The National Register.
London, England, 1811-06-16 00:00:00

LAWS OF TRINIDAD.

Mr. MARA YATT rose to make his promised motion with re-
spect to the udininistrilti(ri of josiice in the Island of Traiittid.
The Hon. Gel&em:in stated, skit in consequence of the Spanish
and Briti h codes being pursued at the same time the grossest
abuses prevailed, and the most inconsistent decrees were passed.
By the Spanish law, no delinquent could Le punished unless he
confessed his offence, and the justice of his se.• tense; whilst by
the English system, the Judge had n power of enfoichig any such
confession, and so it was :n vain to try wbtre it was impossible
to punish. Mr. Marryatt then cited several acts of oppression
arising from the impropriety of practising two sys.ems totaliy
opposite to eacli other, and concluded by moving—
'. That it 4 expedient for the interests of his Majesty's sub-
jects in Trinidad, that the Spanish laws should be discontinued,
and the British laws established in their stead, in that col,ny."
Mr. flat; uctiAm opposed the motion, and said the English
laws were not at all adapted to the Island Trinidad.
Mr. STEPHEN said the present motion originated in a conspi-
racy of the Whices on the island, who were only 500 in number,
bat who wished to trample on the Black population of the island,
and deprive them of those llbertio and advantages they now
enjoyed.
IVlr. Wtt.a Ear °RC?. and others also opposed the motion, whi, h
was negatived without a division.
EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.
Mr. BRAND moved for Copies of all Communications between
the British and Fiench Governments, retative to the Exchange
of Prisoners.
Mr. YOKKE had no objection to the motion, and trusted it
would appear that every thing had been fair and honourable on
the part of the English Goveinnient. He believed, that at this
moment there were 50,100 cench prisoners in this country ;the
British prisoners in France were not more than 10,10; the
Spanish prisoners there might be as many as the French prison-
ers twre : and there we:e also about ‘2,OtX) Port eguese pri,oc‘ris
in France. The address was then agreed to.—Adjourned.

FRIDAY, JUNE 14.
Witnesses and Counsel were heard upon the Cloncurry Di-
vorce Bill. The Bid was read a second tithe, and ordered to be
c' nimitted.
The following Bills were read a third time, and passed, viz.
the Soldiers' Families' Bill, the Iri •I'rea,itry 1:1, the Voi,e
of
Credit Bill, the Coniolidated Fund Bill, and 4>ile American
Trade Pill.
Mr. VA:•iSITTART brought up the ]Report of thk..'ormitittee
to which the Irish finance Accounts were refeireds;.• Ordered
to lie on the Table, and be printrd.
Mr. WILBERFORCF. noived fur an address to the Prince Re-
gent, praying that be would give directions for the -Alec of Lapt.
Manby's Life. Preservation tiltaighout the Britistivoa,ts, add
that the House would make good the eispences dieted. '
Mr. Rost seconded the imition, which atter boMeotservAions
from Mr. Bastard and Sir T. Turton, was agreed ro.
ME. Rost 'obtained leave to bring in a Bill to providt.
better registeting of Burials, Christenings, and Marriage?.
SPIRJT SI.IOI'ENSION
On the motion of Mr. Perceval the House resumed the con-
sideration of the Spirit Suspension Bi'l. lie said that it was his
intention to obviate borne t)i)jeCtiODS to the Biil, by iutrod .cing
a clause on the r...i,ort to i,ut the Irish distillers in esportiug n
the same footing as the English, and alto su niake other
taunt s.
Nir. W. SMITII was sorry diat this menti .n was not inti-
massickbeforvi and bespoke Ltie attention of ever,,i hoided