Star.
London, England, 1823-05-17 00:00:00

HOUSE. OF COMMONS.

Mr. LA MBTON presented a Petition from the Portj of
Newcastle and South Shields, praying that no Toll might he
imposed on vessels passing up the River, on account of the
exertion of the Ntw London Bridge.
Mr. M. A. TAYLOR said, the idea of such a toll had been

entirely given up.—The Petition Was referred to the London
Bridge Committee.
Mr. BUXTON presented a Petition from Cromer, in the
County of Norfolk, praying that Slavery might be abolished in
the British dominions.
Similar• Petitions were presented from Halstead, and two
other places in Essex.—Ordered to lie bn the table.
' On the motion of Mr. HUME, i variety of Returns relative
to Newfoundland were ordered.—A Return of the Public Re-
venue collected in the Isle of Man in 1321 and'lB22, was or-'
doted, on the motion of the same limn Gentleman.
Mr. S. MICR presented a Petition from the Corporation of
the Chamber of • Commerce of the City of Limerick, praying
that a duty might be imposed on Foreign Yarn, for the protec-
tion of that of Irish manufacture.
Mr. IWSKISSON, in observing on the prayer of tl.ie Peti-
tion; said, that at sonic future period it might be proper to con-
sider the subject of bounties generally, by which the Public in-
curred a tax of about £300,000 annually. In place of being an
encouragement to home manufacture, they were frequently em-
ployed as the means of fraud.
Mr. ELI.ICE said, that the bounty on linen exported to their
own Colonies might very well be taken off; as they were suffl-
ciently able to pay the full price.—Petition laid on the table.
On the Motion of Mr. BROUGHAM a return was ordered of all
places held by John Wilkie, late of the Tax-Office, together with
the salaries attached thereto.

Mr. BROUGH A Al said, that a house was now erecting in
New-street, Spring-gardens. He understood it was for the use
of the Paymaster of Marines. He wished to know from the Right
Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Iluskissun) whether such was the case?
Mr. lIUSK ISSON *aid, he believed a house was erecting as
stated by the Hon. and Learned Gentleman. The matter, how-
ever, did out come under his department. If the object was to
accommodate the Paymaster of Marines, It was under the ma-
nagement of the Admiralty.
The !louse went into a Com mittee on the Registry ofVessels Bill.
Mr. HUSK ISSON said, the clauses relative to a new mode of
I admeasurement had been withdrawn, in consequence of various
difficulties suggested by parties best acquainted with the subject.
The House resumed, and the Report was ordered to be taken
into further consideration this day fortnight.
'l'hc Irish Grand Jury Presentments Bill was postponed to
'Wednesday next.
The Cochineal Duties Bill was read a first time, and went
through a Committee.—The Report was ordered to be received
on Wednesday next.
The Silk Manufacture Bill was ordered to be read a second
time on Wednesday next.
slr. BROUGHAM brought in the Beer Trade Bill, which
was read a first and second time, and ordered to be committed
on Friday next. The lion. Member took that opportunity to re-
fer to a Bill upon the same subject about to be introduced by the
Hon. Member fer Reading, and which evidently came from some
brewers, to enable them to sell by retail their own beer. Now,
his own Bill was to enable every person to sell beer, therefore
any Bill for a more limited object was superfluous. t would re-
semble the well-known expedient of a person who had two cats,
and who made two holes in his garden wall, a large and a small
one, to allow them to pass through—(A laugh). If the friends of
the smaller animal on the present occasion should think proper to
oppose Ms large and more general one, they were at full liberty
to do so; but he thought the House would see there would be
no necessity for the more confined measure if his Bill should pass.
The Masters and Appentices Bill was read a Ara and second
time, and went through a Committee, and the Report ordered
to be received on Wednesday next.
Lord F. OSBORNE presented a Petition from John Clarke,
of Skipton, In the County of York, complaining that he had been
imprisoned for two years in the jail of that county, and had been
kept to hard labour during the whole of that time ; had been re-
fused, on his discharge, any portion of the produce of bis 200 days
labour ; and complained of the punishment of the Tread-mill.
Mr. S. WORTLEY defended the practice of employing pri-
soners at the Tread-mill, and contended that it was perfectly
legal—The Petition was then ordered to be printed.
Lord F. OSBORNE also presented a Petition from Martin
Stapleton, a Justice of the Peace of the county of York, against
tke illegal punishment of the Tread-mill.
Mr. JAMES, in seconding the Motion that the Petition be
brought up, took occasion to express himself hostile to the em-
ployment of prisoners at the Tread-mill.
Mr. Secretary PEEL defended the employment of the pri-
soners at the Tread-mill, having received Reports from the medi-
cal attendant of every prison in which that practice bad been In-
troduced ; by these Reports it did not appear that any ill effects
could ensue to female prisoners from their employment at the
Mill—any law to prevent it was therefore uncalled for. He felt
it impossible, therefore, to concur in opinion with the Noble Lord
who had presented the Petition.
Mr. DENMAN considered the employment at hard labour
of persons committed for trial as an anticipation of punishment,
and therefore illegal.

Mr. S. WORtLEY defended the practice, and quoted the
22d Geo. 111. chap. 64. sec. 2. in support of his statement.
Lord MILTON apprehended that the Act quoted by his
Hon. Friend referred only to houses of correction.
Mr. Secretary PEEL believed the Noble Lord would find
the practice warranted by the 19th Charles 11. and he begged to
be distinctly understood as not opposed to the employment of
persons committed for trial.—The Petition was then ordered
to be printed.
On the motion of Mr. Davin GILSEHT, the Report of the
London Bridge Committee was ordered to be brought up on
Monday se'nnight.
The further consideration of the Confirmation (Scotland) Bill
•
was postponed to Wednesday next.
After a few words from Lord AICHLIALD HAWILTON, the
LORD ADVOCATE Of SCOTLAND, Mr. ABISCROMIIY, and Mr. Hum,
the further consideration of the Report on the Commissaries
(Scotland) Bill was postponed to Friday next.
Mr. WILMOT-HORTON presented a Petition from the In-
habitants of Newcastle-under-Line against Slavery.—Brought up,
read, and ordered to lie on the table. _ .

Mr. lIU3IE presented a Petition from a person of the name
of Butcher, in Dundee, complaining of injuries which he had
sustained from the operation of the Excise Laws. The injury
complained of had arisen front a dispute between the Collector
of the Excise and himself, as to whether his license expired in
December or January. The dispute bad first been referred to
the local Magistrate, but afterwards to Edinburgh, by which the
Petitioner was put to great expense.
The :LORD ADVOCATE said, that he had not before
heard of the case, or he would have caused same inquiry to
have been made. _

Mr. DRUMMOND was glad that the Hon. Member had
brought the subject before the Heine, for many cases of -great
injustice of a sinular kind had fallen under his notice.—The Pe-
tition was brought up, read, and ordered to lie on the table.
On the motion of Mr.Cantattn, it was ordered that the House,
on its rising, do adjourn till Wednesday.
Mr. CANNING presented certain Papers relative to the
Slave Trade, the titles of which were read, and the Papers or-
dered to lie on the table.