Star.
London, England, 1808-04-05 00:00:00

PiIRLI.IMENTARr PROCEEDINGS.

HOUSE OF LORDS, APRIL 4.
ORDERS IN COUNCIL.
The House having resolved itself into a Committee of the whole
House, proceeded in the further examination of witnesses—when
Mr. Alex. White, Mr. Abraham 74n Mr. Thomas Mullet, Mr.
Wm. Rathbone, and Mr. Joseph Garland, were severally exa-
mined—and Messrs. Kender, Oxley, and Glennie, again called to
explain some parts of their former testimony.
Earl BATHURST then moved, that Counsel be heard in reply
on Wednesday next.
The Earl of LAUDERDALE considered this as inconsistent
as all the other proceedings upon this subject—first, passing the
Bill, before evidence heard ; next, examining witnesses, and then
hearing Counsel in reply, before evidence was printed. His
Lordshipfezpressed a wish that the hearing of Counsel should be
postponfd.
Lord HOLLAND declared himself of the same opinion.
Lord HAWKESBURY replied that this was the usual mode
of proceeding.
After some further observations, Counsel were ordered to attend
on Wednesday.
Mr. WHARTON, and several other Members of the House of
Commons, brought up the Irish East India Trade Bill, and the
Irish Warehousing Bill, which were read a first time—as were
also some private bills brought up by Sir Edward Knatchbull, Mr.
Graham, and other Members.
The Annual Indemnity Bill was read a third time and passed.
The LORD CHANCELLOR delivered his opinion at some
length respecting the Appeal, " Hill v. Spence," the further con-
sideration of which was postponed till-morrow.
Lord HOLLAND presented a Petition from the town of Ar-
b:eath, praying the introduction of trial by Jury, in Civil Cases,
into Scotland, which was ordered to lie ou the table.
COTTON.
Tit.: Cotton Duty Bill passed through a Committee, and was
reported.
The House resolved itself into a Committee on the Cotton Pr-
ohibition Bill.
The Earl of LAUDERDALE gave notice of his intention to
propose a clause on the third reading, to prevent the abuse of the
power given to Ministers by this bill of dealing out to favoured
persons the privilege of trading in this article, and which he con
sidered as highly dangerous.
Earl BATHURST observed, that a similar power of granting
licences bad bee.: given to the Crown in former Bills. The Bill
passed though the Committee, and was reported.
JESUIT'S BARK.
Previous to the House going into a Committee on this Bill,
Lord HOLLAND presented a petition from Mr. de Testat,
'merchant of London, stating, that he had under licence fr-in the
Spanish Government, opened a trade with tit,: Spanish donfinions.
in South America, by which means he exported thither a consi-
derable quantity of British Manufactures, and imported Bark, of
which he had a very large quantity on hand, and that the Bill
would, therefore, be productive of serious injury, and praying to
be heard by himself or Counsel.
Lord HOLLAND said a few words and concluded by moving
th:tt the petition do lie on the table.—Ordered.
The House resolved itself into a.Comniittee on the Bill, which
passed through and was reported.
•The Irish Cotton and Jesuit's Bark Prohibition Bill wes read a
second time and committed for toemornnw.
ORDERS IN COUNCIL.
On the second reading of the Orders in Council indemnity Bill,
The Earl of LAUDERDALE congratulated their Lerdships on
the adoption of those suggestions in this Bill which had been pro-
posed as amendments to the Orders in Council Bill, and rejected.
Earl BATHURST observed, that the: objects of the Bills were
different ; this Bill related to imports, and the former Bill to ex•
ports.
The Earl of LAUDERDALE cent ended that the provisions in
this Bill could rot have been more foreign to the object of the for
rimer Bill, than some of the clauses contained in that Bill.
The Bill was read a second time and committed for Friday.
Adjourned till to-morrow (this day).