Star.
London, England, 1824-04-14 00:00:00

MISCELLANEOUS.

Mr. KENNEDY asked whether the Report respect-
ing the Scotch Courts was likely to be in the hands of
Members before the end of the recess?

Mr. Secretary PEEL said it would, and that he should
propose measures founded on such Report.
Mr. HUME presented a Petition from merchants of
Montrose, in favour of the Oil Gas Bill.
Sir J. ACKINTOSH complained of the unusually
late hour (seven o'clock) to which private practice was
protracted.—No comment made.
Mr. DAWSON moved for Returns of the number of
Tread-mills in England and Wales, the diameter of the
wheels, the number of steps taken by the prisoners, &c.
—Ordered.

Sir J. MACKINTOSH presented a Petition from the
Missionary Society, complaining of the trial of, and
sentence on, one of their Missionaries. He would ab-
stain from comment at the present time; the time for
observation would hereafter arrive. The Petitioners
disclaimed all intention of desiring to interfere with the
legislation of the Colonies; they only wanted to maintain
the independence and security of their Missionaries.
Mr. WILMOT-HOItTON regretted that the present-
ing of the Petition, as well as the discussion of it, bad
not been reserved until the minutes of Mr. Smith's trial
were before the House. If he abstained at present from
commenting upon the document produced, he must be
understood as not thereby precluding himself from ex-
posing, on a. future occasion, the extreme inaccuracies
with which it abounded. Honourable Members, in re-
serving their observations for the present, would do well
also to reserve their opinions: he (Mr. Wilmot-Horton)
believed that the Petitioners might have no wish to de.
ceive ; but in many points, they hid (past question)
been grievously deceived themselves ; and he doubted
Touch, if they had exercised a sound discretion in the
course they had pursued.—Petition brought up and nod.
Colonel TRENCH presented a Petition from the re-
sident Nobility, Gentry, and Occupiers of Land in the
county of Roscommon, in Ireland, praying for the con-
tinuance of the Bounty on the export of low priced
Linens, and a Duty on the importation of Foreign

Mr. HUME presented a Petition from the Ministers
and Elders of Dundee, praying an inquiry into the
treatment lately experienced by a Missionary in the
Island of Demerara, and the State of the Slaves in the
West Indies, with a view to the gradual Abolition of
Slavery. The Hon. Gentleman gave notice, that he
would, on the 3d of June, bring forward a motion on
the subject, which would include the principle of com-
pensation to the slave owners; and that on the 23d of
May, he would bring forward the motion of which he
had previously given notice, relative to the Church Es-
tablishment of Ireland.
Mr. CURWEN presented a Petition from certain
Holders and Dealers in Foreign Grain, praying that
the bonded corn now in this country might be ad-
mitted to sale. The Hon. Gentleman said, unless the
prayer of the Petition was complied with, the ports
would probably open for the importation of foreign
corn on the sth of August next.
Dr. PHILLIMORE moved for leave to bring in
a Bill to amend the laws respecting the Marriages and
Burials of Roman Catholics in England, and the Regis-
try of the Births of their children. The object of the
Bill he said, was to relieve Roman Catholics, whose
marriage in this country, by their own Clergy, at pre-
sent is not valid. He proposed that the banns of mar-
riage of Roman Catholics should be published in the
Protestant Church as at present, b'ut that the Roman
Catholic Priest should be allowed to perform the cere-
mony, on obtaining a certificate from the Protestant,
Minister that all the requisites had been complied with.
Another object of the Bill was, to register the Birth of
Roman Catholic children ; and another was, to provide
for the Burial of Roman Catholics.

After some observations from the SOLICITOR-GENE-
RAL, Mr. MONCK, and Mr. GmsEnT, leave was given
to bring in the Bill.
Mr. F. BUXTON moved for Copies of several Pro-
clamations and legal Proceedings respecting the treat-
ment of Slaves in the West Indies.

Mr. T. WILSON thought it unnecessary to continue
to agitate the subject, which might be left in the hands
of his Majesty's Ministers.
Mr. HUME was astonished the Hon. Gentleman
should object to the House receiving the fullest infor-
mation on a subject so important —he was confident more
injury would be done to the West India Interest by with-
holding information than could possibly be effected by
any other means.—The Motion was then agreed to.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL obtained leave to
bring in a Bill to enable infants to transfer money in the
Funds, under the direction of the Court of Chancery.