es no delay would take place on their part, ana it %could thee:
he time eilough for the House to interfere.
Si R. F. BeRDETT could not agree with his Hon. Friend Mr.
Sheridan, in his consistency to leave this important Inoiness its
the hands of Ministers. The complaints against the Prbon in
Cold Bath-fields had too long existed, and the grievances were
not small. If he had understood Mr. Perceval rightly, he
thought him to say, mu reflection could be throwu upon the Go-
•ernment. The lion. Mover, hots ever, had made a moot per-
verse motion, as he exempted the Magistrates from any charge,
while, in reality, they were the criminals that ought to to.
brought before the House. lie then proceeded to contend, that
the enquiry ought to be conducted by the House, and the
Government should not he entrusted I% ith its managemew ;
teveral reasons for nbich he gave. Parliament and the tans
of the hind had been set at nought by the Governor of thal
prison, and by the Magistrates who had so long protected and
trreened him. In that prison was every thing of woe and miser)
to lie teen: There would be seen innocent ma in irons, and
Aria the Governor bad been in the habit of w hipping and
'walla.; the unfortunate individuals udder his charge. Aris hats
been in the habit of borrow he; money from such of his pri-
toner:, ascould gratify his thirst fur money, and it was a fact,
Mint he had in ante nay or another obtained from these misenible
ineo, a sum of 111)01. ( Hear, Ilgar, from Ike Opposition.
The former Committee had reported to that effect, and he thus
did mutt state these things loosely. He therefore called upon
t!te House to support the motion of the Hun. (Gentleman, as a
roannittee was, in his mind, the best mode of obtaining justice
pod exemplary redress.
Jun. SUER:n.4N sail, the conduct of the Hon. Gentleman was
mist extraordinary, in taking the business out of his hands. lie
had told Ar. Soother that he should not shrink from briuging
the sobj,•ct fawn:ad, and that he would submit it early next
week. He wiAs not fowl of proceeding by a commission under
the Privy seal, as the former Comauissioners had acted under
Ye.ry limited powers. After what bad been stated by the Hon.
Varonet bchiui him, could any man believe, for one moment,
Ora Aris had been rejoined as (inventor of the prism for an
instant nfirr these facts stated so publicly against him ? by a
Ackristrale for surrey, such as the Lieu. Mover, should interfere
for the vindication of the Magistrates of Middlesex, he was at
it loss to divine. With regard to light bread twin,' distributed
to the prisoners, the fact was, that the loaves weighed or ought
to weigh, a pound each ; but a superimendant a the bread,
examiued before the former Committee, had positively state('
npou oath that there was no such thing us a pound weight used
to the prison. .The case of Mary Rich was ante of the must in-
human and cruel ever stated against any mail. She had been as-
t'aultest by a mitts, with intent to ravish her) and she was con-
tined in emld tath-fields, to give evidence against bim. Her
father ;vas so poor that he was glad to accept of a comPr"in6e
from the offender to diop the prosecution, and the pour girl was
conhaed in a damp dungeon, and so starved, that' when was
discovered, she Could neither speak nor outud.