Star.
London, England, 1802-05-19 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

A Petition was prdented front the Grand jundlion Ca-al
Company againft the Petition profaned by the City of London
spina the markets for Horned Cattle in the neighbourhend of
the City. The Petition was referred to the Committee, and
Connie' ordered to be heard thIMMIL
Sir WILLIAM SCOTT mond diet the Report of the Commit•
tee on the Clergy Non-readmits /1111 be racked on Monday.
The Mutiny, Marine, and Minds ihialowas' Bills wort
read a third time and pawl.
The Report on the Scott! Midi 11111 was ordered to be re-
ceived on Titurfday.
Mr. ALIZAMDIII WIN* up the. Report of the Committee
relative to Reload *gar, Wilds was rod and spud toe "a

to the Geolcznea appointed to br.a: to
retalie to Lite Boo:Ric:ion Rzhned.iugar, to meke pro-
•I to dull-lm:.:o; Bill wai ordered to be read a fecond time
or: .

of a l'lnnittee, leaves was given to bring in
4 aincor: t!:e exi:tirg l'oar Laws in certain particular.
(hi the hlc.7i:ll of hi.. Li.r., the Bill for regulating kith
i'!,

1.•:. I.r I. ramtd, thzt Itave be given to bring !II another
pLrpc.:e, which, after Tome converfetion be-
t Hill. Mr. Dawfon, Serjeant Mors:Aunt, and
Mr. Sit.W27:, %V.i4 agreed to. _ _

1'..z3::-1:-.:20h7,7 of the Irifh Courts of Law EiU was pelt •
tt t::I
Conny.:::f c -n the Ira Mariners Encouragement Bill
-.vas :le kirce. 6'l to-inn:x.lw, and alto the Committee on the
I . id) Se,yr.rDrawba,k
11•: i'ontr. ;:tt e on the Acls rerpedirg Legalics reported
2.-n?rer., tq'ied leave to 4t a7ain on Thurfday.
1 i:e Ikryort oi tile Lottery lint was ordered to be received
to•r.:rrrr.v,

Mr..-%:.rnANnr P. brought up the Report of the Committee
Hative to t'' rilting Fund, which was read and agraed to,
z.ri a Bill nrdert,d.

_
N.r. N. VA:: en TART brought up a Bill to repeal the Stamr
Duties on Mediciaes, and impofe other Duties in lien thereof,
wbich was rear' a firft time, and ordered to be read a fecond
time :a-morrow.

The Hnufe in a Committee to cot fider of the Abts relative
to Duties on Auctions, CMG to a Refolution to exempt Goods
and N:erchandizes imported from the Bridal Colonies in Arne-
tita from the Duty on Aucrtiohs on the firft fate thereof.—Re-
port: to-morrow.
Mr. AL►:Aunrot brought up the Report cf the Committee
of z;upply. which was read and agreed to.
Mr. Wtc.:nA.e gave notice of his intention to move on Fri-
day next for leave to bring in a Bill to enable his Majefty to ac-
cept of the ((Triers of certain Volunteer Corps in Ireland.
The Committee on the Franking Bill was poftponed till W..
morrow. . .
The Committer on the frith Linen Bill was deferred till
Fri& y.

• COTTON MANUFACTORIES.
-11.4 Voufe then refoived itfelf into a Committee
oa the Cottc.n ManufaCtory Apprentice Bill.
Lord BP .GRA'/E laid, that fo tar from objating
to the principle of this Bill, he role only to urge
that its effects might be more widely extended.—
This Bill, he laid, was intended to make provifion
fcr the prefervation ofhcalth and morality among
the children employed in theCottonManufaaures.
The latter objcia, he laid, was provided for among
the Apprentices, but the children employed as
Free labourers were not comprehended in the pro.
7ifion. With regard to health, it was provided
for by ventilation, cleanlinefs, and prohibition of
night-work. The two fira of thefe articles could
only be obtained by enforcing the latter ' • and it
was t=rident that this could not be done, if the pro-
vitions of the Bill were coutined to Apprentices,
AS the Mannliaturers would have it in their power
to emnloy free labourers in their room ; a praEl'ce
atl al%y very general. He therefore oped the
Hen. Bart. (Sir Robert Peel), who moved the
bill would col:fent to have the bill extended to
theft free labourers likewife.

Sir ROBERT Pert, faid, that after the very gene-
ral approbation which had been bellowed on the
Bill in its former Rages, he was not a little fur-
prifed to hear objeftions flarted to it at prefent.—
Humanity had been the original motive which in-
duced him and his friends to introduce the prcfent
Bill ; but the Houfe ought not to be guided folely
by the momentary impulfes of Humanity, but alai
coolder whether that meafures which Huma-
nity diEtated would not be attained more effectually
by gradual improvements founded on experience,
Than !ey all at once introducing theoretical refor-
mations. Hamarity, it had been ftid, required
in extenfic a of the bill ; but did Gentlemen con-
hog. much this Bill at once effeeutd in the
caufe or Hnmauity ? Was it a fmall matter that
t.bent7 tboufand Children, who hitherto had been
abandoned to ignorance, were now to be initrad-
? that fo many children, before neglefted, naked,
ind given up to all manlier of profligacyi Ihould
now be inflruCted in Religion and Morality, made
good members of the Chriftian Church, and gold
fubjees of the Government ? Whether there im-
portant objeels were not attained by the Bill as
it now Ilood, he would leave. to the judgment
of the Houk. Some Amendments, he find, had
been propoled, which encroached on the fecrecy or
trade, and went to violate the freedom el indivi
duals to extend their commerce. With regard to
free htbottreri lie °mold he eery happy, if pornble,
to meet the ideas of the Nob Lord ; but he was
convinced that toty could not be carried into exc.
euti.-m, ithoitt the molt prejudicial ceammences
to trade.—Moll of the free labourers carried on
their work at their own hook!: ; and in that cafe, it
wonll be impoffible to prevent them from employ.
ing themfclves at night-Work. It was the privilege
of every Cottager, in this free country, to work
where and when he chore, by night or by day.—
With regard to the Cotton Mills, loch a regula-
tion mull he extremely prejudicial to them, as it
would interfere with the manner of employing their
machinery. In many places, it was found ablo-
lotely nezeffiry to keep the machinery in motion
by night as well as by day, and for this purpofe,
a different let of labourers was employed for tilde
•iiTzrent periods. It was right, he raid, that tip.
,:rent:ces, who were compelled to labour, fhould
have the periods of work and relaxation regulated
law ; but with regard to free labonrcrs, there
c iuld be no reafon why the Legiflature iliould in-
terfere in their voluntary talks. l'hofe Gentlemen,
he laid, who now were fo loud in the caufe of hu-
manity, had never before been heard to utter a
word on the prefcnt fubjeet. It was very hard,
ti—refore, that when the Manulaatrers came tor-
yard, and, actuated by motives of humanity, vo-
luntarily moved for refirietions on theraelves, there
Gentlemen Mould now flan up, and demand to
have there reftrietions extended.
Th.: ATTORNEY GENERAL raid, that it was his
opinion, that milers the provifions of the Bill were
extended, it would do more harm than good.—
The very fart of the extenfion being oppofed by
Manateturers on the ground that it would be pre.
oidicial to their interetts, was, with him, a reafon
•uhy it fhould be extended. It was a poor that
they polfeffed powers over the free labourers, which
oni;lit to be reltrifted. He laid, he would refer it
to the Houfe, whether it was not more conducive
to the welfare oldie children, that they thould be
re,ollar Apprentices, than hired by the month ?
Ind if !his was tho cafe, was riot the direet ten-
•:eiicy of the prefent Bill to deftroy Apprentice.
altogether ? Would not the ManufaCturers

employ children as flee lablurct ;, in place of Ap-
prentices, in order in'evitde the iaw ? Tilde oh-
je3ioas w,:re convincing to his mind : however he
lubmitted his opinion to the judgment of thole
who were better informed.

Sir ROBERT PEEL, in reply, fait, that Manufac-
tures carried on by Mills,were morebencficial to the
Revenue, than any other mode of performing the
labour and not only to the Revenue,but alfo to the
perfinis employed. They could work there with
much more comfort and advantage than at their
own honks ; hut the effect of the prefent Bill would
be to oblige the free labourers to do their nigl.t-
work at home, without the opportunity of taking
advantage of the machinery. He deprecated the
idea of tufting from the impulfe of feeling, and go-
ing beyond what experience warranted.—lf the
provitions of the Bill were more extended; they
would be going. forward entirely in the dark. He
concluded by acquainting thole who oppofed the
Bill in its prefent form, that if its provitions were
found inftifticicnt, he fhould next &Ilion again
bring it Inlnre the Houfe, aid fuck amendments
might then be made, as experience would juitify.
Mr. BURTON conceived it was even more necef-
fary to adopt Tome regulations with regard to this
defcription of children, than apprentices. Num-
bers of young boys, who had the liberty of going
about where they pleafed, led a life of depravity,
vice, and licentionfnels., Some of them were baf-
tard s, whom no parents would own : and others
were fold by their unfeeling parents, compelled to
work insloft unhealthy places, perhaps the greater
part of the night, when it was necelfary that youth,
in order to arrive at the vigour of manhood, thould
aijoy wholefome raft. Here they were brought
tip in ignorance of every thing etcept the praBice
of vice. He had occation, while Sitting as Judge
in the county of Chefter, to try feveral boys of
thi, defcription, who had been elarged with ca-
pital offences. It appeared that they ufed to go
and rob barges on canals•; that they tired to go in
'great parties to fairs, and with the utmoft dexterity
and management commit depredations, fame hav-
ing kept watch while others were thieving. There
were hundreds of thefe criminal and unhappy
wretches : and it was abfolutely neceffary to pro-
vide by law, that their habits and moralsk fo de-
al-0.-five to thcmfelves and to fociety, Mould be
correEted.

Sir ROBERT PEEL obferved, that filch a regu-
lation ought to be the fitbjea of a diftinet BM.
Lord STANLEY propofed an amendnient, that
the words " or other children employed in any of
manttfaaories" lhould be adJed.
Sir Rom; al- PEEL conlidered the limits of the
Bill Arcady littliciently fixed in a former debate, to
prevent the prcpufituon elan amendinent fo incon-
tinent with its Ipirit.—The amendment WAS with-
drawn.

Mr. FRERF wifhed that the Clergymen to be ap-
pointed vifitors under this Bill, fhould be thofe of
the Church t)f England.
Mr. STA N HOF E conceived that Inch a regulation
Would be very unfair towards thofe Dilfenters who
were proprietors of mannfaaorits.
Mr. VI:LEEK CE laid, that it was underflood
that the Reaors and Curates of the feveral parifhes
in whic:l manufaetories were fituated, sere to have
the right of inspecting them ; and that he fuppofed
would anfwer the &fire of the Hon. Gentleman.

An amendment was adnpted, that in cafe of a
cerain number of manufa6tories being fanated in
a of :ertain extern, the Magiltrates may at
(tarter &Ilion appoint vilitors, if Magitirates (hall
nut he refident within a cmvenient diltance of filch
matinfaduries.

On the motion of Mr. Burrox, a claufe was in-
troduced, that a medical perfon (hall be added to
the vifitors, Lit that he (hall not be permitted to
enter any rooms in which machinery may he placed.
After feveral other amendments of little impor-
tance being adopted, the Report was received, and
ordered to be further confidered on Thurftlay next.
—Adjourned.