Star.
London, England, 1812-07-24 00:00:00

FRENCH PRISONERS.

Lord SIDMOUTH, in moving the second read-
ing of the Prisoners of War Escape Bill, observed,
that a Noble Peer had on a former day moved for a
return of the names of the French prisoners of war,
who had escaped by violating their parole. The ac-
count was now on their Lordships' table, and it pre-
sented a catalogue disgraceful to the individuals
whose names it contained, disgraceful to the Go.-
vernment they served, and disgraceful to the country
to which they belonged. It was a subject of great
gratification to observe the splendid contrast present-
ed by the conduct of English prisoners of war.—
They, though prizing liberty with as much ardent
warmth as could live in the heart of man, prized one
thing still more than liberty—their own personal ho-
nour—and proved themselves as superior to the offi-
cers of France in this respect, as they had before
proved themselves in every branch of service. While,
however, he awarded this just tribute of praise to the
Officers of our Army and Navy, it was his painful
duty to add, that equal praise could not be given to
all the subjects of this realm. Within the last three
years, no fewer than 461 French Officers had escaped
from this country, and escaped through the means of
English subjects. They could not have escaped, had
they not been assisted by English subjects, who for
this great offence, as the law stood at present, were
only liable to suffer a penalty of fine and imprison-
ment. It was even held to be a bailable offence,
and there had been instances known of individuals car-
rying on the disgraceful practice, even while they
were held to bail for a former offence. This, which
he thought was almost, if not quite, high treason, he
thought ought to be more severely punished. He
was not disposed to make it a capital offence. The
Bill, of which he was about to move the second read-
ing, went to make it a uansportable offence, leaving
the period of transportation to be determined accor-
ding to the nature of the case. He concluded by mo-
ving the second reading of the Bill.
The LORD CHANCELLOR wished the sub- j
jects of tLs country to be made acquainted with the
peril to which they exposed themselves by engaiting
in this practice. If it was not an act of High
Treason to assist prisoners of war in making their ,
escape, he would stake all he had of reputation that
it came as near it as any thing could come, not to ,
incur the penalty of High Treason. He thuught it
right that this great and enormous offence should be
more severely punished than it could be by the exist-
ing laws. And if the present measure should not be
found to put a stop to the practice, it would be neces-
sary to proceed still farther. He should vote with
the greatest satisfaction for the Bill at present before
the House.
Lord DARNLEY said, the Bill had his cordial
assent. He hoped it would prove effectual, but ex-
pressed surprise that some such measure had not been
adopted before.
Lord MELVILLE observed, that though the
number of French prisoners who had violated their
parole had been very considerable, from the com-
mencement of the war, yet it was not till within the
last year that the number had become so very great
as to appear to call for any new Legislative amend-
ment.

The Bill was then read a second time, and com-
mitted for to-morrow.
PRAOE PRESERVATION RILL.
Lord SIDMOU min moving the second reading
of the Peace Preservation Bill, wished the Report of
the Secret Committee to be read, pre forma ; in order
that it might hereafter distinctly appear on what they
had legislated. His Lordship did not wish to go at
great 'ength into the subject, as it was proposed to
put off the discussion on the Bill to a future stage of
it, for the convenience of a Noble Lord who was ab- '
sent; but he thought it necessary generally to state
what the case was, and what the nature of the Bill.
His Lordship then proceeded to describe the late dis-
turbances, and to point out their must prominent and
alarming characteristic& The substance of his state-
ment has been so often before the Public, that it is
not necessary to repe.it it here. He however added
to his general description of tbb disturbances, that
within the last fortnight eight affidavits had been re-

cetved
commit
turbances
moment
stead
Lid
hale
bly
disposed.
cond •
Thy
dissent
furti-
Orders
that •
the
Lor,
time
and
mittei
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sincer,

Lon
meths
.he wished it to be und:rstood, that he objected I,
it ix tok.

After some further conversation between 14e
SLDMOUTH and HOLLAND,

Lord STANHOPE declared he would neve me
for a Bill which went against the Constitseke life
the present. He disapproved of giving nt to
search by night. How were the inhabitantsotthon
districts to distinguish the officers of dm law, An
they came at night, Irons hous...bre4lers and not,
deters t It was said the Cons able would It lens,
That was the very thing he was .:frail of; sad he
wondered how it could have escaped Governing
that it would be easy for the rioters, known ;he
person of the Constable, to setae him and carry Itisk
about with them to strip the distr.ct of arab. At
such a time, he thought they should rathet armthii
disarm the inhabitants. If, however, it was arca-
sary to search for arms, why, if all w is right, oluli
not the search be made by day as well as by night!
The Bill was then read a second time, and con.
milted for to-morrow.

Some conversation followed between Lords Sm.
MOUTH and HOLLAND respecting the Corres, aces
of Lieutenant-General Maitland. Lord Houma
wished for its production ; and Lord .)104 us
stated, that he should feel it his duty to °ppm ay
motion to that effect.
On the Order of the D ly being read for golig ie.
to a Committee on the Clandestine Marriage Btil,
The LORD CHANCELLOR moved, At as
amendment, that the House should go into the Co..
mittee on that day three months.
The Amendment was agreed to. The Bill is d
course lost.—Adjourned.

ed by his Majesty': Covernment or new
unitted in the disl tubed districts, se that,
sances might be said to continue lip to the pia
rnent. If, however, this was nct the case-4.4.
id of nnii outrages coming to their knowledt , ill
apreared to be perfectly calm, he should et,A
e conte ided that the present Bill was indispet
necessary for the Kearny of the loyal an
posed. With this fueling, he should more the*
Id leading of the Bill.
Re Earl of GROSVENOk did not altogedo
rent hom ttie Bill, but he could have wished this
her time had been given for the revocation of the
Sera in Council to operate, as he should hope th •
t measure would have had the effect of
replied, that to give Ned*
_porreasesnitDßmoill uunnTecHess
e would be to give further time for assassiattiog
I robbery. Too many outrages had been task
:tei since the revocation of the Orders in Coeuka,
tdmit of the measure being delayed. He form;
:erely wished it could be passed that night.
Lord HOLLAND did not wish to dines the
tits of the Bill at present ; bur, at the same bet,
wished it to be nod...nand-lA_ th