Star.
London, England, 1827-04-06 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

4 —ow--
HOUSE OF LORDS, Aran S.
Mr. Quires, from the Treasury, presented an swami of the
number of vessels entered front, and cleared out for, the ports of
Denmark and Sweden, and other northern ports, within the last

OM year'.
The Marl of MALMESBURY presented a Petition from the
Owners and Occupiers of Land, in the vicinity of Hythe, in the
county of Seat, praying that no akeration might be made in the
existing Corn Laws.
Lord CLIFDEN presented a Petition from the Roman Catholic
Inhabitants of New Row Ireland, praying foe the repeal or aosentl-
mast oldie Vestry Law. The Noble Lord observed, that dace so
much bad bees already said upon the oppressive nature of the Vestry
Act, by a Noble Lord (Holland), wham be was happy to see in his
place, he would nee now trouble their Lordships with further oh-
serrations upon the subject. He would earnest himself with say-
ing, that the Law was certainly inconsistent la many, and, peek/pig,'
oppressive in all its parts. The Roman Catholics were called upon
to pay, not only foe the building and repairing Marches foe the
Protestants, but also tweed occasionally, to a large mount, foe Sa-
cramental wine. Ho granted, that an appeal was allowed to those
. .

who had conceived tbentillbef aggrieved, nut that was renskilaing.
gatory, inasmuch as it was loaded with an expense of one Immered
pounds. A Right HOW. Baronet (Sir John Newport) who WM am
of the most able and most honest of the Representatives of tie peo-
ple, had, in the other Houserbrought in a Bill to amend the Act,
against which the petitioners complained; and from what passed
there in debate, he rejoiced to sty, that he thought it extremely pro.
bablethat that Right Hon. Baronet would receive great support.—
The Noble Lord then presented similar Petitions from three differ.
ent parishes in the county of Kilkenny.
The Earl of ROSSI.YN presented Petitions from Tubers, and
five other parishes, in the county of Rosa, against any alteration in
the Corn Laws.
Lord MELVILLE said, that he had before addressed their
Loeiships upon the subject of the Promissory Note Bill, and ex.
pressed his surprise that Scotian/ was included within the sphere
of its operation, and that Ireland was not. He thought there could
be no objection to extend the operation of the Bill to the.last men-
tioned country.
Lord BEL MORE presented a Petition from the Roman Cad*.
Iles of the County of Fermanagh, in Ireland, praying foe the re-
motel of Catholic disabilities. The Noble Lord said, that, as he
bad already called their Lordships' attention to the subject-matter
of the Petition, when he, through mistake, presented that, ad-
dressed to the House of Commons, he wood not then trespass an
their Lordships' time, by making any obearvadons.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE presented a Petition against any
alterations in the Corn Laws from the Owners and Occupiers of
Land in the vicinity of Cuzford, in the County of Nottingham.
SIMON Gun' SILL.
Lord SUFFIELD rose, and moved the Order of the Day. After I
what passed last night, the Noble Lord said, he would propose an
amendment, to the effect of making the enactment general. The
Noble Lord then moved, that the words " within woods, wood
grounds, plantations, and underwoods:' should be omitted.
Loll EL LE NBOROUG H, in considering the proposed amend-
menu, was very anxious to know what meaning the Noble Lord
(Suffield) attached to the word •4 engine." If by that term was
meant any thing that was cakulated to inflict grievous bodily harm,
he conceived that infinite confusion must arise from the use of it.
The Noble Lord then alluded to spikes and broken glass as coming
under the definition, and argued that the thief who broke into a
garden could only be punished by a month's imprisonment, while
the owner of the garden would, provided the thief were hurt by the
spikes or glass which welt used to protect his property, be
liable to the penalties of a misdemeanour, as well as to an action
of damages. He, therefore, wished that the term engine should
either be left out, or in some way qualified.
Lord SUFFIELD, in answer, observed, that, at a time when
mechanical knowledge was so generally diffused, so Jury would
consider broken glass bottles as engines. Perhaps, however, the
introduction of " latent" before the word ° engine" might satisfy
the Noble Lord (Ellenborough).
The LORD CHANCELLOR said, the Noble Lord (Suffield)
appeared to have mistaken the question of another Noble Lord
(Ellenboroogh). He (Lord IBlenberoogh) wished only to acorn
Lord Suffield's interpretation of the word 0 engine."
The Earl of SHAFTESBURY said, that one question before
their Lordships was, should the words" and declared," stand after
" &acted ?"
Some conversation here took place across the table, which was
completely inaudible below the Bar. The House was then cleared,
but no division took place. •
On our re-admission, we found the Earl of Rosuatm contending
that their Lordships were adopting a very loose mode of legislation,
in leaving the word "engine" undefined, and were presuming
what they ought not to do, that Juries would always judge as they
should.

The LORD CHANCELLOR said a few words on the difSculty
of proving intention. These engines might be set independent of
any intention of inflicting bodily harm.
Lord SUFFIELD was anxious that the word " engine" should
stand in the Bill as a comprehensive term. It comprehended every
' species of mechanical contrivance. The Noble Lard then pro.
seeded to describe some engines, which were neither guns nor man-
traps, and yet were calculated to inflict grievous bodily harm.—
In Norfolk, spring guns were often sprung and stolen. The modes
In which this was done were very ingenious. Sometimes it was
elected by driving in the owner's cattle, and sometimes by the use
of long poles. These guns were nut unfrequentiy set again ; and,
the keepers, or innocent people, fell victims iu consequence. A
Gentleman in Norfolk, had contrived to have something in the
shape of a shell attached to these spring guns, which exploded when
any attempt to lift them was made. In Norfolk, it was customary
to stax wooden figures of pheasants to the boughs of trees, in order

to deceive the poachers, that the keepers might be alarmed wlthoitt
injury •to the birds. Some ingenious Gentlemen bad attached
shells to diode figures, which, by their fall, released a apdagthat
Ignited the powder, and the shell exploded, carrying death and
destruction all around. He hoped that Noble Lards, there-
fore, would aerate to the use of this word, as no ether could tom.,
prebend the various instruments which the lagensity of ma might
Invent for destruction.
Karl ROSSL YN wished that all words except those which bore
directly or, the intent should be left eat of the SUL The words
he alluded to were, a calculated to destroy human life, or billet
grie•oas bodily harm."
Lord HOLLAND contended that the object of the WI would
be completely defeated by leaving out those tweeds. He thought
that whoever made use of such diabolical eaglets-a-ft mattered
not with what totent--dtould be liable to the peoskles of a mis-
demeanour.

Lord SUFFIELD concurred entirely with the Noble Lord
(Holland), and mnreatad such of their Lonlships as wished the me
of spring 4uns tube iliolished, to suffer these words to remain.
Strangers were again excluded, and the Howe divided on the
question' that those words do stand repast of the Bill, wbsu there
appeased,
Contents a in—Non contents . 15 I Majority . •
On the motion of Lord Surrnu.a, a clause was added, by which
as/ insomlnglly Amin

ipsing gosts.lie. di eitbso.ilioadinfteid
&feral oduriegietbrista were pespeeed and Wow&
The Alaterits et LAWSDOWN repressed a hope die s.
exempting lestessi'Rem the °petition of the l IU weettliet
duced by some Robb Lord. As the BM at present stook* it
could not set a trap in hk house, which waoshebsollyegeigety
the principle of the Bill itself, which proposed Dot to Adage eel
tour of his right to do that by engine whicis be could do hale own
person.
The Hours resumed, and the Report was ordered to be received

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
rower ZIACTION
The Howe was occupied till past five o'clock In ballads* foe
Committee to try the merits of the Petition ageism the return I
Fewer. The Committee appointed consisted of the foilowi
!barbers: Mc. J. Gordon, Mr. T. Greene, Mr. J. W. Malawi
Mr. J. B. Elphinston, Mr. H. Seymour. Mr. F. J. Taloa*, I
.7. H. Cooper, Hon. H. Lascelles. Hon. W. J. F. Powlett,
R. Step►enson, Mr. J. Morison, Lord J. Townabend, Mr.
Hodson, Sr J. Graham, and Mr. G. Dawson. They were nu
at the Bar, and withdrew.
Alderman WOOD brought in a Bill for regulating the Wat
men and Lightermen employed on the Thames.—k was read
first time.

GALWAY ILECT/011 COMMITTEE.
Lord FORBES appeared at the liar, and presented a %pert
from this Committee, stating that an the application of the sitting
Member (Mr. R. Martin) they had consented to adjourn from to-
morrow to Tuesday, the 10th of April, to give Mm an opportunity
of getting over some witnesses, anti they prayed the House to give
them leave so to adjourn.
On this motion being put,
Colonel DAVIES opposed the motion, on the ground that suffi-
cient time had been already given.
Mr. D. BARCLAY supported the mosi,on.
After a few words from Mr. GAINES.? and Mr. Lascu.ira,
Mr. C. WYNN said, that be could not conceive that the Moose
could take upon itself the responsibility of refusing the recom-
mendation of one of Its Committees.
The motion was then granted.
On the motion of Mr. R. Cotaoava, the Select Committee ap-
pointed to examine into the merits of the Petition against the late
return for the county of Westmeath, obtained leave to -adjourn, at
its rising to morrow, to the 'di of April.
Sit; W. INGlLBYRresented a Petition from the Proprietors
of Land in the County of Lincoln, praying for protection for the
Agricultural Interest.
Mr. N. FELLOWESpresentedn Petition from the Freeholders
of Huntingdon, praying the House to -reconsider the estimates of
[eke present year, to abolish useless places and pensions, and to make
tine Crown. Lands available to the service of the year.
Mr. HUME supported the prayer of the Petition. Ministers
would never give up taxation unless they were compelled to do so
by the voice of Parliament.
Mr. N. FELLOWES thought it right to sty that not mote
than thirty freeholders attended the meeting at which this Petition
was agreed to.
Mr. HUME said, that more than two hundred respectable yen.
. men had signed their names to the Petition.
Ordered to be printed.
Mr. PLUNKETT presented a Petition from the Catholics of
Fermanagh, praying for Emancipation.
Mr. CURTRIS brought in a Bill to remove the piece of election
for Knights to serve in Parliament for the County of Sussex, from
the city of Chichester to the town of Lewes. It was read a lira
dine, and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow.
Mr. CURTEIS then brought up a Petition trent certain Hop..
planters in Sussex, praying for a reduction of the Hop Duties •—a
Petition front Hastings against the New Corn Bill ;—and a Petition
tztastbourne against Catholic Emancipation. They were ifl
to be printed.
Mr. MUNDY presented a Petition from William Baker, of
Derby, complaining of the evil consequences of the Small Notes
Bill, and praying for a reduction of taxation.
Mr. H. GRATTAN presented a Petition from the Catholics
of Wexford, against the Irish Vestry Act.
Earl J ERMY N congratulated the House on the turn which had
been gives) to the debate on Tuesday night by the concessions which
certain individuals high in (Alice had made to the Rt. Hon. Member
for Waterford. He thought, however, that the subject of church-
I rates in Ireland, and of Catholic Emancipation, were too closely
Loonneeted to be separated from each other In any discussion which
Lhereafter arise upon thefts.
After a few words trom Mr. Secretary Pact, Sir J. NEWTON.%
and Mr. g Rica. the Petition was brought up.'
Mr. IL GRATTAN gave notice that he would on Tuesday
next move for leave to bring in a Bill for the more effectual purdah-
rnent of persons setting on fire or demolishing Roman Catholic al.
tars or places of worship in Ireland.
Mr. H U ME presented a Petition from certain operative Weavers
of Perth against the existing Corn Laws, and ale) against the Reso-
lutions introduced by the Right Hon. Secretary for the Foreign
Department on this subject, which, they averred, would tend to
keep up, instead of reducing, the price of Grain.
Mr. HUMS gave notice, that he would on Tuesday next move
for leave mbring in a bill for the better prevention of fsivoloua and
vexatious arrests for debt on mesne process.

lIIIGLATION.

Mr. A. BARING presented the Report of the Committee ap-
pointed to inquire into the subject of emigration. This duty, be
observed. had devolved on him, in consequence of the indisposi-
tion of the Chairman of the Committee. He strongly recom-
mended the Report to the attention of the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, and trusted that the Right Hon. Gentleman would dis-
pose of this must important subject as soon as possible. The present
was not a final but a special report, andthe measure which was pro-
posed in it, he thought it right to state, was recommended unani-
mously by the Committee. It was proper that the question should
be quickly decided, either one way or other; as there were at this
moment a number of poor Individuals kept in suspense in conse-
quence of their uncertainty as to the intentions of Government.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he was not
unaware of the tenour of this report. The Hon. Gentleman bud

yesterday communicated to hint-that it would be presented hi the
course of the present evening—and that certain propositions had
been founded on the evidence takes before the Committee. 1k
could assure the Honourable Gentleman, that he had lost no thus
in endeavouring to make himself master of the facts detailed
in the evidence. That evidence he had received last night,
and he bad read himself as - .
get theough it. Whatever .
had formed on this subject,
Gentleman could not expect hir
House were put in possession
been afforded to him, Lf bo
the evidence.—The It-port
Mr. F. BUXTON gave notit
submit a Lustion to the 11, uae,on
Mr. S BICE prtseated a
habitat* of two parishes

ii

almost blind, without being able to
srer might be the opinion which he
object. he thought the Honourable
iict hint to state that opinion until the
aibrcoomfintgheacsalunieauxopedpowrtituhnithty hiewitatcuhrehaodi • -
•
rt was ordered to be printed.
111 DIAN surreal. . t
,a notice, that he would on eie 44th May
lue,on the Immolation of Widows in India. •
d a Petition front the Roman Catholic In.
I in the county of Tipperary, against :lie I
c-,