Star.
London, England, 1809-05-27 00:00:00

CRIMINAL CODE-

Sir S. ROMILLY rose, in pursuance of a motion which he had
given, to move for a Return of the Persons committed to the va-
rious Prisons in the Empire., and of those who had been for va-
rious offences convicted and punished for the same. So far back
as the year iSO2, at least as to the convictions. The object of
the Honourable and Learned Gentleman in making this motion
was, that he may be enabled to submit to the House from such
informrion, a proposition for altering the criminal law of the
country, so far as would diminish the severity of the punishments
at present in force, and yet augment their certainty in the cases
where they should be applied. If he could have flattered himself,
that lie might in the present Session introduce such a measure of
alteration with effect, he certainly would have done 41; but it was
unnecessary far him to star the particular reasons which rendered
it impracticable. lie would, however, early in the ensuing Ses-
sion, bring forward a measure to alter the criminal laws, which
was different, he said, in practice, from what it was in the statute
books. The lion. and Learned Member, after some further state-
ments, concluded by naming—

" 'f hat an humble Address he presented to his Majesty, that
he would be graciously pleased to direct that there be laid before
this House a return of the males and females committed to the
different prisons in Fogland, Wales, and Ireland, for the years
1805, 11406, 1807, and 180 s, distinguishing their crimes, the son-
victions,and the capital punishments which haveensued upon rhos,
convictions. And also a return of the male and female convicts,
w::0, during the same years, had been transported, together with
the periods for • :hich they had each been transported; and fur •
tber, a return of the number of .:onvicts transported to New
South Wales,.from the commencement of that colony, with an
account of suck as had returned from transportation, the time of
their convicaon, and dates of embarkation, and an account of the'
period they may have been confined in the hulks previous to trans-
portation."
Thr Hon. and Learned Gentleman observed, that greatly dan-
gerous effects arose from the let ter intermediate kind of punish-
ment, namely, imprisonment for a long period after sentence of
tratisportatioo had been passed.
Mr. JENKINSON did not think the returns could be made to
the ratt.nt desired by the Hon. and Learned Mceober.
_ _

Mr. ABERCROMBIE stated at some length the necessity of
such information relative to the colony of New South Wales, as
would lead to its limer regulation. lie should at some future
period move for a Committef on that subject.
Lord CASTLEREAGII remarked upon the d'fficulty of admi-
nistering that colony at the present moment. He should, how-
ever, state to the House that Government were taking the most
prudent steps towards introducing a nrw order of things in that
quarter, and to regulate the conduct of those concerned in its ad-
ministration. They were folly resolved to do justice in every par-
ticular as far as related to the transactions which lately occurred
in the colony.
After a few words from Mr. \VILBERFORCE and Mr.
HO RNER,

Sir S. ROMU.I.Y withdrew that part of his motion relating to
the return of c.ommitrnents for the purpose of renewing it in ano-
t'an way to-morroty.
•
'1 he motion iv all as other parts was agreed to.

A tncssage fror. Lorilb ;;i•iifiet! that their Lort!air aid not
insi4t on lite amendment propoinitl by them to the Com-
pletion Bin. 'nit Linidships els° declared their awn: to a num.
Ler of private

ROYAL NIESAGE.
Tht CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
brong!it down t:ie following Message from his Ma-