The Sun.
London, England, 1823-04-19 00:00:00

MERCHANT• VESSELS' APPRENTICE BILL.

On the motion that this Bill should be read a third time,
Mr. H. GURNEY said a few words which were not heard
in the gallery.
Mr. RICARDO considered the Bill to be a violent and un-
necessary interference with private rights. It imposed a re.
striction upon a particular necesssity, and no such necessity
had been show. The Honourable Gentleman concluded by
moving, as an amendment, that the Bill be read a third time
this day six months.
Sir I. COFFIN advocated the principle of giving every pro-
tection to apprentices. The best sailors in the world were those
made in the coal trade. lie particularly approved of that clause
in the Bill which protected the trecond mate of a merchantman,
as well as the chief mate, from being impressed.
Mr. HUSKISSON said, that the Bill had given universal
satisfaction to the maritime interest. He believed that the
Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Ricardo was the only man in the House
who opposed it. The only objection which he had heard to
the Bill from any person connected with the shipping interest,
had come flora a gentleman at Yarmouth, who said thatilie
should like the measure very well in case of war, but that he
had rather be without it in time of peace.
Mr. ANSON said a few words.

I%fr. HUME supported the amendment.
11r. R. BERNAL did not immediately object to the Bill,
but he questioned the propriety of the principle assumed for its
support.
Mr. G. BENNET and Mr. MONCK spoke in favour of the
amendment.

Mr. CROKER, Mr. GLADSTONE, and Mr. MARRYATT,
supported the Mil.
Mr. RICARDO said he would not press the amendment to
a division.

Mr. W. SMITH had no immediate objection to the Bill;
but he hoped to see the time when the*country would be ena-
bled to throw out the custom of impressment altogether.
The'Bill was then read a third time.

111r.1.1USEISSON moved a clause to be tacked to the Bill,
to make the apprentices now indentured apprentices under.,the
Bill.

After a short conversation, in which Mr. RICARDO, Sir I.
COFFIN, and Mr. CROICEIt took part, the clause was agreed
to.—Read a third time, and ordered to be added to the Bill.
Mr. I-ILTSKISSON then brought up a clause exempting the
transfer of seaman's apprenticeship indentures from the stamp
duties.

After a few words from Mr. flusitissorr, Mr. MARRYAT,
and- Mr. BRIGHT, this clause was added, and the Bill was
passed.
COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY.

The House then resolved itself into a Committee on the Mis.
cellaneous Estimates.

On the motion that 499/. be voted for repairs done to Henry
I.'s Chapel,
Mr. HUME said, he wished to Woe that opportunity of ask.
ing whether any of the Right Hon. Gentlemen opposite could
suggest a mode of facilitating the entrance of the public into
'estminster Abbey. The monuments contained in that build-
ing were the property of the people of England. A sum had
been voted by the House for the purpose of cleaning them, and
still an exorbitant tax of 2s. per head was demanded by the
clergy of that establishment from such of the public as were de-
sirous of seeing monuments which really belonged to them.
selves. This custom, which prevailed in no others, he thought
was a disgrace to this country. If the clergy of the cathedral
were so poor as not to be able to keep a person- to protect those
monuments from tile injury done by visitors, the House should
grant a sum for this purpose.
Mr. LUSHINGTON supposed the Hon. Gentleman was
aware that the fees were, now the property of a person who had
purchased of the. Dean and Chapter the privilege of showing
the monuments.

Mr. CROKER entertained great doubts of the legality of
demanding money from persons visiting the cathedral. Every
one knew that at the time the church was first built, it, as well
as all other churches in the kingdom, was open to the public.
lie had searched with some care, but he had not been able to
find any authority by which the churches were closed. He was
aware that the parson was said to have a freehold in certain
parts of the church, but he believed that he had no right to
shut it up—his authority was limited to its custody and pre-
servation. He bad no doubt that this method which the
Dean and Chapter had practised of raising money was
illegal, inasmuch as it was without the authority of Par-
liament. The same spirit which prompted them to this
practice had also been displayed on a recent occasion. A
few trees had been growingln the churchyard, and as they were
perhaps the only things that were really unbuyable, they had
not been sold ; but upon the occasion of the Coronation, the
Dean and Chapter hail been so greedy, or so ill-advised, as to
cut theiri down, for a show which did not last half an hour,
and for an emolument of not more than ten pounds.
Mr. WETHERELL, said, that whatever doubts might ex-
ist as to the right of the public to admission to the Cathedral,
it was a question which he should not wish to see pushed to its
legal extremity, as the consequences might be mischievous.
Mr. W. &Uhl' said a few words, which were inaudible in
the Gallery. • •
Mr:IIUME said the public either had or had not the right
for which lie contended If they had, lie had no idea of a corn-
promise.—That was it method which might suit lawyers, but
he did not approve of it. He would ask the Right lion. Gen-
tleman, the Secretary for the Treasury, whether lie was dis-
posed to try the question ; if he would supply the money, he
(Mr. Hume) would set the affair in motion. If the decision of
a Jury should be ultimately against the public, they would
only be reduced to the necessity of buying it, for the Dean and
Chapter would sell any thing,—they had sold the trees and the
stones. _ _

Mr. LUSHINOTON made some observations in a very low
tone—after which _

Mr. CROKER explained.
Mr. WYror and Sir J. NEWPOIIT severally said a few
words, when the reSolution was agreed to.
A vote of 10,0001. for the works at the College of Edinburgh
was then proposed. •
Mr. lIUME did not rise for the pnrpose of opposing the re-
solution, but to require so►ne explanat►on of an item of 1,043/.
for granite; he was at a loss to know how this arose, as the ex-
port duty was taken off. The report which he held in his hand
presented a singular appearance ; it had no less than four cuts.
If the person preparing it thought the House would be delight-
ed with such cuts, or thought them neeessary, he was much
mistaken. it was now too late to object to them, but he hoped
they should not in future be regaled with engravings of so ordi-
nary a kind.

LUSHINGTON agreed that the expence of these en.
gravings was an unnecessary one.
SMITH expressed his regret,
.that a sum had not
been voted in aid of a monument, which it was proposed to have
erected near Edinburgh. A subscription had been set on foot
for that purpose, but it was not sufficient; and when applica.
tion was made to the House, for a grant of about one.fifth of
the whole expence, it was refused, and the work could not
be carried on in consequence. He hoped that the individual
ho had moved for that sum would not lose sight of the object.

- -
After a few words from Mr. W. DIINDAS and Mr. lIUME,
the resolution was agreed to.
The suns of 12,8471. was voted for the'expence of sundry
works executing-at Portpatrick. .
.On the motion that 25,000/. be voted for the purpose of com-
pleting the works of the Caledonian Canal,
Mr. HUME rose and expressed his regret that session after
session they were called on to grant money for this object.
Three years ago 20,000/, were voted ; the year following the
suns of 20,000/. was called for, and he, wishhig to cover the
whole expence, advised them to ask for 40,0001. Last year,
however, they called for 25,000/. more, and now a fresh
25,000/. was,dernanded. If he Were to judge of the way in
which they proceeded, 200,000/. would not meet the expellee.
If they intended to deepen the summit level, it would be at-
tended with a heavy charge indeed : he wished to know when
there would be an end to disbursements under this head.'
Sir HENRY PARNELL shortly pointed out the advan-
tages which were derived from the canal. The Honourable
Gentleman had, he observed, fallen into an error with respect
to this vote. The sums fonnerl3r voted were for the purpose of
opening the canal and, if the Hon. Member would look at the
estimates, he would find that the present vote was for deepen-
ing and further completing it. The Hon. Baronet then enu-
meraked the number of voyages which were made through the
canal since October last, nna stated that a great deal of flax

had been brought from Ireland to the linen manufactory at
Aberdeen through that channel, while, on the other hand, a
large quantity of herrings had been sent from Scotland to Ire-
land in the same way.
Mr. HUAI E wished to know what was paid by the public,
/and what money` was received from this canal which was ap-
plicable to meeting the expences incurred by it. He saw no
reason why they should form a canal, at the expence of a mil-
lion of money, for the benefit of certain Highland Gentlemen,
and well had they used them for it. They now came forward
mad demanded remuperlition for damages alleged to have been
done to their estates, whereas, in point of fact, 25,901. would
purchase the whole line of the canal, which was clothing but
rocks and bogs. He conceived that the public were very badly
treated by these Highland gentry. They preferred claims for
damage alleged to have been done to their estates, totally for-
' getting the advantages they derived from the easy mode by
which they could now transport their timber and other articles
from their lands.

Mr. ARBUTHNOT said, that some years ago he had pro-
posed a vote for completing the canal, when the Hon. Member
(Mr. Hume) had expressed a wish that a larger sum should be
asked for. %This was done, and the canal was in reality, com-
pleted, but some alterations and improvements were since deem-
ed necessary, and therefore Parliament was called upon for the
additional grant.
Mr. W. SMITH said, that when so large a sum had' been
already voted, it would be bad policy to stop short now, and re-
fuse a grant which was of comparatively small amount. He
belived that when a considerable sum was formerly voted, it
was not stated that the canal would be by that grant completed
and opened to its full depth for the whole distance. The chief
expence was incurred by the formation of the locks ; they were
formed for the reception of vessels which required 18 or 20 feet
of water, while the summit level was only 12 feet deep.
Mr. H. G. BENNET said the House ought to know dis-
tinctly how long it would be before this work would be corn.
pleted. He would not refuse 25,000/4 he would, on the con-
trary, grant an additional 211,000/. to finish the work; but there
certainly was a point at which they ought to stop. The ques-
tion was—whether they were not throwing good money after
bad. It was intended that the canal should be navigable for
frigates and sloops of war, but this was found impossible ; and
but for the invention of steam vessels, the canal would have
been totally useless. So much for the original intelligence which
dictated the plan. '
Mr. HUME asked whether there was any estimate of the
sum which would hereafter be required.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that he
had read the estimate of the engineer with great regret, be-
cause from that document it appeared that 25,0001. more would
be necessary for next year. He felt the force of the observa-
tions of the Hon. Member 'for Shrewsbury,. but he differed
from him in thinking that they were throwing good money
after bad. It certainly would be improper, having gone sb
far, to leat'e the canal in a situation which was next to useless.
He pledged himself, however, not to ask 4'or any more money
until a distinct statement of the whole probable expence was
laid before the House.

Sir H. PARNELL said, that all the voyages which he had
mentioned were made without the assistance of steam-boats—
(Hear . _ _

Mr. W. SMITH paid a compliment to the Commissioners,
who, he said, bad laid out the money with strict regard to the
purposes which it was intended to effect.

The Resolution was then agreed to.
On the motion that 5,3001. be granted for building an Insol.
vent Debtors' Court,

Mr. HUME rose and inquired whether the present vote would
cover all the charges of erecting that building. •
Mr. LUSHINGTON answered that it would.

The resolution was then agreed to.
On the motion that 30,000!. be granted towards the expences
of building law-courts in Westminster-hall,
Mr. WETHERELL rose, and argued that it would be
much better to grant 120,0001. at once, and to have the Courts
immediately erected, instead of .having that sum distributed
over a period of four years. He could see no reason why the
courts should not be erected immediately. By the system now
pursued, much of the time of the.Judges:was lost to the public.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that
the Court of Chancery and another Court would be finishedi by
Mr. Saone, as that Gentleman had informed him, before next
September, and the remainder of the works would be completed
in the course of the ensuing year.
The resolution was then agreed to, as were the following—
That a sum not exceeding 24,9361. be granted for defraying
the expences of the establishments on the Gold Coast for the
current year.

That -a
sum of 5,214/. 17s. be granted for paying the salaries
and retired allowances of the officers in the Alien Office.
That a sum not exceeding 15,0001. be granted for carrying
into execution the awards of the Mixed Commission for the
abolition of the Slave Trade.

That a sum not exceeding 18,7001. be granted for the remu-
neration and incidental expences of the Commissioners en.
gaged in carrying into effect the treaties for the abolition of the
lave Trade between the King of Great Britain and Govern.
ments of Spain,'Portugal, and the Netherlands.
That a sum not exceeding 159,0001., be granted to his Ma.
jesty, for defraying bills drawn, or to be drawn, for the Colony
of New South Wales.

Tluit aSunlnOtWieeding 2,4421. 10s. be granted to his Ma-
jesty, for defraying certain expences of the colonial depart.
ments, formerly paid out of the extraordinaries of the army
for 1823.

That a sum not exceeding 6,2601. be granted to make com-
pensation to the Commissioners, appointed to inquire into the
management and collection of the revenue in Ireland, and the
several establishments connected therewith, in compensation
for their assiduity, pains, and care, in the'discharge of the trust
reposed in them by Parliament ; the same to be.paid without
any fee or deduction whatever.
That a sum not exceeding 5,0001. be granted for the support
of the institution called the Refuge for the Destitute, for the
year 1823 ; to be'paid without any fee or deduction whatever.
That a sum not exceeding 3,2791. ss. be granted for defray-
ing the charges of the civil establishments of the Bahama
Islands, for the year 1823.
That a slam not exceeding 1,6221. is. 4d. be granted for de.
fraying the like charges for the Islands of Bermuda, for the
same year.
That a sum not exceeding 8001. be granted for defraying the
like charges for the Islands of Dominica, for the year 1823.
That a sum not exceeding 12,2321. be granted for defraying
the charges of the civil establishments of Upper Canada, for the
year 1823.
That a sum not exceeding 13,140/. be granted for defraying
the expence of the civil establishment of Nova Scotia.
That a sum not exceeding 0,1571. 10s. be granted for the civil
establishment of New Brunswick.

That's sum not exceeding 3,520/. 15s. be granted for the
civil establishment of Prince Edward's Island.

That a sum not exceeding 16,322/. be granted for the civil
establisment of New South Males.

That a sum not exceeding 22,816/. 17s. be granted for the
civil establishment of Sierra Leon.

The House then resumed, and the Report was ordered to be
received on Monday.

TIIE COURIER NEWSPAPER.

Mr. H G. BENNET said, that there had been put
into his hand, a very short time back, the Courier news.
paper of that evening, which pretended to give an account
of the unpleasant transaction which took place in the House
last night. As there were two holidays to intervene before the
House would again meet, he took the ••present as the earliest
opportunity of bringing the subject under its notice, as a state-
ment in its nature calculated to revive those unpleasant feelings
to which the transaction of last night had given rise, but which
had happily subsided. lie now felt no hesitation in saying,
that he knew of nothing so bad, so false, and scandalous, or
which showed more the malignity of the writer's heart, than
the article in question. That it was false, must have been
known to the writer, as the report of the debate in his own paper
was directly the reverse of, and contrary to, his statement.—
Here the matter dropped.
The other Orders of the Day were now disposed of, and at a
QUARTER tO ONE O'CLOCK the House adjourned to AlondaY.

Orders have been sent to Brest to dispatch a
frigate to Passage, in Spain.
CORONEIei litou'EsT.—Yesterday evening an
inquisition was taken at the Rose and Crown, Crown-street,
Soho, before Tiros. Moos, Esq. Deputy Coroner for West-
minster, on the body of Mr. David Forsyth% aged 80 years, who
was found dead in the hack garret of No. 10, Rose-street, on
Tuesday last. On the Jury being sworn, they went to the house
to view the body. Tne deceased lay stretched on the floor, his
hand supporting his head, and having only a tattered shirt on
him ; there was no vestige of table, chair, or bedstead. Sarah
Ann Tomkins, a tenant of the deceased, stated that he had lived
in the garret several years, and was of alniserable morose
disposition. Witness had seen money, to large amounts in his
possession, but not latterly. He had been known for the last
40 years to be in the same miserable state in which he was found
dead.—George Tait, also a tenant of the deceased, in the house
No. 10, Rose-street, stated that lie had known the deceased for
some time. On Monday, last he saw him, and assisted him to
his room-door; lie appeared rather intoxicated, but declared
to witness he had or 4 drank a part of a pot of porter: on the
following morning (Tuesday), witness saw him again ; he ap-
peared to be very ill. %V itness believed the deceased could
have lived comfortably off his property. Verdict...." Died by
the visitation of God.'