The Sun.
London, England, 1819-03-11 00:00:00

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' ACT.

Mr. BENNET presented a Petition from a Parish,
the name of which we did not hear, against the
Insolvent Debtors' Act, under any modification.
Mr. BaouGHAst was glad to hear that the Pe-
tition was only by a very few persons, because
they objected not merely to the Act itself, but
even to any alteration in it.
Mr. RENNET said, that the Petition was signed
by the associated traders called Corn deakrs, and
that they did not profess to speak the sentiments
ft alf prrsons in the Parish.
PARISHES OF ST. GILES-IN-THE FIELDS, AND ST.
GEORGE, BLOOMSBURY.

Mr. MELLISH presented a Petition from the
Parishes of St. Giles-in-the-Fields, and of St.
George, Bloomsbury, praying that as the parishes
were very numerous, Pailiatnent would repeal so
much of certain Acts as prevented them from put-
ting out their children as apprentices beyond a
limited distance from their parishes.—The Peti-
tion was read and ordered to lie upon the table.
REGULATION OF MAD-HOUSES.

Mr. C. W. WYNN rose for the purpose of
making his promised motion. As the subject had
already been four times before them, he trusted
that it was unnecessary to detain them long. His
proposition was chiefly founded on the facts
which had been produced by the Report on the
State of the Madhouses—a Report which had Pre-
sented such scenes of misery and horror as bad
'lever before been demonstrated to Parliament.—
He regretted the defects of the laws as they now
appeared, To correct the abominable abuses
which Ion! been commit ted, it became the
duty of the House to make the best and most
salutary provisions. In consequence of the Re-
port now alluded to, many 'proper regulations
toi,;lit he collected, so as to form an efficient
Act. Many dreadful abuses in the conducting and
managing of Mad-houses still existed ; and sonic
houses still continued to receive lunatics without
the necessary authority or certificate of a physician.
It was very necessary to have the sanction of the
unfortunate person's relation, 'who was too often
deeply interested in the continuance of his disor-
der. Oa this account he was shocked to find,
am! every man of humanity would shudder at the
idea, that the lunatic thus confined seldom or
never obtained his release, even if he recovered
his health. Some specious' excuse was always
advanced to continue the unfortunate victim im-
mured in his horrible abode. The Bill which be
intended to submit to the house would prevent
this violation of the feelings of humanity. For-
merly it had been proposed to appoint a Board
of Inspection, from which many benefits would
arise. His plan would embrace this part of the pro-
Position, and all the otter salutary regulations
formerly intended. In the first place, he should
propose a Board of Inspection, who should make
an annual survey through every part of the king-
dom. If found, however, expedient, local In-
spection Boards might be established ; a 3 the
kingdom might be divided into various districts,
so as to facilitate the attainment of their grand
object. Secondly, he should form another pro-
vi,ion, which he thought indispensably neces-
sary—for every wilful mis-statement to the Board
of Inspection, lie would inflict felony, with all its
consequences. Thirdly, another essential provi-
sion would he, that no lunatic should be received
at any mad-house for hire, without a certificate
front a respectable medical person ; and that
the ii;,inte of the lunatic, together with the certi-
ficate of the physician, pledging his reputation
for the truth of his allegations, should be kept
and registered in the Secretary of State's Office
for the Home Department. Thus the lunatic,
and all the parties connected with him, would be
under a fair and a lawful government. As the
law now stood, any person might be confined by
the information or application of the nearest re-
Wive. The lunatic was therefore without the
protection of the law, and if the patties interested
chose to he refractory or inhuman, be could not
obtain his release from his horrible confinement.
The lion. Member bestowed praise on Mr. Bake-
well's character and conduct (of Staffordshire),
who treated his patients with much tenderness. He
then recapitulated his principles and provisions,
and concluded by moving for leave to bring in a
Bill to repeal the Acts of the 14th and 25th of his
pre,ent Majesty.
The motion was agreed to; and Mr. NiryNat,
and some Gentlemen whom he named, ordered to
prepare anti bring in the same.

APPREHENDED SCARCITY OF SILVER.
Alt.. MARTIN Wished to be informed by any Gen-
tleman belonging to his Majesty's Government,
if some provision had been made tor supplying the
'Batik at Engliind with" an increase to the Silver
Circulation, as some inconveniences were appre-
hended from an apparent scarcity of the New
Silver Coin

Nl': WELLESLEY Pout Assured the Hon. Gen-
tleman, that neither he nor the Public need be
under any serious apprehensions on the occasion.
'l'be BA Ilk would be supplied with at least 30,0001.
a week, till the circulation was thought suffi-
ciently increased ; and if even a larger supply
wet"; called t.r, the demand would be satisfied.

MALTIN %you'd be glad to learn when this
weeklysopply wotild comme►►c►' ?

;M►, Wat.LEst.PY POLS tinswervil, in fl week.
The subject was then dropped but fig irregular

ennversAtion be;ng about to arise on the subject
of Exchequer Bills, and several Members starting
for the purpose,
The SPEAKER, in answer to one Gentleman,

who thought himself in order, said, that it was
certainly in order to speak on a subject then in
discussion, but certainly out of order to speak on
a4ubject not before the House.