Star.
London, England, 1824-04-03 00:00:00

such a communication? If it never existed, they could have
done so with the same facility. The argument in favour of the
Rill, founded on that circumstance, 'therefore fell to the ground.—
The Right Honourable Gentleman had work enough of other kinds
On his hands, let him not, therefore, for GOD'. sake, become the
political agents of Foreign Governments—(Hear, hear). He (Mr.
Tierney) disclaimed any intention to apply-that language offensively
to the Right Honourable Gentleman; but he implored of him to
(rave off hunting of poor foreigners. While Europe was distracted
from one end to the other by plots and conflicts arising out of broken
promises, all he should ask of Government was, to pursue strict
neutrality. His objection to the Bill was, that it was in fact a breach of
neutrality, being directed again-t one party only. England had no-
thing to apprehend ; and he joined the Right Honourable Gentle-
man sincerely in asserting, that she was never before in a state of
greater prosperity—(Cheers).
Mr. Secretary CA N N IN G rose to explain.—He assured the Min.
Gentleman, on his honour, that the information respecting the plot
to which he alluded did not come to him from any foreign Minister.
Mr. TIERNEY—Did the information come to the Right lion.
Gentleman from ar.y person of his own acquaintance? Did the
Right Hon. Gentleman set any person to look after those foreigners?
Air. Secretary CANNlNG—Certainly not —(Loud cheering).
hlr. PEEL rose to reply.—He was happy to hear the testimony
which the Right Hon. Gentleman here to the happy, contented,
and prosperous condition of this country. After all the prognostics
of disgrace; after all the prophecies of failure, it was gratifying
and cheering to hear this announcement from the very persons who
were foremost in indulging in these ill-bodings—( Hear, hear, hear).
Should the efforts be renewed which had before been made fur

effecting a change in the established Constitution of the country,
and more particularly of this House—(Cheers from the Ministerial
benches, re-echoed by the Opposition), he hoped the House would
bear in mind that an acknowledgment of the increasing prosperity of
the country bad been extorted from those by whom failure and dis-
grace were uniformly before predicted. The Right Hon. Gentle.
man (Mr. Tierney) had impugned the motives of those who intro-
duced the present Bill, and also di,anproved of its objects. He
stated their motives to bc,not to preserve the internal tranquillity of
this country, hut to aid the Continental Sovereigns in crushing the
aspirations of freedom. Now he would make the most positive de-
c'aration that no compromise bad been ever re.ade ; that no bargain ,
or agreement, either wtittert or implied, had been ever entered into
with a Continental Power, as to the policy of continuing or aban.
doning this Bill. To the imputation of such a motive he was there-
fore prepared to give the most emphatic refutation and denial that
the terms of language could convey. The Right Honourable Gen-
tleman had contra sled those whom he called the despots of Europe
with the people of Europe. • These were the extreme principles to
which his Right Honourable Friend (Mr. Canning) had alluded. It
was the duty of this country to adopt a middle course—a polity of
neutrality; and acting upon that principle, as he would refuse those
who, in 1821, held monarchical princiyles in Spain (ruin making
this country the theatre of intrigue against the Constitutional Go-
vernment as then constituted, so would he equally disallow those
who were then of the Constitutional part), (some of whom, he be-
tieved,were now in this country) from making this, England, to use
an expression of his Right lion. Friend," the workshop of inachiva-
dons against the established Government of their bathe country." It
had been said that this measure was not enforced formerly ; but if
not, still severer measures, such as the suspetsion of the Habeas
Corpus Act, .were put in force at the period alluded to. The
Right lion. Gentleman had cautioned him against being the police-
agent of the Sovereigns of Europe. He knew his duty as an Eng.
Heitman too well to condescend to be the agent of the interests of
any country but his own. The Right Hon. Gentleman recapitu-
lated the arguments he had previously 'urged, and concluded by
saying, that although all foreigners should be hospitably received,tbey
should not be permitted by political intrigues to desecrate the asy-
lum Into which they had beets received—(Hear, hear.)
Lord A LTHORP briefly explained. The Right lion. Secre-
tary (Mr. Canning) had somewhat misrepresented his sentiments
in the course of his address to the House. He admitted, the prin-
ciple of placing some check over alien; ought to be vested in the
Executive Government.- His objection was to the arbitrary power
of the present Bill. lie would prefer certain regulations should be
introduced, which gave the accused party an opportunity of meet-
ing the charge brought against him, and, if he could, of vindicating
his innocence. • To dismiss him peremptorily on suspicion, was a
most oppressive and ungracious measure.—The House then divided,
For the second reading - - 172
For the Amendment - - 92
- Majority - - -
The Bill was then read a second time.

The other Orders of the Day were then read, and the House ad.
journed at One o'Clock.