The Sun.
London, England, 1840-01-29 00:00:00

HIGH TREASON.

Mr. WAKLE Y rose to present a petition signed by
forty inhabitant householders of the Metropolis, whom he
knew to be respectable and influential persons, and who
lm d been formed into a Committee last ❑ight, for
the purpose set forth in the petition. The petiton
prayed that that House would join in the recommends-
till. of mercy to the prisoners now under sentence of
death at Monmouth , viz. Frost, Williams, and Jones.
The petitioners stated, that if Government did
not listen to the recommendation ofJurics, such indifference
would be calculated to destroy it in public opinion. The
petitioners also stated that they had heard with deep regret
arid alarm that preparations were making for the exe-
cution of those unfortunate men at the very moment when
their case was under the consideration of the Judges.
The petition was most respectfully worded, and strongly
deprecated the practice of capital punishments.
Ile thought the manner in which the prosecutions had
been conducted reflected great credit on the Government.
—(lronical cheers, and laughter from the Opposition.)
The people out of doors would learn with astonishment
that he was interrupted by Gentlemen opposite in pleading
for the lives of his fellow.subjects.—(" No, no," from
the Opposition. )

Sir IZ. INGLIS said he rose to order—not because
the Hon. Member was pleading for the lives of three
of his fellow-iubjects, but because in so doing he endea-
voured to make a speech in defence of her Majesty'. Go-
vernment.—( Hear. hear, from the Opposition. )
Mr. WA KLE Y had no doubt that it wai displeasing
to Gentlemen opposite to hear any commendations of the
Government.
Sir E. KNATCEIBULL rose to order.
The SPE A K E R—This petition certainly, I think,
comes under the rule that admits of a Member saying
more upon it than in an ordinary case, for it is a case of
urgent necessity—(Hear,)—at the same time the Hon.
Member should strictly confine himself within the range
of his petitio❑ —( Hear, hear.)
Mr. WAKLE Y said, in stating that the condnct of the
Government had been fair and honourable in these prose-
cutions, he thought he was saying that which would not
injure the case of the prisoners. He would not enter
into a discussion of any of the circumstances connected
with their case. He would merely say that it was his duty
to present petitions to the House, and he hoped that in so
doing he had not uttered any disorderly expression—
nothing was further from his intention. He did not at
present intend to found any .motion on the prayer of
the petition—he was content to leave the case at
present in the hands of the Government, believing
that they would pursue that course which they had already
pursued, and which, in his opinion, was consistent with
humanity and jumiee.
Lord J. RUSSELL presented a petition from the
Liverpool Medical and Surgical Association, in favour of
Medical Reform.

Mr. HANDLEY gave notice that on the 18th of
February he would move for leave to bring in a 13111 to
facilitate the draining of land in England and Wales.
CASE OF JOE-IN THOROGOOD.

The HON. MEMBER then gave notice,' on behalf of the
Honourable Member for Finsbury, that he would postpone
his motion for calling the retention of the House to the
case of John Thorogood to the 1 Rh of February.
PRIVILEGES OF PARLIAMENT.—STOCK-
DALE v. HANSARD.

Sir E. SUGDEN gave notice that tomorrow he
should move that the Messrs. Hansard be at liberty to de-
fend the action brougot against them by Stockdale.
Lord J. RUSSELL did not know that the Right Hon.
Gentleman meant that his motion should take precedence,
or whether in the event of the debate of that night being
adjourned that it should be allowed to go on.
Sir E. SUGDEN thought the motion should not in-
terfere with the important question which was likely to
occupy the attention of the House. but he would take the
earliest opportunity of bringing it forward.
Mr. FECTOR, on behalf of the Hon. Member for
Ipswich, postponed the motion of which he had given
notice for leave to bring in a Bill to define the qualification
of electors in municipal boroughs till the 11th of February.