The National Register.
London, England, 1823-02-09 00:00:00

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42 .

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HOUSE OF LORDS.
TUESDAY, FED. 4.
This being the day apiviiiiett the the meeting of Parliament,
the Archbishop of Canunburv, the Lord 11tgu Cii;:ncellor, the
eai I of Shaftesbury, tlie Earl of Westniorlanii, anti the Earl of
Harrowby. took their seats on the woolsack as Comiuissioners
unlit the Grua( Seal for oi.ening the Session.
The Cou 1111 l iiis l auug liceu buunuoned to attend at the Dar,
lu► Majesty's spess:ii was rain :
" My Loons ♦ND GENTLEMEN.

•• We are commanded by hi. Majesty to inform you, that
sinter he last met you iu Parliament, his Mujesty's citrons here
b.cn unremittingly exerted to preserve the peace of EUTOOC.
Faithful to the principles which his Majesty has promulgated
to the world as constituting the rule of his conduct, his Majesty
declined being party to any proceedings at Verona which could
be deemed an interference in the internal concerns of Spain on tin
part of Fin eign Powers. And his Majesty has since used, and
continues to use, his most anxious endeavours and good offices
to allay the irritation unhappily subsisting between France and the
Spanish Governments ; and to avert, if possible, the calamity of

war between France and Spain.
•• In the East of Europe his Majesty flatten himself that peace
will be preserved, and Ins Majesty continues to receive front Id
Allies, and generally from other l'uww-J, assurances of their un-
altered disposition to cultivate with hls Majesty those friendly
relation* which it is equally his Majesty's object On his part to

maintain.
" We are further commanded to apprise you. that discussions
have been long pending with the Cunard Nladrid, respecting de •
predations committed on the commerce of his Alajaity's subjects
in the West Indian Seas, and other grievances. of which his
Majesty had lawn under the necessity of complaining; these dis-
cussions have terminated in an admission by the t:pani►h Go•
refitment of the justice of his Majesty's complaints, and in an

engagement for satisfactory reparation.
•• We arc commanded to Assam you, that his Majesty has not
been unmindful of the Addresses presented to him by the two
Houses of Parliament with respect to the Foreign Slave Trade.
Proliositions for the more dratual suppression of that evil
were brought forward by his Majesty's nenipotentiary in the
conferences at Verona, and there have been added to the treaties

upon this subject, already concluded between his Majesty and
the Goveinnients of Spain and the Netherlands, articles which
will extend the operation of those Treaties, and greatly facilitate
their execution.

" GENTLEMEN OP TILE HOUSE OF COMMONS,
" Ilis Majesty has directed the Esumates of the current year
to be laid before you. They have been framed with every at-
tention to wonting ; and the total expenditure will be found to
be materially below that of lust year.
'Tie diminution of charge. combined with the progressive
improvement of the Revenue, have pio.lucod a surplus executing
his Mmjcsty's expectation. His Alai...sty trusts. therefore, that
rots will be able, after providing for the services of the year, and
• • without affecting public credit, to make a farther considerable
reduction in the 'multi-:as of Cie people.
" MT LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,
•• His Majesty has anutnanded us to state to you, that the Ina-
nifentationa of loyalty and attachment to his Person and Govern-
ment, which his Majesty received in his late visit to Scotland,
has made the deepest impression upon his heart.
•• The provision wide., you made in the last Session of Par-
liament for the whet' of the distresses in considerable districts in
reland, has been productive of the happiest efficts, and his Ma-
jesty recommends to your consideration such measures of internal
regulation, as may be calculated to promote and secure the tran-
quillity of that Country, and to improve the habits and condition
of the People.
Deeply as his Majesty regrets the continued depression of
the Agricultural Interest, the satisfaction which his Majesty con.
templates the increasing activity which prevails the tuannfactur-
ing districts, and the flourishing condition of our commerce, in
most of its principal branches, is greatly enhanced by the confi-
dent persuasion that the proworive prosperity of so many of the
interests of the country cannot fail to contribute to the gradual
I mprovement of that great interest, which is the most important
of them all."

At the conclusion of the above, the Commons withdrew, and
the Lord* adjourned during pleasure.
- -

Soon after live o'clock • numerous body or Peers attended.
The Earl of Tankerville took the oaths and his seat.
The Earl of Liverpool, as usual at the commencement of
the eession, moved the first reading of the Select Vestries
Hill.
MARRIAGE ACT —Lord ELLENBOROUCH gave notice
of his intention, to-morrow, to move an amendment of the Act
to prevent amdesiine
THE ADDRESS. . . .

The LORD CHANCELLOR, haring required the attention
of the House, read again to their lordships the speech from
the throne. It was also read by the clerk at the table.
bail MORLEY then rose to mote the address, which
praised the speech as usual, wad was as is custoa.aiy a lauda-
tory echo of it.
I4•rll MAYO seconded it.
Lod STANHOPE expressed his regret that the address
moved by the uublu earl should, as usual, be nothing more
than the echo of the speech. Danger and destroction was
among the industrious classes of the orininsanity, and it was
erniccalcil in the intended address. liu remedy was proposed
ju the speech for tit: di .tressed state of ai,ricolture, which
was of vital importsuee to the country. The uolde lord en-
tered into a statement of the causes which bad led to the dis-
isesses Gf ago iculture, and conAtiili 4,1 by moving. as an amend-
Meld, " The hope that his Majesty would be graciuto.ly pleased
to (loco an inquiry into the cu,J•ca of aarictiliticil distress,
mid the most effectual means of stlordi.o; tell, f."
Lord LANSDOWNE salt liu would tortnar to follow his

. .

• ...'

noble friend, who proposed the amendment, through all the
subjects he had introduced, but would confine himself to
that which, in his soul, he believed most influenced the minds
of Coe public at preseist, namely, the tituation of Spain ; he
would put off the discussion of every other to a future day.—
/le was ►orry the speech of his Majesty was not more ezplicit
on the part which tins governmeut meant to adopt, but siring
' ministers credit for good motive upon the occasion, and for the
declaration they had made, he would forbear offering any op-
position to the address. But he would entreat ministers to
couaitler. Snppose Prance should succeed in her unprinci-
pled attack upon Spain, that success could only be maintained
lay a military occupation, and [Coen must we not, under more
unfavourebie circuonstences than the present, embark in the
war, to prevent the ruin of our ally, Portugal, whom we are
hound by treaty to support. The noble marquis thought this
country should at once make a manly and hold declaration of
its opiaion on the rights of nuoions. The country should re-
collect that the government of the Contintnt, totally outflank-
fop and aismindful of the sacrifices we had made ; that family,
too, on the throne of France, forgetting that we are at this
moment labouring under an enormous debt incurred to re-ea-
eataldiali them on that throne, are willing to rush into this war,
regardless of the ruin it may eventually bring upon us. They
call the asseition of a toodion'e hidependeuce speculative theo-
ries.—" I say," said the isoWe marquis, " while such a system
is endured, there can be no happiness for onaukitid." With a
deep sense of the serious crisis that is at land, lie had some
regret that a inure full and explicit declaration had not been
made ; hat at the present moment he would refrain from pre-
yoking further discussiou.
lord LIVERPOOL rose and said, upon the present occa-
sion lie would coulitoe himself to that topic which alone lie
cou-
sidered fit to be discussed on that night. Ile alluded to the
a.rgreesion, for such he. would call it, of France against Spain.
The noble marquis who had spoken last, expressed regret that
a more explicit declaretion had not been made in the King's
speech, of the feeling of his Majesty's government upon this
subject. Boit he (Lind Liverpool) could conceive nothing
more explicit thou the first passegc in that speech, which said,
"That his Majesty bad declared to the Sovereigns at Verona,
that lie would recognise no tight of interference in the Waite
of other nations un the part of those Sovereigns ;" and he did
not beehive to say, there was nothing in the conduct of Spain
—nothing in the ikon, but rational manner, in widen she had
conducted her revolution, which could alter his Majesty's de-
terminutioo on this [teed. Spain had pruceeded with a degiee
of moderation seldom met with in history open similar changee
of Government. But although his Majesty's Government was
most anxious to save Spain from the calamities, with which she
was threatened, yet there can be to doubt but neutrality
was the policy it is most wise to adopt, *Mould the effects
which had beets made, and which are still making, on the part
of England to prevent a war be ineffectual, the nub e lord said
he had hopes of preserving peace, not very sanguine once.—
Undoubtedly circumstances might arise which must inevitaltly
involve us in war, and he would boldly say, should any such
occur, this country was in a state prepared to meet the evil,
and so she would ever continue to be, an long as Ler character
for high honour and credit was maintained. his Lordship re-
peated, that the door was not as yet completely closed against
conciliation, and the country might rely that nothing derogatory
to the character of this high and indepeudeut nation would for •
moment be entertained by his Majesty or his advisers.—(llia
Lerdsloip's speech was received with much applause.)
Lard ELLEN BOROUGH said he was inclin►d to express
his feelings very strongly upon this subject, but waiting to at e
a little further what course aliuislers really intended to adopt
he would nut, fur the present, intrude further ou their attention,
nor would he offer any upiuiou to the address.
Lord DARNLEY said its hoped Iris Majesty's Ministers
would chew to the country, upon this trying occasion, a manly
and independent attitude.
Lord STAN HOPI persisting in his amendment, the House
divided. 'floe aineoidnient was negatived, and the original
address carried by a majority of 52 to three. Adjourned at
nine o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5.
This (lay several Peers attended the !louse, in the expectation
of business, hut it appeared the Lord Chancellor adjourned the
House on Tueaday night to Friday; when the House will receive
his NI sjesty's answer to the Add, eta, conveyisi, whim at Brighton
by the Lords with white stoves.
FRIDAY, FER. 7.

The House met this day at aquarterpast three o'clock.
The Earl of ABl NGDON presented a petition from the deb.
tors in the gaol of Ablngtion, praying for a revision of the hued.
vent Dobtors' Act.
The Earl or SHEFFIELD presented a similar petition from
the merchants, traders, and others, of Lincoln.—Both were laid
on the table.
The Earl of SHAFTESBURY also presented a similar peti-
tion from the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln, praying fora repeal
of the Maniatae Act.
Mr. Best, front the Bank, presented copies of all applications
front the bolds of the 'I reasury, and the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer to the Governor and Company of the Bank of England,
lion' the sth of January, lart, in silt January, 11123.
Mr. Walpole, front the Treasury, presented an account of the
sums redeemed by the commissioners for the redemption of the
national debt.
The Marquis of COSYNG II AM, Lord Steward of the
Household, said, his Majesty having been waited upon with the
uddresis of their Lordships on the late speech trem the throne,
had been pleased to return his most gracious answer.
The answer, as usual, was read by the Lord Chancellor, and
was ordered to'be insetted in the journals.
Tut: NEW MAKRIAOE ACT.—Lord ELLENBOROUGII
said he took the first opportunity which offered on the opening
of Parliament, to gist notice of his intention to lay on the table
a bill to amend the act of last session for the better preventing of
clandestine marriage!. The manner in which it would be desi-
rable to proceed with the bill this session, had been the subject
of enquiry. The most natural nude seemed to be that of amend-
ing it by another bill. Tb.. first clause of the new bill would
repeal all the prospective clauses of the last, and the bill would
go on to re-enact such clauses as it might be inexpedient to niter.
He understcxxl that the I louse last year clearly came to a tictet •
nitration to proceed on tile principle that all marriages once so-
lemnized shall be held good and saticl, ani it was intended that
security should be given, in oaths to be taken by the pa. ties• with
the penalty of severe punishment in cases of perjury. The bill
he intended to submit anuld contain enactments to accord with
the House on these points, and enable every noble lord to conti-
nue any clause in the existing act. Beyond the security proposed
in the new bill he desired none, but any noble lord might pro-
pose other security, if any better should occur. The security in
the new bill CllllEibled in the Oath to be taken by parties under
21, touching the consent of parents and guaidians. 'rhe form of
oaths is inserted in the schedule. They are to be taken before a
minister, who will be guilty of a misdemeanor if lie fails to
atlrninister the oaths, 'there would natu ally be many imper-
fections in the bill, but the noble lord said he might rely upon
the assistartee of the noble and learned lords in its progress
through the House. A slight inaccuracy in the bill prevented
laying it on the üble before Monday. IJ* that day he bhould lay
it before the douse.