Star.
London, England, 1822-04-18 00:00:00

UNITARIAN MARRIAGES.

Mr. BROUGHAM presented a Petition from the
Unitarian Dissenters of Kendall, in Westmoreland,
complaining of the inconveniencies they sustained
trom being obliged to use certain parts of the mar-
tiage ceremony which was not in conformity with
their opinions. The Petitioners prayed to be placed
6n the same footing with Jews and Quakers in this
country, and Dissenters in Scotland. He thought
on this subject but one opinion could prevail among
impartial men—that some modification ought at least
to take place.
Mr. BANKES thought this Petition, founded on
a proposition not ?et before the House, was as open
to objection liont tLe Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr.
Timmy). as that touching the admission of Catholic
Feels to Parliament, on which he had thought it ne-
cessat y to rise.
Mr. BROUGHAM could not see that there were
any grounds for reading the lecture which they had
heard to his Right lion. Friend the Member for
Knaresborough. This Petition, unlike the t,,inier,
was not founded on a notice given. It did not touch
on the motion intended to be made by his thr.oto-
able Friend (Mr. W. Smith) ; but leaving that alto-
ge,her, it merely petitioned for a measure l►ke that
which he desired to introduce.

Mr. TIERNEY thought a Petition calling on the
House to overthrow such or such a propo•ition then
brought forward, notice having been given of a mo-
tion on a particular subject, and a Petition praying
the House to take this or that question into its seri-
ous consideration, as different from each other as
light from darkness.—The Petition was ordered to
lie on the table.

Mr. W. SMITH had brought forward his present
measure in consequence of various Petitions presented
on the subject ; bur before he opened his proposition
to the House, he would beg to put in two Petitions
similar to that presented by the Hon. and Learned
Member (Mr. Brougham)—the one from Sheffield, in
Yorkshire, the other from Stopford, in the County
of Durham.

The Petitions being read, and ordered to be printed,l
Mr. W. SMITH proceeded. In bringing forward
the present motion, he s'Aould begin by stating, as
briefly as possible, the grievances of which the Peti-
tioners complained. Their complaint was, that by
the regulations of the Act of the 26th George H.
commonly called the Marriage Act, they were placed
in a situation painful to themselves, and different
from that in which, previous to the passing of that'
Act, they had been accustomed and permitted to
stand. It would scarcely be denied by any one that
marriage was a civil ceremony. It was so considered
not only by the common law, but by the canon law;'
and from the period of the year 1753, up to the pass.
ing of the Act now complained of, marriages so;
lernnized by the Dissenters, in their own places of
worship, had been held good and valid. The Act of
the 26th George IL however, enacting that every
marriage, to be held legal, must be solemnized in
the Church, by the Ministers of the Church, and ac-
cording to the ritual of the Church, completely de.
prived the Dissenters of their before enjoyed privi-
leges.
He (Mr. %V. Smith) was one of the class of!
persons now praying to be relieved from the prevaire!
of that Act, and it was important to those persons as'
a class, that, coming before Parliament, they should
stand rectus in curia. He begged then to aver, that
the Dissenters were unarraigned of any crime, and
that they had as good a title to worship GOD in their
own way as any members of the Church of England.
Marriage was the natural right of the human species,
and neither man nor woman, without the grossest
injustice, could be deprived of its benefits. Yet the
Act of the 26th George H. said t. Dissenters, " You
shall comply with terms which are contrary to the
dictates of your consciences, or you shall forego the
advantage of that natural right." Such a holding
was most unjust. It was not without precedent, be-
cause the same course had been persued under Louis
XLV. towards the Protestants of France. The mea-
sure in France, however, though unjust, was not so;
inconsistent as the law in England; because the Go-

In Eng' gross
inconsistency about the arrangement. At the very
time when the Act of George the Second passed, the
Dissenters had the benefit of the Act of Toleration.
At that time it so happened that the Unitarian Dis-
senters were in small numbers, so small, indeed, that
they had not a place of worship, so called, belonging
to them ; but the Jews and the Quakers were espe-
cially exempted from the provisions of the Act. The
Jews could scarcely, perhaps, be called Dissenters
from the Church of England—(the Church of Eng-
land might, indeed, more properly be called Dis-
senters from them, for they were the more ancient)--
but the Quakers were, to all intents and purposes, a
sect dissenting from the Church of England, and
they could have no right to any exemptions in which
the Unitarians were not entitled to participate. By
the Canon Law, marriage was nothing else but a
civil contract. This was stated by high authority in
this country, when, in 1813, a question respecting
the validity of a Scottish marriage was discussed.
The opinion of the Lord Chancellor was, that the
Scottish Law was founded on the Canon Law, which
was the foundation of the laws respecting marriage
throughout Europe, and which regarded marriage
as a contract. There was no doubt whatever but the
'Scottish Law.considered a marriage by consent of
parties, and in presence of witnesses, to be as valid
as if it were by any clergyman. The Marriage Act
had for its object the prevention of clandestine mar-
riages. With that object he wished not to interfere,
and he would therefore only propose the alteration
of the religious part. Some religious ceremonies
were common to all nations, and were highly proper,
but they were not necessary. As a proof of that, he
might refer to the Decree of Pope Innocent 111. in
Council, which declared the religious solemnity not
to be necessary to the validity of marriages. But the
religious ceremony ought to be in unison with the
feelings of the parties. The ritual of the Church of
England was derived from the Romish Church.
Now to make that ritual a necessary part of the mar-
riage, where religious objections existed to it, was a
positive absurdity. He proposed leaving out the
whole of that part of the t itual which stated opinions
on which the petitioners dissented from the Church
of England. As he understood from the Noble Lord
that his motion would not be opposed, he thought it,
unnecessary to go into further discussion of the subject
now. He might, however, mention, that the wisdom
of our ancestors had enacted burning alive as the pu-
nishment for Christians marrying Jews. When that
law was repealed, and some time previously, more
persons were found to contend for its justice, and
even humanity, than could now be found to advocate
the part of the present law which he wished to alter.
He concluded by moving for leave to bring in a Bill
altering certain points in the 26th Geo.ll. commonly
called the Marriage Act.
The Mai quis of LONDONDERRY wished not to
be understood to pledge himself to the support of the
measure.

Mr. H. GURNEY did not see what possible ob-
jection there could be to Unitarians being married
by their own clergymen. The whole service would
then be suited to their own sentiments, and, banns
being regularly proclaimed in the church, no incon-
venience could arise from it. On the other hand,
' there we e many objections to parties having the ser-
vice performed by a clergyman of a different persua-
sion. He wished, therefore, that, instead of such a
measure as was now proposed, the Honourable and
Learned Gentleman opposite would embrace the sub-
ject in his 13i11.—Mr. W. SNIITII explained.
Leave was given to bling in the Bill.
COMMERCIAL CREDIT BILL.

The CH ANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved
that the Report be brought up.
Mr. W. SMITH wished to be informed by the
Right Honourable Gentleman what the original ob-
ject of this Bill had been, and why that object had
been alteied ? Why had there been an extension of
the period of payments? Originally there were to
have been eight instalments annually of twelve and
a half per cent each ; now the money was to be re-
paid in two years. Originally it had not been in-
tended to give any of the money to bankers; now he
was informed that the time was extended for the ac-
commodation of a banking-house in Dublin.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said,
the House would recollect, that when the Bill was
proposed to which the present measure had reference
very great distress prevailed in Ireland. The failure
of many of the banks in the south of Ireland pressed
heavily on commerce; so much so as to put a stop in
a considerable degree to commercial transactions,
and to produce a most baneful effect on apiculture.
Immediate relief was at that time given by the Bank
of Ireland; that relief, though it did not prevent the
stoppage of the banks in the south of Ireland, pre-
vented the evil from spreading to other parts of the'
country. A Bill was then passed by the Parliament
of the United Kingdom, granting relief to the extent
of £500,000; and the object of the measure now un-
der the 'consideration of the House was to legalize
certain proceedings which had taken place in conse-
quence of that grant: first, to legalize the proceedings
to which he had alluded, and to which he would pre-
sently refer, and next to extend the period originally
fixed for the repayment of the sums lent to different
bodies and individuals. The Honourable Member
had asked whether bankers belonged to that descrip-
tion of persons to whom, under the Act, part of the
money granted might be legally lent. A question
of the same kind had been started when the Bill was
first introduced, and he had distinctly stated, in the
Committee on the Bill, that though bankers were not
included by name in its provisions, yet they were vir-
tually included under the head of " traders;" because
though they weic not traders in the ordinary accepta-
tion of the word, he considered them traders in money.
Money was, therefore, advanced to them under this
interpretation of the meaning of the Legislature. It
appeared, however, that an -Irish Act of Parliament
was in existence, which had not been adverted to by
this House. By that Act it was provided that a
banker could not be looked upon as a trader. Legal
opinions were taken on this point in Ireland ; and it
was held that bankers were not included under the
head of " traders" in Ireland, though the fact might

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otkorwintin England. One of the objects of the
Bill was to legalise the' granting of that poi.
the vote of Parliament which had been ad-
,to bankers. The sum granted by the former
'as not exhausted; perhaps it would be necessary
Issue the surplus now, for certainly it could not he
that no country ever required more assistance
than Ireland did at the present moment. The other
object of the Bill was to extend the repayment of the
original advance from two years, which was at first
stipulated, to eight years. Here it should be observed,
that Commissioners were appointed to superintend
the issue of money in the first instance. The) had lent
it on undeniable security; both landed and co inertial
security had been given, under bond ot :rimy—her.
Now, supposing those securities were of An unity.
peachable description, he could see no reason tar deny
an extended period for the repayme t of the
lent, which would be a very great accommodation to
those in whose hands they had been placvo Be,ldes,
the Public were receiving 5 per cent. for their in-nney,
which, at compound interest, would equal the capizai
lent in 14 years, if the period of repayment wet e even
extended to that term.
After a few words from Mr. W. SMITH, who ex-
pressed himself sati fled with the explanation t•f the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Report Was agreed
to, and the Bill ordered for a third reading to-morrow.
Mr. LUSH INGTON brought up the Report of the
Committee on the Stamp Duties Act.
The Resolutions were read and agreed to. On the
question, " That a Bill be brought in, in conformity
with the said Resolutions,"
Mr. HUME rose and complained that no adequate
provision appeared to have been made for reducing ti.e
emoluments of distributors of stamps. He could not
conceive why those individual, should receive emu.
luments to the amount of £3 or £6 per cent. iiavi
formerly brought this subject distinctly Uefo!e the
House, he had hoped that a Bill would have beer. in-
troduced by the Right Honourable Gentleman tu
rectify this abuse. There could be no ditretence oe
opinion on the expediency and propriety of bringing
forward a measure to alter the present system, tinder
which those Gentlemen received from 122,009 to
£5,000 a year, for which they did hats°.
ever. It appeared from the Returns cn ‘;he table,
that £BO,OOO w ere annually paid to :iistributors; and
had the House gone into evidence on the subject laq
Session, he was prepared to shew that the win,l; duty
could be as well, nay better, perfoi toed for £40,000.
He certainly would, in one of the stage, of the S amp
Bill, call the attention of the House to this .object.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said,
the allowances granted to the di.trihutot, ot stamps
had been for ..ome time under the considerat.o of the
Treasury; and, in consequence of the inquiries which
had taken place, great reductions would 1)e made.
Mr. HUNIE wished to know what would be the
amount of reduction in Scotian,' and Leland, in con-
sequeime of the new regulations ?
The C H A NCELLO It of the EXCH EQUER could
not state positively what the am.,tint ot reductioa
would be. A paper would, how eer, he shortly laid
before the House, containing a scale )t the reductions
which it was intended to carry into effect. It was
impossible to state the average reduction, because
the emoluments on different stamps varied so much.
For instance, there was, comparatively, less profit on
a stamp for £.50,000 than on one for R 20,000.
A Bill was then ordered to he brought in, con-
formably with the ites,rlOLlOnS.
DISMISSING OFFICERS WITHOUT TRIAL.

Colonel DAVIES—As the Hon. Member for :ITan-
trose has given notice that he will bring iihtier the
consideration of the House the system adopted by the
Crown, of dismissing Officers v.ithout Court-Martial,
and as he has named no particular day for that pur-
pose, I beg leave to ask what course he means to pur-
sue? Because, if the Hon. Member does not intend
to introduce the subject, I shall feel it my duty to
bring in a Bill to limit the discretion of the Croon
on that point.
Mr. HUME said he had intended long before tofu
a day for his proposed motion, but he did not take
that step because he was anxious that some Gentle-
man better calculated than he was to bring the sub-
ject forward should take it up. lie should thank 17's
lion. Friend if he would undertake the duty; and
knowing that he would do ample justice to it, he kit
the question with pleasure in his hands.
Colonel DAVIES then gave notice, that lie would
on Tuesday, the 21st of May, move for leave to biirß
in a Bill, to define, and, if necessary, limit the di .-
cretion of the Crown, with reference to the dismissal
of Officers without Court-Martial.
Lord PALMERSTON brought up a Return of all OfFrrrs
on the Foreign half-pay List : also a Return of all sums
money issued on account of corps of Yeomanry Cavalry in Urea:
Britain.—Laid on the table, and ordered to be printed.
The Irish Malt Duties Repeal Bill, and the Countervailing
Malt Duties Bills, were severally committed, and the Wpm!:
ordered to be received to-morrow.
'rite further consideration of the Report of the Superannua-
tiou fill was postponed to Friday next.—Adjourned.

A HINT.—MARTIN and Co. in a former Lottery,
when there were only Two Prizes of £20,000, Soli
them both in Shares.—Next TUESDAY is the Last Day
of Drawing the present Lottery, when both the
£20,000 Prizes now in the Wheel must be drawn.—
Warranted undrawn Tickets and Shares are on Saie
at MARTIN and Co.'s Offices, 8, Cornhill, and I`2o,
Oxford-street; and by their Agents in the Country.
A meeting, highly interesting to the inhabitants of
County of Middlesex took place on Tuesday at the
Queen's Head Tavern, Holborn, composed of Depu-
tations from the various Parishes in the County, con-
vened by the United Parishes of St. Andrew, Holborn,
and St. George the Martyr, to consider of the m2a-
sures necessary to be adopted in consequence of LI c
resignation of Mr. MAINWARING, the late Treasurer
of the County. The meeting was most numerously
and respectably attended. Statements of censiderabte
importance were made by Mr. TAYLOR, the Vestry
Clerk of St. Andrew, Holborn, and St. George the
Martyr, relative to the arrangements hitherto ru:-
sued in auditing and conducting the County account:.
Resolutions were passed, by which the Chairman
(Mr. MONTAGUE) and Mr. TAYLOR, were deputed to
solicit from the Magistracy of the County some es-
planation relative to the state of the accounts, on the.
iesignation of Mr. MAINWARING, and the extent t
securities available for the liquidation of the ultimate
balance. The meeting then adjourned for a tOrtitigbt,
to afford time for the necessary communication With
the Magistrates. The annual acc: unts during tt-,e
last four years averaged L'5O,COO.

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vernment of tbat costly ree at the gist Ike be 'the
Religion but b Rosin CatholliL To presu.or evert\ Feint
Frenchman-a Rom was frost unjust; but, dos of
such being the prestujiption, there was nu incon- lanced
sistency in saying, that members of the Romad Catbo- Bill wa
lic Church should be married according to its rites. to issue
In England, however, there was a gross and palpable denied

LONDON.

TIIURSD %V, APRIL IL 1822.
THE FUNDS.

STOCK EXCHANGE, TWELVE O'CLOCK.
Consols opened this morning at 783 for the Account, and 781
for Money, and have been done as low as 781 for the Account,
and are up to this hour 78; 3.
The above fluetuation, it is supposed, was owing to the great
disappointment felt in the City, particularly by the Monied Inte-
rot% in consequence of no question having been put to Ministers
Lit tight concerning the progress of the nezociation at Con-
t.uttinople, as it is supposed a number of persons bought Con-
ye,terday afternoon under the impression that something
would h..vc occurred in the House on the above subject ; but
feeling themselves greatly disappointed, they sold again this morn-
ing to make up their Account. The market appears very heavy.
Foniaux rt*NDL-A little business was doing in the earlier
part of the morning, but up to this hour it is rather flat.—Spa-
nish, New, 663; Prussian, 85 ; Danish, 85; Neapolitan, 68 ;
New Columbian, 85; Old ditto, 108.
STOCK EXCHANGE—ONE O'CLOCK.
It is reported on 'Change this moment that an Express is ar-
riv.l from Parii, bringing the Funds one per cent. higher.
P IC ES OF STOCKS AT ONE O'CLOCK.

Bank Stock '142 :am%
3re, tent. Reduced 7754 %
3re tt. ( «ins. 783/4 % 3/4-514 per Cts. 68 14
4 per Cents. 9434 14
5 per Cent. Navy Anns. 102% 14 %
Bank Long Annuities 1954 11-16
ladia Stock 242 24114—Bonds, 625.
ELL liequer Rills of £l,OOO, 6s. 4s.
Ditto Small, ss. Bs. pre.
Consols lot May, 78% % 5/8.

The French Papers of Monday leave the question
of peace or war between Russia and Turkey precisely
vhete it stood a fortnight age; that is to say, there
a:e 1:o decisive facts, but some collateral information
is certainly in favour of war. The following
are extracts: