Star.
London, England, 1812-05-14 00:00:00

MURDER OF MR. PERCEVAL.

This day the Members of both Houses of Parlia-
ment proceeded to Carlton House, the Lords at two,
and the Commons at three,with their respective A d-
dresses on the melancholy occasion of the ever to be
lamented face of Mr. PERCEVAL. The scene was of
course of the most solemn and impressive descrip-
tion ; but the Public will derive some consolation
from theconsideration, that in Parliament a conflict
of generous feeling only isk:isplayeck on this most
afflicting occasion. On, the Message of the Pancce
raorci being taken into consideration last night, it
Was proposed that the sum 0fZ50,600 should be given
to the family of the deceased, and in addition an
annuity of £2OOO per annum to Mrs. PERCLVAL, to
commence from the day of her husband's death.-
111 s. H. SUSINTER "moved to continue the annuity to
Mr. PERCEVAL'S heir after the death of Mrs. PERCE-
VAL ; which amendment was in the end carried by a
great majority.
Disposed as weare at all timesto view with a jealous
eye the expenditure of public money, there is no occa-
sion on which we call more sincerely congratulate the
countrythan on the wise and liberal spirit in which thi s
Parliamentary grant has been voted. Butwe ought
not to pass from the subject without taking the oppor.
tunity of shewing the absurdity of Sinecures and Re-
versions being permitted in future.
Has there ever been an instance, we would ask, in
which a British Parliament his refused to concur
pith the Sovereign in rewarding meritorious services?
for what purposes then, but for those of rewarding
Ministerial Dependents, or in other words, for those
of corruption in all its baneful ramifications, can a
Minister seek to retain the odious power of granting
sinecures and reversions? The handsome provision
made by Parliament for Mr. PERCEVAL'S family,
proves, we presume to hope, that the great reversion
of the Chancellorship of the Duchy of Lancaster,
which has how become vacant, will not be again filled
up. It has long been admitted by all parties, both in
and out of Parliament, to be an useless office ; and
in the present instance its emoluments have not re-
lieved the country from the duty of making a
provision for the surviving relatives of a deserving
individual who has just expired in its service.
—Let the income arming from this Office in future,
therefote, be -ransferrcd to the public purse. • Mi- I
nisters %might to come before Parlianfs•nt with a fair
and nialily ,;:hen they with to reward public
services—but let us hear no more of the Chancellor-
ship of the Duchy of Lancaster.

The Sheriffs, accompanied by several other Gen-
tlemen, visited Mr. Bellingham yesterday morning,
and found him nearly in the same state of mind as
the day preceding ; but on entering into conversa-
tion with him respecting the melancholyl subject of
'Mr. Perceval's assassination, he became less tran-
quil, persisted in vindicating the act, and said, when
his trial value before a Jury of his countrymen, it
would then be determined how far a Minister was
justified in refusing justice to an injured iadividt al.
Had he shot Mr. Perceval from peisonal malice he
should .have been worse than a brute. It was the
Minister, and not the man, that led him to commit
the deed. He further declared, that had he a mil-
lion of lives to lose, they would not prevent him
from pursuing his object in-the sirne way. Mr.
Rome, his Solicitor, had been with him. for two''
hours to receive instructions, preparatory to the trial,
which is set down for to-marrow, and he expresses a
wish N hare Mr. 13nm:waist and Mr. ALLEY, aiel
Counsel. He does not converse freely with the corn.
mon turnkeys. but has no objection to talk with others.
Peison, named Fidler, an old school-fellow, called
upon him and wit most cordially received upon being
recognised, hut did not remain knger than While the
turnkey staid. He has received some of the articles
tentioned in his letter to Mrs. Roberts, together with
a Prayer-book, which he occasionally looks into, par-
ticularly the Psalms. Every attention is paid to his
"Wort ; but no newspapers are allowed into his
it'ora, and two persons, as from the beginning, are
can stantly with him. Whenever his trial is men-
tioned, he declares iris confidence of acquittal, if
Justice be done ; .and,' what is not very customary,
Mr. LITCHFIELD, the Solicitor for the Treasury, has
personally intimated to him, that his. trial is to come
on to.morrow. He was not diware that it could be
brought on so soon ; and having sent to the country
for sonic papers which he considers necessary for his

LONDON.
THURSDAY, MAY 14.

PRICE OF STOCKS 11-11 i DAY Al' ONE O.CLOCIL:
3 per Ct. Cons. for money 6I—Do. act. Glt 51'
S per Ct. Reduced 631--4 per Cent. 741
6 per Ct. 911i—Scrip pre.—Long Anna. 151 7-1611ta
Exch. Bills par Is. (31.1.) pr.—Bun par Is. pr.

Nothing is as yet known, with any kind of cer-
tainty, as to the Ministerial arrangements that will
be rendered neCessarAy the death of Mr. PERCIIVAL.
The reports are various, and we can only mention
reports.—The following names and places have been
handed about :—Earl LIVERPOOL, First Lord of the
Treasury; Marquis WELLESLEY and Mr. CANNING,
Foreign Secretaria • of State ; Lord HOLLAND, Home
Deirariment; Mr. Hus lasso/4, Chancellor o ftheExeherier;
Earl MOIRA, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
Another reportstates, that it is probable that Earl
BATHURST may be appointed First Lord of the Trea-
sury, and that Mr. Anaorr, the Speaker, will be
called to the situation of Chancellor of the Exchequer.

In the interim, it. is said that Lord CASTLZRZA
*ill conduct the ordinary business in the House of
Cominons, and that Mr. VANSITTART will attend to
the Financial department.

On this business there was a Cabinet Council this
day, which sat till one o'clock t but nothing was suf-
feed to transpire.

That NAPOLEON has tor some time been prepared
to take his departure from Parii for his army in the
North has been confirmed by all the accounts lately
received from Paris, and was very generally inferred
from the circumstance of his having, as on precious
occasions, sent a flag of truce to this country. This
event, we are now assured, has actually taken place.
So long ago as the-sth instant be set off for Dresden,
and the letter which furnishes this important infor.
mation adds, “ Now, indeed, may you expect to hear
of truly luteros4os ovate'