The Sun.
London, England, 1820-06-01 00:00:00

BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.

Mr. W. AVYNN said, it would be in the recollection of the
nonse t hat he had a few days ago moved that certain indivi-
dUals should attend at the Bar of the /louse for a Breach of
Privilege, in having directed a suit to be entered against the
Warden of the Fleet for discharging J. C. Murton, E,q. on an
Order of the House; those individuals had discontinued the
action and expressed their regret for what they had done.—
The Order of the House was for their attendance on Monday
tight, but as they lived at a considerable distance from town,
he would, to afford them more time, move that the Order be
discharged and renewed for Monday week. This was accord-
ingly thole. ,
Sir W. CURTIS gave notice of a motion on Wednesday, for
the better regulation of (as was understood) the Militia of
"London.
On the motion of Mr. GORDON, the Papers presented to
the House relative to the New Post Office were ordered to be
printed.
The House uittit through a Committee on the Greenland
Fishery Act .—B eport to-morrow.
FUNDING OF EXCHEQUER BILLS.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHkQUER said, be
wished to take the earliest opportunity, of stating
to Parliament the contract whicla had been en-
teted into that day witli certain holders of Exche-
quer Bills, and of which three days' notice had
been given to the public. He should therefore
inotre the Order of the Day, for the House to re-
Solve itself into a Committee of Ways and Means.
The House resolved itself into a Committee
accordingly.
The CHADICBLLOR of the EXCHEQUER then ad-
dressed the Committee. He could not state the
transaction in question sooner than this day ; nor
could he even have foreseen that it would have
been in his power to do it so soon, as he did not
expect it would have been so soon completed.—
The contract, however, having been made, he
should, according to the usual practice, give an
account of it to the Committee ; and he was sa-
tisfied they would most readily ratify what the
Treasury had done.. The general terms.of the
bargain were these :—A notice had been given on
Friday last, that a subscription would be opened
for the purpose of funding 7 millions of the Ex-
chequer Bills that were now outstanding, and
which amounted to more than 35 millions ; and
this sum, added to the unfunded debt of Ireland,
made the whole outstanding debt of the United
Kingdom amount to thirty-nine millions. The
amount was now less by nine millions than
the amount of those that were outstanding
at the corresponding period of last year.—
Of the 35 millions of Exchequer Bills issaed for
the service of Great Britain, 14 millions were it

the possession of the Bank of England, and so
there remained about 21 millions in the bands of
the public. As it was intended that a loan to a
certain amount should be made, it was considered
that the best mode would be, first to call in seven
millions of the outstanding Exchequer Bills, and
convert the same into stock. On a future city he
sho►tld state the aeuotnit of the sum that was in-
tended to he raised by loan. It only now remain-
ed for him to lay before the Committee the parti-
culars of the bargain which had been made that
day ; it was, that for every 991. in Exchequer
Bills, the person paying the same was to ,receive
1001..5 per cent. stock. According to this arrange-
ment, considering the price of the 5 per cent, at
he present day, and the fluctuations they were
likely to experience, the profit accruing to the
subscribers would be about 21. per cent. A very
eager competition took place that day among nu-
nter►►us persons who came forward to make this

bargain; and the whole was completed in half an
hour, instead of two or three days, the time
usually taken np in arranging a business of that
kind. He now had a Resolution to propose, 'he
object of which would be to confirm what had

been done. He then mated his Resolution, de-
claring it as the opinion of the Committee, that
those who subscribed the seven millions' of Ex-

chequer Bills, should have 1001. in the 5 per cen's.
capital stock for every 991. in Exclieqner Bills,
r.GRFNrtiLI. said, he understood tie eagerness
of the competiiion was 80 great, dist Ike parties
wishing to silbscribe rushed froward that morn-
ing at personal risk of their lives. His object
IA now rising Was, to know from the Right Hon.
Gentleman, whether what he had beiard was true,
that, although seven millions were now funded,
the same number of ootstanding Exchequer Bills
were sr ll to be kept np.
`The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHE4ItUER regretted
very much, that the competition at the Bank had
that clay caused so much danger, which lie %vas in
hopes the precautions taken at the Bank would
have prevented. In answer to the question put
by the Hon. Gentl?man, he had only to repeat
what he already stated, that the present amount
of the unfunded debt was 39 millions ; and is, this
sum there was to be a reduction of ten millions
aml a half.
Mr. MACERLEY said, in Januaty last .the Un-
funded Debt amounted to 45 millions, and how
the Right Hon. Gentleman could now talk of 39
millions he was at a loss to conceive. Perhaps he
did not take into consideration the arrears due to
the Consolidated Fund, amounting to upwards of
nine millions ; and unless the revenue improved
very flinch between June and October, it would
then he 10 millions. If this deficiency was not to
he provided for, then, indeed, the Right lion.
Gentleman Might reduce his Uotatodeu Debt.
Mr. J. SMITH did not recollect that the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer had given any answer re-
lative to the new issue ot 7.000,000 d. He under-
stood, and so he believed did tile Poidic, that
their place was to be stipplied by .q,000,000 of
last year's hills ; for the Hight 'Hon. Gentleman
certainly said. last year he shOuld Waal nothing
this, except the five ninon, for the Bank. He
had no desire to presi any question improperly,
but if the Public coal(' have 1100111146011 vu dais
subject, it would be mo•t saristaciory. The flan.
Member adverted to the ropidity with which the
subscription filled, and observed, he trusted there
had not been ally unfair preference given to any
set of inch ideals over aoother. •
The CHANCELLOR ot the EXCHEQUER said, be
had taken every precaution to prevent any such
preference being stews,. Ile gave notice of the
cum to he funded, and the terms, as long ago as
Friday last. With respect to she 7 ,OUU .0001. be-
ing added, he believed there had been some mis-
construction ; the 7 000,0001. taken from last
yea', bad nothing to do with the present year. It
was intended to reduce the ontundedl4xchequer
Bills this year to 28.000,0001. The Hots. Mem-
ber (Mr. Mahetley) could not have looked to the/
accounts at present an the table, or he would
soon have been convinced his calculation was

' incorrect.
Mr. MAUFELFY wished the Chancellor of the
Exchtq,er would state what amount of Exche-
quer Bills, voted for the service of 1819, remained
unsold on the sth of January last. He contend-
ed his statement was correct. The Hon. Mem-
ber again wen: through tlie items, and contended
that on the 5111 of January last, the unfunded
debt was 45.879,2581. besides 2,700,0001. to the
Bank, and repos t further says, that the 5,000,0001.
which the 11 ,ilk were to have been raid last year,
had not been paid yet.
Mr. MARTIN and Mr. PEARCE said a few
words.
Mr J. SMITH stated, that some years ago sits-
pietotri of linproper cuodnet in the mode ot fund-
ing Exchequer Bills, having been entertained, a
Committee had been moved to inquire into the

subject. He I►u! i► to the House whether resl►ec-
table persons could engage in such ►uanoeuvres.
Mr. GRENFELL thought it a great blot on the
Co►.niry in the eyes of all &trope, that there

should appear in each succeeding quarter a great
deficiency in the revenue. He observed, 11),,t the

accounts upon the table were to bun wholly un-
intelligible.
Mr. ELLICE begged the House to attend to
the financial state of the country. List year, a
most impolitic set of taxes had been placed upon
the people, for the purpose of raising a reveone
of three milli ins and a halt, from which the

greatest benefits were expected. Instead, how
ever, of reaping any advantages Iron) the fnea
sure, rile Chancellor of the Exchequer was add.

ing still to the debt of the Coi,solidgited Fond.
Before he sat down, he wished 10 know front the

Right Hon. Gentien►en in what I►Nrticnlar wav
Excheqtter Bills, which had been issued, he be--

lieved at par, found their way into the maiket.
The CHANCELLOR Of the EXCIIIIQUER did not
know to what particular Bills the Hon. Member

alluded, but he believed there were some Exche.

quer B►lls Carried into the market which could nui
be paid, and which were issued at the time it

pursuance of a contract tor the purchase of silver.
Mr. ELLIca was not dispOsed to disapprove of
any arrangement made with a view to benefit the

public service. He only wished iliac such ar

rangenients should be made known to the
House.

MABERLEY again asked the Chancellor of
the Exchequer what was the amount of the Bills

voted for tfie service of 1819, that remained un-
sold in January 1820.
The CHANCRLLOR of the EXCHEQUER could
not give a dtlinitive answer to the question. lie
could only state, that all the Bills that had been
issued, were issued for the purpose of replacing
others left outstanding and unprovided for.
Mr. MABERLEY wanted an explicit answer to a
plain question.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER repeated
his former answer.

THE NEW NOTES.
Mr. BARING viiialled to know at what period it
was likely the new notes of the Batik ,of Eng-
land, so long pi ised, would come out.
Mr. CouttrtiLy could give no positive answer
to this question, lie knew that tine sort of note'
had been fixed on, and that those engaged were
using every expedition in perfecting the machi-
nery, &c. lot their execution.

PEARCS said, the machinery was, be be-
lieved, nearly completed; that done, two days
‘vould be sufficient to strike oil notes to a very
great amount.

The Resolution was then put arKs.agr•eed to, as
was a Resolu:ion fixing the days fra the several
instalments to be paid, agreeing in evety respect

tv;tb the terms already published. The House
re:sumed, and the Report was ordered to be re-
ceived to-morrow. -

COURTS OF JUSTICE IN SCOTLAND.
Lord A. HAMILTON desired now to know

there was any objection to produce certain papers
connected with the Commission appointed to in-
quire into the state of Courts of Justice in Scot-
land, which papers tended to sbew how hastily
and prematurely that Commission was di3solved.
Lord CASTLEREAGH considered the motion as.
unnecessary. The demise of the King terminated
the Commission immediately.
Sir J. NawronT said, the Commission for
_ _ •

Coitus of Justice in Ireland had not been dis-
solved, but had acted, notivitbstandiog the demise
of the Crown.

Lord CASTLEREAGH said, then they had acte
illegally.

GRAMPOUND DISFRANCHISEMENT BILL.
Lord J. itussELL moved Olio the Order of tl►e
Day for taking into consideration the Grampoond
Disfranchisement Bill, on Friday, the gdi m ice,
be discharged, and postponed to Monday, 12th,
with an understanding that it should take piece-
deuce on that day. "

ALLOWANCES TO THE ROYAL FAMILY.
Mr. TIRRNEY' .wished to cull the a tent ion of
the Noble Lord opposite to a subject of some de-
licacy, as it affected the Royal Family, whose al-
lowances, it was well known, ceased upon the
demise of his late Majesty. These allowances had
nor been renewed, and he was at a loss to under-
stand why this slight bad been passed upon the
Members of the Royal Family. He begged to
ask the Noble Lord, whether it was the intention
of his Majesty's Ministers to move for the renew-
al of these allowances? In putting this question
he by no means intended to raise any discussion
upon:the question of the allowance to be made to
tier Majesty.

144. rd CASTLEREAGH made observations across-
the table in a low tune of voice. We onderstood
him to say, that there was no ground far any
complaint of delay, since the Civil List Bill had
not yet received the Royal sinction, and his Me.
jesty could not yet be supposed to be furnished
%vith the grounds upon which be might send a
message to the House upon the subject of the al-
lowances to the Royal Family.
Mr. TIERNEY said, that the allowances to the
Royal Family were now chargeable upon the'Con-
solulated Fund; the Civil List Bill, therefore, had
nothing to do with the question.
Lord CASTLEREAGH ObSClved, that his. Majesty
could yet have no constitutional knowledge upon
the subject.

- GEORGE DENVHURST.
Mr. XVIIITBREAD presented a petition from
George Dewhurst, now a prisoner in the Castle
of Lancaster, complaining that he bad been con-
fined for two months upon a charge of high trea-
son, and during that time cnnffned to bard labour.
The charge of high treason was afterwards aban-
doned, and he was subsequently tried and con-
victed of a misdemeanor. The petitioner further
complained, that be had not been permitted to
give bail upon the charge of misdemeanor, and
alleged that he had been innocently led into at-
tending a meeting on the 15th of November,
1819, which was the charge upon which he was
convicted.
, Lord STANLEY vindicated the character of the
Gaoler of Lancaster Castle, and defended the order
of the Magistrates by which persons committed
upon charges of felony were subjected to bard
labour.
Mr. FL BENNET denied the legality of compel-
- -

ing a man to work who was only committed for
trial, and not yet convicted of any offence.
Dr. LUSH I NGTON contended, that the order of
the Magistrates was made in defiance of law and
in direct violation of every statute which gave
authority to Justices of Peace. Magistrates had
no power to inflict the punishment of hard labour
upon persons who were not proved to be guilty of
any offence, and who were presumed by law to be
guiltless until they were convicted by a Jury of
their country. Such an order of Magistrates ap.
plied equally to every species of offence, to those
of a political nature amongst others, and might
easily be converted into an instrument of political
vengeance. It the legality of the order were ad-
mitted, no Member of that House was safe, for
there was no Member who was not liable to be
committed upon an unjust accusation—(Hear
The quantity and nature of the labour were not
fixed at the Quarter Sessions, or by the Visiting
Magistrates, but imposed at the discretion of the
gaoler. While be objected to this illegal imposi-
tion of labour he begged to be understood that he
was far from opposing the voluntary employment
of prisoners. The greatest benefit had resulted
from the employment of prisoners, conducted upon
judicious principles. ,

After some ob,ervations from Sir E. Knatch-
bull, Lord Milton, Mr. W. Bootle, and Mr. B.
Bathorat, the Petition was ordered to lie upon
the table.

Upon the question that this Petition be printed,
Mr. SCARLaTT said, be felt it due to the cha-
racter of the Gaoler of Lancaster Castle to state
that his humanity and exemplary conduct in the
discharge of his duties were universally acknow-
ledged. The Petitioner had been tried at Lan-
caster for attending an armed meeting, and had
been convicted, to the entire satisfaction of the
Judge, and he believed, of all present. A num-
ber of persons at the meeting were armed with
pikes fixed on staves, which they unscrewed when
the soldiers appeared.

Mr. BLACKBIJRNE begged to add his testimony
to the exemplary character of the Gaoler.
Lord FOLKESTONE Said, it was a principle of
law that general character could not prevail
against particular evidence. It appeared upon the
lace of the petition, that the petitioner had been
kept in gaol two months and treated as a felon;
and that when the charge of high treason was

subsviinenily abandoned be hid not been allowed

o gibe bail, 1 hough lie lead offered it to one Magi•

str,+►e to the amount of 1,0001. The Magistrates
of Lancaster had upon this, as upon many other

occasions, set the law at defiance: for the law
gave 110 power to a Justice of Peace to commit
401' high treason.
The ATTonNHY -GENFRAL was astonished to
hear,it asserted by the Noble Lord, who general-

ly treated übje,;(s very °Lucia like a lawyer, tliar

Magistrates bad DO power to commit for b'gh
treason. He might have learned the contrary
tram the observation of the Judge who flied the
cause in question, and who saidthat be enier,er
rained serious doubts upon the evidence, whet"
the prisoner was not guilty of high treason. g
Lord FOLK ESTONE did not mean 40 conic:
with the Learned Gentleman upon a point of
but he still believed that a Justice of Peace bdo
nn power to commit fur any 'clime higher tbshe
felony. The Petition was then °Meted t°
printed.

[For the Remainder of the Proceedings of the House a c°Pr

mous, see the Fourth Page.]

THEATIUCAL REGISTER.
Po :braced Last Night.
•
THEATRZ ROYAL, I)Roßl,LANE.—Fashionable Levities Sir
s
Buzzard Savage, Mr. Munden ; Clara, Mrs. Mardyn•
ter which, The Cubler of Preston. To which was added,
Past Ten o'Clock and a Rainy Night.
111EATRE ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN —Virginias Virgiltids%
Mr. Macready; Icilitis, Mr. C. Keinble • Virginia,
Foote; Servia, Mrs, Fa.ucit. After which, The Battle
Bothwell Brigg.