Star.
London, England, 1817-06-24 00:00:00

s:ng or the Bill, which they would regard as a mea-
sure of protection. He argued at some length in
opposition to those who were of opinion, that sup-
posing treasonable designs to exist, those by whom
they were entertained were too insignificant to merit
the serious attention of Parliament. Though hap-
pily the disaffection was confined to the lower orders
Mild! he contended the danger was formidable.—
lithew.al the lower classes of the manufacturers to
be confident in their own strength ; to p3SSeit consi-
derable acuteness, knowledge of the law, and inge-
nuity to evade it. To the manufacturers he stated
three designs to be in a great measure restricted.—
They had studied precedents from the history of the
treason, of former times, and it was not necessary in
his mind for higher characters to take part with them
to enable them to succeed if they were not well
watched. They might at any rate succeed so tar as
to cover the country with desolation for a time. He
wished the attention of the House to be directed to
two points—the consideration of the events which
preceded the 15th of April might first deserve their
consideration. It would then be for them to look to
what had occurred subsequent to that period. This di-
vision of the subject, accerding to dates, he thought
of some importance. Those who had formerly op.
posed the Habeas Corpus Suspension Bill, might, he
thought now, with the additional experience they
possessed, feel justified in supporting the Bill for re-
newing that Act; but he could hardly think it pos-
sible that those who concurred with hint on the tor-
per occasion could oppose the present Bill, as the
case fur its renewal wss infinitely stronger than that
made out for passing the law now in force. Not only
had addition conspiracies been discovered, but, in
the late inquiry, the former conspiracies had been
confirmed; and now to refuse to renew the Bill
would give a fresh impulse to the traitors in the
country, who would derive additional strength and
mirage front the numbers now in custody, who
would then be enabled to join them, and assist in the
prosecution of their designs. He denied that the re.
sult of the late trial proved that there was no treason
in the country, though Gas forbid that he should ar-
raign the decision come to by the Jury. No person
could, he thought, shut his eyes to this tact, that there
was treason in the country —(separating it from the
individuals lately on Bier deliverance)—as every
thing that had transpired went to prove that tact.—
Those who supported the Suspension of the Habeas
Corpus Act, at the commencement of the pram
Session, could not iq his opinion refuse to vote for the,
present Bill, supported as it was by such an accu-
mulation of additional evidence. He was anxious
that the events down to the 15th of Aril should be
considered separately, because he expected an at-
tempt would be made to create a belief that the con-
spiracies which had been formed, had been in a great
measure brought about by the emissaries of Govern-
ment sent into the country for that purpose. Mr.
Oliver, who was supposed to be the moving cause of
all, he chewed, did not leave London before the 17th
of April, to go on his first mission—(Near.) It was
plainly seen, that an explosion had been intended
with which he ci'uld have nothing to do. This
would result from the reading of the second Report
of the Secret Committee, unless they absolutely dis-
believed it. Three periods, it might be seen, were
indicated, at whicbaan effort was to have been made,
and at three several times the conspirators had brought
their preparations so nearly to a point as to think of
naming the day on which they were to proceed to ac-
tion. In two of these cases, it was quite clear that
Mr. Oliver could have nothing to do with the designs
of the conspirators—that no part of their proceedings
could be ascribed to his exertions. That person had
not been sent down to encourage the disaffected to
riot and insurrection. The fact was, he had become
incidentally posiessed of some information respecting
their designs, which bel had communicated to the
Government at a time when he was not known to the
Secretary of State. He did not leave town till the
17th of April, and at no period had the treason in
agitation assumed a more malignant character than
that which belonged to it oa the SOth of March,
when the destruction of Manchester was contem-1
platen. This was before Mr. Oliver was in commu-
nication with the Government. That plan was only
frustrated by the arrest of the Delegates. With
these proceedings, and with those of the 9th of March,
Mr. Oliver had no connection whatever. He had
never been sent to the country to encourage the di,.
affected to commit acts of treason. It might be that
the appearance of a person in the character which he
assumed, that of a delegate from London, would
have the effect in some degree to encourage the con-
spirators; but he apprehended the Government were
justified, if they had reason to believe that such de-
signs were in contemplation, as they had been in-
formed of, to send down somebody to see what the
parties were about. Oliver was directed to go there
for this purpose, and not to excite those on whom he
was to be a spy to any acts of a criminal nature..
The fact was be was applied to by a delegate from
the country—a leading man and a well known cha-
racter, to satisfy himself of the spirit which existed
where he had been ; and he was told that if London'
would not unite with them, the people of the country
were determined to risk a rising by themselves. Mr.
Oliver had nothing at all to do with them before this
delegate, and another leading man, introduced him
to them. The person connected with the delegate had
been about to leave the country, but understanding
the effort was immediately to be made, he determi-
ned to remain, ip order to co-operate with the con-
spirators. Mr. Oliver was thee invited to go into
the country, and on this he communicated to go-
vernment what had passed, whether he ought to avail
himself of
.the opportunity or not? He was autho-
rized to do so, . but no one had been base enough to
direct him to excite them to acts of violence, and so
far as Government had been informed. of his pro-
ceedings. be had not done this. Those who now
complained that Mr. Oliver's conduct had been so
very improper—those whose only object was Parlia-
mentary Reform, bad never taken Mr. Oliver by the
throat, and carried him before a Magistrate, when be
ventured to avow designs of a different character. It
never occurred to them to do this, and his conduct
was pasied quietly over. A; Nottingham it was clear '
that Mr. Oliver was not concerned iu the rising which
it was intended should take place en Whit Monday,
and which was afterwards put off till the 9th of June.
He left the country before the deliberations of the
2.3 d of May, on the subject of the rising, sod did
uut lust London on his return ell the evening oltbat