The National Register.
London, England, 1812-05-17 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER•

WEDNEIDAY, MAY 13.

Lord CASTLEREAGH moved that it should be referred to a Committee
to prepare an Address to the Prince Regent, pursuant to the resolutions
passed yesterday_.
Sir FRANCIS BURDETT rose, and observed, that not being present
yesterdry, he had no opportunity of expressing those sentiments of in-
dignation and abhorrence which he felt, in common with the rest, at
the atrocious assassination of Mr. Perceval. On such occasions there
was but one rule—one guide for feeling ; and it was to be wished that
the Address to be presented to the Prince Regent should be entirely un-
alloyed by any base mixture of personalities or politics—(Hear, hear! )
It was a subject which, for a time, should put an end to all other consi-
derations. But while he concurred in lamentations, and in abhorrence,
of the atrocious act committed, he should not feel precluded, when the
subject of the grant came before the Committee, from offering any op-
position which his duty might dictate; a duty, however so painful, he
hoped, he should not be called upon by circumstances to exercise.—
(Hear' hear !)
A Committee was then appointed to prepare the Address, of which
the Report was brought up, and was a mere echo of the Resolution.—
'lle Address was then ageed to.
The House then went into a Committee on the Regent's Message, as
to the grant to Mr. Perceval's family.
Lord CASTLER EACH began by observing, that it was unnecessary for
him to say much on the present occasion, after the general expression of
feeling that had been manifested by the House on the preceding day.—
He would merely mention the circumstances in which the family of
Mr. Perceval were now placed. The number of children he had left
behind him was twelve; and it was necessary that such provision should
now he made as might enable the persons charged with their education
to complete the same in the most effectual manner. For this purpose he
should propose a substantive grant of a sum of money to the family ;
with a provision in the shape of an annuity to Mrs. Perceval. It was
not his intention to propose any extravagant sum ; for he could assure
the House, that the first wish of the family was, that the provision
should be such as no person would object to, and such as would conci-
liate all parties. What he had to propose was merely that which would
preserve the character of the nation from the reproach that would at-
tach to it, if this act of justice was not done. It was, to grant the sum
of 50,0001. to the children, and an annuity of 20001. to Mrs: Perceval
during her life. He could assure the House, that the provision which
Mr. Perceval left his family was not sufficient to maintain them. It
consisted of the property his wife had brought him. He had laid up no
part of the money earned by him in the colas, of his laborious avocati-
ons. His Lordship •then moved the two following resolutions :—That
a sum of 50,0001. be granted to his Majesty, to be vested in the hands of
trustees, for the use of twelve children of the late Right Hon. Spencer
Perceval; and that an annuity of 20001. be granted to the widow of the
late Mr. Perceval during her life.
Mr. Hoesaz Susan ER thought the proposed grant was utterly unwor-
thy of the liberality of the !louse of Commons, and inadequate to the
rink and situation of Mr. Perceval's family. le therefore moved as an
Amendment, that the annuity of 20001. per annum to Mrs. Perceval,
should, at her death, fall to the Eldest son for his life also; and on a di-
vision it was agreed to by 136 to 23.
The House then went into a Committee on the Orders in Council.—
Several witnesses were examined at the Bar, after which the House ad-
journed.

THURSDAY, MAY 14.
The House met at two, and proceeded to Carlton House with their
Address.—On their return, the Speaker read the Prince Regent's answer.
Lord Ct ivz gave notice that he should to-morrow move that a Monu-
ment bit erected at the Public expence, in the Cathedral Church of St.
Peter, Westniinster, to the memory Of the late Right Hon. Spencer Per-
ceval.

On the motion of Lord CA sTLeRrAGH, for taking into further consi-
deration the Resolutions of the Committee on the Prince Regent's Mes-
sage, the Resolution, granting 50,0001. to Mr. Perceval's children, and
the Resolution, granting 20001. per annum to Mrs. Perceval, were both
agreed to, nem. con.—On the third Resolution, for continuing the grant
ol the anonity of 20001. to the eldest son, after Mrs. Percevar s decease,
Mr. flusiassoN proposed that the Resolution be re-committed, and
th-rein to grant instead, 10001. a-year to the eldest son on his coming to
the age of 21; and the other 10n:11. per annum ro descend to hint at the
death. of his mother. On this proposition, a considerable difference of
opinion and discussion arose; it was, however, ultimately acceded to
vvktho,it a -iivisirry, and the third resolution was oi‘lered w be re-com-
mited to iner

FRIDAY, MAT 15.
MONUMEN 1-I'o MR. PERCEVAL.

303

LordCetve rose, and moved, " That an humble Address be presented
to the Prince Regent, praying that he will be pleased to give direc-
tions for the erection of a Monument in the Cathedral of St. Peter's,
Westminster, to the memory of the Right Hon. Spencer Perceval, one
of the Commissioners of his Majesty's 'Treasury, and Chancellor of
the Exchequer, who was assassinated within the walls of Parliament,
as a mark of admiration for his public and private virtues, and of their
abhorrence of the act by which he fell."—(Hear, hear, hear .1 )
Admiral HARVEY seconded the motion. He approved of it because
something was required to mark their abhorrence of the act ; for w ith-
out some monument, a record of the assassination of a virtuous man--•
of the First Minister of the country, would only be found in the pages of
History. He trusted that unanimity would mark the vote.
Mr. ',Amite had hoped, that the vote which had already pased
respecting the provision fur the family, would have been the last; and
it was with pain that lie felt compelled to oppose the present Motion on
public grounds. lie did not see any thing in the death of Mr. PercevM
that entitled him to that mask of a nation's gratitude, and of a nation's
praise for great national services, which had been refused the memories
of a Godolphus--of a Harley—of a Burke—a Fox—and of a Windham.
(Hear ! )
Mr. FULLER maintained, that had any of those persons who had
just been mentioned lost their lives in the way in which Perceval had
been deprived of his, monuments would not have been refused them
by the Parliaments of their times.—( Hear ! ) It was no matter of what
party Mr. Perceval was, a monument ought to he raised to his memory',
to carry down to posterity their abhorrence of the act by which he fell,
when in the discharge of public ditties. Ar to the Apt•nse, the matter
of 4POOI. was nothing; therefore, let Mr. Noll( kens, the most able
statuary of our country, he engaged to carry our wi'hes into effect.
Others might make fine speeches on the occasion—his was unlettered
oratory. His speech came from his feelings, and he could assure the
House, that nothing would be more grateful to a heart exquisio ly alive
to the character and virtue of the man, and to the honour of the courts
try, darn to 5,.2e the object of the motion fulfilled.—( Hear, hear ! )
.r.,•;1%.1 CASTLEREAGH supported the Motion.
Mr. WHITBREAD opposed the motion, contending, that by approving
it, he should approve the political services of Mr. Perceval.
Mr. CANNING supported the Motion. The monument now required,
would record the virtues of the man, and would consecrate the nation cl
sense of abhorence of the act by whi.:ll Mr.Petceval had been deprived
of his life. •

Mr. W. WY NN* cQttld not give his support to any motion of this kind,
except upon the ground of great and public services. He was therefore
disposed nut to proceed by further on the business, and moved, that
the other orders of the day he now read.
After some further observati,tis from several members, the House
then divided on the amendment of Mr. Wynne—For the Amendment,
26—For the original motion, 199—Majority for the original siotion,l73.
Adjourned to Wednesday next.

I'IIOI'INCIALS.

DISTURBANCie S'IN THE COUNTRY.

A letter from Nottingham communicates the following most disgrace-
ful circumstances, which we hope for the honour of the English Cha-
racter, are not correctly stated : Nottingham, Tuesday, 12 P. M.—
" No sootier had the news of Mr. Perceval's murder been received,
than the most ewhusiastic demonstrations of joy were evinced. The
bells were rung, bonfires lighted up, and a crowd of people assembled
in front of the guard-room, with urns beating, flags flying, &c.
Here they stood kitzzaing and expressing their savage joy. In ti.is
threatening state, the military drums heat to arms, the Riot Act w..s
read, and the most energetic measures adopted to preserve the public
peace. Th,se measures have been eff'ctual; it is now half-past twelve
o'clock, and all is quiet."
At Leeds, on the Bth of May, the family of Colonel Campbell, coin-
manding officer of the Leeds district, was thrown into serious alarm :
between ten and eleven o'clock at night, two men, whose voices were
distinctly heard, placed themselves in a plantation behind the Colonel's
house, at Woodhouse, about a mile from Leeds, and discharged two
muskets in the direction of the guard room. just at the moment when
two hussars entered the court, but the trees intercepted the shots. "lire
sentinels went in pursu.t of the offenders, but they escaped under the
cover of nil;ht. In the absence of the guard, and just as the Coloc..l's
son, accompanied by a soldier, was lu mint' the south-east •urner of the
house, four or tive men were observed to collect in from, and one of
them discharged another musket, but the shot passed wit, lut-doing any
mischief. Soon after the firing, the Colonel, who had been on military
duties, drove into the Court, and having strengthened the guard, the
night passed without further moleAtation.
By letters from Manchester we learn, that the rioters, not daring any
longer to proceed in their outrages openly, have had recourse to s•
mischiefs. On Sunday night last they murdered a Ser be!.
the Local Militia, and a temale who was in company t:e: •

threw their b dies unto camd.
.A.t Huddersfield the Luddites were very active
last week, and have been too NI cc ei,iu 1. •1 hey p

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