Star.
London, England, 1823-04-11 00:00:00

CROWN DRBTORS.

Mr. HUME moved for an account of the number
of Crown Debtors, and of persons confined for con-
tempt of Court since 1819. He stated, that he knew
of persons who -had suffered a long confinement for
the small sum of twenty pounds. The remission of
the debt generally depended on the favour of the
Crown. In 1820, 31 persons had been confined for
contempt, one of whom, of the name of Hannah Bar-
ber, had been confined for 31 years while many had
suffered an imprisonment of ten and fifteen years.—
He thought it a cruel case that such a power should
be vested in the hands of a Lord Chancellor, or of any
one. Such 4 state of the law ought not to be tole-
rated in a Christian country. -
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL stated, that by the
Insolvent Act, persons charged with contempt, for
not paying money, were entitled to the same relief as
any other debtor. As to other contempts, the party
had only to submit to the order of the Court, and
then he would be entitled to his release. The great
mass of Crown debtors were confined for penalties on
account of breaches of the Revenue Laws. If such
debtors should be entitled to the same relief as other
debtors, it would be impossible to collect the Revenue.
But even in the case of such debtors an indulgent ear
was always lent to applications by the Lords of the
Treasury, when the debtor appeared to have suffered
a sufficient punishment.
Mr. PEEL begged to disclaim any idea, like that
attributed to him b 1 the. Hon. Member for Aberdeen,
of apportioning certain quantities of imprisonment
to the liquidation of certain penalties. The, lenity of
the Crown would always be freely dispensed, but it
could be dispensed only with a due regard to the
circumstances of particular cases. Some portion'
of imprisonment, where a fine was not paid, became
absolutely necessary; because, if fines were not ex-
acted, of course they would cease to be paid altogether.
Dr. LUSHINGTON thought that the law as it at
present stood called loudly for amendment.
Mr. RICARDO thought that the Judge, and not
the Minister of the Crown, should decide upon the
nature and the extent of the punishment. The mo-
tion was agreed to.
After a few words from Mr. Hums, the returns
were ordered to be produced.
Sir J. BOUGHRY asked leave to bring in a Bill for enlarging
the powers of Justices of the Peace, as to the determination of
questions between Masters and Servants.
Dr. LUSHINGTON obtained lime to bring in a Bill for
consolidating the laws relative to the Slave Trade.
At the suggestion of Mr. BTIIII, the second reading of the
Registry of Vessels Bill was postponed until the 18th inst.
Mr. HUME (to complete certain documents before the
House) moved for a Return of the Annual Revenue and Expels-
diture of Great Britain, from the Sth of January, 1792, to the
sth of January, 1798.—Agreed to.
The House then adjourned at Half-past Seven o'Clock.

I owmen? Der:oath—From a Return made to Parliament, it
appears that in the last four years there have been discharged,
of Insolvent Debtors, from the Debtors' Prison far London
and Middlesex, 1,960.—0 f these, 828 were confined between
one and two montbs-426 between two and three-304 between
three and four-227 between four and five-915 between five and
six-53 between six and seven--37 between seven and eiglit-
-14 between eight and nine-8 between nine and ten-4 between
ten and eleven-5 between eleven and twelve-4 between twelve
and thirteen-2 between thirteen and fourteen.—Tee were con.
fined for periods considerably more than one year; and of these
one had been siz years and eleven months 1u prison, and one
ten years and three months.
From a curious document just published by order of Parlia-
ment it appears, that front July, 1820, to December, 11122,
15,698 debtors have applied to be discharged under the Insolvent
Acts ; and that of these NS have been finally remanded. The
total amount of the sees for which the whole number of 15,5911
were arrested is .C 1,077,587 40.9 d. of the sums owing by them
.010,579,149 12s. ad. of assets received and divided amongst the
creditors, £15,454 Bs. ad. or only one seven hundred and seventy-
one part of the whole sum indebted, the dividend not being one
halfpenny in the pound.
W ESTM I N STFR MEETING TO OPPOSE THE INSOLVENT
Dawrons'AcT.— Yesterday, pursuant to public notice,
a General Meeting of the Merchants, Traders, and
others, of Westminster, was held in Willis's Rooths,
King-street, St. James's, but was not very numerously
attended. At half-past one o'clock Mr. Hosnouss
took the Chair, supported by Sir FRANCIS BLIEDSTT,
and several other distinguished Electors of Westmin-
ster. A Petition of considerable length was then read,
intended to be presented to the House of Commons,
praying the matter to be taken into their consideration.
A desultory discussion arose, and it appeared to be
the opinion of the majority of the Meeting, that the
Petition should be' more inquired into, and for that
purpose a motion was made, seconded, and carried
unanimously—that it should be printed and circulated.—Seve-
ral Gentkmen were proposed to form a Committee, with power
to add to their number; and after some further conversation, it
was agreed upon tbat a Meeting should be again held that ay
fortnight.—Thanks being voted to Mr. Holum:se, who briefly
expressed his acknowledgmenu, the Assembly broke up.

... ..

Tii E

K,..N1

ETA'

k 1-!;
LONDON. .
•
FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1525.

THE FUNDS.
STOCK EXCHANGE, ONE O'CLOCK.
There has been a considerable quantity of business done to-
day. Consols opened at 741, and 75, and have gradually risen
up to this hour, when they are 753 buyers. This is the day of
paynient, and, there is nut even a rumour of any defaulters.---
I Spanish Bonds are also on the rise. They opened at 28, and
I have got up to 29, with more doing in thew thanthere bas been
for some time. Colontiiian has varied a little. being .583, it Is now
at 59. A Morning Paper quoted the French rentes at 82f. 75c.
but it appears that this is not correct. Later accounts mention
the price as 80f. 20c. Either the antes ou the day in question
did not get up to 82f. 75c. and the whole thing leaf a hoax, or,
they suddenly rose to that height and afterwards as suddenly
fell, without any adequate discoverable cause.
FOREIGN DS.

-
Current Prices: Chilian 66), New Spanish 28) I 4 29) 29),
Old Spanish 36, New Prussian 79), Old Prussian 80), Russian
711) 73, Danish 82, Colombian 59.

PRICE OF STOCKS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Bank Stock 206 1-3 per Cent. Reduced, 71% Ya
3 per Cent. Consols 75 71 % 75 %
31,E per Cents. 863/4 Y 8 •
4 per Cents. Old, 9214 A
4 per Cents. New, 921,E 7/8
Bank Long Annuities, 18 15-16, 19 1.16
Imperial 3 per Cents. 743/. 75%
India Stock 239 239 14—India Bonds 30s. 31s.
Exchequer Bill's of £l,OOO, 145. 16s. -
Ditto Small 17s. premium
Consols for Account 71% % 75% % 3/4

We have received, this forenoon, Bayonne Papers
to the Sd instant. It will be seen from the snbjoined
extracts that the preparations for passing the Bidassoa
were then on the eve of completion. The Paris
Papers of Tuesday, which came to hand last night.
state that intelligence had been received there, by
telegraph, of the passage having been actually ef-
fected on the 7th. Marshal VICTOR still remained
at Bayonne, and evidently in a very awkward situa-
tion. He went to the Army gazetted as Major-Ge-
neral; but it does not appear that the Duke of As-
GoyLame even admitted him to his presence; and at
a grand review of the troops on the 2d, be " did not
go out." All the Orders of the Day continued to
be countersigned by Gutu.autsor, as Major-Ge-
neral ; and his Royal Highness took every opportu-
nity of evincing the undiminished favour wkicb the,
General enjoys.
BAYONNE; APRIL 3.

We have no news from Spain to-day. The Mail
has,• probably, been stopped by the Royalists who are
posted at Bergara, and have had an engagement
with the Constitutionalists, the result of which is not
known; but it was probably of small importance, as
there are but few troops of either parts in that quar-
ter. Zabala has made a movement, the object of
which appears to be •to join his little corps to the
Army of the Faith, as soon as it shall appear on the
Spanish territory.

General O'Donnell arrived here the day before
yesterday, doubtless to take the orders of the Duke
of Angouleme. It remains to be seen whether, on
his return to the troops' under his command, they
will execute them, for it is certain that they do not
seem well disposed to obedience.
We learn from Irun that the Political Chiefs of
the Spanish frontiers have had a meeting at Mon-
dragon to concert the final arrangements for re-
moving all provisions, forage, cattle, carriages, &c.
and withdrawing the inhabitants into the interior in
order to leave the country bare. This measure, in
fact, has already been executed in •part, for private
individuals have sent away all 'their ?Arable effects,
particularly provisions, at a'distance from the pro-
bable scenes of military operations.
It seems that this want of resources is foreseen by
our Commander-in-Chief, for measures are taken to
send to the front provisions and other necessaries for
the army ; 200 waggons loaded with such articles are
to leave the city to-morrow, and at least an equal
number every succeeding day. The want of horses
is much felt, and those which have brought the pon-
toons here have been purchased at a high price. The
poatooneers have arrived here, and passed through
without stopping, as well as the battalion of the 7th
of artillery. The park of artillery at Pau has orders
proceed to the Bidassoa, to cover the erection of
the bridge. The division of Autichamp, which it is
said will be one of the first to enter Spain, will occupy
all the coast, including Bilboa. The line of tele-
graphs is completed, and was to be tried to-day, but
the fuggy weathet has prevented it.

Two English ships have entered our port; they
hare on board 506,000 piastres, and they are con-
signed to M. Berlin, agent of the house of Rothschild.
The destination of this money is not known, but it is
supposed to be for, the disbursements of the Army of
1 the Faith.
We have had, almost at the same time, three Orders
of the Day. which. are not public, but are neverthe-
Jess official. The first announces to the soldiers the
arrital of the Prince, and his satisfaction at the good
discipline of the army. The Prince says, also, that
he shall always be at the head of the troops. and that
he will lead them to the field of honour. The tecond,
of the Ist of April, says, the head-quarters of the
first corps, under Marshal Oudinot, are going to be
removed to Sorogne, and that the Prince will riiove
his in a few days to St. Jean de Luz. Lastly, the
third, that a column of Spanish prisoners, taken by