The Sun.
London, England, 1838-06-08 00:00:00

CANTERBURY RIOTS.

Lord BROUGHAM wished to call the attention of the
Noble Lord ( Lord Melbourne) to the rece-t melancholy
events which took place in the county of Kent, and which he
believed was o•ving to the insanity of one individual. and the
gross ignorance of those whom he had deluded. That person
had hcen convicted of gross and wilful perjury, and sentenced
to imprisor.ment ; but, upon proof of his insanity, that sentence
was commuted to confinement in the County Lunatic Asylum. It
was at the discretion of Government to exercise the royal pre-
rogative or-. such occasions ; but he did not understand upon
what ground it was exercised in this particular case. If the
man we.e of sound mind he ought to have undergone the
punishment. If he were of unsound mind he ought to have been
detained in confinement. The Noble Lord concluded by
moving for copies of the correspondence between the Govern-
ment and the local Authorities.

Lord MELBOURNE had no objection to the production
of the returns. On the contrary, he was extremely anxious
to lay before the House all the documents connected with that
melancholy transaction. But it was to be recollected that
the person to whom in this case mercy was extended had
never before been guilty of any act of violence, of man-
slaughter, or assault, although he had committed some very
extravagant acts.

Lord BROUGHAM said that the individual had repre-
sented himself to be the Saviour, and ha.,l persuaded his fol.
lowers not only that he would rise again, but that they were
invulnerable ; and it was with that impression they attacked
the soldiers. Now, that could only be accounted for by their
gross ignorance, and therefore he hoped he should have the
support of the Noble Viscount for his motion on the subject of
education next week.—( Hear, and a laugh. )
The Duke of WELLINGTON said that the prerogative of
mercy was the last prerogative of the Crown w ith which Parlia-
ment ought to interfere ; but recent practice in respect to it had
been exceedingly loose and improper. On this occasion there
ought to be some inquiry.--( Hear.) What he complained of
was, that the door had been opened for private negotiations
upon such subjects, instead of referring the matter to the
Judges of the land.—( Hear. )

I.—ofd MELBOURNE said that, in the case alluded to,
the father of the individual in confinement had undertaken
to take charge of him. In the case of the American who had
assaulted Mellish, the merchant, his friends had given security
that he should be conveyed to America, and not be suffered to
return to this country.

RIOTS IN IRELAND.

Lord WICKLOW rose to call the attention of the House
to a recent outrage which had taken place at a tithe sale in the
County of Waterford in Ireland. The Noble Earl having
detailed the facts of the case, asked if it were true that the
military had been allowed to act without the superintendence
of the civil power, not even under the dircction of the Sheriff,
but only at the command of the sub-Sheriff?
Lord MELBOURNE said he had received no information
upon the subject.
Lord LONDONDERRY postponed certain notices which
he had given for the 12th to the 19th July.