The Sun.
London, England, 1823-02-28 00:00:00

HOP TAX.

•
A Message from the Lords, brought'down a Bill to render
certain Marriages valid. The. Bill, on the motion of the Ar-
TORNEY.GENERAL, was read a first time, and ordered for a
second reading on Monday next. -
CASE OF MR. BOWRING. •
Lord A. HAMILTON, pursuant to notice, rose to bring
the consideration of the case of Mr. Bowring before the House.
His object was to move for certain papers to elucidate the parts
of it which were not clearly known. He was aware that a case
of this nature might be felt to be a foreign question, but the
House would bear in iniad that it was the case of an English.
man, whose person had been outraged whilst under the protec-
tion of this Government. 'He was not going to arraign the cons
duct of this Government ; fbr, although he could not say that
.what it had done was not right, he was able to say that it might'
have done more. The best course for him to take with the
House he believed would be, to state the case of Mr. Bowring's
arrest—his subsequent sufferings, the remedy he had sought,
and the justice he had obtained,' with a view.of showing the
right of the House to the official correspondence on that
subject, with the office of the Right Honourable Secretary
for Foreign Affairs. This, then, was the case of a merchant
travelling on the Continent, upon commercial business, with
whom, he begged leave to say, he was not acquainted, nor
had he ever seen him. Upon demanding his passport at
Paris, some trifling obstruction was made, not necessary to
notice, indicative of -what afterwards fell oat. At Calais, the
luggage of Mr. Bowring was taken front him ; bat not satis-
fied with the detention of that, Mr. Bowring himself was or-
restedoind his papers put under examination. Upon asking
what charge there was against him, he was told that a telegra.
Ode communication had been received from Paris, ordering
his papers to be examined and himself arrested. Ile was
aware that the Right Honourable Gentleman, opposite would
answer him, that what Mr. Bowring suffered was in conform-
ance with the French law ; but he wished it to be impressed on.
the Right Honourable Gentleman, and all who heard him,
that when he was 'released, he was told that he was sin at liberty, because it had been determined that the crime of
which he was accused, was one which did riot admit of
imprisonment. This, he must observe, was a most gross
inconsistency in the French law, to imprison a man for
what would not admit of imprisonment. Another telegra.
phic dispatch ordered that he be conveyed to Boulogne. There
he was conveyed, without being informed of the charge against
hint, and confined au secret, debarred communication• with any
one. Now lie wouldput it to the House to consider the injus.
tice and hardship of ain Englishman confined in a foreign pd.
son. and subject to foreign laws, not being permitted to have
professional assistance. To so monstrous an extent was this
pushed that when Mr. Bowring was led out front his dungeon
to be subjected to interrogatories, he was not allowed to have
a. legal adviser. Although condemned to solitary confine.
ment, he was not permitted the indulgence of solitude, for he
was exposed to all the persecution which those who were over
him could inflict. He wished, that every man in the House
would put himself in the situation of Mr. _Bowring. There
was one point which he wished to be particularly attended to,
because of its obscurity, and because he understood it was in.
tended to refuse hint the papers he meant to move for to elu.
cidate it. Mr. flowring had applied to Sir Charles. Stuart, at
Paris, to interpose in his behalf. Upon this Incoming known
it appeared that the Tribunals, or Authorities, or the Mini.
sters of Justice--or, as lie should call theni, of injustice,-set to
work to find out some other charge. If .they hail done this,
it was a sort of' chicanery, or quibble, amounting to a freud
and it was to prove this that he desired these pa pent. There had
been no cause of irritation that he knew of in France at that
time, unless, indeed, which he supposed of the Right Ho-
nourable Gentleman would not admit, it had proceeded from
some of the acts of those who had gone before hun. This they
had succeeded in manufacturing a charge of " complicite" in
treasonable practices. They could not justify the former
charge, and therefore manufactured a, second one, in hopes of
swallowing up the first. After submitting to many interroga.
tories, Mr. B. was told that he might go to Paris, but that be
was not compelled, and it appeared there were two letters
from the French Authorities, one of which declared he had
agreed to go, and the other that he bad refused. The use that
he had made of this remark was to point out the necessity
of his having been permitted some professional man of that
country. A few days after this, came the sentence from Paris
which be had already stated. After such a result was it pos.
Bible to say that no injustice had been done to this individual,
He did not accuse the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite, nor his
office; but after what the house hall 'seen and heard, watt it
not natural and just to hear and see more? He wns aware that
it would be said, it was of no use to arrair the laws of other
countries. He knew, too, it might be said that the Courts of
France were open ; but that would be no answer to the call he
Made 'to have ghat was confused and contradictory cleared up.
One good would at least arise front the success of his motion,
that real goilt was not
anti that was, that those documents would be Published, by
which every Englishman would see, that when he crossed the
Channel, he gave up his claim to freedom, and was liable to
arbitrary impriSonment. It appeared
half so severely pnnished as sustncion of guilt end that after
charge from the French
suspicion, no (matter whether it could be sahatandated, the
sanie punishment was awarded. Sir Charles -Stuart, he under.
stood, had been unable to extract any
Government. He maintained, that if the publication of these
papers did nothing more than excite the indignation and
ilia.
gust of foreign nations, it would answer a aollicient and good
purpose. Ile was aware that it could be retorted upon them,
that every foreigner who landed in England, was liable to si.
India' treatment. And if it was so—what Pretencei indeed,
could they, who every two years pasaed An Alien Bin eutllo.•
rising arbitrary imprisonment at the discretion of the Seem.
tars of State for the. Home
Department, pursue such charge
as this ?.--(Llear !)-Whetever might he the fate of his !Dn.
tion, he trusted the house and the Right lion. Gentleman
would give hint credit for having eruhdked in this cause, with.

, Mr. CURTEIS presented a petition from the Hop Planters
of a Parish in Sussex, praying for the removal of the Duty
on Hops.'
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, he
would take that opportunity of answering a question put to
him by the Hon. Member a fe* days back on this subject.
That question, as he understood it. was, whether it was his in-
tention to ,propose a reduction of the duty Upon Hops, or
whether he would assent wale appointment of a Committee to
take their grievances into consideration. In answer to that
infection he was compelled to state, that he could not conceive

--,--7.7.....71•01111..........11,.........../.....14.1.10.1.
The Noble Lord conclude has alight to call on the strong and outstretched arm of kite
Right lion. Secretary or his office. ,
out any personal interest or any personal hostility towards the without alioWing that every British subject, wherever he goes,
Rtght Item. ieorge`Canning, Secretary of - Af lenience, •to which he had tacitly submitted. The pecular
ed by moving for " Copies of all the letters addressed to the country to rescue him from the consequences of the foreign ale
relating other Governments. - I shall therefore abstain from giving my
France ; and also to Mr. Pluto, with the enclosures
fors, by .51r. Joan Bowring, relative to his imprisonment in
ailutstthinturittlyenetootfheindperpineenidpelen.tudavtaoteritstea:ebbey ytohnednt:ioetioctini:trnanu,ll;,ol:
to the same subject."
. e the production hr room nor 'necessity adduced, 1 shall object tta theof' the Papets.-( Loud and continued cheers.) • ,
.*
the circumstances of the • case, or the expediency of the mo. Sir IL tirllssON contended, that Air. s 0 psi' whom he
.
Mr. CANNING spoke as follows:-Slie whatever may u
described as a British rnerchant of great respettebility, and et'
tion, I have neither right nor inclination to impute any impro- the moat amiable mention, had received such harsh and (n al
per motive to the Nimble Lord who has introduced the subject, trerament from the FrenehOdeertment, that if it illanot.inetiff
national interference on the principle of the aystent of repriettlen
called at leest for the effectual interoositioirof his own fioverhee
ed in As to the way in which the Noble Lord alluded to me,
or to attach any blame to the manner in which he has conduct.
meat to procure him 'protection and redress. In reply to aft
argument of the Right Hon. Gentleman, he conceived it to,be"
torment of excusefor a espoue overnment who treatet oun
complain of, nor can I complain that the Noble Lord was Inl-
and the part which I took in the transaction, I have nothing to t 1
1, .
suleiects badly, that they treated their own no better.-Rfetil
messed with the notion that in this case there was serious and n-When it was asked, whether Government *nein protect el its wandering subjects ?he said, " Ves."---Was it to be endue
red that Englishmen should Inc subjected to the tyrannicarene
-Wear, hear !).-But I shall withstand the motion on this plain price of odious despots who were accustomed to act towatdaitheir
grave matter, worthy of discussion by the Commons of England
own slaves with fearless licentionsincee ? were we to be told; mat becauee the Grand *signor can strike oft' the heads of hie nwn
and recognised Parliamentary ground ; that the production of
subjects at his pleasure, or may put women into eackm with wild
papers where no.necessity ieshewn, or no specific motion to be • •
founded on them advanced, is irregular, and ought to be tliscoun- Sato, for not siistovering their husbands* treasure (as (nature&
tenanced. It belongsao those who move for such papers to ad-
Ina recent iestance)e that therefore be was. at liberty.to trait
English subjects in the same manner ?-(ilear, ran-or, if we
duce their reasons, and the onus is not to be thrown upon those went to Switzerland, should we allow a subject of England to,
be put to the torture because the laws of time country allowee
The Hon. Alember then adverted to the proceetiings in the
,
who oppose them.-(Ilear!)-In following the Noble Lord I it ?
shall endeavour to put out of the way any painful individual affairs of what were called the Satimur and Rochelle conspire-
- I, -e
ties, to chew that where political passions were called into ac.
lion, the French laws gave .no protection- against the grossest
allusions by confining myself to the general principles to which
outrages upon justice and humanity. He alluded to the con.
of the
importantki 11 may
duct of the French Attorney-General who behaved on the recent
principlesb e referred.of
political trials in Frandee in a manner that proved bun only
oanlliscaotse:thoe
a stranger visiting a foreign country virtually binds himself in
thel Iparwesoufin nations, itohieli el,' it
thatls ~ , . . ,
worthy to be the presecutor fora Barbarian State. Ile al
it temporary and qualified allegiance to its laws, and submits to sonic of the arbitrary proceedings in the case of Mr. Bow-
to their observance-however Unwise such laws may appear to •ring.'and others, and concluded by stating that the British Go-
however to be-however harsh and oppressive they really are, and vernment ought sewage to bear In mind that d.eciaration of
however they may be at variance with his own notions of ,outs- Cromwell 'e to one of the German states on a case of a nata
cal liberty, or the impressions of a happier experience.-.( ,fear interference, ' when he maid- "if fair means and entreaty will
hear !)-Such an individual, I conceive, has no right to corn- not do, of necessity, but according to the laws of nations., the
plain of the operation of the laws of a foreign State upon himself severity of retaliation must take., its course, which we think thet
it they are executed impartially, and in the sane manner in in your
_prudence you ought to avoid."--d Hear; hear-1)
which they would have operated upon natural-horn eubjects.-
Mr. C. HUTCHINSON was of opinion that the British
This is all which he ought to expect, and ,this is all which traveller ought to beprotected in foreign countries by the Brij,
Ids own Government could or ought to interfere. According-
i tish Government. Ile thought that the laying the case of Mr.
iy, en I heard of time arrest or imprisonment of the in,ut- Bowring on the table of the House would be productive or
twhin question, for whose personal character, as well 88 great public adventage. As to himself, he declared that he
his demeanour towards myself, I am inclined to speak with would never accept of the hospitality of France as he had done
the inmost respect; when, I say, I did hear of his arrest I for a long time, and feel Itinetelf justified in entering into it
thought it became th 6 Britiish Governmeut to take that step political intrigue for the overthrow of its Government, bow.
which would secure towards the individual the impartial axe- ever infatuated it might be. lie believed this was also the
eution bf the laws of France.-(lfear !)-Thisoldmon I nut in feeling of • Mr. Bowringe who had suffered so much from its
force without delay, and an order was dispatched about three pOlitical suspicions. He agreed with the Right Hon, en-
quarters of an hour after hearing of the arrest, to the British tleman that Mr. B. was discharged without trial for the mire_
Ambassador at Paris, requiring him to examine into the cir. offence, but he did not accede to his reason. The fact was tiliit
cantstances of the case; or if there were no regular proceed. the minor offence' charged on Mr. B. was but a pretext to get
logs, that he should appeal to time French Government on the at his papers.to ascertain whether their suspicions could be verie
irregularity, and, with the assistance of legal advice, watch tied by their contents. Ile was odious and suspected before the
closely how the laws of `the State were applied to the para. French Government because he WaS connected with the most
cular case, with strict and impartialjustice-(llear !)--sicannot liberal and enlightened men of France. And what was Retina
think, however, that Mr. Bowring's case should be treated in a in the letters ? Nothing at all that could implicate any indivie
different manner fromn dun of Frenchmen; under similar =us , duel. He wait then dhicharged ; for lie was onginalle• arrested,
cation : I cannot admit that the writ of Habeas Corp:mind the not in reality as the bearer of sealed letters, but as a-suspected
trial by Jury should have been foreed upon Frence for the nuie person against whom there was no peoof, but whose letters it
pose of his special protection, but I did think that, whatever was vainly supposed would afford evidence of evil intentions,
might ba the spirit of the French laws, they should he fairly The Hon. Member then touched upon the severe hardships
exercised, or the deviation should be redressed by national in. td which Mr. It. had. been exposed, lready so well knonn
terference.-(Cheete.)-le however appeated to tne that national to the public, and contended, that as no
definitive charge had s
interference then only should begin, when individual justice is been maintained against him, he owed no acknowledgment
delayed or clenied.-(Hear, hear, hear !)-It is no part of my of mercy, in any instance, to the French. Government-,
duty to say why Mr. Bowring was arrested, but I must observe, When the Right lonottrable•Gentleman insinuated that there.
that the Noble Lord has, in the statement of the case, corn. was a charge which the Government forbore to try, it reminded
mined one mistake. He said, that when Mr. Bowring was him .of the proceedings which occurred in Ireland in the rebel's!
released, a declaration was made that his crhne did not incur lion of 1708, when numbers of person:4 were confined in the
imprisonment. Such a declaration was certainly maser. ; but Castle of Dublin and elsewhere, and when persons in authority
the Noble Lord is mistaken in its application. I epeak • acknowledged that they had no evidenconetenst them, but they
from the statements on Mr, Itoweingn part, as well as from ) were sure they were guilty, end they could not eet them at lie
the counter-statement of the French Govertnnent. .He was betty because they were dangerous, when, in fact, they were only
arrested, in the first instance, as the bearet, of sealed letters dangerous because they were liberal and enlightened nun;
•
-as one who was committing a fraud on the Post-offiee earin...The lion. Member thou proceeded to read the tetter
of France (I do slot use the word in an
,invidione sense), ofthe Proeureur the EN, conveyine the notice of the liberation
certainly a crime not of any moral delinquency-ea crime nut of Mr. liowring, while charging him with a misdemeanour in
nudists inn re, but merely nialum probibusim-buf; .neverthe- the following ten•ns :---" Qu'en consequence d'ordonnance meld
less, an offence which is a misdemenour in our own court. " par la Chtuntrre du Conseil du' Tribunal, lee. et portant roe,
try, as well AS in France t with us iris punishes] by ft peettni. tt coos trotivztht en cootraventien a rerecte du 5 prairie! an 9
try fine upon conviction ; hut there it is represeed in pa more tt comma porteurcle depeches cm letters eachetees, volts etas rein.
summary way. Being, however, detained oil this charge they " von stir ceehef en Police Correetinnelle, et queneatimoini roue
drew out of the letters or other circurnstancee, ground of ac. " acres mis en liberty, dec." 'This, he observed, was theresult of
caution for a heavier crime-e crime which dal incur impris that proceeding which was 'commenced under circurnsemeee of
sonment. On that other charge, be it what it might, he was el Much seventy to the individual, dragged as he was in the
not brought to trial. When lie was releaged from this heavier situ instance throtigh the streets As a public malefactor, and
charge lie-was not detained upon the lesser one, (or that did not then committed to a knolisoine dungeon, an secret, wilco be
incur imprisonment s but he was not discharged the Noble f was confined six weeks. With respect to the modern system of
Lord said, because he had not been justly detained, but that confinement au secret, it appeared to him to be infinitely worse
the minor offence did not subject him to imprientiment, which
,than that of lettrel de eachef, 'under the old regime ; and hp
make a material difference between the statement,.. Now airreally thottglit that if the French! Government could-be induce&
to the statement of the French Government on the one side, mind to change that yart-of their Criminal Cock, it would be verytie-
that of Mr. Bowring on the other, Ido not feel myself bound neficial to the Interests of humanity. The Right lion. Goatee
to state my opinion. The single point which I had to apply cur man had called on his Noble Friend to ,hew it case on the Inez
was not whether guilt or innocence attached to the person ac. sent question. In his opinion a sufficient care existed in tbe.
cused, but whether, as accused, he was dealowith according to papery on the table. With respect to Mr. Bowring, let he (Me..
the course at' established justice and theacknowiniged laws of' latitchinson) had told that Gentleman, he (Mr. 11.) should litter
the country.-( Hear !)-1' am sure it is almost unnecentary for been glad to have been in his place, and to have madt the same
me to state, and after the Noble Lord's admission I need not impression on strangers by his talents and conduct. lt was but
take credit for the assertion, that if Mr. Bowring had bean a .
cotnmon justice to that individual to say, that his conduct liaa
person dearest to the British Government, or most dear to may. been most exemplary, and that he had nobly maim:tined the
eel( individually, I could not have watched over the proceeding character of hie countrymen..
with a closer anti more anxious vigihince.-(llear, hear !)e- Mr. CA NNI Nti,- in explanation, cud lie should be excel,.-
When the affitir terminated, and I believe that conclusion was . ingly sorry to be misunderstood, ins he appeared to be en one
hastened by the call which the British Government made uon point by the Honourable Gentleman opposite. Ile had never
that of France, to proceed with , the accusation or discharge stated dun Mr. Bowring had been relleved from the larger
the prisoner-when I say the proceeding was hroeght to a odence by •the.mercy of. the French Government.. - lie could
close, I took the only step which I felt myself justified in never have stated that I because it would have been to imply
taking, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the accused what lie most cautiously guarded against, namely, thatteir.
was entitled, by the laws of' the country, to any reparation.- Bowring was guilty of
that offence. He (Mr. Canning) wale
This was not a matter for the opinion of English letwyent, but bound by the principles of English justie.e to believe every Man
of French Lawyers, by whom I might be infoimed whether the innocent until he was found guilty, t. and hii felt granite as niuctl
course pursued had been according to the principles of French disposed to adhere to that maxiin in Mr. Dowring's case as in
jurisprudence. Accordingly Sir C. Stuart was ordered to lay arty
~... .
the case before two of the most able advocates of Primce, Lth
ord A. HAMILTON made a short reply, When it bid
one holding an official situation, the other politically opposed to been reltnitted that an Eitgliehman had been so hopriironed, and
the Government. -(llean hear 1)- To theme be stated Mr. Bow- bed juetice so denied to lout, as in the case of Mr. Bowling, he-
ring's ease, ettd asked whether the course of French law had eould not r4sret that he had brought the subject untie? the cvne
been strictly observed ? The answers of those individuals, who sideration of•the House of Conimone.
concurred in their knowledge of' the laws, but differed in every --The motion was then•negetived -Without a division.
thing; else, were to the effect, thatin the proceedings against Mr. The Weiglits and Meatitues Bill was read a second time, end
Bowring the course of French law had been tteropelmisly oh- ordered to be committed to-morrow.
served, and carried into effect no otherwise than it would have • .
POOR
been against a French subject, and he had nothing mere to corn-
ten the motion of Mr RATE RETURNS.. T. COURTENA V. the Poor
.Rtre
plain of than a si bject would have olio wait detained and not turns far the year ending 25th of March, 1822, were reftrtedtte
brought to trial so us to establish his glint or innocence; but as to the following Committee :- .
time course of arrest, it was, under the existing laws, strictly leteal, Mr. T. Courtenay, Mr, S. Bourne, Mr. Ashur:it, it'll.. Fe
and the stone that applied to a subject under similar actueation. Lewis, Mr. It. Ctiltiornen Mr. Curwen, Mr. G. Phillient, Mr.
But if there had been a malicious prtaieCa tiOtt, and the individual
Leonard, Mr. Scarlett,' Mr. N. Calvert, Lord Viecottot (frit-
proceeded against the party, a..nd the law admitted. it, wouldhea borne, Mr. Attwood, Mr. &nett, Mr. Manefield, Air. Ie latek,
have the countenance of the french Government in seeking re- Mre C. Wilson, Mr. Estcourt, Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Writs. nie
dress; and if the law did not admit it, I come back to the place T. Aclarid, Sir C. Hulse, Mr. T. Wood, Sir E. Keetelibtill,
Where I set out, and state that the Gentleman went into a calm- Mr. 11. Clive, Mr. Maack, Mr. Chetwynd. Mr. No/au, ' eir.
try inadequately provided with laws, and by accepting the amine.
F. Buxton, Sir E. Mr. Amon, Mr. E. Wedeliottet,
tier of its legislation, abdicated for the time the benefit of so,
(e, Bouehey, and nte East,to, owing. ,
British jurisprucience-.(Heare heat !)-and subjected himself n
to all the consequent inconvenience. Under ell the
circum. Sir J. NEWPORT. moved-for leave to bringinill to a B rim.
stances, I could not do more than I have clone, and I certainly gulete the amount of presentments 11:9 rand Juries her pays
was not inclined to do less, •• But I call on Gentlemen, before meat of the public of the several counties: of It elarid. ,
they admit doubts of this aPplication of the principles of national Mr. GOULBURN said he did net rise to oppreec the rh0.U91,39,
s • at.
law, to consider the case of a Feench subject, taken up here, and but to express his hope that time Honourable Baronet wt aid
not brought to trial--suppose, for instance, a Frenchman comes loi the Bill to fr through the House ,leisurely enough to tilitiw
Into this country, ignorant of its laws, its customs, and its of the introducnon of any alterethms that nught be suggested
language, he gets involved in some foolish squabble, and is in representations from Ireland. . .
committed in the month of Sept. after theassizte, and being with. Leave was then. 'panted. , hilt
to
tit * e
out bail, lies there till March, and. is thee discharged without , Sir J. NEWPORT obtitined leave to hiii-kg.ip.A t_
~Pui_
electiou well° swore tee cr
prosecution, would Gentlemen think that a eubject of national more etfeitual regulation Ihr the . ,
._, ,
r‘i ..n, , (,dicers
interference--(hear!) ?-...and if an individual no circumstanced farmance of the duties of eanintyafrneestre
~.
.4 0. 0411
t
f -e. end .fury Anne n 1 ill
did procure his Governmene to interfere, would not theSeceetary entrusted with the Collection o 4s ,
for Foreign Affairs tell him, that as a stranger he came into the Ireland,
t
of M. NVILelifOT, an Addreen wait ordee•,ee e
country, subjecting himself to all the inconventencies of its mum- On the roodnn .. . t 1 , ,
that ho would tito greciouely
impel laws, I ant. 17111 St b: at the co 3Seq tience,s-(Ii ear !) ?--Ni'e hi prenened to hi=t relines ye, eirtiairht
ore
ihe ii,,,u&,,e I
etan s of
toast take the good and evil attar in titit u tains together. English-
Pleased t° '°ttiel. that there i 'e t- ,and ejti yrttsd frotti, the COloidis
men might trent, SS they often did to Constantinople, Aleppo, or nemeher of Slevee unportees_Lmatfr
ea, the Cape of Gtoed.eanpia
Algiers, and i* the Government to tilkenotiee,of aR Its WAnderink in the West Indies, the 1,1 r
fr the Isnot ,Jon Miry, 1808; titetin- "
aubjectsin every part of the .01alte? Whets an Englishlatati ene tee., during every yti:rotwi7,ll
from
4trtacr.stritd
to,
the
4141114er ters those despotic States, where law is sciontly heard of, is he to g
-"
it Mg
II"
A 0 Aber of „illarrianci legalized, the mire.-
expect that we ant! to tratorplent eels own instiontone to their of, eventstori,ndent,
mitl'etticirui,4:.e.
States for hie pecollar. proteetion, •and to diming hint hotel. v.
-ts her
*IL"MTT immediately preitetited the ahnve rtiz4ill
the ether subject, anningstesniont for the time belngthe has yen _. te
ise
rd el to lie on the eible.-Adjeureett,
luntarily enrolled himself ? I cannot agree to the motion, which were a ere

r